Sermon Notes:
Holy Ghost Stories | A Not So Haunted House
While the world is thinking about spooky things this month, we’re focusing on spiritual things.
Because you’re not a body with a soul — you’re a soul with a body. You’re a spiritual being, and God invites you to live beyond what you can see — to experience life, power, and victory through the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Ghost… or Holy Spirit?
Quick poll: who grew up saying Holy Ghost? And who said Holy Spirit?
For a lot of believers, that phrase brings tension. Not because of how we say it — but because of what we believe about Him.
When it comes to the Holy Spirit, people usually fall into a few camps:
Church-raised: Bring denominational baggage — things you’ve seen, been told, or maybe misunderstood.
New to church: The whole “Spirit” talk sounds strange or even a little spooky.
Unaware: Living as if the spiritual world isn’t real at all.
Over-spiritualized: See everything as supernatural and treat the Spirit like a force to wield instead of a friend to walk with.
This series is for two groups:
The Skeptical — unsure about the Holy Spirit but open to understanding,
and The Spiritually Curious — hungry to experience more of His presence and power.
“For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” — 2 Corinthians 3:6
Without the Spirit, faith becomes dry and mechanical.
With the Spirit, everything comes alive.
Who Is the Holy Spirit?
Jesus said something surprising in John 16:
“It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.”
The Greek word for Advocate is Parakletos — “one called alongside to help.”
He’s not an it — He’s a He.
A Helper, Counselor, Comforter, and Guide.
When Jesus was on earth, His presence was limited to one place at a time. But when He sent the Spirit, His presence became available everywhere and in everyone who believes.
That’s not a downgrade — that’s an upgrade.
God is no longer just with us — He is in us.
1. The Spiritual Is More Real Than the Physical
From the beginning, Scripture shows the spiritual shaping the physical:
“The Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” — Genesis 1:2
“What is seen was not made out of what was visible.” — Hebrews 11:3
We are not bodies with spirits; we are spirits with bodies.
Our unseen reality constantly shapes what we see.
And that puts us in the middle of a spiritual war.
Paul wrote that we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against powers and principalities — unseen forces shaping the minds and systems of our world.
Spiritual warfare is less about demons in the dark and more about beliefs in the mind.
Every agreement we make — every thought we accept — opens a door to one kingdom or another.
That’s why Scripture calls lies strongholds. Because what we believe shapes what we become.
2. Spirits Want to Take Up Residence
A 2023 survey found that 1 in 6 Americans believe their house is haunted.
Another poll said 41% believe in ghosts or spirits.
People know — even if they can’t explain it — there’s something unseen.
But while we’re worried about haunted houses,
Jesus warned us about haunted hearts.
In Matthew 12, He told a parable about a spirit that leaves a person, wanders, then returns to find the house empty, swept, and in order. It moves back in — and brings seven friends.
Jesus’ message?
Spirits don’t just want to pass by — they want to move in.
Your life is like a house.
If you neglect it, something else will fill it.
You can clean it up, kick sin out, and still be empty.
Emptiness is attractive to the enemy.
That’s why Jesus doesn’t just want your life swept clean — He wants it Spirit-filled.
It’s not enough to have an empty house.
You need a filled one.
In our culture, the enemy’s possession looks less like horror movies and more like apathy, anxiety, addiction, and deception.
He doesn’t have to shock you if he can seduce you.
3. You Choose Who Gets the Keys
In Mark 5, we meet a man possessed by a legion of demons.
He lived among tombs, chained and tormented — but when he saw Jesus, even ten thousand demons couldn’t stop him from falling at His feet.
And when Jesus set him free, he went from tombs to testimony, chains to freedom, torment to peace.
That story shows a truth we can’t ignore:
Obedience determines ownership.
Romans 6:16 says, “You are slaves to the one you obey.”
Whoever you yield to, you empower.
Every thought, word, and action hands over a set of keys.
So — who has yours?
The Spirit Wants to Dwell, Not Visit
God doesn’t want weekend visitation rights.
He wants the deed.
“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” — John 14:18
“The Spirit lives with you and will be in you.” — John 14:17
He doesn’t just want to visit your living room.
He wants to fill every room of your life.
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock.” — Revelation 3:20
The question isn’t if your house will be filled — it’s who will fill it.
When you hand Jesus the keys, He fills you, comforts you, and empowers you — and you’ll never be empty again.
Final Thought
You don’t have to live abandoned.
You don’t have to live afraid of what might move in.
You don’t have to strive to keep your life together on your own.
Jesus doesn’t just want to visit your house —
He wants to move in.
So maybe the real question this October isn’t:
“Is your house haunted?”
It’s “Who have you handed the keys to?”
