Series Details
Pastor Chuck Swindoll’s series Flying Closer to the Flame removes the fog of separation many Christians feel regarding the person of the Holy Spirit.
Like reading the dictionary’s definition of fire versus seeing its blaze and feeling its heat, these 14 messages soar you nearer to the Spirit . . . so you might experience Him as you cultivate a very personal and practical relationship with Him.
Discover how to fly closer to the Flame—our mysterious, divine Helper. He’s ready! Are you?
For many Christians, the Holy Spirit remains a mysterious or even intimidating figure. We may know the “dictionary definition” of the Spirit, but we lack the warmth and power of His actual presence. In this 14-part series, Chuck Swindoll removes the “fog of separation” and invites us to a closer walk with our divine Helper. By exploring the Spirit’s roles in transformation, healing, emotions, and inner promptings, we discover that He is not an abstract force, but a personal guide ready to ignite our spiritual lives.
Message 1: Let’s Get Reacquainted with the Spirit
Sermon Summary Jesus promised the “Spirit of truth” would indwell every believer. Yet, many feel a sense of hesitation or distance when it comes to the Holy Spirit. This opening message reintroduces the Spirit anew, addressing common fears and misconceptions. Chuck encourages us to move past the definitions and start cultivating a practical, daily relationship with the One who was sent to be our constant companion.
Key Facts & Themes
- The Promise of Indwelling: Understanding that the Spirit is a gift for all believers.
- Overcoming Hesitation: Addressing the theological and emotional barriers to a relationship with the Spirit.
Message 2: The Main Agenda of God’s Spirit: Transformation
Sermon Summary The Holy Spirit doesn’t just comfort us; He changes us. This message focuses on the Spirit’s primary goal: Christlike transformation. We explore how the “Helper” works from the inside out to align our character, desires, and actions with the heart of God.
Key Facts & Themes
- Internal Change: Moving beyond behavior modification to genuine heart transformation.
- The Spirit’s Power: Relying on divine strength rather than human willpower for growth.
Message 3: My Sin . . . and “The Things of the Spirit”
Sermon Summary Sin creates a barrier to experiencing the fullness of the Spirit’s power. Chuck discusses the relationship between our personal holiness and our sensitivity to the Spirit. We learn the importance of confession and turning away from the flesh to walk in the “things of the Spirit.”
Key Facts & Themes
- Spiritual Sensitivity: How sin “quenches” or “grieves” the Holy Spirit.
- Restoration: The path back to a vibrant walk with God through repentance.
Message 4: Is the Spirit’s Filling That Big a Deal?
Sermon Summary What does it mean to be “filled with the Spirit”? This message clarifies a frequently misunderstood concept, showing that the Spirit’s filling is not a one-time emotional event but a daily surrender to His control. Chuck explains why this filling is essential for a life of joy and effectiveness.
Key Facts & Themes
- Daily Surrender: The practical discipline of yielding control to the Spirit.
- Spiritual Vitality: Why the “filling” is the key to a robust Christian life.
Primary Scripture Reference
- Ephesians 5:18
Message 5: The Spirit Who Surprises
Sermon Summary The Holy Spirit is sovereign and unpredictable. He often moves in ways that defy our logic or our religious traditions. This message encourages us to stay open to the “surprises” of the Spirit, recognizing that His work is often fresh, creative, and beyond our control.
Key Facts & Themes
- Divine Sovereignty: The Spirit “blows where He wishes.”
- Openness to God: Trading our rigid expectations for a willingness to follow the Spirit’s lead.
Message 6: Draw Me Nearer . . . Nearer
Sermon Summary The goal of the Spirit’s work is intimacy with the Father. In this message, Chuck explores the hunger for a closer walk with God and how the Spirit facilitates that nearness. We are invited to move deeper into the “blaze” of God’s presence.
Key Facts & Themes
- Spiritual Hunger: Identifying the soul’s need for deeper intimacy.
- The Spirit as Guide: How the Helper draws us closer to the heart of Jesus.
Message 7: Those Unidentified Inner Promptings
Sermon Summary How do we know if a thought is from God or just from ourselves? This message provides biblical guidance for discerning the “inner promptings” of the Spirit. Chuck offers practical tests to help believers identify the subtle leading of God in their daily decisions.
Key Facts & Themes
- Discernment: Distinguishing the Spirit’s voice from our own impulses.
