Living a Spirit-Filled Life: A Continuous Journey

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound concept of living a Spirit-filled life, emphasizing that being filled with the Spirit is not a one-time event but a continuous lifestyle. Just as a car needs constant refueling, our spiritual lives require ongoing replenishment through the Holy Spirit. This is a mindset shift from living by the flesh to living by the Spirit, which involves a transformation in our thinking and daily actions. The law, while good, cannot empower us to live righteously; it can only point out our shortcomings. Instead, we must cultivate a relationship with the Spirit, allowing it to guide and empower us.

Walking in the Spirit is akin to learning to walk as a child—it's a process of falling and getting back up, gradually gaining stability and strength. This journey requires a daily commitment to spiritual growth, where our actions reflect the fruit of the Spirit rather than the deeds of the flesh. The fruit of the Spirit, unlike the deeds of the flesh, is not something we can force; it naturally grows from our connection to the divine source, much like fruit grows from a tree.

Our relationships often reveal whether we are living by the Spirit or the flesh. When we are filled with the Spirit, our interactions are marked by love, joy, peace, and other fruits, rather than conflict and envy. The Spirit empowers us to transcend our natural inclinations and respond to life's challenges with grace and wisdom.

The analogy of "The Blob" illustrates how the flesh can consume us if we don't change our environment. Just as the blob was defeated by changing its environment to a cold one, we must change our spiritual environment to one that fosters the Spirit's influence. This transformation is not about following a set of rules but about living in a new realm where the Spirit leads and empowers us daily.

Key Takeaways:

1. Continuous Filling of the Spirit: Living a Spirit-filled life requires ongoing replenishment, much like refueling a car. This is a mindset and lifestyle, not a one-time event. We must continually seek the Spirit's guidance and empowerment to live beyond the limitations of the flesh. [00:22]

2. Transformation Through Relationship: The law can point out right and wrong but cannot empower us to live righteously. True transformation comes from a relationship with the Spirit, which changes our thinking and actions, enabling us to live in alignment with God's will. [01:17]

3. Learning to Walk Spiritually: Walking in the Spirit is a process of growth, similar to a child learning to walk. It involves daily commitment and practice, where we gradually gain stability and strength in our spiritual journey, moving from crawling to walking confidently. [02:44]

4. Fruit of the Spirit vs. Deeds of the Flesh: The fruit of the Spirit naturally grows from our connection to God, while the deeds of the flesh are actions outside His will. Our lives should reflect the Spirit's fruit, which benefits others and demonstrates our spiritual maturity. [05:50]

5. Changing the Environment: Like "The Blob," the flesh can consume us if we don't change our environment. By moving to a realm where the Spirit leads, we can overcome the flesh's influence and experience true freedom and victory in our spiritual lives. [13:41]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:07] - The Need for Continuous Filling
- [00:22] - Mindset Shift: Spirit vs. Flesh
- [00:49] - The Law's Limitations
- [01:28] - Relationship Over Rules
- [02:03] - Learning to Walk in the Spirit
- [02:44] - Daily Spiritual Orientation
- [03:23] - Signs of Spiritual Growth
- [04:18] - Deeds of the Flesh
- [05:30] - Fruit of the Spirit
- [06:29] - The Nature of Fruit
- [07:29] - Spirituality in Relationships
- [08:17] - Living by the Spirit
- [09:07] - Influence of the Spirit
- [11:35] - The Blob Analogy
- [13:41] - Changing the Environment for Victory

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Living a Spirit-Filled Life

Bible Reading:
1. Romans 8:4-5 - "In order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires."
2. Galatians 5:19-23 - "The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
3. Ephesians 5:18 - "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit."

