Embracing a Spirit-Filled Life in Family and Faith

Devotional

Day 1: Continuous Spiritual Filling

The Spirit-filled life is a continuous journey, not a one-time event. Just as staying drunk requires continuous drinking, being filled with the Spirit requires ongoing effort and intentionality. This filling should influence every aspect of our lives, guiding our actions and words. The analogy of being drunk with wine is used to illustrate how the Spirit should permeate our lives, affecting our decisions, behaviors, and interactions. This is not a passive experience but an active pursuit of God's presence and guidance in every moment. [07:35]

Ephesians 5:18-20 (ESV): "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Reflection: What is one specific area of your life where you need to invite the Holy Spirit to guide your actions and words today?

Day 2: Manifesting the Fruits of the Spirit

A Spirit-filled person is characterized by gratitude, love, joy, peace, and other fruits of the Spirit. These are not abstract feelings but concrete actions and attitudes that manifest in our interactions with others. The presence of the Spirit in our lives should be evident through our behavior and relationships, reflecting God's love and truth. This involves a commitment to living out these virtues in practical ways, demonstrating the transformative power of the Spirit in our daily lives. [18:21]

Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV): "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."

Reflection: Identify one fruit of the Spirit you struggle to exhibit. How can you intentionally practice this virtue in your interactions today?

Day 3: The Power of Prayer as Protection

In a world filled with challenges and temptations, our prayers act as a protective dome, shielding our families from spiritual attacks. This is a heartfelt desire for each of us to experience the joy of seeing our children and grandchildren walking with the Lord. Prayer is not just a ritual but a powerful tool that connects us with God's protection and guidance. It is essential to cultivate a prayerful life, interceding for our loved ones and seeking God's intervention in the face of life's challenges. [11:32]

Psalm 91:1-2 (ESV): "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, 'My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'"

Reflection: Who in your family or community needs your prayers today? How can you commit to praying for them consistently this week?

Day 4: Intimacy with God through Submission

Being Spirit-filled is about intimacy with God, allowing His Spirit to fill and influence us. It's about submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ, aligning our lives with God's order and design. This submission is not about losing autonomy but embracing God's plan and purpose for our lives. It involves a willingness to put others before ourselves, reflecting Christ's humility and love in our relationships. [19:58]

James 4:7-8 (ESV): "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."

Reflection: In what ways can you practice submission to God and others in your daily life? How does this submission deepen your intimacy with God?

Day 5: The Essential Nature of a Spirit-Filled Life

The Spirit-filled life is not optional; it's essential for living a life that reflects God's love and truth. This involves a commitment to continuous spiritual growth and alignment with God's will. A Spirit-filled life is marked by a deep connection with God, influencing every aspect of our existence. It is a journey of transformation, where we become more like Christ in our thoughts, actions, and relationships. [15:55]

Colossians 3:16-17 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

Reflection: What steps can you take to ensure that your life is consistently Spirit-filled and aligned with God's will? How can you encourage others in your community to pursue this essential journey?

Sermon Summary

This afternoon, I reflected on the journey of raising my daughter Rachel, from carrying her as a baby and praying for her future to witnessing her lead worship alongside her siblings. It's a poignant moment as she prepares to move to Tennessee with her family. This transition reminds me of the importance of a Spirit-filled family, as described in Ephesians 5. The passage urges us to make the most of every opportunity because the days are evil, emphasizing the need for continuous spiritual filling. Just as alcohol influences a person when drunk, being filled with the Spirit should permeate every aspect of our lives, influencing our actions and words.

The Spirit-filled life is not a one-time event but a continuous process. It requires effort, much like staying drunk requires continuous drinking. The Spirit's presence in our lives should be evident through our interactions, characterized by psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. A Spirit-filled person is marked by gratitude, love, joy, peace, and other fruits of the Spirit. This is not about abstract feelings but concrete actions and attitudes.

In today's world, raising children in a Spirit-filled environment is more crucial than ever. The world is filled with challenges and temptations, akin to missiles aimed at us. Our prayers act as a protective dome, shielding our families from these attacks. This is not just a lesson but a heartfelt desire for each of you to experience the joy of seeing your children and grandchildren walking with the Lord.

Being Spirit-filled is not optional; it's about intimacy with God, allowing His Spirit to fill and influence us. It's about submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ, as Ephesians 5 teaches. This submission is not about losing autonomy but aligning our lives with God's order and design. As we navigate these teachings, we aim to create a rhythm in our church that allows for deeper exploration of these foundational truths.

Key Takeaways

1. The Spirit-filled life is a continuous process, not a one-time event. Just as staying drunk requires continuous drinking, being filled with the Spirit requires ongoing effort and intentionality. This filling should influence every aspect of our lives, guiding our actions and words. [07:35]
2. A Spirit-filled person is characterized by gratitude, love, joy, peace, and other fruits of the Spirit. These are not abstract feelings but concrete actions and attitudes that manifest in our interactions with others. [18:21]
3. In a world filled with challenges and temptations, our prayers act as a protective dome, shielding our families from spiritual attacks. This is a heartfelt desire for each of us to experience the joy of seeing our children and grandchildren walking with the Lord. [11:32]
4. Being Spirit-filled is about intimacy with God, allowing His Spirit to fill and influence us. It's about submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ, aligning our lives with God's order and design. [19:58]
5. The Spirit-filled life is not optional; it's essential for living a life that reflects God's love and truth. This involves a commitment to continuous spiritual growth and alignment with God's will. [15:55]
** [15:55]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Reflections on Rachel's Journey
[01:05] - Worship and Family
[03:07] - Spirit-Filled Family
[04:35] - Worship in the Home
[05:53] - Ephesians 5: Spirit-Filled Living
[07:35] - Continuous Filling of the Spirit
[08:41] - Prayers as a Protective Dome
[11:32] - The Power of Prayer
[12:28] - Importance of Being Spirit-Filled
[13:06] - Misconceptions About Spirit-Filled Living
[14:05] - Intimacy with God
[15:55] - Evidence of a Spirit-Filled Life
[16:34] - Signs of Being Spirit-Filled
[19:58] - Submission and Reverence for Christ
[22:20] - Spirit-Filled Relationships

