Class Lesson July 29, 2012

Hey Gang,

This is our last lesson on Living Beyond Yourself through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. We have had lessons using the words: Free, Victorious, Empowered, Wise, and this week Confident to describe how we should live with the Holy Spirit in our lives. So what does give you confidence in what will happen to you when you die and how does that affect how you live today?

Olympics     Chick-fil-a     Rob Bell

Someone once asked Martin Luther about his confidence, “Do you feel your sins are forgiven?” He replied, “No, but I’m as sure of it as heaven, for feelings come and feelings go, and feelings are deceiving: My faith is in the Word of God, nothing else is worth believing.”

1 John 5:11-13

And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. The one who has the Son has this eternal life; the one who does not have the Son of God does not have this eternal life. I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.

If you were to ask Rob Bell the same question, I think he would answer yes, because God loves me and “Love Wins.” Please Note: I do not agree with Rob Bell's Love Wins theology, but it's a discussion we should have because it confronts us each day more and more. At the core of Apologetics is understanding and defending what you belief and Paul would tell you that we should understand why others believe the way they do in order that we might explain our belief in a loving way.

Love Wins - Rob Bell

Click Here to Watch

How can we live confidently in what will happen to us when we die?

• Today’s lesson concludes a five-week study on the work of the Holy Spirit with a focus on the confidence the Spirit gives. This is not arrogance but a foundation of truth and trustworthiness. God will be with us.
• The Holy Spirit encourages us to remember that God never leaves us or forsakes us.
• We all have some idea of what we think will happen, but there really is no guarantee when it comes to our earthly lives.
• Today’s session focuses on the realities that we can know for sure: As believers, God has redeemed us, we have a relationship with Him, and it will be forever.

I. CONFIDENT IN MY REDEMPTION – EPHESIANS 1:13-14

13 When you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed in Him, you were also sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. 14 He is the down payment of our inheritance, for the redemption of the possession, to the praise of His glory. 

If you were to ask Tim Tebow how to live confidently in your faith, what would he say?

• Isaiah 40:31 - but those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint.

How does the Holy Spirit give me this confidence?

• What are proofs of ownership that we have today? Why are these important? Which would be the most convincing if ownership was questioned? Samples: receipts, car or house title, contracts.
• What mark of ownership does God put on the life of the believer? How can we know we have it? The Spirit also serves as a down payment of our inheritance. Down payments secure future actions.

Is the Holy Spirit enough confidence to influence the way I live?

• How should this “seal” and “down payment” influence our lives?
• Since the seal indicates security and ownership, believers must live as God’s possession. Our relationship with God should affect our decisions, words, and actions.
• The down payment guarantees our future, so we cannot simply live for this world. Our redemption is for the praise of His glory. Everything we do should point others to Him. The work of the Spirit described in these verses is reserved for genuine children of God – those who have heard and believed the message of Christ.

 





II. CONFIDENT IN MY RELATIONSHIP – ROMANS 8:14-17

14 All those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, 17 and if children, also heirs —heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—seeing that we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

How does my relationship with God give me confidence in the way I live?

• In spiritual terms, we don’t have to wonder if we are accepted or not. We belong in the family of God because He has redeemed us. But the Holy Spirit can serve as a reassuring companion when doubts creep in.
• Paul is speaking about believers. Those who follow the Spirit are God’s children through spiritual adoption. Those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons. Believers are adopted by God.

How does the Holy Spirit give me confidence in this relationship?



What role does suffering play in relationship with God? What is godly suffering, as opposed to pain we’ve caused with wrongdoing?

• While coheirs share blessings, they also share in the suffering. The path of being glorified with Him (v. 17) passes through difficulties.
• Some may be tempted to think of suffering as a punishment or all suffering as from God.
• The fruits of adoption are deliverance from fear, an intimate relationship with God, assurance that we are God’s children, promise of a future inheritance, and grace to endure suffering.

 



III. CONFIDENT IN MY REWARD – 2 CORINTHIANS 5:1-5

Our Future after Death

5 For we know that if our temporary, earthly dwelling is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal dwelling in the heavens, not made with hands. 2 Indeed, we groan in this body, desiring to put on our dwelling from heaven, 3 since, when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 Indeed, we groan while we are in this tent, burdened as we are, because we do not want to be unclothed but clothed, so that mortality may be swallowed up by life. 5 And the One who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment.

