Be Filled With The Spirit Ephesians 5:1-20 Pastor Barry Kerner
Be Filled With The Spirit
Ephesians 5:1-20
Pastor Barry Kerner
The Tower of Babel was a structure built in the land of Shinar (Babylonia) some time after the Flood. The story of its construction, given in Genesis 11:1–9, explains the existence of diverse human languages. According to Genesis, the Babylonians wanted to make a name for themselves so they came together to build a mighty city and a tower“with its top in the heavens.” God disrupted the work by so confusing the language of the workers that they could no longer understand one another. The city was never completed, and the people were dispersed over the face of the earth.
There are similarities between Babel and Pentecost. At Babel the people all came to one place to build a tower in order to reach the heavens. At Pentecost, the Bible says, “When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place” (Acts 2:1), and their purpose was to reach God. At Babel they all spoke one language, and God caused them to speak many languages. At Pentecost they all spoke one language (Aramaic with a Galilean dialect), but God caused them to speak many languages. At Babel God came down to the people, and at Pentecost the Holy Spirit descended upon the people. At both Babel and Pentecost the people were scattered — but with totally different purposes. At Babel the people scattered in hostility and chaos, at Pentecost they scattered with a new love and purpose in their hearts. They wanted to spread the good news.
That is the purpose of Pentecost: To give us the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit so that we can learn to love God and live for God. To give new purpose. To change chaos and confusion into understanding. To turn us from rebellion to love and obedience through the power of the Holy Spirit. To turn despair into hope. To bring a new love into our hearts that wants to reach out to God and others. This Pentecost Sunday brings the invitation to receive the power of the Holy Spirit.
Now, suppose someone asked, “Are you filled with the Spirit?” what would you say? It’s not easy to answer and therefore makes us uneasy as we think about it.
In his preface to The Pursuit of God, A. W. Tozer wrote, In this hour of all-but-universal darkness one cheering gleam appears: within the fold of conservative Christianity there are to be found increasing numbers of person who religious lives are marked by a growing hunger after God Himself. They are eager for spiritual realities and will not be put off with words, nor will they be content with correct “interpretations” of truth. They are athirst for God, and they will not be satisfied till they have drunk deep at the Fountain of Living Water and filled with the Holy Spirit of God.
One of the greatest preachers of the 19th century, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, said, “The grand thing the church needs in this time is God’s Holy Spirit.” More than anything else, we need to rediscover the Holy Spirit and learn anew to depend on him.
In John 4:13-14 we read, “Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.””
In John 10:10 Jesus says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
If you have your Bibles open to Ephesians 5 let’s read verses 1 through 20.
1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.[a] 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them.
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said:
“Wake up, sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I’ll ask you, “Is the state of your heart: Empty or Full? Is it Carnal or Spiritual?”
In 1 Corinthians the Scriptures distinguish between the “spiritual” and the “carnal;” In Galatians 5:16, those who “walk in the Spirit,” and those who walk “according to the flesh;” In Romans 6:4, those who walk “in newness of life,” and those who do not; In John 15, those who “abide in Christ,” and those who do not; and in Colossians 1:10, those who walk “worthy of the Lord,” and those who “walk as men.” God wants us to live a Holy Spirit filled life and to walk in that life.
Notice Ephesians 5:14: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead.” This verse is often spoken to sinners, but it was not written to sinners. It was a call to one of the best churches in the New Testament at Ephesus. Some of the Ephesians were in a somnolent condition; that is, they were morally good but unenlightened. They were religious but un-anointed. It is perfectly possible for a good, faithful, loyal church member to be spiritually asleep.
When you go to sleep tonight, the fact that you are unconscious and out of the running for a while is not bothering you. You know that normally you will wake up again. You are not dead, but you are cut off from your environment, all but that which is reflex—breathing and a few other things. Likewise it is possible to be a Christian, to be in the church and yet be asleep spiritually.
