TOOLS FOR THE TIMES (Part 2)

I Thessalonians 5:16-22

I. (v.16) Joy

II. (v.17) Prayer

III. (v.18) Thanksgiving

IV. (v.19) THE HOLY SPIRIT

A. Illustrations

1. The Spirit is pictured as fire

2. The quenching is pictured as putting out a fire

• To put out a fire slowly, you starve it. This can be compared to withholding Scripture

• To put out a fire quickly, you smother it. This can be compared to committing sin

B. Applications

1. What CANNOT be quenched

• Titus 3:5 - regeneration

• I Corinthians 6:19 – indwelling

• I Corinthians 12:13 – baptizing

• Ephesians 1:13 – sealing

2. What CAN be quenched

• Romans 8:16 – assurance of salvation

• Galatians 5:16-23 – fruit of the Spirit

• Romans 12:1-2 – guidance in God’s will

• Ephesians 3:16 – spiritual strength

• Romans 8:26-27 - prayer

• Acts 1:8 – witnessing

V. (v.20) THE WORD OF GOD

A. Identifying prophecy

1. How God spoke in the past – Hebrews 1:1-2; Ephesians 2:20; II Peter 1:19-21

2. How God speaks in the present – II Timothy 3:16-17

B. Responding to prophecy – DO NOT DESPISE