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Ephesians 5:18-21 say about being filled with the Spirit, and how is it compared to being drunk with wine? [05:53]
According to the sermon, what role does worship play in a Spirit-filled family? [04:35]
How does the pastor describe the impact of prayers on protecting families from spiritual attacks? [11:32]
What are some of the fruits of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23, and how are they described in the sermon? [18:21]

Interpretation Questions

How does the continuous process of being filled with the Spirit influence a believer's daily life and interactions with others? [07:35]
In what ways does the pastor suggest that a Spirit-filled life is essential for raising children in today's world? [08:41]
How does the sermon explain the concept of submission in the context of a Spirit-filled life, and what does it mean to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ? [19:58]
What misconceptions about being Spirit-filled does the pastor address, and how does he clarify the true meaning of living a Spirit-filled life? [14:05]

Application Questions

Reflect on your current spiritual practices. What steps can you take to ensure that you are continuously being filled with the Spirit in your daily life? [07:35]
Consider the environment in your home. How can you incorporate more worship and spiritual songs into your family life to create a Spirit-filled atmosphere? [04:35]
Think about the challenges and temptations you face. How can you use prayer as a protective dome for yourself and your family against these spiritual attacks? [11:32]
Identify one fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22-23 that you would like to cultivate more in your life. What specific actions can you take to develop this fruit in your interactions with others? [18:21]
Reflect on the concept of submission in your relationships. How can you practice submitting to others out of reverence for Christ in a way that aligns with God's order and design? [19:58]
The pastor mentioned the importance of being Spirit-filled as a single person. How can you prepare yourself spiritually for future family life, even if you are currently single? [12:28]
Consider any misconceptions you might have about being Spirit-filled. How can you align your understanding and practice with the biblical teaching presented in the sermon? [14:05]

Sermon Clips

"I just think about, like, when Rachel first moved away when she was 18, and we're at the airport, and as a family, we're just sobbing, just, we're huddled up in a circle, and we're just sobbing to where United Airlines agent came over to us and said, is everything okay here? I mean, we're just crying so loud, and we just go, we're just going to miss our daughter, and we're just bawling, and the United agent's like, I've never seen anything like this. We just really love each other, and, I just remember thinking, wow, one of the things I'm going to miss is how Rachel filled our house with worship." [00:03:30] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"There's just something about a house being filled with worship. There's something about what we were studying last week about how the spirit-filled person just always has this song going on in their heart to God. And just having a family and a house where there's just this ongoing worship to God. And there's just something so good about it." [00:05:39] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"The best thing you can do, and especially those of you who are single, to be learning this and thinking this now, the best thing you can do is be a spirit-filled person. Best thing you can do. I mean, there's some great parenting books out there, great marriage books. There's one in particular I really like. But it's like, it's just not even about this. It's about this protection of prayer." [00:12:32] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"We almost put aside the Holy Spirit. Like, I'm a little afraid to be Spirit-filled because I don't want to end up like that person or that person whose life is fake, but somehow, you know, is all about the Holy Spirit. You guys, we can't treat being Spirit-filled. Spirit-filled as a secondary issue where it's just like something optional. Think about the concept. Think about what he's saying. He's saying, I can have Almighty God himself fill me, intermingle with me like alcohol permeating my bloodstream and affecting everything I could do. I could have Almighty God fill me. We're talking about oneness with God." [00:14:10] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"Being filled with the spirit is probably not as abstract or immeasurable as most people think. That's the point of this passage. Because some of you would say, well, how do I know if I'm filled with the spirit? Do I feel him? Do I, you know, what is it? Because everyone that's talks about. It's like, oh, I sense him in the room. And that could be true. But it's also a lot more concrete than that. Because he says, when you're filled with the Spirit, you start addressing people with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs." [00:16:24] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"There's a fruit of the Spirit where love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, self-control. These are what happens when you are a Spirit-filled person. You're loving. So it's not just look for the sign of someone who's in a daze and says they feel him. It's that visible fruit of, wow, she is so loving. How do you get that way in today's world? Love, joy. How can that person be so happy? When everything's falling apart?" [00:18:21] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

"See, this is what it means to be Spirit-filled. According to Scripture, there's that word submitting. Now, some people don't like that word. I mean, most people don't like that word. It's a bad word to a lot of people. But God says, no, this is part of the Christian life. is submitting to one another out of a reverence for Christ now some people have twisted this I know when I was younger people would say well he says submitting to one another yeah and the context is then he says husband he says wives submit to your husbands children obey your parents servants obey your masters you think look there's an order to things." [00:20:05] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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