{"id":810,"date":"2024-02-20T17:05:52","date_gmt":"2024-02-20T17:05:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/?page_id=810"},"modified":"2024-02-20T17:05:54","modified_gmt":"2024-02-20T17:05:54","slug":"filled-up","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/filled-up\/","title":{"rendered":"FILLED UP!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

FILLED UP!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acts 2 \/ Ephesians 3<\/p>\n\n\n\n

INTRODUCTION:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good morning! How\u2019s everyone doing? It\u2019s great to see you here today.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have your Bibles \u2014 would you turn with me to the New Testament book of Acts. And we\u2019ll be in chapter 2. Acts chapter 2. Last week we began a brand new series of messages that we\u2019re calling \u201cWE ARE THE CHURCH!\u201d\u00a0<\/strong> Our purpose is to help you discover the importance of what Jesus<\/strong> began nearly 2000<\/strong> years<\/strong> ago<\/strong>. It\u2019s more than a revolution \u2014 it\u2019s a movement of HOPE<\/strong> and LOVE<\/strong> and JOY<\/strong> and LIFE<\/strong>!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What He launched (following His death, burial, and resurrection )\u2014 is the most powerful movement ever begun!  And today we\u2019re going to read about the day the movement was born! So, again, if you have your Bible\u2026look with me at Acts 2<\/strong> and we\u2019ll begin with verse 1<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MESSAGE:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Writing to a friend named Theophilus, he seeks to complete the story of the work of Christ among us \u2014 in order to inspire and encourage him towards faith. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In chapter 2, he writes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1 <\/em><\/strong>\u201cOn the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2 <\/em><\/strong>Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. <\/em>3 <\/em><\/strong>Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. <\/em>4 <\/em><\/strong>And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. <\/em>5 <\/em><\/strong>At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem. <\/em>6 <\/em><\/strong>When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers. <\/em>7 <\/em><\/strong>They were completely amazed. \u201cHow can this be?\u201d they exclaimed. \u201cThese people are all from Galilee, <\/em>8 <\/em><\/strong>and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages! <\/em>9 <\/em><\/strong>Here we are\u2014Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia, <\/em>10 <\/em><\/strong>Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the areas of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome <\/em>11 <\/em><\/strong>(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!\u201d <\/em>12 <\/em><\/strong>They stood there amazed and perplexed. \u201cWhat can this mean?\u201d they asked each other. <\/em>13 <\/em><\/strong>But others in the crowd ridiculed them, saying, \u201cThey\u2019re just drunk, that\u2019s all!\u201d <\/em>14 <\/em><\/strong>Then Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd, \u201cListen carefully, all of you, fellow Jews and residents of Jerusalem! Make no mistake about this. <\/em>15 <\/em><\/strong>These people are not drunk, as some of you are assuming. Nine o\u2019clock in the morning is much too early for that. <\/em>16 <\/em><\/strong>No, what you see was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel: <\/em>17<\/em><\/strong> \u2018In the last days,\u2019 God says, \u2018I will pour out my Spirit upon all people\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acts 2:1-17 (NLT)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Acts 2<\/strong> tells the story of what has often been described as “the birthday of the church.” <\/em>It was on this day that a MOVEMENT so powerful began\u2026that it turned the world upside down! Not because of what the disciples or early Christ-followers did\u2026but rather, what God (through His Spirit) did through them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 \u201cthe church\u201d. 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 \u2014 the most amazing thing happened. In a moment, their timidness was changed into boldness — and they were empowered\u2026all of them, empowered to live for Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And so, the church was born!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listen, the purpose of being filled with the presence of the Holy Spirit is not about having some unique experience to talk about. It\u2019s not to gain some special \u201cdeluxe edition\u201d<\/em> of Christianity. It\u2019s not so that you and I can brag to others about how spiritual we are\u2026to the contrary!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s called us to!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was for just such a purpose, that the apostle Paul wrote to the early church\u2026and 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the third chapter of the letter we call Ephesians, he wrote these words. Beginning in verse 14, he said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

