Be Filled with the Spirit (part 3)
Ephesians 5:18-20
September 15, 2013
Well, as you know we are continuing our study of the Holy Spirit.
Who He is, what He does, and what He desires to do in our lives.
And I must say that even in being prompted in my spirit to begin this study I continue to be amazed at how little I understood my need for the Holy Spirit.
I have loved to discover the things He does
And become enlightened to what He is doing in my life.
And even since this study I am weekly reminded of
How badly I need Him and our church body needs Him.
• He is our source of LIFE
• He is our source of SANCTIFICATION
• He is the One who QUALIFIES us
• He is the One who EQUIPS us
• He is our source of ASSURANCE
• He is our GUIDE
And so we know that He is on our side.
He is working for us.
And even more amazing than that, He is working IN us.
John 14:16-17 “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you.”
Most recently we have begun examining those commands
That reveal how we are to relate to Him.
Scripture gives commands as to how we are to deal with the Holy Spirit.
One of those commands is a PASSIVE COMMAND stating, “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit.”
The command is that you and I allow the Holy Spirit to fill us.
And the last two weeks have been talking about what that means.
• IT’S NOT SOME EUPHORIC EXPERIENCE
(Like getting drunk)
• IT’S NOT GETTING MORE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
(It’s Him getting more of you)
• IT IS TO SUBMIT TO HIS LEADING IN EVERY AREA OF LIFE
And last week we began to talk about how this filling occurs.
We read from Colossians 3 that we are to
“let the word of Christ richly dwell within you.”
And again, that doesn’t just indicate the necessity of reading the word,
But of letting what you read dwell there and dwell there richly.
In other words, it is to choose to obey what that word says.
In this life, you put the word of Christ in,
And then you face a struggle or a decision or a temptation,
At and that moment you either let the word of Christ dwell,
Or you let the will of the flesh dwell.
They are in a great battle within you.
Galatians 5:17 “For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.”
Both are fighting to fill you.
You listen to one and you silence the other.
The command of Paul is that you let Christ win.
That you let yourself be filled with the Spirit.
That you let the Spirit win.
And we talked about some PRACTICAL WAYS
In which you help yourself WIN that battle.
And the main way you win that battle is to kill the enemy.
Colossians 3:5 “Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.”
You and I must put to death the flesh.
• We are to die to self.
• We are to kill off the old man.
• We are to take off the old man and put on the new man.
Well, how do we kill the flesh?
We starve it.
Romans 13:14 “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.”
Most people today simply try to resist the flesh
Without ever starving the flesh.
They surround themselves with all sorts of worldly food
And then wonder why the flesh is so hard to kill.
Well, start making it harder on the flesh to prevail.
Cut off the avenues that it has to tempt you.
Starve it, and it won’t be so difficult to do what the Spirit says.
One passage we probably should have mentioned last week when we were talking about this was:
1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.”
People often quote that verse wrong.
“I know the Lord won’t put on me more than I can handle.”
But that verse isn’t talking about suffering.
That verse is talking about temptation.
That verse is referencing the battle that the Spirit fights with your flesh.
That verse is making you promises about that battle.
Notice a few promises.
1) Common Temptation – temptation is common because the flesh is common.
2) Faithful God – God won’t let Satan turn the dial up too far
3) Promised Escape – God will always provide you with an out
I show you that because I want you to know that
You are not alone in your striving against sin.
God is fighting for you.
We kill the flesh by starving it and making it weak.
But God is also at work,
By limiting both the type and degree of temptation you receive
And making sure that there is always a way of escape.
God makes for sure, that if you are serious about resisting the flesh,
He will make a way for it to happen.
Furthermore we talked about the importance of
Being selective what you fill up with.
I mean, if you fill up with the world,
Don’t be surprised that you aren’t instantly full of the Spirit.
You are going to be full of whatever you fill up with.
Which is another reason to “let the word of Christ richly dwell within you”
• So, being filled with the Spirit is not some euphoric state, but rather a commitment to allow Him to have all of you and to submit to His leadership.
• The way to be filled is to fill up with the word of Christ, and then to let it remain there richly.
And that is what we’ve covered the last couple of weeks.
Before we ended last Sunday I told you that today we would begin
To talk about how to know if you are filled with the Spirit.
