Bible Study Notes 10/29/2024

Word Alive! Bible Study © 2024

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

Concord Baptist Church of Boston in Milton

Conley Hughes, Jr., Senior Pastor

Tue., 28 Oct. 2024 Lesson 10, Part 1 pp. 141-157

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

Alive and Intentional – Our Biblical faith teaches us that our God is alive. Our relationship with the Lord should be intentional; we should expect to spend time with God, and to enjoy His presence.  There is nothing more isolating and morbid than to be in a place with someone you purport to know, but there is no warmth or genuine communication. Our relationship with the Lord should be an “engaging encounter.” Whether we’re alone with God in silence; or, speaking our needs, we should be transparent and expectant. We should know that in the presence of the Spirit of God, we are safe, and we are heard with empathy and compassion. If a person is unsettled as to whether God is really listening, they should seek the aid of the Holy Spirit to develop more confidence in their faith. Perhaps this is why we’re told in the Book of Hebrews that in coming before the Lord, we must “believe that He exist.” The Scripture reads: “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6, NLT). The prayers in the Psalms which were recited, and .many set to music, also serve as testimonies of the writers’ intimacy with God.  David, for instance, prayed for continuing closeness with God, and for perpetual familiarity with the Spirit of God. (Read, Psalm 51:10-12, NLT). The Old Testament Hebrew word for “closeness” to God is yada, which also means intimacy in other usages. The term conveys the idea of deeply trusting and longing for the attention of another. David again describes closeness with God, who is always present. David said he could never be in any place, where God was not present.  (Read, Psalm 139:7-10, NLT). Only a God who is alive, is One who is attentive. A God who is attentive is also “intentional.” God is actively involved in the affairs of His children. In the Book of Jeremiah, God says no one can hid from Him, because his presence is everywhere. (Read, Jeremiah 24:24, NLT).  In ancient times, people believed their idol gods could cause events to occur. Because people depended on the preservation and produce of crops, they assigned natural forces to their gods. Whatever people depended on to necessitate their needs; a god was chosen.  There were gods of waters; the sun; the moon; fertility; crops; war; etc., but these gods were humanly contrived, and were images, which had no life. A description of them is: “They have mouths but cannot speak, eyes but cannot see. They have ears but cannot hear, but noses but cannot smell. They have hands but cannot feel, and feet but cannot walk, throats but cannot make a sound. And those who make idols are just like them, as are all who trust in them.” (Psalm 115:5-8, NLT). Life is given by the Spirit of God. Each day we should find rest (“peace”) in the Holy Spirit. Our strength, shelter, and security come from God, and so should our confidence. Our God preexisted all creation and cannot be shaped nor manipulated by human hands or human ingenuity or intelligence. The Spirit of God restores the soul, which then safeguards the mind, body, and spirit of a person. The Psalmist is transparent in describing and praising his relationship with the Spirit of God. A relationship is spoken that provides a place of perpetual safety. (Read, Psalm 62:1-2; 5, NIV). The desire to acknowledge God’s presence is a sure sign of the transparency and aliveness of a true relationship!

Key Idea:

What We Believe!:

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

   
   

Key Verses:

Psalm 51:10-12, NLT “Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you

Psalm 139:7-10, NLT“I can never escape from your Spirit. I can never get away from your presence! If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down in the grave you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.”

Jeremiah 24:24, NLT “Can anyone hide from me in a secret place? Am I not everywhere in all heavens and earth? Says the Lord.”

Psalm 42:1-5, NKJV

“As the deer pants for the water brooks,  so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?  My tears have become my food day and night, while they continually say to me, “Where is your God?” When I remember these things, I pour out my soul within me. For I used to go with the multitude; I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise with a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast. Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance.”

Psalm 62:1-2; 5-, NIV

“Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from Him. Truly He is my rock and my salvation, He is my fortress. I will never be shaken… Yes, my soul finds rest in God; my hope comes from Him. Truly He is my rock and salvation; He is my fortress; I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; He is my mighty rock, my refuge.”