FILLED UP!
Acts 2 / Ephesians 3
INTRODUCTION:
Good morning! How’s everyone doing? It’s great to see you here today.
If you have your Bibles — would you turn with me to the New Testament book of Acts. And we’ll be in chapter 2. Acts chapter 2. Last week we began a brand new series of messages that we’re calling “WE ARE THE CHURCH!” Our purpose is to help you discover the importance of what Jesus began nearly 2000 years ago. It’s more than a revolution — it’s a movement of HOPE and LOVE and JOY and LIFE!
What He launched (following His death, burial, and resurrection )— is the most powerful movement ever begun! And today we’re going to read about the day the movement was born! So, again, if you have your Bible…look with me at Acts 2 and we’ll begin with verse 1.
MESSAGE:
Luke, one of the first-century church leaders tells this story. This is a follow-up to his story about Jesus (told in the gospel of Luke). And this book seems to pick-up right where that book ended.
Writing to a friend named Theophilus, he seeks to complete the story of the work of Christ among us — in order to inspire and encourage him towards faith.
In chapter 2, he writes:
1 “On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place.
Let me just pause to say, this was a tremendously important day in the life of the Jewish people. It was one of the most celebrated festivals they had.
2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. 5 At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem. 6 When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers. 7 They were completely amazed. “How can this be?” they exclaimed. “These people are all from Galilee, 8 and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages! 9 Here we are—Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia, 10 Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the areas of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism), Cretans, and Arabs. And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!” 12 They stood there amazed and perplexed. “What can this mean?” they asked each other. 13 But others in the crowd ridiculed them, saying, “They’re just drunk, that’s all!” 14 Then Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd, “Listen carefully, all of you, fellow Jews and residents of Jerusalem! Make no mistake about this. 15 These people are not drunk, as some of you are assuming. Nine o’clock in the morning is much too early for that. 16 No, what you see was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel: 17 ‘In the last days,’ God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people…”
Acts 2:1-17 (NLT)
Acts 2 tells the story of what has often been described as “the birthday of the church.” It was on this day that a MOVEMENT so powerful began…that it turned the world upside down! Not because of what the disciples or early Christ-followers did…but rather, what God (through His Spirit) did through them.
Prior to the Day of Pentecost there were a few who were committed to following Jesus still lingering together. In fact, they had gathered in a small room in Jerusalem to worship and pray. While they were following Jesus — they weren’t yet identified as “the church”. However, on that day mentioned in Acts 2, the Holy Spirit comes upon them. As they were waiting together (as a small group) in that small room — the most amazing thing happened. In a moment, their timidness was changed into boldness — and they were empowered…all of them, empowered to live for Christ.
And so, the church was born!
In fact, it was through the power of the Holy Spirit, that Peter (the disciple who was quick to deny that he even knew Jesus, just a few weeks earlier), not was so confident and bold, that he preached his very first sermon, and 3000 new believers were added to the church on that day.
Listen, the purpose of being filled with the presence of the Holy Spirit is not about having some unique experience to talk about. It’s not to gain some special “deluxe edition” of Christianity. It’s not so that you and I can brag to others about how spiritual we are…to the contrary!
Being filled with the Holy Spirit is about possessing the power to live our lives for Christ in this world that does not submit to Him and is in many ways in conflict with the life that He’s called us to!
It was for just such a purpose, that the apostle Paul wrote to the early church…and while he was himself imprisoned and in chains for his own faith in Christ, expressed his desire that the church would be strong in the face of persecution and challenge.
In the third chapter of the letter we call Ephesians, he wrote these words. Beginning in verse 14, he said:
14 “For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may 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, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”
Ephesians 3:14-19 (NIV)
Paul prayed asking God to, “…strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being…that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”
It was his desire that you and I would be filled to the max with the God’s presence!
Now, I know that nobody likes to be low on anything. Let me give you a few examples…
♣ We don’t like to be low on energy…right?
♣ We don’t like to be low on groceries.
♣ We don’t like to be low on money.
♣ We don’t even like to be low on coffee. I mean, come on…haven’t you experience that sad reality of turning your coffee mug up…and nothing comes out? What a horrible feeling! Or have you ever sat at your table in a restaurant and slurped your straw only to find your cup empty? There may be nothing as frustrating as experiencing that “SLURP” — and then looking around and not seeing a waiter or waitress anywhere in sight!
