Intro: From these passages I find more than a story of the sustaining power of God, but I see this event as a type of prophecy to the outpouring of the Holy Ghost as prophesied by the latter prophet Joel in 2:28 and the fulfillment on the day of Pentecost. Today I want to talk to you about “Looking for some empty vessels”, in this day in time we are truly living in what the Bible called “perilous times” in 2 Timothy 3:1. We are seeing a greater increase in evil and perversion among man, at an alarming and sometimes overwhelming rate. We find Satan hard at work attacking the young and old alike, for he knows his time is short, and he is not holding anything back. The church and the Saints of God are not exempt from these attacks either; we find a great weakening process developing among the church and a great fallen away of lay and clergyman alike. Where there was once power we now find ceremonial ritual and ecclesiastic order, “A form of Godliness, but denying the power thereof.” But I’m here to tell you today it is not to be so, for God is looking for those who hunger and thirst after righteousness to be filled with His oil and carry the message of the saving and healing power of Jesus Christ to all the world from the utter most to the gutter most. It’s time for the church to come alive again, thou slumbering giant “WAKE UP!” and be filled with His oil, oh that’s right I’m talking about the Holy Ghost, not tongues but more than tongues, I’m talking about being baptized in the Holy Ghost and FIRE!
I. So what is this baptism and filling of the Holy Ghost and Fire?
A. First off John said of Jesus in Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and [with] fire:
1. In the book of Acts we see that this very word regarding the baptism in the Holy Ghost was fulfilled for it says Acts 2:1 ¶ And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. (2) And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. (3) And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. (4) And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
2. In Peters reply to those who looked upon these men as drunkards said in Acts 2:32 This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. (33) Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
3. The very same Spirit that was in Christ was now readily available to the believers for Jesus said in John 14:12 ¶ Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater [works] than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. (13) And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (14) If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do [it]. (15) ¶ If ye love me, keep my commandments. (16) And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; (17) [Even] the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. (18) ¶ I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
4. John 14:26 But the Comforter, [which is] the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (27) Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
B. Many believe that once they are saved they have the Holy Ghost.
1. And they are half right in there thinking for it is by the Spirit we receive Christ as our personal savior for in Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. A person cannot be as Christian without receiving the indwelling of the Spirit; for Jesus said to Nicodemus concerning the New Birth in John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (6) That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
2. But the indwelling and the baptism in the Spirit are different for one is for salvation and the other is the fulness of the power of the Spirit as we have saw in the book of Acts. For even Christ Himself needed to be baptized in the Spirit to begin His ministry as found in the Baptismal scene recorded throughout the Gospels. Even John the Baptist said in John 1:33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.
3. Listen the baptism is still for today because Peter said in Acts 2:38 … Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (39) For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, [even] as many as the Lord our God shall call.
C. With the baptism in the Holy Ghost comes power to become witnesses for Christ.
1. What is this power Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (16) He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (17) And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; (18) They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
2. Luke 10:19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
3. 1 Corinthians 12:6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. (7) But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. (8) For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;( We are in need of wisdom and knowledge in the church and in our on lives for it says of knowledge in Hosea 4:6 ¶ My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. Also it says in James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.) Within the Body of Christ we are finding a greater increase of for lack of a better word “ignorance” of the things of God we find that many are serving the Lord but don’t know why in many ways it is a reminder of what Paul saw in Acts 17:21 (For all the Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.) (22)¶ Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, [Ye] men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. (23) For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. Many in the Church today do not know why they serve and worship the Lord. The alters of there heart read to “TO THE UNKNOWN GOD”. For many they only do what they see others do but this to was addressed by Isaiah 29:13 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near [me] with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: Church if only many would get into the presence of the almighty God and be filled with the fulness of His Spirit they would be able to call Him Abba Father and not the unknown God.
4. Now continuing with the gifts (9) To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; (10) To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another [divers] kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: (11) But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
5. Also a boldness is given unto us not to hang our heads down, but up proclaiming the good news of the Gospel for it was said in Acts 4:31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. It’s time for a shaking of the Saints of God to where see this power again in full operation in the Church.
6. Earlier I mentioned being baptized in the Spirit as more than tongues I said it not to down play the importants of tongues for it is with tongues we gain that direct line to God and is that Turbo boast in our prayer life for it is written Romans 8:26 ¶ Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. (27) And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what [is] the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to [the will of] God.
7. But you see from scripture that the Spirit has more to offer to those that believe than just tongues, but power over the enemy and sickness. We weren’t meant to be weak-kneed saints but true ambassadors of Christ full of power and boldness.
II. Oh but it was meant to be more than power there should also be a change in you. Ephesians 3:16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; (17) That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, (18) May be able to comprehend with all saints what [is] the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; (19) And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. (20) Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
A. That power that worketh in us is enough to change our thinking. The Holy Ghost can change your mind.
1. Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
2. It is here in the mind where many battles take place, it is here where the very thought of sin begins before it is acted upon. That is why we need to let the Holy Spirit change our minds so that we find ourselves not in the very act of sin.
