I love that you guys have been digging into the Scriptures over the last few weeks, seeking to know and understand the person and the work of the Holy Spirit. A lot of Christians believe in the Holy Trinity, Father and Son and Spirit. And while they get who God the Father is and they believe and trust in the Son, Jesus, many are not so sure about the Holy Spirit. Some Christians seem obsessed with the Holy Spirit and others seem scared of him. But a lot of Christians just aren’t sure who He is or how to engage. In his book on the Holy Spirit, Tyler Staton calls him “the familiar stranger.” I wonder if that might capture your view of the HS.
Let me remind you of a few things as we get started this morning. The Holy Spirit is not an “It.” Not a “thing.” Not a “force” or a “feeling.” He’s a person. The third person of the Trinity.
The Holy Spirit is not an optional or unnecessary part of your life with God. He’s not a third wheel. He is an essential player in our knowing, loving and walking with God. You come to know and believe in Jesus by a work of the Holy Spirit. You are sustained and kept in every way by the Holy Spirit. You overcome sin and temptation by the power of the Holy Spirit. You are taught and led by the HS. You bear fruit because of the life of the HS in you. In fact, without the Holy Spirit, you aren’t a Christian.
9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. Romans 8:9
The Holy Spirit is a person who is absolutely essential for every follower of Jesus.
It’s crazy to me that we would be content to be ignorant of someone that Jesus was so excited about. Listen to what he said to the disciples in John 16.
7 Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. John 16:7
I want you to think about just how crazy this had to sound to the disciples. Their journey with Jesus began when he said to them “follow me.” They left everything and everybody for him. They bet the whole farm on Jesus and his coming kingdom. They were absolutely convinced that he was the long-awaited Messiah. For 3 years they had walked with him. And NOW, he’s telling them “I’m going away. I’m not gonna be here anymore. But it’s ok, no, it’s better than ok, it’s gonna be great, actually way better for you, because when I leave the Holy Spirit is coming. If I don’t go he can’t come. But I’m going, he’s coming and it’s gonna be awesome.” Wait…what? You’re leaving and sending a spirit in your place? And that’s good for us? Are you kidding?
Here’s what they didn’t get. Jesus in the flesh could only be in one place at a time. He could be “with” the disciples, but not “in” them. But the Holy Spirit would come and be in them and in us. 24/7 always present in and with every believer. What Jesus couldn’t do in the flesh, The Spirit can do and is doing.
Jesus was not ambivalent about the Holy Spirit, and we can’t be either. He’s not optional. He’s not an accessory. He’s not a distant relative we can just ignore. This morning, we’re going to look at a portion of Paul’s exhortation to the Ephesians, and the command he gives them to be filled with the Spirit.
Throughout this letter, Paul reminds us of the work of the Spirit. The Spirit is actively engaged in leading us to salvation. We receive the Holy Spirit when we believe the gospel and we are sealed by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is the one who empowers us to live the life we are called to live and He’s the One who makes us one with each other and leads us to live in that unity. And then as Paul is instructing us in how we are to live, he issues this command:
“be filled with the Spirit.” Ok, well how do I do that? Honestly, I have questions about a lot of things the Scriptures tell me to do.
What’s really interesting about this passage to me is that Paul doesn’t tell you “how.” The fact of the matter is: you can’t. You can’t fill yourself with the Holy Spirit. And that’s alright because that’s not what Paul is telling you.
I know you’re not really interested in a grammar lesson this morning, but it’s super helpful if you understand the grammar here in order to get what Paul is saying.
First, The verb translated “be filled” is in the imperative, that means it’s a command. It’s not a suggestion. But it is also passive, meaning the filling is done by another. The command is BE filled, not fill yourself. And then it is present tense, keep on continually being filled, not past, as in something that has already been done or completed. And it’s plural – that means it’s for the entire community of believers not just a select few (high achievers, super spiritual types).
The best translation might be to say it this way “all y’all keep on continually being filled with the Spirit.” But again, I’m asking: how do we do that?
In one sense, we don’t do it. The filling is His work, not ours. But that doesn’t mean that we don’t participate. While I don’t do the filling, I do have a great responsibility in making myself ready and available to be filled. And I think what we find in these verses in Ephesians 5, is some clues about how we prepare our hearts and position ourselves to be filled with the Spirit.
5 ways I posture myself to be filled with the Spirit:
Be attentive and alert 15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 5:15-17
Look at what he’s saying: be careful, be wise, make the best use of the time (be diligent) and understand what the will of the Lord is (be discerning).
