Be Filled With The Spirit
Steve W. Reeves
stevesermons.blogspot.com
INTRODUCTTION:
A.
Have you ever received a syllabus for a class you are taking? 1. A syllabus usually contains a description of the course along with the requirements
for the course.
2. Let me share the lyrics to a song I found on “YouTube.” The song is called “it’s in
Your Syllabus” sung to the tune “Just The Two of Us.”
“I passed the students in the hall, there are things they can’t recall. It’s conversation Deja – u. What’s the textbook, when’s the quiz, can you tell me what this is, how do I get in touch ith you? It’s in you syllabus, you can find it if you try, itt’s in your syllabus, between just the wo of us.
What happens if I’m late for class, what do I have to do to pass, when is the first assignment ue? If I miss a quiz, what then? Can I make it up again, Do you give extra credit too? I hope his good advice you’ll heed, pick up your syllabus from me, Take up the fight, go ndeterred. And if you say you didn’t find, , then I’ll be quick to just remind, I wrote every singe word,. It’s in your syllabus. You can find it if you try, it’s in your syllabus, just between the tw of us.”
B. Have you ever looked upon the Bible as a syllabus for life?
1. It describes the course.
2. It tells you about the requirements.
3. It promises a final exam.
C. In Ephesians 5:15-17 Paul wrote a syllabus for life, “Be careful how you walk, not as
unwise men but as wise, 16 making the most of your time, because the days are evil.
17 So then do not be foolish, (simple minded or stupid) but understand what the will of
the Lord is.”
1. Verse 18 continues, “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but
be filled with the Spirit,”
2. In many of the pagan religions of Paul’s day the drinking of wine to excess, (i.e.
becoming drunk), was part of their religigous ritual. They thought by losing control
of themselves and engaging in drunken, sexual behavior, they would transcend
the body and have communion with their deities.
a. The result was that wine had control over them.
b. There are many things that can control a person’s life. It may be wine or sex. It
may also be pride, haughtiness, arrogance, prejudice or power.
3. God’s syllabus requires that we be “filled with the Spirit.”
a. The verb “be filled” is a present, passive imperative. What does this
mean?
b. Present tense – it is an ongoing action as opposed to one time event.
b. Passive voice – it is dependent on the action of another.
c. Imperative – it is a command, not a suggestion.
4. What was Paul saying? God’s will is that we allow Him to be the one who controls
our life.
D. What are the practical, daily results of being “filled with the Spirit?”
I. RIGHT ATTITUDES
A. In verses 19 and 20 Paul wrote, “Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns
and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;
20 always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God,
even the Father.”
B. Is your life filled with praise or problems?
1. Two little boys were involved in an experiment about attitudes. One little boy
who was always whining and complaining was put in a room filled with toys.
Another little boy who has always happy was put in a barn full of manure. After
an hour the boy in the room with toys was crying because he had played with all
of them. The boy in the barn was having the time of his life. “He excitedly said,
“there has to be a pony around here somewhere.”
2. Some people are always talking about “what’s wrong” with their life, their job,
school, church or the government.
3. Other people refuse to complain. They sing, “Praise God from whom all
blessings flow.”
3. Does your joy come from Christ or circumstances? If your joy comes from your
circumstances anything can take it away. If your joy
comes from the Holy Spirit nothing can take it away. The joy in our heart will
overflow in praise and gratitude.
C. The Spirit-filled life is also filled with thanksgiving.
1. H.A. Ironside (1876-1951) was a well-known preacher and scholar during the first
half of the 20th century. On one occasion he was eating at a restaurant and
paused to give thanks for his food. The man he was with said, “I earn my own
money and buy my own food. I don’t give thanks to anybody or anything.”
Ironside replied, “Just like my dog.”
2. Lives fiilled with the Spirit overflow with gratitude.
II. RIGHT RELATIONSHIPS
A. Paul gives three relational areas in which Spirit filled living is manifested.
1. Relationships within the church (body of Christ).
a. Vs. 21 – “And be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.”
b. Ephesians was a corporate letters written to a body of believers. The church
is not about ”me.” It is about “one another.”
2. How do we move from selfishness to submission and service?
a. Ask yourself, “What is the character of God? Was Jesus filled with selfishness
or was He a servant? Consider John 13: when he wshed the feet of the
disciples. Read Matthew 20:26-28 where He said, “The Son of man did not
come to be served but to serve and give His life.”
b. If we are filled with the Spirit what type of person will be be in our
relationships?
B. This is a “game-changer.”
1. It affects our families (Ephesians 5:22-33).
a. Wives submit to husbands.
b. Husbands love their wives as Christ loved the church.
2. A famous surgeon often had other surgeons come to watch him perform
surgery. After one particularly difficult procedure a visiting doctor asked, “Why
did you put twice as many stitches as were required.” The surgeon smiled and
said, “Tonight, I will relive this surgery and think of every move I made. I will
wonder, “Will those stitches hold?” I will remember that I put for the effort to put
in twice as many as required. I will turn off my light, go to bed and go to sleep.
Those extra stitches are my sleeping stitches.”.
2. Being filled with the Spirit will make a huge difference in our relationships.
CONCLUSION:
A. It is beneficial for a student to check their syllabus periodically to see if they are
meeting the requirements of the course.
B. As you look at God’s syllabus for living how are you doing?
1. Have you been missing class?
2. Have you been passing the tests?
3. If the final exam were held today would you be prepared?
B. Jesus is the great teacher. He welcomes you to His classroom and has bicen His
od to write your name on His
