Pastors Blaire, Joey, and Rob discuss what it means to be filled with the Spirit
BEING FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT IS:
1. Paul’s command to “be filled” with the Spirit is present – passive – imperative.
Ephesians 5:18 (NIV84) 18Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
A. The imperative aspect of “be filled” means it is a command. (Imperative . . . Not an option!)
• The command to be filled also communicates that just being a Christian is not the end game.
• Every believer, is indwelt by the Holy Spirit, however unless you are filled with the Spirit, you will live in spiritual weakness and frustration.
The Holy Spirit does SO MUCH for us.
B. The passive aspect of “be filled” means it is not an action that we do, rather it is something that we allow God to do in us.
• The Holy Spirit is the one who does the filling, but He does so only through our submission.
C. The present aspect of “be filled” means it should happen continuously.
• The phrase is literally rendered: be being kept filled. . . . keep being filled!
• A person cannot keep being filled unless he has first been filled.
• The danger however is to think that the initial filling is also the final filling.
--Acts 2:4 (GW) 4All the believers were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the
Spirit gave them the ability to speak.
--Acts 4:8 (NIV84) 8Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people!
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE FILLED?
1. Pleroo is the Greek word for filled and it has several meanings that apply to Paul’s command:
A. Pleroo means to be filled to the full.
B. Pleroo was used to describe the wind filling a sail and carrying a ship along.
• When we are filled with the Spirit, we will be moved along in our relationship with Him.
C. Pleroo carries the idea of permeation and was used of salt permeating meat to flavor and preserve.
• When we are filled with the Spirit, He will permeate every area of our life with influence.
D. Pleroo has the connotation of total control and of being influenced by something.
• When we are filled with the Spirit, it means that we are dominated and controlled by Him.
o Paul previously used an analogy of wine to illustrate his point.
Ephesians 5:18 (NIV84) 18Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
• Jesus was filled by the Spirit, and as a result, the Spirit led or controlled his actions and life.
Luke 4:1 (NIV84) 1Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert,
Mark 1:12 (ESV) 12The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness.
WHAT IS OUR ROLE IN BEING FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT?
1. My responsibility is to surrender and give control of my life to God.
Galatians 5:24 (NIV84) 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.
“With the indwelling each Christian has all of the Holy Spirit, but the command to be filled by the Spirit enables the Spirit to have all of the believer.” Harold Hoehner
A. Cultivate an intimate relationship with Christ.
• Immerse myself in His Word.
• Listen for His guidance.
2. My responsibility is to be conscious of His presence and respond in obedience moment by moment.
Galatians 5:25 (NIV84) 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
3. Being filled with the Spirit is evidenced by the fruit of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22–23 (NIV84) 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
