Listening to the Holy Spirit The Biblical Approach

Listening to the Holy Spirit: The Biblical Approach to Maturity

The Method: Eph. 4: 11 -16 • The gifts are the means to maturity (vs. 11 -12) • How do the apostles & prophets equip us to maturity? • Why is scripture revealed the way it is? Why not a “topical” format? • Our study is reduced to finding the “right” answers to issues/questions

The Work of the Apostles & Prophets • The lack of a topical format has made us uncomfortable ✓Harmonizing the gospels; Kings/Chronicles ✓Seeing topics in verses ✓Studying primarily to defeat false doctrines ✓Lack of knowledge of intent, purpose, & primary message ✓Lesson books

The Work of the Apostles & Prophets • The Spirit’s primary concern is a right relationship, not right answers • Matt. 23: 23; John 5: 39; 2 Tim. 3: 14 -17 • Why did the Spirit reveal the NT in letters? – Acts as Theophilus heard it? – Genesis as Israel heard it? – 1 Corinthians as read before the church? – Gal. 3: 29

The Work of the Apostles & Prophets • Consequences of a topical approach ✓Christianity reduced to “do’s” & “don’t’s” ✓“Rules” approach becomes a works system ✓Misuse of the text abounds (Matt. 3: 11 -12) ✓We miss structure in how the Spirit revealed (1 Cor. 2: 10, 12 -13; Mark 1: 1 -2) ✓We miss the beauty of God & loving God

“For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings” Hosea 6: 6

Finding the Spirit’s Message Forces Us to See Depth and Move Toward Maturity “I want to know Him…” (Philippians 3: 10)