What gives you confidence in your reward of heaven?

• How long have you had your current cell phone? How often do you replace your phones? Why? What else is temporary?
• We tend to change phones and other devices, such as computers or electronic readers.
• Why do you change – because the device wears out or because you want the next new device? Either way the item is a temporary thing.
• Everyone will die unless Christ comes before death. When Christians die they are assured of having a permanent place in heaven.
• The Holy Spirit is the down payment on and guarantor of our inheritance.
• We can be confident of our reward in heaven.

What contrast did Paul present? Based on this contrast, where should we focus our things and our bodies? How do temporary things find their places in light of eternity? How do we manage our bodies between now and heaven?

• Paul used these terms to contrast our failing human bodies that will be destroyed (through death) with the eternal body He has for us after death. Yet we need to care for our bodies and items as Jesus did.
• Our earthly body is suitable for its current purpose, so God expects us to make the most of the time we have. Heaven is a reality, but we cannot ignore our tasks on earth.
• Paul hoped that the Lord would come before his death so that he could avoid a bodiless state.
• We don’t know exactly what our state will be; but since it is in God’s hands, we can trust Him to provide what we need.

During this 5 week study of “Living Beyond Yourself” we have looked at five words that identify marks of a person who lives beyond self. The words are Free, Victorious, Empowered, Wise, and Confident. This lesson challenges us to claim by faith all the good things God offers to believers. At the same time, God calls us to turn from whatever causes us to live with any fear other than the fear of God.
 

Prayer of Commitment

Lord, help me have the kind of confidence only You can give. Amen

I hope everyone has had a blessed week and that you will be in prayer for this lesson on Sunday as we close out an important series on how we should live with the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Hope to see you Sunday - remember we will be in C221 accross the hall from our old class!

In His Love,

David & Susan

 

Class Lesson July 22, 2012

Hey Gang,

This week we look at how the Holy Spirit teaches us to live beyond ourselves in wisdom. Now what exactly does this mean? What makes us wise or foolish? Is it a beautiful mind? Is it what we know? How do we recognize real wisdom? How does one develop a truly beautiful mind?

A Beautiful Mind 

Click Here

“Perhaps it is good to have a beautiful mind, but an even greater gift is to discover a beautiful heart.”

What good is a head full of knowledge if our hearts are empty and we lack peace of mind and purpose in life?

• "The enlightened people were called as 'Gnostics'. This comes from the Sanskrit word 'Gna' which means knowledge. But knowledge does not mean what one knows through the brain, because brain or intelligence takes one to rationality, which has no wisdom behind it. Rationality can take one anywhere [and] can justify anything, as it is not absolute. So one has to go beyond rationality [and] develop the higher senses of Divinity, by which one can understand the real problems, and the actual solutions of all these problems."

How do we get beyond the ordinary way of thinking? How can we think extraordinary?

• Read Acts 4:13: When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
• The disciples of Jesus Christ were ordinary men, but being with Jesus made them extraordinary human-beings.

Where do we find true wisdom?

• Read 1 Corinthians 1:26-29: Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.

Only God can turn an ordinary person into an extraordinary human-being capable of miraculous acts. God normally chooses the simple among us for His work, so that all credit goes to him.

 
What is a truly beautiful mind? Answer: The Mind of Christ

 

• God grants real wisdom as we learn from Him and apply what we learn.
• Are you not enthused to know the mind of God? His Spirit understands God’s wisdom and shares it with Christians who will seek it.
• More information means needing to be careful about identifying accurate information.
• God’s Spirit has the ability to take us beyond information to truth and application.

 
 

Paul had founded the church at the bustling seaport city of Corinth and then later wrote this letter to the Corinthian believers. They consisted of Greeks, Romans, and Jews, coming from all social classes. The church was troubled in that the people were quite gifted. Yet they were also immature and unspiritual.

