Living a Spirit-Filled Life: Continuous Surrender and Empowerment
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today, we continue our journey into understanding what it means to live a Spirit-filled life, focusing on Ephesians 5:18. Last week, we touched on the importance of being filled with the Holy Spirit, and today, we will delve deeper into this concept. The essence of our discussion is that without the Holy Spirit's active presence in our lives, our efforts in ministry and daily living will be ultimately worthless. The Holy Spirit must guide, direct, and flow through us for our actions to have eternal significance.
We revisited Ephesians 5:18, which commands us to be filled with the Holy Spirit continuously. This command is not just for pastors or church leaders but for every believer. The filling of the Holy Spirit is not a one-time event but a continuous process that requires our active participation and surrender. The big question we must ask ourselves is, "Is the Holy Spirit filling you right now?" This question is personal and requires honest introspection.
Being filled with the Holy Spirit means more than just having Him reside in us; it means allowing Him to preside over us. It involves surrendering every aspect of our lives to His control. This includes our motives, obedience, and obligations in various areas of life, such as family, work, and spiritual warfare. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live out our obligations joyfully and effectively.
We also discussed the biblical motives for being filled with the Holy Spirit, which include living obediently to God and fulfilling our obligations in family and work relationships. The Holy Spirit helps us to submit to one another, love sacrificially, and serve diligently. Additionally, we have a battling obligation to stand against the schemes of the devil, which we can only do through the strength and power of the Holy Spirit.
Finally, we explored the biblical meanings and manifestations of being filled with the Holy Spirit. It means giving Him complete control, allowing Him to continuously guide us, and consciously claiming His promises. The manifestations of a Spirit-filled life include a growing adoration for God, a spirit of appreciation in all circumstances, and a spirit of accommodation in our relationships with others.
### Key Takeaways
1. Continuous Filling of the Holy Spirit: Being filled with the Holy Spirit is not a one-time event but a continuous process. It requires us to actively seek and surrender to His presence daily. This ongoing filling empowers us to live out our faith effectively and joyfully. [24:53]
2. Complete Surrender: The Holy Spirit will fill us in proportion to what we surrender to Him. This means giving Him access to every area of our lives, including our motives, relationships, and decisions. True filling comes from a heart fully surrendered to God's will. [34:57]
3. Empowerment for Obedience and Obligations: The Holy Spirit empowers us to live obediently to God's commands and fulfill our obligations in various areas of life, such as family and work. This includes loving sacrificially, submitting to one another, and serving diligently. [37:36]
4. Spiritual Warfare: We are in a spiritual battle against the forces of darkness. The Holy Spirit equips us with the strength and armor needed to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. Our victory in this battle depends on being filled with the Holy Spirit. [46:23]
5. Manifestations of a Spirit-Filled Life: A Spirit-filled life is characterized by a growing adoration for God, a spirit of appreciation in all circumstances, and a spirit of accommodation in our relationships with others. These manifestations reflect the Holy Spirit's active presence in our lives. [57:10]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[20:08] - Invitation to Family Meeting
[20:53] - Recap of Last Week's Message
[21:47] - Jesus Drank the Cup
[22:33] - Living a Spirit-Filled Life
[24:00] - Ephesians 5:18 in Context
[24:53] - Continuous Filling of the Holy Spirit
[25:35] - The Big Question: Are You Filled?
[26:25] - Personal Question: Is the Holy Spirit Filling You?
[27:57] - The Holy Spirit is a Person
[28:29] - Holy Spirit Presides Over Us
[29:11] - Importance of the Holy Spirit
[30:08] - Spiritual Beings with Eternal Destiny
[31:06] - Spiritual Experiences: Good or Bad
[32:53] - Biblical Motives for Being Filled
[34:57] - Complete Surrender to the Holy Spirit
[36:11] - Empowerment for Obedience
[37:36] - Spirit-Filled Living in Family Obligations
[39:15] - Husbands and Wives
[40:44] - Children and Parents
[42:03] - Employment Obligations
[43:27] - Serving as if Serving Christ
[44:56] - Supervisors and Employees
[46:23] - Battling Obligations
[47:49] - Spiritual Warfare
[49:23] - Greater is He Who is in You
[51:00] - Praying Obligations
[52:31] - Making the Best Use of Time
[54:12] - Addressing Brokenness
[55:52] - Opportunities in Evil Days
[57:10] - Complete Control by the Holy Spirit
[58:37] - Giving the Holy Spirit Full Access
[01:00:17] - Conscious Claiming of God's Promises
[01:01:49] - Continual Control by the Holy Spirit
[01:03:12] - Comparison to Being Drunk
[01:04:44] - Powerful Control of the Holy Spirit
[01:06:08] - Claiming the Promises of God
[01:07:43] - Faith Over Feeling
[01:09:09] - Manifestations of a Spirit-Filled Life
[01:10:27] - Growing Adoration for God
[01:12:03] - Spirit of Appreciation in All Circumstances
[01:13:22] - Humbly Grateful in Every Circumstance
[01:14:37] - Spirit of Accommodation in Relationships
[01:16:15] - Submitting to One Another
[01:18:04] - Prayer and Invitation to Trust Jesus
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 5:18 - "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit."
