Resources > Bible Studies Working with Oils Posted by Debbie Piper - Associate Minister, Coaching & Equipping on May 8, 2009, 15:48

Based on Matthew 25:1-13

This is the Next Step- It is designed to allow you to take the celebration worship experience at CCC and make some additional discoveries for your adventure of faith.

You can use this study in a variety of ways, read it as a devotional, print it out and fill in your answers on the page, keep a journal and allow the questions to spark additional thought and perhaps additional study. Perhaps this study will create in your head and heart even more questions...jot down what you are thinking about...ask your questions, e-mail them to us at cccreach@aol.com and thanks for being willing to take this study to the Next Step!

Oil in Scripture is often used to represent the Holy Spirit. Oil in biblical times, much like today, was an important component to life. Used in cooking and in providing light, oil was a precious commodity then, as it is now.

Scripture shows that the Holy Spirit is essential to the spiritual life. In Genesis 1:2, He is present at creation, hovering close, at work to bring life and shape to the earth—

Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

God’s Spirit empowered Israel’s leaders—elders, judges, priests, prophets, and kings—to rule lead well, and gifted ordinary people to serve the Lord (see Exodus 31:3, Numbers 11:17 and 27:18, Judges 3:10, 1 Samuel 10:10 and 16:13, etc.) Even Pharaoh recognized the Spirit of God at work in Joseph (Genesis 41:38). God’s Spirit spoke through the prophets, testifying to God’s work and of one who would come in the power of the Spirit (Isaiah 42:1, Matthew 12:18).

Turning to the New Testament, the first mention of the Holy Spirit is found in Matthew 1:18—

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.

Unlike Genesis, where God is creating a new earth, this time the Spirit is at work creating the very life of God in Mary’s body.

His next appearance is in Matthew 3:15 at Jesus’ baptism, identifying Jesus publicly as the Son of God—

As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. (See also John 1:33.)

Just as the Spirit of God was active in Jesus’ life, Scripture tells us that the Spirit is active in our lives, calling us, creating new life in Christ, teaching and guiding us along the way—

Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.—John 3:5

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.—John 14:16,17

But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.—John 14:26

When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me….—John 15:26

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.—Acts 1:8

Warning: Scripture also cautions that it is possible to limit the Spirit’s work in our lives and to grieve Him through our choices (1 Thessalonians 5:19, Ephesians 4:30).

Just like you check the amount and condition of oil in your car, maybe it’s a good idea to check the condition of your relationship with the Spirit.

Has the life-giving oil of the Spirit of God been poured into your life?

Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit…. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.—1 Corinthians 12:3, 13

Is the Spirit seen in the ways you now live your life for the benefit of others?

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.—1 Corinthians 12:7

Is your mind now set on what God desires? Are you led by Him? Does your life give evidence of Spirit-controlled attitudes and actions?

Read the following verses on www.biblegateway.com or in your Bible to see what a life characterized by the Spirit looks like—

Romans 8:5, 6

Romans 8:16

Romans 14:17

1 Corinthians 2:4, 13

2 Corinthians 3:17

Ephesians 4:3

Ephesians 6:18

Galatians 5:22,23

Are these familiar passages to you?

How frequently are these qualities evident in your life? What would your friends and family say?

What about your life recently has revealed the presence of the Spirit?

What can you do if you find that the oil is running low in your life and it needs replenished? How do you make sure that you aren’t guilty of the same misguided thinking of the Galatian believers that Paul wrote to, saying—

Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?—Galatians 3:3

First, understand that the spiritual life takes focus on living in step with the Spirit of God—

So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature… Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.—Galatians 5:16, 25

…the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.—Galatians 6:8

Then ask yourself a few questions--

What are you doing to build up the life of God in your life? What spiritual habits are you practicing to keep your focus on nurturing and fanning into flame the life of the Spirit?

What role does Scripture reading, study, meditation and memorization play in transforming your life?

What is your prayer life like?

With whom are you developing an honest and intimate spiritual relationship that encourages one another to grow in faith?

How are you living life to benefit others?

Now respond to what God is saying to you about these things. What is the Spirit leading you to do to re-engage? What do you need to do to allow Him to replenish your supply of oil?

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.—Romans 15:13

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being…—Ephesians 3:16

To view the worship celebration related to this Next Step, visit http://www.touchandchange.com/artman/publish/article_1619.shtml