THE HOLY SPIRIT  - (PART 4)       

 

Memory Verse:  “By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or by night.” Exodus 13:21 (NIV).              

 

Bible Passage: Exodus 13: 17-22.

 

LESSON OBJECTIVE  

To be able, at the end of the lesson, to identify other roles of the Holy Spirit, and to have the assurance He is our bodyguard and purifier.

 

LESSON INTRODUCTION

A pilot or sailor without a compass will not get to his/her destination. Since “…anyone (who) does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong  to Christ”, Rom. 8: 9(b), it follows that whatever other spirit a person may have apart from the Holy Spirit, or the Spirit of Christ as He is described here, will not lead that person to heaven, God’s place of abode.

 

LESSON OUTLINE 1: THE HOLY SPIRIT AS A FLAME

 

What are some of the functions of the Holy Spirit when He plays the role of a flame?

i). He leads the believer day and night, Exodus 13: 20-22.

ii). He is the believer’s bodyguard, Exodus 14:19-20.

iii). He burns the thorns and briers which stand for the sin of pride, arrogance and all works of darkness, Isa. 10: 5-19. (Note v.17, & with v.16 compare Isa. 37:36.)

iv). He is the divine “horses and chariots” which protects the believer from danger,

II Kings 6: 13-17.

v). He is our assurance of security when we are passing through problems or the storms of life, Isa. 43: 1-3(a).

 

What do people turn to today when faced with troubles or difficulties they consider beyond them?

Some look for human help, while some may choose to turn to crooked ways (crime). Others may seek help from the powers of darkness, drugs, or even choose suicide as a way of escape.

 

 LESSON OUTLINE 2: THE SUPERIOR FIRE

 

There are different types of flame, or fire.

We are all familiar with natural fire. We can put it to our daily use in the kitchen, and for warming ourselves.

There is also that which the Bible calls “strange or unauthorised fire”. It is not from the Holy Spirit – it is from the devil. But then the Holy and Supernatural fire that comes from God’s presence is superior to, and will overcome, the devils deceitful fire, Lev. 10: 1-2.

 

What jobs does the Holy and Supernatural fire do?

i). It purifies by washing, purging and by melting – Ezek. 36:25; John 15:1-2;Isa 4:3-4.

ii). The Holy and superior fire burns off false prophecies, Jer. 23: 25-29.

 

SUMMARY

The Holy and superior fire of the Holy Spirit is capable of leading the believer aright, and will protect him from any strange fire from the devil.