The Holy Spirit - God's Spirit
E-book and Audio series
PART 2 - The Roles and Activities of the Holy Spirit
Chapter 41 - The Spirit Today - a Guide - Pt. 2
Summary: Considering the role of the Holy Spirit as a guide in the life of the believer today.
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Study notes for this audio:
(Note: This is just a summary of the points covered. There is greater detail in the audio message).
No.41 – The Spirit Today – a Guide Pt.2
In previous studies we’ve been focussing on various roles of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer today. An Enabler, a Revealer of Truth, a Guide.
In the last study we began considering the aspect of the Spirit being a guide to us. We started by thinking how God guided His people in earlier times, and kept on coming back to a passage in Deuteronomy ch 4 that reminded the children of Israel of the importance of the written Scriptures, particularly the Law, as a guide to their walk. That passage reminded them that God was near, but that the Law should be their guide for their everyday lives.
In the Gospels Period, the Lord was a guide to His disciples. In the Acts Period, He sent them “another” Paraclete, providing comfort, strength and guidance - as well as the roles of enabling miraculous deeds, and revealing God’s truth, aspects we’ve looked at in earlier studies. Every piece of guidance was in accordance with the Scriptures, and complemented the previously revealed Scriptures.
Today's Christian should not look for guidance in miraculous outward ways, like the manifestations of the Spirit in the Acts Period (“manifestation” in 1 Corinthians 12 – phanerosis – an outward display of the Spirit’s work). Rather, the Holy-Spirit-inspired Scriptures are to be our guide.…profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped … 2 Timothy 3:16,17. But there is another aspect to the Holy Spirit’s guiding work - a work in the "inner man" that we haven’t discussed yet – and we will do that in this study.
How does the Holy Spirit guide us?
Consider the word Paraclete with its range of meanings, especially that of "guide", "helper" and "counsellor". In life we are often faced with many decisions, and some of these are listed below. Have a quick look over that list and ask yourself these questions:
(1) Which are the ones we are given guidance about in the Scriptures?
(2) Which ones would we expect to be given guidance from God's Spirit about?
(3) In what manner would we expect any divine guidance to come?
(Note: This is just a summary of the points covered. There is greater detail in the audio message).
No.41 – The Spirit Today – a Guide Pt.2
In previous studies we’ve been focussing on various roles of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer today. An Enabler, a Revealer of Truth, a Guide.
In the last study we began considering the aspect of the Spirit being a guide to us. We started by thinking how God guided His people in earlier times, and kept on coming back to a passage in Deuteronomy ch 4 that reminded the children of Israel of the importance of the written Scriptures, particularly the Law, as a guide to their walk. That passage reminded them that God was near, but that the Law should be their guide for their everyday lives.
In the Gospels Period, the Lord was a guide to His disciples. In the Acts Period, He sent them “another” Paraclete, providing comfort, strength and guidance - as well as the roles of enabling miraculous deeds, and revealing God’s truth, aspects we’ve looked at in earlier studies. Every piece of guidance was in accordance with the Scriptures, and complemented the previously revealed Scriptures.
Today's Christian should not look for guidance in miraculous outward ways, like the manifestations of the Spirit in the Acts Period (“manifestation” in 1 Corinthians 12 – phanerosis – an outward display of the Spirit’s work). Rather, the Holy-Spirit-inspired Scriptures are to be our guide.…profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped … 2 Timothy 3:16,17. But there is another aspect to the Holy Spirit’s guiding work - a work in the "inner man" that we haven’t discussed yet – and we will do that in this study.
How does the Holy Spirit guide us?
Consider the word Paraclete with its range of meanings, especially that of "guide", "helper" and "counsellor". In life we are often faced with many decisions, and some of these are listed below. Have a quick look over that list and ask yourself these questions:
(1) Which are the ones we are given guidance about in the Scriptures?
(2) Which ones would we expect to be given guidance from God's Spirit about?
(3) In what manner would we expect any divine guidance to come?
How will the Holy Spirit be a guide to us in these issues?
Let's look at some Scriptures first - mostly from three of the later letters of Paul: Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians.
READ Philippians 2:13
God still working today - the Greek word for "work" is energeo (and actually occurs twice in this verse)
energeo (and words related to it) is a word linked with the Holy Spirit's work, especially as seen in Ephesians 1:19,20.
