Unapologetically Pentecostal (Part 3)
The Glory of the Latter House: Pursuing the Fullness of God's Presence
There's a profound difference between knowing God is present and experiencing the weight of His glory. While God's omnipresence means He exists everywhere simultaneously, His glory—His kabod—represents something far more intimate and transformative. It's the difference between acknowledging someone is in the room and sitting face-to-face with them in deep conversation.
When Glory Filled the House
In 2 Chronicles 5, we encounter a remarkable scene. The priests are ministering in the temple when suddenly the glory of the Lord fills the house with such intensity that they cannot even stand. The weight of God's presence becomes so heavy, so tangible, that physical movement becomes impossible. This wasn't just a spiritual concept—it was an overwhelming, physical reality.
But God promised something even greater. Through the prophet Haggai, He declared that "the glory of the latter house shall be greater than that of the former house." This wasn't merely about a building; it was about His people becoming the temple, the dwelling place of His Spirit.
The fulfillment came on the Day of Pentecost. Acts 2 records that "a sound came from heaven and filled the house where they were sitting." Just as glory filled the Old Testament temple, the Holy Spirit—whom Peter calls "the spirit of glory"—now filled the people themselves. No longer would God's glory be an external, occasional visitation. Now it would be an internal, abiding presence.
The Hebrew Understanding of Glory
The Hebrew word for glory, kabod, carries rich meaning: weightiness, abundance, honor, splendor, magnificence, and grandeur. Think of it this way—you might be present throughout your entire house, but your weight rests in one particular chair. Your fullness, your concentrated presence, is in that specific location.
God's glory works similarly. While His omnipresence extends everywhere, His glory manifests where He is honored and welcomed. It's a two-way street: worshipers honor God, and He reveals His honor-worthiness. They ascribe glory to Him, and He unveils His glory to them. This reciprocal relationship creates an atmosphere where transformation becomes inevitable.
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit: More Than a Gift
The baptism of the Holy Spirit has sometimes been reduced to a side dish—optional, peripheral, nice to have but not essential. This misses the heart of what Scripture presents. When we pursue the baptism of the Holy Spirit, we're not chasing a spiritual gift or seeking to speak in tongues. We're pursuing the fullness of God's presence. We're saying, "Take the lid off. Remove the walls. I want all of You."
Romans 8:26-27 reveals why this matters so deeply: "The Spirit also helps us in our weakness because we do not know what to pray for as we should. But the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings that cannot be expressed with human words." There's an intimacy here that transcends our natural abilities—a connection with God that goes beyond what we can manufacture through human effort.
The Question of Control
Perhaps the greatest barrier to receiving the fullness of the Spirit is our misunderstanding of control. Some cite self-control as a fruit of the Spirit and use it as justification for resisting God's move. But self-control in Galatians 5 refers to mastering sensual appetites and resisting sin—not resisting the Holy Spirit.
When we refuse to yield to the Spirit under the guise of "self-control," we're not exercising biblical virtue. We're actually enthroning ourselves. We're choosing self-rule over God's rule. The Scripture consistently calls us in the opposite direction:
"Do not harden your hearts" (Hebrews 3:7-8)
"Do not quench the Spirit" (1 Thessalonians 5:19)
"You always resist the Holy Spirit" (Acts 7:51)
The biblical picture isn't a stiff-necked, hard-hearted resistance. It's a soft, yielded, surrendered posture. It's saying, "Holy Spirit, wear me like a glove—perfectly fitted, filling every corner."
The Fire That Must Not Be Quenched
Scripture describes the Holy Spirit as fire. Fire isn't comfortable. It burns. It consumes. When we invite God's glorious fire to inhabit us, some things will burn—wrong thinking, unhealthy relationships, sinful habits, false theologies. The temptation is to extinguish the fire when it becomes uncomfortable.
But the biblical mandate is clear: don't quench the Spirit. In fact, Leviticus 9 teaches that when fire comes from God's glory, we're to tend it, stoke it, add fuel to it. We're to let it burn until the entire sacrifice is consumed. This is the picture of complete surrender—allowing God's purifying fire to burn away everything that doesn't belong while igniting us with holy passion.
The Posture of Receiving
The Greek word for "receive" in Acts 8—lambano—means to take hold of, to give someone access to oneself, to enter into close relationship. It's not passive waiting. It's active welcoming. It's not skeptical hesitation but eager anticipation.
