READ | SERMON NOTES
SUMMARY | Be very careful how we live—not as unwise but wise (v15), not foolish but understanding the will of God (v17), not drunk but filled with the Spirit. (v18)
God’s Spirit leads us into all truth, helps us in our time of need, directs us to live wisely, assures us of our identity as sons and daughters of the Most High God. What does it mean to be filled by the Holy Spirit, and what will life look like?
HOW GOD’S SPIRIT IS RECEIVED AND SUSTAINED
1. Salvation – When we receive Christ, we receive God’s Spirit who dwells in us to give New Life, allowing us to cry, “Abba, Father.” (Romans 8:9,11,15; Galatians 4:6) The Spirit is a deposit from God that guarantees our spiritual future inheritance (Ephesians 1:13-14), and was first received by believers in the first Pentecost when “tongues of fire” descended upon them. (Acts 2:1-13)
2. Special Empowering – the Spirit comes occasionally to empower God’s people to display His gifts of prophesy, healing and proclamation e.g. speaking of known languages in tongues (Acts 2), boldness to preach God’s Word (Acts 4), and performing miracles that lead to faith in Christ (Acts 13).
3. Steady and Ongoing Filling – Being continuously filled, again and again, as a daily steadfast experience is more needed than the occasional empowerment. God’s children need to be consistently filled with His Spirit to be perpetually influenced, and guarded against getting “drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery”. (v18)
Timothy Keller explains that alcohol is a depressant that suppresses reality, numbs pain, and makes people see less of the truth. Under its influence, a different personality can emerge contrary to one’s real self—weepy, violent, boastful, heroic, or talkative. The Holy Spirit, however, makes the reality and truth of God more real and clear. By revealing what’s wrong with us, the Spirit leads us to a deep conviction of sin, which moves us to seek God’s restoration and healing—shaping, renewing and forming us more and more into Christ’s image.
By filling our hearts and soul, the Holy Spirit raises our understanding of who we are to God and who God is to us. John Wesley, at a religious meeting on Aldersgate Street, London, on Sunday 24 May 1738, was deeply transformed by his experience of the Holy Spirit. He felt “strangely warmed” because the Word of God came alive for him – to know he was forgiven and assured of salvation. This led to him being more powerful and effective in his witness for Christ.
LIFE IN THE SPIRIT IS HAVING A HEIGHTENED REALITY OF GOD
More than having cognitive understanding, God comes alive in our faith so that we are:
Filled with Self-Control – Paul (in v18) was referring to ancient Greek culture where being drunk led to debauchery – unrestrained over-indulgence leading to tragic and regretful consequences. Having the fullness of the Spirit, however, gives us more of the Fruit of self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23) Lust, greed, abuse of power, anger, impatience all have their spiritual root in a complete lack of self-control. No human strength, strategy, management or therapy can solve this deficit, except by the Spirit’s infilling—the power of which breaks sin to restore Godly control of passion, mind and tongue that have become lustful, corrupt and destructive.
Filled with Joy – deep down in our hearts to encourage each other “with psalms (often laments), hymns (reflecting God’s faithfulness through the generations) and songs from the Spirit”. We instinctively praise God (in His ear) by “making music in (our) hearts to the Lord” (v19). We trustingly surrender our sadness to Him in exchange for hopeful, joyful assurance that is eternal.
Filled with Gratitude – “Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (v20) Being radically thankful is having spirit-led gratitude that rules out toxic complaining, comparing, envy and jealousy. It opens our spiritual eyes to see God’s blessings upon our lives with thankfulness and restfulness. It leads us from self-centredness to becoming generous and kind.
HOW ARE WE FILLED?
1. Persevere in the means of grace – through what John Wesley called
a) Works of piety
-By an individual e.g. scripture-reading, prayer, worship, generous giving, sharing faith with others
-In community e.g. sharing in the sacraments (holy communion), fellowship and accountability (small groups), studying scripture in community (bible study groups)
b) Works of mercy
-By an individual e.g. doing good works, caring for the least and last, giving to the needy
-As a community e.g. seeking justice, ending oppression, addressing societal needs
When we begin to pursue God in His Word by establishing a daily rhythm in Bible reading (even 5-10 minutes to begin with), we allow the Holy Spirit to enter our lives and transform us every day. Persevering rhythms help us encounter God whose Spirit paves the way for our service.
2. Put sin to death – Deal with sin, whatever belongs to our earthly, fleshly nature that is sinful. (Colossians 3:5) Don’t allow sin to have life, influence or control over us. Sin and the Holy Spirit do not go together. Unless we renounce every sin in our lives, we cannot be full of the Spirit.
3. Make room through obedience – We quench (1 Thessalonians 5:19) and grieve (Ephesians 4:30) the Spirit when we refuse to obey His leading and guidance. We are sustained, filled and full when we walk in step with the Spirit. (Galatians 5;16,18) Reading the Bible is making room to journey with God’s Spirit who prompts us to serve with self-control, joy and gratitude.
Being Pentecost Sunday, we celebrate the Holy Spirit coming upon God’s people to mark them as His church. By the Spirit’s leading, Vision 2035 aims to redevelop Wesley MC to be welcoming, missional and caring—sowing for future generations, and reaching more people for God’s kingdom.
Let us not obsess over the gifts of the Holy Spirit for the work of miracles, revelation, and empowerment. Cultivate instead the Fruit of the Spirit in our daily lives—which prepares us for eternity, and marks our Christian discipleship. Fullness of life as God intends for us is ours when we walk daily, obey frequently, and rely humbly on His Spirit. Does the Holy Spirit have all of you?
(Sermon notes by Marjorie Tan)
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- Study Scripture
a. Read Ephesians 5:15-20 - Recall Sermon
a. What does it mean to be “filled with the Spirit”?
b. How does the Spirit heighten the reality of God in our lives? Out of the three aspects of self-control, inner joy and gratitude, which is the aspect you would like to grow in? Why?
c. What are the three ways through which we can be filled with the Spirit? What are the means of grace you would like to pursue more intentionally?
d. How does putting sin to death help in making us full of the Spirit?
e. How do we make room for the Spirit? What quenches or grieves the Spirit? - Relate Personally
a. What about the message that really spoke to you? - Commit to Action
a. In what ways is God calling you to act in response to the message?
b. What steps will you take this week to be filled with the Spirit? Pray for each other to be faithful to pursue the filling of the Spirit.