• Leadership problems created divisions within the church.
• Immoral practices happened among some of the believers.
• One group flaunted their spiritual gifts.
• Another group stressed strict keeping of dietary laws.
• Some believers were abusing the Lord’s Supper, while others were promoting false teachings about the resurrection.

In writing the letter to address some of these problems, Paul chose to talk about how the Holy Spirit could provide the wisdom the people needed to understand Scripture and to live the Christian life. Paul’s timeless advice shows us the key to the wisdom we need for living today.



The Holy Spirit can give us wisdom to understand Scripture and to live the Christian life – let’s see how. 

 
I. ACCESS GOD’S WISDOM – 1 CORINTHIANS 2:1-8

Paul’s Proclamation

2 When I came to you, brothers, announcing the testimony of God to you, I did not come with brilliance of speech or wisdom. 2 For I didn’t think it was a good idea to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. 4 My speech and my proclamation were not with persuasive words of wisdom but with a powerful demonstration by the Spirit, 5 so that your faith might not be based on men’s wisdom but on God’s power.

Spiritual Wisdom

6 However, we do speak a wisdom among the mature, but not a wisdom of this age, or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 On the contrary, we speak God’s hidden wisdom in a mystery, a wisdom God predestined before the ages for our glory. 8 None of the rulers of this age knew this wisdom, for if they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.


Paul reminded the Corinthians that when he first preached in Corinth, he did not use eloquence but plain speech in presenting the cross of Christ in the power of the Spirit.


See how Paul described wisdom here; it’s human wisdom. (Vs 1-5)

• Paul contrasted human wisdom with God’s power and wisdom. Human wisdom can never be the basis of our faith.
• Consider whether you depend more on human wisdom or God’s wisdom. Ask for God’s wisdom in every area of life; then follow it. Otherwise it does no good.

How did Paul describe God’s wisdom? (Vs 6-8)

• God’s wisdom is amazing, freeing, without agenda, and truly for our good. Believers have access to this wisdom through the Holy Spirit living in us.
• What habits have you developed for learning about and listening to God? Ask other believers how they hear and follow God? Add that habit.

How did Paul describe the “wisdom of this age” in verse 6? Where do you see “rulers of this age” (v. 7) in our culture?

• Rulers of this age are “coming to nothing.” Many people – even Christians – can put too much stock in the words and lives of politicians, celebrities, athletes, but those only matters if they align with God’s wisdom.
• Affirm that the “mystery” of spiritual maturity may seem like foolishness to those who don’t have the Spirit in their lives. But those who rely on the power of the Spirit can reap present and eternal benefits from the wisdom of God.

Is human wisdom bad?

• No, God has used it to accomplish wonderful things in science, mathematics, relationships, and health. We need godly wisdom to know how to apply the wisdom and knowledge we gain.

So, what should we do with the wisdom that we have?

• God’s wisdom leads to mature Christians. God’s wisdom is the truth that was once unknown but now revealed by God.
• I will filter all information through the Bible and seek God’s perspective and guidance. I will apply God’s wisdom in using knowledge.

What was a truly beautiful mind? (The Mind of Christ) God’s Spirit reveals the mind of Christ to believers – let’s read.



II. SEE WHAT GOD REVEALS – 1 CORINTHIANS 2:9-11

9 But as it is written: What eye did not see and ear did not hear, and what never entered the human mind—God prepared this for those who love Him. 10 Now God has revealed these things to us by the Spirit, for the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man that is in him? In the same way, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.


God’s wisdom: Although godly wisdom is a mystery, the Spirit revealed it to mature believers.



Write “Wisdom Wanted” on the board and compile a list of places in which we need wisdom today. (finances, heath decisions, family relationships, work, at church)

• We all need God’s wisdom. List some specific areas in your life where you need that wisdom now. Write that privately on your hand out now.

When we’re tempted to engage in behavior that is risky or wrong, how is it that the Holy Spirit guides us in the choices to make? When we see opportunities to make right choices, how is it that the Holy Spirit guides us?

• How many times have we taken that action even after God shows us what to do.
• What habits will keep us from walking off cliffs?
• What habits will make sure we hear and heed God’s wisdom?

In our own strength we cannot fathom the mind of God – so what key role does the Spirit play?

