Seeking the Transformative Baptism of the Holy Spirit

 

Summary

In the Gospel of John, we find a profound teaching on the baptism with the Holy Spirit, a blessing meant for all believers. This baptism is not merely a doctrine to be understood but a transformative experience to be sought and embraced. The Holy Spirit's descent upon believers, as seen on the day of Pentecost, is a hallmark of the Christian era, and it is crucial for us to recognize the possibility and necessity of this experience in our lives.

To receive this baptism, we must first acknowledge its possibility and importance. It is not enough to assume that being regenerate automatically means being baptized with the Holy Spirit. We must examine ourselves in light of the New Testament and recognize any spiritual lack. Our motives must be pure, seeking not just experiences or power, but a deeper knowledge of God and a life that glorifies Him. Obedience and prayer are essential, but they must be accompanied by a readiness for surprises, as the Holy Spirit often reveals the depths of our sinfulness before filling us with His presence.

The journey to receiving the Holy Spirit's baptism can be challenging. It often involves a deep awareness of our sin and a period of spiritual conflict. This is not a sign of failure but a necessary preparation for the Spirit's indwelling. We must be persistent in our pursuit, understanding that God's timing and methods are beyond our comprehension. The experiences of saints like D.L. Moody and George Bowen remind us that God prepares our hearts before granting us this blessing.

In our pursuit, we must let God lead us, even if it means going through unexpected and difficult paths. Our persistence should be coupled with patience, trusting in God's perfect timing. The encouragement from Scripture and the testimonies of others who have experienced this blessing should spur us on. However, we must be cautious not to live on the experiences of others but to seek our own encounter with the Holy Spirit.

Key Takeaways:

- The baptism with the Holy Spirit is a transformative experience that every believer should seek. It is not automatically received at regeneration, and we must examine ourselves in light of the New Testament to recognize any spiritual lack. [03:12]

- Our motives in seeking the Holy Spirit's baptism should be pure, focusing on knowing God and glorifying Him rather than merely seeking experiences or power. Obedience and prayer are crucial in this pursuit. [03:41]

- The journey to receiving the Holy Spirit's baptism often involves a deep awareness of our sinfulness and spiritual conflict. This is a necessary preparation for the Spirit's indwelling, and we must be ready for surprises. [09:03]

- Persistence and patience are essential in seeking the Holy Spirit's baptism. We must trust in God's timing and methods, understanding that His ways are beyond our comprehension. [22:08]

- The encouragement from Scripture and the testimonies of others should spur us on in our pursuit. However, we must seek our own encounter with the Holy Spirit and not rely solely on the experiences of others. [40:18]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:11] - Introduction to the Baptism with the Holy Spirit
[00:57] - The Christian Era and the Holy Spirit
[02:04] - Receiving the Holy Spirit
[03:12] - Realizing the Possibility
[03:41] - Pure Motives and Obedience
[05:34] - Prepared for Surprises
[07:18] - The Nature of the Holy Spirit
[09:03] - Spiritual Conflict and Awareness of Sin
[11:39] - Testimonies of Saints
[15:39] - Ignorance of Self
[19:26] - The Devil's Opposition
[22:08] - Persistence and Patience
[25:40] - Trusting God's Plan
[31:32] - Revival and Spiritual Hunger
[37:48] - Encouragement from Scripture
[40:18] - Reading Christian Biographies
[44:39] - The Concept of Tarrying
[49:27] - The Sovereignty of Christ

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Baptism with the Holy Spirit

Bible Reading:
1. John 1:26, 33 - "John answered them saying, I baptize with water, but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not... upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost."

