Holy Spirit: He is active

God’s scheme of redemption without a doubt shows the involvement of the Holy Spirit. As important as it is to accept the active Spirit, it is important not to sin, resist, grieve quench or insult the Holy Spirit of God too. Tonight may we look at God’s active Spirit and then the things to avoid with some application, protections along the way.

God’s Spirit work in our redemption

Revealing the Truth, and confirming the Word of Truth (Heb2:3-4)

Convicting the world of sin, the hearts of man through the Word (Jn16:8)

Regenerating those who respond to Gospel (Jn3:5; Tit3:5-6)

Indwelling the repentant sinner (Act2:38)

Leading those to walk in the Spirit (Gal5:16-18; and add v.25)

Producing fruit (Gal5:22-23)

Strengthening the inner man (Eph3:16)

Serving as a proof, a seal as God’s own possession (Eph1:13-14)

The Holy Spirit is given to the repentant believer our part is to accept the Spirit and to walk in the Spirit. It is possible for us to sin against the Spirit. But how are sins possible against the Spirit

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On your own, look up scriptures referenced Act7:51; 1The5:19) Eph4:30; Heb10:29 and Mt12:32-32.

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Resisting the Spirit (Act7:51)

Quenching the Spirit (1The5:19)

Grieving the Spirit (Eph4:30)

Insulting the Spirit (Heb10:29)

Blaspheme the Spirit (Mt12:31-32)

Now we don’t want to think about, much less look at or talk about sinning against the Spirit of God but it is a reality that it can happen and we need to be watchful so not to do it.

Resisting the Spirit

To resist: Verb. oppose, combat, withstand mean to set oneself against someone or something. oppose can apply to any conflict, from mere objection to bitter hostility or warfare.

The Warnings and proofs:

Stephen accused the men of resisting the Spirit (Act7:51-52)

Acts 7:51–52 NASB95

51 “You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did. 52 “Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They killed those who had previously announced the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become;

They resisted the spirit by persecuting the spirit filled prophets, just like those who were before them did.

Stepehen

Stephen accused the men of resisting the Spirit (Act7:51-52)

Resisting the Spirit led Prophets, Apostles) is resisting Spirit (1Pt1:10-11)

We can resist today by refusing to obey the words of the apostles (1Cor14:37) who were lead to preach the gospel (1Pt1:12)

1 Corinthians 14:37 NASB95

37 If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment.

We can resist today by refusing to obey the words of the apostles (1Cor14:37) who were lead to preach the gospel (1Pt1:12)

1 Peter 1:12 NASB95

12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things into which angels long to look.

Stephen accused the men of resisting the Spirit (Act7:51-52)

Resisting the Spirit led Prophets, Apostles) is resisting Spirit (1Pt1:10-11)

We can resist today by refusing to obey the words of the apostles (1Cor14:37) who were lead to preach the gospel (1Pt1:12)

We can resist today by not abiding in the doctrine of the Apostles (Act2:42)

Acts 2:42 NASB95

42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

I think it is pretty plain to see that those who refuse to obey the Spirit are guilty o resisting the Spirit, but even Christians can be guilty can’t we? From resisting to quenching, quenching what is already in the believer.

Quenching the Spirit

To quench: (verb) To extinguish; to put out; as, to quench flame. To still; to quiet; to repress; as, to quench a passion or emotion. To allay or extinguish; as, to quench thirst. To destroy. To check; to stifle; as, to quench the Spirit.

2. To still; to quiet; to repress; as, to quench a passion or emotion.

The warning and the proofs

3. To allay or extinguish; as, to quench thirst.

Do not quench the Spirit (1The5:19)

To what extent the Spirit is at work in us, it is surpressing the work

4. To destroy.

It can be neglecting the use of the gifts given

5. To check; to stifle; as, to quench the Spirit.

Do not quench the Spirit (1The5:19)

Do not despise the prophesies (1The5:20)

1 Thessalonians 5:19–20 NASB95

19 Do not quench the Spirit; 20 do not despise prophetic utterances.

Do not quench the Spirit (1The5:19)

Do not despise the prophesies (1The5:20)

Do not neglect the gifts given (1Tim4:14, 2Tim1:6)

1 Timothy 4:14 NASB95

14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery.

2 Timothy 1:6 NASB95

6 For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

2Tim1:6

When we suppress or neglect the Spirit’s works or the Spirit’s gifts then we are quenching the Spirit.

