Holy Spirit, Part 3: Filled with the Spirit!

Purpose:

1. Being filled with the Spirit is equally necessary for all men or women of God.
2. Start to get in step with how the Spirit wants to fill you.
3. Make a deeper connection with God and one another.

• Do you agree with people who might say that teaching about the Holy Spirit is for the mature?

Main Text: Ephesians 5:15-21

• Read the NIV and compare with these two more literal versions to get a good sense of the meaning

One of the most literal versions -- NASB:

15. Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise,

16. making the most of your time, because the days are evil.

17. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

18. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,

19. speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;

20. always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;

21. and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.

 

Dynamically equivalent like NIV but a little more literal -- HCSB:

15 Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk—not as unwise people but as wise—

16 making the most of the time, because the days are evil.

17 So don't be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.

18 And don't get drunk with wine, which [leads to] reckless actions, but be filled with the Spirit:

19 speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music to the Lord in your heart,

20 giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

21 submitting to one another in the fear of Christ.

• Disciples are commanded to "be filled with the Spirit," therefore it is not just a good idea for a religious person, but it necessary for all the followers of Christ.
• What would you think if I told you this concept (being filled with the Spirit) is a ongoing action?
• Paul is described as "being filled with the Spirit" in his conversion (Acts 9:17), but is the concept of "being filled with the Spirit" the same as receiving salvation?

Acts 4:24-31

• Of course they weren't saved when "filled with the Spirit" because they had already been saved.
• They prayed a bold prayer, not being afraid to let God take control, so He did!
• The fruit: fervent evangelism!

Oxford English Dictionary's definition of the Spirit:

Spirit [of God]: The active essence or essential power of the Deity, conceived as a creative, animating, or inspiring influence.

This definition helps us understand that we all desire to be filled with the Spirit. Think about it. We all desire to be filled with the very Spirit of God because we all want to be creative, animated and inspired! Who really wants to be dull, exhausted, bored and boring?

"Being filled" Illustrations-

<Burning of a candle or ignescent, perhaps to cover-up a bad smell--the room is filled with the aroma>

<Of course there is the obvious pouring of liquid into a cup. Not half-full/half-empty but to the brim is being filled.>

<Everyone knows the difference when their stomach is full. There is satisfaction.>

<Think of expressions, such as "Your head is filled with all kinds of ideas," whether they are good or bad kind of determines the state of the person.>

• Lets get into the illustration Ephesians 5 uses…

{Not that we're proud of it, but who has been drunk or witnessed someone drunk on alcohol?}

• We know what it looks like to be brought under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
• {What influences are controlling you most right now?}
• {Do you have any fears about being filled with the Spirit?}
• We possibly have some fears about being out of control in a crazy way when we think of being filled with the Spirit? For example, speaking jibberish, hooting and hollering, and rolling on the floor are some images that come to my mind (all experienced in Pentecostalism).
• You got to ask yourself, "would we possibly lose control, make a scene, and disgrace ourselves if we were to become 'Spirit-filled'?"
• We can't, however, be afraid of this terminology because being filled with the Spirit is so important to our walk with God!

 

Think about what you're reading here in Acts 4: This was how they were "filled" with the Spirit

• What do you think was so significant about their prayer?
• What will it take from us to pray like this?
• Is there an understanding from what we've been looking at that being filled with the Spirit is very similar with being under the control of the Spirit? Do you see this connection?
• Would it change the way we prayed if we knew it would IGNITE the Spirit's fire in us?

{Do you think a person is spiritually mature who others could not describe as being filled with the Spirit?}

• You notice how spiritually mature people are often described as giving. There is a spiritual power coming from them that others can sense. It is beyond all the stuff they do. We know there is something inspirational about them. There is something obviously godly about them. We can say they're drinking deeply of the Spirit.

