November 28, 2022

This Week's Teaching | Prayers

Click to watch this week's teaching

This Week's Teaching: "Do not quench the Holy Spirit"

Scripture tells us not to quench the Holy Spirit's fire. That can apply to spiritual fervor or zeal, like being "on fire!" But most of us aren't trying to extinguish our enthusiasm about God. If anything we wish we had more, not less. So it doesn't make sense that Paul would warn us not to quench our enthusiasm about God.

There's another way to hear this that makes more sense. Rather than being "on fire for God," we can think of being "in the fire of God." Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would bring conviction about sin and righteousness and judgment. The Spirit's conviction is like a consuming fire, burning away what doesn't belong. The flames can be fanned through hardship, or prophecy, or even just an inner witness. It's tempting to put out the fire of conviction by downplaying it or resisting it. But when we learn to live in the fire, we experience the fullness of God in our lives!

Devote the next half hour to considering whether you are quenching the Spirit. Watch the teaching above with your bible in hand. Then ask God, "Show me any areas in my life where I am quenching your Spirit." And if he shows you anything, stay in the fire until you have been consumed by him.

Scriptures references in this week's teaching:

• 1 Thessalonians 5.19
• Exodus 24.17
• Deuteronomy 4.24
• Hebrews 12.29
• Luke 3.15-17
• John 16.7-11
• 1 Thessalonians 1.5-6
• Ephesians 4.30-5.20

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Prayers!

• X242 Network. Keep praying for our X242 network of microchurches. Pray for our microchurch hosts and leaders. Pray for new church plants and for the people who desperately need to be connected to God through this simpler way of being church. Specifically ask God for miracles of healing and rebirth. 
• Health & Provision. Pray for those among us who are sick and in need. May it be said of us that "there were no needy persons among them."
• "Sam," Himalayas. Thank you for praying for "Sam" last week. He tells me that God is answering our prayers for protection from those who were actively targeting them for persecution. The threat is always there. So please continue to pray for safety and courage and provision in his travels to explain the gospel to an illiterate and impoverished people.
• Israel microchurches. Keep praying for the network of microchurches in Israel, that doors are opened for the gospel to be heard and received. Pray for the witness of peace and unity among Israeli and Palestinian followers of Jesus.

Compassion

Thank you to those who support X242 financially. It helps us to help others.