Be Filled With the Spirit

Happy Sunday. Today we'll continue on our study of the Holy Spirit. Last week we looked at the question, who is the Holy Spirit? We'll continue answering that question over the next several weeks. Today we'll look at the question, when do we meet the Holy Spirit? And we'll also look at the difference in a Spirit-filled life and a life void of the Holy Spirit.

Let's begin with Ephesians chapter 5, beginning at verse 15. There's several verses there before this that you should read in Ephesians 5. But beginning in verse 15 it says, "Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

As we begin, it's important for us to note the difference between people who are filled with the Spirit and people who aren't. How can you tell? Well, people who do not live by the Spirit are just like everybody else. They live for themselves, and they fit in perfectly with this world. Walking by the Spirit, or being filled with the Spirit, means that you're controlled by God, not by self, and you bear fruit. You might look at Galatians 5; we did a study on that last year.

In the section of scripture that I just read, the contrast is stark. Verse 18 said, "Don't get drunk with wine, that's debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit." That's an interesting comparison, isn't it? There's a good reason that the state of drunkenness is used here. It's used in several times in scripture; we'll look at a few of them.

In the days when Paul wrote the letter to the Ephesians, from which I just read a small part, it was common for pagan religions to use drunkenness for a religious experience. Even today we hear of people who use drugs like peyote and other substances in order to have a religious experience. In Paul's day, many people felt that drunkenness was a great way to get in tune with their false gods, and history tells us that there were some drunken festivals, all in the name of religion. In Ephesians, Paul is pointing out the difference, differences in meeting God. Christians meet God through the Holy Spirit, and the contrast is pointed out that some use alcohol, drunkenness.

The contrast is also pointed out in Luke 1:15, when we read of the birth of John the Baptist. There we are told, "For he will be great in the spirit of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink; even before his birth he will be filled with the Holy Spirit." See the contrast? John won't be a drinker; he'll be Spirit-filled. The Spirit will control him, not a substance.

In Acts chapter 2 we read of the day of Pentecost, and we'll look in depth at that day in the weeks ahead. But I want you to notice what Acts 2, verses 12 and 13 says. After the Spirit of God descended that day, we're told, "All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, 'What does this mean?' But others sneered and said, 'They're filled with new wine. They're drunk.'" Isn't that interesting? Once again, you look, when you look for it, you see it.

To some, the only explanation for new behavior that day was drunkenness. Some outsiders are mocking the crowd, calling them a bunch of drunkards. But Peter sets them straight at verses 14 and 15 of Acts 2. He said, "Standing with the 11, Peter raised his voice and addressed them, saying, 'Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it's only nine o'clock in the morning.'"

So there's a contrast that we began talking about after reading Ephesians 5:18: "Don't get drunk with wine, for that's debauchery, but be filled with the Holy Spirit." Many people are confused with what it means to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Some people think that it means that you get some kind of divine zap, a second baptism, if you will, that's talked about. Once upon a time, I recall, a line was drawn by some: if you speak in tongues, you're zapped and are filled with the Spirit, and if you don't speak in tongues, not the languages of Acts 2 that we'll talk about in weeks ahead, if you don't speak in tongues, you're not filled.

Let me tell you what I believe the Bible teaches. Every Christian, from at the moment they believe, has the Holy Spirit in their lives. There's no such thing as a Christian that is without the Holy Spirit; that can't happen. When you become a Christian, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in you.

Romans 8:5 and 6 tells us, "For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. To set the mind on the flesh's death; to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace." Verse 9 of Romans 8 says this about believers: "But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him." The simple truth is, if you're a follower of Christ, you have the Holy Spirit.

Billy Graham said, "The biblical truth is that we are baptized at the, to the body of Christ by the Spirit at conversion. This is the only Spirit baptism. At this time we can and should be filled with the Holy Spirit, and be refilled, and even filled unto all fullness. As often as has been said, one baptism but many fillings. I do not see from scripture," Billy Graham went on, "that the filling of the Holy Spirit constitutes a second baptism," end quote.

If you are a believer, the Holy Spirit lives in you. We meet the Holy Spirit on the day of our salvation. Being filled with the Holy Spirit, however, requires a daily walk and a desire on our part to know God. There's always room for more. Bless you as you seek God. God promises you will be filled.

Pray with me. Father God, we ask that your Holy Spirit would just have its way, have your way in our lives. We pray that we would grow in grace and knowledge and wisdom, and that no matter what our age or our background, we would draw closer to you through the Holy Spirit.

Father, thank you for the study. We thank you for your word. Help us to, to dive deep into it, to learn more about you always. Bless us this week. I pray for the special requests that have been sent to me, and Father, we, I, so we would always be people of prayer as well. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.

God bless. Thanks for watching.