3. The Bible tells us in 2 Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (4) (For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) (5) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
4. Listen it is here where Satan will plague you with your past, but I’m here today to tell you with the power of the Spirit you can boldly say 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. Romans 8:1 ¶ [There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
5. Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (8) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things. When you place your mind into subjection of the Spirit it makes it easier to follow Paul’s instruction to peace of mind and a better attitude cause we sure got a lot of unhappy saints saying that got the victory but looking defeated. It’s time to live in the fulness of joy that only Jesus can give.
6. Listen there is no reason why you should walk around defeated, if you just let the Spirit take control and just resist the devil he will flee. Depression got to go, anxiety out of here, and fear out the back door. What ever it is that is troubling you mentally emotionally or physically know that you have the victory in Christ Jesus for “he who the son sets free is free indeed!”
7. 1 John 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
8. Ephesians 5:18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; (19) Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; (20) Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
B. When you start getting into the fulness of God you start longing for holiness.
1. The Bible tells us in Hebrews 12:14 Follow peace with all [men], and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
2. I’m not talking about the outward adoring of apparel and cosmetics, but an inward renewing of the heart to resist evil and sin.
3. To where we can proclaim 1 Peter 2:9 But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
4. The Bible tells us in Galatians 5:1 ¶ Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Ephesians 6:10 ¶ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
5. Once I got filled with the “FIRE” of God I never could imagine going back on Him, but only forward.
III. Once you’re filled and changed there is a longing to live in the fulness of the Spirit.
A. A desire for the deep things of God for it is written in 1 Corinthians 2:10 But God hath revealed [them] unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. When we are filled with the Spirit and live in the Spirit the deep things are revealed.
1. When your filled with that fulness all you want is God, and you’ll do what ever it takes to get closer to Him if it means sacrifice of time or people your going to do it just to get closer to Him, just like Peter did when Jesus passed by him and told him to follow him he immediately got up and followed no questions asked. Bible says in Psalms 37:23 The steps of a [good] man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
2. Earlier I mentioned to you about the lack of knowledge and wisdom in the children of God. When you are filled with the fulness of God while many are fulfilling the prophecy in 2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; (4) And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. You will seek after the true and living God seeking to please Him following in these words of wisdom Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (6) In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
3. When your filled with that fulness that FIRE of God the way you praise and worship Him is more intimate there is a longing to be closer to the Father when your saved by the Son and baptized in the Spirit. John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. (24) God [is] a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship [him] in spirit and in truth.
4. His word will always be on your lips and heart, for it is your life source and your instructions to righteousness and FULNESS in God. It is here where through knowledge and wisdom you gain a more intimate knowledge of Lord learning to know Him to the point where you can say “thy thoughts be mine and your ways my ways”. Cause the Word is your bread of life and we know that in Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
5. When filled what ever your doing your doing it to Glorify God it’s not just words that you speak but it’s a light that shines that bears witness that you are with God. While others live up to Matthew 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with [their] lips; but their heart is far from me. You are a true reflection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
B. In the fulness you become more of a witness as we saw in the commissioning act found in Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
1. When you got the FULNESS of the Spirit and that FIRE you can’t help but tell people about Jesus.
CONCLUSION: Lastly when you’re so filled up with the Spirit you desire to be as Christ for the very title Christian means to be Christ Like. Your not going to be like every one else or talk like every one else cause you seek to be as Christ. Let me show you something this TV here represents Christians today you know that it’s suppose to do more than be a decorative piece and just take up space. Oh but what is this power cord I wonder what will happen when this cord gets plugged into the POWER. It starts showing images its doing what its suppose to do, you see this represents a Christian plugged into the power of the Holy Ghost cause you can then do your job and show forth the very image of Christ and it helps you to know Jesus in a more personal way cause you can then proclaim that Jesus is our…
“Alpha and omega, the first and last, beginning and end” Revelation 22:13,
The great “I AM” John 8:58,
The “Living One” Rev. 1:18,
He is “Lord” Acts 2:36,
“Righteous One” Acts 3:14,
“Son of God” Romans 1:4,
“Son of the Most High” Luke 1:32,
“True Light” John 1:9,
“The Rock” 1 Corinthians 10:4,
“Word of God” John 1:1,
“Chief Shepherd” 1Peter 5:4,
“Christ/Messiah” Matt. 16:16,
“Faithful Witness” Rev.1: 5,
“Head of the Church” Col. 1:18,
“High Priest” Hebrews 3:1,
“Immanuel” Matt. 1:23,
“King of the Jews” Matt.27: 37,
“Lamb of God” John 1:29,
“Last Adam” 1 Cor. 15:45,
“Lion of Judah” Rev. 5:5,
“Mediator” 1 Tim. 2:5,
“Prince” Acts 5:31,
“Rabbi” John 1:38,
“Root and offspring of David” Rev. 22:16,
“Savior” Titus 1:4,
“Son of man” Luke 19:10,
“Son of David” Matt. 20:30,
“The Bread of Life” John 6:35,
“The Gate” John 10:7,
“The Good Shepherd” John 10:11,14,
“The Light of the World” John 8:12,
“The Resurrection and the life” John 11:25,
“The True Vine” John 15:1,
“The Way, the Truth, and the Life” John 14:6
“He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords, He is the Bright and Morning Star and HE IS OUR HOLY GHOST BAPTIZER. IF YOUR NOT ON YOUR FEET PRAISING GOD YOU BETTER GET UP!