- Biblical Alignment: Why the Spirit’s lead will never contradict God’s Word.
Message 8: The Spirit and Our Emotions
Sermon Summary God created us with emotions, and the Holy Spirit works through them. This message addresses the balance between emotionalism and a stoic faith. We learn how the Spirit brings order, healing, and healthy expression to our emotional lives.
Key Facts & Themes
- Emotional Health: The Spirit’s role in comforting, calming, and directing our feelings.
- Avoiding Extremes: Maintaining a biblical balance between emotion and truth.
Message 9: Thinking Theologically about Sickness and Healing
Sermon Summary Before looking at specific acts of healing, we must ground our thinking in Scripture. Chuck provides a theological framework for understanding why God allows sickness and how He views our physical suffering. This message sets the stage for a balanced view of divine healing.
Key Facts & Themes
- The Reality of the Fall: Why we experience sickness in a broken world.
- God’s Purpose in Pain: Trusting the Father’s heart when healing hasn’t yet come.
Message 10: A Biblical Case for Healing
Sermon Summary Does God still heal today? Chuck makes a clear biblical case that the Holy Spirit remains active in bringing physical restoration. We look at the patterns of healing in the New Testament and the invitation for believers to pray with faith for the sick.
Key Facts & Themes
- The Power to Heal: Recognizing the Spirit’s continued ability to perform miracles.
- Prayer of Faith: The role of the church in interceding for physical needs.
Message 11: When the Spirit Brings a Slow Recovery
Sermon Summary We often want “instant” miracles, but God often chooses a path of slow recovery. This message offers encouragement for the season of waiting. Chuck discusses how the Spirit works through time and medical means to bring about restoration, teaching us patience and endurance.
Key Facts & Themes
- The Discipline of Waiting: Finding God’s grace in the process of recovery.
- Sovereign Timing: Why “slow” is not the same as “no” in God’s economy.
Message 12: Power, Power . . . We’ve Got the Power!
Sermon Summary The Christian life was never meant to be lived in our own strength. Jesus promised “power from on high.” This message explores what this dynamic, explosive power looks like in the life of an ordinary believer and how we can access it for service and witness.
Key Facts & Themes
- The Promise of Acts 1:8: The Spirit as the source of our witness.
- Dynamic Living: Trading human effort for supernatural empowerment.
Message 13: Is That All There Is to the Spirit’s Ministry?
Sermon Summary As we near the end of the series, we look at the breadth of the Spirit’s ministry. From interceding for us in prayer to sealing us for the day of redemption, the Spirit’s roles are vast. Chuck summarizes the multifaceted work of our Helper, ensuring we don’t overlook any aspect of His gift.
Key Facts & Themes
- Intercession: The Spirit praying for us when we don’t know how.
- The Seal of Redemption: Our eternal security guaranteed by the Spirit.
Message 14: Let’s Just Praise the Lord
Sermon Summary A life filled with the Spirit naturally overflows in praise. In the series finale, we focus on worship as the ultimate response to the Spirit’s work. We learn that a heart captured by the Flame will always find a reason to celebrate the majesty and goodness of God.
Key Facts & Themes
- Worship as Response: The natural fruit of a Spirit-led life.
- Gratitude: Cultivating a heart of praise regardless of circumstances.
Common Questions about the Holy Spirit (FAQ)
Is the Holy Spirit a person or an “it”? The Bible consistently presents the Holy Spirit as a person—the third Person of the Trinity. He has a mind, will, and emotions. He can be grieved, lied to, and obeyed. He is our personal “Helper,” not a vague or impersonal force.
How do I know if I’m filled with the Spirit? The “filling” of the Spirit is often evidenced by the fruit He produces (Galatians 5:22–23), a heart of gratitude and worship, and a desire to obey God’s Word. It is not necessarily an emotional feeling, but a state of being surrendered to His control.
Can the Holy Spirit lead me to do something that isn’t in the Bible? No. The Holy Spirit is the author of Scripture, and He will never lead a believer to act in a way that contradicts the truths He has already revealed in His Word. The Bible is the primary filter through which we test any “inner prompting.”
What is the difference between the “baptism” and “filling” of the Spirit? Most biblical scholars see the baptism of the Spirit as the one-time event that happens at salvation, placing a believer into the Body of Christ. The filling of the Spirit is a repeatable, daily experience of being yielded to His influence and power.
