Being Filled with the Spirit Pt. 4

Filled

 

 

Sunday 09/02/18 

Series: For edification

Message – Being Filled with the Spirit Pt. 4

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Being Filled with the Spirit

Things we’ve learned about ‘Being Filled with the Spirit

  1. Being Filled is to be influence and under the control of the Holy Spirit (led by Him, guided by Him, driven and motivated by Him)
  2. Being Filled leads us to “Speak HIS WORDS”
  3. Being Filled causes us to feel what He feels and respond as he responds.
    1. Baby leaped
    2. Elizabeth rejoiced
    3. Your loved one hurts you, your heart wells up in compassion for them, you love and bless in return and take no account of the wrong you’ve suffered.
    4. You have an opportunity to be selfish and you draw out of yourself and spend yourself on the needs of another.
  4. Being Filled causes us to live a life of purpose – one that is led
    1. Jesus was led into the wilderness – Luke 4:1-2 (1) Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, (2) being tempted for forty days by the devil…”
  5. ..and so, being filled is a potential sign of maturity or at least an action of maturity. Romans 8:14,

“For as many as are habitually led by the Spirit of God, these are the mature sons of God.”

  1. It seems clear that a heart attitude of reverence for God, love for Him and surrender to His will on some level is a prerequisite for His filing.
  2. If one is “filled” their driving focus will be JESUS!
  3. If one is confronted by someone “filled” with the Spirit, they will be placed in a position to make a decision regarding their commitment to Jesus.

Last week we discovered FOUR more last week in Stephen…though I did not enumerate them at the time.

You remember Stephen was a man FILLED with Faith and Power and the Holy Spirit…

  1. Trust is enhanced, strengthened and fortified by the koinonia presence of the Holy Spirit.
    1. Jude 1:17-21, NKJV “(17) But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: (18) how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. (19) These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit. (20) But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, (21) keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
      1. We DO have the Spirit – therefore, build yourself up in you consecrated trust, praying WITH/by the direction and aid of (Koinonia) the Holy Spirit and SO keep  yourselves in the love of God with constant expectation of expressions of Jesus’ mercy which leads to greater intimacy with Him.
  2. A setting aside and rising above intimidation and fear – accompanied by boldness comes from being filled by the Holy Spirit. A supernatural boldness and confidence. (they were amazed at the authority by which He spoke)
    1. Rom. 8:15, NKJV “(15) For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”
    2. 2Tim. 1:6-7, NKJV “(6) Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. (7) For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
  3. Miracles and wonders also sometimes accompany being filled with the Spirit.

Another example of this last one is found in Acts 13:1-12

Acts 13:1-12, NKJV “(1) Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. (2) As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” (3) Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away. (4) So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. (5) And when they arrived in Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. They also had John as their assistant. (6) Now when they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus, {son of Joshua} (7) who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man called for Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. (8) But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. (9) Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him (10) and said, “O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? (11) And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time.” And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand. (12) Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had been done, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.”

Our next one is another example of Koinonia – and perhaps one which is most missed out on because our focus is so wrong at times…Turn look down in this same chapter to verse 45

Acts 13:45-52, NKJV “(45) But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul. (46) Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. (47) For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘I HAVE SET YOU AS A LIGHT TO THE GENTILES, THAT YOU SHOULD BE FOR SALVATION TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH.’ ” (48) Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. (49) And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region. (50) But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. (51) But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and came to Iconium. (52) And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Many looking on will not understand what is happening here.

1Peter 4:12-14, NKJV “(12) Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; (13) but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. (14) If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.”

Now there are no doubt other examples of being filled with the Spirit, but let’s read our passage in Eph. 5 up to where we went on this short journey – exploring what it means to be filled with the Spirit and see what point Paul was about to make concerning it.

Eph. 5:1-21, NKJV “(1) Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. (2) And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. (3) But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; (4) neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. (5) For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. (6) Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. (7) Therefore do not be partakers with them. (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, (21) submitting to one another in the fear of God.”

but be filled with the Spirit…

  1. Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs
  2. Singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord
  3. Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
  4. Submitting to one another in the fear of God.

So being filled with the Spirit is to be close to Him, surrendered to Him, listening to Him, seeking Him, to get lost in Him and be influenced by Him without any resistance at all. Living this type of Christian life (which is the NORMAL Christian life) naturally leads to a life of praise, thanksgiving and surrender.

Those of you who were overly focused upon yourselves and your little lives this week – how would LIVING THIS REALITY have radically improved your hours and days and the things you choose to communicate with your mouth?

We are to communicate with one another the joy we have in our salvation. Those who are influenced by their little lives – communicate defeat, anxiety, worry, pride, anger, frustration… and they are always always always too busy to focus on God…etc. Your words will give away the affections of your heart every time!

Now, this being filled with the Spirit culminating in a life of praise, thanksgiving and surrender can be expressed in many ways – those offered in these verses are but possibilities such as poems, songs and wordless but joyful melodies as expressions of the Spirit Who has filled us.

