Sermon Study Guide

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Maranatha Bible Church

Chicago

Sermon Study Guide

When The Holy Spirit Leads a Church - Pastor Daniel Batarseh

Pastor Daniel Batarseh|Saturday, July 10, 2021

Scripture References

Acts 1:8Acts 1:151 Corinthians 15:6Exodus 27:20Acts 13:1-4Acts 15:37-40Acts 13:6-81 Corinthians 16:9Acts 13:132 Corinthians 11:32 Corinthians 11:14-15Psalms 91:9-13Acts 13:9-12Colossians 3:16Ephesians 5:18John 6:63Acts 4:8Acts 9:31

Sermon Summary

Pastor Daniel Batarseh explores the vital necessity of the Holy Spirit's leadership in the local church. By examining Acts 13, he illustrates how the Spirit provides supernatural guidance and the power to overcome both external and internal spiritual opposition.

Key Takeaways

1The Holy Spirit is a person with a mind, will, and emotions, and He is the essential power source for the church's mission.
2Every individual member is responsible for maintaining their own 'filling' of the Spirit to contribute to the collective light of the church.
3Spiritual guidance is typically revealed one step at a time to ensure believers remain in a state of constant dependency on God.
4Effective ministry will always face supernatural opposition, which requires Spirit-given discernment to navigate.
5Being filled with the Word of God is functionally equivalent to being filled with the Spirit, as the Spirit works through the Truth.

Discussion Questions

Use these questions for small group discussion or personal reflection.

1Pastor Daniel mentioned that many Christians are willing to go on in their own strength. Why do we often find it easier to trust our own strategies than to wait on the Holy Spirit?
2How does the illustration of the common Israelite bringing oil for the Tabernacle lampstand change your perspective on your role in the local church?
3In Acts 13, the Spirit spoke during worship and fasting. Why are these disciplines so vital for hearing God's guidance?
4How can we distinguish between the 'roar' of a lion (outward intimidation) and the 'slither' of a serpent (inward division) in our current church context?
5What is the relationship between the Word of God and the Holy Spirit according to Colossians 3 and Ephesians 5?

Application Points

Practical ways to apply this message to your life.

Commit to a season of 'desperate' prayer, specifically asking the Father for a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit each morning.
Shift from a 'consumer' mindset to a 'contributor' mindset by asking, 'What spiritual oil am I bringing to the service today?'
Identify one area of your life where you have been acting in your own strength and surrender it to the Spirit's guidance.
Increase your daily intake of Scripture, allowing the Word of Christ to dwell in you richly so that the Spirit has 'material' to work with.
Step out in an act of obedience (like sharing the gospel) that feels uncomfortable, trusting the 'Comforter' to meet you in that moment.

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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