What Does it Mean to Be Filled With The Holy Spirit?

What Does it Mean to Be Filled With The Holy Spirit? Ephesians 5:15-21 July 18, 2021 Review o “The Holy Spirit” – is the 3rd person of our Triune God. We have one God who is three persons. [Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 1:2] o “Spirit” – in Hebrew word is “ruach”, which means “wind” or “breath” and often points to the divine energy and power that can only be of and from God. In Greek the word is “pneuma”, which also means “wind, breath, or air”; the invisible force of the Lord’s power at work. The Big Idea: When we become Christians, The Holy Spirit comes into our lives and we are sealed (claimed and secured by God for His purposes). This is a one-time work of the Holy Spirit. Being filled with the Holy Spirit, on the other hand, means to be controlled in our entire being by the Lord in that moment. There is one incoming and indwelling of the Spirit, but many fillings. Ephesians 5:15–21 (ESV) 15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 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. Keys to Understanding how to “be filled with the Spirit” 1. It is a command (an imperative), therefore it is an expectation of the Lord for His people. 2. It is “plural” – therefore the filling of the Spirit is for all Christians, not just some 3. It is present tense – “keep on being filled” – so it is both an experience that should be a daily part of our lives and it is imminently repeatable. 4. The verb is passive, which means we cannot do it to ourselves, it something which the Lord does to us. Our part is to desire it, pray for it, believe it by faith, and allow it by submission to the will of God in that moment. 5. Think of “being filled with” as being controlled by … my mind, my emotions, my will, my actions – all under the Spirit’s control. PUTTING INTO OUR LIVES: ü Have you repented of Sin and come to faith in Jesus as your Savior and Lord? If so, the Holy Spirit has come to permanently live in you. [Romans 8:9] ü There is one indwelling [baptism] of the Spirit, but many fillings of the Spirit. [Acts 2:38; Ephesians 5:18] ü The reason we need to daily pray for the filling of the Holy Spirit is that “we leak.” ü We cannot rely on yesterday’s filling of the Spirit or yesterday’s empowering by the Spirit, any more than we can live on yesterday’s meals. ü We are filled with the Holy Spirit just as we are saved – by faith. [Colossians 2:6] ü Question: If you are a Christian, will you humbly repent of your self-reliance and ask the Lord to fill you (control you) in all things for His Glory in this day? ü “The question is not, ‘Do I have all of the Holy Spirit? The question is, ‘Does the Holy Spirit have all of me?’” – D.L. Moody