Bible Study Notes 11/26/2024

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., 26 Nov. 2024 Lesson 12, Parts 1, pp. 171-183Quiet Time: H&M Blackaby, Experiencing the Holy Spirit

Releasing To Receive – When we hear the word “surrender” we immediately harbor deep feelings of invasion and capture. While the term is expressly used when referring to the necessary actions of a person  who has endangered or harmed others; it also speaks of releasing aspects of life, which conflict with what is best for us. Chapter 3 in the Book of Ecclesiastes speaks of the time-cycle of life, where we must engage in certain actions, given where we are. For example, one of fourteen couplets of wisdom, reads, “There is a time to embrace, and a time to release,” (Ecc. 3:5) Solomon, who is believed to have written these couplets, was thought to be speaking of human relationships. The notion of knowing when to retain them, and when to move on. But the verse also has implications for our spiritual destiny.  Jesus promised, the Holy Spirit would be sent to all believers. The Spirit’s mission is to indwell the lives of all believers who, by faith in Jesus Christ have come into a saving relationship with God. We then must receive (embrace) the Spirit’s presence in our lives; seek His counsel, and follow the guidance given to us. Although God has given us the promise of eternity, this can neither be understood nor attained by human effort. (Read, Ecclesiastes 3:11, NLT).  It is only through spiritual discernment and understand that we can learn what is God’s purpose for us. The world frowns on our Christian thinking because their opinions are most often the result of human reasoning alone. However, the spiritual discernment given to the mature believer comes from the Holy Spirit. The wisdom of God is greater than the wisdom of the humans He created. (Read, 1 Corinthians 2:13-14, NLT).  The late and prolific Christian writer, Oswald Chambers, said: “Every element of our own self-reliance, must be put to death by the power of God. The moment we recognize our…complete dependence upon Him will be the very moment that the Spirit of God will exhibit His power.”  The defense of our faith is never based on human propositions or opinions. Jesus told the disciples; the Holy Spirit would “teach” them how to defend their faith. (Read, Luke 12:11-12, NLT). As Christians we must release our entire beings to the presence and work of the Holy Spirit in us. The Holy Spirit teaches and perpetually reminds us what spiritual wisdom is and the truth. (Read, John 14:26, NLT). In an era in history where misleading conspiracies and untruth is peddled as truth, we can remain confident in the truth the Holy Spirit gives.  The retention of that truth in us is secured through the Holy Spirit. In the early Christian community, there were some believers who had come to the faith through the ministry of John the Baptist. John taught people that his ministry was one of “repentance.” This meant people who were willing to renounce their sins and live better lives were baptized by John. But John told them, the Messiah would come after Him, and they would be baptized with water and fire, which was a reference to the Holy Spirt. Paul came upon such a group and asked, had they received salvation and a baptism in which they received and acknowledged the Holy Spirit in them. They were unaware of this and were baptized upon a profession of faith in Jesus; and received the Holy Spirit. (Read, Acts 19:3-7, NLT). We must be willing to release self, to receive the Holy Spirit!

Key Idea:

What We Believe!

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

Key Verses:

Ecclesiastes 3:11, NLT

“Yet God has made everything beautiful  for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so,  people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.”

1 Corinthians 2:13-14, NLT

“When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths. But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them  and they can’t understand what the spirit means.”

Luke 12:11-12, NLT

“And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what to say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said.”

John 14:26, NLT

“But when the Father sends  the Advocate as my representative – that is,  the Holy Spirit – He will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.”

Acts 19:3-7, NLT

“Then what baptism did you experience? He [Paul] asked.” And they replied, “ The baptism of John.” Paul said, “John’s baptism called for repentance from sin. But John himself told the people to believe in the one  who would come later, meaning Jesus.” As soon as they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all.”