• Paul used language from Isaiah 52:15 and 64:4 here to help readers understand the vast separation between God’s wisdom and us. We prepare ourselves to grasp God’s wisdom through prayer and Bible study.
• Listen and do what God says. Christians cannot conceive of the wonder of what God has prepared for them.

Have you ever felt like you could read the mind of your spouse or a good friend? How did your relationship get to that point?

• When people spend time together, they come to understand each other. They can predict reactions and even know what the other person will say. The intimacy of the relationship produces a deep understanding of each other. Even then communication is necessary to validate what’s in the other’s mind.

What illustration did Paul use to compare and contrast worldly wisdom with God’s wisdom?

• People can hide thoughts and feelings from others. They can put on a happy face to hide behind. Likewise, those outside God’s family cannot understand His ways – unless He reveals His mind through the Spirit.

How can we seek God’s wisdom and what will the Holy Spirit do when we seek?

• I can seek God’s wisdom through prayer, Bible study, wise Christians, and obeying Him day by day. The Spirit who wrote the inspired Scripture illumines those who read and study God’s Word.

What should I do when I struggle to do what I know is wise and good? Our lesson says that those without the Spirit cannot fathom the things of God, but those who live in the Spirit will discern spiritual things.   




III. DISCERN THE TRUTH – 1 CORINTHIANS 2:12-16

12 Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who comes from God, so that we may understand what has been freely given to us by God. 13 We also speak these things, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual things to spiritual people. 14 But the unbeliever does not welcome what comes from God’s Spirit, because it is foolishness to him; he is not able to understand it since it is evaluated spiritually. 15 The spiritual person, however, can evaluate everything, yet he himself cannot be evaluated by anyone. 16 For who has known the Lord’s mind,
that he may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.


Notice the contrasts between how believers and unbelievers respond to God’s wisdom. (Vs 12-15)

• When we respond to God’s calling to relate to Him, we get to understand, obey, watch, and rejoice as God Himself works in our spirits.
• The natural man lives without the Spirit, does not understand the Spirit, and considers the things of the Spirit to be foolishness.
• Read a chapter from Proverbs each day. What wisdom do you see? Live?

What is the confidence building promise we find in verse 16?

• The Spirit reveals the deep things of God.
• The Spirit teaches us spiritual words and truths.
• The Spirit gives discernment and reveals the mind of Christ.
• Take time for a check-up. Are you applying human wisdom in your life’s choices or are you applying God’s wisdom? Are you willing to make changes where needed?

How often do you have a performance review at work? What are some other ways you are evaluated?

• Most employers evaluate workers at least once a year. Other forms of evaluations would be: driver’s test, eye exams, physical exams, and questions from our adult kids.
• These evaluations are generally for our good and the good of others. We need to know where we stand so we can make necessary improvements.
• We should pause and give thanks to God for evaluating and guiding us into deeper loving and richer living.

What are we called to do with the wisdom we receive through the Spirit?

• Highlight the illustration – cartoon – to ask why this approach is tempting but foolish.
• Emphasize again that believers depend on the Spirit to understand God’s direction. Failing to follow them makes the wisdom useless.
• Wisdom helps us know what’s of God and what is not of God. Then we can choose where to participate and what to run from.
• Human knowledge is not bad, but it is insufficient.

How can we develop a beautiful mind “of Christ”?

• Through the power of the Holy Spirit we receive God’s Wisdom. The Mind of Christ.
• To develop a beautiful mind of Christ is to – live wisely.

Paul preached the good news in a way that glorified Christ without calling attention to himself. The Spirit enabled him to preach with power. The Spirit produces spiritually mature believers, who understand the revealed wisdom of God. The Spirit reveals the deep things of God and provides discernment into the mind of Christ.


The Spirit helps you live as a mature Christian by enabling you to communicate the good news in a way people will see Christ, by providing understanding of God’s revelation, and by guiding you to exercise godly discernment into the mind of Christ.



Read 1 Corinthians 3:1-4 and Hebrews 5:11-6:3 as well as the Bible passage for this lesson, 1 Corinthians 2:1-16.



