The Spirit Filled Life: When God Moves In

Devotional

Day 1: God Reveals Himself and Desires to Be Known

God is not hiding from us; He continually reveals Himself through creation, through His Word, through prayer, through worship, and through the love and fellowship of His people. Every day, God is actively making Himself known, inviting us to be aware of His presence in every moment and to respond with worship and gratitude. As we open our eyes and hearts, we can see His hand in the beauty of nature, the encouragement of a friend, and the truth of Scripture. Our prayer should be for a constant God-awareness, so that our lives become a living act of worship, shaped by His nearness and love. [29:18]

John 1:18 (CSB): "No one has ever seen God. The one and only Son, who is himself God and is at the Father’s side—he has revealed him."

Reflection: Where did you see God revealing Himself to you today—in creation, in a conversation, or in a quiet moment? How can you pause and acknowledge His presence right now?

Day 2: The Spirit-Filled Life Requires Total Commitment

To be filled with the Spirit is not about a one-time event or a partial surrender; it is about giving God access to every area of your life. Just as you would expect full access to a house you purchased, God desires all of you—your relationships, your work, your thoughts, your struggles, and your joys. Holding back any part of your life keeps you from experiencing the fullness of what God wants to do in and through you. True commitment means opening every door, every closet, and every hidden place to Him, trusting that He will clean, restore, and transform you in ways you never could on your own. [45:07]

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV): "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."

Reflection: Is there an area of your life you’ve kept off-limits to God? What would it look like to hand Him the keys and invite Him to take over that space today?

Day 3: The Spirit-Filled Life Is About Ongoing Surrender and Possession

Being filled with the Spirit is not a one-time experience but a continual surrender, allowing the Spirit to control and influence every part of your life. Just as staying drunk requires ongoing drinking, staying filled with the Spirit means continually seeking His presence and guidance. This ongoing surrender produces the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—in your life. When you gather with other believers, the presence of God is magnified, and together you become a living testimony of His power and grace. [52:30]

Ephesians 5:18 (ESV): "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,"

Reflection: What is one practical way you can “keep drinking” from the Spirit’s fountain today—through prayer, worship, or fellowship—so that His influence shapes your actions and attitudes?

Day 4: Deliberate Acceptance—Activate What God Has Already Given You

God has already given you everything you need for a godly life through the Holy Spirit, including patience, kindness, love, and self-control. Instead of asking for more, you are called to deliberately open the door to these gifts and let them work in your life. When you feel impatient, unloving, or unkind, it’s not about waiting for God to give you more, but about choosing to let what He has already placed in you come out. This is a conscious, daily decision to let the Spirit’s fruit be evident in your words, actions, and relationships, trusting that God will supply all your needs as you live like Jesus. [59:50]

Philippians 4:19 (ESV): "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: Which fruit of the Spirit do you struggle to show? When you face a challenge today, how can you deliberately “open the chest” and let that gift flow out?

Day 5: The Struggle with the Flesh and the Call to Daily Surrender

Even as you seek to live a Spirit-filled life, your flesh will resist, wanting to stay in control and oppose the Spirit’s work. This struggle is real and ongoing, but you are called to be deliberate and disciplined, choosing each day to surrender your will and desires to God. The more you practice this daily surrender, the more you will experience freedom, healing, and transformation. God wants all of you, not just weekend visits or partial commitment—He wants to move in, clean house, and make you more like Jesus every day. [01:03:45]

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: When your flesh resists God’s leading today, what is one specific step you can take to surrender that area and invite the Spirit to take control?

Sermon Summary

This morning, we gathered as a family to celebrate God’s ongoing work among us, including the joy of baptizing two new believers. As we approach Thanksgiving, we’re reminded of the many ways God reveals Himself—through creation, through the love and fellowship of His people, and through the everyday moments that fill our lives. God is not hiding; He is always making Himself known, inviting us to live with a constant awareness of His presence.

We reflected on what it truly means to be filled with the Spirit, drawing from Ephesians 5:18. The Spirit-filled life is not about a one-time event or a mystical experience, but about daily surrender and being controlled by God’s Spirit. Paul’s analogy of being filled with wine versus being filled with the Spirit helps us understand that the Spirit’s filling is about influence and control—allowing God to have access to every part of our lives, not just the parts we’re comfortable giving Him. Just as no one would buy a house and let the previous owner keep the keys to the shed, God desires full access to every area of our hearts.

Total commitment is required; God wants all of us, not just weekend visits or partial surrender. This means opening every door, every hidden place, and letting Him clean and transform us. We can’t clean ourselves up before coming to Him—only Jesus can make us truly clean. The Spirit’s presence is not just a resident in our lives, but the president—He owns us, leads us, and works in us for our good and His glory.

We also considered the need for total possession and deliberate acceptance. Being filled with the Spirit is not a one-time event; it’s a continual process of yielding, drinking deeply from the well that never runs dry. The fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and more—are already ours in Christ. We don’t need to ask for more patience or love; we need to open the door and let what God has already given us flow out. Our flesh will resist, but as we deliberately choose to let the Spirit lead, we become more like Jesus in every situation.

