Fire Quencher

11/09/08 “Fire Quencher”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-22

16 Rejoice evermore. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

19 Quench not the Spirit.

20 Despise not prophesyings. 21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

(prayer)

Paul wrote these words to the early church in Thessalonica. He wanted to pass on to them some basic instructions for living out the Christian life, as well as, how to worship and glorify God as a church.

He gave them some things to do, and some things not to do!

We are going to focus on vs. 19… “Quench not the Spirit.”

That word “quench” means “to put out, to extinguish, to suppress, to squelch” -answers.com

Paul used the term in the sense of putting out a fire. (Extinguishing a flame.)

Our youth planned for a bonfire yesterday…it’s interesting how a fire is exciting…People are drawn to a good fire…camp fire, bon-fire, the warmth of a fire, the glow of the fire in the night sky.

(Have you all seen the DVD’s which are a fire burning and crackling? It’s supposed be like having your own fireplace without the hassle…it’s not the same thing.)

(Remembering...my parents cardboard Christmas brick fireplace with the light, and the round turning disc that made it look like it was a flickering fire.)

The Holy Spirit is often pictured throughout scripture as fire.

John the Baptist stated…

Matt. 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

Remember when the disciples and other followers were gathered together that day of Pentecost…the Bible tells us that they were gathered there in one place, and one accord (one mind, one goal…to worship and glorify the Lord).

Scripture says that while they were sitting there, there was the sound of a rushing mighty wind, and the Holy Spirit filled the room.

And, it was then that the Holy Spirit began to indwell believers. And, the Bible says the sign of this great thing was…

Ac 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

Again, fire many times was used to illustrate the Holy Spirit working.

Paul warned this early church…don’t quench the Spirit!

Don’t put out the flame!

You need to understand the work of the Holy Spirit to understand the severity of the warning.

The Lord said that He would send the Holy Spirit.

He told the disciples before His death…

John 14:16-17

16 And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever;

17 Even the Spirit of Truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

Now, the Holy Spirit was not something new. The Holy Spirit has always been around. He’s always been at work.

He is part of the Trinity…God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit…separate, yet one God.

In the times of the OT, the Holy Spirit did not indwell the believer permanently, but God would move His Spirit upon those that believed.

The Holy Spirit would help that person understand God’s Word, and empower the believer to accomplish the Lord’s will.

Ex. The Bible says the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon…he defeated the Midianites who were more than could be numbered. He did so with three hundred men who used lamps, trumpets, and pitchers.

The Bible says that the Spirit of the Lord came upon Samson when faced by a young, roaring lion…and Samson rent him in two.

The Bible says that when David was just a shepherd boy, the least of his family…the Lord anointed him to be king, and the Spirit of the Lord came upon him

The phrase “the Spirit of the Lord” is used at least 31 times in scripture.

It is followed by the words…

“came upon”

“began to move”

“came mightily upon”

“will come upon”

“shall rest upon Him”

“in the midst of the congregation”

“shall lift up”

“is upon me”

“fell upon me”

The Holy Spirit’s function has not changed. He still does what He always has done…however, after Christ’s death, His resurrection, and His ascension to the right hand of the throne of the Father in heaven…

The Holy Spirit not only comes upon the believer, but indwells and fills the believer, permanently…forever the Bible says.

He came, as scripture tells us…

John 16:13

Howbeit when He, the Spirit of Truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come.