{But can we mature spiritually if we're not being filled with the Spirit?}

Sum it up in your own words…

1. What does it mean to be filled with the Spirit?
2. Why is it necessary for all of us to be Spirit filled?

Zealously have holy expectations

Introduction—

What does it mean to have standards for your life?

Does everyone have standards?

Deep within your heart, would you rather have people in your life calling you to higher standards or would you rather have people who do not challenge you?

Would you rather have spiritual leaders around you that are trying really hard to not offend people or would you rather have them strive to love like Christ, and zealously have holy expectations for you?

• Keep in mind as I get into the lesson that I want to challenge the thinking of the group tonight—not telling you how to think but challenging you to think from God's word in practical areas of your life.
• I believe you've seen our hearts for you—I can at least look the brothers in the eye and attest that we've come along way, and I believe you see that I love your souls.
• So, you'll know I'm not speaking out of rules and regulations, but out of zeal that you would all be a holy people of God!
• Please don't hold back saying "Amen" because it means "Yes, I agree!"

Read Numbers 25

§ Explain and expound a little from the passage:

o The leaders were weak in their convictions and it led the people astray!

o God had them put to death people that they had grown up around, many family members!

o The actions of one man turned away the wrath of God!

o Why? Because Phinehas had the same zeal that God has for His honor!

o The passage even mentions the people by name!

§ I believe there is a whole slew of areas where we can zealously repent and have higher expectations: prayer, worship, serving, loving one another, giving sacrificially (time and money—even fundraisers to advance the gospel), evangelism!

§ However, since the topic ties really well into what is going on in this passage, let's look at…

1. Have holy standards in the way you date
1. What does holiness mean? Literally "to be set apart." Also similar, the church literally means "the called out."
2. You are called to be radically different from the world (1John 2:15-17)!
3. Share a few points about your dating relationshi
4. 1Corinthians 7:39

i. A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord.

ii. If he must belong to the Lord on remarriage, just as much if someone is married.

5. 2Corinthians 6:14—7:1 (Read 7:1)

i. 14Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people."
17"Therefore come out from them
and be separate, says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,
and I will receive you."
18"I will be a Father to you,
and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."

1 Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

ii. Do not be yoked—the contractual agreement of marriage is definitely a yoke.

iii. We can take both verses together and see very clearly that God does not want us to marry an unbeliever.

iv. Valid question for all single disciples: Why would you date someone you wouldn't marry?

v. On both sides of the coin: It seems unfair to have these sorts of hidden values. And it is also unfair to express them to someone as a condition.

1. Why would you start down the path of developing an intimate relationship with someone who does not have the Spirit of God? Why would you put yourself in a situation where you could very likely weaken and lose your convictions all together?

vi. <Read 7:1 here>

1. Again, I'm not speaking out of rules and regulations.

2. You're free in Christ; I'm simply a brother challenging you to think spiritually, from God's word.

3. I'm speaking out of an expectation of holiness!

4. You can do a study (I'll even give you the verses) that

6. Luke 14:25-27

i. 25 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26 "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. 27 And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

ii. You know this verse from the discipleship study.

iii. The heart of a disciple puts God far exceedingly first—no other relationships should contend with God—no other relationship should make you waver in your commitment!

iv. If it makes you waver—holds you back from making Jesus Lord—cut it off!!!

v. "You're too radical!" Do you not hear the words of God? I'm convinced we'd be saying that to Jesus!

7. Read: Ephesians 5:3-7

i. 3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them.

1. From what the bible says here, how much sexual sin is tolerable?

2. Not even a hint—what does that mean to you?

3. Sure you've seen God convert people when someone made the choice to date outside the faith…but you might not have all the perspective.

4. Be warned that sexual sin is exponentially more likely in relationships when you're dating someone who is not a disciple—there is less of an influence to stay pure.

§ For all these reasons (and more) we chose to not give our support to someone making the decision to date a nonChristian—not to say we won't pray for you and have fellowship, but that we simply urge against it.

§ I mainly hope to get you to read God's word and develop deep convictions for how you go about your life.

