As we started this series on the kind of church I want to be part of, we said that we aren’t talking about finding the right church as much as we’re talking about what needs to be true of us to see our church head the right direction. While it’s impossible to find a church of perfection, we can be a church headed the right direction, as we follow Christ, like the early church did. We’re looking to their example to learn how.
We said last time the kind of church we should want to be part of is:
1. A church with an accord among the members, based on a common commitment to the Lordship of Christ, to loving one another, and to fulfilling the Great Commission.
2. A church with an allegiance to the Word of God, committed to acquainting ourselves with it and adjusting our lives to it.
Now today, I want us to continue our consideration of what should be true of a church if it is headed in the right direction and is the kind of church I should want to be part of. (READ TEXT)
The kind of church I want to be part of is also . . .
3. A church that appropriates the Holy Spirit’s power - vs. 2-11
What we read about in Acts 2 is the fulfillment of what Jesus told His disciples would happen. Jesus promised that after His resurrection, He would come to dwell within them through the person of the Holy Spirit.
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever. He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive him because it doesn’t see him or know him. But you do know him, because he remains with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you.” - John 14:16-18 (CSB)
Jesus said the Spirit would help them to know the truth and witness to the truth.
“But I will send you the Advocate—the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me. And you must also testify about me . . .” - John 15:26-27a (NLT)
Jesus declared that when their lives were yielded to the Holy Spirit’s control, they would receive power to witness for Christ.
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses . . .” - Acts 1:8 (NIV)
And that’s what started happening in Acts chapter two. I say, “started happening” because the work of the Spirit continues on to this day, that is, the work of leading us to know truth and witness to the truth.
There’s debate on how the miracle of Pentecost happened. Was the miracle in the disciples or the hearers? The miracle happened in both. First, the miracle happened in the disciples with respect to their new found courage and boldness. That was the Spirit’s work. Second, the miracle happened in the hearers with respect to their conviction and desire to repent and believe. That was the Spirit’s work. Third, many have suggested that as Peter preached, the eleven stood in the crowd and translated to people who just happened to speak the language that the apostle in their part of the crowd just happened to be able to speak. That, too, was the Spirit’s work.
Zechariah 4:6 says God’s work is done, not by human might or human power, but by means of His Spirit. That’s what happened at Pentecost and that is what needs to happen today. Therefore, we must understand the importance of being filled or controlled by the Holy Spirit.
“Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” - Ephesians 5:18-21 (NLT)
A. God calls us to be consciously filled with the Spirit - v. 18b
This is in the imperative mood, which means it’s a command. I must make a conscious decision every day to yield my life to the Spirit’s control and let Him fill every area and every aspect of my daily life.
We tend to compartmentalize our lives. We think our church life, our work life, our family life, our personal life, etc. And often the only part where we factor God into the equation is our church life. But God call us to willingly choose on a daily basis to let Him have our entire life. That is what it means to let the Holy Spirit fill my life.
B. God calls us to be continuously filled with the Spirit - v. 18b
This is also in the continuous tense, which mean Paul is literally saying, “be being filled with the Holy Spirit.” Yielding my life to the Holy Spirit is to be a daily, moment by moment decision.
The reason for this is two-fold:
1) I commit sin daily. My life can’t be yielded to the Spirit’s control if there’s undealt with sin in my life. After all, He is the HOLY Spirit. And since I sin daily, there will be a daily, moment by moment need to confess sin and claim God’s cleansing as I yielded my life to the Spirit.
2) I’m called to grow daily. I’m to grow daily in my walk with God, which involves progressively yielding more and more of my life to the Spirit, letting Him to fill every area of my life in increasing measure.
C. God calls me to be conspicuously filled with the Spirit - vs. 19-21
Paul describes believers who seek to be consciously and continuously filled with the Holy Spirit as living a noticeably different life.
Years ago, a book was published with the name, “The Contagious Church.” I remember when I read that title, I thought that such a church would have to be filled with contagious Christians.
That’s what Paul describes here; that’s how the early church was described; and that’s how our church can be described if we will each seek to be consciously and continuously filled with the Holy Spirit!
“. . . we hear them declaring the wonders of God . . .” - Acts 2:11b (NIV)
4. A church that adores the Lord Jesus Christ - v. 22
When Peter stood up to speak that day, He preceded to preach a Jesus filled, Jesus exalting message. The early church was all about Jesus!
And the church I want to be part of is one where Jesus is praised, preached, and proclaimed!
Interestingly enough, if our lives are being filled with the Holy Spirit, we will be centered on Jesus.
“But when the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor, Counselor, Strengthener, Standby) comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of Truth who comes from the Father, He will testify and bear witness about Me.” - John 15:26 (Amplified)
What does it mean to live a Christ-centered life?
A) To look to Christ as our source. The source of our salvation, our purpose in life, our daily direction, everything we need we find in Him. He is our “all in all” - all we need in all circumstances.
As Paul said, “For me to live is Christ.” - Philippians 1:21.
B) To glorify Christ is our motive.
“Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” - 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NASB)
“Whatever you do [whatever your task may be], work from the soul [that is, put in your very best effort], as [something done] for the Lord and not for men, knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [greatest] reward. It is the Lord Christ whom you [actually] serve.” - Colossians 3:23-24 (Amplified)
C) To resemble Christ is our goal. I want to be like Christ in the way I think, in the way I feel and in the way I act. I want my relationship with Christ to impact my head, my heart, and my hands.
“He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.” - 1 Peter 2:21 (NLT)
D) To share Christ is our passion.
“Christ’s love compels us . . .” - 2 Corinthians 5:14 (NIV)
E) To dwell with Christ is our hope. While the Christ-centered believer daily embraces Christ’s assignment for their life, and are happy to remain here as long as Christ has a purpose for them to fulfill, they also long to go to be with Him.
“I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me.” - Philippians 1:23 (NLT)
And the reason they look forward to seeing Christ in glory is because they know that since they have lived with Him as their source and have sought to glorify Him, live like Him, and tell others about Him, they can look forward with confidence to Him receiving them with the welcome, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Conclusion:
A Spirit-filled Christian will be a Christ-centered Christian; and a Spirit-filled church will be a Christ-centered church.
I don’t know about you, but I want to stand before Christ one day and have him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” So I want to live a Spirit-filled, Christ-centered life; and that’s the kind of church I want to be part of. A church that says to God, “I surrender all.” will you join me in seeing our church be that kind of church? I hope so.
