God's Will Concerning the Spirit

Scripture Text

Ephesians 5:17-21

Intro: To be able to live the Christian life God intends we need power that we don't have within ourselves. God made provision for that when He sent His Spirit to this earth at Pentecost. Only a person filled with God's Spirit can live victoriously in this world.

I. We are not to be foolish and unwise. Ephesians 5:15-17 (NKJV) ¹⁵  See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, ¹⁶  redeeming the time, because the days are evil. ¹⁷  Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. God wills for us to be wise. We should not be foolish and silly but instead we should redeem (make the most of) time and understand what the Lord wants us to do. God has a will for His children. We are to understand what His will is for each of us that belong to Him. Believers must not waste their time acting thoughtlessly anymore. We have a job to do, and our lives must reflect our motivation and our goal which is to serve our Lord, share His gospel message, and live in a way so as to honor Christ and be ready for His Kingdom.

II. God wills for us to be filled with His Spirit. Ephesians 5:18 (NKJV)¹⁸  And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit. To understand the Father's will and carry it out we need a power that we don't have within ourselves. The first church in the book of Acts didn't have radio, T.V. Newspapers or social media but they turned the world upside down. They were not discouraged from acting on their faith no matter what they had to face. What was their secret? Acts 2:4 says they were all filled with the Spirit. We also need the Spirit's power to understand and carry out God's will. We are not to be drunk with wine. Being drunk with wine portrays the work of the flesh, our old life, that was sinful and evil. Being filled with the Spirit portrays our new life in Christ. Just as too much wine influences and controls your actions that all can see, being filled with the Spirit influences our actions and causes us to act a certain way for all to see Christ in our lives. With the old life we served the devil and sin. With the Spirit we are to serve God and live for Him. To be filled the Spirit means to be fully surrendered to and controlled by the Spirit. The fullness of the Spirit is a personal manifestation of Christ to the believer who walks obediently day by day. It is a consciousness of His presence, of His leadership—moment by moment. Romans 8:14 (NKJV) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. Being filled and led by the Spirit is the believer's privilege and duty. But the Spirit's filling and leading is not an automatic experience. The responsibility of being filled and led by the Spirit rests upon the shoulders of each believer. Can't just pray once and it's done. To be filled with God's Spirit we must be walking (living) in obedience to Christ and desiring more of Him in our lives. Then the heavenly Father fills us with the very Source of all good things. Just think about that. The very presence of God dwelling within our hearts and bodies! If He dwells within us, then every good thing is assured. Once we are controlled by the Holy Spirit, we have God's presence within to accompany and guide us and give us understanding of His will for our lives and the power to accomplish His will.

III. The evidence of being filled with the Spirit. Ephesians 5:19-21 (NKJV) ¹⁹  speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, ²⁰  giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹  submitting to one another in the fear of God.

1. A Spirit-filled person has a singing spirit. [v:19] The mention of singing is the picture of true joy and happiness. God's Spirit will put a song in your heart. Grounded in God’s word and correct doctrine, music can be an important part of Christian worship and education.

2. A Spirit-filled person has a thankful spirit. [v:20] Note the words "always" and "for all things." No mumbling and complaining. Our lives are in God's hands. He guides and directs us in and through all things. Therefore, we can thank Him for all things—no matter what the things are. He controls all. Giving thanks as we walk along throughout the day—always giving thanks—helps us to experience the fullness of God's Spirit.

3. A Spirit-filled person has a submissive and respectful spirit. [v:21] When we submit to God, we become more willing to obey his command to submit to others, to surrender our rights to theirs. A Spirit-filled person does not have a spirit of criticism, dissension, envy, divisiveness, or selfishness. He has a spirit of submissiveness. The same is true of churches: a Spirit-filled church has a body of people who are submissive—going out of their way to minister and serve each other. There is no dissension or divisiveness, no envy or selfishness among its people. In the fear of God, they submit to each other in the fullness of God's Spirit. They also produce the fruit of the Spirit in their lives.

Galatians 5:22 (NKJV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

Conclusion: We are to take seriously the command to be filled with the Spirit. It is not an option for us to decide. It is the will of God. If you haven't already begun to pray to be filled with God's Spirit, begin right now and pray for it everyday and receive what God has willed for you and live in His power. It is of the utmost importance for the Christian.

Invitation: The only way to have the Spirit of God in your life is to confess your sins to Jesus and ask Him to forgive you and invite Him into your life. At that moment the Spirit comes into your life. Then surrender completely to God's Spirit and let Him lead you until God calls you home!