Do Not Quench the Spirit

It had been 40 days since Jesus had raised from the dead. He had spent time with the disciples and many other people, presenting himself alive with many proofs, and continued to speak about the kingdom of God. Upwards of 500 people had seen Jesus in his physically resurrected body since his death. The disciples were back again with Jesus, listening to him, learning from him, and wondering what was to come next.

A few days earlier Jesus had told His disciples to meet him in Galilee on the mount called Olivet, near Jerusalem. And now there they are, on that hill, talking with Jesus and worshiping Him.

And on that mount, Jesus spoke his final command to his disciples. He said that they are to “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing and teaching them all that he had commanded them”.

But, this is not the only command Jesus gave to his disciples after his resurrection. Earlier, as they had been spending time together, Jesus had commanded them to stay in Jerusalem, to wait for the promise of the father. He reminding them as he told them before, that “John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit”.

Jesus reminded them of this again on the mount of Olivet. While they were there together, the disciples asked him “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” and Jesus said to them “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the father has fixed by his own authority. But, you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Then Jesus’s speaks his last command, and is taken up into heaven. The climactic point in all of history has happened, Jesus death and resurrection. The salvation of the nations has been purchased, the marching orders had been given: to share the good news of Jesus victory over satan, sin, and death.

But there was still something worth waiting for. He had command them earlier not to depart Jerusalem until the promise of the father had come. The gift of the Holy Spirit was absolutely essential to fulfill the command Jesus had given. They were commanded to preach the gospel to the ends of the earth, but that they better not leave until the Spirit was sent.

And that day came, 10 days later on the Sunday of Pentecost. This Sunday in the Christian calendar. 7 weeks after the Sunday where Jesus rose from the dead, and 50 days since the Passover.

On that Pentecost day, the Father sent the Spirit just as Jesus and the prophet Joel had said. The Spirit is not only essential for the mission of God, but is essential for all of the Christian life.

Christian are commanded to “walk by the Spirit”, “to be filled with the Spirit” and to “not quench the Spirit”. The same Spirit that came in power on Pentecost 2,000 years ago, is the same Spirit that is given to everyone who believes today. If Holy Spirit is so essential, then let us not disregard, or quench His work

Often people can equate this to mean “Don’t miss the little nudges of the Spirit”. For example , if someone comes to your mind, pray for them. If you feel led to share more, then share more. In these examples, the Spirit is not much more than your buddy that keeps you from dozing off.

These are good things, and we should follow these prompts when they happen, but the Spirit’s work is much more extensive than “a little nudge.” Scripture says several more things about the Spirit. The Spirit is described as the Spirit of truth, who will guide you in all the truth. It says He will convict the world concerning sin, righteousness, and judgement. And if the world, how much more those whom Christ has saved? He will help you in your weakness, when you don’t even know what to pray.

HS work is mysterious. He works when and where He pleases, but the Bible lets us know where He tends to hangout, what kind of business He is in. So let us not disregard the Holy Spirit, and quench His work.

We quench the Spirit of truth when we neglect to read our Bibles, which are truth. And we may be filled with the Spirit when we draw near to God, and listen to His Words.

We quench the Spirit when we neglect to pray. And we may be filled with the Spirit when we reach out to the Father in prayer.

We quench the Spirit when we don’t regularly come together to worship him on Sunday mornings, or prioritize the fellowship of our Community Groups. And we may be filled with the Spirit, as we spend time with God’s people.

And maybe the most important, as it affect all the others, we quench the Spirit when are callous or casual about our sin, and we may be filled with the Spirit when we take it serious, and seek to put it to death.

By the Spirit we can understand truth, speak the gospel boldly, prayer fervently, and put to death the sinful passions of our flesh. The Holy Spirit is our great helper, so do not quench the Holy Spirit.