Mar. 24, 2024

Believe Again

Freedom of the Spirit

Primary Text: 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22    

1)  Grieved Over Israel

Isaiah 63:7-13:  I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the Lord has done for us-- yes, the many good things he has done for the house of Israel, according to his compassion and many kindnesses.  He said, “Surely they are my people, sons who will not be false to me”; and so he became their Savior.  In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them.  In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.  Yet they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit.  So he turned and became their enemy and he himself fought against them.  Then his people recalled the days of old, the days of Moses and his people-- where is he who brought them through the sea, with the shepherd of his flock?  Where is he who set his Holy Spirit among them, who sent his glorious arm of power to be at Moses’ right hand, who divided the waters before them, to gain for himself everlasting renown, who led them through the depths? 

DQ 1) What especially grieved the Holy Spirit about the nation of Israel?

DQ 2) What in the modern church grieves the Holy Spirit?

2)  The Sacrifices of God

Psalm 51:10-17:  Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.  Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.  Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.  Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you.  Save me from bloodguilt, O God, the God who saves me, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.  O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.  You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.  The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. 

DQ 3) What is the joy of salvation?

DQ 4) What does it mean that “the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart”?

3)  Quenching the Spirit

1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 (NIV, 1984):  Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt.  Test everything. Hold on to the good.  Avoid every kind of evil.

1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 (NASB, 1995):  Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances.  But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil. 

Acts 7:51-52:  You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears!  You are just like your fathers: You always resist the Holy Spirit!  Was there ever a prophet your fathers did not persecute?

DQ 5) How can an individual quench the Spirit?

DQ 6) How do churches quench the Spirit?

4)  The Spirit of Freedom

II Corinthians 3:17-18:  Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.  And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 

DQ 7) What is genuine, Godly freedom?

DQ 8) How does the Holy Spirit impart true freedom?

DQ 9) In what ways do you still need to find freedom?