Sermon Central
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Just Do It!
Contributed by Jon Daniels on Jun 12, 2023 (message contributor)
Summary: Based on James 1:22 - Challenges hearers to be careful not to quench & grieve the Holy Spirit
“JUST DO IT!” James 1:22
INTRO – Bible tells us many things that we need to do.
- Witness
- Make disciples
- Honor & glorify God in all we do
- Many more things
We don’t “DO” these things in order to be saved.
- Ephesians 2:8-9 – We are saved by GRACE alone through FAITH alone in CHRIST alone, not by good works.
We DO these things because we ARE saved.
But before we talk about some things we need to do, let’s talk about some things we DON’T do:
DON’T QUENCH THE SPIRIT – 1 Thessalonians 5:19
“quench” – extinguish, snuff out, stop
The Holy Spirit’s work:
- Convicts us of sin & our need to be saved
o 1 Thessalonians 1:5 – “Our Gospel came to you not only in Word, but in power & in the Holy Spirit by full CONVICTION.”
- Gives direction in life
o The Holy Spirit directed the Church to set Paul & Barnabas apart for mission work
- Changes our circumstances as He did w/ Paul when he was in prison.
o Philippians 1:19 – Paul told the Philippian Church that he knew the Holy Spirit would deliver him.
- Encourages us
o Acts 9:31 – The Church was “strengthened & encouraged by the Holy Spirit.”
- Gives power to share the Gospel
o Acts 1:8
- Continually molds us & shapes us into the image of Christ
All of these things come to a screeching halt when we resist the Spirit, turn away from the Spirit, ignore & dismiss His prompting, & refuse to listen to His voice.
The Holy Spirit’s presence is a consuming fire. That “fire” represents:
- Zeal
- Passion
- Enthusiasm
- Power
- Illumination
- Purity
- Energy
When we resist Him, we put ALL of that “fire” out!
- We quench it!
- Smother it!
- Douse it w/ cold water!
- Snuff it out!
DON’T GRIEVE THE HOLY SPIRIT – Ephesians 4:30
Context of Ephesians 4 shows us that we grieve the Holy Spirit but our rebellion against Him.
- When we are angry in an unrighteous, unholy, unbiblical way
- When we are running our mouth in an ungodly, unholy way – slander, gossip, backbiting
- When we hold on to bitterness
- When we are secretly hoping that someone that we are at odds with falls on hard times & begins to suffer
- Any other way we deliberately choose to turn backs on the Word of God & the Spirit’s leadership
Isaiah 63:8-10 – “For He said, “’Surely they are my people, children who will not deal falsely.’ And He became their Savior. In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the angel of His presence saved them; in His love and in His pity He redeemed them; He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old. But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit; therefore He turned to be their enemy, and Himself fought against them.”
- This is talking about God’s people who grieved the Holy Spirit.
Similar situation in Revelation 2:1-5. The Church at Ephesus grieved Jesus by forsaking their first love for Him. When that happens, this is what we must DO:
- REMEMBER the height from which you have fallen
- REPENT – Turn back to Him in brokenness & repentance
- REDO – Start DOING those things that you KNOW are important & necessary to restore your first love
- RESULT – The Spirit’s FIRE blazes in you again!
o Your life is set on fire by the Holy Spirit’s power & presence!
o Your Church…
o Your marriage…
o Your family…
o Your joy…
o Your passion for the lost…
o Your passion for the Word…
o Your passion for prayer…
o Your passion for the Church…
