Sermons
What Does It Mean to be Filled with the Spirit?
What Does It Mean to be Filled with the Spirit?
Eph. 5:15-21
Introduction:
1. A middle aged woman told me recently about when she became a Christian.
2. She said that the previous religious organization that she was associated with continued to ask her, “Are you filled with the Spirit?”
3. She said, she did not think so. That it seemed everyone else acknowledged being filled with the Spirit, but that she did not think that she was. It seemed unclear to her what it meant to be filled with the Spirit.
4. Is it a feeling that one has? How does one know when they are filled with the Spirit? What are the evidences? What does it look like to be filled with the Spirit? How can I be filled with the Spirit, assuming this is something that I want?
Discussion:
I. There are various passages in Scripture that refer to being filled with the Spirit.
A. In the O.T.
1. Ex. 31:3-5 refers to Bezalel whom God filled with the Spirit in wisdom, in
understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of craftsmanship to make artistic
designs for work in gold, in silver, and in bronze, and in the cutting of stones
for settings, and in the carving of wood, that he may work in all kinds of
craftsmanship. He was especially gifted to construct the tabernacle. So, in
this context to be filled with the Spirit evidenced itself in craftsmanship.
2. Bezalel is referenced again in Ex. 35:30-35. His craftsmanship is again a
manifestation of his being filled with the Spirit. He taught it. God had filled
him and Oholiab with skills to engrave, design, embroider, to weave, and to
make designs. This is probably not what most people think of when they think
of being filled with the Spirit.
3. Micah 3:8 contrasts Micah with the other prophets who “prophesied” even
though they do not have a message from God. Micah said, “I am filled with
power—with the Spirit of the Lord—and with justice and courage to make
known to Jacob his rebellious act, even to Israel his sin.” So, here being filled
with the Spirit means to communicate the word of God with justice and
courage even though the message is difficult for the hearers. Being filled with
the Spirit involves faithfulness to the message of God.
B. In the N.T.
1. Lk. 1:15-17 it is predicted that John the Baptist would be great in the sight
of the Lord; he would drink no wine or liquor and be filled with the Holy
Spirit while yet in his mother’s womb. It was predicted that he would turn
many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord. He would act as a forerunner
before the Messiah and turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children
and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous making ready a
people prepared for the Lord. In this text being filled with the Spirit
involves preaching repentance to sinners.
2. Lk. 1:41 says that Elizabeth was filled with the Spirit when she met Mary.
She acted prophetically blessing Mary who believed in the fulfillment of
what had been spoken of her by the Lord (42-45). To be filled with the
Spirit means to be supportive to believers.
3. Lk. 1:67 says that Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit and
prophesied. See verses 67ff. In this statement it is evident that he
believed in the visitation of God in human affairs and in His working out of
His plan for mankind. He saw himself and his son as part of that plan.
4. Acts 2:4 the apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in
languages they had not learned speaking of the mighty deeds of God
(11). While our tendency is to emphasize their speaking in tongues the
greater emphasis needs to be place on what they were speaking. Being
filled with the Spirit involves communicating the mighty deeds of God.
5. Acts 4:8 Peter was filled with the Holy Spiritand spoke to the Jews about
Jesus Christ. He had healed a lame man, but it is his communication
about Jesus that is associated with his being filled with the Holy Spirit.
6. Acts 4:31 they prayed to speak boldly the word of the Lord. The place
was shaken and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to
speak the word of God with boldness.
7. Acts 9:17 Ananias encouraged Saul to be filled with the Holy Spirit. He
was healed from his blindness, baptized and immediately began to preach
Jesus as the Son of God.
8. Acts 13:9 Saul filled with the Holy Spirit rebuked Elymas the magician who
tried to turn the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, away from the faith. Again
here, being filled with the Spirit involves communicating the word of God.
9. Eph. 5:18 being filled with the Spirit involves speaking in song, giving
thanks, and being subject to one another (15ff).
10. Acts 6:3 being full of the Spirit was a qualification for those who should be
appointed to care for the Hellenistic widows. Those full of the Spirit are
fully allied with the work of God.
11. Acts 7:55 speaks of Stephen who was full of the Spirit and said,
“Behold, I see the heavens opened up and the Son of Man standing at
the right hand of God.” He believed that Jesus was exalted to the right
hand of God as King.
II. So based on what Scripture says what does it mean to be filled with the Spirit?
A. It involves being fully allied with the purposes of God, even seeing oneself as part
of the purposes of God.
B. It involves communicating the message of God.
C. It involves blessing/supporting those that are allied with the purposes of God.
D. It involves believing that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God exalted to God’s own
right hand.
E. It involves maintaining such convictions even under the threat of death.
F. It involves responsible behavior consistent with the purposes of God. Ex. Care
of the Hellenistic widows.
G. It involves the joy and excitement of being a Christian and expresses itself in
singing, giving thanks, and being subject to one another. It is not primarily an
emotional experience. It is not primarily associated with the performance of
miracles.
H. While being filled with the Spirit sometimes involved prophetic inspiration it is not
always associated with inspiration. It is more about believing and communicating
God’s message.
Conclusion:
1. Are you filled with the Spirit?
2. You can evaluate yourself by comparison to what is said in Scripture.
3. In Ezekiel 11:19-20 God said, “I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them. And I will take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in My statutes and keep My ordinances and do them. Then they will be My people, and I shall be their God.”
4. In Ezekiel 36:27 God said, “I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.”