"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall given to him." (James 1.5)



We also know the Holy Ghost is our teacher, comforter, the one that leads and guides, helps us pray as we ought, and unlocks the mysteries of the Kingdom of God.



Wisdom is the ability to apply and use the Word of God to accomplish God’s will in your life. It’s what you need when nothing else seems to work. Wisdom includes prudence, discretion, right decisions, soundness, stability and common sense.


In the verses leading up to 1 Corinthians 2:16, we note some truths concerning the mind of Christ:

1) The mind of Christ stands in sharp contrast to the wisdom of man (verses 5-6).

2) The mind of Christ involves wisdom from God, once hidden but now revealed (verse 7).

3) The mind of Christ is given to believers through the Spirit of God (verses 10-12).

4) The mind of Christ cannot be understood by those without the Spirit (verse 14).

5) The mind of Christ gives believers discernment in spiritual matters (verse 15).


In order to have the mind of Christ, one must first have saving faith in Christ (John 1:12; 1 John 5:12). After salvation, the believer lives a life under God’s influence. The Holy Spirit indwells and enlightens the believer, infusing him with wisdom—the mind of Christ. The believer bears a responsibility to yield to the Spirit’s leading (Ephesians 4:30) and to allow the Spirit to transform and renew his mind (Romans 12:1-2).

Prayer of Commitment

Holy Spirit, help me to live as a mature follower of the Lord Jesus. Amen 

Be in prayer this week as we continue in our study of the Holy Spirit and how He helps us live out our salvation each day. 

Hope to see you on Sunday - guess what, we're moving! I'll tell you about it on Sunday...

In His Love, 

David & Susan

  

Class Lesson July 15, 2012

Hey Gang,

We continue in our series this week on the Holy Spirit and how He plays an active role in our salvation and continues to work in and through us to help us live out that salvation.

1. Our first lesson showed us that we can live free from the guilt and bondage of sin through the Holy Spirit – we have been forgiven.

2. Our second lesson last week introduced us to the Jekyll and Hyde natures that we all have but that through the Holy Spirit, we can live victoriously over the sinful habits we face each day.

3. This week we look at how the Holy Spirit fills us and empowers us to serve others and to pray. We have the choice to walk each day in the power of the Holy Spirit – to live empowered. We will see in this video that this power is as close as the very breath we take and that most of us only access 10 to 20% of this energy.

Question: How can we tap into God’s power? 

Answer: By taking off your shoes, and learning how to breathe from the stomach and not the chest. It's called Nooma - what?

Breathe - Rob Bell

Click Here to Watch

Are we standing on Holy ground all the time?

Job 33:4 "The Spirit of God hath made me and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life."

Hebrew name for breathing is Ruach and the Greek name is Nooma - both words are the same for Spirit. Physical breath is actually a picture of a deeper reality. Are we standing on Holy ground all the time? Maybe it depends on how you are breathing. 

Today we are going to look at what being filled by the Spirit means and then size up two ways He empowers us – to serve and to pray.

I. BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT – EPHESIANS 5:17-18
17 So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled by the Spirit:


When talking about the Holy Spirit, it’s important to remember that at the moment a person accepts Christ as Savior, he or she is baptized with the Holy Spirit. It is a onetime experience. Paul’s “be filled by the Spirit” is a verb tense that means that this filling is continual. We are filled with the Holy Spirit as a day-by-day experience like breathing. This “filling” is something that God does for us, and we can either accept it or reject it. When we are being filled by the Holy Spirit, then we are allowing ourselves to be under God’s control.



What is foolish according to these verses?

• Being foolish is not doing what God’s will is. We can’t say we don’t understand because God has revealed His will in the Bible and through His Spirit.
• We often think of sin as murder or stealing or some overt act. Though these certainly are sin, ignoring God and doing what we want is also sin. This foolishness causes much pain for us and those who know us. When have you caused God great pain by ignoring Him?

Why did Paul warn against becoming drunk with wine?

• Paul warned against being drunk with wine; instead, he said for believers to be filled with the Spirit. He warned that drunkenness leads to sins of many kinds, but that being filled with the Spirit leads to goodness of all kinds.
• The Bible condemns drunkenness, but offers mercy to drunkards when they turn to Christ. Drunkenness is often associated with a life of dissipation or self indulgence.