Observation Questions:
1. What does John the Baptist mean when he says, "I baptize with water, but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not"? How does this relate to the baptism with the Holy Spirit? [00:11]
2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the Holy Spirit descending and remaining on Jesus? [00:35]
3. How does the sermon describe the typical experience of receiving the Holy Spirit's baptism, as seen in the New Testament and church history? [02:04]
4. What role do obedience and prayer play in seeking the baptism with the Holy Spirit, according to the sermon? [03:41]

Interpretation Questions:
1. Why is it important for believers to recognize the possibility and necessity of the baptism with the Holy Spirit, as discussed in the sermon? [03:12]
2. How does the sermon suggest believers should prepare their hearts for the Holy Spirit's baptism, and why is this preparation necessary? [22:08]
3. What does the sermon imply about the relationship between spiritual conflict and the preparation for receiving the Holy Spirit? [09:03]
4. How does the sermon address the potential dangers of relying on the experiences of others in seeking the Holy Spirit's baptism? [40:18]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current spiritual journey. Have you acknowledged any spiritual lack in your life that might indicate a need for the Holy Spirit's baptism? How can you address this? [03:12]
2. Consider your motives in seeking spiritual experiences. Are they focused on knowing God and glorifying Him, or are they more about personal gain? How can you align your motives with the teachings of the sermon? [03:41]
3. The sermon mentions the importance of being prepared for surprises in the spiritual journey. Can you recall a time when God led you through unexpected paths? How did you respond, and what did you learn from it? [05:34]
4. Persistence and patience are emphasized in the sermon. How can you cultivate these qualities in your spiritual life, especially when seeking the Holy Spirit's baptism? [22:08]
5. The sermon warns against living on the experiences of others. How can you ensure that your spiritual journey is based on your own encounters with God rather than relying on others' testimonies? [40:18]
6. Identify a specific area in your life where you feel the need for the Holy Spirit's guidance and empowerment. What steps can you take this week to invite the Holy Spirit into that area?
7. Reflect on the role of prayer in your life. How can you deepen your prayer life to seek a more profound relationship with the Holy Spirit? [04:14]

Devotional

Day 1: Seeking the Transformative Baptism of the Holy Spirit
The baptism with the Holy Spirit is a profound and transformative experience that every believer is encouraged to seek. It is not something automatically received at the moment of regeneration, but rather a deeper encounter with God that requires self-examination in light of the New Testament. Believers are called to recognize any spiritual lack and to pursue this baptism with a heart open to the possibility and importance of such an experience. This pursuit is not about seeking power or experiences for their own sake, but about desiring a closer relationship with God and a life that glorifies Him. [03:12]

Acts 19:2-6 (ESV): "And he said to them, 'Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?' And they said, 'No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.' And he said, 'Into what then were you baptized?' They said, 'Into John's baptism.' And Paul said, 'John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.' On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying."

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to examine your spiritual life in light of the New Testament and open yourself to the possibility of the Holy Spirit's baptism?


Day 2: Pure Motives in Pursuing the Holy Spirit
In seeking the baptism of the Holy Spirit, it is crucial to have pure motives. The focus should be on knowing God more deeply and glorifying Him, rather than merely seeking experiences or power. Obedience and prayer are essential components of this pursuit, as they align our hearts with God's will. However, believers must also be prepared for surprises, as the Holy Spirit often reveals the depths of our sinfulness before filling us with His presence. This process requires humility and a willingness to let God work in unexpected ways. [03:41]

James 4:3-4 (ESV): "You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God."

Reflection: Reflect on your motives for seeking the Holy Spirit's baptism. Are there any areas where you need to realign your desires with the goal of knowing and glorifying God?


Day 3: Embracing Spiritual Conflict and Awareness of Sin
The journey to receiving the Holy Spirit's baptism often involves a deep awareness of one's sinfulness and a period of spiritual conflict. This is not a sign of failure but a necessary preparation for the Spirit's indwelling. Believers must be ready for surprises and understand that this process is part of God's refining work in their lives. The experiences of saints like D.L. Moody and George Bowen remind us that God prepares our hearts before granting us this blessing. It is through this awareness and conflict that believers are drawn closer to God and made ready to receive His Spirit. [09:03]

Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV): "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!"

Reflection: In what ways can you invite God to reveal areas of sin in your life today, and how can you embrace this awareness as a step toward receiving the Holy Spirit's baptism?