The use of three examples is evidently a literary device to emphasis importance and influence behavior.

Another token of the Spirit-filled life is the perpetual giving of thanks.  

The words – “for all things” have to be read in their context and as such communicate the meaning of what the believer receives from God and in his communion with the Holy Spirit – give thanks for these things. It is a reference to all the blessings of the Christian, the whole good that comes to him from God in the sacred romance of relationship with Him.

Translation: And stop being intoxicated with wine, in which (state of intoxication) there is profligacy. But be constantly filled (controlled) by the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord, giving thanks always concerning all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father.”

(21) submitting to one another in the fear of Christ.”

I think the ethiopic and Syriac version of this last verse says submit yourself unto your brethren… meaning to your spiritual heads especially the elders. But in a more General sense it also means to not assert yourself above your brother.

Subjecting one’s self to another is the opposite of self assertion, the opposite of an independent, autocratic spirit.

It is the desire to get along with one another, being satisfied with less than one’s due, a sweet reasonableness of attitude.

The best texts have “Christ” instead of “God.”

Translation: “Putting yourselves in subjection to one another in the fear of Christ. Or OUR OF Whole_hearted and deep respect for Jesus”

Today’s take-aways:

  1. Being united with the Spirit and giving Him full expression makes signs and wonders a very real possibility of daily life and it works together with our understanding that we are here on earth with a purpose – to let the light of our union with God through Christ shine to all mankind!
  2. We are to take tremendous JOY and honor in our being identified with Christ – whether through the salvation of others or their open rejection of Christ and persecution of you. “The Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you”
  3. Your communion with God through the Holy Spirit should be a source of great gratitude – putting as if it were a bounce in your step.  
  4. Give voice to your gratitude – both to your siblings in Christ and to God directly.
  5. Submit to those over you and to each other.

 
This service had content that is NOT written out here, so I would encourage you to listen to it WHILE you read…Blessings! 

I hope this teaching will challenge you and encourage you to place your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

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Blessings!

 

Hi my name is Mark and though I am opposed to titles, I am currently the only Pastor (shepherd/elder) serving our assembly right now.

I have been Pastoring in one capacity or another for nearly 30 years now, though never quite like I am today.

Early in 2009 the Lord revealed to me that the way we had structured our assembly (church) was not scriptural in that it was out of sync with what Paul modeled for us in the New Testament. In truth, I (like many pastors I am sure) never even gave this fundamental issue of church structure the first thought. I had always assumed that church structure was largely the same everywhere and had been so from the beginning. While I knew Paul had some very stringent things to say about the local assembly of believers, the point of our gatherings together and who may or may not lead, I never even considered studying these issues but assumed we were all pretty much doing it right...safety in numbers right?! Boy, I couldn't have been more wrong!

So needless to say, my discovery that we had been doing it wrong for nearly two decades was a bit of a shock to me! Now, this "revelation" did not come about all at once but over the course of a few weeks. We were a traditional single pastor led congregation. It was a top-bottom model of ministry which is in part biblical, but not in the form of a monarchy.

The needed change did not come into focus until following 9 very intense months of study and discussions with those who were leaders in our church at the time.

We now understand and believe that the Bible teaches co-leadership with equal authority in each local assembly. Having multiple shepherds with God's heart and equal authority protects both Shepherds and sheep. Equal accountability keeps authority and doctrine in check. Multiple shepherds also provide teaching with various styles and giftings with leadership skills which are both different and complementary.

For a while we had two co-pastors (elders) (myself and one other man) who led the church with equal authority, but different giftings. We both taught in our own ways and styles, and our leadership skills were quite different, but complimentary. We were in complete submission to each other and worked side-by-side in the labor of shepherding the flock.

Our other Pastor has since moved on to other ministry which has left us with just myself. While we currently only have one Pastor/Elder, it is our desire that God, in His faithfulness and timing, may bring us more as we grow in maturity and even in numbers.

As to my home, I have been married since 1995 to my wonderful wife Terissa Woodson who is my closest friend and most trusted ally.

As far as my education goes, I grew up in a Christian home, but questioned everything I was ever taught.

I graduated from Bible college in 1990 and continued to question everything I was ever taught (I do not mention my college in order to avoid being labeled).

Perhaps my greatest preparation for ministry has been life and ministry itself. To quote an author I have come to enjoy namely Fredrick Buechner in his writing entitled, Now and Then, "If God speaks to us at all other than through such official channels as the Bible and the church, then I think that He speaks to us largely through what happens to us...if we keep our hearts open as well as our ears, if we listen with patience and hope, if we remember at all deeply and honestly, then I think we come to recognize beyond all doubt, that, however faintly we may hear Him, He is indeed speaking to us, and that, however little we may understand of it, His word to each of us is both recoverable and precious beyond telling." ~ Fredrick Buechner

Well that is about all there is of interest to tell you about me.

I hope our ministry here is a blessing to you and your family. I also hope that it is only a supplement to a local church where you are committed to other believers in a community of grace.

~God Bless!