The contrast with drunkenness is the key here. What do people go to alcohol for?

• For a happy hour. We all want to be happy, but there is a problem: "The days are evil." Notice the logic of verses 16–18: The days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk . . . but be filled with the Spirit. Where do you turn when the days are evil, when you are frightened or discouraged or depressed or anxious? Paul pleads with us: "Don't turn to alcohol; turn to the Spirit. Anything of value that alcohol can bring you, God the Holy Spirit can bring more." There are people who can't begin to whistle a happy tune or sing a song at work because they are so tense and anxious about life. But later in the evening at the tavern with a few drinks under their belt they can put their arms around each other and sing and laugh. All of us long to be carefree, uninhibited, and happy. And the mounting tragedy of our own day, as in Paul's, is that increasing numbers of people (even Christians) believe that the only way they can find this child-like freedom is by drugging themselves with alcohol or other mind-benders. Such behavior dishonors God and so Paul says: There is a better way to cope with the evil days—be filled with the Spirit, stay filled with the Spirit. And you will know unmatched joy that sings and makes melody to the Lord.

Comparison of the filling: A comparison is made in Ephesians 5:18 between getting drunk and being filled with the Spirit. Note the similar comparison in Luke 1:15 and Acts 2:4, 13. "Do not be under the influence of alcoholic spirits, but be under the influence of the Holy Spirit."



Concept of the filling: The basic concept of "filling" in Ephesians 5:18 is that of control. "Do not be controlled (captivated, motivated, activated) by the alcoholic spirits, but be controlled (captivated, motivated, activated) by the Holy Spirit.



Content of the filling: The Holy Spirit is both the supplier and the substance supplied; the Giver and the Gift. The filling of the Holy Spirit is not our having more of the Holy Spirit, but the Holy Spirit having more of us!



How would you define Holy Spirit power according to these two verses?

• The power of knowing what God wants.
• Doing what God wants is even more powerful. The Spirit helps with both.

How can you tell if someone is filled with the Spirit? What will you see and not see?

• Filling relates to the control of the Holy Spirit. A believer who is filled with the Spirit submits his or her life to the leadership and control of the Spirit.
• Before coming to Christ, the Ephesians worshiped many false gods, including Baccus-the god of wine. Their worship rituals would have included drunkenness. Paul emphasized a different kind of control found in their new relationship with God. Instead of finding the will of a deity by losing control, they would find God’s will by yielding control.
• The Holy Spirit comes into a person’s life when the person responds to the Spirit’s conviction of sins. The Spirit fills a person’s life when a person is totally surrendered to God. Every good thing in our lives is the work of God’s Spirit.

How does one become filled with the Holy Spirit?

• Each believer receives the Spirit at conversion, but we need daily to allow Him to fill us and to guide us. Many people who were once slaves of alcohol have become Spirit-filled followers of Jesus Christ. Paul wrote the Corinthians that persistent drunkards will miss the kingdom of God, but he reminded them that some of them once were drunkards, but in Christ they are new people (1 Cor. 6:9-11). The secret to living a new life is allowing the Spirit to fill you day by day.
• Christians are to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Being filled with the Holy Spirit is not a one-time event but a daily experience.

In a crime scene, detectives look for evidence. It could be a shell casing, a piece of fiber, a trace of blood, a strand of hair, or a footprint. If detectives looked for evidence of the Holy Spirit’s activity in our lives, what evidence would they seek?

• Would it be words of praise and thanksgiving? Or would it be squabbling and backbiting?
• Would it be pride or humility? Rudeness or respect? Anger or peace? Gossip or encouragement? Service or control? 

II. SERVE OTHERS IN THE SPIRIT – EPHESIANS 5:19-21

19 speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music from your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of Christ.


These first Christians believed very passionately that the world was not made better through military power and political coercion. The gospel they were living had nothing to do with using political force to force people to live according to your laws. For them, this gospel was about serving the world, especially those on the underside of the Empire. For them, it was about serving, not ruling.



Do you think people today generally perceive Christians as people who serve or as people who want to be served?





