Message: “Waiting on the Wind: The Invisible Power of God” from Joe Summers

Joe Summers - June 1, 2025

Waiting on the Wind: The Invisible Power of God"

Waiting on the Wind: The Invisible Power of God" Theme: The Holy Spirit moves like the wind—unseen but powerful, unpredictable yet purposeful. God uses the wind to reveal His presence, give life, bring change, and lead His people. Lesson Objective: Understand how wind is used in the Bible as a symbol of the Holy Spirit. Recognize the invisible but powerful work of the Holy Spirit in creation, transformation, and personal empowerment. Reflect on their willingness to be moved and guided by the Spirit, even when they cannot see the full path ahead. Scriptures: “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” — John 3:8 (NIV) Memory Verse: “The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” — Job 33:4 (NIV) Introduction Can You Feel the Wind? Can You see the wind? Can you feel the power of God? Can you see God? Can you see the power of God? The wind is one of the most powerful images in Scripture to describe the movement of God—His presence, His power, His breath, His Spirit. Today we are going to look at how God uses the wind in the Bible—not just as a weather pattern, but as a symbol of His dynamic, life-giving, and sometimes disruptive presence. ________________________________________ 1. The Wind at Creation – The Breath of God (Genesis 1:2) “Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.” The Hebrew word for Spirit is “Ruach”—it means wind or breath. The first thing we’re told about the Spirit of God is that He was moving, hovering, like a breath over the waters. Before anything was created, the Spirit was active. God’s wind is creative. When God speaks, things come into being. The wind of His Spirit brings order out of chaos, light out of darkness, and purpose out of emptiness. Application: Maybe today you feel like your life is formless or void. You’re not sure what’s next. Let the Spirit hover over your chaos. God still breathes life into what seems lifeless. ________________________________________ 2. The Wind of Deliverance – Exodus 14:21 “Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land.” The Israelites were trapped—Pharaoh’s army behind them, the Red Sea in front of them. And what does God use to make a way? A wind. God didn’t need to send fire or thunder. He used the wind to part the waters. Quietly. Powerfully. Persistently. God’s wind makes a way when there is no way. Application: Maybe you feel stuck—cornered by life, fear, or decisions. Ask the Lord to send a wind. His Spirit can open paths where you see no possibilities. ________________________________________ 3. The Wind of Revival – Ezekiel 37:9–10 “‘Come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.’ So I prophesied… and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army.” In the Valley of Dry Bones, God tells Ezekiel to call on the wind. And when the wind comes, dead bones come to life. God’s wind revives what we thought was over. Maybe your dream is dead. Your faith feels dry. Your heart is tired. But the breath of God—the wind—can restore what you thought was beyond hope. Application: Where are you spiritually dry? Ask the Spirit to breathe on you again. God can bring life to your weary soul. ________________________________________ The Wind of Empowerment – Acts 2:1–4 “Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house…” This was the birth of the Church. A moment of divine power. The sound of a mighty wind filled the room—and the Spirit of God filled the people. This wind wasn't just symbolic—it was transformative. People who had been afraid were now bold. People who were scattered were now united. God’s wind empowers us to fulfill His purpose. Application: Do you want boldness to speak for Christ? Strength to live differently? Power to love your enemies? Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you like He filled the disciples. ________________________________________ 6. The Wind of Transformation – John 3:1–8 “You must be born again… The wind blows wherever it pleases… So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” Jesus is talking to Nicodemus, a religious leader who had everything right on paper—but something was missing. Jesus tells him: It’s not about religion. It’s about rebirth. The Spirit, like the wind, transforms us from the inside out. You can’t predict it. You can’t control it. But you can experience it. God’s wind changes who we are. Application: Has your faith been a list of rules or routines? The Spirit wants to make you new. Not just improved—reborn. ________________________________________ 7. Application – Living by the Wind of the Spirit • The wind is invisible, but it moves everything. • The Spirit is unpredictable, but always purposeful. • We are called not to control the wind—but to be moved by it. Ask yourself: • Am I resisting the wind or moving with it? • Where is the Spirit blowing in my life right now? • Am I willing to let go of control and be led? ________________________________________ Conclusion – Surrendering to the Wind You can’t see the wind, but you can set your sails. The Holy Spirit is moving today—here, now. You don’t have to make something happen. You just have to open your heart, surrender, and let the breath of God move you. Whether you're stuck, dry, afraid, or spiritually empty—there is wind for you. ________________________________________ 9. Prayer and Response “Holy Spirit, breathe on us again. Stir what is still. Move what is stuck. Empower what is weak. We surrender our control and invite Your wind to blow through our lives, our hearts, our church. We trust You—even when we cannot see where You’re leading. Move us. Transform us. Fill us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”