Gospel of John [Joh 16:12-15]. The Doctrine of the HS, part 38. 1Th 5:19; Joh 15:5-11; Psa 32:8-9; Exo 21:2-6.Title: Gospel of John [Joh 16:12-15]. The Doctrine of the HS, part 38. 1Th 5:19; Joh 15:5-11; Psa 32:8-9; Exo 21:2-6.
Announcements/opening prayer:
Conditions for the filling of the Spirit.
Another instance of the surrendered life is likened by Christ to the branch abiding in the vine. Abiding = continual communion with Christ by which fruit is borne.
Joh 15:5 "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing.
Joh 15:6 "If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch, and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned [divine discipline].
The surrendered life is also a life of fruitful, effective prayer.
Joh 15:7 "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you.
The surrendered life glorifies the Father.
Joh 15:8 "By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.
Joh 15:9 "Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.
The surrendered life is clearly manifested to the believer's own soul in that he keeps the commandments as a general lifestyle.
Joh 15:10 "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments, and abide in His love.
And again, joy is manifested as it was in Eph 5:19-21; Act 13:52, as opposed to the sorrow that filled the hearts of the disciples this night.
Joh 15:11 "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.
[back to] 1Thes 5:19 Do not quench the Spirit;
1Thes 5:20 do not despise prophetic utterances.
1Thes 5:21 But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good;
1Thes 5:22 abstain from every form of evil.
Are we afraid to surrender our will unto His and love Him and follow Him with all our hearts, minds, and strength?
Mat 25:24-25 "And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed. 'And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground; see, you have what is yours.'
The Lord is an exacting Lord but His justice has been satisfied in Christ. All believers are His children and although He will chastise all of us, even that is out of love. We naturally, because we are fallen, fear change and we fear letting go of that with which we have become accustomed. We are not required to make futile promises of not sinning or that we will revolutionize our own hearts for Him. The Father delights only in that which is best for His children and He will never impose upon His child or be careless towards him.
On the basis that for every reason God's will is best, the covenant to do that will when it has been revealed is not difficult, but it does require surrender.
The guidance of the Spirit will always be in harmony with the Scriptures. The Scripture's primary application is to direct the life of the believer in this dispensation.
It is important to know the Bible as a whole. To know the whole realm of doctrine, even generally, is most to be desired. The Spirit will lead and empower in many areas and not just in our pet favorite doctrines. We miss out on whatever we are ignorant of.
There are no rules governing the Spirit's leading. No two are led together alike and it is likely that no believer is led in the exact same way twice.
The competency and capacity to be sensitive to His leading only comes from personal growth, being alert and attentive, and personal experience. |