How To Be Filled With The Holy Spirit

"HOW TO BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT."

Ephesians 5:18

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

Acts 2:1-18

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. [2] Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. [3] They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. [4] All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

[5] Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. [6] When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. [7] Utterly amazed, they asked: "Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? [8] Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language? ………………..we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!" [12] Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, "What does this mean?"

[13] Some, however, made fun of them and said, "They have had too much wine."

[14] Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: "Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. [15] These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning! [16] No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

[17] " 'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.

[18] Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days,

and they will prophesy.

Introduction:

• I wonder what it would be like if the Holy Spirit did not exist in the world today?

• Imagine this world without the holy spirit and only the forces of Satan.

*THE HOLY SPIRIT IS WHAT CONVICTS US OF SIN....

The Apostle Paul, inspired by God, gives us a double command:

-Be not drunk with wine

-Be filled with the Holy Spirit

• A person can obey the first command and still not be filled!!

• But if you obey the second command, you will automatically obey the first command.

• YOU MAN NOT DRINK ....YET STILL NOT BE SPIRITUAL

Illust.-

People all over the world try and make it to heaven on good works.

They don't drink, smoke, and swear, yet they will die and go to hell like every other sinner UNLESS THEY ACCEPT CHRIST!!

There are benefits to being filled with the Spirit. Being filled with the spirit benefits Christ, the believer, and others!

A PERSON NOT FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT IS LIKE AN EMPTY VESSEL...

1. CHRIST NEEDS VESSELS FOR HIS HOUSEHOLD.

Illust.-

Each of you in your home have vessels (containers) in order to prepare meals, for serving meals, and for purposes of cleanliness.

The home that does not have vessels is handicapped

Paul wrote to Timothy, "In a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor."

CHRIST NEEDS VESSELS FOR THE HOUSEHOLD........

Are you a vessel willing to be used by the household of God today?

2. WE ARE THE VESSELS HE DESIRES.

Paul went on to say, 2 Tim. 2:21 “If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.”

Song:

A vessel of honor for Cod

A vessel of honor for God

Sanctified Holy so I might be

A vessel of honor for God

A. God uses ordinary people as Vessels you and me...

• to preach the gospel

• for the building of His kingdom

• in bringing men to Christ…HE USES SPIRIT FILLED MEN AND WOMEN ....

The honor of evangelizing the world has not been given to angels but to men

B. We have bean purchased by the Lord and we are the vessels he desires to use...

Paul said, "Present your bodies a living sacrifice unto the Lord."

To present means = to place ourselves at His hand, to be yielded to

Him to be near to Him so that He may lay His

hand on us and employ us in His service...

3. WE SHOULD BE VESSELS UNTO HONOR.

The Lord needs vessels, but he needs those vessels that are clean and pure.

2 Tim. 2:21