Exception of computer ~ no invention has impacted our world like the cell phone. Motorola made the 1st cell phone available to public @ a whopping $3,500 didn’t sell well 1st mobile phone call was made on June 6th – 1946 in St. Louis The 1st text was sent in 1989 (took a long time to catch on). In 2000 approximately (17) Billion texts = TODAY (8) Billion texts sent every day = or 92,000 text message’s every second of every day
FYI I’m the most technically challenged of all of your pastors
But even (my phone) has GPS + Fox News + movie reviews + Weather Channel = (4.27.11) deadly tornadoes ~ visiting parents + power outage = phone’s radar gave warnings
But for all the advantages of having a cell phone ~ it’s virtually of NO VALUE unless it’s CHARGED UP!
Every night we plug it into an electrical outlet (attempt to plug into that power source) & normally the cell phone is good to go in the morning.
Ever noticed that wherever you serve, that sometimes you feel very empowered + effective but that other times you just feel powerless & not very useful.
There’s actually a scriptural explanation for these ups’ & downs’; Bible indicates that we daily need “…to be filled with the Holy Spirit,” b-c it doesn’t take long for the Holy Spirit’s power, like the energy from a cell phone to ebb away.
An early biblical example of this is
When Moses came down from Mt Sinai, his face was a-glow b-c he had been in the presence of God ~ so Moses put a veil over his face when he talked to the people.
The reason he covered his face was not just so that people would not have to squint; II Corinthians 3:13 says the reason he covered his face, was b-c he didn’t want the people to see that “…the radiance was fading away.”
If there was a marquee on our foreheads that could indicate our spiritual energy level; for some of us it would be flashing in red ~ ‘Low Power = power fading away!
Experience shows that we can’t get done ~ what God needs to be done by our own power.
EVEN JESUS COULD NOT as a human being made of flesh
Philippians 2: 6 – 7 explains that, “Though Jesus was God He did not think of equality w-God as something to cling to. Instead, He gave up His divine privileges; He took the humble position of a slave.”
As a man w-human limitations ~ check out how Jesus went out to serve & do ministry:
(R) Mark 1: 9 – 13 or p. 761 = same as us
Remainder of time we will tackle this question:How can we be filled w-the Holy Spirit (other words) How do we stay ‘In-Sync w-God’?
Analogy (2) things that you need to enjoy any car you purchase:
1. 1st = is a set of keys: keys unlock the car + keys help you open the trunk + most cars need a keys to start up the engine; not going anywhere w-out the keys!
• Keys are to the car like conversion is to the Christian life: you enter the Christian life thru only one way = the KEY is Jesus!
• (R) I John 5: 11 – 12 or p. 943 in pew Bible
2. 2nd = essential you need for your car is fuel: Too bad we can’t save money by filling up our gas tanks w-water from our garden hose w-hopes our cars will run.
• Most cars are designed to run on fuel. What the fuel is to the car, the Spirit of God is to the authentic Christian life!
• (R) Colossians 2: 6 or p. 903
I. God’s command to “…be filled w-the Spirit”
A. (R) Ephesians 5:18 or p. 898 in pew Bible
1. This is a command – not a suggestion = it’s an urgent imperative, not a casual option.
a. Paul contrast being filled w-liquor & being filled w-Spirit other words something will control you ~ ‘…to be filled w-liquor’ means alcohol will control you.’ Paul commands that we ‘…be filled w-the Spirit’ which means that God dominates you.
b. “…be filled” is a command - which means I play an active part - I will not be filled if…
i. I have unconfessed sin w-in me - - explain in a few moments
ii. I cannot be filled w-the Spirit while at the same time I’m conducting my life in the energy of my flesh + relying only in myself
c. Looks like = total dependence upon God’s mighty power = Cardiologist prays early each morning, “God unless you show up its going to be a bloody mess,” = my prayer journal each morning ~ I ask God to go before me, pray James 1:19 = Quick to listen + Slow to speak + Slow to anger: please let people see Jesus in me
2. Another unique feature of this command is that it is given in a passive voice = grammatically that means something is done for us.
a. You are not the one doing the filling, you have to be filled;
b. God knows exactly what you need in the moment = maybe comfort + maybe peace + clarity + wisdom
c. BUT God will not force His will upon you: God waits for us to ask!
