Quench not the Holy Spirit: Creating a Life-Culture for the Fire of the Spirit
August 07, 2016      |     By: Sam McVay, Jr.      |      Category: Sermons      |      Location: El Dorado
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1 Thessalonians 5:16-22

16 Rejoice always,
17 pray without ceasing,
18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit.
20 Do not despise prophecies,
21 but test everything; hold fast what is good.
22 Abstain from every form of evil.

The Greek word for “quench” is “sbennymi”, and it means: to extinguish, suppress, or quench -usually, but not always, in the context of fire.

In fact, a couple of translations say something like: “Do not put out the Spirit’s fire” The Holy Spirit is likened to a dove, wind, water, and multiple times as fire.

Other fire references associated with the Holy Spirit would be:

Matthew 3:11

11“I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

Acts 2:1-3

1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.
2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.
3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them

2 Timothy 1:6

6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands,

And really all of these are not so much describing the person of the Spirit as much as the influence of the Spirit
1. The scriptures clearly teach that God the Holy Spirit is a personal eternal being independent of us

2. But, they also teach that in this age the measure of His influence is dependent upon us

Just as a natural fire needs appropriate conditions to burn so the Holy Spirit requires certain heart conditions in order for His influence to burn

What are the conditions that accelerate the fiery influence of the Holy Spirit in our lives?

In basic terms, the Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit manifests his presence and power in the context of FAITH.
Just as evil spirits manifest their presence and power in the context of UNBELIEF and FEAR.

So Timothy was clearly directed by Paul to fan into flame and kindle “Holy Spirit gifting” by rejecting fear:

2 Timothy 1:6-7

6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands,
7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

The fire of the Spirit that is kindled has two dynamics of faith:
1. Its inflow: (combustible atmosphere filled with substances that burn)

a. It is intentionally rejoicing

I Thessalonians 5:16

16 Rejoice always,
b. It is persistently praying

I Thessalonians 5:17

17 pray without ceasing, c. It is always giving thanks

I Thessalonians 5:18
18give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

2. Its outflow: (manifestations of the burning - light, heat, smoke) a. Prophesying

I Thessalonians 5:20-21
20Do not despise prophecies,

21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. b. Purity

I Thessalonians 5:22

22 Abstain from every form of evil.

Let us open our hearts to the Spirit’s teaching and conviction about areas of “quenching the Spirit” in our lives while resolving to produce a Life-Culture that kindles the presence and power of the Spirit.