Are You Resisting the Holy Spirit?

Are You Resisting the Holy Spirit? Pastor Greg Stansel Acts 7:1-60 January 30, 2022 Snap shot: Those resisting the Holy Spirit will be found opposing God’s plan of redemption. I. A legacy of being led by the Holy Spirit II. A legacy of resisting the Holy Spirit III. Tests of being led by the Spirit IV. Evidences of resisting the Spirit Connect Explain a time that you felt you needed to be led by someone or something. Study Point 1: A legacy of being led by the Holy Spirit READ Acts 7:1–50 1) Discuss the examples of faithful obedience of Abraham, Joseph, Jacob, Moses, David, and Solomon to the leading of the Holy Spirit in these verses. Why is it important to discuss the legacy of being led by the Spirit? Point 2: A legacy of resisting the Holy Spirit READ Acts 7:9–60 2) Discuss the examples of resisting the Holy Spirit. Why is it important to discuss the legacy of resisting the Holy Spirit? Point 3: Tests of being led by the Spirit READ Deuteronomy 10:12–22, 30:6 3) What does the Lord require of Israel in these verses? Did that requirement change after the cross? Why or why not? What difference, if any, did the cross make in these requirements (HINT: take a look at Deuteronomy 30:6)? 4) Use these verses to develop tests in your life to ensure you are following the leading of the Holy Spirit; share your “tests” with the group. How can you develop safe guards that ensure you are not slipping into legalism (i.e., making works and obedience the means by which you receive salvation)? Point 4: Evidences of resisting the Spirit READ Hebrews 10:14–29 5) What are the evidences of resisting the Spirit that you see in this passage? What are the warnings for resisting the Spirit that you see? 6) When you find yourself resisting the Spirit, what are the steps you should take to return to faithfulness? How can you help someone else return to faithfulness if they are resisting the Spirit with grace and truth? How can you know they are resisting the Spirit? What should be happening in your heart and life before talking to someone else? Pray the passage O Lord our God, you are patient and long-suffering with your people. We praise you for your love and grace with us, but also your justice. We ask that you grant us sensitivity to your Spirit every day, more and more. Help us to obey as Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David, and Solomon obeyed. But also remind us that just as their obedience was not perfect, neither will ours be, and that is why we need Jesus, the Righteous One! It is in Christ alone that we receive our salvation, and through His Spirit that we can obey. Anchor these truths in our hearts Lord. Keep us from being a stiff-necked people. Circumcise our hearts and ears. Lord, we long for the day that we can look into the heavens and see Jesus. Sustain our faith until that day and keep us on the narrow path. Our hope is in you Jesus, our Savior, our Ruler, and our Redeemer. In your precious name we pray, Amen. Memorize & Meditate “You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you” (Acts 7:51). Preparing for next week Read: Acts 8:1-8 Ask: questions of the text. Pray: through text, for pastor as he prepares, for your heart to hear, for the congregation to hear, for all of us to be obedient.