SPIRIT FILLED CHRISTIAN

Dr Tony Evans said, “The things in your house work because of electricity. Electricity is an invisible power that gives you visible privileges. It turns the lights on, turns the TV on, turns the toaster on, and turns the oven on; all that stuff is working in your house because you’ve got one invisible power shooting through there called electricity. But none of those things work even though they have access to electricity until you flip on a switch. You’ve got to make a connection before the stuff that’s there, works. Every believer in Jesus Christ has stuff that works,” Prayer is like electricity because it empowers us by connecting us to the source of that power – but you must be connected with the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit’s job is to empower us Christians to progress in our spiritual lives. Far too many Christians find themselves on a spiritual treadmill. They’re working up a sweat with religious activities but remain in the same place spiritually.

If your life seems powerless, check your connection with the Holy Spirit. The New Testament writers were so tuned to the Holy Spirit that they were able to write their Gospels and letters three to six decades after Christ’s death. The Holy Spirit— the Helper—empowered them to remember.” And if He empowered them, He will empower us, we must stay connected though!

Let Us Pray!

The Spirit-Filled Christian

Ephesians 5:18

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,

A Person who has had an encounter with the Holy Spirit, asked the Holy Spirit into their heart, is changed – its impossible to remain the same.

A Spirit-Filled Christian will have these four aspects – they will be devoted, dedicated, determined and detained. Let’s look at each one individually

I. WILL BE DEVOTED

As Christians we will be devoted to studying the Word, surrendering our desires to God and keeping ourselves pure.

A. By study—We are to hide God’s Word in our heart

2 Timothy 2:15 – Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

Psalm 119: 11 – I have stored up your word in my heart,

that I might not sin against you.

Joshua 1:8 – This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

Psalm 119:9 – How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.

B. By surrender— We must surrender our desires to God, our wants to God. We need to realize our bodies belong to God, therefore our bodies should bring honor and glory unto God.

Romans 12:1-2 – 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. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Transform your mind so you meditate on the things of God and not of the World

Focus on God’s Love for us to extend it to others – everyone, no exceptions

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – 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.

Glorify your God in your body – take care of His temple

2 Timothy 2:22 – So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

Galatians 5:19-20 – Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these.

Not keep sexually impurity from your body but idolatry, strife, jealousy fits of anger etc

C. By separation— We are to keep ourselves pure.

Ephesians 4:1-4 – I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call

1 Timothy 1:5 NLT – The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith.

1 Timothy 5:22 – Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.

James 1:27 – Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

2 Corinthians 7:1 – Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.

Proverbs 4:23 – Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

James 3:17 – But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

Psalm 12:6 – The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times.

II. WILL BE DEDICATED

Holy Spirit Filled Christian will love God, look to God and long for God

A. Loving God—Paul’s dedication to God caused him to accept all these sufferings. He had scars on his body as the result – to truly Love God we must Love others as He loved us and maintain love no matter what happens to us – remember our body is His Temple

2 Corinthians 11:24–27 – Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.

Galatians 6:17 – From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.

Deuteronomy 6:5 – You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

We love God because Deuteronomy 7:9 – Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations,

1 John 4:7-8, 16 – Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

So, we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

B. Looking to God— We need to keep our eyes upon Christ. Looking about us will bring discouragement, but looking to Him brings encouragement, strength, and help.

Hebrews 12:1-2 – Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Colossians 3:2 – Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

2 Corinthians 4:18 – As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

Psalm 123:1-4 – To you I lift up my eyes, O you who are enthroned in the heavens! Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maidservant to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, till he has mercy upon us. Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us, for we have had more than enough of contempt. Our soul has had more than enough of the scorn of those who are at ease, of the contempt of the proud.

C. Longing for God—Paul had one desire—to know God.

Philippians 3:10 – that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,

D. Job 23:3 – Oh, that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his seat! Note the desire of Job here. This longing will draw us not only near to God, but make us like Him.

Psalm 16:11 – You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 63:1-8 – O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.

III. WILL BE DETERMINED

Nothing should keep the Holy Spirit from working in our lives and us following Him

A. Testimony—Paul could say that all sufferings and problems could not move or discourage him.

Acts 20:24 – But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

To be determined we must be disciplined –

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 – Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Romans 15:4 – For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Philippians 3:12-14 – Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

2 Thessalonians 3:13 – As for you brothers, do not grow weary in doing in good

Be disciplined – be determined

Proverbs 16:3 – Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.

B. Testings—Suffering for Christ was a test for Paul, yet he endured testing. He was determined to live for the Lord regardless of the cost.

Galatians 6:9-10 – And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

2 Timothy 1:12 – Which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.

1 Thessalonians 3:8 – For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord.

C. Trials—Christians will be happy to endure all the trials that come their way.

James 5:11 – Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

James 1:2-4 – Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

D. Temptation— The person who endures temptation is blessed by God, and is a happy person.

James 1:12 – Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

1 Corinthians 10:13 – No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

James 4:7, 27 – Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

And give no opportunity to the devil.

2 Peter 2:9 – Then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment,

And when you allow to be a Spirit filled believer –

1 Peter 4:12 – Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

IV. WILL BE DETAINED

There must be a time of waiting before God in prayer.

Isaiah 40:31 – but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

A. Plea to prayer— Men everywhere should pray.

2 Chronicles 7:14 – If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

1 Timothy 2:1-4 – First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

1 Timothy 2:8 – I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;

James 5:16 – Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

B. Personal prayer—Secret prayer is the secret of the Christian life.

Matthew 6:6-8 – But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

C. Powerful prayer—James 5:16. There is no limit to the power of the prayers of the righteous.

James 5:16 – Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.

D. Patient prayer—

This was Christ’s command Luke 24:49 – And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

They prayed for 10 days

Romans 12:12 – Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

Psalm 46:10 – “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

James 5:7-8 – Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

E. Prevailing prayer—Christians should always be in the attitude of prayer.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 – Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit.

Do you feel like you are connected to the Holy Spirit – a Spirit-filled believer?

How devoted are you?

Devoted to being in His Word?

Devoted to Surrendering your body, your desires to Him?

How dedicated are you to God? Enough to allow the Holy Spirit change your directions?

Dedicated enough to keep your eyes on the blessings of God despite trials and troubles?

Are you determined to allow the Holy Spirit to create your testimony that points to Him?

Are you allowing Him to discipline your mind and body?

How spirit filled is your prayer life?

Do you go still and just know God?

Are you patient in your prayer life?

Pray without ceasing or without hurrying to get onto your desires list?

Let Us Pray!

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