Bible Study Notes 9/10/2024

Word Alive! Bible Study ©2024

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

Concord Baptist Church of Boston in Milton

Conley Hughes, Jr., Senior Pastor

Tu., 10 & 17, Sept. 2024 Lesson 7, Parts 1 & 2, pp. 98-111

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

God’s Best In Me - It is not always our best that makes a difference in the outcome of endeavors. The Scripture shows us, the work of the Holy Spirit is to create the best in us, which brings glory to God. This does not mean our talents and natural abilities are not important. What it does mean, is the outcomes God intends only can be achieved through the Spirit working in and through us.  We might recall in the era before the Holy Spirit remained permanent in the lives of believers, there was a recognition for the need of His perpetual presence. In his moment of anguish, David prayed: “Create in me a clean heart, O God; And renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; And take not thy holy Spirit from me.” (Psalm 51:10-11, ASV).  What the Holy Spirit does in us, is the best God seeks from us. While our abilities and natural talents are important to God, they are pale in comparison to what the Spirit enables us to do. In their book, Experiencing the Holy Spirit, Henry and Melvin Blackaby offers this helpful insight: “But if we function according to the power of the Spirit, God gets the glory as others around us see Him at work. And God’s goal is to reveal Himself to a watching world, not to showcase our achievements.” This point is quite evident in the Scriptures, when the Holy Spirit worked through people, who were considered marginal by the world’s standards. Peter and John displayed great boldness and performed miraculous work after they were filled with the Holy Spirit’s presence. As the Holy Spirit worked through the apostles, God was glorified, and lives were transformed. (Read, Acts 4:13-14, NLT). An observation is made that if we could accomplish the work of God through our innate abilities and talents alone, there would not have been a need to send the Holy Spirit to endow us with spiritual entablements. The Scripture is clear: God has given every believer and follower of Christ a spiritual gift. These gifts came after the Resurrection and ascension of Christ to glory. Each spiritual enablement is necessary for God to do His best work through us. (Read, Ephesians 4:7-8, NLT). The spiritual gift (s) given to us is not merely for our personal benefit; but each gift is given to assist other believers as well. (Read, 1 Corinthians 12:7, NLT). In the great message given after Pentecost, Peter emphasizes the Holy Spirit has come to us. This is the fulfillment of the prophecy of Joel. The presence and power of the Spirit includes and transcends all human categories. All who are filled with the Holy Spirit are a part of the divine mission to transform the world. (Read, Acts 2:18-19a, NLT). We Christians are promised what is best when we acknowledge the presence of the Holy Spirit in us. We also must daily seek a relationship with the Spirit through a devotional time/moments of prayer; listening; and seeking His guidance as we read the Scriptures. God’s best in us should be the source of our faith and devotion to Jesus Christ. Faith lays the groundwork for the Spirit’s life in us. When Jesus met the decorated Roman soldier who desperately needed healing for his critically ill child, Jesus was most moved by the officer’s faith. It was that man’s faith in the ability of Jesus to heal his child, even remotely, that moved the heart of Jesus. (Read, Matthew 8:5-8, NLT). Our spiritual gifts, and other remarkable abilities must be grounded in the sure faith that is directed to God.  We’re reminded: “But without faith it is impossible to please Him; for all who come to God must believe He is, and that all who diligently seek Him will be rewarded.” (Hebrews 11: 6, NKJV).

Key Idea:

What We Believe!

1. “The Holy Spirit is in you and accompanies you!

Key Verses:

Acts 4:13-14, NLT

“The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus. But since they saw the man, they had healed standing right there among them, there was nothing the council could say.”

Ephesians 4:7-8 NLT

“However, he has given each of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ. This is why the Scriptures say, “When He ascended to the height, He led a crowd of captives and gave gifts to His people.”

1 Corinthians 12:7, NLT

“A special gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.”

Acts 2:16-19a, NLT

“No, what you see was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel: ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.  Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on my servants -men and women alike – and they will prophesy. And I will cause wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below…”

Matthew 8:5-8; 10, NLT

“When Jesus returned to Capernaum, a Roman officer came and pleaded with Him, “Lord, my young servant lies in bed, paralyzed and in terrible pain.” Jesus said, “I will come and heal him.” But the officer said, “Lord I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. When Jesus heard this, He was amazed…He said, “I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel.”