§ I hope and pray you know my heart…

o I say this out of love for God—we wouldn't be honoring Him if we didn't have higher expectations for all of you.

o I say this out o love for anyone making this decision—guarding your souls from the evil one's schemes!

o I say this out of love for the group as a whole—that we're the salt of the earth, a place of sanctification!

Life-changing Story

2/3/08 Communion Message 

A few years ago someone shared a little fact with me that changed my outlook on the Super Bowl.

Most people don't remember who won, unless it is their team, even then it becomes trivial very quickly--

What I am saying…If you at all get into it, there is a build-up of hype. For a minority, their team wins and they feel a sense of victory, but it very quickly becomes the most trivial thing till it comes around again.

Yet, it is arguably hyped up more than President's day, more than veterans day and memorial day, more than mother's day and father's day, more than MLK day and more than your own birthday, and definitely more than our country's Independence day!

Although about a 3^rd will be watching more for the commercials than the game itself!

More food is consumed on Super Bowl Sunday than on any other day of the year except Thanksgiving, according to the American Institute of Food Distribution.

The National Retail Federation expects 3.9 million TV sets to be purchased in the days and weeks leading up to today's game.

Our society is weird! Everyone loves to jump on the hype ride!

Yeah, sure we get fired-up about that stuff too, but the Super Bowl just stands out as an even bigger celebration--the most watched event!

Today, we're very much like everyone else, where all of us are gathering together because the Super Bowl gives us a reason to party.

But we're not like everyone else because we all have in common something very significant!

What am I alluding to? We're all a part of the same church?

We all have Jesus in our lives--to whatever extent for you I don't know--but I can guarantee by standing here talking about Him, we all have Jesus in our lives!

Who here has seen the movie 300? Who here has seen the movie Troy? Who here has seen the movie Gladiator? Who hear has read Shakespeare's Henry V? Who hear has been moved by a great war movie?

As years go on it seems to need more hype and sensationalism--examples of sixpacs, cinematography, unrealistic battle scenes--It is how legends are made!

It all appeals to our childlike imagination -- you all are fascinated by some kind of fantasy and action -- if it is not war movies, sports, it is sci-fi thriller (intergalactic battle), even chic flicks have action!

As far as old stories, your heart may be moved -- I'm personally moved by seeing he struggles of humans who have gone before me!

Great old stories of overcoming and of victory especially feed something in my soul!

But does it change me to see the million man march up to capitol hill? Does it change me to see the great bravery of men and women who have fought for political freedoms? Does it change me to hear about great men and women who did great feats, men and woman who changed history with their convictions?

I think it becomes a little part of me, but I think it is so much more common that it all becomes trivial.

What does that mean "something becomes trivial"?

It doesn't mean insignificant, but rather filed as fact without affecting me emotionally.

It happens to all of us.

Sure you may be moved by the same inspiring stories every time you pop it in the DVD player, but it is rare that any of it will really stick with you emotionally for the rest of your life.

For example, I don't easily get emotional thinking or talking about WWII just because I watched a movie or heard about it from my grandpa, but my grandpa can easily shed tears thinking of it!

<Turn your Bible's> We're going to read a few verses that tell us the story of victory and overcoming through Jesus.

Colossians 2:13-15

13When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. 15And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

Public--happening in the middle of a very large city! Just like the Super Bowl, it caused quite a stir!

It is fact that Jesus die on the cross, an innocent man murdered by your sin (made guilty by your guilt)!

However, the story is one of overcoming that which stands mostly opposed to us--our sin--the power of its condemnation!

The story is one of the greatest victory, for everyone who sees their need for His forgiveness and chooses to be His winning team!

We all get the chance to partake in the communion, where we remember Jesus--remembering who He was in His life, what He did for us on the cross, and the lasting impact He has with His resurrection!

Today and everyday we celebrate the great feat of our Lord, which is never trivial with us who are on His team, the winning team! Because we also

press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me!