February 5, 2023 · Pastor Matt Stokes
Pastor Matt Stokes
Holy Spirit
Forgiveness
Gratefulness
Spiritual Gifts
Filled with the Holy Spirit
Prayer
Conflict
1 Thessalonians 5:19
“If the Holy Spirit was withdrawn from the church today, 95% of what we do would go on and no one would know the difference. If the Holy Spirit had been withdrawn from the New Testament church, 95% of what they did would stop, and everybody would know the difference.”
~ A. W. Tozer
📖
Quench not the Spirit.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:19
📕
Quench
Σβέννυμι - sben’-noo-mee: v. to extinguish, quench, to go out. To suppress, stifle or to quench in regards to divine influence.
📖
His Word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones.
- Jeremiah 20:9
📖
Is not My Word like a fire?
- Jeremiah 23:29
📖
They said to each other, Wasn’t it like a fire burning in us when He talked to us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?
-Luke 24:32 GMT
📖
Quench not the Spirit.
- 1 Thess. 5:19
📖
No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light.
- Luke 11:33
Don’t quench or extinguish the work of the Holy Spirit in your life!
What does the Scripture say in terms of our relationship with the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit permanently dwells within us.
“Grieving” has to do with the person. “Quenching” has to do with the work of the Spirit.
Grieving and quenching the Holy Spirit are connected.
“Grieving” the Holy Spirit is connected to “quenching” the Holy Spirit.
We “grieve” the person of the Spirit & we “quench” the work of the Spirit.
📖
Don’t grieve the Holy Spirit with whom you’re sealed unto the day of redemption.
- Ephesians 4:30
📖
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ, God forgave you.
- Ephesians 4:30-32
It “grieves” the person of the Holy Spirit when we “quench” the work of the Holy Spirit.
We grieve & quench the Holy Spirit when we replace kindness & tenderheartedness with hardhearted harshness.
We grieve & quench the Holy Spirit when we replace forgiveness with vengeance.
It grieves & quenches the Holy Spirit when:
Love is replaced with cynicism
Joy is replaced with pessimism
Peace is replaced with antagonism
It grieves & quenches the Holy Spirit when:
We don’t help the weak
We don’t pursue peace
We don’t stop rendering evil for evil
It grieves & quenches the Holy Spirit when:
We stop finding reasons to rejoice
We stop consistently talking with God
We stop giving thanks to God
Fire needs fuel.
“5 Points to Fuel the Fire”
Be filled with the Spirit.
Pray in the Spirit.
Listen to the voice of the Spirit.
Seek the gifts of the Spirit.
Yield to the will of the Spirit.
Discussion Questions / Thessalonians 5:19 [Printable Copy]
5 Points to Fuel Your Fire
1. Read 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24. The Thessalonians were mocked because of their faith. Most likely, they lost occupations because of their convictions. Not only was there hostile governments against Christianity, but believers had strife with believers, even within the church. Paul was probably giving them these commands because the pressure was causing them to “cave” and be discouraged in regards to their faith. What are the pressures that cause/have caused you to “cave,” these days?
2. Read 1 Thessalonians 5:19. How would you describe your spiritual life? A smoking flax? A candle? Campfire? Bonfire? Something else? How can your Connect Group help you in regards to burning with passion for God?
3. Pastor Matt mentioned a quote that said, “When you are set on fire for God, the world will come to watch you burn.” How does that quote impact you? This quote can be understood in different ways. What are your thoughts and emotions in connection to this quote?
4. Pastor Matt mentioned “5 Points to Fuel Your Fire.” Which one of these five points would you commit to, this week, in regards to fueling your fire of the Holy Spirit? How/what will you do to, practically, to make that commitment?
· Be filled with the Spirit.
· Pray in the Spirit.
· Listen to the voice of the Spirit.
· Seek the gifts of the Spirit.
· Yield to the will of the Spirit.