…..be filled with the Spirit.
Eph 5:18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
Introduction
• (We might have expected the apostle to plead for abstinence as over against intemperance. But he takes a more startling and positive line. He urges his readers to draw on the reinvigorating resources of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit produces a genuine exhilaration others vainly seek from alcohol)
• The Greek present tense used here rules out any once-for-all reception of the Spirit but points to a continuous replenishment (lit., "go on being filled").
• Today 3 questions to be answered in this Sermon:
a) Was Jesus filled with the Spirit? – For he is the one who gave the promise of being filled with the Holy Spirit
b) Does every Christian have to be filled with the Spirit?
c) How far does it affect (have an effect on) my life?
a) Was Jesus filled with the Spirit? – For he is the one who gave the promise of being filled with the Holy Spirit -
Lk 24:49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
• Lk 3:21 When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened
Lk 3:22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove.
• Lk 4:1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert,
Lk 4:2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil.
o The preparation for ministry took place under the fullness of the Spirit
o Fullness of the Spirit enabled Jesus to build up a Character of Obedience to God
• Lk 4:18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed, Lk 4:19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
o Jesus acknowledged that his ministry was possible due to the infilling & empowerment of the holy spirit
o He confirmed it during the performance of his ministry – cf.
Mt 12:28 But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
b) Does every Christian have to be filled with the Spirit?
• “Yes”
• The imperative “be filled” makes it clear that this is a command for all Christians
• Book of Acts shows 2 aspects to this:
o To be filled with the Spirit is seen as a quality of life that should Characterizes all Christian
o Those filled with the Spirit are given an anointing for special challenges and ministry:
Ac 6:3 Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them
This shows there were anomalous in Christians – who were not filled with the Spirit
But it is not the norm!
c) How far does it affect my life
• Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep a step with the Spirit (NIV)
• 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit. (NRSV)
• “Live by the Spirit” The Holy Spirit Governs Ministry & Behaviour
• That’s why You get “Gifts of the Spirit & the fruit of the Spirit” ! Corinthians 12 & Galatians 5: 22,23
• “Gifts” – One will not have all
• “Fruit” – One must have all
Gifts of the Spirit
1Co 12:4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.
1Co 12:5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.
1Co 12:6 There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.
1Co 12:7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
1Co 12:8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit,
1Co 12:9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit,
1Co 12:10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.
1Co 12:11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.
Fruit of the Spirit
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
• Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Conclusion
• There can’t be a Christian who is not filled with the Spirit of God
• If you are filled with the Spirit you must have “ministry gifts” and “the fruit” running parallel together.