14 <\/em><\/strong>\u201cFor this reason I kneel before the Father, <\/em>15 <\/em><\/strong>from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. <\/em>16 <\/em><\/strong>I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,<\/em>17 <\/em><\/strong>so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, <\/em>18 <\/em><\/strong>may have power, together with all the Lord\u2019s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, <\/em>19 <\/em><\/strong>and to know this love that surpasses knowledge\u2014<\/em>that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God<\/em>.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ephesians 3:14-19 (NIV)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paul prayed asking God to, \u201c\u2026strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being\u2026that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was his desire that you and I would be filled to the max with the God\u2019s presence!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, I know that nobody likes to be low on anything. Let me give you a few examples\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2663 We don\u2019t like to be low on energy\u2026right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2663 We don\u2019t like to be low on groceries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2663 We don\u2019t like to be low on money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2663 We don\u2019t even like to be low on coffee.\u00a0I mean, come on\u2026haven\u2019t you experience that sad reality of turning your coffee mug up\u2026and 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 \u201cSLURP\u201d \u2014 and then looking around and not seeing a waiter or waitress anywhere in sight!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2663 Or how about being low on gas? Have you ever been driving and glance down to see you\u2019re running on fumes? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, if you can identify with any of those moments — then you\u2019re going to love this story<\/em>\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 \u2014 and were driving on the Turnpike, when Jonathan calmly said, \u201cDad\u2026Dad\u2026I think we need gas!\u201d\u00a0Well, I had dosed off for a few moments, and when Jonathan alerted me to the fact that we were low<\/span> \u2014 what he meant was that we were running on fumes<\/span>! FUMES!\u00a0As I awakened and tried to regain my senses\u2026I 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!\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And what\u2019s worse \u2014 was I wasn\u2019t driving, so I felt powerless! Well, long story short, we began to pray<\/span>. 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

WHILE ALL WORKED OUT IN THE END — THE PROCESS WAS AWFUL! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Running on empty is a horrible feeling!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Well, you know, at one point or another \u2014 most Christians find themselves in the same place, although we\u2019ve been connected to God through Christ, we still need to tap into the FULLNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT and His endless power \u2014 or we will find ourselves stalling out and sputtering on empty!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Again, it\u2019s for this reason, that Jesus<\/strong> promised us the gift of the infilling of the Holy Spirit.<\/strong> And that\u2019s what Paul<\/strong> was addressing when he wrote this passage in Ephesians<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you would, look with me again at his prayer. Becausehere, Paul prayed for those like us \u2014 who may be sputtering on empty or stalling out.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In vs. 19<\/strong> Paul prayed, asking God to, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c\u2026strengthen us with the power of His Spirit in our inner beings\u2026so that we may be filled to the measure of \u2014 the fullness of God.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Folks this message is one for Christians who be in a dry place in life \u2014 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!\u00a0Because it\u2019s through the POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT\u00a0that we find the strength to LIVE FOR CHRIST \u2014\u00a0and NOT JUST SURVIVE, but THRIVE as we do!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Folks, I believe (just as Paul<\/strong> did) that it is possible for Christians<\/strong> to be filled up to the level of fullness in Christ. That\u2019s being topped off \u2014 receiving everything we need to live our lives the way God intends for us to live them.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s what I have discovered in God\u2019s Word \u2014 and in my own walk with Him. In order for me to be filled with the measure of all the fullness of God<\/em><\/strong> (as Paul put it), I must come to grips with the fact that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MY STRENGTH COMES FROM GOD.<\/strong>

GOD\u2019S POWER FLOWS THROUGH HIS LOVE.<\/strong>

HIS LOVE MUST BE EXPERIENCED.<\/strong> (Knowledge of it is not enough).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. MY STRENGTH COMES FROM GOD!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In verse 16<\/strong> Paul said, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c<\/em>16 <\/em><\/strong>I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here Paul<\/strong> was declaring where our strength and power comes from. And his point is simple \u2013 it doesn\u2019t come from us! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We don\u2019t possess the power to fill ourselves!  <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We can\u2019t live topped off \u2014 all on our own! We just don\u2019t have what it takes to \u201cDO LIFE\u201d God\u2019s way without submitting ourselves to Him and allow His Spirit to fill us up! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In short \u2014 OUR STRENGTH COMES FROM GOD ALONE!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everything in this life is dependent upon God. Without His power at work in us \u2013 we cannot stand \u2013 much less be victorious at living for Him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paul<\/strong> says, listen\u2026it is my prayer is that God will show up and give you a refill! <\/strong>He makes it clear that we need the supernatural<\/strong> strength<\/strong> of God to live this life of faith! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So listen, if you\u2019re struggling today \u2013 and if you\u2019re having a hard time living your life. Maybe you thought it was going to be a lot easier. Maybe you thought \u2014 it I just pray a simple prayer, then my like will become a fairytale and all the bad will go away.\u00a0If that\u2019s you, then you\u2019ve probably discovered something. Life doesn\u2019t get easier when you experience salvation \u2014 but you do find forgiveness, and hope, and life.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And when as you begin to relinquish control of your life to God (more and more) you\u2019ll find that He will STRENGTHEN YOU and EMPOWER YOU<\/strong> to stand against all the fiery darts of the enemy. And He will give you BOLDNESS and FORTITUDE<\/strong> to look face your trials with HOPE and FAITH! <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you acknowledge your emptiness \u2014 you become open for God to work in and through you! This is the difference between ACCEPTING CHRIST AS SAVIOR<\/strong> \u2014 and ACCEPTING CHRIST AS LORD! <\/strong>Both are needed, but many of us never move forward in our relationship with Jesus\u2026and we only allow Him to be our SAVIOR<\/strong>. But if you are to experience God\u2019s great power and strength to live for Him \u2014 then you also have to SUBMIT TO HIS LORDSHIP!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Folks, if you will do your part, and surrender control of your life to Christ<\/strong> \u2014 then I promise you \u2013 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!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Secondly, Paul tells us\u2026


