Series: Action [#181]
A CHRISTIAN’S CHECKBOOK- BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT
Ephesians 5:18-21
Introduction:
I was reading about the famous Pastor, D.L. Moody, (who was an Evangelist in the 1800’s) and he used a great illustration about being filled with the Holy Spirit that I would like to use this morning. [Hold up a glass.] "How can I get the air out of this glass?" 1 man shouted, "Suck it out with a pump!" Moody replied, "That would create a vacuum and shatter the glass." [Pick up the pitcher of water and fill the glass.] [Say, “All the air is now removed."] Victory in the Christian life is not accomplished by "sucking out a sin here and there"; but by being filled with the Holy Spirit.
In Ephesians 5, Paul tells us to walk in love, walk in the light, walk carefully, and today we will see that we are to be filled with the Spirit. How much control does the Holy Spirit of God have in your life?
Ephesians 5:18
1. Be filled with the Spirit.
The Ephesians struggled with alcoholism just like our country does. Paul used alcohol as the example and said, “Do not get drunk on wine”. “Instead, be filled with the Spirit.” This sermon is not about alcohol consumption; but is about being filled with the Spirit. Before I can tell you what being filled with the Spirit is, I want to tell you about what it is not.
Being filled with the Spirit is not…
* The same as being baptized by the Spirit.
You are baptized by the Spirit when you are saved. There are no additional actions, (such as speaking in tongues) needed.
Being filled with the Spirit is not…
* Some special act of the flesh that gains God’s approval.
There is not some special thing or ritual that you must perform in order to be filled with the Spirit.
Being filled with the Spirit is not…
* The same as being indwelt by the Spirit.
Again, once a person is saved, the Holy Spirit comes into their life.
Being filled with the Spirit is not…
* The same as being sealed or secured by the Spirit.
You are sealed and secure in the Holy Spirit when you are saved.
Christians are never commanded to be sealed, secured, indwelt, or baptized by the Spirit. The only command directed to Christians is to be filled with the Spirit. So, what did Paul mean when he wrote, “be filled with the Spirit”?
Being filled with the Spirit is…
* A command.
This is not optional.
Being filled with the Spirit is…
* For the entire Body of Christ.
None of us is to get drunk and all of us are to be filled with the Spirit.
Being filled with the Spirit is…
* Done by the Holy Spirit.
The New English Bible says, “Let the Holy Spirit fill you.” There is no technique to learn and no formula to recite.
Being filled with the Spirit is…
* To be done continuously.
We need to be continuously filled with the Spirit. How then are Christians filled with the Spirit? To be filled with the Spirit is to be filled with the Word of God. When we are filled with God’s Word, it controls our thinking and action; and we become more under the Spirit’s control. To be filled with the Spirit involves confession of sin and surrender of self.
Ephesians 5:19-21
2. The evidences of being filled with the Spirit.
Evidence of being filled with the Spirit is…
* Fellowship.
Paul says that evidence of being filled with the Spirit is “Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit.” Paul is talking about fellowship in corporate worship. We should love to lift up the name of Jesus in song together.
Evidence of being filled with the Spirit is…
* Worship.
Paul says that evidence of being filled with the Spirit is to, “Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord”. Singing may be a reference to the use of our voices and making music may be a reference to using instruments.
Evidence of being filled with the Spirit is…
* Thankfulness.
Paul says that evidence of being filled with the Spirit is “Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Many Christians complain all of the time; but a Spirit filled believer is thankful for all that God is doing.
Evidence of being filled with the Spirit is…
* Submission.
Paul says that evidence of being filled with the Spirit is to, “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ”. Christians who are filled with the Spirit listen to one another, serve one another, and help one another.
Conclusion:
Let me ask again, “Is the Holy Spirit in control of your life”?