2. Ephesians 5:21 - "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ."
3. Ephesians 6:10-11 - "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes."
### Observation Questions
1. What does Ephesians 5:18 command believers to do continuously? ([24:53])
2. According to Ephesians 5:21, how should believers relate to one another? ([39:15])
3. What are believers instructed to put on in Ephesians 6:10-11, and why? ([46:23])
4. How does the sermon describe the role of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives and ministry? ([22:33])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is the continuous filling of the Holy Spirit essential for living a Spirit-filled life, according to the sermon? ([24:53])
2. How does complete surrender to the Holy Spirit impact our motives, relationships, and decisions? ([34:57])
3. In what ways does the Holy Spirit empower believers to fulfill their family and work obligations? ([37:36])
4. How does the Holy Spirit equip believers for spiritual warfare, and what does this look like in practical terms? ([46:23])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily routine. How can you actively seek the continuous filling of the Holy Spirit each day? ([24:53])
2. Identify an area of your life where you struggle to surrender control. What steps can you take to give the Holy Spirit access to this area? ([34:57])
3. Think about your family and work relationships. How can you allow the Holy Spirit to guide you in loving sacrificially and serving diligently in these areas? ([37:36])
4. Consider a recent challenge or conflict. How can you rely on the Holy Spirit's strength and armor to stand firm against the schemes of the devil? ([46:23])
5. Reflect on your prayer life. How can you incorporate praying in the Spirit at all times into your daily practice? ([51:00])
6. Identify a specific circumstance where you can express appreciation and gratitude, even if it is challenging. How can this attitude reflect a Spirit-filled life? ([12:03])
7. Think of a relationship where you need to practice more accommodation and submission. What practical steps can you take to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ? ([14:37])
Devotional
Day 1: Continuous Filling of the Holy Spirit
The journey of being filled with the Holy Spirit is not a one-time event but a continuous process. This ongoing filling requires believers to actively seek and surrender to the Holy Spirit's presence daily. Without this continuous filling, our efforts in ministry and daily living will lack eternal significance. The Holy Spirit's active presence empowers us to live out our faith effectively and joyfully, guiding and directing our actions to align with God's will. This continuous filling is essential for every believer, not just pastors or church leaders, and it demands our active participation and surrender.
Ephesians 5:18 commands us to be filled with the Holy Spirit continuously. This means that we must make a conscious effort to invite the Holy Spirit into our lives every day, allowing Him to guide our thoughts, actions, and decisions. The question we must ask ourselves is, "Is the Holy Spirit filling you right now?" This personal question requires honest introspection and a willingness to surrender every aspect of our lives to His control. [24:53]
Ephesians 5:18 (ESV): "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit."
Reflection: What daily habits can you incorporate to ensure you are continuously seeking and surrendering to the Holy Spirit's presence in your life?
Day 2: Complete Surrender
The Holy Spirit will fill us in proportion to what we surrender to Him. This means giving Him access to every area of our lives, including our motives, relationships, and decisions. True filling comes from a heart fully surrendered to God's will. When we allow the Holy Spirit to preside over us, we experience His guidance and empowerment in every aspect of our lives. This complete surrender is essential for living a Spirit-filled life and fulfilling our God-given purpose.
Complete surrender involves a conscious decision to let go of our own desires and plans, and instead, submit to the Holy Spirit's leading. It requires us to trust that God's plans for us are better than our own and to be willing to follow His direction, even when it is difficult or uncomfortable. By surrendering every aspect of our lives to the Holy Spirit, we open ourselves up to His transformative power and experience the fullness of His presence. [34:57]
Romans 12:1 (ESV): "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 3: Empowerment for Obedience and Obligations
The Holy Spirit empowers us to live obediently to God's commands and fulfill our obligations in various areas of life, such as family and work. This includes loving sacrificially, submitting to one another, and serving diligently. The Holy Spirit's empowerment enables us to live out our faith in practical ways, demonstrating God's love and grace to those around us. By relying on the Holy Spirit's strength, we can fulfill our responsibilities with joy and effectiveness.
Living a Spirit-filled life means allowing the Holy Spirit to guide our actions and decisions in every area of our lives. This includes our relationships with family members, colleagues, and others we interact with daily. The Holy Spirit helps us to submit to one another, love sacrificially, and serve diligently, reflecting Christ's love in all that we do. By seeking the Holy Spirit's guidance and empowerment, we can fulfill our obligations in a way that honors God and blesses others. [37:36]
Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV): "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."