Observation Questions:
1. According to Romans 8:4-5, what is the difference between living according to the flesh and living according to the Spirit?
2. In Galatians 5:19-23, what are the contrasting outcomes of living by the flesh versus living by the Spirit?
3. How does Ephesians 5:18 describe the influence of being filled with the Spirit compared to being drunk with wine?
4. What analogy was used in the sermon to describe the process of learning to walk in the Spirit, and how does it relate to spiritual growth? [02:21]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of continuous filling with the Spirit, as mentioned in Ephesians 5:18, challenge the idea of a one-time spiritual experience? [09:07]
2. What does it mean to have a "mindset shift" from living by the flesh to living by the Spirit, and how can this transformation impact daily life? [00:22]
3. How does the analogy of "The Blob" illustrate the importance of changing one's spiritual environment to overcome the flesh? [13:41]
4. In what ways do personal relationships reveal whether someone is living by the Spirit or the flesh, according to the sermon? [07:29]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current spiritual environment. What changes can you make to foster a greater influence of the Spirit in your life? [13:41]
2. Identify one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit that you struggle with. What specific steps can you take this week to cultivate it in your interactions with others? [05:30]
3. Consider a situation where you often react in the flesh. How can you prepare to respond with the fruit of the Spirit instead? [05:13]
4. How can you make the practice of being filled with the Spirit a daily habit rather than a Sunday-only experience? [02:55]
5. Think of a relationship in your life that is marked by conflict. How can you invite the Spirit to transform this relationship with love, joy, and peace? [07:29]
6. What practical steps can you take to shift your mindset from focusing on the flesh to focusing on the Spirit in your daily decisions? [00:36]
7. How can you ensure that your spiritual growth is not just about following rules but about deepening your relationship with the Spirit? [01:28]

Devotional

Day 1: Continuous Spiritual Refueling
Living a Spirit-filled life is not a one-time event but a continuous process of seeking the Holy Spirit's guidance and empowerment. Just as a car requires regular refueling to function, our spiritual lives need ongoing replenishment. This involves a mindset shift from living by the flesh to living by the Spirit, which transforms our thinking and daily actions. The Spirit empowers us to transcend our natural inclinations and respond to life's challenges with grace and wisdom. By continually seeking the Spirit's presence, we can live beyond the limitations of the flesh and experience true spiritual vitality. [00:22]

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 daily practices can you incorporate to ensure you are continually refueling your spiritual life with the Holy Spirit's presence?


Day 2: Transformation Through Relationship
The law can point out right and wrong but cannot empower us to live righteously. True transformation comes from cultivating a relationship with the Holy Spirit, which changes our thinking and actions, enabling us to live in alignment with God's will. This relationship is not about following a set of rules but about living in a new realm where the Spirit leads and empowers us daily. By allowing the Spirit to guide us, we can experience a profound transformation that aligns our lives with God's purposes. [01:17]

2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (ESV): "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit."

Reflection: How can you deepen your relationship with the Holy Spirit today to experience transformation in your thoughts and actions?


Day 3: Spiritual Growth as a Journey
Walking in the Spirit is a process of growth, similar to a child learning to walk. It involves daily commitment and practice, where we gradually gain stability and strength in our spiritual journey. This journey requires us to move from crawling to walking confidently, reflecting the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. As we commit to this process, we become more attuned to the Spirit's guidance and develop a deeper understanding of God's will for our lives. [02:44]

Colossians 1:9-10 (ESV): "And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to strengthen your spiritual walk and grow in your relationship with God?


Day 4: Bearing the Fruit of the Spirit
The fruit of the Spirit naturally grows from our connection to God, while the deeds of the flesh are actions outside His will. Our lives should reflect the Spirit's fruit, which benefits others and demonstrates our spiritual maturity. This fruit is not something we can force; it naturally develops as we remain connected to the divine source. By focusing on our relationship with God, we can cultivate a life that reflects love, joy, peace, and other fruits of the Spirit. [05:50]

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: Which fruit of the Spirit do you feel is most lacking in your life, and how can you nurture its growth through your relationship with God?


Day 5: Changing Your Spiritual Environment
Like "The Blob," the flesh can consume us if we don't change our environment. By moving to a realm where the Spirit leads, we can overcome the flesh's influence and experience true freedom and victory in our spiritual lives. This transformation is not about following a set of rules but about living in a new realm where the Spirit leads and empowers us daily. By changing our spiritual environment, we can foster the Spirit's influence and live a life marked by freedom and victory. [13:41]

Romans 12:2 (ESV): "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Reflection: What changes can you make in your spiritual environment to foster the Spirit's influence and overcome the flesh's hold on your life?