Day 4: Persistence and Patience in God's Timing
Persistence and patience are essential in seeking the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Believers must trust in God's timing and methods, understanding that His ways are beyond human comprehension. The journey may involve unexpected and difficult paths, but it is important to let God lead. The encouragement from Scripture and the testimonies of others who have experienced this blessing should spur believers on in their pursuit. However, it is crucial to seek one's own encounter with the Holy Spirit and not rely solely on the experiences of others. [22:08]

Habakkuk 2:3 (ESV): "For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay."

Reflection: How can you cultivate patience and persistence in your spiritual journey today, trusting in God's perfect timing and methods?


Day 5: Personal Encounter with the Holy Spirit
While the encouragement from Scripture and the testimonies of others are valuable, it is important for each believer to seek their own personal encounter with the Holy Spirit. This pursuit should not be based on living through the experiences of others but on a genuine desire to know God more intimately. Believers are encouraged to let God lead them, even if it means going through unexpected and difficult paths. The journey is unique for each individual, and it is through this personal encounter that believers can truly experience the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. [40:18]

Jeremiah 29:13-14 (ESV): "You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile."

Reflection: What steps can you take today to seek a personal encounter with the Holy Spirit, and how can you ensure that your pursuit is genuine and not based on the experiences of others?

Quotes

We must examine ourselves in light of the New Testament portrayal of the Christian. If you have been examined to yourselves in the light of the New Testament portrayal of the Christian, I've seen that you fall short, that there's something lacking, well then you realize this other possibility. [00:03:25]

We mustn't be concerned merely about experiences nor even power. We should be concerned to know Him and His love to us and to become such that He can use us in the extension of His kingdom and making known His glory. [00:03:41]

We must always remember that the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth. He is the Spirit of holiness, and if we fail to remember that always, well then, as I say, we must be prepared for surprises. He's not only the Spirit of power and of might, but He is the Spirit of truth and of holiness and purity. [00:05:50]

When we pray for the baptism with the Holy Spirit, we have to realize that what we are asking is that the Holy Spirit should come upon us and fill us to a virtual overflow, and that He shall dwell within us in a powerful manner and bring to us in that way God the Father and God the Son. [00:07:10]

The moment you begin to realize the possibilities of brief and what is possible to you in Christ Jesus by this great baptism of the Spirit, the moment you enter that realm, well, obviously, the devil is going to be disturbed. He is going to exert all his efforts to stand between you and death. [00:19:36]

The moment we begin to seek this in everywhere I've described, we must be prepared for surprises, but we must realize that we're in God's image. There is nothing better, therefore, that I can do at this point than to give the advice based upon the experience of D.L. Moody. [00:21:28]

It is dangerous to have power unless the heart is right, and we have no right to expect that the Spirit will give us the power unless He can trust us with the power. So you put prepare my heart before the request to baptize you with the Holy Ghost power. [00:22:03]

If you are putting yourself in the end of God letting leading, and it is He who decides where you leave you, as George Dorian puts it, He doesn't lead you straight up into the heavens into the Empyrean as you think. He'll probably lead you into some dungeon. Doesn't matter. Let Him lead you. [00:22:40]

Our greatest danger is to be spasmodic. It works like this, doesn't it? We seek their sin fits and starts, and then we are surprised looking back that nothing has happened to us. Isn't this the way it happens? You may perhaps be reading a book, you may be reading the life of some great saint. [00:27:12]

A half-hearted spasmodic desire is never likely to be granted, and you will find again in all the literature in this great matter that there is always this element almost of desperation that comes in before God really hears this prayer and grants our requests. [00:29:43]

We must use it in the right way. These things are meant to be stimulants. You don't live there. Stimulants. You don't live on stimulants. If you do, you're in a very bad state. It's like people living on pet pills, and there's far too much of that, it seems to me, in the religious world today. [00:43:06]

It is He who gives this gift. He knows when to give it. He knows when we are fit to receive it. All we can do is to long for it, is to yearn for it, is to cry out for it and to keep on doing so and to be importunate, but above all to leave ourselves unreservedly in the great issue itself. [00:49:32]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?