2. GOD\u2019S POWER FLOWS THROUGH LOVE!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Look at verse 18<\/strong>. Paul continues by saying, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd 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\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paul<\/strong> tells us that God\u2019s 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 \u2014 but in response, we ought to share that love with one another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is then \u2014 a corporate sense to EXPERIENCING GOD\u2019S POWER! And it\u2019s best experienced in community. We are more powerful when we are together than when we are apart. That\u2019s what made the Acts 2<\/strong> experience so special \u2014 \u201cThey were all together in one place\u2026\u201d<\/em> They were sharing the experience of the Spirit\u2019s outpouring. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And so here, we find Paul<\/strong> praying that as the church, as believers, that we might be so unified in Christ<\/strong> that we would receive the power to not only lead a Godly life \u2013 but also to express our love one another!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But look at verse 18 <\/strong>again. I want you to notice something about the love of God \u2014 which reflects His power as well. Paul say, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, <\/em>may have power<\/em>, together with all the saints, to grasp <\/em>how wide and long and high and deep<\/em> is the love of Christ\u201d <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Paul<\/strong> begins to describe this love of God<\/strong> it is interesting to me that he chose these points, that are complete opposites of one another.\u00a0He says he wants us to grasp how wide<\/strong> and long<\/strong> and high<\/strong> and deep<\/strong> the love of Christ is\u2026which is a distance that cannot be measured. The line between them will never end. It just goes on and on and on and on. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s as if Paul<\/strong> is making the point that God\u2019s love has no limit\u2026and likewise, neither will His power within us!  (Can you say, \u201cPraise the Lord\u201d?)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve 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\u2019s presence isn\u2019t sustainable \u2014 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!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Again, this morning I want to ask you to pray as Paul<\/strong> did, for insight \u2013 Godly<\/strong> insight<\/strong>, to grasp the depth and length of God\u2019s amazing love for you. Because when you recognize how much He loves you \u2014 you\u2019ll allow His power to flow through you.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Being filled with the Spirit \u2014 forces us to recognize that:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

OUR STRENGTH COMES THROUGH GOD\u2026and HIS POWER COMES THROUGH HIS LOVE FOR US!\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

But lastly, Being Filled with the Spirit requires\u2026what I call a God Moment\u2026and by that I mean:<\/p>\n\n\n\n


3. HIS LOVE & POWER MUST BE EXPERIENCED!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

KNOWLEDGE ALONE (of God\u2019s love) IS NEVER ENOUGH!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the early church, knowing that God loved them \u2014 and had promised to send the Holy Spirit to them (out of His love) was not enough. The power accompanied the experience of God\u2019s love!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The church was filled with POWER as they submitted to the experience of BEING FILLED WITH GOD\u2019S SPIRIT! Paul continues in verse 19 by praying and asking God to provide a moment where the believers would \u2013 as he put it, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

