The Spirit-Filled Life: When God Moves In

Today, we gathered as a church family to celebrate God’s faithfulness, honor our veterans, and reflect on what it truly means to live a Spirit-filled life. As we move into the holiday season, we’re reminded that God’s presence is not confined to a building, but takes up residence in the hearts of those who call upon His name. Just as the glory of the Lord filled Solomon’s temple, so too does the Holy Spirit fill the lives of believers, making us living temples for His glory.

We looked at Ephesians 5 and 6 to understand the ongoing, daily nature of being filled with the Spirit. This isn’t a one-time event, but a continual choice—a command, not a suggestion. God doesn’t force us, but invites us to daily surrender, to be filled so that we can experience the fullness of His blessing and power. When we neglect this, we rob ourselves of the strength and joy God intends for us, much like trying to drive on an empty tank.

A Spirit-filled life transforms every area: our worship, our marriages, our work, and even our battles. In worship, God puts a song in our hearts, not just for Sunday, but for every day, giving us joy and resilience in a world that often seeks to tear us down. In marriage, Spirit-filled husbands and wives model Christ and the church, submitting to one another in love and sacrificial service. In our work, we are called to be the best employees, students, and leaders—not for the praise of people, but as service to Christ Himself. And in our spiritual battles, we are reminded that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces, and only by the Spirit’s power can we stand firm.

Time is short and the days are evil, so we are urged to make the most of every opportunity. God gives us daily chances to make a difference, to be His witnesses, and to bless others. But if we neglect to be filled, we waste days we can never get back. The Spirit-filled life is not about legalism or earning God’s favor, but about living in joyful obedience, empowered to love, serve, and witness in every sphere of life. May we commit ourselves afresh to be continually filled, so that God’s glory is seen in and through us.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Spirit-filled living is a daily choice Being filled with the Spirit is not a one-time event, but a continual, daily decision. God commands us to be filled, but He respects our free will—He won’t force us. When we choose to surrender and seek His filling each day, we open ourselves to His power, joy, and guidance. Neglecting this is not just missing out; it’s disobedience that leads to spiritual emptiness. [42:08]
• 2. The Spirit transforms every area of life A Spirit-filled life impacts our worship, marriages, work, and even our spiritual battles. In worship, we find joy and resilience; in marriage, we model Christ’s love and mutual submission; in work, we serve with integrity as unto the Lord; and in spiritual warfare, we stand strong by His power. The Spirit’s presence is meant to saturate every part of our lives, not just the “spiritual” moments. [49:02]
• 3. Obedience brings blessing, not legalism God’s command to be filled with the Spirit is not about following rules to earn His favor, but about stepping into the blessings He desires for us. When we obey, we experience His presence, power, and purpose in ways that transform us and those around us. Disobedience, especially when we know what is right, is a greater offense than we often realize—it robs us of God’s best. [45:13]
• 4. Make the most of every opportunity Time is short, and God gives us daily opportunities to make a difference. A Spirit-filled believer is attentive to these moments, ready to serve, witness, and bless others. When we neglect to be filled, we waste days and opportunities that can never be reclaimed. The Spirit empowers us not just for our own benefit, but to impact the world around us for Christ. [58:28]
• 5. God’s power is available, but we must “fill up” God has given us all the power we need to live for Him, but we must choose to “fill up” daily. Just as a car can’t run on an empty tank, we can’t live the Christian life in our own strength. When we neglect the Spirit’s filling, we find ourselves exhausted and ineffective. But when we seek Him, He supplies all we need for every challenge and opportunity. [61:04]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [03:29] - Announcements and Ministry Opportunities
• [07:28] - Thanksgiving and Holiday Fellowship
• [10:44] - Opening Prayer and Pastoral Care
• [15:01] - Honoring Veterans
• [28:15] - Worship: “Behold, He Comes”
• [35:20] - Reflections on Worship Songs
• [35:40] - Introducing the Spirit-Filled Life Series
• [36:24] - Solomon’s Temple and God’s Presence
• [39:08] - God’s Presence in Us, Not Buildings
• [41:42] - Three Reasons for the Spirit-Filled Life
• [45:13] - Obedience: The Command to Be Filled
• [49:02] - The Spirit-Filled Life in Worship, Marriage, and Work
• [57:39] - Spiritual Warfare and the Spirit-Filled Life
• [58:28] - Making the Most of Every Opportunity
• [61:04] - God’s Power and Our Daily “Filling”
• [63:05] - Responding to God’s Call
• [67:47] - Invitation and Closing Remarks
• [69:50] - Upcoming Events and Dismissal

Bible Reading

Ephesians 5:15–21 (ESV) — > Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 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, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Ephesians 6:10–13 (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. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

Observation Questions

1. According to Ephesians 5:18, what is the difference between being drunk with wine and being filled with the Spirit? How does Paul describe the ongoing nature of being filled? ([42:08])
2. In the sermon, what areas of life did the pastor say are transformed by a Spirit-filled life? ([49:02])
3. What does Paul say is the reason for making the most of every opportunity? ([58:28])
4. How does the pastor describe the consequences of neglecting to be filled with the Spirit? ([41:42])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Paul commands believers to be “continually filled” with the Spirit, rather than treating it as a one-time event? What does this say about the Christian life? ([42:08])
2. The pastor said that neglecting to be filled with the Spirit is not just missing out, but is actually disobedience. Why might this be a more serious issue than we often realize? ([45:13])
3. In what ways does being filled with the Spirit impact relationships like marriage and work, according to both Ephesians and the sermon? ([49:02])
4. The sermon compared living without the Spirit’s filling to trying to drive on an empty tank. What are some signs in a believer’s life that they are “running on empty”? ([01:01:04])

Application Questions

1. The pastor said being filled with the Spirit is a daily choice and not something God forces on us. What are some practical ways you can make this choice each morning? ([42:08])
2. Think about your worship life. Do you find yourself singing or having a song in your heart outside of Sunday mornings? If not, what could you do to cultivate a heart of worship throughout the week? ([49:02])
3. In your marriage or close relationships, how can you model Christ’s love and mutual submission more intentionally this week? Is there a specific action or conversation you need to have? ([52:04])
4. At work or school, are you serving “as unto the Lord” or mainly for the approval of others? What is one change you could make to serve with more integrity and joy? ([56:15])
5. The pastor said that time is short and the days are evil, so we should make the most of every opportunity. Is there a specific opportunity God has put in front of you recently that you’ve been ignoring or putting off? What would it look like to step into it? ([58:28])
6. When was the last time you felt spiritually “empty” or exhausted? Looking back, can you see any connection to neglecting time with God or not seeking the Spirit’s filling? What could you do differently next time? ([01:01:04])
7. The sermon emphasized that obedience brings blessing, not legalism. Is there an area where you’ve been obeying God out of duty rather than joy? How might your attitude change if you saw obedience as stepping into God’s blessing? ([45:13])