Living a Spirit-Filled Life of Purpose and Service
Summary
Living a fulfilling life is about more than just accumulating wealth or possessions; it's about living with purpose and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide and fill us. This week, I had the privilege of having lunch with Joe, the father of one of our missionaries, Nicole, who has been serving orphans in Romania. Joe shared the joy of seeing his daughter live a life dedicated to serving others, and it struck me how fulfilling such a life must be. This is the kind of life Jesus came to give us—one that is full and abundant.
In Ephesians 5:15-18, Paul urges us to be careful how we live, making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil. This means living wisely and understanding what the Lord's will is for our lives. A fulfilling life is one where we are filled with the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to control our actions and decisions. This isn't a one-time event but a continual process of being filled with the Spirit.
To live a Spirit-filled life, we must engage in practices that allow the Holy Spirit to work through us. This includes speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in our hearts to the Lord, always giving thanks to God for everything, and submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. These practices help us to live in harmony with others and to reflect God's love in our relationships.
Living a Spirit-filled life requires effort and intentionality. It's about making the most of our time and opportunities, investing in others, and living in a way that reflects God's will. When we do this, we experience the fullness of life that Jesus promised, and we become a testament to His love and grace.
Key Takeaways:
- Fulfilling Life Through Service: A truly fulfilling life is one where we serve others and reflect the love of Christ. This is exemplified by missionaries like Nicole, who dedicate their lives to serving orphans. Such a life is rich in purpose and joy, far beyond material wealth. [01:35]
- Living Wisely: Ephesians 5:15-18 calls us to live wisely, making the most of every opportunity. This means being intentional with our time and understanding God's will for our lives. Time is precious and fleeting, and we must use it wisely to live a fulfilling life. [04:12]
- Being Filled with the Spirit: Being filled with the Holy Spirit is an ongoing process that requires effort. It's about allowing the Spirit to guide our actions and decisions, leading to a life that is full and abundant. This is not a one-time event but a continual journey. [17:49]
- Practices for a Spirit-Filled Life: To be filled with the Spirit, we must engage in practices like speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to the Lord, giving thanks always, and submitting to one another. These practices help us live in harmony with others and reflect God's love. [19:11]
- Transformation Through Intentional Living: Just as physical transformation requires discipline and effort, spiritual transformation requires intentional living. By practicing these spiritual disciplines, we can become more Spirit-filled and live lives that are visibly different and fulfilling. [31:31]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:10] - Lunch with Joe
[00:43] - Missionary Life in Romania
[01:21] - The Fulfillment of Serving
[02:16] - Living a Full Life
[03:27] - Be Careful How You Live
[04:12] - Making the Most of Every Opportunity
[06:29] - The Preciousness of Time
[08:11] - Life's Milestones
[10:25] - Fulfillment in Investing Time
[11:16] - Understanding the Lord's Will
[12:18] - Being Filled with the Spirit
[14:35] - The Influence of the Spirit
[17:49] - Continual Filling of the Spirit
[19:11] - Practices for a Spirit-Filled Life
[27:38] - Relationships and Harmony
[31:31] - Transformation Through Spiritual Discipline
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 5:15-18
---
Observation Questions:
1. What does Paul mean when he instructs us to "be very careful how you live" in Ephesians 5:15? How does this relate to living a fulfilling life? [03:27]
2. In the sermon, what example is given to illustrate a life that is full and abundant? How does this example relate to the concept of being Spirit-filled? [01:35]
3. What are the specific practices mentioned in the sermon that help us live a Spirit-filled life? [19:11]
4. How does the sermon describe the difference between having the Holy Spirit and being filled with the Holy Spirit? [02:44]
---
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the analogy of being drunk help us understand what it means to be filled with the Spirit? What are the implications of this comparison for our daily lives? [12:18]
2. The sermon emphasizes making the most of every opportunity. What might this look like in practical terms for someone seeking to live a Spirit-filled life? [04:12]
3. How do the practices of speaking with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs contribute to being filled with the Spirit? Why might these practices be important for spiritual growth? [19:11]
4. What role does gratitude play in living a Spirit-filled life, according to the sermon? How can this transform our daily experiences? [25:48]
---
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current lifestyle. Are there areas where you feel you are not living wisely or making the most of your time? What changes can you make to align more closely with Ephesians 5:15-18? [03:27]
2. Consider the example of Nicole, the missionary in Romania. How can you incorporate service to others into your life in a way that reflects the love of Christ? [01:35]
3. Identify one practice mentioned in the sermon (e.g., speaking with psalms, singing, giving thanks) that you can focus on this week. How will you incorporate this practice into your daily routine? [19:11]
4. The sermon discusses the importance of intentional living for spiritual transformation. What is one specific area of your life where you can be more intentional in seeking God's will? [31:31]
5. How can you cultivate a heart of gratitude in your daily life? What are some practical steps you can take to ensure you are always giving thanks to God for everything? [25:48]
6. Think about your relationships with others. Are there any relationships where you need to work on submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ? How can you take steps to improve these relationships? [27:38]
7. Reflect on the idea of being so filled with the Spirit that it is evident to others. What specific actions can you take to ensure that God's presence is visible in your interactions with others? [16:30]
Devotional
Day 1: Fulfilling Life Through Service
A fulfilling life is not measured by wealth or possessions but by the purpose and joy found in serving others. This is exemplified by individuals like Nicole, who dedicate their lives to serving orphans in Romania. Such a life is rich in purpose and joy, far beyond material wealth. When we serve others, we reflect the love of Christ and experience a deeper sense of fulfillment. This is the kind of life Jesus came to give us—one that is full and abundant. [01:35]
Acts 20:35 (ESV): "In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’"
Reflection: Who in your community or life can you serve this week, and how can you make time to do so?
