Introduction
A number of years back there was a T.V. cop program called Hill Street Blues and it always started in a similar way.
All the officers were sitting in the briefing room getting the assignments for their shift.
Their supervising officer would brief them on the problems of the previous shift and update them new information of possible criminals they were look out for.
All the officers present would look and comment to each other about the duties at hand.
After all was said and done the briefing officer would dismiss the officers, but just as everyone was getting up and moving toward the door the commander would stop everyone in their tracks with the phrase, 'hey, be careful out there.'
The world of the police officer can be a very dangerous job protecting the public and watching each other’s back.
They have to use every skill they have learned to ensure that the job gets done effectively with out anyone getting injured.
In our text this morning Paul is stopping all of us in our tracks as we go out into this world to represent our King and Lord and Savior as he says in so many words, "Be Careful Out There."
Let’s all stand and honor God’s written Word as we read from this morning’s text.
Turn with me to Ephesians 5:18.
Scripture
And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,
Then you will sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, making music to the Lord in your hearts.
Ephesians 5:18
Prayer
A Warning
In Ephesians 5:18 we see a warning.
A warning about the temptations, that are all around us each day here on this old earth.
It is our responsibility to realize that we no longer are part of this world that keeps us in darkness we have received Christ into our lives and our new nature cannot survive in a habitat of darkness.
If we do not take serious the calling we are to walk in, we will fall over the obstacles the enemy has placed in our paths.
Our decisions in life can have grave effect on us!
Therefore, it is imperative that we walk with our eyes wide open.
Proverbs 14:8 says; "The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception."
Who’s in Control
In the time of the Ephesians, many people believed that drunkenness could produce sort of inspiration or possession by Dionysus, god of wine.
Dionysus’s most active worshipers yielded control of themselves to performing sinful acts.
Being controlled by the drunkenness of wine makes an individual act abnormal.
Rather than being in control of themselves, the wine controls them.
Unless you are not careful temptations will take you by surprise and before you know it you have been ensnared in Satan’s trap and your witness for Christ has been tarnished.
Our Lord teaches us that this world is not our home.
He has placed us here in a world, which is hostile to the things of God.
But we must still be wise in the way we represent our God.
This is the warning Jesus gave His disciples and he also has given to us in Matthew 10: 16 "I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes (wisdom employed) and as innocent as doves."
The analogy here of being shrewd as snakes, is to be on the lookout every moment, sensing every movement and every object around you.
The Lord here is not giving us permission too somehow be underhanded as long as it is done for a godly purpose, but that we be like as innocent as doves.
We need to "make the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." Ephesians 5:16
You cannot do it on your own! You have to “Give Him Control.’
Give Him Control
Meaning the Holy Spirit: But be filled with the Spirit, Ephesians 5:18 (NKJV)
What does it mean to be “but be filled with the Spirit?”
Look at that verse again using the New Living Translation; Instead, let the Holy Spirit fill and control you. Ephesians 5:18b (NLT)
Well, it has everything to do with God doing a work in us, not us manipulating the gifts of the Holy Spirit or the Holy Spirit himself.
The Spirit moves at His discretion, but He moves in conjunction with the will and Word of God.
You see we don’t turn the Holy Spirit on and off like a faucet.
Let the Holy Spirit fill and control you, means that The Holy Spirit is in control of our lives and all to the glory of God.
Look what Romans 8:9 says; "You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ."
You see having the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is not something extra you receive after salvation.
You receive the Holy Spirit when you are saved.
If you don’t have the Holy Spirit then your not saved.
You see "And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." Romans 5:5
And so for anyone to suggest that you can be a believer who the needs a second work done by God so we can receive the Holy Spirit for the first time just doesn't understand the way in which God works concerning His salvation.
The scriptures makes it clear in the first chapter of Acts that the Holy Spirit certainly works in our lives in a way to make us useful servants in the power of the Holy Spirit, but that is different from saying that we don't have the Spirit of God until that filling.
The risen Savior Jesus Christ says in Acts 1:8 "But 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."
These disciples had already been given the Holy Spirit when Jesus breathed on them, which is recorded in the Gospel of John.
Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."
22 And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. John 20:21-22
The filling of the Spirit, which is also referred to on occasion as the Baptism of the Spirit, is a work of God given to His people for works of service.
Unfortunately, many believe this filling or baptism is meant to simply demonstrate the power of the Spirit through certain signs and wonders.
It is certainly true that God may choose to work in signs and wonders, but that is not the sole purpose of the filling of the Spirit as though God were putting on some sort of side show for the sake of showing His power in our lives.
The first time we see this after the resurrection of Jesus Christ is in Acts 2:4 "All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them."
The word filled in Acts 2:4 means fulfilled. Something that was promised and has come to be, after that all believers received the Holy Spirit.
Spiritual gifts are not for you but for the church, to build up and edify the church.
Being filled with the Holy Spirit simply means that one has yielded themselves over to the control of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
The filling of the Spirit is a lifelong encounter with the Lord as He uses us and equips us for the task through this continual filling in our lives, as we continue to yield to Him.
It's a filling, which is in conjunction to our willingness to be used as we submit to Christ.
We need more Spirit controlled Christians!
Be a Witness
This is why it's so important to utilize the means the Holy Spirit by;
• Studying the word of God,
• Seeking the Lord in prayer,
• Worshiping our God in spirit and in truth
• Fellowshipping with each other
• Encouraging each other toward love and good deeds.
The major way in which the Holy Spirit is seen with power in our lives is through the fruits of the Spirit.
This shows the world that we are in fact indwelt and filled so that we are found being imitators of Christ.
And so Paul says in "Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,
20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 5:19
This is a work of the Spirit to where our hearts are overjoyed with our salvation as we encourage each other in that salvation.
We speak to each other in a way that not only edifies each other but honors Christ as well.
"Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs."
Conclusion
A Warning
In Ephesians 5:18 we see a warning about the temptations, that are all around us each day here on this old earth.
It is our responsibility to realize that we no longer are part of this world that keeps us in darkness, but we have received Christ into our lives and our new nature cannot survive in a habitat of darkness.
Who’s in Control
Unless you are not careful temptations will take you by surprise and before you know it you have been ensnared in Satan’s trap and your witness for Christ has been tarnished.
You cannot do it on your own! You have to “Give Him Control.’
Give Him Control
Meaning the Holy Spirit! But be filled with the Spirit, Ephesians 5:18 (NKJV)
Spiritual gifts are not for you but for the church, to build up and edify the church.
Being filled with the Holy Spirit simply means that one has yielded themselves over to the control of the Holy Spirit in their lives.
Be a Witness
This is why it's so important to utilize the means the Holy Spirit by;
• Studying the word of God,
• Seeking the Lord in prayer,
• Worshiping our God in spirit and in truth
• Fellowshipping with each other
• Encouraging each other toward love and good deeds.
Have you heeded the warning?
Who’s in control of your life?
Give Jesus Christ control of your life and be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Go into the world and a Witness!
