In the first message in this series, we considered how, through our Lord’s crucifixion and resurrection, we can appropriate the forgiveness made available by His sacrifice and be reconciled to God and be made a new person. I am now identified with Christ, and in Him, I am in a position to live as a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Last time, we looked at how, because of our identification with Christ in His crucifixion and resurrection, we can see ourselves differently, from a new perspective. In Christ, I am victorious and I have the provision necessary to live victoriously over sin, Satan, and this world.
“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who
has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.” - Ephesians 1:3 (NLT)
Today we learn that because of our Lord’s crucifixion and resurrection we have the power to live a victorious life and bring Glory to God. We find Jesus speaking in verse 39 about how, by His crucifixion and resurrection (His glorification - see John 17:1-5), He would provide His followers with a new power by which to live. That power was the power of the Holy Spirit, which John says those who believed on Jesus would later receive. In fact, Paul tells us that everyone who has believed on Christ as their personal Savior has received the Holy Spirit.
“And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his ownby giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago.”- Ephesians 1:13 (NLT)
In fact, one of the evidences of the Holy Spirit’s presence in your life is the assurance He gives concerning your relationship with God.
“The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” - Romans 8:16 (NIV)
The first question I must ask myself is, “Do I have the Holy Spirit?”
The Holy Spirit is present if I have given my life to Jesus.
“If anyone does not possess the [Holy] Spirit of Christ, he is none of His [he does not belong to Christ, is not truly a child of God].”- Romans 8:9 (Amplified)
The second question I must ask myself is, “Does the Holy Spirit have me?” That is what Jesus is emphasizing here in this passage.
The events of this chapter took place during the Feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:33-44). This was the third of three Jewish Festivals that took place in the Fall of the year. There was the Feast of Trumpets, Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement), and the Feast of Tabernacles. The Feast of Tabernacles fell on the 15th day of the 7th month, that is, on October 15th. As we consider the significance of this festival, I want us to learn what Jesus wants us to know about the Holy Spirit’s work in the life of the believer.
1. The power of the Spirit-filled life.
The Feast of Tabernacles had a historical significance. On the first day of the feast, each participant had to collect twigs of myrtle, willow, and palm in the area of Jerusalem for construction of their booth (Nehemiah 8:13-18). These “huts” or “booths” were constructed from bulrushes as joyful reminders of the temporary housing erected by their forefathers during the Exodus wanderings (Leviticus 23:40-41; Deuteronomy 16:14). The “booth” in Scripture is a symbol of protection, preservation, and shelter from heat and storm (Psalm 27:5; 31:20; Isaiah 4:6).
Now the significance of this for us is that we need to understand that just like the desert was not the final homeland of the Jewish people, this present world is not our home. Rather, we are citizens of heaven.
“Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.” - Philippians 3:17-21 (NLT)
Part of the reason God has given His Spirit to us is so we might be able to live as citizens of his kingdom, rather than as citizens of this world. It is only by the power of God’s Spirit that we can say “no” to the allurements of this world, be protected from the overtures of the Evil One, and live lives set apart to God.
2. The purpose of the Spirit-filled life.
The Feast of tabernacles had an agricultural significance. Besides the construction of the booths, other festivities included the ingathering of the labor of the field (Exodus 23:16), the ingathering of the threshing floor and winepress (Deuteronomy 16:13), and the ingathering of the fruit of the earth (Leviticus 23:39), Samples of the fall crop were hung in each family’s booth to acknowledge God’s faithfulness in providing for His people. The rejoicing community included family, servants, orphans, widows, Levites, and sojourners (Deuteronomy 16:13-15).
This illustrates the purpose of the Spirit-filled life - to enable God’s people in this world to not only say “no” to the allurements of this world but to say “yes” to God’s purpose for us in this world.
“I gave them your word; the godless world hated them because of it, because they didn’t join the world’s ways, just as I didn’t join the world’s ways. I’m not asking that you take them out of the world but that you guard them from the Evil One. They are no more defined by the world than I am defined by the world. Make them holy - consecrated - with the truth; your word is consecrating truth. In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world, I give them a
mission in the world.” - John 17:14-18 (The Message)
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses.” - Acts 1:8 (NIV)
One particular ceremony was connected with the Feast of Tabernacles. On the eighth and final day of the feast, the high priest of Israel, in a great procession made up of priests and thousands of worshipers, descended from the Temple Mount to the Pool of Siloam. A pitcher was filled with water, and the procession continued by a different route back to the Temple Mount. Here, in the midst of great ceremony, the high priest poured the water out of the pitcher onto the altar. The worshippers, in keeping with the instructions of Leviticus 23:40, would carry palm branches as they followed the high priest in triumph.
In Zechariah’s description of the millennial reign of Christ on earth (Zechariah 14:16-18), this festival will be celebrated everywhere.
“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.” - Revelation 7:9 (NIV)
3. The path to the Spirit-filled life.
Against this background and perhaps at that very moment, Jesus’ voice rang out. He declared that he was the fulfillment of that which was foreshadowed by this feast. Through relationship with Him, we could live life on a high level; and through relationship with Him, we could live life for a higher purpose. Because the same power which would raise Him from the dead, would come into the life of everyone who would believe on Him - the power of the Holy Spirit.
“I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.” - Ephesians 1:19 (NLT)
By the same power by which Jesus was raised from the dead (the power of the Holy Spirit), I can live a life that brings God pleasure and fulfills God’s purpose. I simply must allow the Spirit who I have through faith in Christ to have me each day. How? Verse 37:
A. Admit my need - “If anyone thirst”
B. Acknowledge Christ’s sufficiency - “come to me”
C. Appropriate the Spirit’s power - “drink”
“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled (lit. - “be being filled) with the Spirit.” - Ephesians 5:18 (NIV)
We need to consciously and constantly appropriate the Spirit’s power, and allow Him to fill every aspect of our lives.
(Show video - Sailing - Filled With The Holy Spirit)
As we seek to consciously and constantly be filled with the Spirit, we will be conspicuously filled with the Spirit, as He positively and powerfully impacts every area of our lives. His power will impact our relationship with ourselves (5:19); with God (5:20); with others (5:21); with our spouse (5:22-33); our parents (6:1-3); our children (6:4); our employer (6:5-8); our employees (6:9); and our enemy (6:10-11).
“Don’t drink too much wine. That cheapens your life.Drink the Spirit of God, huge draughts of him.” - Ephesians 5:18 (The Message)
