49-39 Spirit-Controlled Living--Pt 3.
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Ephesians 5:18-21
Ephesians 5:18-21
Scripture Reading Gal 5:16-23
Studying Eph has been enriching and rewarding as we find ourselves being established in the truth. Today we are going to conclude our study of being filled with the Spirit; next week begin a series on God’s purpose for the family. If you want your family to be everything God has designed (and the blessedness of encountering God’s purpose for it); you’re going to want to join us for that series. God’s Word (especially Eph) has much to say about husbands, wives and children how each can fulfill God’s designed purpose in the family.
This morning—return to Paul’s instruction: 5:18
Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations 3091 Cat and Dog Test
Hudson Taylor said: “If your father and mother, your sister and brother, if the very cat and dog in the house, are not happier for your being Christian, it is a question whether you really are.”
Hudson Taylor said: “If your father and mother, your sister and brother, if the very cat and dog in the house, are not happier for your being Christian, it is a question whether you really are.”
One of the clearest evidences of the authenticity of the Xn faith is the remarkable change that it produces in the lives of those who put their trust in LJC. I would suspect that even the pets in your home would be happier as you live out your Xn faith. But it is noteworthy that there is a vast difference of experiences in the daily lives of Xns.
The Bible marks a distinction b/t “spiritual” and “carnal” (1 Cor 2:9-3:4); those who walk worthy of the Lord and those who walk after the manner of men (1 Cor 3:3; Col 1:10); those who walk by the Spirit and those who carry out the deeds of the flesh.
What marks these diverse distinctions relates to the working of the HS—and significantly whether one is “being filled with the Spirit.” What is truly remarkable is that even the immature, young, new believer may experience the fullness of the ministry of the Spirit when they are filled with Him.
Last time we looked briefly at 4 particular areas of HS ministry toward those who are saved (indwelling, baptism, sealing and filling). All are connected but the filling of the HS is different from the others. Those all happen at the moment of conversion and never commanded to be sought after. The filling, as Paul mentions is a command; in the present tense (continually be filled) and passive indicating we do not fill ourselves with the HS but allow ourselves to be filled, to be under the total control of the Spirit in every area of our lives.
1. The Meaning of Being Filled
1. The Meaning of Being Filled
The word “be filled” πληρόω (range of meanings) to fill up, to cause to abound, to furnish, to bring to fullness or completion, to supply liberally, to flood, to diffuse thruout. In Gk lit used several ways that bring a fuller understanding of what it means to be filled with HS.
Influence: The wind fills the sail of a ship and thus exerts its controlling influence on it. To be filled by the HS similarly is to be moved along by Him—in the same way the ship is free to be move by the wind (not anchored)—the Xn then allows the HS to move in the direction He desires.
for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
Permeation—the term was used of salt that permeated meat and had the impact of flavoring and preservation.
Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
By HS, the Xn who is filled, is thoroughly permeated with God Himself so that everything we think, say, do reflects the divine presence in you.
Control: a final way is someone who is under the total control of; say an emotion.
“But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.
They were all struck with astonishment and began glorifying God; and they were filled with fear, saying, “We have seen remarkable things today.”
But they themselves were filled with rage, and discussed together what they might do to Jesus.
The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch.
But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land?
These people were under the control of whatever was dominating them (not under his own control). This is the primary sense that helps us understand what it means to be filled with the Spirit—under the total control of HS (contrast to drunk with wine).
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of the people,
And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.
“Therefore, brethren, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.
The statement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch.
But being full of the Holy Spirit, he gazed intently into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God;
Acts 9:17 (NASB95) (Paul’s entire ministry)
So Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 11:24 (NASB95) (Barnabas)
for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord.
Acts 13:52 (NASB95) Paul & Barnabas
And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
There is something about these biblical examples that helps us recognize how it is that the HS controls the believer. John Walvoord “Every historic instance of the filling of the Spirit illustrates the principle that only Christians yielded to God are filled.”
Unless you are yielded (like the boat anchored doesn’t move—resists the wind in its sail); the HS cannot fill you in the Eph 5:18 sense.
2. The Conditions for Being Filled
2. The Conditions for Being Filled
A. Do not Quench the Spirit
A. Do not Quench the Spirit
Do not quench the Spirit;
The term for “quench” is sometimes used literally of putting out a fire. Mk 9:44-48 speaks of the fire of eternal hell which can in no way be extinguished (case for everlasting torment of those who reject LJC). Jesus speaks of the parable of the virgins (5 foolish) whose lamps went out b/c they were not prepared.
In a fig. sense it means to stifle or suppress. That is how Paul is referring the believer’s response to the activity of the HS (not suppressing His activity) by being fully yielded to Him, not resisting or opposing His will. When you understand the HS is God…then you recognize He has the right to rule and the proper response is to surrender your own will to His.
You can’t be filled with the HS if you are quenching Him.
B. Do not Grieve the Spirit
B. Do not Grieve the Spirit
Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
The testimony of Scripture is that the Spirit of God is holy and He is a person. Because of the indwelling of He who is holy, the believer becomes the temple of the living God. As a result, the presence of sin always grieves the HS since it is contrary to His own nature and His activity in the life of the believer.
Grieving the Spirit may begin by quenching the Spirit—not following His leading and unyielding to His will. All sin produces a loss of spiritual fellowship and power that has become the activity of the HS. It grieves Him. Now, in the provision of God, there is a remedy to grieving the Spirit that we may return to a condition of being filled: Confession & Repentance.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
This instruction is found in the midst of a discussion of the basis of our fellowship with God (1Jn 1:5-2:2). This confession is for the believer and comes with the promise of forgiveness of sin (b/c it has already been dealt with at the cross) and the further promise to cleanse from unrighteousness/returning as it were to the very sanctifying ministry of God’s Spirit in you.
