Quench Not the Spirit

Main Point:  Invite the Holy Spirit to baptize you, fill you, so we may do Kingdom work with power and without fear.

Foundation Scripture:  1 Thessalonians 5:11-24.  V18-20.  We are instructed to give thanks in all things and to not quench the Spirit and the working of the Spirit through us.

Jesus sent us the Holy Spirit
John 16:7. Jesus made it clear that He must give his life and leave the disciples so the Holy Spirit would come and reside in them.

Peter’s journey illustrates the importance of being filled with the Spirit in order to do God’s work.

• One day Peter denied Jesus 3 times because of fear for his life.
• On another day, Peter courageously spoke to thousands preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  This time without fear for his life.
  • What was the difference between Peter the denier and Peter to Courageous one?
    • The difference was being baptized and filled with Spirit

 
Pastor’s Thoughts:

• What makes a powerful difference in our lives?  It is being filled with the Holy Spirit.
• As Christians we must not take for granted the access we have to be filled with God’s spirit and righteousness.
• The Old Testament prophets operated in the Spirit but never experience the indwelling or residing of God’s spirit within us.
• When Jesus said I must leave so the Holy Spirit can come.  Jesus meant so the Holy Spirit can have a permanent indwelling in the Christian believer.
  • After Jesus, all believers whose sins are cleansed by faith in Jesus are Holy and right standing with God.  Therefore, the Holy Spirit can reside in us because we are a clean temple. (1 Corinthians 3:16-17 and 1 Corinthians 16:19-20)

Key Differences in How the Spirit Worked in the Old Testament

• Selective and Temporary Empowerment (Old Testament): In the Old Covenant, the Holy Spirit selectively empowered specific individuals—such as prophets, kings, judges, and craftsmen—for particular tasks or moments of service (e.g., Moses, David, or Bezalel). The Spirit could also lift or depart from individuals (such as King Saul in 1 Samuel 16:14). [1, 2]
• Universal and Permanent Indwelling (New Testament): After Jesus' death, resurrection, and ascension, Pentecost marked a major shift. As Peter preached in Acts 2, God poured out His Spirit upon all flesh—sons, daughters, young, old, men, and women—fulfilling the prophecy of Joel 2:28–29. Under the New Covenant, every believer is permanently indwelt and sealed by the Holy Spirit (John 14:16–17)

Peter emphasized the importance of being filled with the Spirit

• Acts 19:1-7.  Peter asked believers if they had received the Holy Ghost since the believed.
  • Peter understood how important it was for believers to have an indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Conclusion:

• Do not quench the Holy Spirit in your life.
• Ask God to fill you with his Spirit as often as you can
• Invite the Holy Spirit to baptize you, fill you, so we may do Kingdom work with power and without fear.
• Evidence that you are filled with the spirit is:  A supernatural boldness and supernatural Godly actions.
  • Seek to be filled as often as possible