When Luke describes the Holy Spirit "falling upon" believers, the Greek word suggests rushing upon, pressing down, falling into embrace, even taking possession. This isn't demonic possession—forceful and uninvited. This is the loving embrace of a surrendered vessel saying, "Come, Holy Spirit. Take control. I yield completely."
The baptism of the Holy Spirit involves a mutual embrace. God reaches for us, and we reach for Him. He pours Himself out, and we open ourselves fully to receive. There's desire, pursuit, welcome, and surrender all intertwined.
Keep Seeking, Keep Knocking
For some, the baptism comes immediately. For others, it's a journey of preparation. This doesn't indicate spiritual inferiority. Sometimes God is removing hindrances, healing wounds, building trust, and preparing us for what He wants to pour in. The instruction remains: "Ask and keep asking. Seek and keep seeking. Knock and keep knocking."
The promise of 2 Corinthians 3:18 applies to every believer: "We all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another." But when we say, "Take the lid off—I want Your glory," we're inviting acceleration in that transformation.
The Invitation Stands
The glory of the latter house is meant to be greater. Not because of human achievement but because God desires to dwell fully within His people. The question isn't whether God is willing—He's already poured out His Spirit. The question is whether we're willing to yield completely, to surrender fully, to welcome Him without reservation.
The river of God's presence is flowing. Will we remove every dam, every barrier, every umbrella that keeps us from being fully immersed? Will we pursue not just presence but glory—the weighty, abundant, magnificent fullness of God Himself?
There's a profound difference between knowing God is present and experiencing the weight of His glory. While God's omnipresence means He exists everywhere simultaneously, His glory—His kabod—represents something far more intimate and transformative. It's the difference between acknowledging someone is in the room and sitting face-to-face with them in deep conversation.
When Glory Filled the House
In 2 Chronicles 5, we encounter a remarkable scene. The priests are ministering in the temple when suddenly the glory of the Lord fills the house with such intensity that they cannot even stand. The weight of God's presence becomes so heavy, so tangible, that physical movement becomes impossible. This wasn't just a spiritual concept—it was an overwhelming, physical reality.
But God promised something even greater. Through the prophet Haggai, He declared that "the glory of the latter house shall be greater than that of the former house." This wasn't merely about a building; it was about His people becoming the temple, the dwelling place of His Spirit.
The fulfillment came on the Day of Pentecost. Acts 2 records that "a sound came from heaven and filled the house where they were sitting." Just as glory filled the Old Testament temple, the Holy Spirit—whom Peter calls "the spirit of glory"—now filled the people themselves. No longer would God's glory be an external, occasional visitation. Now it would be an internal, abiding presence.
The Hebrew Understanding of Glory
The Hebrew word for glory, kabod, carries rich meaning: weightiness, abundance, honor, splendor, magnificence, and grandeur. Think of it this way—you might be present throughout your entire house, but your weight rests in one particular chair. Your fullness, your concentrated presence, is in that specific location.
God's glory works similarly. While His omnipresence extends everywhere, His glory manifests where He is honored and welcomed. It's a two-way street: worshipers honor God, and He reveals His honor-worthiness. They ascribe glory to Him, and He unveils His glory to them. This reciprocal relationship creates an atmosphere where transformation becomes inevitable.
The Baptism of the Holy Spirit: More Than a Gift
The baptism of the Holy Spirit has sometimes been reduced to a side dish—optional, peripheral, nice to have but not essential. This misses the heart of what Scripture presents. When we pursue the baptism of the Holy Spirit, we're not chasing a spiritual gift or seeking to speak in tongues. We're pursuing the fullness of God's presence. We're saying, "Take the lid off. Remove the walls. I want all of You."
Romans 8:26-27 reveals why this matters so deeply: "The Spirit also helps us in our weakness because we do not know what to pray for as we should. But the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings that cannot be expressed with human words." There's an intimacy here that transcends our natural abilities—a connection with God that goes beyond what we can manufacture through human effort.
The Question of Control
Perhaps the greatest barrier to receiving the fullness of the Spirit is our misunderstanding of control. Some cite self-control as a fruit of the Spirit and use it as justification for resisting God's move. But self-control in Galatians 5 refers to mastering sensual appetites and resisting sin—not resisting the Holy Spirit.