C. Walk by the Spirit
C. Walk by the Spirit
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
It is important to recognize that the source of all righteous living by the Xn is the HS. You cannot live the Xn life apart from the divine enabling that marks the power of the Spirit. Paul is fond of the imagery of walking (by the Spirit; other places: in love, as light, wisdom; worthy). One reason I think he uses it is b/c it implies progress: going from where you are to where you need to be. The HS takes you step by step to where God desires you to be. That is what it means to walk—and again, when this condition is being met you cannot carry out the desires of the flesh. The Spirit and the flesh stand in conflict to each other and the HS constantly battles the ways of the flesh which tempt and seduce the believer. When you obediently follow the God’s Spirit, you will find the reality that Spirit conquers that flesh and its desires are not fulfilled in you—but rather righteousness is the result.
Now these 3 conditions must be met if you are to be filled…to be under the total control; total domination of God’s HS. And when you are there are remarkable (amazing) results: Indications that you are being filled.
3) Indications of Being Filled
3) Indications of Being Filled
Walvoord in The Holy Spirit identifies some overall results: progressive sanctification, teaching, guidance, assurance, worship, prayer and service. He says “obviously a life empowered and directed by the HS will evince a distinct quality of spiritual life.” When a person is drunk, under the influence of alcohol—they demonstrate predictable behavior. In a similar way; believers who are under the influence/control of HS will live in a way that represents the desires of the Spirit.
Paul expresses 3 specific indications that you are being filled by the Spirit:
A. Your conversation promotes worship
“Speaking to one another...” underscores the blessed and rich fellowship among the saints. Here we are, living our Xn lives together for the promotion of God’s glory in the world (1 Cor 10:31). As you are filled with the Spirit your conversations with one another will include elements that promote our worship of God—psalms, hymns, spiritual songs. Paul is not expressing his theology of “church music” but you should be careful to note that God takes pleasure in a great variety of music when it honors Him. We try to navigate this hot button issue at CCC with great care, being concerned not to offend or put a stumbling block before a brother or sister. Songs that are sung by the congregation should not promote anything but the love/adoration we have for God, Christ, His grace and our commitment to His truth.
Though Paul is not addressing what happens in corporate worship, outside of those times, being filled with the Spirit will encourage the worship of God even when one-on-one. That should be the nature of your conversations. The HS will control them in 3 ways: outward (to one another); inward (within your heart); upward (to the Lord).
B. Your reaction to external circumstances demonstrates complete trust
vs20— “always giving thanks...”
Thankfulness is a trait of those who have been redeemed while thanklessness is trait of unregenerate heart. The account of Jesus healing 10 lepers in Luke 17:11-19 reveals what is the common prideful response to any gift or blessing: ingratitude (only 1 returned to give thanks).
Giving thanks has the definition “to be under obligation”. From root chara “to rejoice” or to show favor developed into the idea of the duty/obligation to show favor—then appreciation for blessings and benefits that come to you by another.
The proud heart thinks it deserves the best in everything and that life should be free from trouble/trials. Paul is aware that when the HS has control over the believer they will offer thanksgiving even in the midst of difficult times.
The Occasions For Giving Thanks
“always” paints the picture of the life under domination of God’s Spirit living in a realm of continual gratitude for blessings and benefits. And why wouldn’t that be the case for Xn? When a sinner comes to the Lord, he is under the greatest obligation to show a heart of gratitude for everything God has done (so he’ll live with the mindset that God should be thanked continually).
The Extent of Giving Thanks
“For all things...” Paul understood the importance of giving thanks:
for believers in general who shared with him the grace of God in salvation
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world.
I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus,
We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater;
do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers;
For deliverance from the body of sin
Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin.
but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
For spreading of God’s grace
For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God.
God providing for needs of saints
For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God.
for indescribable gift
Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!
for joy of Xn fellowship
For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God on your account,
For strength in the Lord
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service,
Not an exhaustive list but you should also recognize that giving of thanks should be rendered even for those things not so pleasant. It is easy to be thankful when all is well. But under adverse, undesirable circumstances—this too is cause for giving (you lost a job, diagnosed with terminal illness, untimely death of friends or family, difficult decisions to be made, hardships of living in cursed world—and 1000s of burdens that you face in life). “for all things” is what sets you apart from the world which cannot give thanks when times get difficult. We can b/c of the direction/object of thanksgiving:
The Object of Giving Thanks
To God…When you have a firm understanding of the character of God; then under the control of the HS you will give thanks to Him.
If you doubt that He is good and is working His perfect plan and purpose for you thru sovereign control over all circumstances (you will withhold the giving of thanks):
Rom 8 28 “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
No matter what happens in life, all things will turn into ultimate blessing as God works for His glory.
C. Your interaction with other believers displays humility
“be subject” Another indication of the HS filling is our submission to one another rather than being self-assertive. “be subject” Gk hupotasso “to line up under, to rank under” is a military term of subordination. Any military would suffer collapse if it didn't’ have order/chain of command. This is what eliminates the independent, autocratic spirit. The purpose of this mutual submission will be illustrated in the following vv of Eph and what we will spend some considerable time studying as it relates to the family next time.
God wants total control of your life. He wants you to be everything that He intended by imparting to you the grace which brought you eternal life. For that reason He put His Spirit in every believer and the church then becomes a portrait of grace to show the world the depth of His love. We are no more prepared to show that love than when we have yielded total control to the HS—be filled with the Spirit.
