Being Filled With The Spirit

“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.