Paul makes it pretty clear that it’s foolish to think that you can go with the flow and live a spirit filled life. You absolutely can’t throw caution to the wind and just do what feels good. You have to be focused and intentional. The world we live in is not trending toward godliness. Paul’s assessment is that “the days are evil.” In chapter 6, he’s going to press a little harder on that idea.
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 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. Ephesians 6:10-12
Much of the battle is not “out there” but “in here.” It’s our own fleshly desires that Paul says are actually at odds with the Spirit. There’s an inner tug of war and we have to be vigilant, guarding our hearts against the onslaught. The scriptures are absolutely full of this kind of instruction:
Proverbs 4:23 Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. (above all else guard your heart - NIV)
1 Peter 5:8 (ESV) Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
I think of Prov. 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
Paul’s really clear, being filled with the Spirit isn’t something that just happens to you. It’s something that requires that we be focused and discerning.
Be empty and open 18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit. Ephesians 5:18
It helps that Paul gives a contrast here to help us understand what he’s saying. Contrast: don’t be drunk with wine but be filled with the Spirit. In part, Paul is saying that you choose what fills you. And what fills you will control you. Have you ever seen a drunk, been around someone who’s drunk? (not asking if you’ve ever been drunk) A drunk is under the influence of what fills them. They’ve voluntarily given themselves over to the influence of alcohol.
If the goal is to be filled with the Spirit, then I have to make sure I’m ready and open to being filled. You can’t be filled up and controlled by 2 things. The Holy Spirit doesn’t cohabitate. He’s not interested in shared space. He wants full control. We open ourselves to the filling of the Holy Spirit when we empty ourselves of ourselves. Our preferences. Our ambitions. Our ideas. Our dreams. When we turn from idols and walk in the obedience to His commands.
I heard someone say recently, “the Holy Spirit comes where he is wanted.” And the best way to prove we want him is to empty ourselves and invite his filling. I think of Jesus' words in Luke 11:13 "If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” So empty yourself and ask.
Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way! Hold o'er my being absolute sway. Fill with thy Spirit till all shall see Christ only, always, living in me!
Be teachable and transforming v.18 be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs
In some ways, this goes hand in hand with the idea of being empty and open, the idea of being filled up with whatever we allow into us. And I think a parallel passage to this one might shed some light on what Paul is saying. In his letter to the Colossians, Paul writes
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
The work of the Spirit of God in us is directly tied to the Word of God. Listen to the Words of Jesus.
John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
John 16:13 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
One way that you and I facilitate, embrace, welcome the filling of the Spirit is by taking, meditating on, submitting to the transforming work of God through his Word. If you want to be filled with the Holy Spirit, then let the Word of God dwell in you richly.
Romans 12:2 NIV Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Be awed and grateful v.18-20 be filled with the Spirit 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Worship is a part, plays a role, in our being filled with the Spirit. And Paul is advocating for corporate worship “addressing one another” and private worship “making melody to the Lord with your heart.” Listen to me, this is so important – we make space in our hearts and minds for God when we worship him and give thanks. We cultivate an openness to him when we focus on his character and his work. And when we sing together, out loud, full of passion and delight, we call each other to open our hearts to God. You sing in the shower and in your car and at concerts…for the love of God sing in church.
Here’s the simple truth, you love what you worship. Whatever you delight in and sing about, talk about, meditate on…that makes its way into your heart. It takes up residence. Worship fills you with desire. In Romans 1, Paul describes what happens when men don’t worship and give thanks to God.
21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 25 …they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. Romans 1:21-25
Can I just say this? You can’t celebrate worldliness and expect to end up at godliness. You can’t sing about immorality and infidelity and drunkenness and obsession with the things of the world and expect to love what God loves and hate what he hates. I’m not sure that the Spirit of God can or will fill a heart that is ambivalent about sin.
Be humble and submitted 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Paul is about to segue to a whole section of this letter where he addresses interpersonal relationships: family - husbands and wives, children and parents, and work – bondservants and masters. But this verse is so much more than a bridge to a new topic. Don’t miss this.
“be filled with the Spirit…submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ” We make room for the filling Spirit of God to fill us when we posture ourselves in humility and submission toward one another.
Again, the parallel passage in Colossians 3 will give us some insight, he says
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:16-17
I’m supposed to do everything I do because of who He is and for his glory.
Can you imagine the Holy Spirit of God being comfortable and at home in a heart filled with pride and selfishness? A heart that insists on its own comfort or pleasure?
You cannot be filled up with the Spirit of Christ Jesus (who…though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Phil 2:6-8)… And be filled with pride and selfishness.
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:30-32
If you want to be filled with the Spirit of God, then you’re gonna have to humble yourselves and submit.
Are you attentive and alert? Are you empty and open? Are you teachable and transforming? Are you awed and grateful? Are you humble and submitted?