♣ Or how about being low on gas? Have you ever been driving and glance down to see you’re running on fumes?
Well, if you can identify with any of those moments — then you’re going to love this story…
Several months ago, Jonathan and I were driving back from Youngstown, OH after picking up a car that his grandfather had given him. Well, we had just entered into the mountains of West Virginia — and were driving on the Turnpike, when Jonathan calmly said, “Dad…Dad…I think we need gas!” Well, I had dosed off for a few moments, and when Jonathan alerted me to the fact that we were low — what he meant was that we were running on fumes! FUMES! As I awakened and tried to regain my senses…I began to look around and there were no gas stations anywhere. No exits to be found. We were on a very long dark strip of Highway and I entered into what is CLINICALLY KNOWN AS: PANIC MODE!
And what’s worse — was I wasn’t driving, so I felt powerless! Well, long story short, we began to pray. Together we agreed that we needed God’s help — and the supernatural provision of His hand. We need the guidance of His Spirit. We needed the comfort of His presence. And so we prayed. And as we did — He responded. It was like a “loaves and fishes” miracle. While that needle was buried behind the “E”– we continued going down that long winding dark highway. And then, at one point along the way, several miles down the road, we saw an exit. As we turned off the highway, the little car sputtered and then coasted ahead. And it was amazing — we drifted right up next to the pumps and it died.
WHILE ALL WORKED OUT IN THE END — THE PROCESS WAS AWFUL!
Running on empty is a horrible feeling!
Well, you know, at one point or another — most Christians find themselves in the same place, although we’ve been connected to God through Christ, we still need to tap into the FULLNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT and His endless power — or we will find ourselves stalling out and sputtering on empty!
Again, it’s for this reason, that Jesus promised us the gift of the infilling of the Holy Spirit. And that’s what Paul was addressing when he wrote this passage in Ephesians.
If you would, look with me again at his prayer. Becausehere, Paul prayed for those like us — who may be sputtering on empty or stalling out.
In vs. 19 Paul prayed, asking God to,
“…strengthen us with the power of His Spirit in our inner beings…so that we may be filled to the measure of — the fullness of God.”
Folks this message is one for Christians who be in a dry place in life — or just in need of a refill! This is a message of encouragement to everyone who is trying to LIVE FOR JESUS ALL ON THEIR OWN! Because it’s through the POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT that we find the strength to LIVE FOR CHRIST — and NOT JUST SURVIVE, but THRIVE as we do!
Folks, I believe (just as Paul did) that it is possible for Christians to be filled up to the level of fullness in Christ. That’s being topped off — receiving everything we need to live our lives the way God intends for us to live them.
Here’s what I have discovered in God’s Word — and in my own walk with Him. In order for me to be filled with the measure of all the fullness of God (as Paul put it), I must come to grips with the fact that:
MY STRENGTH COMES FROM GOD.
GOD’S POWER FLOWS THROUGH HIS LOVE.
HIS LOVE MUST BE EXPERIENCED. (Knowledge of it is not enough).
1. MY STRENGTH COMES FROM GOD!
In verse 16 Paul said,
“16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,”
Here Paul was declaring where our strength and power comes from. And his point is simple – it doesn’t come from us!
We don’t possess the power to fill ourselves!
We can’t live topped off — all on our own! We just don’t have what it takes to “DO LIFE” God’s way without submitting ourselves to Him and allow His Spirit to fill us up!
In short — OUR STRENGTH COMES FROM GOD ALONE!
We need power to overcome bondages and bad habits, power to stand up for righteousness, power to believe in Christ, power to speak up for truth, power to protect the innocent, power to live a life of holiness, power to have faith in God to provide, and power to be a witness of His work in us!
Everything in this life is dependent upon God. Without His power at work in us – we cannot stand – much less be victorious at living for Him.
Paul says, listen…it is my prayer is that God will show up and give you a refill! He makes it clear that we need the supernatural strength of God to live this life of faith!
So listen, if you’re struggling today – and if you’re having a hard time living your life. Maybe you thought it was going to be a lot easier. Maybe you thought — it I just pray a simple prayer, then my like will become a fairytale and all the bad will go away. If that’s you, then you’ve probably discovered something. Life doesn’t get easier when you experience salvation — but you do find forgiveness, and hope, and life.
