Spirit filled

What is the greatest need we have here at Hope Mills Methodist? Is it more people? Is it more money? Is it a better Pastor? Is it a youth program? More missions?

If we were to go around the room asking everyone what we needed here, the answers would be as varied as the number of people present in the service.

Therefore, I will tell you what I think we need since I have the floor. It isn't any of the things I mentioned! This morning, we need the medicine Paul prescribes in these verses to the church in Ephesus.

The answer is the Holy Spirit of God! Only through the power of the Holy Spirit can we walk in harmony as husbands and wives, parents and children, and employers and employees.

To be filled with the Spirit is God’s command, and He expects us to obey it. This isn’t liking going to the gas station and filling up our tanks; we don’t do the filling ourselves, but we permit the Spirit to fill us.

In the Bible, filled means “controlled by.” To be filled with the Spirit means constantly controlled by the Spirit in our mind, emotions, and will.

Many of you know that you’ve been saved, sealed, and indwelt by the Holy Spirit, but you’ve never really gotten the hang of or understood being Spirit-filled. You have faith, but push it around instead of allowing it to carry you through life.

If you and I are going to experience the fullness of the Christian life, then we must learn how to be filled with the Holy Spirit. It isn’t enough just to be saved. That will get you to Heaven, but unless you are filled with the Spirit, you will have a rough road here below.

Today, let’s look together at the filling of the Spirit and what it means to reach your full potential for God because I want to help you be Spirit-Filled.

REASONS FOR BEING FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT

We are to be filled continuously, consciously, and conspicuously. Until this is a personal reality in your life, you will never be able to fully enjoy, appreciate, or participate in the Christian life. There are several good reasons why we should be Spirit-filled.

First, we are obedient to God because, once again, it is a command from God. The Christian who is not Spirit-filled is in rebellion to God! We are to be filled now and to remain filled forever. The key is that this command is for everyone, not just your spiritual leader or pastor, but also for you.

I’ve found that many Christians focus on the first part of verse 18. Many feel that drunkenness is a tremendous evil. It is a sin, but no more than failing to obey the Lord. I have had more trouble out of Christians who were not Spirit-filled than out of a drunk who was lost!

Spirit-filling is not the privilege of a few; it is the command for all. It is not the abnormal Christian experience but the typical Christian experience! This is a unique privilege that we all share, a divine honor bestowed upon us by our loving God.

Not only do we owe God our obedience in this matter of Spirit-filling, but we also have an obligation to Him. We are obligated to God in every area of our lives. We must strive to be everything we can for His glory; to do this, we must be Spirit-filled!

Our last reason to be spirit-filled is that we have an opportunity before God. The world needs our message and our hope. We have a tremendous opportunity to share the Gospel with a lost world, a divine mission that should inspire and motivate us.

But to take advantage of this great privilege, we must be filled with the Holy Spirit of God.

THE REQUIREMENTS FOR BEING SPIRIT-FILLED

So, we have had reasons to be spirit-filled. What are the requirements for being spirit-filled? The first is conversion. The filling of the Spirit is an exclusive privilege of the redeemed. Step #1 is to receive Jesus into your heart and life!

The second is commitment. It is a commitment to a Person. The Holy Spirit is a person; he wants to be in a relationship with you just like the Father and the Son have a relationship with you. So open all the doors of your life (heart, home, marriage, family, job, finances, etc.) and invite Him to come in and take control of everything. Then yield to Him. Become pliable in his hands.

We are to commit the Spirit of God to live under His influence. The reason Paul used not to be drunk with wine is because being filled with alcohol would influence and control every part of the personality of the intoxicated.

The Spirit, however, will change your walk, talk, courage, power, and everything! But we must allow Him to do His work and keep it a part of our daily lives by total dependence upon Him. A drunk gets there by drinking and stays there by drinking more! For a spirit-filled Christian, you must stay drinking from the water of life.

THE RESULTS OF BEING SPIRIT-FILLED

Once you are filled with the Spirit, you will begin to experience tangible changes. Your interactions with others will transform, and your bond with God will become even more profound. You will feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude and reverence, and a genuine spirit of worship will fill you. Carrying out God’s work will no longer feel like a burden but a source of joy.

Moreover, your relationships with others will undergo a remarkable shift. You will find yourself loving, forgiving, respecting, and serving those around you in a genuine and selfless way. This transformation should fill you with hope and anticipation for the beautiful changes that the Spirit will bring into your life.

Your response to situations will transform. Criticism will no longer be the default reaction; instead, gratitude and thanksgiving will take its place. This will result in God receiving the praise and honor He deserves.

Furthermore, a shift in reality will take place. As described in Galatians 5:22-25, the qualities and characteristics of the Spirit will be prominently displayed in the lives of those filled with the Spirit. This transformation will be evident and aligns with the guidance in Galatians 5:16.

Conclusion

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can live a life of obedience, commitment, and fulfillment. As we embrace the command to be Spirit-filled, we open ourselves to tangible transformations in our relationships, sense of joy, and capacity to carry out God's work.

Let us heed the requirements for being Spirit-filled and witness the remarkable results in our lives. As we continue this journey, may the Holy Spirit guide us to reach our full potential for God and experience the richness of a Spirit-filled life.