Acts 1:8Galatians 5:16-26Last week we began to talk about Spirit baptism. What it is, why we should seek it, what Jesus said about it, the initial evidence. This week we continued our study on Spirit baptism but we dove into the enduring evidence of the Holy Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit in our life. If Tongues are the initial evidence of Spirit baptism the fruit is the enduring evidence. People can fake the initial evidence, but you can't fake the fruit of the Spirit. You either have it or you don't. You are either allowing the Spirit of God access to everything in your life, or you're not. 1.What is the purpose?What is God wanting and meaning to do with us once we are full of His Spirit? Why is he filling us? There is a purpose. There is a mission that is being fulfilled. Acts 1:8 reads "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses." Jesus didn't tell the disciples to go right away. He told them to wait. Because He knew they couldn't fulfill the mission in their own strength. The Holy Spirit empowers us to speak truth boldly, to love deeply, to persevere faithfully, serve sacrificially, and pray supernaturally. All things we could not do in our own strength. 2.What does this look like?In the book of Acts, tongues are present when people were filled with The Spirit. We can't just brush over this fact. On Pentecost, at Cornelius' house, the Ephesian believers. Tongues are seen as the initial evidence. However, as we desire the gifts and works of the Holy Spirit we must remember, this initial evidence is not the finish line - it's the starting gun. Tongues are not the ultimate proof of the Spirit's work in you. An object lesson we can use to help us better understand this filling of the Spirit is that of a sponge being squeezed so that all the air is forced out (desires of the flesh), being completely submerged in the water (the Holy Spirit), and released in order to become completely saturated with the water. This is baptism in the Spirt. The idea here is that God doesn't want you half full. He desires you to be overflowing. And while this experience can happen in a moment it's meant for a lifetime. How we live everyday this Spirit baptism is to be clearly seen as we "walk in the Spirit." 3.How do we walk this out? Who can receive this baptism? Acts 2:39 - "This promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far off..." It's for everyone because Christ is for everyone. When one puts their faith in Jesus the baptism in The Holy Spirit is available to them. How do we receive? ASK. Luke 11:13 - "How much more will the Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" SURRENDER. Lay down your control. The Spirit fills empty vessels. BELIEVE AND RECEIVE. Step into His promise by faith. EXPECT OVERFLOW. Whether it's tongues, joy, power, tears or all of it, expect Him to move! How do we stay filled? The truth is we leak. That's ok, Holy Spirit can fill us again and again. In fact, He means to. We need to remember to allow Him to and to ask Him to. Daily prayer time, worship that turns your heart toward God, intentional Bible reading in expectation of Him speaking through His word, and community with other believers. This is good news friend. Holy Spirit is ready. Are you? We love you church! We can't wait to see you again next Sunday.