Sermon Central
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Filled With The Spirit
Contributed by Mark Mitchell on Jan 8, 2019 (message contributor)
Summary: Christians need to have, primarily, a Kingdom focus first over and above the focus on their local church.
I. A work both by us and by God. (vs. 5-13)
A. We have already established that they were filled with the Spirit.
B. Ephesians 5:18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,
C. Being filled with the Spirit is first a work of us. We see that in the gathering and waiting on God while praying.
D. Being filled with the Spirit is the (secondary) out working of God.
E. Once we have submitted to God, our will is in line with His, God moves through us to accomplish His will, often in big and miraculous ways.
II. God’s out working is always in connection with the gospel. (v.14-41)
A. Corinthians 14:22 Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers.
B. Every event that goes on throughout Acts is related to the gospel being heard and believed.
C. This outworking of God that we see in Acts is not out of the blue but was prophesied. (Acts 2:17-21; Joel 2:28-32)
D. Jesus lived! (v.22)
E. Jesus Died! (v.23)
F. Jesus was raised from the dead! (vs.24-32)
G. Jesus sits in glory! (vs.33-36)
H. When the gospel is preached some people will respond! (v.37)
I. They responded by repenting and being baptized! (v.38-41)
III. God’s true outworking always produces fruitful Christians. (vs. 42-47)
A. The work of Christ in the disciples for three years is now being carried on in these new disciples of Christ.
B. The once only pious toward God now became devoted toward Christ.
C. The outworking of the Spirit, the continuing of the work of Christ is now expressed in the people of God finding the gospel more important that their personal needs, wants, desires, and wishes. (v.45)
D. We can improve our surroundings, and we can add old believers to our congregation and that is fine.
E. But unless we are focused on new growth, we may be seeing church growth, but we are not seeing Kingdom growth.
F. The early church was more focused on Kingdom growth that they were church growth.
G. They had reason to celebrate and give regular testimony because of the Kingdom growth in their midst. (v.47)