Flying Closer to the Flame

For those of you that are away for the semester, in class/working on Tuesday nights, or are new to our group (as well as for those of you who tend to doze off during Bible Study) we thought we'd post a general outline of the study we just completed. For the past several weeks we have waded through an abridged version of Charles Swindoll's Flying Closer to the Flame.

Chapter 1
Three contributions the Spirit makes without which life is dull and gray
1) His Permanent Presence Within Us
2) His Unparalleled Dynamic Among Us
3) His Affirming Will For Us

Three forces of resistance that must be removed [as we study the Personhood of the Holy Spirit]
1) The Barrier of the Fearful Unknown
2) The Wall of Traditional Limitations
3) The Obstacle Course of Personal Excuses

Chapter 2
Four transforming changes amongst those who have received the Spirit
1) Their human frailties were transformed into supernatural gifts and abilities
2) Their fearful reluctance was transformed into bold confidence
3) Their fears and intimidation were transformed into a sense of invincibility
4) Their lonely, grim feelings of abandonment were transformed into joyful
perseverance

Chapter 3
Four “things of the Spirit” reproduced in us and through us
1) Life and peace
2) Absence of fear and closeness to God
3) Inner assurance … doubts gone!
4) Inner awareness that “all things” are working together for the good of God’s
glory

Chapter 4
Four results in the Christian’s life when filled with the Holy Spirit
1) His filling affects our speaking
2) His filling leads us to melodious hearts
3) His filling makes us thankful people
4) His filling leads us to submit to each other

Three important reminders to believers regarding the Spirit-filled life
1) Abnormal experiences are not necessary to Christian maturity
2) The fullness of the Spirit is for all of us, as believers, to enjoy, but how it
works its way out in each person’s life is another matter
3) Let us seek to enjoy our vast common ground, rather than establish and
defend our own theological turf

Chapter 5
The Spirit’s sovereign working is far beyond what the human mind can ever imagine
o Isaiah 55:8-9
An Often-Overlooked Ministry of the Spirit -- John 16:7-13
Demonstrating God’s Unique Power -- 1 Corinthians 2:2-3

Paul uses three words to describe himself…
1. Weakness

2. Fear

3. Trembling

The Spirit does not always lead us into places of comfort

We must look at life in light of eternity

Chapter 6
The “Anointing” of the Spirit -- 2 Corinthians 2:12-13

Why we have received the Spirit ??
o That we might “speak” the thoughts given to us by God
o That we might “appraise all things”

A Few Words of Warning

Balance is always preferred to extremes

Stay with the scriptures

Chapter 7 – Those Unidentified Inner Promptings
Four biblical examples of the work of the Spirit
1) In times of loneliness and desperation, the Spirit prompts hope and encouragement.
2) In times of threatening fears, the Spirit prompts calm determination and courage.
3) In times of potential danger and disaster, the Spirit prompts inner reassurance.
4) In times of great sorrow and pain, the Spirit ministers grace to us.

Two Practical Suggestions
1) When you are not sure that something is from the Spirit, tread softly.
2) When you are confident that it’s of God, stand firm, even against other people’s doubts.

Chapter 8 – The Spirit and Our Emotions
Expressing one’s emotions is not a sign of immaturity. (1 Thessalonians 4:13)

Normal Feelings
o Joy & Cheer – 2 Corinthians 9:7
o Love – 2 Timothy 1:7 1 John 4:19 Romans 12:9-10
o Fear – Proverbs 1:7

Three Basic Warnings
1) Intellectualism – When we refuse to allow our emotions to serve their proper function.
2) Emotionalism – When we go to the other extreme, making emotions the heart and center of life.
3) Fanaticism – It occurs in a context of excessive and intense devotion to information that lacks
balance, discernment and wisdom.

Chapter 9 – Thinking Theologically About Sickness & Healing
Possible sources of “Phenomenal Events”
1) The manifestation could be self induced.
2) The source of the manifestation could be highly charged, emotional meetings.
3) The source could be satanic.
4) The source could, in fact, be God.

Sometimes it is not God’s will that we be healed. James 5:13-16

Chapter 10 – A Biblical Case for Healing
Four practical principles to claim
1) Confession of sin is healthy – employ it.
2) Praying for one another is essential – practice it.
3) Medical assistance is imperative – obey it.
4) When healing comes from God – claim it.

Chapter 11 – When the Spirit brings a Slow Recovery

For most people, healing is a slow, arduous process. It takes time.

3 Possible Responses

Pumpkin month at a glance

Well, it's official: October is over. And for many of us, it went by quickly and with little rest.

The month started with a great weekend at the Harvest Crusade. Greg Laurie is an exremely gifted speaker with a way of putting the cookies on the bottom shelf and not beating around the bush. And the worship time was awesome!

October 10th was the church-wide trip to West Africa. Sort of. It was the West Africa Market Night. And I got to dress up and act like a flight attendant. Now, this might not seem like a big deal to most, but I've always thought it would be super fun to be a flight attendant. And I was right - it was fun! Throughout the night, I came to many different conclusions regarding West Africa.

1) They make some super awesome juice. Pineapple/lemon/ginger juice. "ginger?" you ask. Yes, and it was so good.

2) I do not look good in a head wrap. And i was not alone in this.

3) Americans are missing out by not painting our faces with cool designs.

4) Be thankful for your bed and the lack of malaria here.
5) Praying for those serving in West Africa is important. Vitally important. So do it.

Overall, I thought the night was quite the success, fun, and educational.

creation fall flood nation 4000 years ur persian gulf salt sarah abraham lot tara tigris euphratis haran tara dies sea of galilee jordan river dead sea mediterranean ....and that's all I got for now.

Walk thru the Old Testament = good times

The Fantastic Fall Festivus!! Again, the weather really didn't want to cooperate, but once again, we were stubborn. And it was a great time! The pumpkin carving was super entertaining. Congrats to everyone who won!

The Phillie's pumpkin won best overall. It was a sign.

Speaking of the Phillies, many of us didn't get much sleep throughout the month due to October baseball. It is a rare occasion that most of us in the Philadelphia area pay attention to the postseason, but this year we paid very very close attention.

So congrats, Phillies. We were watching all the way.