Date: SUN 11:30 AM 27th April 2025
Preacher: Rev. David McLaughlin
Bible Reference: Ephesians 5:18
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
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Sermon Summary: The Christian and Being Filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18)
Text: Ephesians 5:18 – “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.”
Theme: The necessity and practice of Christians living a Spirit-filled life to walk worthy of their calling.
1. Introduction to the Subject
- Context: Ephesians 5:18 is part of a broader discussion on the Christian’s walk, including relationships in the home (wives, husbands, children, fathers) and living out the Christian life (Ephesians 4-6). Christians are called to:
- Walk worthy of their calling (Ephesians 4:1).
- Walk in love (Ephesians 5:2).
- Walk as children of light (Ephesians 5:8).
- Walk circumspectly, redeeming the time in evil days (Ephesians 5:15-16).
- Importance: Being filled with the Holy Spirit is essential for living out God’s will and fulfilling the Christian life, which is impossible without the Spirit’s power (John 15:5). Jesus promised the Holy Spirit as the Comforter to guide, teach, and empower believers (John 14:16-17, 14:26, 15:26, 16:13).
- Challenge: The modern church often neglects or misunderstands the Holy Spirit’s role due to fear, confusion, or false teachings (e.g., charismatic excesses). Yet, the Spirit-filled life is a practical, biblical truth for every believer, not just a theological concept.
2. Contrast in the Text
- Prohibition: “Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess.” Paul contrasts drunkenness (living under alcohol’s control) with being filled with the Spirit. Drunkenness is incompatible with the Christian walk, and Paul advocates for voluntary abstinence.
- Command: “Be filled with the Spirit.” This refers to the Holy Spirit (not the human spirit, as some misinterpret). The Greek term is consistent across Ephesians (2:18, 2:22, 3:5, 6:18), and the context (e.g., Pentecost, Acts 2:4) supports this as being under the Spirit’s influence, not alcohol’s.
- Nature of the Command: The verb tense indicates an ongoing, continuous action and condition. Being Spirit-filled is not a one-time event but a daily, active yielding to the Holy Spirit’s control (e.g., Jesus in Luke 4:1, disciples in Acts 2:4, 4:31, Stephen, Barnabas, Paul).
3. Injunction: What Being Filled with the Spirit Is and Is Not
- What It Is Not:
- Not sinless perfection or immunity from temptation.
- Not a “second work of grace” for perpetual sanctification.
- Not a one-time, permanent experience or merely seeing miracles.
- Not living on a “higher plane” detached from daily life.
- What It Is:
- Living under the Holy Spirit’s control, dominance, and power, influencing thoughts, words, and actions.
- A continual, daily experience, not a one-time event.
- Every believer is born again and indwelt by the Spirit (Romans 8:9), but being filled is distinct, requiring active seeking and yielding.
- Involves:
- Consciousness of God’s presence and power.
- Submission of all life areas to the Spirit.
- A word-filled life (Colossians 3:16), as the Spirit and Scripture work together.
- Deepening relationship with God, longing for Him.
- Special power for service (e.g., D.L. Moody’s 1871 experience in New York, where God’s power transformed his ministry).
4. Instruction: How to Be Filled with the Holy Spirit
- Accept the Command: Recognize that being Spirit-filled is a biblical mandate for all believers, not optional (Luke 11:13).
- Acknowledge the Need: Admit personal inadequacy and the tendency to “leak” spiritually, requiring daily infilling (D.L. Moody’s testimony).
- Ask in Prayer: Luke 11:13 encourages asking God for the Spirit. Prayer, often prompted by crises or failures, is key.
- Confess Sin: The Spirit fills a clean vessel. Confess and seek forgiveness for sin (1 John 1:9).
- Have Confidence in God’s Word: Live by faith, trusting God’s promises.
- Consecrate to Christ: Surrender fully to God, seeking Christ-likeness with humility and thankfulness.
- Illustration: Andrew Murray’s analogy of reservoirs—Christians need both a steady flow of the Spirit for daily life and occasional “downpours” for special empowerment.
5. Application and Challenge
- Personal Reflection: If the Holy Spirit’s influence were absent for a week, would you notice? This question challenges believers to examine their dependence on the Spirit.
- Church Need: The greatest need for the church (e.g., Free Presbyterian Church) is not money, facilities, or programs but the power of the Holy Spirit for effective witness and service.
- Urgency: Being Spirit-filled is a command to obey, a sin to neglect, and a necessity for every believer to live out the Christian life, starting at home and extending to service.
Conclusion: The Spirit-filled life is vital, practical, and attainable through accepting the command, acknowledging need, asking in prayer, confessing sin, trusting God’s Word, and consecrating oneself to Christ. Like Jesus, who was full of the Spirit (Luke 4:1), believers must seek this daily infilling to glorify God and serve effectively.
