Bible Study Notes 4/30/2024

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!

Introduction, Part 2 – It is before and during creation that we are introduced to the Holy Spirit. The Scriptures tell us that the Spirit was present with the Father and the Son, as all creation was formed. The darkness and void spoken of in the Book of Genesis, describes an unformed world; but an emerging world with life-potential and actualization. The Spirit was present to help determine what was to come; and what was to become. The role of the Spirit was present, and for the future. (Read, Genesis 1:26-27, NLT). The Scripture describes the pre-created earth as having no form; and the composition of water covered the vast uninhabited area. The Spirit is described as “hovering” over the waters. Some translations use a Hebrew term, that’s translated into the word, brooding. In the sense the word is used, means, “protectively measuring; or watching.” In the Creation narrative, the Spirit watches over aspects of creation to “bring life.” We see this with the formation of the human family, in the word Adamar, or Adam. There the Spirit was breathed” (Hebrew, ruach) into the created human; Adam Or in them, according to Genesis 1); becoming “living human beings.” (Read, Genesis 2:7, NLT). The Spirit cooperates with the other members of the Trinity (Father and Son) in creation The human family, is given the capacity to reason and to have knowledge of God. The Spirit provides us with wisdom and knowledge; which is a deeper, spiritual understand of God as Creator; which leads us to have communion and fellowship with Him. Only through the Spirit, can we have spiritual wisdom and knowledge. Elihu, was the youngest of four of Job’s friends who severely questioned him about the tragic turn of events in his life. Elihu thought because the three other men were older, they had more wisdom. Elihu withheld his comments in deference to the older men, only to learn that age alone does not bring spiritual wisdom. Such wisdom only, can be attained through the Spirit. (Read, Job 32:7-8, NIV). In the practical sense of Christian living, we need to pray each day for the Holy Spirit to impart to us more spiritual wisdom. The knowledge of this world is instructive, and often helpful. However, some knowledge in this temporal world changes; often is not dependable; and, after a while is placed on the trash heap of history. This is why Paul prayed so passionately for the Christians in Ephesus. They were very knowledgeable people. But when Paul commissioned young Timothy to shepherd that church; he warned his young mentee that the Christians there in Ephesus were, “Ever learning. And never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (See, 2Timothy 3:7. KJV). Paul’s passionate prayer for the Christians in Ephesians spoke to their need for wisdom and knowledge, that could come only through the Spirit (Read, Ephesians 1:16b-20, NLT). Again, Jesus teaches us, “When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth.” (John 16:13, KJV). Because the Spirit is a part of the Trinity, and works in consort with the Father and Jesus Christ, the Son, we never will be misled in the truth. In our day there are, as in the first century and over two millennia, many who teach, preach, and exhort self-based religious and ill-conceived theological ideas. However, the adage is true, “If it is new, it’s not true. It it’s true, it’s not new! We need only read God’s Word, seek the Spirit’s wisdom, and mature in the true faith!

Key Idea:

What We Believe!

“The Holy Spirit is in you and accompanies you!

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.”

Genesis 1:1;26;27, NLT, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters… Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.” So God created human beings in His own image. In the image of God, He created them, male and female He created them.”

Genesis 2:7, NLT

“Then the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground. He breathed the breath of life into the man’s nostrils, and the man became a living person.”

Job 32:7-8, NIV

“But it is the spirit in a person. The breath of the Almighty that gives them understanding. It is not only the old who are wise, not only the aged who understands what is right.”

Ephesians 1:16b -20, NLT

“… I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight that you may grow in your knowledge of God. I pray the your hearts will be flooded with the light so that you can understand the confident hope He has given to those He called – His holy people who are His rich and glorious inheritance. I also pray that you will understand that incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe Him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in heavenly realms.”

Bible Study Notes 4/30/2024

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