How Empty?how Full?how Much? Series

2. If we are constantly being defeated in this way, then our cup is never overflowing with God’s abundant life in us. If we are to know the continuous filling of God’s Holy Spirit then we must learn to keep our cups clean – Empty of Sin.

[ Trans] But how are we to do this?

(illustration) Here is a glass half full. Lets say that the water inside is Sin. How can I get rid of the Sin? (Suggestions: pour it out – but its still empty? Use a vacuum and suck everything out – but it is still empty?)

We can try harder! We can try to empty our hearts of sin all by ourselves. We can repeat the same old cycle….Sin-Repent-Sin-Repent, but not really live abundantly. We can Empty the cup ourselves through effort! But the problem is that it remains Empty – A void has developed. This is the condition of many Christian’s hearts…they know Christ but the remain empty inside. Something else is necessary…

(Pour the pitcher of water into the glass until it overflows) If I pour something into the glass it flushes out what was inside…cleans it and fills it! Which leads me to my second point..

II. We must Fill our Hearts with Gods Fullness!

A. Andrew Murray says “ Just as water ever seeks and fills the lowest place, so the moment God finds you abased and empty, His glory and power flows in.”

1. Renewal is being absolutely filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit, and that is victorious living. All we have to do is present our empty hearts to Christ and let Him fill us!

2. Like the old hymn resounds in our ears today “ He will fill your hearts to overflowing – bring your vessels if a few as the Lord commanded you.”

3. As we approach Him in prayer or devotion He looks into our cup, and if it is clean-He fills it to overflowing with His joy. This is something of what David meant in Psalm 23 “My cup overflows! Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life!”

B. If we are to be continusouly full of Gods presence then we must make sure our lives our continuously clean!

1. People imagine that dying to self makes one miserable – but it is the opposite. How many do not come to Christ because they have believed the lie of the enemy that to deny yourself and pick up your cross means that life is empty! They are looking at the glass as half full!

2. But the opposite is true. It is the refusal to die to self that makes one miserable. The more we know of Christ’s life in us the more real peace and joy will overflow through us!

3. If we will but go back to Calvary’s cross and learn afresh how Jesus’ blood cleanses us from sin moment by moment – then we have learned the secret of cups constantly cleansed and constantly overflowing.

4. The moment you are conscience of that touch of: anger, envy, criticism or resentment… whatever it is – ask Jesus to cleanse it and clean your heart through His forgiveness. This is how we keep our hearts clean and our cups overflowing. This is how we keep our hearts full of Gods fullness!

[Trans] Once we ask How Empty our Hearts are of Sin and How Full our Hearts are with God’s Presence…there remains one more thing we must ask ourselves….How Much?