Paul goes on in verse 18 to contrast between being filled with wine and being filled with the Spirit. A person under the influence of wine experiences altered behavior. He may say or do things he would not ordinarily do. Emotions may be heightened for a brief period, causing the person to experience anger followed quickly by elation followed quickly by depression. If the person drinks enough wine, his mental processes will be affected and his decision making ability will be radically altered—almost always with a negative result.
Likewise, the filling of the Holy Spirit produces a change in behavior. In the Book of Acts, once timid disciples became flaming evangelists for Jesus Christ. They were accused of being drunk.
Peter, quoting Joel 2:28, told the crowd, “These men are not drunk as you suppose. ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out My Spirit on all people.” They weren’t under the influence of wine. They were under the influence of the Holy Spirit.
In Ephesians 5:15-21 Paul mentions five practical things related to the filling of the Spirit:
In verses 16-16 we’re told that being filled with the Holy Spirit gives us Wisdom for living in this evil age;
In verse 17, Understanding of God’s will;
In verse 19, A joyful heart filled with singing to the Lord;
In verse 21, A heart filled with thanksgiving;
And, in verse 21 we’re told that being filled with the Holy Spirit gives us An attitude of mutual submission.
True submission is vitally important because it touches our need to be in control in every situation. When we submit from the heart, we are saying, “I don’t have to have my way all the time.” Only a heart touched by the Holy Spirit can maintain such an attitude in every relationship of life.
First, the phrase in verse 18, “be filled with the Holy Spirit” is a command. In the Greek language this verb is in the imperative mode. This means the filling of the Spirit isn’t an optional part of the Christian life. Every Christian is to be filled with the Spirit all of the time. If you aren’t, you are out of God’s will.
Second, it is in the present tense.
You keep on doing something. It’s not a one-time event. We could legitimately translate this verse this way: “Be continually filled with the Holy Spirit.” The filling of the Spirit is supposed to be the normal way of life for the Christian.
Third, it is in the passive voice. This is a nuance many people would miss. In Greek as in English commands can be either active or passive. However, we’re much more used to active commands: “Go to the store and pick up some milk, please.” That’s an active command. If I say, “Fill that hole with dirt”, that’s also in the active voice. But Ephesians 5:18 is in the passive voice. He doesn’t say, “Fill yourself with the Spirit” but rather “be filled with the Spirit.” To be “be filled” means that the filling of the Spirit is a work of God, not man.
Two things to remember, the Holy Spirit lives within us and is willing to fill us at any moment and we must get out of the way.
John the Baptist says in Chapter 3 verses 29–30, “Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease.” When Jesus becomes greater in the world and I become lesser in the world, my joy increases. And when this is the purpose and plan of Jesus himself
Fourth, it is a plural command. It’s not just for Pastors, or evangelists or Sunday school teachers, or those serving in ministry. Paul is saying, “Let each and every one of you be filled with the Spirit.” On one hand, that means the command is for every Christian. God intends—and desires—that all his children be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Fifth, it’s also a corporate command. The church as a church is to be filled with the Holy Spirit. That is, the filling of the Spirit is not something for my own personal edification. God’s Spirit imparts life-giving power that transforms the church from a social club or a religious gathering into a living body of Christ. We can see that clearly in the verses that follow. We are to be Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs (verse 19) and Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ (verse 21).
I am to be filled with the Spirit—but I am not to be filled alone. As we allow the Holy Spirit to fill us one by one, our corporate life will be forever transformed. Perhaps this one factor accounts for the difference between a church that is “alive” and a church that is “dead.” Both churches have the same Bible, the same rituals, they may sing the same songs, they may even have the same programs and the same schedule of services. Outwardly they may look very much alike. But, one is alive while the other is dead. What makes the difference? The Holy Spirit! We need the filling of the Spirit not simply for ourselves but for the reformation and revival of local churches everywhere.
Being filled with the Holy Spirit is an issue of control.
Go back to the contrast between wine and the Spirit. Drunken and Spirit-filled people have one thing in common. They are both controlled people. Their lives and their behavior are radically changed by that which fills them.
–If a person is filled with anger, then anger controls his life.
–If a person is filled with greed, then greed dominates his life.