May we remember:

(just reference the below scriptures; do not put in at this time)

The Spirit teaches us through the revealed Word (Eph6:17)

Strengthens us in the inner man by the indwelling (Eph3:16)

Produces fruit as proof of the Spirit (Gal5:22-23)

We do not want to suppress nor neglect the spirit by not reading and heeding the Word of God. By not praying, seeking, asking for strength, or when we fail to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit .

Are we, can we be guilty of quenching the Spirit?

Grieving the Spirit

Grieving, one of the definitions of it is to cause great distress, hurt, pain, angst to someone; or sorrow, great sorrow. So how do we, can we grieve the Spirit of God?

The warning and the proofs:

We were sealed by the Spirit; but do not grieve the Spirit (Eph4:30)

We can do it by our conduct and our speech (Eph4:31)

Ephesians 4:30–31 NASB95

30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.

When Christians sin by choice they grieve the Holy Spirit who dwells in them.

The Spirit desires to produce fruit (Gal5:22-23; Eph4:29)

Fruit of grace by words and conduct (Eph4:28, 32)

Now in trying to keep everything in context let me give you the passage

Ephesians 4:28–29 NASB95

28 He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need. 29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.

EPh4:30

Ephesians 4:30–31 NASB95

Ephesians 4:32 NASB95

32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

We can cause sorrow, grief to the Spirit when we allow those unwholesome words to come out, when we engage in conduct unbecoming a Christian. May we remember to engage in conduct of those who are worthy of the calling, the sealing that they have on them by the Holy Spirit.

As bad as it has been to look at how we can quench the Spirit through neglect, or grieve the Spirit through disobedience we still have a little more to go.

Insulting the Spirit

Insulting (adj) disrespectful or scornfully abusive. Hard words huh? We can do that to the Spirit? According to the scripture it is possible.

Warning and proofs

Insulting the Spirit of grace (Heb10:29)

It is knowing the Spirit that convicts of sin and rejecting the Spirit

To the Hebrews it was unchangeable, to us we have the opportunity as long as it is called today.

I think it is only wise to look at the passage in context to look at what the insult was for them.

Hebrews 10:26–27 NASB95

26 For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries.

Hebrews 10:28–29 NASB95

28 Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?

Heb10:28-

Can we turn from the Spirit of grace not to return? YES IF WE CHOSE TO.

WE need to be careful not to deny the grace of God for that is what saves us.

The consequences for denying God’s grace are eternal.

Sins against the Holy Spirit that we have mentioned tonight can lead us to apostasy. let me show you the progression

Resisting can lead to quenching of the Spirit

Quenching can lead to grieving the Spirit

Grieving can lead to insulting the Spirit

Insulting the Spirit can lead to Blaspheming the Spirit

All of this leads to denying, walking away from God’s grace not wanting to return, and without return there is nothing left to save you. This is scary stuff isn’t it. One more passage to bring in on this grievous topic (Heb6:4-6).

Hebrews 6:4–5 NASB95

4 For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come,

Hebrews 6:6 NASB95

6 and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame.

Written to Christians who had been enlightened had tasted the heavenly gift were partakers of the Holy Spirit and had tasted the good Word.

(encouragement slide)

To them they had no opportunity to return for they were saved because they responded to what they saw, what they heard first hand, we respond by faith alone. We can turn, we can repent if we sin against the Spirit and return as long as it is today. Sin here in not a one time thing, it is a lifestyle thing. We need to be watchful, on alert, not to sin against the Holy Spirit.

So, can’t leave it like that, I want to go back and remember the Holy Spirit is God’s active Spirit in the person in the church and part of God’s grand plan, His scheme of redemption and bring in some of those verses before we close. For don’t want to end on a negative note

The Sprit reveals and confirms the Truth

Hebrews 2:3–4 NASB95

3 how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, 4 God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will.

Heb2:2-

The Spirit convicts the world of Sin

John 16:8 NASB95

8 “And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment;

The Spirit regenerates us

Titus 3:3–4 NASB95

3 For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. 4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared,

Titus 3:4–5 NASB95

4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, 5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,

The Spirit endwells the heart of the repentant

Tit3:5

Acts 2:38 NASB95

38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit leads

Galatians 5:16–17 NASB95

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.

Galatians 5:18 NASB95

18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.

Gal5:16-17

Galatians 5:25 NASB95

25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

The Spirit will produce fruit (Gal5:22-23)

Oh how there is a great promise to strengthen

Ephesians 3:16 NASB95

16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,

So if you have the Spirit then you are sealed as God’s own possession and have the guarantee of your inheritance

Ephesians 1:13–14 NASB95

13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.