Yes, but how??
| Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. (Ephesians 5:18) |
The question that remains is, how does this happen?
How do we experience the working of the Spirit?
The biblical answer is that we must be filled with the Spirit.
Paul uses a helpful analogy: Being filled with the Spirit is similar to intoxication. To be full of alcohol is to be controlled by it - to a great degree you don't have the alcohol, it has you. To be full of alcohol is to keep drinking.
The same is true of the Spirit.
Being filled with the Spirit is to let Him have control in your life.
To be filled is to keep drinking.
To be filled is not so much how much of the Spirit you have, but how much He has of you.
Other biblical concepts are: trust, waiting, abiding (remaining), being baptised (immersed, soaked, saturated) and keeping in step. That's what these verses are about:
- Isaiah 30:15: This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says:
"In repentance and rest is your salvation,
in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it. - Isaiah 49:29-31: He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope (wait) in the LORD will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint. - John 15:5-7: "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains(abides) in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.
- Acts 1:4-5: On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."
- Galatians 5:25: Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
It's all about a relationship. About responding.
- Letting the wind blow in your sails,
- allowing the stream to flow from your life
- giving the fire space to burn in your heart because it won't consume you
- trusting the One who walks beside you
- being confident that you are sealed as a son or daughter
- knowing that He will give you the language to cross the gaps
- being transformed by His love.
You've had the theory and some idea of the practice - no recipes and no incantations - now take the risks and invite Him in.
Raise your sail and see where the Wind takes you!!!
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That concludes our Pentecost series. We'll take a break until Tuesday... Any suggestions for the next series?
