Bible Study Notes 7/9/2024

Word Alive! Bible Study ©2024

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

Concord Baptist Church of Boston in Milton

Conley Hughes, Jr., Senior Pastor

Tue., 9 July 2024 Lesson 5, Part 1 pp. 69-82

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

The Gift of Relationship – The most important and intimate expression of the Holy Spirit’s presence is the relationship we have with the Spirit. As we seek a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ, so will we desire a more intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit. We often place more attention on gifts, as outward signs of the Spirit’s presence. But we must seek a relationship with the Spirit, which involves intentional listening and remaining in fellowship with Him. This point is emphasized in the devotional book, Experiencing the Holy Spirit. The authors (Blackaby) explain: “Why are so many Christians frustrated, sensing there has to be something more? There are probably several reasons, but a major reason is that Christians are seeking gifts of the Holy Spirit and not the Holy Spirit Himself. They want power but not a relationship with the One who whose presence gives power… We must learn to understand that there are no gifts apart from an intimate relationship with the Spirit.” The relationship and fellowship Jesus intends for us to have with the Holy Spirit is transparent and truthful. The Holy Spirit engages us and in us, to “help” us think, understand, and navigate the circumstances of our lives. (Read, John 14:16-17, NLT). There is a human tendency to be cautious of intimacy, which is a level of closeness, which involves openness and some vulnerability. The intimacy that flows from God’s divine order, is always good for us, and would never harm us. While it is healthy to be guarded with many human encounters, we should have no fears when it come to our relationship with the Spirit of God. It’s possible, however, for some believers to fail in acknowledging the Spirit’s presence. In the early Christian movement, Paul encountered a small group of believers who likely were church leaders, but had no fellowship with the Holy Spirit, because they had not properly made a faith profession. Paul taught them the correctness of a true faith profession in Jesus Christ – after which they received salvation and the Holy Spirit’s presence. The gifts they received were evidence of their salvation, and not a condition or pre-requisite for salvation. These eleven believers now had a relationship with the Holy Spirit. (Read, Acts, 19:1-7, NLT). As believers acknowledge the Holy Spirts presence, the relationship must mature through our trust in how the Spirit is leading us. The Apostle Paul said, “For His Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets.” (I Corinthians 2:10b, NLT). One of the great gifts God gives us is the assurance that comes from trusting the Holy Spirit who lives in us. To acknowledge the Spirit’s presence beside us as well, is a wonderful gift. Philip was led by an angel to travel from Jerusalem toward Gaza where he met an Ethiopian official. The man had much power and prestige in his country but was seeking a deeper meaning in life. The Spirit guided Philip in his conversation to the man with detailed questions. Philip taught this man the Good News, and he became a believer. Philip’s relationship with the Holy Spirit led him to the man and led him to his next assignment. (Read, Acts 8:29-31’35; 38-39, NLT). While we must always seek the Spirit’s discernment in our relationships, we never should be hesitant in our relationship with the Holy Spirit. An honest and healthy relationship with Jesus Christ, will ensure our intentional relationship with the Holy Spirit. The Spirit truly lives in and is with us at al times along life’s journey.

Key Idea:

What We Believe!

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

Key Verses:

John 14:16-17, NLT

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another [Helper], who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it isn’t looking for Him and doesn’t recognize Him.  But you know Him, because He lives with you now and later will be with you.”

Acts 19:1-7, NLT

“When Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior regions until he found several believers. “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” he asked them. “No,” they replied, “we haven’t even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” “Then what baptism did you experience?” he 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 other tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all.

Acts 8:29-31;35; 38-39, NLT

“The Holy Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and walk along beside the carriage.”  Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” The man replied, “How can I unless someone instructs me?”  And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him…So beginning with the same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus. He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away…The eunuch went on his way rejoicing.”