This idea is linked with Philippians 1:6, 9-11 he who started a good work in you will carry it on until completion
Here, the work is to do with the bestowing of knowledge and wisdom (perhaps similar to the way that Solomon was divinely given wisdom).
For what purpose is this given? For the purpose of discernment .... to produce fruits of righteousness.
READ Ephesians 1:15-20 - a prayer of Paul
v.17 does not read "that He may give you the Holy Spirit" - this has already been granted to us (v.13,14; 4:30)
v.18 being enlightened to know about your future (hope, inheritance), and the present
This is my prayer in preparing these studies - that we might know something of the power at work (energew) in us (v.19b) - the power of the Holy Spirit. This is the same power at work (energeo) when Christ was raised from the dead).
The power is at work in us now, able to provide strength in our inner being, and enlightenment of God's Word.
READ Colossians 1:9-12a
v.9 - that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will - all wisdom and spiritual understanding
(cp the things of God must be discerned spiritually, not by mere human reasoning 1 Corinthians 2:14)
Filled to what end?
- To walk worthy of the Lord
- Fully pleasing Him
- Fruitful in every good work
- Increasing in the knowledge of God
(being strengthened)
- For all patience and joy
(giving thanks to the Father)
Look over that list of life decisions again, in light of what the Scriptures say about the guiding work of the Holy Spirit. Being "filled with the knowledge of His will" is not so much about what career path we should take, what car we should buy or what type of house we should live in. Rather, it is more about how we go about making the decisions we are faced with - making these decisions in a way that pleases God; i.e. not being too selfish, dealing in an honest manner, exercising patience and joy, being thankful in whatever situation we find ourselves, etc.
READ Colossians 3:17 – a similar thought is expressed here
"Whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to the Father." (Note that thanksgiving is mentioned here again.)
Summary:
So, how does God guide the believer today?
(1) Through the Scriptures.
(2) Through direct guidance from God's Spirit.
Two main ways, both related to the work of the Holy Spirit. See the summary below for more details...
Let's look at some Scriptures first - mostly from three of the later letters of Paul: Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians.
READ Philippians 2:13
God still working today - the Greek word for "work" is energeo (and actually occurs twice in this verse)
energeo (and words related to it) is a word linked with the Holy Spirit's work, especially as seen in Ephesians 1:19,20.
This idea is linked with Philippians 1:6, 9-11 he who started a good work in you will carry it on until completion
Here, the work is to do with the bestowing of knowledge and wisdom (perhaps similar to the way that Solomon was divinely given wisdom).
For what purpose is this given? For the purpose of discernment .... to produce fruits of righteousness.
READ Ephesians 1:15-20 - a prayer of Paul
v.17 does not read "that He may give you the Holy Spirit" - this has already been granted to us (v.13,14; 4:30)
v.18 being enlightened to know about your future (hope, inheritance), and the present
This is my prayer in preparing these studies - that we might know something of the power at work (energew) in us (v.19b) - the power of the Holy Spirit. This is the same power at work (energeo) when Christ was raised from the dead).
The power is at work in us now, able to provide strength in our inner being, and enlightenment of God's Word.
READ Colossians 1:9-12a
v.9 - that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will - all wisdom and spiritual understanding
(cp the things of God must be discerned spiritually, not by mere human reasoning 1 Corinthians 2:14)
Filled to what end?
- To walk worthy of the Lord
- Fully pleasing Him
- Fruitful in every good work
- Increasing in the knowledge of God
(being strengthened)
- For all patience and joy
(giving thanks to the Father)
Look over that list of life decisions again, in light of what the Scriptures say about the guiding work of the Holy Spirit. Being "filled with the knowledge of His will" is not so much about what career path we should take, what car we should buy or what type of house we should live in. Rather, it is more about how we go about making the decisions we are faced with - making these decisions in a way that pleases God; i.e. not being too selfish, dealing in an honest manner, exercising patience and joy, being thankful in whatever situation we find ourselves, etc.
READ Colossians 3:17 – a similar thought is expressed here
"Whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to the Father." (Note that thanksgiving is mentioned here again.)
Summary:
So, how does God guide the believer today?
(1) Through the Scriptures.
(2) Through direct guidance from God's Spirit.
Two main ways, both related to the work of the Holy Spirit. See the summary below for more details...