And when as you begin to relinquish control of your life to God (more and more) you’ll find that He will STRENGTHEN YOU and EMPOWER YOU to stand against all the fiery darts of the enemy. And He will give you BOLDNESS and FORTITUDE to look face your trials with HOPE and FAITH!
When you acknowledge your emptiness — you become open for God to work in and through you! This is the difference between ACCEPTING CHRIST AS SAVIOR — and ACCEPTING CHRIST AS LORD! Both are needed, but many of us never move forward in our relationship with Jesus…and we only allow Him to be our SAVIOR. But if you are to experience God’s great power and strength to live for Him — then you also have to SUBMIT TO HIS LORDSHIP!
Folks, if you will do your part, and surrender control of your life to Christ — then I promise you – He will do his part. And the result will be a deeper and more intimate relationship with the Jesus. In order to be filled to our measure with all the fullness of God, you have to recognize that YOUR STRENGTH COMES FROM GOD!
Secondly, Paul tells us…
2. GOD’S POWER FLOWS THROUGH LOVE!
Look at verse 18. Paul continues by saying,
“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ”
Paul tells us that God’s power flows through His love! And he reminds us that the foundation of our experience in Christ comes through the love that He has shared with us — but in response, we ought to share that love with one another.
There is then — a corporate sense to EXPERIENCING GOD’S POWER! And it’s best experienced in community. We are more powerful when we are together than when we are apart. That’s what made the Acts 2 experience so special — “They were all together in one place…” They were sharing the experience of the Spirit’s outpouring.
And so here, we find Paul praying that as the church, as believers, that we might be so unified in Christ that we would receive the power to not only lead a Godly life – but also to express our love one another!
But look at verse 18 again. I want you to notice something about the love of God — which reflects His power as well. Paul say,
“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ”
When Paul begins to describe this love of God it is interesting to me that he chose these points, that are complete opposites of one another. He says he wants us to grasp how wide and long and high and deep the love of Christ is…which is a distance that cannot be measured. The line between them will never end. It just goes on and on and on and on.
It’s as if Paul is making the point that God’s love has no limit…and likewise, neither will His power within us! (Can you say, “Praise the Lord”?)
If you’ve ever felt weak and powerless, then maybe this morning you need to be filled with the Spirit of God. Or re-filled, as it were. Not because God’s presence isn’t sustainable — but just as we need water to drink and air to breath to live an earthly existence, so also we need to power and presence of the Holy Spirit (continually renewing us) to live our lives for God!
Again, this morning I want to ask you to pray as Paul did, for insight – Godly insight, to grasp the depth and length of God’s amazing love for you. Because when you recognize how much He loves you — you’ll allow His power to flow through you.
Being filled with the Spirit — forces us to recognize that:
OUR STRENGTH COMES THROUGH GOD…and HIS POWER COMES THROUGH HIS LOVE FOR US!
But lastly, Being Filled with the Spirit requires…what I call a God Moment…and by that I mean:
3. HIS LOVE & POWER MUST BE EXPERIENCED!
KNOWLEDGE ALONE (of God’s love) IS NEVER ENOUGH!
For the early church, knowing that God loved them — and had promised to send the Holy Spirit to them (out of His love) was not enough. The power accompanied the experience of God’s love!
The church was filled with POWER as they submitted to the experience of BEING FILLED WITH GOD’S SPIRIT! Paul continues in verse 19 by praying and asking God to provide a moment where the believers would – as he put it,
19 …to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”
Now, don’t get confused by Paul’s choice of the word “KNOW” in verse 19. Because he wasn’t speaking of a cognitive understanding — he was speaking of an experiential understanding! This wasn’t just the “mental knowing” it was a request for “experiential knowing”.
It was like what the Psalmist talks about in Psalm 34:8 – when he says,
“Taste and see that the Lord is good”
Paul’s prayer was not only that they know about Christ’s love but that they experience it first hand. And folks, that takes knowledge to a whole other level!
What Paul was describing was that we become filled with the fulness of the Spirit of God by way of a life-changing and faith-deepening experience. You see, God’s great demonstration of love (as experienced in Acts 2) forever changed the church!
But that wasn’t a ONCE IN A LIFE-TIME EXPERIENCE…it was something that Paul suggests should be EXPERIENCED AGAIN AND AGAIN.
In Ephesians 5:18 (NIV), he says, “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.”
