Chapter 3 - The Spirit Speaks

Read 1 Corinthians Chapter 2

Have you ever been in a situation where you wished God would just speak directly to you?
Most of us in the group had plenty of answers to this question. Our common answer was - in times of great decision we'd wished that God would just shout the answer at us.

What does it take to get your attention though? What are you listening too for your answers?

This study focused on how to help us hear God's message with renewed intensity.

I want to start with 1 Corinthians 1:17. This verse sets a tone to our study in a way that I think helped us understand Chapter 2. The NIV translation is: "For Christ did not send me (Paul) to baptize, but to preach the gospel - not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power."

Right off in Verse 1 of Chapter 2 Paul states that he had not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as he proclaimed the testimony about God. He says he came to them in weakness and fear and with much trembling. His message was not with wise and persuasive words but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power. Again, Paul is pointing to the power of the cross - and unless the Holy Spirit works in a listener's heart, the wisdom and eloquence of a preacher are ineffective.

What are the results of following God's wisdom vs man's?

(v.6) The wisdom of this age is purely human wisdom unaided by God's truth or spirit. Wisdom that ignores God leads to emptiness and irrational behavior. Wisdom from God leads to maturity and glory. Human wisdom alone is inadequate to answer the deepest of questions. One of the most significant statements was in v.8, "None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." The wisdom of this age was insufficient.

(v.9) However, it is written: No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him, but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. Ah Ha! Read on for some biblical wisdom.

Who knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit? Likewise, who knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God? In verse 12 it says we have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. And we can trust our bible because... (v.13) "This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.

If they speak the words taught by the Spirit then we are hearing God's words. The Word of God plus the Spirit of God equals the mind of Christ. A man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, as they are foolishness to him and he can't understand them. He is spiritually discerned. But the spiritual man makes judgements about all things but he is not subject to man's judgement. Who can instruct a man who knows the mind of Christ?

As we go deeper into our study about the Holy Spirit some of us are already experiencing God's power through the Spirit in our lives. Our eyes can see, our ears hear, and we can conceive what God has prepared for us. What would we have done if the Spirit had never been given to us? We would not have the indwelling. Paul never would have taught the Gentiles. We wouldn't be reading a lot of the books in the New Testament. Thank you Lord!

Our group had quite a lot of discussion on this chapter. Just sharing our experiences with one another can be a study in itself. And today in our Sunday service at church I could not help but feel blessed with the two ladies from our study that always sit with me. We don't talk much during service but sometimes I can sense when they are moved by the spirit. When you witness this the Holy Spirit moves inside you too. Often it will bring your heart to your knees.

And, I watched my pastor sing this morning with his eyes shut. Thank you Lord for this man. Pray for each other.

Chapter 2 - The Spirit Invades

Read Acts Chapter 2

Our study started with sharing verses from the bible that moved us or held a special meaning to us. Sharing how God speaks to us through His word is an intimate sharing among friends. How awesome you are.

So, did you answer the question...Have you ever been in a worship service or prayer group and sensed the Spirit moving in a powerful way? The group positively agreed that attending our Deeper services was one of the most Spirit charged experiences we had all shared alike.

This led us into trying to understand how the people at Pentecost must have reacted when the Holy Spirit arrived. Remember, Pentecost is 55 days after Passover. Christ had been crucified, had risen from the grave, and was among his disciples for 40 days. This means Christ had ascended approximately 12 -15 days before the Holy Spirit arrived at Pentecost.

The apostles and about 120 followers were in one place when a mighty, violent wind blowing in from heaven filled the whole house. They saw what looked like tongues of fire that separated and come to rest on each of them. All were filled with the Spirit and began to speak in other languages.

In Jerusalem at the time of Pentecost, the area was packed full of people from all over, speaking various languages. These visitors were perplexed at hearing their own language spoken by these people from Galilee. They accused them of being drunk early in the morning. But Peter spoke up and said no, we aren't drunk...this is what was spoken of by the prophet Joel, and he then recited the words of Joel.