3. The command to be filled w-the Spirit is present tense – literally keep being filled; another way of translating it reads = “Be filled & keep being filled.”
a. It’s not a once in a lifetime, or once every year = it’s ever so often!
b. One of our goals at the end of this (9) week series is for all of us to arrive at the place where you are aware moment by moment of who is controlling you.
c. (R) I Corinthians 2: 9 – 16 or p. 871 in pew Bible
d. ALSO ‘…being filled by the Holy Spirit’ describes a experience that can be repeated: (R) Acts 2: 1 - 4 + 4: 31 or p. 830 in pew Bible
WHY is it necessary to ask God for a fresh ‘…filling of His Spirit?’
This is by God’s design = He wants us to be aware of our moment by moment of our dependence on Him. Minute by minute + Hour by hour I deliberately turn to God for wisdom + strength + confidence = before each service we call out to Him!
II. Practical ways to be spiritually recharged ~ refilled on occasion
A. 1st = Acknowledge Spirit’s Presence = (R) Acts 2: 37 - 39
• Spirit’s presence is not a 2nd baptism + not an emotion + IT’s a promise from God!
• I Corinthians 6: 19, “…don’t you realize that your body is the temple of Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God?”
B. 2nd = Repent of any sin that may quench the Holy Spirit
1. (R) Ephesians 4: 30 – 32 or p. 898 in pew Bible
2. It’s possible to have the Holy Spirit and not be filled w-the Spirit.
3. Remember King David as he repented of his adulterous affair he prayed,
“Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me” Psalm 51: 11
INSERT hostess = we have lots of guests in our home: same msg from my wife given ~ make yourself at home = here’s the keys to our front door - - garage door opener - - here’s the pantry + fridge don’t ask just be comfortable here’s the towels etc…
Becky is a wonderful hostess but she doesn’t mean that she will say to me don’t you dare let them see our laundry room, it’s a mess
None of us want our house guests going thru our personal belongings, i.e. my desk + sock drawer + her jewrly box etc = some things are just private.
Just like w-Jesus = we say – ‘Come into my Lord Jesus – you take control!’ In reality there are certain areas we don’t want Him involved in = certain activities on Sat evenings + certain relationships + that little habit.
If these describe you - - you received the indwelling presence of the Spirit upon conversion BUT you are not filled w-the Spirit’s power = it’s been quenched!
C. 3rd = Read & meditate on Scripture
1. (R) II Peter 1: 19 – 21or p. 938 in pew Bible
2. When we read scripture we are filling our hearts w-the mind & Spirit of God
D. 4th = Pray daily ~ (R) Luke 11: 13 or p. 793 in pew Bible, WHY I pray daily = Come Holy Spirit, Come = DL Moody “I leak so badly.’
E. 5th = Obey
• If we are to be filled w-the Spirit we need to practice obedience.
• Jesus says, “Those who accept my commandments & obey them are the ones who love me. And b-c they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.” John 14:21
III. Mother’s Day ~ challenge
A. (R) II Timothy 1: 3 – 5
1. Timothy’s mother Eunice was Jewish & the best we can tell his dad was a Greek; Timothy had not been circumcised indicating his dad was not a devout convert.
2. Bible says = he received his faith from faithfully observing his mom + grandmother.
3. INSERT my spiritual legacy from mother’s family
B. Timothy’s mother had (2) qualities going for her ~ I hope you will latch onto:
1. 1st = inherent power of being a mother
2. 2nd = dynamic power of a loving God – God’s spirit living in you
Each mother in this room has those same qualities available to you today:
• Inherent power of being a mother = in our home I’m honored as the spiritual leader in our home BUT no debate who wields the most influence – just a look from mom is all it takes to keep all of us in line
(+)
• Dynamic power of a loving God = same mighty power that raised Jesus from the dead is available for you!
Teach your children how to plug into the Holy Spirit ~ wonderful gift!
C. My best advice for raising your children =
1. Bring them to church on the weekends = Thurs or Sundays
2. Apply what is learned at church all throughout the rest of the week
D. Fruit of being a godly mother could be what Timothy received:
II Timothy 1: 7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidly, but of power, love and self-discipline.”
That’s an impressive gift to your children!
