(#876, Imperial, 1960)
Read Ephesians 5:18.
It is possible to be born of the Spirit, indwelt by the
Spirit, sealed with the Spirit, and yet be without the filling of the
Spirit. It is the normal work of the
Spirit to fill every Christian. The
disciples waited 10 days after the ascension for the advent of the Spirit into
the world. When He came, all who were prepared
in heart and life were instantly filled.
It is no longer necessary to wait for the Spirit. If conditions are met we will be filled.
ƒ The
filling of the Holy Spirit is indispensable (Eph. 5:18).
The text is a command; it is not something we can take or
leave. This was the way early believers
served the Lord (Acts 1:8; 6:3; etc.).
No Christian can possibly live a right Christian life who is not filled
with the Holy Spirit, for the Spirit...
1. Gives
victory over sin, Rom. 8:2.
2. Produces
fruit, Gal. 5:22-23.
3. Strengthens
with might, Eph. 3:16.
4. Energizes
prayer, Rom. 8:26.
5. Comforts,
guides, sanctifies, etc.
ƒ Negative
conditions for the filling of the Holy Spirit.
w Grieve
not the Spirit, Eph. 4:30. To grieve is
to make sorrowful someone who loves you.
What grieves the Spirit? The works of the flesh (anger, evil speaking,
bitterness, etc.) grieve the Spirit (Eph. 4:25-32; Gal. 5:17).
w Quench
not the Spirit, 1 Thess. 5:19.
We grieve the Spirit when we say yes to Satan. We quench the Spirit when we say no to God,
when we...
1. Oppose
His will.
2. Refuse
His call to definite service.
3. Refuse
His absolute sovereignty over our service.
ƒ The
need for cleansing.
Grieving and quenching are sin, and sin must be cleansed.
1. The
means of cleansing: the blood of Christ (1 Jn 1:7).
2. The
method of cleansing: a frank and full confession prompted by true repentance (1
John 1:9).
3. The
measure of cleansing: all filthiness (2 Cor. 7:1).
There is no substitute for the filling of the Holy
Spirit. Be filled with the Spirit!
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