Ephesians Part 10 | Filled with the Spirit

Scriptures:

Ephesians 5:8–20 NKJV

8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 14 Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.” 15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

I. Walking in Light

Ephesians 5:8 NKJV

8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light

Paul is telling the Ephesians that they were once in darkness. They had a lack of understanding of the spiritual world around them and the negative effects of the kingdom of darkness. However, the believers life should naturally produce the fruit of the Spirit.

We  have a choice how we live.

          a. Wisdom = fearing God and accountability

           b. Immaturity, surrendering to the sensual and victim mentality ( Began with Adam and Eve)

The base of decision making for the believer is guided by how we view God and his Authority in our lives.  Our outcomes are affected from the trajectory of the decisions we make that guide our outcomes.

At first, our perception was veiled. We were trapped by a perverted perspective. Paul calls its darkness.  A life that is opposed to what pleases God and causes us to live in the shadows.

It causes us to hide our lives because we know down deep that we are living in a way that does not give glory to our creator. We become trapped in a prison of shame because we CHOOSE to live our way and not God’s.

Paul tells us God has given us a reset. We can live Holy. We no longer have to live in the shadows “where the wild things are”.

Paul is telling us we no longer have to live in the shadows!! 

Vs 10. We walk as children of light by pursuing the will of God. He says we are to avoid the fruitless deeds of darkness. . Any activity or lifestyle or environment that would become a conducive atmosphere for sinful behavior.

Ephesians 5:11 NKJV

11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.

Vs. 11 When we keep silent about sin, it can be misconstrued as approval. The believer is never to be an ally or aligned with sin. They are to expose it and avoid on every turn.Live a life that exposes the darkness. Live in such a way that you don’t have to hide. The way we live should be in stark contrast to the practices of darkness.

II. Times is Winding Up

Ephesians 5:15 NKJV

15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise,

Paul is sending a sobering message. “You don’t have as much time as you think. Make good choices.”

III. Be filled with the Spirit

Ephesians 5:18 NKJV

18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,

◄ 4137. pléroó ►Lexiconpléroó: To fill, to make full, to complete, to fulfill

Original Word: πληρόω Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: pléroó Pronunciation: play-ro'-o Phonetic Spelling: (play-ro'-o) KJV: accomplish, X after, (be) complete, end, expire, fill (up), fulfil, (be, make) full (come), fully preach, perfect, supply  NASB: fulfill, fulfilled, filled, made full, completed, fill, made complete Word Origin: [from G4134 (πλήρης - full)] 1. to fully, completely fill 2. (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow) 3. (figuratively) to fully supply, satisfy, execute (an office), finish (a period or task), verify (or coincide with a prediction), etc.

TO BE: filled with something indicates that one is incomplete or empty on the inside. To be filled indicates that God’s presence and His power are made manifest in our lives. Paul is letting us know the way to overcome is to be filled with the spirit. Paul is letting us know not to waste our time on short-lived highs that leave us empty on the inside and be filled with the Spirit that gives us long lasting results

Long lasting Peace

Long lasting Joy

The temporary nature of wine represents the temporary and fleeting pleasures of the flesh.

Our lives should be lives above reproach.

Be Fillied: Being filled means the the Spirit empowers us to live a life the glorifies God! When we are under the spirit’s power, transformation will occur. This causes transformation in thought, emotion and action.

Be submitted: Our wills must be surrendered Romans 12:1 to the spirit. We must submit continually . In 1 Cor 15:31 Paul lets us know he constantly facing danger but yet still submitting to the call of the gospel because it is God’s will for his life.

Be Empowered: The Spirit gives us power for service. He gives us power to witness. Acts 1:8. He also gives us the power to live holy Galatians 5:16, He helps us in our weakness Romans 8:26-27, Ephesians 3:16

Be Fruitful: The presence of Holy Spirit will affect our patterns of behavior and therefore ultimately shape our character as a result. Galatians 5:22-23

Be Guided: Holy Spirit Guides our daily lives and helps us to minister and preach the gosepl John 14:26

Be Consistent: The infilling of Holy Spirit is a continual process. It is not a “one and done” Ephesians 5:18

Romans 12:1 NKJV

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

1 Corinthians 15:31 NKJV

31 I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

Acts 1:8 NKJV

8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Galatians 5:16 NKJV

16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

Romans 8:26–27 NKJV

26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Ephesians 3:16 NKJV

16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man,

Galatians 5:22–23 NKJV

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

John 14:26 NKJV

26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

Ephesians 5:18 NKJV

18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,