BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT

EPHESIANS 5:17-21

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. THE FACTS OF THE FILLING [v. 17-18]

1. We Cannot be Filled with the Spirit if we are filled with Self

-Eph. 5:18 is predicated on Eph. 1:1-5:17

2. It is God’s Will for the Believer [v. 17; 1:1, 5, 9, 11; 6:6]

3. It is Characterized by Control NOT the Lack Thereof [Romans 8:7]

Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
1 Corinthians 14:32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
Gal. 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

II. THE FACTORS OF THE FILLING [v.18]

Most of us are familiar with the term DUI which in many localities refers to “Driving Under the Influence”. The Christian is to be WUI. “Walking Under the Influence” but not the influence of spirits (alcohol or demons) but under the influence of the blessed Holy Spirit of God. Think of the this as being the same difference- similar manifestations but different outcomes. Whereas the person under the influence of the wrong things has his inhibitions removed, a person under the right influences will have his will, and thus control, strengthened as we saw previously.

1. Person Under the Influence will Talk Differently [v. 18-19; 4:15, 25, 29, 31; 5:4]

2. Person Under the Influence will Walk Differently [2:2, 10; 4:17]

3. Person Under the Influence will Act Differently [4:1; 5:2, 8, 15]

III. THE FRUITS OF THE FILLING [v. 19-21]

1. A Spirit of Singing [v. 19]

2. A Spirit of Thanksgiving [v. 20]

3. A Spirit of Humility [v. 21; Luke 2:51]

And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
1 Corinthians 15:28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.