When we refuse to yield to the Spirit under the guise of "self-control," we're not exercising biblical virtue. We're actually enthroning ourselves. We're choosing self-rule over God's rule. The Scripture consistently calls us in the opposite direction:
"Do not harden your hearts" (Hebrews 3:7-8)
"Do not quench the Spirit" (1 Thessalonians 5:19)
"You always resist the Holy Spirit" (Acts 7:51)
The biblical picture isn't a stiff-necked, hard-hearted resistance. It's a soft, yielded, surrendered posture. It's saying, "Holy Spirit, wear me like a glove—perfectly fitted, filling every corner."
The Fire That Must Not Be Quenched
Scripture describes the Holy Spirit as fire. Fire isn't comfortable. It burns. It consumes. When we invite God's glorious fire to inhabit us, some things will burn—wrong thinking, unhealthy relationships, sinful habits, false theologies. The temptation is to extinguish the fire when it becomes uncomfortable.
But the biblical mandate is clear: don't quench the Spirit. In fact, Leviticus 9 teaches that when fire comes from God's glory, we're to tend it, stoke it, add fuel to it. We're to let it burn until the entire sacrifice is consumed. This is the picture of complete surrender—allowing God's purifying fire to burn away everything that doesn't belong while igniting us with holy passion.
The Posture of Receiving
The Greek word for "receive" in Acts 8—lambano—means to take hold of, to give someone access to oneself, to enter into close relationship. It's not passive waiting. It's active welcoming. It's not skeptical hesitation but eager anticipation.
When Luke describes the Holy Spirit "falling upon" believers, the Greek word suggests rushing upon, pressing down, falling into embrace, even taking possession. This isn't demonic possession—forceful and uninvited. This is the loving embrace of a surrendered vessel saying, "Come, Holy Spirit. Take control. I yield completely."
The baptism of the Holy Spirit involves a mutual embrace. God reaches for us, and we reach for Him. He pours Himself out, and we open ourselves fully to receive. There's desire, pursuit, welcome, and surrender all intertwined.
Keep Seeking, Keep Knocking
For some, the baptism comes immediately. For others, it's a journey of preparation. This doesn't indicate spiritual inferiority. Sometimes God is removing hindrances, healing wounds, building trust, and preparing us for what He wants to pour in. The instruction remains: "Ask and keep asking. Seek and keep seeking. Knock and keep knocking."
The promise of 2 Corinthians 3:18 applies to every believer: "We all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another." But when we say, "Take the lid off—I want Your glory," we're inviting acceleration in that transformation.
The Invitation Stands
The glory of the latter house is meant to be greater. Not because of human achievement but because God desires to dwell fully within His people. The question isn't whether God is willing—He's already poured out His Spirit. The question is whether we're willing to yield completely, to surrender fully, to welcome Him without reservation.
The river of God's presence is flowing. Will we remove every dam, every barrier, every umbrella that keeps us from being fully immersed? Will we pursue not just presence but glory—the weighty, abundant, magnificent fullness of God Himself?
Kids Dinner Conversation Starters for Parents
1. The pastor said God doesn’t just want to be *near* us, He wants to *live inside* us. What do you think it means for God to live in *your* heart like a home?
2. In the Bible, God’s glory was so strong the priests couldn’t stand up! If God’s “glory” is His hugeness and specialness, what is one huge, special thing about God you love?
3. The pastor talked about “wanting more of God.” What is one way our family can show God this week that we want *more* of Him, not just “a little bit”?
4. He said the Holy Spirit is like a fire that burns away bad things and gives us power to do what’s right. Can you think of one bad habit you’d like God’s fire to burn away, and one good thing you want His help to do?
5. The pastor said we shouldn’t fight against the Holy Spirit, but *listen* and *follow*. Can you tell about a time you felt like God wanted you to do something kind or brave? What happened, or what do you think you would do?
2. In the Bible, God’s glory was so strong the priests couldn’t stand up! If God’s “glory” is His hugeness and specialness, what is one huge, special thing about God you love?
3. The pastor talked about “wanting more of God.” What is one way our family can show God this week that we want *more* of Him, not just “a little bit”?
4. He said the Holy Spirit is like a fire that burns away bad things and gives us power to do what’s right. Can you think of one bad habit you’d like God’s fire to burn away, and one good thing you want His help to do?
