Bible Study Notes 4/23/2024

Word Alive! Bible Study ©2024

Spring Series: Experiencing The Holy Spirit In & With Us © 2024

Concord Baptist Church of Boston in Milton

Conley Hughes, Jr., Senior Pastor

Tues., 23 & 30 April, Intro., Parts 1 & 2

Quiet Time: H&M Blackaby, Experiencing the Holy Spirit

Introduction – From the great study Experiencing the Holy Spirit, artfully written by Henry & Melvin Blackaby, we will explore a deeper understanding of the presence and the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. I have fond memories of an elder brother and friend in the Lord - who now is with the Lord, for confidently emphasizing, “the Holy Spirit is not an it.” How right he was, for the Scripture validates this truth. The very person of God, as promised by Jesus upon His ascension to be with the Heavenly Father, has come to live in and with all believers in Christ.  It has been noted by many, that the most neglected and misunderstood member of the triune nature of God is the Holy Spirit. This latter point is not lost on the authors of the study devotional for this series. In Experiencing the Holy Spirit, the Blackaby’s are transparent in this observation: “There’s a misconception that the Spirit can be readily manipulated. Because he is called the Counselor, Helper, or Counselor, many Christians assume that the Spirit’s purpose is to be our servant and help us enjoy abundant life.”  These convenient notions of the Spirit are as misleading as they are unscriptural. The internal change that occurs when we acknowledge Christ’s acceptance of us, coupled with His love and forgiveness; is the condition (salvation) that makes possible the new life and perpetual spiritual growth and maturity. This only can come through the presence and work of the Holy Spirit (sanctification) in us. (Read, John 7:37-39, NIV). The prophet Isaiah used the fresh springs of a restored land for the Israelites, as an analogy for the presence of the Holy Spirit. (Read, Isaiah 58:11, NLT). Jesus also spoke in those terms when He brough new life to the woman at the ancient well in the town of Sychar in Samaria. (Read, John 4:14, NLT), John refers to “living waters” as a reference to the Spirit, at least 23 times! The Holy Spirit is necessary in imparting the truth of God’s plan of salvation, through faith in Jesus Christ. This is why Jesus acknowledged the Holy Spirit as imparting [the message of salvation]. (Read, John 6:61-64a, NLT).  The Apostle Paul follows this theme, when he told the Christians in Ephesus and Laodicea, that the Holy Spirit brings unity among believers. Divisions as a result of race, culture, and nationality, are removed, because of the Spirit’s work with and among believers. (Read, Ephesians 2:15b-18, NLT). We must seek moments of intimacy with the Spirit, so that we can follow His lead in carrying out the work of God in the world. We are not much different, in human terms, than the people we read about in the Scripture. But over two millennia after the coming of the Spirit to indwell believers, we live in environments where we are accustomed to “use” products, systems, and materials to accommodate our wants. Some people, sadly believe we have the authority to direct the Holy Spirit, and to bend the will of the Spirit to our needs. This is not who the Spirit is; nor, what is His purpose for us!

Key Verses:

John 7:37-39, NIV

“On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living waters will flow from within them. By this, He meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.”

Isaiah 58:11, NLT

“The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.”

John 4:14, NLT

“But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”

John 6:61-64a, NLT

“Jesus was aware that some of His disciples were complaining, so He said to them, “Does this offend you? Then what will you think if you see the Son of Man ascend to heaven again? The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But some of you do not believe me…”

Ephesians 2:15b-18, NLT

“He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in Himself one new people from the two groups. Together as one body, Christ has reconciled both groups to God by means of His death on the cross, and our hostilities toward each other were put to death. He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles... and to the Jews… Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.”