We want to be spirit-filled, but I’ve noticed that for some
There remains some confusion as to what exactly
A person looks like when they are.
• Do they levitate?
• Do they sort of float?
• Are their eyes glazed over, with a sparkle of heaven?
• Can you visibly see a hallo?
• Others want to know, do they speak in a strange language?
• Do they have supernatural perception and insight?
What are the characteristics of someone who is filled with the Spirit?
Well, fortunately Paul gives us those characteristics here in Ephesians 5.
FIRST YOU NEED TO NOTICE THAT
THEY ALL HAVE TO DO WITH THE TONGUE.
WHY?
Because the tongue is the barometer of what is on the inside.
I told you last week, that if you fill a glass with water,
And you shake it, water will come out.
“You are full of whatever comes out when you are rattled.”
When we aren’t stressed we do a good job of hiding the inside,
But put a little stress on us, or a little inconvenience, or a little frustration
And it isn’t hard to see what’s on the inside.
Your tongue will reveal what is there.
Adrian Rogers said, “What’s down in the well comes up in the bucket.”
James 3:8-12 “But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh.”
Don’t full yourself that you are some sort of spiritual person
Just because you maintain some pious outer reputation.
Check your tongue.
It is untamable.
It is an accurate depiction of what you are full of.
• We say a person is “Full of it”
When they say things that are outlandish…
• When a person constantly gripes or complains we say they are
“full of bitterness”
We don’t say those people have bad tongues.
We know their tongues are merely revealing what they are full of.
Well, that is precisely how we know if we are full of the Spirit or not.
• It has nothing to do with your church attendance…
• It has nothing to do with how many years you’ve been a deacon…
• It has nothing to do with how many sermons you’ve preached…
None of those things indicate that you are presently filled with the Spirit.
Listen to your words, this is how you know.
And Paul mentions three types of speech
That come from a person who is filled with the Spirit.
1) ENCOURAGING OTHERS (19a)
“speaking to one another”
Now I want to spend a little time here this morning because I want to both
Explain what this means and I want to sort of refute a common notion.
There are others who would also agree that
Being filled with the spirit changes your speech.
Many today believe that it is an experience
That is accompanied by the speaking of other tongues.
I want you to know that that is NOT an indicator.
And I do realize that TONGUES IS A CONFUSING THING to a lot of people
So I want to take a second and sort of explain it this morning.
First off Paul says here “speaking to one another”
“speaking” translates LALEO,
It is another one of those onomatopoetic words.
Meaning it is defined by how it sounds.
And it literally means “to make a sound”
(la, la, la, la, la)
And you could say, “well that’s exactly like speaking in tongues”.
Not at all.
We are “speaking TO one another” – not to God as some suggest
And because our speaking is to “one another” that automatically implies speaking in a manner that is naturally understandable.
And I think it’s important we understand this,
Because I don’t want you to desire to be filled with the Spirit
And then feel the need to run off to some secret meeting to speak in tongues.
That is not what we are after.
So, TURN TO: 1 CORINTHIANS 14
The first thing you need to know is that tongues is a SPIRITUAL GIFT,
Not a common characteristic of a spirit-filled person.
And spiritual gifts are not handed out according to human will.
God gave them according to His desire.
The Holy Spirit chooses to manifest Himself differently in all believers.
1 Corinthians 12:4-11 “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.”
And no one gets to choose their gift.
This reality forces us to be dependent upon one another in the body.
Otherwise, some would emerge as the “super-gifted”
And would try to run the whole show.
That was actually happening in Corinth.
Everyone wanted tongues because it was so flashy
Another thing you should know is that there is no such thing Biblically
As “unknown tongues”
The King James adds the word “unknown” in 1 Corinthians 14:2,
But it is italicized, indicating that it is not in the original Greek manuscript.
The languages spoken, were known languages.
Look at Pentecost where the foreigners in those regions
Understood what was being said
Even though they themselves did not have the Holy Spirit.
So this notion of a person being filled with the Spirit
And then getting some unknown ancient language to babble on,
Is totally unwarranted Scripturally.
Now in 1 Corinthians 14 Paul actually addresses the tongues issue.
FIRST HE IDENTIFIES THE PROBLEM.