Day 2: Living Wisely
Ephesians 5:15-18 calls us to live wisely, making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil. This means being intentional with our time and understanding God's will for our lives. Time is precious and fleeting, and we must use it wisely to live a fulfilling life. By living wisely, we align ourselves with God's purpose and make a meaningful impact in the world around us. [04:12]
Colossians 4:5-6 (ESV): "Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel you are not using your time wisely? How can you change your habits to align more closely with God's will?
Day 3: Being Filled with the Spirit
Being filled with the Holy Spirit is an ongoing process that requires effort. It's about allowing the Spirit to guide our actions and decisions, leading to a life that is full and abundant. This is not a one-time event but a continual journey. As we allow the Holy Spirit to fill us, we experience the fullness of life that Jesus promised and become a testament to His love and grace. [17:49]
Galatians 5:16-17 (ESV): "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do."
Reflection: In what ways can you invite the Holy Spirit to guide your decisions today? What specific actions can you take to be more open to His leading?
Day 4: Practices for a Spirit-Filled Life
To be filled with the Spirit, we must engage in practices like speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing to the Lord, giving thanks always, and submitting to one another. These practices help us live in harmony with others and reflect God's love. By incorporating these spiritual disciplines into our daily lives, we create an environment where the Holy Spirit can work through us. [19:11]
Ephesians 4:2-3 (ESV): "With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."
Reflection: Which of these spiritual practices can you incorporate into your daily routine this week? How can they help you live in greater harmony with those around you?
Day 5: Transformation Through Intentional Living
Just as physical transformation requires discipline and effort, spiritual transformation requires intentional living. By practicing these spiritual disciplines, we can become more Spirit-filled and live lives that are visibly different and fulfilling. Intentional living involves making conscious choices that align with God's will and purpose for our lives, leading to a transformation that reflects His love and grace. [31:31]
2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV): "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: What is one specific area of your life where you desire spiritual transformation? What intentional steps can you take to pursue this transformation with discipline and effort?
Quotes
I meet a lot of people that are rich I got a lot of people that know a lot of people with a lot of possessions but how many people do you know that are really living fulfilling lives lives that are just man just just full I mean that's that's why Jesus came too I mean the Bible says Jesus says I have come that you can have life that you may have life and have it to the full. [00:02:04]
Be very careful then how you live not as unwise but as wise making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil okay the first phrase he says is be very careful how you live I thought about that phrase and I thought am I really careful about how I live I mean this morning even was I really careful when I woke up. [00:03:21]
The Bible makes a distinction between Having the Holy Spirit in your life and actually being filled with the Holy Spirit living a life where you're under the control of the holy spirit because really that's how you live a fulfilled life is when you allow the Holy Spirit to control your life and to live through you. [00:02:34]
Make the most of every opportunity the word in the Greek is literally Ransom it's to Ransom something or to redeem something and it's this picture of the days the time just doesn't really belong to us it's kind of like running away from us and we need to Ransom it and capture it and make the most of it to use it properly. [00:04:21]
If you live a fulfilling life you don't ask where did the time go because you know where it went and you're glad about where it went and you realize where you spent the time you lived wisely and you go I'm glad I invested that year in those people in that thing see fulfillment was that day at the park. [00:10:06]
Understand what the Lord's will is live a life that is wise think through what would God want me to do with my time with this precious commodity I've got be wise think through what does he want me to do and start doing those things because you're going to f face him you're going to face him soon and and you're going to give an account for your time. [00:11:42]
He wants us to be so filled with the holy spirit that you can't come face to face with the person for 30 seconds without him knowing that God's just flowing right out of you he say you be so filled with God's spirit that everyone can see it in every action just like a drunk person can't hide his actions. [00:16:20]
It's an ongoing command something you got to keep doing it's just like if I got drunk right now if I got drunk right now and then I stopped drinking tomorrow I'd be sober okay if I wanted to stay drunk that would take some effort okay I got to just keep it going and that's the idea here. [00:17:58]
Speaking to one another with Psalms hymns and spiritual songs sing and make music in your heart to the lord always giving thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ submit to one another out of reverence for Christ see you can't see this you can't you can't see this in the English. [00:18:51]
You want to live a Spirit-filled life then in your conversations you're going to need to speak to one another about your praises to God would you say that describes your conversation with god I mean with other people would you say yeah that's that's typically what I do you know get together with my my friends I I tell them about what God's doing in my life. [00:21:04]
Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ two key words I want you to see always and everything always giving thanks to God for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ does that describe you are you a person that's always giving thanks for everything. [00:25:34]
The Bible says a Spirit-filled person is a person who's living in harmony with these other people and that that he is serving these people that he's submitting to them out of a fear of the Lord I can't say that I'm worshiping God if I'm not serving my wife because the Bible says in that very same passage husbands love wives as Christ loved the church. [00:28:39]
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?