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- Preaching the Living WORD through
the Written WORD - 2 Tim 4;:2 - |
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SONS OF LIGHT ARE TO WALK IN THE LIGHT 1Th 5:19-22 (8/21/11) Grace Bible Church, Gillette, Wyoming Pastor Daryl Hilbert I. THE SONS OF LIGHT ARE TO WALK IN THE
LIGHT (12-22) A. Be Fervent (19) 1. [1Th 5:19] - Paul continues with his
short imperatives. He begins with, “You (all) must not extinguish the
Spirit.” What exactly is Paul referring to? Is he making a general admonition
in regard to the Spirit’s work in the life of the believer or is there some
connection between vs. 19 and vs. 20? 2. If vs. 19 is one of several general
admonitions (19-22), it probably refers to those ministries where the Spirit
affects the believer in a practical way. 3. However, many commentaries see a
correlation between vs. 19 and 20. They maintain that since vs. 20 is in
reference to the gift of prophecy, vs. 19 would refer to the Spirit’s
ministry in the church in regard to spiritual gifts. 4. There does seem to be a natural flow in
the context to suggest that this last section of imperatives (19-22) is
dealing with spiritual gifts in the church. Yet, on the other hand, Paul had
already been giving a barrage of general admonitions. 5. Assuming vs. 19 is a general admonition;
the Spirit’s work in the believer is not to be “quenched” by the believer.
The word “quench” is the Greek word sbénnumi
which literally means to cause a fire to be extinguished or go out. In the NT it was used of extinguishing
Satan’s arrows (Eph 6:16), the unquenchable fire of Hell (Mar 9:48), and the
failing lamps in parable of the ten virgins (Mat 25:8). 6. Metaphorically, it can refer to
suppressing or restraining such things as emotions, personalities, or
physical strength. In this passage it would suggest “to dampen, hinder, repress, as in preventing the
Holy Spirit from exerting His full influence” (Zod). 7. There are a number of ministries of the
Holy Spirit which would relate to the believer in practical ways with the
implication not to quench the Spirit. For instance there is the: a) The illumination of the Holy Spirit in
reference to the Word of God is one of His ministries. The Holy Spirit is the
author, teacher, and grower of the believer through the Scriptures (2Pe 1:20-21;
1Joh 2:27; 1Pe 2:2). To quench the Spirit is directly related to quenching
exposure to the Word of God. b) The application of truth by the Holy
Spirit which would include understanding God’s will for our lives (Eph 5:17). c) The filling with the Holy Spirit (Eph
5:18) is dependent on the degree to which the believer yields himself to the
prerogatives and power of the Spirit. If the believer refuses to yield to the
Spirit, he is quenching what the Spirit desires to accomplish in and through
the believer. Since the Holy Spirit is the author of the Scriptures, to yield
to Him is to yield to the Word of God. d) Walking by the power of the Spirit (Gal
5:16) is dependent on the believer’s obedience to the Word of God through the
Spirit’s power as opposed to following the flesh. The Spirit empowers the
believer but is quenched at a believer’s disobedience. e) When a believer does not walk in
accordance to the Spirit’s desire he quenches the Spirit. When he does
something that the Spirit forbids, he grieves the Holy Spirit (Eph 4:30, see
context). 8. The Holy Spirit is likened to a fire (Isa.
4:4; Matt. 3:11; Acts 2:2-4) so when a believer does not obey the
Spirit, he extinguishes the Spirit’s fire in his life (Isa 63:10; Act 5:3-4;
7:51; Eph 4:30; 2Ti 1:6). Therefore the believer needs to be fervent and on
fire for the Lord in obedience to the Word of God through the Spirit. B. Be Useful (20) 1. [1Th 5:20] - Either Paul thought it
prudent to warn the Thessalonians against the temptation of despising
prophetic utterances or he is correcting an already existing problem. To
“despise” (exouthenéō) means to disdain, make light of, or
reject. 2. What is a “prophetic utterance?”
Literally it is one word in the Greek, prophêteía, which
comes from two Greek words, pro=before or forth & phêmi=speak
or tell which means to “forth-tell” and also “fore-tell.” a) Prophecy is the revelation of God. (1) Prophecy was either a truth already given
by God and then expounded by the prophet (“forth-telling” - Act 15:32) or a
new revelation from God given to the prophet by God (“fore-telling” - Act
11:27-28; Act 21:10-11; 2Pe 1:20-21). (2) Prophecy then is a spiritual gift that is
based on God’s revelation from His Word. b) Prophecy is chief of a spiritual gifts (1Co 12:10, 28; Rom
12:6; Eph 4:11). (1) Prophecy was to be pursued by the church
(1Co 14:1-2). (2) Prophecy edifies the church (1Co 14:3-5,
12). (3) Tongues are not comprehended by all (1Co
14:6-11). (4) Prophecy is comprehendable
and therefore can edify (1Co 14:18-19). (5) Tongues are a sign but prophecy gives God’s
revelation which convicts the soul (1Co 14:22-25). c) Prophecy today is only in forth-telling. (1) Some hold
that the gift of prophecy has ceased because there is no need for it since
the completion of canon. (2) Similarly, others hold that because of the
completion of canon, the gift of prophecy is for today but only in the sense
of forth-telling, not fore-telling. (3) Such views today are not “despising”
prophecy, but rather viewing the spiritual gift in in proper place of God’s
revelation, which is completed and contained the Bible. d) All
believers are given some spiritual gift(s) (faith, helps, administration,
mercy, giving, exhortation, evangelism, teaching, and pastor/teacher) and
are not to despise using them in edifying the body of Christ (1Co 12:4, 7,
11-13). C. Be Cautious (21) 1. [1Th 5:21] - There definitely could be a
correlation between vs. 20 and 21. All prophecy had to be verified by the
Scriptures and confirmed by the other prophets (1Co 14:29-33, 37-38). No one
was independent to say what they wanted in regard to new revelation (cp. Deu
18:20). 2. The Thessalonians were not to despise
prophecy, especially as there was an incomplete canon (1Th 2:13). Rather they
were to keep on examining (dokimázō - approving or disapproving after examining the
evidence) all things
that were prophesied, taught, or spoken (cp. Ac 17:11). 3. That which was “good” (truth from God)
was to be held fast” (katechō -
jeep in one’s possession).
The believer is to follow the truth in God’s Word and keep it in his
possession so he can use it in his life. D. Be Innocent (22) 1. [1Th 5:22] - Verse 22 could also be
connected with 20 and 21. If a prophecy, teaching, or speech is unbiblical
then it must be avoided at all costs. 2. The believer desperately needs
discernment in regard to teaching so they do not fall prey to error and sin
(Eph 4:14-15; Heb 5:14; 1Jo 4:1). 3. Discernment is also need to apply
biblical truths to please the Lord in every day practical life (Eph 5:10; Rom
12:2). 4. Also, though the believer has Christian
liberty to do many things, one of the litmus test questions is, “Does this
have the appearance of evil” (Pro 22:3). “Appearance” (eidos)
can mean that which can be seen by others. |
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