“BEING FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT”
TEXT: Ephesians 5:15-20
“See then that ye walk circumspectly, (i.e., Be very careful how you live) not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, (i.e., making the most of every opportunity), because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. 18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
INTRODUCTION:
ILLUSTRATION:
“The Monkey Experiment”
Four monkeys were placed in a room that had a tall pole in the center. On the top of that pole was a bunch of bananas. Each monkey climbed the pole, and just as he was reaching out for the bananas, COLD WATER was doused on him. They each abandoned their attempts… One monkey was replaced by a new monkey…the other’s grabbed him, and would not allow him to climb up the pole. ALL OF THE ORIGINAL MONKEYS were replaced, and NONE OF THEM would attempt to climb the pole!
NONE OF THEM WOULD CLIMB THE POLE AND NONE OF THEM KNEW WHY!
E. Stanley Jones was a missionary in India for a good portion of the twentieth century.
“Pentecost is not a spiritual luxury. It is an utter necessity for human living. The human spirit fails unless the Holy Spirit fills. It is Pentecost or failure.”
Dr. Jones was a Methodist preacher!
He was saying that unless believers actually experience the fullness and power of the Holy Ghost like the early disciples did on the Day of Pentecost, then they are not really going to be able to be…or do what God has called them to be…or do in this world.
I. WHAT IT MEANS TO BE FILLED WITH
THE SPIRIT…
a) Some reduce the experience to emotions in a church service.
“Be continually filled”
David describes it: “Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.”
“filled” means, “completeness, maturity, filling to capacity.
2 Chronicles 7:1-2
“Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house. And the priests could not enter into the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD’s house.”
It was during the dedication of Solomon’s Temple…
(one of the great wonders of the world in terms of architecture)
The glory of the Lord FILLED the temple!
This is what God desires for His people!
Acts 4:8
Peter was “filled with the Spirit” as he spoke to the Sanhedrin.
Acts 7:55
Stephen preached in front of the Sanhedrin, was stoned in the street and said to be “full of the Holy Ghost!”
Ephesians 3:14 & 19
“For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…that ye might be filled with all the full-ness of God.
Being a Christian is more than just “professing a belief” in Christ!
God desires His people to be HUNGRY & THRISTY!
II. THE PURPOSE OF BEING FILLED WITH
THE SPIRIT:
a) Spiritual POWER!
Acts 1:8
“But ye shall receive POWER, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me…”
“dunamis” means, “STRONG FORCE”
Luke 24:49
“And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with POWER from on high.”
Paul says “Be FILLED with the Holy Ghost!”
b) Most Pentecostals think that the purpose of being filled with the Spirit is found only in:
Acts 2:1-4
“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
We dance in the Spirit…but struggle with “secret sin”
We speak in tongues…but gossip, criticize, & condemn…
We shout & praise God…but where is the POWER in our lives!
We can minister out of our own energy,
if we are not filled with the Spirit.
III. THREE ASPECTS OF POWER:
**What is this real power that is available to believers as they are filled with the Holy Spirit?
The real POWER is the Holy Ghost filling, anointing, and empowering the believer.
1) The Power of Resourcefulness
The power of the Spirit gives us power beyond our own natural resources, talents, and abilities.
Our singing abilities…
Our preaching & teaching abilities…
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
“And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, ‘My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength (My POWER) is made perfect in weakness.’ Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”
IT IS NOT ABOUT ME!
2. The Power of Reflection
The number one role of the Holy Spirit in our lives is to conform us to the image of Jesus.
It is the work of Character Development
2 Corinthians 3:18
“But we all, with open face beholding (means, “reflecting”) as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”
A FULL MOON…reflecting the sun’s rays!
A CRESENT MOON…we are still there in relationship with Him, but much of His light is hidden!
The real test for the fullness of the Holy Spirit is NOT one of the gifts of the Spirit…
It is the IMAGE OF CHRIST IN US!
2 Chronicles 7:1-2
“Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the GLORY of the LORD filled the house. And the priests could not enter into the house of the LORD, because the GLORY of the LORD had filled the LORD’s house.”
Hebrew meaning of “glory” is “weightiness, heaviness, & substance.”
The power of the Spirit brings weight or substance to our witness.
To be “Filled with the Spirit,” one is INTOXICATED--under the influence--of the Spirit.
3. The Power of Resiliency
The power to bounce back under pressure
The power to handle stresses & persecution.
The power on the inside that is greater than the external pressure.
John 16:33
“In this world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
2 Corinthians 4:7-9
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed;
We are perplexed, but not in despair;
Persecuted, but not forsaken;
Cast down, but not destroyed.”
1 John 4:4
“Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”
CONCLUSION:
The one great key for believers to open up the power of the Holy Ghost in their lives is:
A DEEP DESIRE & HUNGER AFTER THE SPIRIT!