(READ 1-5)
Did you see the problem?
The Corinthians were seeking only that which edified themselves,
Not that which edified the church.
Paul is NOT there advocating the reality of a person
Who only speaks to God in his spirit.
Instead he is saying, “You’re speaking in a way that only God can understand, and you aren’t helping anyone.”
Now Paul didn’t have an issue with actual spiritual gift of tongues,
But even that was pointless without interpretation.
The goal was never to do anything that merely edified yourself.
So the idea that people seek to be filled with the Spirit
So they can have this “private prayer language”
By which they edify only themselves is totally contrary to Scripture.
AND PAUL VALIDATES THIS POINT NEXT:
(READ 6-12)
Again, do you get his point?
What use is it to the church if you speak something that no one understands?
(vs 7) They are words that can’t comfort
(vs 8) They are words that can’t motivate
(vs 9) They are words that can’t instruct
It is pointless to help others, and therefore pointless.
AND THEN PAUL GIVES A VERY SARCASTIC REBUKE:
(READ 13-19)
His point is clear, what use is it to speak in some sort of gibberish
Where only your spirit prays but your mind is fruitless.
Paul did actually speak in foreign tongues,
But it wasn’t the goal in the church.
And it wasn’t the goal of his private experience.
He did it for missionary purposes.
FURTHERMORE SEEKING SOME SORT OF MINDLESS PRAYER IS CONTRARY TO THE BIBLICAL PURPOSE OF TONGUES.
(READ 20-25)
Tongues did not originate as a means of revealing new knowledge,
But as a means of concealing knowledge from the heard-hearted.
And there is much more that could be said here,
But I want you to see the main point.
Being filled with the spirit does evidence itself through speech,
But it is not through what is commonly called “Speaking in unknown tongues” like is done today.
That practice is NOT evidence of being spirit-filled.
SO WHAT IS?
“speaking to one another”
Yes, but what do we speak?
(I don’t think the mention of “psalms and hymns and spiritual songs” is meant to explain how we speak to one another, but rather how we praise in the next point)
So what do we speak?
Colossians 3:16 “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
There Paul indicates that the type of speech is to
Teach and admonish one another.
The word “admonishing” here does NOT indicate a REBUKE.
It simply means “to put in mind”
When a believer is filled with the Spirit, their speech is such that
They continually speak the truths of God.
Statements like: “You know Scripture says…”
Or “Have you considered what Jesus said about that..?”
It is to speak the truth into a situation and teach others.
(Is that not a fingerprint of the Holy Spirit? – “guide you into all the truth”)
Just read the life of Christ.
• Every moment was a teaching moment.
• Every opportunity was a teaching opportunity.
There were times when He sat everyone down for a sermon,
But some of His greatest stuff was just given in idle conversation.
His mind was saturated with the truth of God,
And so when He spoke, the truth of God came out.
So it is with a person who is filled with the Spirit.
They speak the truth of God.
And might I remind you again that Scripture is coming out,
Because Scripture is what they are putting in.
It is evident that the “word of Christ” is “richly dwelling” within them.
They are constantly encouraging others.
It is that edifying work that Paul wanted the Corinthians to practice.
Encouraging Others
2) PRAISING CHRIST (19b)
“in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;”
The first section was directed “to one another”
This one is directed “to the Lord”
So here a believer isn’t just encouraging others, but he is praising Jesus.
“in psalms” – this is an interesting word.
(It can be referencing the O.T. Psalms, but not necessarily)
PSALMOS
“a striking or twitching with the fingers on musical strings,
And thus a song to musical accompaniment”
Now I know our Church of Christ friends have told us that
The New Testament never mentions instruments, but that just isn’t true.
Look, there are instruments in the Old Testament and there are instruments in heaven,
It only makes sense that they are in the New Testament too.
In fact Paul says we are to be “making melody”.
That word is PSALLO
Which is the verb, which means
“To twitch, or twang, or pluck on a stringed instrument”
In the Septuagint they use it to represent singing and playing the harp.
So we are definitely talking about musical instruments here.
He also mentions
“and hymns”
HUMNOS
“songs of praise addressed to God”
A Spirit-filled believer doesn’t just sing along with music,
They sing praises to God.