Be FILLED — (and that phrase in the original language) means, to be continually filled, and refilled (again and again) by the power and the presence of the Holy Spirit. And so, you need to know — that what God did in the early church, then — He will still do in you and me, now! He will give us that same impartation of His powerful presence which will allow us to live our lives as they did…BOLD AND UNASHAMED of His name. That kind of “God Moment” (or DEFINING MOMENT) is what causes us to become emotional passionate about our faith. Our joy becomes greater, our faith becomes stronger, and our dedication becomes deeper.
Like Paul, may we become desirous of that kind of DEFINING MOMENTS in our lives. And here’s why: there is a big difference between knowing about something and having tasted it. We can sit and learn biblical principles all day long, but it’s through a divine moment that we taste and experience God in a life changing – faith refilling way.
Today I am calling upon you to pray for a God moment in your life that will allow you to taste and “see” the love of Christ, which leads to being filled and refilled with all the fullness of God presence!
CONCLUSION
As I close this morning, I want to draw your attention to the purpose of this kind of refilling moment with God. Paul gives it to us in verse 20-21. Where he writes:
20 Now 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, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
When we experience God in this way, He takes us to places of fulfillment in Him that we can only dream of. He says, being FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT ushers in a life of such power, and faith, and boldness, and joy — that it’s more than we can possibly imagine! Now, I don’t know about you, but I have a pretty big imagination! But compared with God…my thoughts are so small.
I think it’s time for a refill of His SPIRIT AND PRESENCE in me. How about you?
So folks, as Paul has described it — in order to be filled with the Holy Spirit, we really only need two things—to acknowledge our need and be open to receive! An acknowledgement of our need, where we say — “Lord, I’m in need of your power and presence in my life.”
And a willingness to submit to His Lordship in our lives, where we say — “Lord, I’m open to you. Fill me now.” The filling of the Spirit is really as simple as that. As long as we are conscious of our need and as long as we are willing to yield to the Lord, we can be filled with the Spirit because his power is available to us all day long.
PRAYER:
I invite you to join me in praying that we might be filled with the Holy Spirit. But before we pray that simple prayer…let me first allow those of you that may need to put your faith in Christ to do so. If you’re here this morning and you’re about to collapse under the weight of guilt from your sin…then, would you put your faith in Christ and confess your sin to Him today. If you do, He will forgive you, and save you right where you are.
Would you all bow your heads with me today? And let’s pause to allow those who need to experience salvation to do so.
If that’s you, would you pray with me today? Would you pause where you are, and pray with me?
Heavenly Father, I admit that I have sinned and chosen my way over yours too often. But all that changes today. Because, I confess my sin before you. And I confess my faith in Jesus. I believe He faced the cross, and shed His blood, for me. But I also believe that He rose again. So, today — I put my faith in Jesus. Save me and give me the true life that I was destined to live. I pray this in Jesus name, Amen.
And now, if you’re a believer in Christ today…would you join me in asking the Lord to FILL US WITH HIS SPIRIT?
Would you move out of your seat and join me at these altars and let’s pause and pray together?
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As you pray, our pastoral staff and team are going to join me in praying for you. We’ll do as the book of Acts speaks of — and lay our hands on you and pray that God will fill you up today! And we’ll end this service in prayer around these altars!
If you’d like us to pray with you for a specific need, let us know.
You know, the words don’t matter as much as the attitude of the heart…but — would you join me in demonstrating our need to be filled-up today by cupping your hands in front of you (like this) and praying with me:
Heavenly Father, I open my heart and life to you — just as my hands are open…and I ask you to: Fill me today! Give me power to live for you. Give me a boldness that honors you. Help me to live my life in a way that reflects your love and your presence. I acknowledge my need again for you. I need You to help me carry the load that too often weigh me down. I need you to help me use the gifts you’ve placed within me. And I need you to empower me to allow Christ in me to be seen by others.
Lord, I want to be the person you’ve created me to be. So would you fill me now with your Spirit? Fill me, Lord, so that those things that are holding me back would be broken and I can be free! Lord, fill me to overflowing with your presence and joy. Fill me. And use me. In Christ’s name I pray, AMEN!
And now, lift your hands to him in praise. Give the Lord your thanks — in anticipation of Him answering that prayer you just prayed?
Finally today, I’d like you to take just a few moments and pray alone. Take time to tell the Lord (in your own words) how much you love and trust in Him. Express your desire to be RE-FILLED with His Spirit, His power, and presence.