The Spirit-filled life

Ephesians 5:15-21 ESV

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Rev. Charles Han

Living a life filled with the spirit is like trying to catch a wind in a sailboat. We are not rowing, but tapping into a power greater than ourselves. That is what it means to be filled with the Spirit.

What it means to be "filled with the spirit"

We often think it means to be filled with a has or liquid. Like gas bring put into a car. But the Holy Spirit is not an object... He is a person. This is about qualities not quantities. We are not talking about the amount of the Spirit we have. But rather how much the Spirit has of us... How much of our will, our passion, etc... Does the Spirit control?

The grammar used here, refers to an ongoing thing. We are not looking at periodic spiritual experiences. But an ongoing experience. being kept filled

Finally, how much are we under the influence of the Spirit? How much does it affect your life, your entire life? The influence of wine is all encompassing. In small quantities, we get feelings of courage and warmth.

The Spirit increases and deepens our understanding of God. We called the Holy Spirit the "shy" part of the trinity. His entire purpose is to draw attention to Father and Son. So being filled by the Spirit means we are filled with/intoxicated by the Gospel truth.

Alcohol blurs our ability to see, the Spirit awakens our sight.

How do you know "filled with the spirit"

V 19-21:
"Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs"
"Giving thanks always"
"Submitting to one another out of reverence"

The Spirit-filled life is one of worship and obedience, not necessarily on gifts/abilities nor experiences.  Its about how you're living, how you're walking.

The Spirit-filled life is rather ordinary. It's not always in epic, radical ways. Just with plants, fruit comes in slow, everyday growth that eventually brings a seed to a tree. They grow, but you can't see it. Plants grow quietly, invisibly. But don't think that it's not a manifestation of great power.

Worshipful Singing
Worshipping together is not just to God.  It is also a way for us to edify each other. Worship engages the entire being. Our hearts, minds, and voices are fully focused on a song about Jesus and God.

Continual thankfulness towards God
We are continually thankful for all that God has done. If we have any feeling that we get less than what we deserve, we have lost the reality of grace. That we get what we do not deserve from God. Constant gratitude can grow all these fruits outlined in this passage.

Here's a formula for you.
Everything God gives is grace to you, glory be to God, thanks be to God. All things that are nice or not so nice.. even suffering, fit under this formula.  God bring good for us through all things.

Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ
We are to submit to those in spiritual authority over us. We are one body, following the command of Christ.

How to be "filled with the spirit"

Be immersed in the word of God.
The spirit has been working on writing out the Bible for centuries...  If the Spirit spent this long to get it written, does that not mean something?

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. - Col 3:16 ESV

You cannot simply read it. You must meditate on it. Chew and consider it. Not just listen to it.

Sing
Singing worshipfully to God is not only a mark of the spirit filled life... It is also a means of God's sanctification.