Bible Study Notes 6/25/2024

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

Tues., 25 June 2024 Lesson 4, Part 1 pp. 56-68

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

A Gift That Is Only Given – The Holy Spirit’s presence in a person’s life does not come as a result of favor; bargaining; or through any human agency. The Holy Spirit’s presence is a “gift” given to us through Christ. Jesus, who along with the Heavenly Father, shares in unity with the Holy Spirit; fulfilled the promise made by the Father, that the Spirt would be given to believers.  Jesus said, “I will send the Holy Spirit…” (Read, Luke 24:49, NLT).  Jesus assured His disciples and followers, that the Holy Spirit was the gift they would receive, to empower them for ministry and witness of the faith. To be effective followers of Jesus Christ, we need the Holy Spirit. The impartation and understanding of the knowledge of our faith in Jesus Christ, can only be discerned through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is teacher; interpreter; and translator, for the voice of God. Otherwise, we would not be capable of grasping a true understanding of the Word and the Gospel message on our own.  This is why the Holy Spirit came after the Resurrection and ascension of Christ; to gift believers with the awesome and reverent responsibility, to diligently communicate God’s plan for all. (Read, Ephesians 4:7-8; 11-13, NLT). The of Spirit was given to mature all believers; and to lead the Church to permanent unity.  All that God has for His people; which has enduring and eternal value, cannot be attained through human effort. The tangible things we have accumulated through human effort (money, wealth, positions, etc.) could never sway nor influence God in our favor. The gifts of God carry no price tag. (Read, Acts 8:18-23, NLT). In their book, Experiencing the Holy Spirit, Henry and Melvin Blackaby emphasizes the fact that God calls all believers to join Him in Kingdom work here on earth. It isn’t that God can’t do this work alone; but He desires to have us work with Him, so He can work though us. We, as believers, must be committed to working with God. The Blackaby’s say: “When it comes to serving God, total dependence is better than talent and determination. Our best efforts will always come short of what God could do through our lives if only we would learn to trust Him.”  This partnership God desires with us, is where the Holy Spirit becomes revealed in our lives. The Blackaby’s further states: “When we talk about God’s work in His people, we’re talking about the Holy Spirit. For the Holy Spirit to work in our lives, the critically necessary element is our relationship to Jesus Christ – bcause Christ is the one who sends the gift of the Holy Spirit to shape and mold us into His image.” The work of the Holy Spirit in us, is inseparable from our relationship with Jesus Christ. It is Christ who preceded the Spirit – and who sent the Holy Spirit to indwell in the hearts and lives of believers. If our fellowship with Christ is negligent or compromised, this will reflect our relationship with the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit alone, who imparts gifts to us.  The gifts are purposeful, in that they are to build up each other. It is the Spirit’s wisdom, that determines which gift is appropriate for each recipient. Our spiritual gifts are never incompatible with the need for which they are given. (Read, 1 Corinthians 12:7a;11, NLT). As we remain in fellowship with Christ, so will we remain in fellowship with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit always renews us, and will continuously transform our characters to be more like Jesus Christ!

Key Idea:

What We Believe!

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

Key Verses:

Luke 24:49, NLT

“And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.”

Ephesians 4:7-8; 11-13, NLT

“However, He has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ. That is why the Scriptures’ say, “Whenever He ascended to the heights, He led a crowd of captives and gave gifts to His people… Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do His work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.”

Acts 8:18-23, NLT

“When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power. “Let me have this power, too,” he exclaimed, “so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit.” But Peter replied, “May your money be destroyed with you for thinking God’s gift can be bought. You can have no part in this for your heart is not right with God. Repent of your wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps He will forgive your evil thoughts, for I can see that you are full of bitter jealousy and are held captive by sin.”

1 Corinthians 12:7a; 11, NLT

“A special gift is given to each of us so we can help each other…It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.”