5. The pastor said we shouldn’t fight against the Holy Spirit, but *listen* and *follow*. Can you tell about a time you felt like God wanted you to do something kind or brave? What happened, or what do you think you would do?
Lifegroup Guide
Opening Prayer (5 minutes)
Begin by inviting the Holy Spirit to guide your discussion and open hearts to receive more of God's presence.
Icebreaker (10 minutes)
Question: Share a time when you experienced God's presence in a powerful or unexpected way. What was that like for you?
Key Takeaways from the Sermon
1. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit Fulfills Old Testament Promises
Acts 2 fulfills both the Tower of Babel reversal AND the promise of God's glory filling His temple
We are now the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16)
The glory of the latter house (us) is greater than the former (the physical temple)
2. Understanding Glory (Kabod)
Glory is different from omnipresence
Glory = weightiness, richness, abundance, honor, splendor, magnificence
Glory is where God is being honored AND where He reveals His honor
It's an intimate, face-to-face encounter, not just distant awareness
3. Yieldedness vs. Self-Control
Biblical self-control is about resisting sin, not resisting the Holy Spirit
Resisting the Holy Spirit is actually rebellion, not self-control
We are called to yield, surrender, and welcome the Holy Spirit's control
The baptism involves mutual embrace—God taking hold of us and us taking hold of Him
4. The Baptism is Not About Superiority
Not having received the baptism doesn't make you an inferior Christian
But we should all be pursuing MORE of God continuously
The baptism shifts something in us—empowering victory and transformation
Discussion Questions (30-40 minutes)
Addressing Misconceptions
Personal Application
Moving Forward
The sermon mentioned that someone in the church prayed for years before receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit. How do you respond when God seems to delay in answering your prayers? What might He be working out in you during the waiting?
The pastor called us to remove every "umbrella" from the reign of God's presence—every hindrance and unyielded thing. What specific hindrance might the Holy Spirit be highlighting in your life right now?
Practical Applications (15 minutes)
Choose one or more of the following to practice this week:
Journal what God reveals to you
Study Glory in Scripture
2. Read the following passages and note what they teach about God's glory:
Exodus 40:34-38
1 Kings 8:10-11
2 Chronicles 5:13-14
Haggai 2:9
John 1:14
2 Corinthians 3:18
3. Create Space for Glory
Set aside 30 minutes for uninterrupted worship and prayer
Focus on honoring God and welcoming His presence
Don't rush—wait on Him, yield to Him
4. Address Hindrances
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any pain, distrust, or fear that's hindering your full surrender
Share with a trusted friend or counselor
Pray for healing and breakthrough
5. Pursue the Baptism
If you haven't received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, make it a point of focused prayer this week
Ask mature believers to pray with you
Come with expectation, welcome, and surrender—not skepticism
Prayer Time (15-20 minutes)
Closing Declaration:
"Holy Spirit, we welcome You. We yield to You. We surrender control to You. Fill us until we overflow. Let Your glory—Your weight, Your honor, Your magnificence—rest upon us. We don't want just presence; we want glory. We don't want just enough; we want it all. Fill us to overflowing. In Jesus' name, Amen."
Additional Resources
For Further Study: Read "The Holy Spirit and You" by Dennis and Rita Bennett or "They Speak with Other Tongues" by John Sherrill
Testimony Sharing: Consider having group members share their experiences with the Holy Spirit's work in their lives during your next meeting
Follow-Up: Check in with each other throughout the week about what God is doing as you pursue more of Him
Begin by inviting the Holy Spirit to guide your discussion and open hearts to receive more of God's presence.
Icebreaker (10 minutes)
Question: Share a time when you experienced God's presence in a powerful or unexpected way. What was that like for you?
Key Takeaways from the Sermon
1. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit Fulfills Old Testament Promises
Acts 2 fulfills both the Tower of Babel reversal AND the promise of God's glory filling His temple
We are now the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16)
The glory of the latter house (us) is greater than the former (the physical temple)
2. Understanding Glory (Kabod)
Glory is different from omnipresence
Glory = weightiness, richness, abundance, honor, splendor, magnificence
Glory is where God is being honored AND where He reveals His honor
It's an intimate, face-to-face encounter, not just distant awareness
3. Yieldedness vs. Self-Control
Biblical self-control is about resisting sin, not resisting the Holy Spirit
Resisting the Holy Spirit is actually rebellion, not self-control
We are called to yield, surrender, and welcome the Holy Spirit's control
The baptism involves mutual embrace—God taking hold of us and us taking hold of Him
4. The Baptism is Not About Superiority
Not having received the baptism doesn't make you an inferior Christian
But we should all be pursuing MORE of God continuously
The baptism shifts something in us—empowering victory and transformation
Discussion Questions (30-40 minutes)
- The pastor described glory as God's "weight" in a specific place, like sitting in a chair. How does this illustration help you understand the difference between God's omnipresence and His glory? Where do you sense God's "weight" most in your life right now?
