...But be filled with the Holy Spirit

The book of Acts has been called the book of the Acts of the Apostles. It could also be called the book of the acts of the Holy Spirit. Everywhere the church expanded through the apostles, the Holy Spirit was there as evidence that the gospel had made its way.

These amazing feats, by the apostles were also a manifestation of the Holy Spirit. Healing and discerning the hearts of men. Merely having their shadow fall across the infirmed was enough to bring perfect healing to bodies once cursed physically. God moved through these men to demonstrate His power and reveal to us the comforter that Jesus had promised the Church.

In the 21st century version of the New Testament Church, there are some parts that pride themselves on having the Spirit and there are other parts that say those specific manifestations were merely to usher in the extent of the Church and are no longer necessary, no longer active. How can the Holy Spirit, what was the mark of the early church and a promise that Christ promised to bestow on His bride, be such a point of contention? And how can the church that boasts of God’s power be so lacking in it no mater what variety of Church you now attend?

I don’t think I will be able to settle the Holy Spirit full gospel versus not full gospel church debate, I think I have some answers for the lack of power the church shares with all stripes. Paul calls the Ephesian church to be filled with the Holy Spirit. The language I am told by those who know Greek, speak of a continual filling. They say it puts it this way – be you being filled (keep being filled over and over and over again).

What kind of vessel does God fill (through His Holy Spirit)? Clean ones! Are you a vessel fit for the Lord to come and fill? This is the most important question that faces a powerless church! David asked the same question a bit differently in Psalm 24 – “Who can ascend to the hill of the Lord? And who may stand in His holy place?” He also answers the question – “He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood, and has not sworn deceitfully.”

God fills empty vessels. Vessels that have nothing to boast in but the Lord are the ones He fills. Ones that know they are weak and in need of His purifying cleaning. He fills those that have no where to go, but to Him to receive the words of eternal life!

Are you a broken empty vessel or are you not willing to admit your need? Either way you will be filled. The question remains what will you be filled with? Will you be filled with your pride? Will you boast in your own resume or will you fall on the LORD for mercy?

The power of the early church was God’s power alive in them through the Holy Spirit. God is waiting to demonstrate His power through us again today – Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever! It may not be in healings or some of the other manifestations we read about in the pages of scripture. It may be a well chosen word, an act of kindness, a letter of encouragement all that the author never knew ahead of time what the prompting of God might create. But it was clear to the author - they had to do it! It could also be the faith-filled perseverance of a saint to walk a hard path because it is right, all to the glory of God.

Be filled with the Holy Spirit! What keeps you from living out this command?

How do you do it that is a question that many have asked?

Honor God – acknowledge His rule and authority over your life.
Confess Sin – sin keeps the believer from fellowship with God (and also from His Word)!
Trust that God has forgiven you. Thank Him for that forgiveness by faith even if you do not see or feel any difference.
Listen for God – let His Word speak to your life.
Do what you know to be true – God’s will is not a secret, it is clearly spelled out for us in His Word. Obey what you know to be true from its reading.
Let Him walk around in your body. God is filling you, yield to Him every moment of the day!
Do this all over again every time you notice that you are doing what you want instead of what you know God wants!

God is at work today! His church is alive! He is interested in making His name great so that the world will know that He is God. He does not need us – the very rocks will cry out if we refuse. The amazing thing is that He would choose to use us at all, but isn’t that how God’s greatest glory is revealed? It happens when there is no other possible answer, but: God did it! He used something ordinary to accomplish His amazing purposes! Be filled with the Spirit!