Recap:
Good morning, church! I’m fired up to preach today, this is actually my first time preaching on stage this entire year! I’ve been back in the grind with our NextGen ministry, CPKids, youth, it’s been amazing. But I’ve missed being up here. Honestly, life lately? Just one word: busy.
Like, does anyone else feel that? You’re running full speed from sunrise to bedtime? Yesterday we had four baseball games, and then one more this morning, and yes, we won. Which means I’m headed to coach our 86th game since March. That’s not counting guest games or practices. And yet here I am, preaching, not Coach Nick today, but Pastor Nick!
So when Pastor David asked me, “Nick, in your season, what does the Holy Spirit mean to you?” I had to pause. Because in all the chaos, wake, work, coach, sleep, I realized I just needed to remember something simple: The Holy Spirit is with me.
Not just on Sundays. Not just in big moments. But in my everyday busyness, the Spirit of God dwells in me. And I think some of us forget that. We go through life, winning games, making lunches, chasing kids, and forget that God is walking with us.
That brought me to a powerful picture in Zechariah 3. Joshua the high priest is standing before God, and Satan’s accusing him. He’s covered in filthy rags. But God says, “Take off his filthy clothes… I have taken away your sin… I will put clean garments on you.”
Church, that’s us.
We are the temple now. And every night, listen, every night, we’ve got to take off our filthy rags. Repent. Come clean. Ask for grace again. And every morning, we choose:
Will I put back on those same old rags? Or will I clothe myself with mercy, humility, patience?
Paul says in Colossians 3: “Clothe yourselves…” That’s not a suggestion, that’s a command. And listen, saying “I just didn’t think about it” wouldn’t fly if you walked out of the house physically naked, right? So why do we give ourselves that excuse spiritually?
I call it forgiven living, repentance in action. Not just repenting, but walking like you’ve been forgiven. And to do that, we need more than self-help. We need the Holy Spirit, the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead, living in us.
Now let’s talk about thriving, not just surviving.
That brings me to Acts 8, where Philip, on the road between assignments, is prompted by the Holy Spirit to go stand next to a chariot. That’s weird, right? But he obeys. And guess what? That one detour becomes a divine appointment.
So here’s my message today: Are you dressed for a detour?
Are you clothed in the Spirit enough to hear His nudge, to stop, to speak, to obey when it doesn’t make sense?
Here are 3 signs you’re dressed for a detour:
- You’re willing to wear what’s uncomfortable.
Philip walking up next to a royal chariot? Super awkward. But when the Spirit prompts, we go. It might feel weird. But the more we say yes, the more comfortable it becomes. Just like those skinny jeans we all hated at first, eventually we adjust. - You’re emboldened to speak up and speak truth.
Philip didn’t barge in. He asked a question first: “Do you understand what you’re reading?”
He listened. Then he explained. Then he used Scripture.
Church, ask good questions. Listen well. And know the Word so you can explain the truth when God opens that door. - Your availability opens the door for God’s authority.
Because Philip was available, he ended up baptizing the Ethiopian eunuch. You don’t need a title to carry God’s authority. You just need to say, “I’m available.”
Yes, invite people to church, but don’t wait for a pastor to show up. You are God’s minister. You are the temple. The Spirit lives in you.
Let me leave you with this: we don’t know what happened after that baptism. But that eunuch went back to Ethiopia, maybe he brought revival. Maybe a nation was changed. You don’t know what your obedience today might unlock in someone else’s tomorrow.
So this week, when you wake up, don’t just go through the motions. Don’t rinse and repeat. Say:
“Holy Spirit, walk with me today. Interrupt me. Use me.”
You don’t need a pulpit. You need clean clothes, a willing heart, and ears to hear.
Be dressed for a detour.
Group Questions:
Icebreaker Questions (Choose 1–2):
- What’s the busiest day you’ve had recently? What did it look like?
- If the Holy Spirit showed up in the middle of your daily routine, what time of day would that be—and what would He catch you doing?
- What’s the weirdest or most unexpected detour that turned out to be a blessing?
Discussion Questions:
Part 1: The Spirit in the Chaos
- Pastor Nick said, “The Holy Spirit is with me… not just on Sundays, but in my everyday busyness.”
– When are you most likely to forget that God is with you?
– What would change if you remembered the Spirit was walking with you all day? - In Zechariah 3, God removes Joshua’s filthy clothes and gives him clean garments.
– What do you think your “filthy rags” look like right now (habits, attitudes, sin patterns)?
– What does it look like for you personally to “take them off” each day? - Colossians 3 tells us to clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility…
– Which of these “clothes” do you find hardest to put on?
– What would help you walk out your day wearing them?
Part 2: Dressed for a Detour
- Pastor Nick said, “You don’t need a pulpit. You need clean clothes, a willing heart, and ears to hear.”
– Have you ever felt a nudge from the Holy Spirit to do something uncomfortable? What happened? - In Acts 8, Philip obeyed a strange prompting that led to a divine encounter.
– What might it look like for you to “stand by the chariot” this week?
– What’s a space in your life where God might be asking you to listen or speak up?
Application / Challenge:
- What’s one intentional way you can “wake up dressed” for a detour this week?
(e.g., praying “interrupt me today,” being available, reading the Word to be ready to speak truth)
Who is someone in your life that might be on their own chariot journey—looking for truth but unsure where to find it? How can you come alongside them?