The Incomparable Christ

Pt. 5: Be Filled with the Holy Spirit

By Louie Marsh, 2-8-2026

1) I must be CONTINUALLY FILLED with the Holy Spirit.

"18And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit," (Ephesians 5:18, ESV)

What does that mean? To be filled with the Spirit – or anything else – is to be controlled. So being Spirit filled isn't about emotions or experiences – it's about volunteering to allow God the Holy Spirit guide and control my life!

Here are some important things to understand about this much talked about verse.

· The verb is in the imperative mode - God commands us to be filled.

This isn't an option - it's part of letting Jesus be your Lord! If you fail to seek this - you are disobeying God.

· Filled = controlled.

When you are filled with anything it controls you – booze, food, drugs, sexual thoughts or images, greed, etc.

· The verb is in the present tense - this means it's an ongoing, continual action.

We are always to seek the Spirit's filling. When we notice that our spiritual tank is getting low, we need to get tanked up - tanked up on the Spirit that is!

· The Verb is plural in number. Meaning - it's for everybody!!

Being filled with the Spirit isn't just for Elders & preachers it's for every Christian, from the oldest to the youngest.

· The Verb is in the passive voice - meaning that the subject of the verb (us) is inactive but being acted upon!

You don't get filled by working for it. No amount of crying, screaming, no amount of knowledge or degrees, will get it. No, you must bring a simple desire for the fullness and a complete surrender of your life to God.

2) What does it mean to be filled with the Spirit?

· CONTROLED by the Spirit.

Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, let the Holy Spirit fill and control you. Eph. 5:18 (NLT)

· POWERED by the Spirit.

"8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you…(Acts 1:8a, ESV)

"7for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." (2 Timothy 1:7, ESV)

· DIRECTED by the Spirit.

"18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law." (Galatians 5:18, ESV)

"14For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God." (Romans 8:14, ESV)

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RECEIVING THE SPIRIT & BEING FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT?

Receiving:

· Happens at SALVATION.

"5Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith—" (Galatians 3:5, ESV)

· To Seal us as God's POSSESSION.

"13In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit," (Ephesians 1:13, ESV)

· Is done ONCE FOR ALL.

"14who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory." (Ephesians 1:14, ESV)

Filling:

· Happens AFTER SALVATION.

· For EMPOWERED SERVICE.

"8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."" (Acts 1:8, ESV)

· Happens at DIFFERENT TIMES.

"8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders," (Acts 4:8, ESV)

"31And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness." (Acts 4:31, ESV)

PROOF THAT THERE IS A DIFFERENCE

"21…he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit." (John 20:21–22, ESV)

"4And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit… (Acts 2:4, ESV)

ALL OF THIS IS SUMMED UP NEATLY WITH 3 LITTLE WORDS

WITH (para)– IN (en) – UPON (epi)

1. The Holy Spirit is with MANY PEOPLE he doesn't indwell.

"17even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you." (John 14:17, ESV)

2. The Holy Spirit is in ALL who believe!

(And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them are not Christians at all.) Romans 8:9b (NLT)

3. The Holy Spirit comes upon us in power when he FILLS US!

"15As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning." (Acts 11:15, ESV)

"13Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah." (1 Samuel 16:13, ESV)

Sermon Summary: The ONLY way to live Spirit empowered lives of service to God & those around us is stay full of the Holy Spirit!