Series: Practicalities August 7, 2005

Message: “Walking in the Spirit” Ephesians 5:18

Big Idea: Nothing is more important to your spiritual growth than the

filling of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit wants to dominate your life. HeHH

I. WHAT IS THE FILLING OF THE SPIRIT?

A. It is NOT…

1. The INDWELLING of the Spirit

2. The BAPTISM of the Spirit

3. The ANOINTING of the Spirit

B. It is…

1. To be CONTROLLED by the Holy Spirit

2. A COMMAND

a. SPECIFIC

Be good and clean up your room

General command Specific command

b. CONTINUOUS

c. PASSIVE voice

3. A point of CONTRAST

Drunkenness:

1. Under the influence

2. Something outside of oneself

3. Temporary

4. Easily identified

II. HOW AM I FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT?

A. Negatively:

1. We are not told to WAIT or TARRY for the filling of the Spirit.

2. We are not told to PRAY for the filling of the Holy Spirit.

3. We are not given any FORMULA or steps to follow.

B. Positively:

1. OBEY

2. Be in the WORD

3. CONFESS sin

III. APPLICATION

A. Walking in the Spirit makes our lives ATTRACTIVE to unbelievers.

B. Walking in the Spirit enables us to live and work together in HARMONY.

C. Walking in the Spirit protects us from the DESTRUCTIVE consequences of SIN.