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The Wind of the Spirit

John 3:1–8 & Ezekiel 37:1–14

Preacher: Alex Hogendoorn

Date: June 15, 2025

Tagline:

The Holy Spirit is not a passive presence but the living breath of God, leading us with purpose, power, and movement into new life.

Summary:

This sign of the Spirit was explored in the layered meaning of Jesus’ words in John 3:1–8, particularly his dialogue with Nicodemus about being born of the Spirit. Drawing from the rich biblical background of pneuma and ruach—words that mean breath, wind, and spirit—Alex unpacks how the Spirit is not only the breath that gives life (as in Genesis 2 and Ezekiel 37), but also a divine Person who leads us into alignment with Jesus. The Spirit breathes us into new creation and then blows us into movement, just like the wind that led Israel through the sea, filled the early church at Pentecost, and carried the prophets of old.

The sermon opens with a compelling college story about a prompting to get hot chocolate, which led to a life-saving conversation with a dorm mate. This story illustrates how the Spirit prompts us not merely for our benefit, but for the rescue of others. Through illustrations of Red Sea crossings, dry bones rising, and prophetic sailboats, the sermon paints the Spirit as deeply personal and perpetually in motion. Our task is not just to receive life from the Spirit, but to stay in step with the Spirit, filtering our desires through the mind of Christ and moving forward in humility.

Group Discussion Guide

Icebreaker Questions (choose one):

  1. Have you ever had a gut feeling or a “nudge” to do something that turned out to be significant? What happened?
  2. What’s a time you went somewhere just for one reason and ended up helping someone unexpectedly?
  3. If your life were a sailboat, how well do you think your sails are catching the wind lately—are you moving, drifting, or docked?

Read John 3:1–8 and Ezekiel 37:1–14 together and reflect and discuss any questions that come up. Use a few of the following questions to direct conversation as needed.

Discussion Questions:

  1. In John 3, Jesus says we must be born of the Spirit. What does this say about the nature of spiritual life and how we receive it? How is this echoed in the vision of dry bones in Ezekiel 37?
  2. The word pneuma means spirit, breath, and wind. How do these different meanings help us understand the Spirit’s role in our lives?
  3. In the sermon, we heard that the Spirit moves us like wind fills sails. What does this metaphor reveal about our posture toward the Spirit’s leading?
  4. To discern the leading of the Spirit, Jesus would say later that the Spirit would remind us of Jesus: His word, his example, his heart, and his message. Can you think of examples of where you were prompted by the Bible, Jesus' heart, or the gospel?
  5. How does focussing on Jesus help you discern the Spirit's leading from your own voice and desires?

For Further Study

  1. Genesis 2:7 – “Then the Lord God formed the man… and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life…”
  2. Ezekiel 37:1–14 – “Prophesy to the breath… come from the four winds, O breath…”
  3. John 14:26 – “The Holy Spirit… will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”
  4. Acts 2:1–4 – “A sound like a mighty rushing wind…”
  5. 2 Peter 1:21 – “Men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”
  6. Romans 8:14 – “Those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.”
  7. Galatians 5:25 – “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”
  8. Philippians 2:5 – “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.”
  9. 2 Corinthians 3:18 – “We are being transformed into his image… by the Spirit.”
  10. 1 Corinthians 2:12 – “We have received… the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand…”

Gospel Connections

“Let’s discuss how we can apply this message to our lives as we seek to make the following connections as we follow Jesus”

God: Where have you seen the Spirit’s breath bring life into dry places in your walk with God?

the Church: How can we encourage one another to stay “in step” with the Spirit as a community?

our Group: Are we learning to discern promptings together? How might we help one another recognize the Spirit’s guidance?

our City: What might it look like to be a Spirit-moved presence in Courtenay—led not by programs, but by wind

Adults
Gospel Communities