Don't Put Out the Fire of The Holy Spirit

Don’t Put Out the Fire of The Holy Spirit ü When the Holy Spirit was sent to indwell the Christians of the new Church, The Holy Spirit came upon them with fire. [Acts 2:1-3] ü The Holy Spirit gives gifts to believers. That gift, when neglected, needs to be “stirred up” – that is, fanned as you would a fire. [1 Timothy 4:14] ü In Revelation 4:5, John’s glimpse of heaven, he sees at the throne of God seven torches which represent the seven spirits of God – a poetic way of describing the fullness and completeness of the Holy Spirit. [Isaiah 11:2-3] 1 Thessalonians 5:19 August 8, 2021 Review o o “The Holy Spirit” – is the 3rd person of our Triune God. We have one God who is three persons. [Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2] “Spirit” – in Hebrew word is “ruach”, which means “wind” or “breath” and often points to the divine energy and power that can only be of and from God. In Greek the word is “pneuma”, which also means “wind, breath, or air”; the invisible force of the Lord’s power at work. The Big Idea: The Spirit as the fire of God represents the presence, power, passion, and purity of God. In no way does Paul suggest the Holy Spirit ever leaves a saved person, but he does suggest that much of our experience with the Spirit is affected by how we choose to respond to Him. Key Truths We’ve Learned So Far 1. The Holy Spirit is God. 2. What the Father plans for our salvation, the Son procures and what the Son procures, the Holy Spirit applies to our lives. [Alistair Begg] 3. Salvation is a work of the Holy Spirit [Titus 3:5] 4. Every Christian has received the Holy Spirit. [Romans 8:9] 5. Being filled with the Holy Spirit is commanded as something we desire that God do to us. It means we are controlled by the Holy Spirit – following His leading and obeying God’s Word (the two will never be contradictory). The filling is an infinitely repeatable experience. [Ephesians 5:18] 6. The Holy Spirit works in the Christian to transform us, from the inside out, to be like Christ. [Galatians 5:22-23] 7. Today: The presence and work of the Holy Spirit is like a fire in our lives which can be fanned and fed or ignored and suppressed. The “Fire of God” in the Bible ü The Lord led the children of Israel with a pillar of fire/cloud of smoke [Exodus] 1 Thessalonians 5:1 (ESV) 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit.20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil. The Inner Life of Spirit-Led Christians or My Attitudes Toward God • • • • • • • They choose joy in all circumstances (v. 16) They live their lives in prayer (v. 17) They are thankful regardless … (v. 18) They follow the promptings and teaching of the Holy Spirit (v. 19) They gladly receive God’s Word (v. 20) They always test those who say they have a word from the Lord (v. 21) They faithfully choose good over evil (v. 22) Positive Ways to Stoke the Fire of the Holy Spirit in Our Lives ü ü ü ü ü Seek to have an ongoing conversation with the Lord during your day. Rather than getting in the way of your tasks and relationships, they will be enhanced by prayer. Trust that the Holy Spirit will joyfully guide you through life. Gladly listen for God’s voice and receive His truth, but examine everything by comparing to Scripture. If it is God, the Bible will confirm the message. Thank the Lord that He is in you and loves you. Desire and pursue intimacy with the Lord. Learn to simply be with Him.