- Acts 2 is described as the fulfillment of God filling His temple with glory—but now WE are the temple. What does it mean practically for your body to be the temple of the Holy Spirit? How should this change the way you live daily?
- The sermon emphasized that glory happens where God is being honored AND where He reveals His honor. Think about your worship—both personal and corporate. Are you positioning yourself to both honor God and receive His revelation of who He is?
Addressing Misconceptions
- Many people misunderstand "self-control" as resisting the Holy Spirit's work. Have you ever confused self-control with self-rule? How can you tell the difference between healthy boundaries and resisting God's Spirit?
- The pastor said some people come to the altar with a "skeptical, hesitant, rejecting attitude" rather than welcome and surrender. What might be hindering someone from fully yielding to the Holy Spirit? What might be hindering you?
- The sermon mentioned that Peter experienced an "ecstasy" or trance induced by the Holy Spirit (Acts 10). Does this make you uncomfortable? Why or why not? How do we balance being open to supernatural experiences while maintaining biblical discernment?
Personal Application
- The pastor described yieldedness as saying, "God, wear me like a glove—fill every corner." On a scale of 1-10, how yielded would you say you are to the Holy Spirit right now? What areas of your life are you still holding back?
- For those who have been baptized in the Holy Spirit: How has this experience impacted your walk with God? Your prayer life? Your ability to overcome sin? Share your testimony with the group.
- For those still seeking the baptism: What questions do you have? What fears or concerns are you wrestling with? How can this group support you in your pursuit of more of God?
Moving Forward
The sermon mentioned that someone in the church prayed for years before receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit. How do you respond when God seems to delay in answering your prayers? What might He be working out in you during the waiting?
The pastor called us to remove every "umbrella" from the reign of God's presence—every hindrance and unyielded thing. What specific hindrance might the Holy Spirit be highlighting in your life right now?
Practical Applications (15 minutes)
Choose one or more of the following to practice this week:
- Daily Surrender Prayer
Journal what God reveals to you
Study Glory in Scripture
2. Read the following passages and note what they teach about God's glory:
Exodus 40:34-38
1 Kings 8:10-11
2 Chronicles 5:13-14
Haggai 2:9
John 1:14
2 Corinthians 3:18
3. Create Space for Glory
Set aside 30 minutes for uninterrupted worship and prayer
Focus on honoring God and welcoming His presence
Don't rush—wait on Him, yield to Him
4. Address Hindrances
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any pain, distrust, or fear that's hindering your full surrender
Share with a trusted friend or counselor
Pray for healing and breakthrough
5. Pursue the Baptism
If you haven't received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, make it a point of focused prayer this week
Ask mature believers to pray with you
Come with expectation, welcome, and surrender—not skepticism
Prayer Time (15-20 minutes)
- Pray for yieldedness - Ask God to remove every hindrance, every resistance, every area of self-rule
- Pray for those seeking the baptism - Lay hands on group members who are pursuing the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Pray with faith and expectation.
- Pray for fresh filling - Even those who have been baptized in the Spirit should pray for fresh filling, for more of God's glory
- Pray for the Thailand mission trip - Lift up the team, pray for open doors, safety, and a mighty move of God
Closing Declaration:
"Holy Spirit, we welcome You. We yield to You. We surrender control to You. Fill us until we overflow. Let Your glory—Your weight, Your honor, Your magnificence—rest upon us. We don't want just presence; we want glory. We don't want just enough; we want it all. Fill us to overflowing. In Jesus' name, Amen."
Additional Resources
For Further Study: Read "The Holy Spirit and You" by Dennis and Rita Bennett or "They Speak with Other Tongues" by John Sherrill
Testimony Sharing: Consider having group members share their experiences with the Holy Spirit's work in their lives during your next meeting
Follow-Up: Check in with each other throughout the week about what God is doing as you pursue more of Him
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