“For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about–but not before God! For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” – Romans 4:2-3
1 Thessalonians 5:19
“Do not quench the Spirit.”
– 1 Thessalonians 5:19
Main Thought: When we think of something being quenched, it normally is a good thing. We quench our thirst with a cold drink, or when we hear of a fire or blaze being quenched it is something that has preserved property or a home, and perhaps even saved a life. But when we read these words, Paul is not speaking of quenching in a good way. The Holy Spirit has been given to all of us as believers, sealing us to the Father (Eph. 1:13), giving us assurance that we are the children of God (Rom. 8:15-16), equipping us for service in the Church (1 Cor. 12-14) and the displaying in our lives of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23). These scriptures point to what happens when the Holy Spirit is quenched: we begin to doubt our salvation and lose the assurance of our relationship to Christ, our service to other believers and the church becomes ineffective, and the fruit of the Spirit becomes less evident to the unbelieving world, causing not transforming into the image of Christ, but a conforming to the world and losing our witness for Christ. How do we not quench the Spirit? We continue to do those things that are pleasing to God, that He has commanded us to do in His Word. First of all, we saturate our hearts and minds with His Word (Ps. 1:1-3; 119:9-11). Then, we make daily prayer a priority, confessing our sins and going to His throne for grace and fellowshipping with God in His presence (Heb. 4:14-16). Next, we make sure we are a part of a congregation that makes its focus the glory of God, the preaching of the Word and the Gospel, and Christ-centered living (Heb. 10:24-25). And last, we make sure we are not neglecting the Lord’s Supper, which causes us to examine ourselves and reminds us of the breaking of His body and the shedding of His blood for our sins (1 Cor. 11:23-34). In doing these practical things revealed to us plainly in the scriptures, we are not allowing worldliness and complacency to come in and quench the work and presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. May each one of us who know Christ be diligent daily in our Christian walk and make not quenching the Spirit a constant priority.
David Webber
David Webber is married to Mary with four children and four grandchildren, and serves as the Pastor of Faith Baptist Church in Longview, TX. He obtained a BS in History from the University of Texas at Tyler, TX, and pursued studies at Baptist Missionary Association Theological Seminary in Jacksonville, TX. Throughout his ministry, he has been an invited preacher and educator in numerous churches and various Bible conferences. Surrendering to the gospel ministry’s calling in 1972 at the age of 16, he received preaching licensure from Little Flock Baptist Church in Longview, Texas, in 1974. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in History from the University of Texas at Tyler in 1978, he was ordained in December of 1980 by Faith Baptist Church. Following this, he contributed his services to Faith Baptist in Longview and subsequently engaged with Grace Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas, where he instructed Sunday School and delivered sermons as needed. In February of 1994, Faith Baptist invited him to lead as their pastor, a role he has faithfully held to the present day. David writes a blog for the church website and is a writer for The Art of Worship.
More from David Webber
Romans 4:2-3
Psalm 92:8
“But You are on high forever, O Yahweh.” – Psalm 92:8
John 11:25-27
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die–ever. Do you believe this?’ She (Martha) said to Him, ‘Yes Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, the One who comes into the world.” – John 11:25-27
John 8:23-24
“And He was saying to them, ‘You are from below, I am from above. You are of this world, I am not of this world. Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins. For unless you believe that I am His, you will die in your sins.” – John 8:23-24
John 6:39-40
“Now this is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.” – John 6:39-40
John 2:18-21
“The Jews then said to Him, ‘What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this sanctuary, and in three days I will raise it up.’ The Jews then said, ‘It took forty-six years to build this sanctuary, and will You raise it up in three days?’ But He was speaking about the sanctuary of His body.” – John 2:18-21
John 1:14
“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14
Psalm 85:6
“Will You not Yourself return to revive us, that your people may be glad in You?” – Psalm 85:6
Psalm 86:1 and 86:5
“Incline your ear, O Yahweh, and answer me; For I am afflicted and needy…For You, Lord, are good, and by nature forgiving, and abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You.” – Psalm 86:1 and 86:5
John 14:19
“After a little while the world will no longer see Me, but you will see Me, because I live, you will live also.” – John 14:19