Our Power For Life Series

“Our Power for Life” – Being Spirit filled / led.

Main text: Ephesians 5:13-21

As we continue in our series, today we look at our third message entitled “Our Power for Life” – Being Spirit filled / led. As our series has unfolded, we began with the first building block – “Our New Life.” It was a study of Jesus as he asked the question, “Who do you say I am? Our new life starts with Jesus. The second message block was entitled “Our Book for Life.”

Understanding the Bible and applying its truth into our lives is essential. It was a practical message on how to understand the Bible. Again today, we look at “Our Power for Life.” Without the Spirit of God working in us and through us, we are literally lost and ineffective. Let’s examine four questions that will change our lives:

Why do we need the Spirit?

1. To understand God’s Word – 1 Cor. 2:14

14The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Last week we learned that in order to understand the scripture, we must have the Spirit. It is the Spirit that opens our mind and allows us to understand and apply it into our heart and life.

2. To become a Christian – 1 Cor. 2:14, John 3:5, Matt. 16:17

Paul instructs us that without the Sprit at work in our life, we are unable to be a Christian. Jesus told Nicodemus that with the Spirit, we cannot be born again. Jesus told Peter after he answered the question, “Who do you say I am?” that his answer was correct because the Spirit of God revealed the truth that Jesus was the Messiah – the Christ. Without the Spirit speaking to us – drawing us to God, we would not be believers.

1 Corinthians 12:3 3Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.

John 3:5 5Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.

Matthew 16:17 17Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.

3. To have the power to live & fulfill our commission – Acts 1:4-8

Within ourselves, we do not have the ability to live the Christian life. We cannot become like Jesus on our own. We must have God infill us in order to live as we should and be what God requires. Our Heavenly Father, knowing our need, gave us the Spirit to empower us so that we could live and fulfill our commission. Jesus instructed his disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit.

Acts 1:4-8

4On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."

6So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?"

7He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

What happened to those men after the Spirit came? Before Pentecost, the disciples were self-centered, rash, quick-tempered, fearful, timid, doubtful and powerless. After the Holy Spirit came upon them they we bold, courageous, empowered, inspiring and mightily used to turn the world upside down. They were able to stand before opposition from the rulers of Israel and proclaim that they would follow God no matter how they were threatened or tortured. The rulers, knowing they were common men took notice how they acted and referred to them as having been with Jesus. They were not the same men after Pentecost.

They had power, but they were not perfect though. Peter was still prejudice, until God changed his mind. Later Peter was confronted by Paul for compromising to gain acceptance.

What is the Lord’s Will?

Ephesians 5:15-21

15Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 21Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.