Paul also mentions
“and spiritual songs”
This is a generic word that just means to sing.
I think you get Paul’s point.
A spirit filled person constantly sings “psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with [their] heart to the Lord;”
They are overcome with praise to Jesus.
Psalms 33:1-3 “Sing for joy in the LORD, O you righteous ones; Praise is becoming to the upright. Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre; Sing praises to Him with a harp of ten strings. Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy.”
Psalms 147:1 “Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant and praise is becoming.”
Praise is becoming.
It just fits.
I’m glad I don’t sit up here on the stage, I did at Crawford,
And it just amazed me the number of people who refused to sing.
Seriously?
After all Christ has done you are motivated just a little to praise His name?
• Well, I don’t like those songs…
• Well, I don’t sing well…
WHO CARES! – IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU!
“It’s all about You, Jesus, and all this is for You, for Your glory and Your fame, it’s not about Me, as if You should do things my way. You alone are God, and I surrender to Your ways.”
Praise just fits!
Psalms 30:4 “Sing praise to the LORD, you His godly ones, And give thanks to His holy name.”
Psalms 40:3 “He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear And will trust in the LORD.”
Does the Holy Spirit not long to glorify Jesus?
Then why would a Spirit-filled person fail to do that?
• If you are Spirit filled you will teach the truth (like the Spirit does)
• If you are Spirit filled you will praise Jesus (like the Spirit does)
When you are shaken, that’s what will come out.
Encouraging Others Praising Jesus
3) THANKING GOD (20)
“always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;”
The first section was “to one another”
The second was “to the Lord”
This one is “to God, even the Father”
AND WHAT DO WE GIVE TO HIM?
Gratitude!
We give Him thanks “for all things”
And we do it “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”
WHY?
Because in Jesus all the promises of God are fulfilled.
2 Corinthians 1:20 “For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.”
All that God promised is fulfilled in Christ.
He is the greatest gift of all time.
And we should spend the rest of our lives thanking God for all that He has done for us, because when He sent Jesus, He did it all!
And that sort of gratitude is evidence of a spirit-filled life.
Acts 16:22-25 “The crowd rose up together against them, and the chief magistrates tore their robes off them and proceeded to order them to be beaten with rods. When they had struck them with many blows, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to guard them securely; and he, having received such a command, threw them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them;”
That is what I’m talking about.
Paul and Silas were just ordinary men,
But they were ordinary men who were filled with the Spirit of God.
And because of that they rejoiced and they praised and they encouraged
THAT IS WHAT IT MEANS TO BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT
• They encourage others with the truth…
• They praise Jesus in song…
• They give thanks to God for everything…
People filled with the flesh are just the opposite.
• They don’t encourage others, they drag others down…
• They don’t praise Jesus, they’re too busy focusing on themselves…
• They don’t give thanks for all things, they are too discontent and unfulfilled…
And there you have it.
Being filled with the Spirit is NOT some sort of mystical event that produces some private, self-glorifying mystical moment.
Being filled with the Spirit is extremely practical.
It is when you allow God’s Spirit to have every area of your life
And He is allowed to use you fully.
And when He uses you fully you start doing the things
He would do if He were in human form.
If He were in human form,
• He’d use His mouth to encourage the saints.
• He’d constantly sing songs of praise to Jesus.
• He’d never cease to give thanks to God in all circumstances
And so, when a believer is filled with Him, that is precisely what they do.
And that’s how you know if you are filled with the Spirit.
NOW LET’S RECAP TO CLOSE
• Paul commands us to let the Holy Spirit fill us.
• That means letting Him have more of you.
• To do that, you need to let His word have full authority in your life.
• You need to kill the flesh by starving it.
• And you need to fill up, not on the world, but on the things of God.
• And when you do it is evident through your speech (encouraging, praise,
gratitude)
• We started by asking are you willing to be filled with the Spirit?
• Then we asked, are you willing to starve the flesh?
• Now let me ask you, are you filled with the Spirit?
Is the word of Christ richly dwelling within you?
If it isn’t, then you know what to do.
NEXT TIME we meet you’ll see that
All of this is not only the key to Christian victory,
But is also our human obligation.
Ephesians 5:18-20 “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;”
