Empowered by the Spirit: Overcoming Spiritual Quenching
Summary
In our journey through Ephesians, we are reminded of the critical importance of putting on the whole armor of God to stand against the devil's schemes. The devil's tactics are varied, but today we focus on his attempts to persuade Christians to quench the Spirit. The Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus Christ and mediates salvation to us, making it a prime target for the devil's attacks. We must be vigilant and apply tests to ourselves to ensure we are not quenching the Spirit.
A Spirit-filled Christian is characterized by light, understanding, warmth, and power. The Spirit enlightens our understanding, allowing us to discern true doctrine from false. It fills us with warmth, love, joy, and a radiant spirit. If these qualities are absent, we may be quenching the Spirit. The Spirit also empowers us, giving us the ability to live, witness, and pray effectively. The apostles, once disheartened, became bold witnesses after receiving the Spirit. This same power is available to us today.
Quenching the Spirit can occur in several ways. Limiting our understanding of the Spirit's work, denying the possibility of assurance, and formalism in worship are significant hindrances. We must avoid the fear of excesses that leads to spiritual lethargy. Instead, we should respond to the Spirit's promptings and stir up the gift within us. The Spirit's power is not reserved for a select few but is available to all believers. We must expect and seek the Spirit's work in our lives and the church.
The church's ineffectiveness often stems from a lack of spiritual power and prayer. We must examine ourselves and ensure we are not quenching the Spirit through our attitudes, expectations, or practices. The Spirit's presence brings life, vigor, and boldness, transforming our witness and prayer life. Let us yield to the Spirit's gracious influences, making room for His work in our lives and the church.
Key Takeaways:
- The Holy Spirit is essential for glorifying Jesus and mediating salvation. The devil's schemes aim to quench the Spirit, making it crucial for Christians to be vigilant and apply tests to ensure they are not quenching the Spirit. A Spirit-filled life is marked by light, understanding, warmth, and power. [03:55]
- The Spirit empowers believers to live, witness, and pray effectively. The transformation seen in the apostles after Pentecost is a testament to the Spirit's power. This same power is available to us today, enabling us to live vibrant Christian lives. [14:59]
- Quenching the Spirit can occur through limiting our understanding of the Spirit's work, denying the possibility of assurance, and formalism in worship. We must avoid the fear of excesses that leads to spiritual lethargy and instead respond to the Spirit's promptings. [32:47]
- The church's ineffectiveness often stems from a lack of spiritual power and prayer. We must examine ourselves and ensure we are not quenching the Spirit through our attitudes, expectations, or practices. The Spirit's presence brings life, vigor, and boldness, transforming our witness and prayer life. [17:05]
- The Spirit's power is not reserved for a select few but is available to all believers. We must expect and seek the Spirit's work in our lives and the church. Yielding to the Spirit's gracious influences allows us to experience His transformative power. [30:53]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - The Armor of God
- [00:51] - The Wiles of the Devil
- [01:26] - Attack on the Christian Experience
- [02:29] - Quenching the Spirit
- [03:55] - The Spirit's Role in Glorifying Christ
- [05:12] - Tests of the Spirit's Presence
- [07:13] - The Power of the Spirit
- [09:05] - The Spirit's Leading and Prompting
- [11:03] - Life and Vigor in the Spirit
- [14:59] - The Spirit's Empowerment for Witness
- [17:05] - The Church's Need for Spiritual Power
- [19:58] - Ways We Quench the Spirit
- [25:39] - Assurance and the Spirit's Witness
- [32:47] - Formalism and Quenching the Spirit
- [38:36] - Fear of Excesses
- [45:30] - Stirring Up the Gift Within
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 6:10-13
2. 1 Thessalonians 5:19
3. Romans 8:14
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#### Observation Questions
1. What does Ephesians 6:10-13 say about the nature of our struggle and the armor of God? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on spiritual vigilance? [00:13]
2. According to 1 Thessalonians 5:19, what specific action are Christians warned against, and why might this be significant in the context of the sermon? [02:47]
3. How does Romans 8:14 describe those who are led by the Spirit, and what implications does this have for our understanding of spiritual empowerment? [09:38]
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#### Interpretation Questions
1. The sermon suggests that quenching the Spirit can lead to spiritual lethargy. How might this manifest in a believer's life, and what are the potential consequences? [19:58]
2. In what ways does the sermon describe the transformation of the apostles after receiving the Spirit, and how does this serve as a model for contemporary believers? [14:59]
3. The sermon mentions formalism as a hindrance to the Spirit's work. How can formalism be identified in modern church practices, and what steps can be taken to counteract it? [33:01]
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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your personal spiritual life. Are there areas where you might be quenching the Spirit? What practical steps can you take to address this? [19:58]
2. The sermon highlights the importance of expecting and seeking the Spirit's work. How can you cultivate a sense of expectation in your daily walk with God? [30:53]
3. Consider the role of prayer in your life. How can you enhance your prayer life to ensure it is Spirit-led and empowered? [17:05]
4. The sermon warns against the fear of excesses leading to spiritual lethargy. How can you balance being open to the Spirit's work while maintaining discernment? [38:36]
5. Identify one way you can stir up the gift within you this week. What specific action will you take to fan the flame of the Spirit in your life? [45:30]
6. How can you encourage your church community to be more Spirit-filled and vibrant? What role can you play in fostering an environment that welcomes the Spirit's work? [19:16]
7. Think of a recent situation where you felt prompted by the Spirit. How did you respond, and what can you learn from that experience to better respond in the future? [42:28]
Devotional
Day 1: The Spirit's Role in Glorifying Christ
The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in glorifying Jesus and mediating salvation to believers. The devil's schemes often aim to quench the Spirit, making it essential for Christians to remain vigilant. A Spirit-filled life is marked by light, understanding, warmth, and power. These qualities are evidence of the Spirit's presence and work within us. If we find these attributes lacking, it may be a sign that we are quenching the Spirit. By being aware of the Spirit's role, we can ensure that we are living in alignment with God's will and experiencing the fullness of His presence. [03:55]
Ephesians 1:17-18 (ESV): "That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints."
