Podcast Summary: Responding To the Holy Spirit | Ike Akabogu | World Harvest Church | Murrieta, CA
Dufresne Ministries Podcast | January 15, 2020

Episode Overview

In this episode, Pastor Ike Akabogu, guest minister from Abuja, Nigeria, shares a passionate message on the theme of "Responding to the Holy Spirit." Speaking to the congregation at World Harvest Church, Pastor Ike emphasizes the importance of recognizing, honoring, and actively responding to the Holy Spirit in daily life and within church settings. Drawing from scripture, personal experiences, and practical advice, he encourages believers to cultivate a lifestyle that keeps them sensitive to the Spirit’s leading, knowing that true change, miracles, and purpose flow from such responsiveness.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Role of the Holy Spirit in the Believer’s Life

• Scripture Foundation: John 16:13 (Amplified), 1 Corinthians 2:11-12.
  • "Everything that God does, He does by His Spirit." (07:00)
  • The Holy Spirit is tasked with leading believers into all that Christ has provided in the new covenant.
• Responding to the Holy Spirit is essential for walking in God’s plan and experiencing His provision and miracles.

2. Importance of Active Response

• “You only get as much as you respond to the Holy Spirit” (11:15)
  • Response, not supply, is often the issue in the believer’s life—God has already provided, but it must be received.
• Response in church "trains" us for response outside (14:00).

3. Keys to Responding to the Holy Spirit

• Practice the Presence of God (22:00)
  • Be "God inside minded." The Holy Spirit dwells within; you don’t have to travel or strive externally to hear Him.
  • “Did you know he’s inside of you? You didn’t have to go that far to hear Him.” (23:40)
• Expect to be Led (25:30)
  • As children of God, it’s our right to expect the Spirit’s leading—don’t approach God only with problems.
  • "If you're not expecting it, you won't respond." (28:15)
• Stay Filled with the Spirit (31:40)
  • Ephesians 5:17-19 – Be filled with the Spirit by speaking, singing, and making melody in your heart to the Lord.
  • Staying full of the Spirit is both evidence and preparation for being led.
• Cultivate Worship and Peace (37:05)
  • Worship positions you to hear; practice being still and avoid "noise" (distractions/fleshly distractions) so you can be sensitive to God’s promptings.
  • “Noise is any sound that does not fit in the time that you are in.” (41:25)
• Honor God’s Voices in Your Life (46:10)
  • Esteeming the voices of spiritual leaders (pastors, elders) is part of learning to respond to the Spirit.
  • “People who have trouble responding to the voice of their pastors have trouble responding to the Holy Spirit.” (47:33)
• Avoid Offense (56:00)
  • Offense dulls spiritual sensitivity; stay free of it to remain responsive.
• Quickness in Response (57:30)
  • Faith is expressed in swift action.
  • “Your quickness is your expression of your faith. If you’re not quick, then you’re not doing it in faith.” (57:50)

4. Practical Examples and Personal Stories

• Pastor Ike shares a story about responding to the Spirit at work, ministering a simple word to a coworker (01:00:05), which led to restoration in her family and the birth of a workplace Bible study.
• He underscores that often answers come through promptings unrelated to the area in which we’re seeking: “If you’re believing me in one area and I said something to you concerning another area, consider that your answer…” (01:09:20)

5. Prophetic Ministry and Words of Knowledge

Throughout the latter part of the service, Pastor Ike responds to the Spirit with specific words of knowledge regarding:

• Physical healings (kidney, ankle, wrist, back, arteries) (01:13:10 – 01:29:30)
• Business breakthroughs and instructions (01:20:33, 01:23:05)
• Restoration in ministries and personal callings (children’s church, encouragements to various individuals)
• Prophetic encouragement for the congregation about an upcoming "season of reward" and real estate breakthroughs (01:15:00)

6. Concluding Exhortations

• “The power is in the response.” (01:34:40)
• Believers are exhorted to avoid excuses, respond to God’s promptings (even if they don’t have all the details), and be the first to act when God speaks.
• There is special encouragement not to compare oneself to others or make excuses for not responding (01:37:30).
• Strong emphasis that obedience and responsiveness unlock sustained miracles and fulfillment of God’s promises.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

(Timestamps included, speaker is Pastor Ike unless otherwise noted)

• On the necessity of response:

  “The biggest training we should ever gain as believers is learn how to respond.” (11:12)

• On hearing God:

  “People do all kinds of things in order to hear God, not realizing that this God that they are endeavoring to hear from is inside.” (23:45)

• On spiritual preparation:

  “If you’re expecting company in your home, you start cleaning. In preparing, in expecting to be led by the Spirit, you start getting filled.” (32:10)

• On worship:

  “Taking time to worship Him prepares you to hear Him; puts you in a position to hear.” (37:15)

• On honoring leaders:

  “If you don’t have honor for the voice of your pastor, then you won’t recognize the leading of the Spirit.” (48:32)

• On offense:

  “Offense dulls your ability to recognize the voice of God. Offense provides a platform for the flesh; you don’t want flesh on your platform.” (56:10)

• On quickness and miracles:

  “Your quickness is the expression of your faith… I haven’t found yet… one miracle that didn’t have an instruction before it.” (58:00)

• On receiving reward:

  “You have to be careful so you don’t work for it. It’s a reward. So you don’t work for it. Just receive it.” (01:16:50)

• On ordinary believers being world-changers:

  “Your response can bring about a change in a nation.” (19:10)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Time | Segment/Content | |-------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:00-05:20 | Pastor Ike’s introduction, gratitude for the church family | | 05:21-15:15 | The Holy Spirit’s role; necessity of response | | 15:16-24:00 | Church as training ground for spiritual response | | 24:01-32:30 | Keys to responding: Presence, Expectation, Staying filled | | 32:31-41:30 | Worship, practicing peace, and avoiding noise | | 41:31-49:00 | Honoring voices (pastors); practical examples | | 49:01-56:00 | Avoiding offense, being quick to obey, training the ear | | 56:01-01:10:00| Responding promptly; personal stories of workplace ministry | | 01:10:01-01:30:00 | Words of knowledge, prophecy, healing moments | | 01:30:01-End | Final exhortations, further ministry, encouragement to respond |

Final Takeaways

• Responsive Living: The move of the Spirit isn’t limited to spectacular settings; it’s woven into daily life for those who cultivate attentiveness and quickness to obey.
• Train in Church: Corporate gatherings are not only occasions for miracles but for building habits of response that translate into every sphere.
• Honor the System: Recognize and honor the God-given structures and voices placed in your life.
• Quick Obedience Unleashes Power: Swift, faith-filled response—without overthinking—ushers in miracles, both large and small.
• Receive God’s Reward: Many blessings are not earned, but simply received by responding to the direction of the Holy Spirit.

“Learn to respond. Learn to respond. The power is in the response.” (01:34:40)

This episode is a vibrant call for believers to deepen their relationship with the Holy Spirit, be attentive in His presence, and cultivate a lifestyle where God’s instructions are met with immediate and joyful response—resulting in transformed lives and communities.