Peter then reminded them of how Jesus was put to death by them, but God resurrected him as told by David. And received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what the people were seeing and hearing. Peter further told of David's remarks "The Lord said to my Lord; Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet". Christ was at the right hand of God.

The people were cut to the heart and wanted to know what to do and Peter said, "Repent and be baptized...." Those who accepted his message were baptized...about 3000 were added to their number that day.

We discussed the similarities in Exodus 32:28 when Moses came off the mountain with God's commandments and found the people running wild and worshiping the golden calf, and Aaron totally loosing control of the people. That day the law was delivered to the people and 3000 died because of their sin. Likewise, when the law was replaced with the blood of Christ and the Holy Spirit was given, 3000 were saved.

The new Christians then went from home to home, sharing all they had. They were filled with awe and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They gave to one another, daily met together in the temple courts, broke bread in their homes, ate together and were glad and sincere.

This is the purest definition of fellowship. Our small groups are filled with this kind of Christian union... as we gather together and have everything in common.

Pray for one another. Commit to being with one another. Forgive one another. Love one another. Let the Holy Spirit invade your space. There is nothing you can do that will keep His love away - nothing!

Chapter 1 - Meet the Spirit

After taking the summer off our singles group was eager to get started on our 10 week study, "Meeting the Spirit - John 16: 5-15"

The group discussed what our impressions were of the Holy Spirit and described our relationship and also fears about coming into close relationship with Him. We talked about the mood of the disciples as Jesus speaks to them about His leaving and the meaning of the term "the counselor" or the Greek word "parakletos", meaning beside, along side, by, with, to call, invite, summon. Counselor was better understood by the disciples as to the purpose and roll of the Holy Spirit - called alongside to give assistance - helper - advocate - friend -comforter.

There was an advantage to the disciples that Jesus would go away and the Spirit of God would come. Christ could only be in one place at a time physically, thus limiting His presence and the disciples ministry. More people could be reached with the disciples disbursed and spreading the gospel while the Holy Spirit indwells not only them but those baptized.

The Holy Spirit could then work to convict or convince those who hear the truth and message of Christ that, they have committed personal sin, that Jesus is the only righteous one, and that judgement will come on those who refuse Christ's offer of salvation.

It was important that the Holy Spirit convince the world that their "prince" was already condemed and had lost his battle when Christ died on the cross. So to give yourself to the world would be deadly - you would loose your life. The Holy Spirit would guide you in truth, would only speak what He hears and not on His own, and would tell you what is yet to come. Read Acts 20: 22-23 and see how Paul was guided by the Holy Spirit.

The disciples would later record the message of Christ in the books and letters of the New Testament. Jesus imparted authority in those writings through the ministry of the Holy Spirit to his closest followers by reminding them of his teachings and leading them into truth. Thus approving of what they will write as it will come from the Holy Spirit. "All that belongs to the Father is mine", He says. The Holy Spirit will bring glory to Christ by taking what is His and making it known to us. The Holy Spirit is to glorify Christ by taking what is Christs, which is also the Fathers, and make it known. Therefore, the Holy Spirit is distinct in oneself, yet still equally a part of Christ and the Father.

Next Thursday we will study Chapter 2 - The Spirit Invades - Have you ever been in a worship service or prayer group and sensed the Spirit moving in a powerful way? Let's discuss what you experienced. Have you sensed God's power at work in your heart? What happened? Let's discuss it - next Thursday.

The Challenge the group left with this week was to learn how to see people as Jesus sees them. We are to practice looking people in the eye this week and as much as possible. And every time we do this, remind ourselves that this person is created in the image of God and matters to God.

Next week each person is to bring in their favorite scripture or passage and share that with the group and what importance this brings to your life.

And as Christ spoke in Mathew 18:20 "Where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." Thank you Lord!

Please keep in your prayers each other, our pastor, and the multitude of helpers, leaders, ministers, and administrative people serving our Lord.