–If a person is filled with love, then love influences all he does.
When the Holy Spirit fills you, he will have the controlling interest in your life.
Being filled with the Holy Spirit doesn’t mean I have more of the Spirit, it means the Spirit has more of me.
Being filled with the Holy Spirit is also an issue of Cooperation
Every Christian is filled with the Spirit from the moment of the new birth. The Holy Spirit indwells us from the moment we are saved. New believers often have so much joy and walk so closely with the Lord. For them, it’s the natural thing to do.
That means the central issue is one of cooperation. Am I going to cooperate with the Holy Spirit and let him lead me or I am going to keep on trying to do things my own way?
So many of us struggle at precisely this point. We fight the Lord because we want to do things our way.
Jesus’ words to Saul on the road to Damascus: “It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
“It is hard for you to kick against the goads” was a Greek proverb, but it was also familiar to the Jews and anyone who made a living in agriculture. An ox goad was a stick with a pointed piece of iron on its tip used to prod the oxen when plowing. The farmer would prick the animal to steer it in the right direction. Sometimes the animal would rebel by kicking out at the prick, and this would result in the prick being driven even further into its flesh. In essence, the more an ox rebelled, the more it suffered.
The conversion of Saul is quite significant as it was the turning point in his life. Paul later wrote nearly half of the books of the New Testament.
Jesus took control of Paul and let him know his rebellion against God was a losing battle. Paul’s actions were as senseless as an ox kicking “against the goads.” Paul had passion and sincerity in his fight against Christianity, but he was not heading in the direction God wanted him to go. Jesus was going to goad (“direct” or “steer”) Paul in the right direction.
There is a powerful lesson in the ancient Greek proverb. We, too, find it hard to kick against the goads. Solomon wrote, “Stern discipline awaits him who leaves the path” (Proverbs 15:10). When we choose to disobey God, we become like the rebellious ox—driving the goad deeper and deeper. Proverbs 13:15 tells us, “The way of the unfaithful is hard.” How much better to heed God’s voice, to listen to the pangs of conscience! By resisting God’s authority we are only punishing ourselves.
And, being filled with the Holy Spirit is an issue of Repentance
If you allow weeds unattended in your garden the weeds will soon take over the garden. Similarly if you allow sin unattended in your life, sin will eventually take over your life. Whatever you water will grow.
Being filled with the Holy Spirit takes emptiness and openness
Imagine trying to fill up a jar that is already full of something else. You can’t fill what is already full. Or imagine an empty jar with the lid screwed on tight. You can’t fill that jar either.
-Some Christians are so full of themselves, they have no room for the Holy Spirit.
-Some Christians have simply closed their heart to the work of the Holy Spirit.
One woman said that that perfectly described her husband. By all outward standards, he was a success. “But,” she said, “ he is so full of himself that he is closed to anything that God might want to do in his life.” She did not say that with anger but with tears. I wonder if that would not describe many of us.
In a sense being filled with the Spirit is an impossibility—at least as far as it depends on us. Only God’s Spirit can fill us. We need two things—emptiness and openness. You can’t fill a jar that’s already full, and you can’t fill a jar that is not open.
-There must be a sense of need—“Lord, I’m empty and I need to be filled by your Spirit.”
-There must be a willingness—“Lord, I’m open to you. Let your Spirit fill me now.”
Let me end by putting this matter in a larger perspective. The Holy Spirit is never given merely for our own personal enjoyment. God sends his Spirit to enable us to live for Christ in the world.
The famous quotation by Mark Twain is an entertaining reminder that those who, “Toot their own horn,” are often those who lack the very thing they’re bragging about. It’s not the people “out there” that need to be revived by God’s Spirit. It’s you and it’s me.
The Christian life is not difficult, but it is impossible without the Holy Spirit. The human spirit fails unless the Holy Spirit fills. We are commanded to be awake and to continually yield to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, both as individual persons and as the Body of Christ.
Let us close with this prayer that Paul wrote to the Ephesians but which is appropriate for us here this morning.
Ephesians 3:14-21
14For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, 21to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.