Quotes


why does he tell you the present tense keep on being filled with the spirit that's how it reads when you pull up to a gas station you fill them up but as soon as you leave the gas station you begin to lose the feeling why because you're burning up gas I don't care how full you may feel right now the moment you leave here it's going to start to burn that's why he says keep on being filled it is a mindset a lifestyle not an event [00:00:00]

the law can tell you but the law can't help you I mean say that again the law can say this is right and this is wrong but it can't help you do right it can just condemn you if you're wrong or tell you if it right but to just say you know the Ten Commandments whatever the law is those laws are good they just can't help you what he says is if you walk in the spirit you're not operating by a relationship not by a rule [00:01:00]

I mean how many of you have gone to the library to look for a book on um uh how do I love my kid you kind of do it because they're your kid it's a relational thing and the love anything about the book only comes to supplement it doesn't come to define the law can't help you it can condemn you but what he says is if you walk in the spirit and he says it is a mindset there must be a change in thinking to think spiritually to get the help of the spirit [00:01:28]

when a baby first start walking you know it's going to fall down and then get up and then fall down and get up and what you're going to do you're going to character come on come on come on and then then you know it gets wobbly after a while but it doesn't fall down and then then it stands up in other words you got to learn to walk you gotta learn to walk [00:02:43]

walking is where it's a daily orientation it's a daily way of thinking it's a daily way of operating so that the flesh is trained you don't rule up in here anymore you're training the flesh because you ain't crawling on your knees anymore submitting to its demands you're now standing on your own two feet because you learned to walk by means of the spirit okay so now your thinking is shifted because now this is a way of operating and not merely just a a way of uh just following a bunch of rules without an appropriate relationship [00:02:59]

the Deeds of the flesh are but the fruit of the spirit is you said it again the Deeds of the flesh are but the fruit of the spirit is okay watch this yes Deeds are tied to what you do outside of the will of God fruit is tied to a tree is that that's two different things Deeds are tied to you fruit is tied to tree [00:05:30]

you've never seen an orange grunting oh I need to be orangey I need to get the juice going you've never seen a banana come on yellow come on yellow you know you don't you don't see fruit grunting to be fruity no it is growing because of its attachment to a tree it's attachment to a tree is making it fruity okay and remember what fruit does fruit always reflects the character of the tree of which it is upon [00:06:07]

fruit is always for the benefit of somebody else any fruit eating itself is rotten so if nobody else wants to take a bite out of your life it's cause you not juicy enough if nobody wants to follow you nobody wants to be like you because there's not enough Christ in you showing up that means you're not bearing fruit which means you're not connected to the tree you're not you're not intimate with the tree [00:06:54]

do you know that person that you're living with that you don't want to live with anymore maybe God's test to show you how fleshly you are how unrighteous you are there may be God's provision to wake you up to being more spiritual or that person at that at work or that person what God is trying to do if God would just get rid of this thing God is trying to grow us not get us to manage that's transformation [00:07:39]

he says if we live verse 25 by the spirit let us also walk by the spirit since you have the spirit live that's the life let's start operating that way not on Sunday morning Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday and then we get some new juice you know uh Ephesians 5 18 says be not drunk with wine but be filled with the spirit okay [00:08:14]

the reason that the blob was overcome was not because they had a plan a program it because they had a change of environment and when they changed the environment they could hold the flesh hostage I know you've been trying I know you've been doing a little of this I know you've been doing 12 steps that I know you've been going councilman here I know you're buying self-help books over there but if you will change the environment and move to the realm of the spirit as a lifestyle you'll see the plane of your Victory rise over the gravity of the flesh that seeks to defeat you [00:13:36]

free at last free at last thank God Almighty I'm free at last let's stand to our feet [00:14:20]

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Transcript
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