Jeffrey C. Long

This sermon was preached on Sunday, September 25th at Filer Mennonite Church. These are the notes that I used to preach from.

This is one of the most incredible sections in the Bible.

1corinthians 2:6-16

6 We speak wisdom, however, among those who are full grown; yet a wisdom not of this world, nor of the rulers of this world, who are coming to nothing. 7 But we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the wisdom that has been hidden, which God foreordained before the worlds for our glory, 8 which none of the rulers of this world has known. For had they known it, they wouldn’t have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But as it is written,

“Things which an eye didn’t see, and an ear didn’t hear,

Which didn’t enter into the heart of man,

These God has prepared for those who love him.”

10 But to us, God revealed them through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 11 For who among men knows the things of a man, except the spirit of the man, which is in him? Even so, no one knows the things of God, except God’s Spirit. 12 But we received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is from God, that we might know the things that were freely given to us by God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual things. 14 Now the natural man doesn’t receive the things of God’s Spirit, for they are foolishness to him, and he can’t know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he who is spiritual discerns all things, and he himself is judged by no one. 16 “For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he should instruct him?” But we have Christ’s mind.

No matter how well you know me, you can never know me truly. Verse 11 says “who knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man, which is in him.” Only I know myself.

Also true of God.

“No one knows the things of God, except God’s spirit.”

But then the most incredible verse in verse 16.

“For who has known the mind of the Lord that he should instruct him?”

But we have Christ’s mind.

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Earlier in verse 12 he said that we have received the Spirit which is from God that we might know the things that were freely given to us by God.”

The Spirit imparts the mind of Christ on us.

Isn’t this remarkable?

Read Text: Ephesians 5:18-20

Couple problems with being full.

First:

10%. I don’t know if this is a myth or not, but I’m pretty sure we don’t use our brain to it’s full capacity.

Can our brain contain the mind of the infinite Holy Spirit?

No of course it can’t.

Even if it was functioning at full capacity, it couldn’t contain the infinite holy Spirit. the Mind of God. the mind of Christ.

Second:

We leak.

over time our passion wanes.

it is very difficult to sustain the fire of our salvation.

struggle to maintain the disciplines of filling ourselves with the Word of God and communing with God in prayer in worship, the activities that give the Holy spirit increased place in our lives.

easy to get formulaic which also quashes the spirit. to rely on our rituals.

Keep on seeking to be more full.

Prayer: “Lord give me more of the Holy Spirit. Let me know more of the mind of Christ. ”

Who? The Holy Spirit

Comforter John 14:16

Teacher of what Jesus taught

John 14:26

Hans Denk “Whoever thinks that he can observe the law by means of the Book ascribes to the dead letter what belongs to the living Spirit. Whoever does not have the Spirit and imagines that he will find him in Scripture looks for light and finds darkness, looks for life and finds only death.”

Testifies to Jesus

John 15:26

Guide you into all truth

John 16:7-15

Power

Acts 1:4, 5, 8

To be witnesses

A.W. Tozer “if the Holy Spirit were taken away from the first century church, 90 percent of what they did would come to a halt. But if the Holy Spirit were taken away from the 21st century chruch, only 10 percent of what it does would cease to exist.

We’re not seeing the same results as the early believers because we’re not relying on the same power they did.

What?

Pentecostal

Gifts of the Spirit are still present

When?

Pentecostal cont’d

Not just when we become a Christian

Seek fillings of the Spirit.

Repeated filling

Acts 4:8, 10-12

Acts 4:31

Acts 13:9

Contrast

“Believers often fall into one of two camps regarding the ministry and gifts of the HOly Spirit. One extreme emphasizes the work of the Holy Spirit in practically everything they say and do. They have conferences on the Spirit, sing songs about the Spirit, and constantly talk about the work and the gifts of the Spirit. Often they are so busy seeking direct revelations from the Spirit of God that they overlook the clear written revelation in the Word of God. Although these believers may have a genuine love for the Lord, their desire to witness “power” has led them into unscriptural practices.”

“At the other end of the spectrum, we have Christians whose focus is on Bible exposition. They study the Word, learn the Word, and memorize the Word (as we all should). Unfortunately, however, sometimes these zealous students or Scripture are close-minded to the working of God’s Spirit. They can be very knowledgeable about the Spirit and yet quench the Spirit by not allowing Him to move in their lives outside their time-honored traditions.”

“The key is balance: knowing the Word of God and implementing the practical power of God’s Spirit.

Example of this: Acts 2:16 Peter put speaking in tongues and prophecying in the context of God’s Word. “This is what was spoken by the prophet Joel.”

Balance.

What does it mean to be repeatedly filled with the Holy Spirit?

“You will only revive the burning power and passion of Christ in your life by opening yourself to the power of God’s Spirit, by anchoring your daily life in the disciplines of worship, Bible study, prayer, and faithful service, and by welcoming god’s direction in the everyday routine of your life.” – Greg Laurie A Passion for God p. 13

Three word pictures in the Greek help us to understand what the term “filled” means.

First, it was used of the wind filling a sail and pushing a boat through the water. To be filled with the Spirit is to be moved along by God Himself. He becomes our source of motivation. When we are filled with the Spirit following His commands becomes a delight instead of a drudgery.

Second, being filled carries the idea of permeation and was used of salt permeating meat in order to flavor it and preserve it. God wants His Spirit to permeate our lives and influence everything we think, say and do.

Third, being filled means to be under the control of something or someone. Remember that the problem with drunkenness is that it controls you. When you are drunk, it controls your body, your mind, even your mouth. When you aren’t drunk, it controls you by drawing you to the time when you can get drunk again. Being filled with the Spirit is similar, only in a much more positive way. It means placing every thought, every decision, every act under the Spirit’s control. Galatinans 5:16 promises “Walk by the spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.” When you walk in the Spirit you have the resources to do what God wants you to do and not do what God doesn’t want you to do.

How?

Vision: First Partner together to share the gospel with seekers.

Second: Provide opportunities for hearts to grow closer in their relationship with Jesus

One of those is to be filled with more of the Holy Spirit.

“Be filled is a command. Doesn’t really give us an option.

But paradoxically, the greek shows that it is not something that we can achieve through our own efforts,

It is something done for us and to which we submit.

Hayford’s Bible Handbook p. 640

We do our part and the Holy Spirit does His.

So, what is our part.

1. Ask

Luke 11:9-13 9 “I tell you, keep asking, and it will be given you. Keep seeking, and you will find. Keep knocking, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened.

11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he won’t give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, he won’t give him a scorpion, will he? 13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”

keep asking. not just asking once.

keep seeking. not just seeking once.

keep knocking. not just knocking once.

2. Expectant waiting.

Acts 1:4-5 4Being assembled together with them, he charged them, “Don’t depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which you heard from me. 5 For John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

How do you know if you are being filled with the Holy Spirit?

Changes your conversations.

repeat

Verse 19 and 20 says

singing, and singing praises in your heart to the Lord

speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs

20 giving thanks always concerning all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to God, even the Father;

Conclusion:

Prayer.

Silence. Asking God to fill you again with His Holy Spirit.

Benediction:

Go in peace,

and may the holy God surprise you

Christ Jesus be your partner

and the lively Spirit call your steps.