Live in the Spirit

Introduction

Paul is closing his letter to the Thessalonians with a benediction. Last week we reviewed specific commands for the church. Respect and to esteem highly those who God calls as pastors/Elders for teaching, admonishing and protecting you in the Lord. Christians are also to admonish those who are complacent, idle is the word used, encourage the fainthearted those who are discouraged, and help the Weak. We are to be patient with all people. We are not to repay evil for evil and seek to do good to all people. Christians are too rejoice always, pray without ceasing and give thanks in all circumstances.

Do not quench the Spirit

do no quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast to what is good.

to quench means to extinguish, to snuff out, to stifle. Apparently the Thessalonians were quenching out a very important gift God wanted to use in their church. To despise is to hold with very low esteem, to not even acknowledge, to hold with contempt. The Holy spirit is to never be quenched.

Introduce the difference between OT and NT prophecy

We must take notice the apostles are not called prophets like Isaiah, Eziekle, Jeramhia

The word of the Lord proclaimed through the OT prophets with the full authority of the God’s voice, does not need to be tested and weighed. If it was wrong the person was to be put to death. The NT apostles were the ones writing the word of God to be canonized as scripture.

The spirit of God has been poor out and dwells with all believers.

The purpose of the gift of prophecy- Preface CORINTH

1 Corinthians 14:3 ESV

On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation.

upbuilding (strengthening) encouragement, and comfort.

1 Corinthians 14:29 ESV

Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said.

1 cor 14

1 Corinthians 14:39 ESV

So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

In our daily lives it is the words of scripture alone that must have first place in our hearts, and our minds. We must read them, believe them, memorize them, love them, and cherish them as the very words of our creator speaking to us. All other gifts and teaching today are to be subject to the words of scripture and are to be judged by them. No other gift or teaching or writing should be allowed to compete with them for absolute priority in our lives.

Application

hold do you test everything and hold onto what is good.

Does this conflict with scripture

Does this strengh

Does the build up, strengthen, encourage, or comfort

Consider the fruit of the source

Examples in my life

1. Pastor Kirk very early in my christian walk

2. Amanda and Grant while he was deployed

3. Life group Matthew and his boss Guss

4. Praying for a man I never met for temptation

5. Eric texting me

6. Amanda and Baby

7. Cathy while in prayer in the Caribbean

8. Amanda and true north

9. People praying for me, then telling me I was gonna be a pastor and preach

10. Corey recently

11. Yesterday

12. Many times preaching, people will come up after

How can you earnestly desire the gift of Prophecy

You must spend time in prayer and in his word. Others word you must live in step with the spirit. Walk with Him and draw near to him and he will draw near to him.

Don’t be afraid to speak up. Be careful- do say God told me, or I have a word from the Lord for you. That kinda speech may be confusing. You may say something like, I was praying for you and I have a sense I need to tell you something. Then say it and preface with not sure if that means anything but take it and pray on it.

Don’t despise or quench the Gifts God wants to use for the building up, encouraging, and comforting this church.

Eat the fish and spit out the bones.

Abstain from every form of evil, read the rest of the benediction

Close in prayer