Sermon Study Guide

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Maranatha Bible Church

Chicago

Sermon Study Guide

Do Not Grieve The Holy Spirit - Pastor Daniel Batarseh (Ephesians Series)

Pastor Daniel Batarseh|Sunday, April 22, 2018

Scripture References

Ephesians 4:30Acts 2:38John 7:37-39Ephesians 1:13Isaiah 63:7-10Leviticus 6:8-131 Thessalonians 5:19Romans 12:1-2Leviticus 1:6-8

Sermon Summary

Pastor Daniel Batarseh explores Ephesians 4:30, explaining that the Holy Spirit is a person who experiences deep sorrow when we sin. To flourish in our relationship with God, we must remove the 'ashes' of sin and surrender every part of our lives to His fire.

Key Takeaways

1The Holy Spirit is a person who can be hurt by our actions, making sin a relational heartbreak rather than just a legal violation.
2The indwelling Holy Spirit is God's permanent seal of ownership, but our conduct determines how much of His presence we experience.
3Spiritual growth requires removing the 'ashes' of sinful habits to prevent them from quenching the fire of God's Spirit in our lives.
4Holiness should be viewed as spiritual health; just as we desire physical health, we should pursue holiness for the vitality of our souls.
5Experiencing the fullness of God requires placing every 'piece' of our lives—hands, feet, lips, and heart—on the altar of surrender.

Discussion Questions

Use these questions for small group discussion or personal reflection.

1How does the truth that the Holy Spirit is a person with emotions change your perspective on 'small' sins?
2Pastor Daniel compared holiness to physical health. Why do we often view physical health as a goal but spiritual holiness as a burden?
3In Leviticus 6, the priest had to remove the ashes before adding wood. What are some 'ashes' in modern life that might be quenching our spiritual fire?
4What does it mean for God to act 'like an enemy' to His people when they grieve the Spirit, even if He never leaves them?
5Which 'piece' of your life (your lips, your hands, your thoughts) is currently the hardest to keep on the altar of surrender?
6How can we pursue the 'fullness of God' without falling into the trap of legalism or performing for the praise of others?

Application Points

Practical ways to apply this message to your life.

Identify one specific 'ash' (a sinful habit or attitude) in your life this week and confess it to God, asking for the strength to remove it.
Before speaking or acting, ask yourself the question: 'Does this please the Holy Spirit who lives in me?'
Commit to 'adding wood' to your spiritual fire daily through consistent prayer and reading the Word of God.
Evaluate your 'pieces'—your speech, your entertainment, and your relationships—to see if any are being held back from the altar of God's service.
Shift your prayer focus from asking God for things to asking for the 'fullness' of His Spirit and a deeper knowledge of His person.

Personal Reflection

Take time to quietly reflect on these prompts.

How is the Holy Spirit speaking to me through this message?

What areas of my life need to change in light of this teaching?

Who can I share this truth with this week?

What is one specific action I will take as a result of this sermon?

Prayer Points

Thank God for His Word and the truths revealed in this message.
Pray for understanding and wisdom to apply what you've learned.
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you live out these truths in your daily life.
Pray for others who heard this message, that they too would be transformed.

Notes

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