19 \u2026<\/em><\/strong>to <\/em>know<\/em> this love that surpasses knowledge\u2014<\/em>that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God<\/em>.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, don\u2019t get confused by Paul\u2019s choice of the word \u201cKNOW\u201d in verse 19. Because he wasn\u2019t speaking of a cognitive understanding \u2014 he was speaking of an experiential understanding! This wasn\u2019t just the \u201cmental knowing\u201d<\/em><\/strong> it was a request for \u201cexperiential knowing\u201d<\/em><\/strong>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was like what the Psalmist<\/strong> talks about in Psalm 34:8<\/strong> \u2013 when he says, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTaste and see that the Lord is good\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paul\u2019s<\/strong> prayer was not only that they know about Christ\u2019s<\/strong> love<\/strong> but that they experience<\/strong> it first hand. And folks, that takes knowledge to a whole other level!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Paul was describing was that we become filled with the fulness<\/strong> of the Spirit<\/strong> of<\/strong> God <\/strong>by way of a life-changing and faith-deepening experience. You see, God\u2019s great demonstration of love (as experienced in Acts 2) forever changed the church! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But that wasn\u2019t a ONCE IN A LIFE-TIME EXPERIENCE\u2026it was something that Paul<\/strong> suggests should be EXPERIENCED AGAIN AND AGAIN. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Ephesians 5:18 (NIV), <\/strong>he says, \u201cDo not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, <\/em>be filled with the Spirit.<\/em>\u201d<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be FILLED \u2014 (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.\u00a0And so, you need to know \u2014 that what God<\/strong> did in the early church, then \u2014 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\u2026BOLD AND UNASHAMED of His name.\u00a0That kind of \u201cGod Moment\u201d<\/strong> (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.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like Paul, may we become desirous of that kind of DEFINING MOMENTS in our lives. And here\u2019s 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\u2019s through a divine moment that we taste and experience God <\/strong>in a life changing \u2013 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 \u201csee\u201d the love of Christ, which leads to being filled and refilled with all the fullness of God presence! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CONCLUSION<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As I close this morning, I want to draw your attention to the purpose of this kind of refilling moment with God. Paul<\/strong> gives it to us in verse 20-21<\/strong>. Where he writes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

20\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>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, <\/em>21\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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 \u2014 that it\u2019s more than we can possibly imagine!\u00a0Now, I don\u2019t know about you, but I have a pretty big imagination!\u00a0<\/strong> But compared with God\u2026my thoughts are so small.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I think it\u2019s time for a refill of His SPIRIT AND PRESENCE in me<\/strong>. How about you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So folks, as Paul<\/strong> has described it \u2014 in order to be filled with the Holy Spirit, we really only need two things\u2014to acknowledge our need and be open to receive! An acknowledgement of our need, where we say \u2014 \u201cLord, I\u2019m in need of your power and presence in my life.\u201d<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And a willingness to submit to His Lordship in our lives, where we say \u2014 \u201cLord, I\u2019m open to you. Fill me now.\u201d<\/em> The filling of the Spirit is really as simple as that.<\/em><\/strong> 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<\/strong> because his power is available to us all day long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

PRAYER:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I invite you to join me in praying that we might be filled with the Holy Spirit. But before we pray <\/strong>that simple prayer\u2026let me first allow those of you that may need to put your faith in Christ to do so.\u00a0If you\u2019re here this morning and you\u2019re about to collapse under the weight of guilt from your sin\u2026then, 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Would you all bow your heads with me today? And let\u2019s pause to allow those who need to experience salvation to do so.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If that\u2019s you, would you pray with me today? Would you pause where you are, and pray with me?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heavenly Father<\/em><\/strong>, 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 <\/em>Jesus<\/em><\/strong>. I believe He faced the cross, and shed His blood, for me. But I also believe that He rose again. So, today \u2014 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. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And now, if you\u2019re a believer in Christ today\u2026would you join me in asking the Lord to FILL US WITH HIS SPIRIT?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Would you move out of your seat and join me at these altars and let\u2019s pause and pray together?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

_________________________________<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As you pray, our pastoral staff and team are going to join me in <\/strong>praying for you. We\u2019ll do as the book of Acts<\/strong> speaks of \u2014 and lay our hands on you and pray that God will fill you up today! And we\u2019ll end this service in prayer around these altars! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019d like us to pray with you for a specific need, let us know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You know, the words don\u2019t matter as much as the attitude of the heart\u2026but \u2014 would you join me in demonstrating<\/strong> our<\/strong> need<\/strong> to be filled-up today by cupping your hands in front of you <\/strong>(like this) and praying with me<\/strong>:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heavenly Father, I open my heart and life to you \u2014 <\/em>just as my hands are open<\/em>\u2026and 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\u2019ve placed within me. And I need you to empower me to allow Christ in me to be seen by others. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lord, I want to be the person you\u2019ve 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\u2019s name I pray, AMEN!<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And now, lift your hands to him in praise. Give the Lord your thanks — in anticipation of Him answering that prayer you just prayed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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) <\/em>how much you love and trust in Him. Express your desire to be RE-FILLED<\/strong> with His Spirit, His power, and presence.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

FILLED UP! Acts 2 \/ Ephesians 3 INTRODUCTION: Good morning! How\u2019s everyone doing? It\u2019s great to see you here today.\u00a0 If you have your Bibles …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-810","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/810","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=810"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/810\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":812,"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/810\/revisions\/812"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=810"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}