SF835 - THE FULLNESS OF THE SPIRIT - 3 of 9 THE POWER OF PENTECOST (Acts 2 4)
Acts 2:4
Introduction
Series background
The Promise of the Spirit
The Advent of the Spirit
The Fullness of the Spirit
The meaning of the word
The Greek word pleroma translated “fullness or filled” suggests the picture of a Greek warship which contained three ranks of rowers. When the ship was fully equipped with rowers it was “pleroma.”
The idea in the original is to make complete. Without the fullness of the Holy Spirit we are incomplete.
In the Acts of the Apostles, the word “full” (as related to the Holy Spirit) occurs many times.
There is such a condition as the fullness of the Spirit.
This is not an issue of quantity but control; we do not need more of the Holy Spirit we must surrender completely to Him.
As we study these passages, we are compelled to think of three vital aspects of this fullness.
1A. The Fullness of the Spirit is Essential for Every Christian (2:4)
The fullness of the Holy Spirit is to be the initial and continual experience of each individual believer, as well as of the church as a whole.
1B. God’s Word Commands the Fullness of the Spirit
Ephesians 5:18 (NKJV) 18And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,
Jesus instructed His disciples to wait until the Holy Spirit came.
Luke 24:49 (NKJV) 49Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”
Jesus modeled a Spirit filled (controlled) life
Ø From the beginning until the end
Luke 3:22 (NKJV) 22And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.”
2B. Christ’s Work Demands the Fullness of the Spirit (1:8)
We must be filled in order to proclaim Christ
Acts 4:8 (NKJV) 8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit…
We must be filled in order the stand for Christ
Acts 7:55 (NKJV) 55But he (Stephen), being full of the Holy Spirit…
We must be filled in order to minister for Christ
Acts 11:24 (NKJV) 24For he (Barnabas) was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.
2A. The Fullness of the Holy Spirit can be Experienced by Every Christian (2:4)
A careful examination of Acts 1 and 2 makes it plain that there were three steps into the experience of the fullness of the Spirit.
1B. There must be the Proper Preparation (2:1)
We must have a submissive attitude (1:14, 2:1)
We must have a surrendered walk (1:12-14)
2B. There must be a Sustained Supplication (1:14)
James 5:16-18 (NKJV) 16Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. 17Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. 18And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.
3B. There will be an Informed Expectation (2:1,4)
Matthew 21:22 (NKJV) 22And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”
James 1:6 (NKJV) 6But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
3A. The Fullness of the Holy Spirit will be Evidenced in the Life of the Christian (2:4)
1B. A Boldness to Speak for Christ
Acts 4:31 (NKJV) 31And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
This word “boldness” occurs repeatedly throughout the pages of Luke’s record. It is used with special frequency in connection with Peter, who only a few weeks before had shamefully denied his Lord. This in and of itself demonstrates the miraculous change that takes place when the Holy Spirit fills a life.
2B. A Joyfulness to Sing for Christ
Acts 2:46 - 2:47 (NKJV) 46So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
3B. A Holiness to Shine for Christ
Ø Peter and John were so full of the Holy Spirit that even their critics “realized that they had been with Jesus.” (4:13).
Ø And it is recorded that Stephen was “a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit.…and all that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel” (6:5, 15).
Ø Here was the indwelling Christ, shone from the face of his follower with what the Psalmist calls “the beauty of holiness” (Psalm 29:2).
Ø This comes only when we are filled with the Holy Spirit.
4B. A Willingness to Sacrifice for Christ
Acts 4:31, 32, 34, 35 (NKJV) 31And …they were all filled with the Holy Spirit…32Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common… 34Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.
Ø During times of revival, financial and material problems in the church will end.
Ø When we are in financial need we ought to pray not only for money, but that Christians, may be filled with the Holy Spirit.
5B. A Readiness to Serve for Christ
Acts 6:3 (NKJV) 3Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;
Ø How solemn and challenging it is to realize that no service done for Christ without the fullness of the Holy Spirit amounts to anything.
Ø God has only promised to bless that which has the breath of the Spirit upon it.
6B. A Steadfastness to Stand for Christ
Acts 4:8 (NKJV) 8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel:
Acts 4:20 (NKJV) 20For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”
Acts 5:29 (NKJV) 29But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.
7B. A Yieldedness to Suffer for Christ
Acts 7:60 (NKJV) 60Then he (Stephen) knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Application
We have seen the sevenfold evidence of what happens when a man or a woman is filled with the Spirit of God; and the best of it is that this essential, experimental and evidential fullness of the Spirit is for you and for me.
This is no special blessing for a selective or exclusive group of people, it is the inheritance to be claimed by all who are born of the Spirit.
The Scriptures make it crystal clear that those who are begotten of the Spirit are heirs to the blessing of the Spirit, even His glorious fullness.
THE FULLNESS OF THE SPIRIT
The Power of Pentecost – Part 3 of 9
Sunday, June 6, 1999 - Acts 2:4
1A. The Fullness of the Spirit is __________________ for Every Christian (2:4)
1B. God’s Word ________________ the Fullness of the Spirit
Ephesians 5:18 (NKJV) 18And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,
Jesus instructed His disciples to ___________ until the Holy Spirit came. (Luke 24:49)
Jesus _________________ a Spirit filled (controlled) life (Luke 3:22)
2B. Christ’s Work ____________________ the Fullness of the Spirit (1:8)
We must be filled in order to ______________ Christ (Acts 4:8)
We must be filled in order the _________________ for Christ (Acts 7:55)
We must be filled in order to ___________________ for Christ (Acts 11:24)
2A. The Fullness of the Holy Spirit can be _____________________ by Every Christian (2:4)
1B. There must be the Proper ________________ (2:1)
2B. There must be a Sustained ______________ (1:14)
James 5:16-18 (NKJV) 16Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. 17Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. 18And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.
3B. There will be an Informed _____________ (2:1,4)
Matthew 21:22 (NKJV) 22And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”
James 1:6 (NKJV) 6But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
3A. The Fullness of the Holy Spirit will be Evidenced in the Life of the Christian (2:4)
1B. A Boldness to ____________ for Christ (Acts 4:31)
2B. A Joyfulness to ___________ for Christ (Acts 2:46-47)
3B. A Holiness to Shine for Christ (Acts 4:13; 6:5,15; Psalms 29:2)
4B. A Willingness to ________________ for Christ (Acts 4:31, 32, 34, 35)
5B. A Readiness to ____________ for Christ (Acts 6:3)
6B. A Steadfastness to ___________ for Christ (Acts 4:8)
7B. A Yieldedness to ___________ for Christ (Acts 7:60)