Reflection: How can you invite the Holy Spirit to empower you in your daily responsibilities and relationships, ensuring that your actions reflect Christ's love and grace?
Day 4: Spiritual Warfare
We are in a spiritual battle against the forces of darkness, and the Holy Spirit equips us with the strength and armor needed to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. Our victory in this battle depends on being filled with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit provides us with the discernment, wisdom, and power to recognize and resist the enemy's attacks. By relying on the Holy Spirit, we can stand firm in our faith and overcome the challenges we face.
Spiritual warfare is a reality for every believer, and it requires us to be vigilant and prepared. The Holy Spirit equips us with the necessary tools to stand against the enemy's schemes, including the armor of God described in Ephesians 6. By being filled with the Holy Spirit, we can access His strength and power to resist temptation, overcome obstacles, and remain steadfast in our faith. Our victory in spiritual warfare is assured when we rely on the Holy Spirit's guidance and empowerment. [46:23]
Ephesians 6:10-11 (ESV): "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil."
Reflection: What specific steps can you take to rely on the Holy Spirit's strength and armor in your daily spiritual battles?
Day 5: Manifestations of a Spirit-Filled Life
A Spirit-filled life is characterized by a growing adoration for God, a spirit of appreciation in all circumstances, and a spirit of accommodation in our relationships with others. These manifestations reflect the Holy Spirit's active presence in our lives. As we allow the Holy Spirit to fill and guide us, we experience a deeper love for God, a grateful heart, and harmonious relationships with those around us. These qualities are evidence of the Holy Spirit's transformative work in our lives.
The manifestations of a Spirit-filled life are visible in our attitudes and actions. A growing adoration for God leads to a deeper relationship with Him and a desire to worship and serve Him wholeheartedly. A spirit of appreciation in all circumstances allows us to remain grateful and content, even in challenging situations. A spirit of accommodation in our relationships helps us to extend grace, forgiveness, and love to others, fostering unity and harmony. By seeking the Holy Spirit's filling, we can experience these transformative qualities in our lives. [57:10]
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: How can you cultivate a growing adoration for God, a spirit of appreciation, and a spirit of accommodation in your daily life, reflecting the Holy Spirit's active presence in you?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Jesus drank that cup so I didn't have to. And you don't either. And that's just the truth. Jesus took all of that nasty sin that all that stuff represented last week. And he took it for us." [21:47] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "If we are as a church, as a people of God, not inhabited by in what I'll call a manifesting way the deity, the divinity of God through us. If we're not. If we're not allowing him to guide us and direct us in moments and decisions and those kinds of things. If his divinity is not flowing through us, then pretty much everything we do will be ultimately worthless." [22:33] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The only way we're going to make, take advantage of the opportunities that God is going to give us is if we will be filled with the Holy Spirit." [24:00] (7 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Being filled with the Holy Spirit doesn't primarily mean that you get more of the Holy Spirit. What it primarily means is that the Holy Spirit gets more of us, more of you. That's primarily what it's about." [34:57] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The only place they're going to find hope is in Jesus. The only place that any of us will ultimately find hope is in Jesus. And so there has never been a greater time to talk about Jesus where we live work and play because there is a hunger right now to experience God to experience goodness." [54:12] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Is the Holy Spirit filling you right now? Again, don't answer out loud. But answer it. Is the Holy Spirit filling you right now? It's a personal question. And I didn't ask, is He indwelling you? Because if you're in Christ, then His Spirit is in you. I'm not asking you, have you been filled? You know? I'm not asking you to believe in the fullness of the Spirit. I'm not asking you that. I'm asking you right now, in this moment in time, are you consciously and conspicuously, are you filled with the Spirit?" [26:25] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "See, being filled with the Holy Spirit does not again mean that He just resides in you. It means He presides over you. A lot of people. A lot of people want the Holy Spirit to kind of travel incognito. He doesn't want to be incognito. He wants to be in control. That's who the Holy Spirit is." [28:29] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The Holy Spirit will fill you, will fill me where I give Him invitation to fill me. And He wants to fill our motives. He wants to fill the things that motivate us. He wants to motivate us in aspects of our lives. And one of those areas that He wants to fill us so that we will be motivated is in our obedience to God." [34:57] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Spirit-filled people are humbly grateful in every circumstance. People who are filled with their flesh are grumbly hateful in every circumstance they just grumble grumble grumble grumble all the time grumbling you know and a lot of time it flows out of a heart that's kind of angry at God." [13:22] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could learn to do that? Submit to one another. You know, they're somewhere down the line, Christians got it in our heads that submission was only for wives. That's a lie. We are to submit to one another, and notice how this happens, out of reverence for Christ." [14:37] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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