Living Under The Influence Of The Spirit Series

Introduction:

A. I want to begin today’s sermon with an old story, which is a legend of unknown origin that has appeared in many forms over the years, but teaches an important principle.

1. Once there was a grandfather who was talking with his grandson.

2. The grandfather said, “In life, there are two wolves inside of us which are always at battle. One is a good wolf which represents things like kindness, bravery, and love. The other is a bad wolf which represents things like greed, hatred, and fear”.

3. The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked, “Grandfather, which one wins?”

4. His grandfather replied, “The one you feed.”

B. That’s not a perfect illustration for my purposes today, because the Holy Spirit who lives in us and represents the good wolf in this story, doesn’t need to be fed.

1. The Holy Spirit is powerful and self-sufficient.

2. What the Holy Spirit needs, or waits for, is our permission.

C. Let’s reset the picture.

1. Let’s imagine our inner life with a throne and let’s understand that God gives us the freedom to choose who we allow to be on the throne.

2. There are several choices of who we can give permission to be on the throne and they include: self, others, Satan, or the Spirit.

3. Look at these passages that describe the battle for control in our lives.

a. Galatians 5:16-17: I say, then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want.

b. Romans 8:5-6: For those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit have their minds set on the things of the Spirit. Now the mindset of the flesh is death, but the mindset of the Spirit is life and peace.

4. Ultimately, we live under the influence of whomever we allow to sit on our throne.

D. Today’s sermon completes our sermon series “The Holy Spirit, Our Helper.”

1. I hope the series has helped you better know and understand the Holy Spirit and how He is our helper.

2. Throughout this series as we have looked at this third person of the Godhead, we have seen how the Holy Spirit is our teacher and guide, that He is like the wind that powers us along, that He is our intercessor, the seal of God’s ownership and guarantee.

3. We have learned that the Holy Spirit is like a dove bringing us peace, protection and comfort, that He is a fire that purifies, energizes, melts, and protects, that He is a stream of living water that flows from within us to refresh us and others, and that He is the gift giver who endows us with spiritual gifts.

E. Today, I want us to focus on the question: How can I be filled with the Holy Spirit?

1. I believe this is one of the most important principles of our spiritual lives.

2. If we learn this lesson, then we will discover the source of the supernatural help that we need.

I. The Command

A. Let’s turn our attention to Ephesians 5:18.

1. Let’s look at that verse in several translations:

2. And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless living, but be filled by the Spirit (CSB).

3. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit (NIV).

4. The New Living Translation says: Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, let the Holy Spirit fill and control you.

5. Finally, consider Eugene Peterson’s paraphrase version: Don’t drink too much wine. That cheapens your life. Drink the Spirit of God, huge draughts of him. (The Message)

6. Let’s make five observations from the text.

B. First, let’s notice the contrast between wine (the spirits) and the Spirit.

1. This is the most basic point of the verse.

2. There is a direct parallel drawn between being drunk with wine and being filled with the Spirit.

3. What precisely is the point of comparison between wine and the Holy Spirit?

4. Surely it is the issue is influence or control.

5. A person under the influence of wine experiences altered behavior.

a. He or she may say or do things they would not ordinarily do.

b. If the person drinks enough wine, their mental processes will be affected and their decision making ability will be radically altered—almost always with a negative result.

6. Likewise, the influence of the Holy Spirit produces a change in behavior.