Do Not Grieve The Holy Spirit Part 1 Series

Our Personal Relationship With God Part 1

Do Not Grieve The Holy Spirit Of God

Scripture: Ephesians 4:30; John 14:16-17; Numbers 12:1

Introduction

Over the last several weeks, you have heard messages that have come forth from Rev. Fulks and I that God is calling us to put some things in order, to get busy. I am starting a series of messages that will focus on how we must increase our sensitivity to the Spirit of God in order to have a more personal relationship with God. This sensitivity will enable us to understand what God is doing through His Holy Spirit in our lives and the role that He desires to play in the daily things that we do. To that end, from this point forward, to help you visualize God as your “Heavenly Father”, I will refer to Him as simply “Father”.

Father desires a very personal relationship with each of us, not just what we experience when we come to Church, but every day. This relationship is one that He desires so much that He reaches out to us. I believe that it actually hurts Father when we reject Him. Can you imagine, as a parent, how you would feel if the child you love so dearly rejected you? The Scripture tells us that Father is a much better parent than we can ever be which means that His level of caring for us are deeper also. When Adam sinned man was separated from Father. The fellowship was broken. Because of His love for us, He promised to send a Savior, someone who would reestablish that relationship that was broken. That Savior was Jesus Christ. When Jesus was getting towards the end of His ministry on earth, He told His disciples that He would send them some help. The same help that enabled Him to operate on this earth, He was sending to help us. Look at John 14:16-17:

“I will give ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.” John 14:16-17

In the beginning of this chapter, Jesus was comforting His disciples, telling them not to be troubled. When He promises them the Holy Spirit, He said that they would know the Spirit because He would be with and in them. The Holy Spirit was given as a helper to those who are children of Father. In chapter 16 Jesus tells them again about the Holy Spirit and what His role would be in the lives of Christians. He is to convict the world of sin, guide us into all truth and that the things He will share with us comes directly from Father because Jesus sent Him. The Holy Spirit is our direct connection to Father. As you consider strengthening your personal relationship with Father, it must start with the understanding that you are never alone, His Spirit is always with you. With this as a foundation, this first message will focus on not grieving the Holy Spirit. Our foundational Scripture throughout this series will be Ephesians 4:30.

I. Do Not Grieve The Holy Spirit Of God

“Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4:30

Do you know what it means to never be alone? In Bible Study Wednesday evening, I asked this question: “Does God hear you even when you are not praying?” Some said yes while others thought no. I will come back to this a little later. Recognizing that Father’s Spirit is always with us is a very sobering thought. Paul wanted the people to know that they were not alone, that they had received a helper. He wanted us to know that this helper could be grieved by what He witness when He is with us, which is all the time, 24-7. Father’s Spirit is always with me, advising, listening, watching, and waiting to help. We may know and understand this from an intellectual level, but it is important that you “know” this from a spiritual and emotional level. But lets take a closer look at what Paul said in this verse.

When you read this verse, it comes to light when you look at the word “grieve” in the Greek. I will refer you to the words of Rick Renner from his book “Sparkling Gems from the Greek”. The word “grieve” comes from the Greek word lupete. This word comes from the word lupe which denotes a pain or grief that can only be experienced between two people who deeply love each other. Renner states that it was used to picture a husband or wife who has discovered his or her mate has been unfaithful. As a result of this unfaithfulness, the betrayed spouse is shocked, devastated, hurt, wounded and grieved because of the pain that accompanies unfaithfulness.