AfterThoughts | Dawson Church

April 12, 2026
Spirit Of The Living God
John 14:16–26

This week, Dr. David Eldridge continued the series from the Gospel of John.

GOING DEEPER:

When the Artemis II mission crew experienced an LOS (loss of signal) on Monday while on the far side of the moon, that experience tapped into a basic fear that we all share. We fear being cut off or being far from our home and our relationships. At times, we might even feel a loss of connection with God. However, John assures us (John 14:16–26) that believers and followers of Jesus will never be out of contact with their Heavenly Father.What circumstances in your life make you feel you have experienced an LOS with God?
Pastor David shared that we can take comfort in knowing that we are never alone, never forgotten, never out of the radius of God’s reach, because the Holy Spirit is God with you (John 14:16). There is no expiration date on the presence of God with you; He is always with you. While Jesus could only be in one place at one time when He was here on earth, God chose to give us His Spirit to be present with us at all times. You don’t have to wait in line, pay for a VIP pass, or even wonder if you will get close enough to be with Him. God is with you through His Spirit. How have you experienced God’s presence in tangible ways? How does the meaning of the word for Holy Spirit in the original language of the New Testament (“Paraclete”—the one who comes alongside) give you courage and strength to face the week ahead?
Pastor David also taught that not only is the Holy Spirit with you, but He is also dwelling within you (John 14:17, John 14:20, and John 14:23). In the original language of the New Testament, “home” in John 14:23 is the same word as “I go to prepare a place for you” in John 14:2. He is going to prepare a future home for us in heaven, but He is also preparing a present home for Himself “in us” by the Holy Spirit. For every Christian, you are not just going to be a resident of heaven one day in the future; heaven has already taken up residence in you as the Holy Spirit dwells within you (1 Corinthians 6:19). Even though our awareness and attention to Him may ebb and flow, His indwelling presence is constant. How can you more fully embrace and find comfort in the truth that there is never a moment in your life that is outside of His providential care and gaze (Isaiah 43:2)?
While the Holy Spirit is with you and dwells within you, you can feel like the devil has a spiritual headlock on you. Pastor David explained that despite the sin that you struggle with, the power at work within you is greater than the power working against you. You are not left to fight sin with your willpower alone. What sin or sinful pattern or habit are you struggling with in this season of your life? How are you continuing to “row” your boat in your own strength, trying harder to do better and push through, instead of positioning yourself through study and meditation on God’s Word to raise your sail and let the wind of the Holy Spirit set you free to sail?

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

To view past sermons, please click here.

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24–26

STAY IN TOUCH WITH DAWSON:
WEBSITE: dawsonchurch.org
EMAIL: connect@dawsonchurch.org
TEXT: Text CONNECT to 205-997-3717