Reflection: In what ways can you actively seek the Spirit's enlightenment in your daily life to better glorify Christ?
Day 2: The Spirit's Empowerment for Witness
The Holy Spirit empowers believers to live, witness, and pray effectively. The transformation seen in the apostles after Pentecost is a testament to the Spirit's power. This same power is available to us today, enabling us to live vibrant Christian lives. By relying on the Spirit, we can become bold witnesses for Christ, sharing the gospel with confidence and love. The Spirit's empowerment is not limited to a select few but is available to all who seek it. [14:59]
Acts 4:31 (ESV): "And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness."
Reflection: How can you rely on the Holy Spirit to empower your witness in a specific situation this week?
Day 3: Avoiding Spiritual Lethargy
Quenching the Spirit can occur through limiting our understanding of the Spirit's work, denying the possibility of assurance, and formalism in worship. We must avoid the fear of excesses that leads to spiritual lethargy and instead respond to the Spirit's promptings. By being open to the Spirit's guidance, we can experience a more dynamic and fulfilling spiritual life. It is important to recognize and overcome any barriers that may hinder the Spirit's work in our lives. [32:47]
1 Thessalonians 5:19-21 (ESV): "Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good."
Reflection: Identify one area in your spiritual life where you may be resisting the Spirit's promptings. What steps can you take to overcome this resistance?
Day 4: The Church's Need for Spiritual Power
The church's ineffectiveness often stems from a lack of spiritual power and prayer. We must examine ourselves and ensure we are not quenching the Spirit through our attitudes, expectations, or practices. The Spirit's presence brings life, vigor, and boldness, transforming our witness and prayer life. By yielding to the Spirit's gracious influences, we can experience His transformative power in our lives and the church. [17:05]
Zechariah 4:6 (ESV): "Then he said to me, 'This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.'"
Reflection: How can you contribute to fostering a Spirit-filled environment in your church community?
Day 5: Expecting the Spirit's Work
The Spirit's power is not reserved for a select few but is available to all believers. We must expect and seek the Spirit's work in our lives and the church. By being open to the Spirit's guidance and influence, we can experience His transformative power. It is important to actively seek the Spirit's presence and be willing to respond to His promptings. [30:53]
2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (ESV): "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."
Reflection: What specific steps can you take to invite the Holy Spirit's transformative work into your life today?
Quotes
The Holy Spirit is the one who glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ whom the devil hates with all the intensity of his evil nature. The devil's one ambition is to detract from the glory of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. Moreover, the Spirit is the one who mediates salvation to us. [00:03:08]
The Christian man, the man filled with the Spirit, is a man who's got great light and understanding. The New Testament Christian understood what he believed. The Apostle John, writing at the end of his life as an old man in his first epistle, writes to those Christians who were very ignorant and unlettered people and had no education at all. [00:04:18]
The Spirit is a fire; that's why we mustn't quench it. And fire gives this light, but not only that, we saw that it gives warmth also. The Christian is a warm-hearted man; he's got a warm spirit. There's a fire in him, and the fire ever radiates heat and warmth. There's fellowship with us as a true Christian. [00:05:49]
The Spirit is the Spirit of God and is all-powerful, and yet it is possible for us to quench the Spirit, to resist the Spirit, to grieve the Spirit. It's a great mystery, but it's perfectly true. You can't reconcile these things ultimately, but the teaching is quite plain. [00:08:03]
The Spirit always leads in this way to life and vigor and liveliness. The truly spiritual man, the Christian filled with the Spirit, he's never a man who has to drag himself and force himself to do things. No, no, there's power in him, there's a vigor, there's a liveliness. [00:10:44]
The Spirit enables us to witness, teaches us how to witness, and gives us the ability to witness, tells us what to say. Listen, look at that sermon of Peter's, see this great contrast, this ability, this power. That's always the characteristic of the Holy Spirit. [00:15:05]
The church is so ineffective. Well, my answer is that she lacks this power, and that's why she isn't praying as she ought to be. She isn't interceding with the world as it is on fire with these terrible possibilities of the whole universe being blown up. [00:17:02]
The Spirit's power is not reserved for a select few but is available to all believers. We must expect and seek the Spirit's work in our lives and the church. Yielding to the Spirit's gracious influences allows us to experience His transformative power. [00:30:53]
Formalism is always the greatest enemy of the power and the life and the freedom of the Spirit. But of course, it not only applies to service; this happens often in the type of life which we live. There's a terrible danger, you know, Christian people being turned out like ped stamp peas in a PB. [00:36:19]
Some people are so afraid of the excesses of which some people are guilty, and I'm not here to say that they're not excesses. They are, and I don't defend them. They're wrong. It's the devil, as I showed you last Sunday, pressing people too far on that side. [00:38:36]
If you don't respond to the Spirit, you are quenching him. There's a hymn that puts it like this: Savior, while my heart is tender, I would yield that heart to thee. Oh, if he does come and in his gracious influence give you tenderness of heart, don't resist him. [00:42:28]
The greatest of all needs today is the flame, the fire, the power of the Holy Ghost in individual Christians and in the church as a whole. Beloved Christian people, quench not the Spirit, but rather seek Him, make room for him, make way for him, yield yourselves to his gracious influences. [00:47:32]
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