Bible Study Notes 5/28/2024
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., 21 & 28 May, 2024 - Lesson 2, Parts 1 & 2 pp. 25-40
Quiet Time: H&M Blackaby, Experiencing the Holy Spirit
The Ever-Present Spirit – As we become increasingly knowledgeable of the Holy Spirit’s presence in us; we learn that His presence never leaves. The Spirit works in relationship with the Father and the Son; the three are inseparable. Jesus spoke of the special relationship He had with the Father, which would continue when the Spirit was sent to indwell all believers. (Read, John 5:17; 19, NLT). as the father and Son works together, so has the Spirit ben sent to live in us, and to direct us into sharing in the work of God. The ministry of the Spirit is crucial for a life of dedicated Christian service. In the book, Experiencing the Holy Spirit, Henry and Melvin Blackaby, says: “The Spirit is God’s agent on earth to communicate truth to the spirit within human beings. He opens His people’s eyes, gives us wisdom, empowers us for services, and stirs us into action.” The Holy Spirit is not One who we merely mention in our prayers; but the Spirit is One with whom we engage for the work and ministry of Christ. Jesus promised us that through the Holy Spirit we would do “even greater works” that He. (Read, John 14:12, NLT). Jesus was not saying our work would be more efficacious his own. But the work we would be able to do, would be increasingly effective, in ways things did not happen during the time of His earthly ministry. Consider for example, how more people can be reached with the Gospel through digital technology and various platforms, than were even conceived in the first century of the time Jesus lived on earth. Yet, we also must understand that it is still the Holy Spirit who alone, brings us into the knowledge of Christ’s teachings; and who helps us retain the memory of what we have been taught. (Read, John 14:23-26, NIV). The prophet Joel promised the permanence of the Spirit in the lives of all believers; regardless of race, language, gender or class distinction. It is the ministry of the “ever-present” Spirit to empower us with gifts to strengthen, nurture; and, encourage all believers. (Read. Joel 2:28-29, NLT). The Apostle Paul told the Christians in Corinth “Now to each one, the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” (I Corinthians 12:7, NIV). This was Paul’s way of saying the gifts of the Spirit were not given as “solo” gifts, alone. Each (and all) gift/s would be used for the benefit of all believers. Both Isaiah and Joel speak of the benefit of generation-gifting by the Spirit. The Spirit’s presence can be with successive generations, when those persons come to trust and believe in the living God, (Read, Isaiah 44:2-3, NLT). The Holy Spirit remains with us, through our faith in Jesus Christ. In earlier times, before Jesus ascended back to heaven, the Spirit would empower God’s people for service at various times; and under certain circumstances. When David was anointed by Samuel to become the second king for Israel, the Spirit of the Lord came “powerfully” upon him. The Scripture says the Spirit was with David, from that day on. It is likely, the Spirit always came to David during those times of need. (Read, I Samuel 16:13b, NLT). When David was in great personal anguish, he prayed that the Spirit would not leave him. We should have no such fears today, as we develop intimacy with Father, Son, and Spirit. (See, Psalm 51:11, NIV).
The Ever-Present Spirit, Part 2 – as we grow in our relationship with the Lord, there should be a corresponding desire to experience intimacy with the Holy Spirit. Even in times before the Spirit came to indwell believers permanently; there was an incessant cry from God’s faithful people, for evidence of the Holy Spirit’s abiding presence. As David pleaded to God not to “cast away the Holy Spirit from him,” he also acknowledged the renewal of the Spirit, and its effects in his life. At the very least, David sought “renewal” of the Spirit in his life. (Read, Psalm 103:5, NLT). Because the Holy Spirit is ever-present, the absence encountered, often is the result of a person’s disobedience. Now, as in earlier times, it is prayer and yielding to God’s will that sustains our relationship with the Holy Spirit. In their book, Experiencing the Spirit, Henry and Melvin Blackaby, states, the doctrines help us understand the truth about God; and the foundation of our beliefs in God. However, an encounter with the works of God, helps us relate to God in a definitive way; a way in which we can better understand God’s nature. The experience of Elisha and his assistant is an example of coming to see the work of the Spirit in God’s plan for the safety of Elisha, his aide, and the army of Israel. Overwhelmed by a vast army against two men; Elisha prayed and asked God for protection, and the Spirit for discernment. In the Spirit, God showed Elisha a vast angelic army poised to protect them. He summoned his assistant to look out to see what was before them. The assistant saw only the vast army of the enemy. After Elisha prayed again, the aide was able to see in the Spirit what he could not see in the human realm. (Read, 2 Kings 6:15-19, NLT). So many things in life we cannot possibly explain them in the light of human emotions; or reasoning. There also are competing spirits that can mislead us, if we fail to cultivate a relationship with the Holy Spirit. The Christians in Ephesus were warned that we’re engaged in a spiritual battle; which necessitates the work and discernment f the Holy Spirit in our lives. (Read, Ephesians 6:12, NLT). The Apostle Paul told the Christians in Corinth, “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” (See, 2 Corinthians 10:4, NIV). Jesus taught the disciples that in moments they would be falsely accused and attacked by enemies, the Holy Spirit would, “at the very moment” give them discernment. This promise is to all believers who are faithful to the Lord. (Read, Luke 12:11b-12, NIV). As we become more acquainted with the Holy Spirit, and develop fellowship with Him; we will come to appreciate the power and presence of the Spirit as our Helper, The deepest yearnings of our spirits, are known by the Holy Spirit. We are taught by the Spirit what to say in our prayers. (Read, Romans 8:26, NLT). The Holy Spirit is ever-present to lead and guide us in the ways and divine plan of God.
Key Idea:
What We Believe!
“The Holy Spirit is in you and accompanies you!”
Key Verses:
John 5:17; 19, NLT
“But Jesus replied, “My Father is always working, and so am I…So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by Himself. He does only what He sees the Father is doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son does.”
John 14:12, NLT
“I tell you the truth, anyone who believed in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.”
John 14:23-26, NIV
“Jesus said, “Anyone who loves me will keep my teachings. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send I my name, will teach you all things, and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”
Joel 2:28-29, NLT
“Then after doing all those things, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions. In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on servants – men and women alike.
Isaiah 44:2-3, NLT
“The Lord who made you and helps you says: Do not be afraid, O Jacob, my servant, O dear Israel, my chosen one. For I will pour out my Spirit on your descendants, and my blessing on your children.”
I Samuel 16:13b, NLT
“And the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on. Then Samuel returned to Ramah.
Psalm 51:11, NIV
“Do not cast me away from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.”
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