Today, we witnessed the power of surrender and new life in Christ through baptism. God is still calling, still saving, and still transforming. May we each give Him full access, trusting Him to do what only He can do in us and through us.

Key Takeaways

1. Total Commitment: God Desires All of You God does not settle for partial surrender. He wants access to every area of your life—your relationships, your work, your thoughts, and even the places you’d rather keep hidden. True spiritual transformation comes when we hand over every key, trusting Him to clean, heal, and restore what we cannot fix ourselves. This is not about perfection, but about a willingness to let God have His way in us, every day. [45:23]
2. Continual Yielding: The Spirit’s Filling Is Ongoing Being filled with the Spirit is not a one-time event but a daily, ongoing process. Just as staying drunk requires continual drinking, staying filled with the Spirit requires continually yielding to His influence. This means returning again and again to the source—God Himself—allowing Him to shape our attitudes, actions, and responses, especially when life is hard or our flesh resists. [52:30]
3. Deliberate Acceptance: Use What God Has Already Given The fruit of the Spirit is already present in every believer. Instead of asking God for more patience, love, or kindness, we are called to open the door and let what He has already given us flow out. This requires intentionality—choosing to practice patience, kindness, and forgiveness, even when it’s difficult. Our spiritual growth is not about acquiring more, but about applying what we already possess in Christ. [59:50]
4. The Struggle with the Flesh: Expect Resistance Our flesh will always resist the Spirit’s work, fighting for control and comfort. This struggle is real and ongoing, but it is also the context in which God’s power is made perfect. Spiritual discipline means deliberately choosing the Spirit’s way over our own, trusting that God’s presence in us is greater than any obstacle we face. [61:24]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[06:44] - Announcements and Upcoming Events
[07:48] - Movie Night and Holiday Baskets
[08:16] - Holiday Meals and Church Directory
[09:28] - Lottie Moon Christmas Offering
[10:15] - New Member Class Information
[11:49] - Prayer Requests and Family Updates
[13:13] - Opening Prayer and Worship
[17:41] - Offering and Scripture Reading
[29:18] - God Reveals Himself to Us
[36:24] - Introduction to Spirit-Filled Life
[40:10] - Total Commitment Explained
[48:26] - Total Possession and Spirit’s Influence
[54:53] - The Spirit and Overcoming Struggles
[56:20] - Deliberate Acceptance of the Spirit
[63:45] - Invitation and Call to Surrender
[72:58] - Baptism Testimonies
[75:00] - Closing and Final Announcements

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Ephesians 5:18 (ESV) — > And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV) — > Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

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.

Observation Questions

In Ephesians 5:18, what two things does Paul compare and contrast, and what does he say about each one?
According to 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, what does Paul say about who owns our bodies and why?
What are the specific qualities listed as the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23?
In the sermon, what illustration did the pastor use to explain why God wants access to every part of our lives? [[44:02]]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Paul uses the example of being drunk with wine to help us understand being filled with the Spirit? What does this teach us about influence and control in our lives? [[41:42]]
The pastor said, “God says I want if I can't have all of you. I don't want none of you.” What does this reveal about God’s desire for our relationship with Him? [[45:23]]
According to the sermon, why is being filled with the Spirit not just a one-time event, but a continual process? [[52:30]]
The pastor mentioned that the fruit of the Spirit is already present in every believer. What does it mean to “open the door” and let what God has given us flow out? [[59:50]]

Application Questions

The pastor compared giving God access to every part of our lives to handing over all the keys to a house, not just some. Are there any “rooms” or areas in your life you tend to keep locked away from God? What would it look like to give Him full access? [[44:02]]
Think about a time when you tried to “clean up” your life before coming to God. How does it change your perspective to know that only Jesus can truly make you clean, and He wants you to come as you are? [[46:39]]
The sermon said, “Being filled with the Spirit is not a one-time event but a daily, ongoing process.” What are some practical ways you can “keep drinking from the fountain that never runs dry” this week? [[52:30]]
The pastor said, “Instead of asking God for more patience, love, or kindness, we are called to open the door and let what He has already given us flow out.” Is there a specific fruit of the Spirit you struggle to show? What is one step you can take to practice it intentionally this week? [[59:50]]
The sermon talked about the struggle with the flesh and how our flesh resists the Spirit’s work. Can you identify a situation where your flesh often “fights for control”? How can you deliberately choose the Spirit’s way in that situation? [[01:01:24]]
Baptism was described as a public sign of surrender and new life in Christ. If you have been baptized, how does remembering your baptism encourage you to keep surrendering to God? If you haven’t, what questions or hesitations do you have about it? [[01:12:58]]
The pastor said, “God is not a part-time type of God when it comes to salvation.” How can you move from “weekend visits” with God to a 24/7 relationship? What is one habit you could start or stop this week to help with that? [[45:23]]

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