2 Consequences of the filling:

A. Character. The "fruit of the Spirit" is the character of Christ - Gal. 5:22, 23 (Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control)

B. Ministry. The "gifts of the Spirit" are but the empowerment by which the Life of Jesus Christ overflows in ministry unto others

• Rom. 12:3-8 use our gifts for God's service.
• I Cor. 12:4-31 all Christians have faith. Some however, have the Spiritual Gift of Faith, which is an unusual measure of trust in the Holy Spirit's power.

What does speaking, singing/making music, giving thanks, and submitting to one another have to do with the Holy Spirit?

• Context of the filling: The context of the admonition of Ephesians 5:18 has to do with practical behavior. When “filled with the Spirit" a Christian will have a song in his/her heart (19), a thankful attitude (20) and deference toward others (21). It will affect the relationships of husband and wife (22-33), parent and child (6:1-4) and employer and employee (6:5-9).
• Each of these terms helps define what it means to be filled by the Spirit (v. 18). An individual controlled by the Spirit will serve and encourage others in and outside church.
• When we think of being filled with the Spirit for service in and through the church, we must remember the gifts of the Spirit. Each believer is given one or more spiritual gifts. These gifts are the work of the one Spirit.

What do you think it means to live beyond ourselves?

• Christians are called to live beyond themselves by living in obedience to God for the good of others. Ephesians 5:17-21 shows this truth by tying the call to be filled with the Spirit to joyful worship and by living for others, not for self.
• The Spirit enables believers to make joyful music to the Lord in worship. He also empowers believers to live an unselfish lifestyle of Christ.
• It means to practice HUMILITY! Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ - humility. The Holy Spirit leads us to be humble toward one another. Jesus was humble to the Father, and the Holy Spirit is humble to Christ. You cannot live in Christlikeness without allowing Christ to teach you to be humble. Yet, humility is the most difficult spiritual grace people struggle with. Humility is also the foundational grace for all other spiritual graces. You will not be submissive to any other person without learning humility from the Spirit. The flesh wants to be filled with pride. It wants recognition and status. Even when it comes to being a spiritual person, the fleshly soul will boast of being spiritual. Men will often want to move on to verse 22, in which wives are told to submit to their husbands. Verse 22 is actually the first of several applications Paul makes on being submissive. Don’t pass by too quickly on verse 21. You cannot walk in the Spirit if you are unwilling to be submissive to others in the body, especially those who are given spiritual authority to guide you in God’s truths. Practicing submissiveness reverences Christ because it acknowledges His authority over the church. You are in the church because Jesus died for your sins. Jesus submitted to suffering to save you. Most who want to rule it over others are unwilling to be submissive because they are unwilling to suffer any loss to their status to help redeem others. Submissiveness is the life of the cross.

We hear all the time about the power of prayer. Well, Paul tells us in Ephesians and Romans that if you really want power then pray in the Spirit.

III. STAY IN TOUCH WITH GOD – EPHESIANS 6:18; ROMANS 8:26-27

18 Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.

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26 In the same way the Spirit also joins to help in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with unspoken groanings. 27 And He who searches the hearts knows the Spirit’s mind-set, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.








According to Ephesians 6:18, what are some characteristics of powerful prayer?

• Paul wrote this in the context of describing the spiritual armor God provides for believers. Prayer pairs with all parts of the armor. We don’t tack on prayer; it’s the glue that holds everything together. We talk with God while doing the simplest things such as chores at night or driving to work. We talk with Him in the midst of conversations.
• We do not control the Spirit of God; He controls us. That is, He wants to direct our lives. Thus He calls us to be surrendered to Him and filled with His Spirit.
• He gives special help in times of prayer. Only the fullness of the Spirit can help us pray as we should.

What are some things you do almost every day without really thinking about them? How did you develop those habits? How can talking with God become like that?

• Breathing
• Habits (good and bad) happen with repetition until we become comfortable and like doing them.
• Prayer is the result of the Spirit’s work in the life of the believer.

Prayer of Commitment

Dear Father, may Your Spirit’s power empower me to do Your will. Amen

Be in prayer this week as we continue in this powerful series on the Holy Spirit. 

Hope to see everyone this Sunday! 

In His Love, 

David & Susan