Distinctions of Discipleship (sermon 4)

The Distinction of Being Filled with The Spirit

Ephesians 5:18–21 ESV

18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Quaynar Thomas & Family

Mother Betty Williams

Diana Risby

Food for the Family

Thursday, October 8, 2020 @ 1330hrs

Church parking lot

(Look to see who is back from illness)

Introduction:

The filling of the Spirit is arguably the most controversial, divisive, and misunderstood ministry of the Holy Spirit. Ask any Christian what it means to be filled with the Spirit. The answer may reflect ignorance, fear, speculation, fanaticism, or indifference. Why is there so much confusion about Spirit-­‐‑infilling? Two reasons: NO TEACHING AND WRONG TEACHING. But I do not want to argue doctrinal theories. The point of this message is simple, practical, and life-­‐‑changing: You must be filled with the Spirit to be a devoted, growing, and fruitful Christian.

I. The Contrast to Being Filled With The Spirit (v.18a)

Ephesians 5:18a ESV

18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,

Paul makes a contrast between the wine and drunkeness with the infilling of the spirit.

- Drunkeness

- it is debauchery- denotes ‘wastefulness reckless, it is that which means to be out of the character of salvation, It is that which contradicts salvation.

The word is used three times in the New Testament. In Titus 1:6, Paul says the elders of the church should have children who are “not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination.” 1 Peter 4:4 says: “With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you." Ephesians 5:18 says, “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery.”

Dionysius: the greek god of wine. They would rise and elevate to a level of communion with these so called gods through drunkeness wine

Christians should not get drunk or engage in anything that contradicts our salvation. Paul is not preaching about alcohol he is teaching about the character of the disciple who is filled with the spirit.

- worldly control

- The influence of wine causes one to lose control

-drunkeness of power

pride

selfishness

hatred

arrogance

Verse 18 ends by telling us how to avoid, resist, and overcome the things that contradict our salvation: “Be filled with the Spirit.”

II. The Command To Be Filled (v.18b)

Ephesians 5:18b ESV

18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,

- Being filled is a command to every disciple to live under the influence of the Spirit. He did not say fill yourself. The command is to be filled, meaning we are to avail ourselves so that we can be filled by God. He fills us. We don't fill ourselves.

- - It is not some emotional expression

- - It is not some momentary spell

To be filled with the spirit is a way of life for those who have become saved. We often refer to it as being spiritual.

Galatians 6:1 ESV

1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.

- The spirit must have control of every facet of your life

- It means to be influenced completely by the spirit

ILLUS: A group of pastors planned a citywide evangelistic campaign. The pastors favorably discussed the possibility of inviting D.L. MOODY to be the speaker. But one young preacher complained, “From the way some of you talk, you would think Mr. Moody had a monopoly on the Holy Spirit.” “No,” another pastor replied, “Mr. Moody does not have a monopoly on the Spirit. But the Holy Spirit has a monopoly on Mr. Moody!”

Application: Does the spirit have monopoly of your life. Are you directed by the Holy Spirit?

III. The Characteristics of Being Filled (v.19-21)

Ephesians 5:19–21 ESV

19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

- The Spirit Filled are Worshipers (v.19)

Ephesians 5:19 ESV

19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,

Being filled with the Spirit will put a song in your heart. But that song will not be for you. Spirit-­‐ filled worship “addresses one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.” Spirit-­filled people do not sing to display their talents

God is the subject and object of true worship. But it must be with a sincere heart. It does not matter how beautiful your voice is. God is not pleased if your singing does not come from the overflow of a heart that is filled with the Spirit.

-The Spirit Filled are Thankful (v.20)

Ephesians 5:20 ESV

20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

* A second characteristic of Spirit-­‐‑infilling is in verse 20: “giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Notice the subtle affirmation of the holy Trinity in this verse: by the filling of God the Holy Spirit, we are to give thanks to God the Father in the name of God the Son. Giving thanks is an essential mark of the Spirit-­‐‑filled life. Complaining, grumbling, whining, cussing and fussing people are not filled with the Spirit. Spirit-­‐‑filled people are grateful people. Their gratitude is not reserved for good days, favorable circumstances, or special occasions. Spirit-­‐‑filled people thank God unceasingly: “always.” Psalm 34:1 say: “I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Spirit-­‐‑filled people also thank God unconditionally: “for everything.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 exhorts: “give thanks in all circumstances.” But Ephesians 5:20 says give thanks for everything! The only way to give thanks for everything is to believe Romans 8:28: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

- The Spirit Filled are Submissive (v.21)

Ephesians 5:21 ESV

21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

The word for “submitting” is a military term. It is the picture of soldiers lining up under a commanding officer.

Paul uses it here to tell us that Spirit-­‐‑filled people do not fight for position, politic for leadership, or insist on their rights.

Spirit-­‐‑filled people are unselfish people who know how to submit to one another.

This is the law of kingdom authority: To get over what the Lord has put under you, you must get under what the Lord has put over you. Spirit-­ filled Christians practice mutual submission “out of reverence for Christ.” We do not submit to others because they are necessarily better than we are. It has nothing to do with them. We submit for Christ’s sake!

ILLUS: A little boy asked his mother, “Is it true that God is so big that he is everywhere at the same time?” “Yes,” she replied, “God is everywhere.” “And is it true that God lives in our hearts?” “Yes, son, that’s true. He lives in the heart of every Christian.” That led to one more question. “Well, mom, if God is so big, and he lives in us, wouldn’t he show through?” This is what it means to be filled with the Spirit.

Application: Does the spirit show through?

Conclusion:

YOU MAY BUILD GREAT CATHEDRALS LARGE OR SMALL,

YOU CAN BUILD SKYSCRAPERS GRAND AND TALL,

YOU MAY CONQUER ALL THE FAILURES OF THE PAST,

BUT ONLY WHAT YOU DO FOR CHRIST WILL LAST.

YOU MAY SEEK EARTHLY POWER AND FAME,

THE WORLD MIGHT BE IMPRESSED BY YOUR GREAT NAME,

SOON THE GLORIES OF THIS LIFE WILL ALL BE PAST,

BUT ONLY WHAT YOU DO FOR CHRIST WILL LAST.

THOUGH YOUR ARMIES MAY CONTROL EACH HEMISPHERE,

AND YOUR ORBITS OUT IN SPACE CAUSE MEN TO CHEER,

YOUR SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE MAY BE VAST,

BUT ONLY WHAT YOU DO FOR CHRIST WILL LAST.

THOUGH YOUR SONG AND PRAYERS ARE HEARD AND PRAISED BY MAN,

THEY'VE NO MEANING UNLESS YOU'VE BEEN BORN AGAIN,

SINNER, HEED THESE WORDS, DON'T LET THIS HARVEST PASS,

FOR ONLY WHAT YOU DO FOR CHRIST WILL LAST.