Tuesday, February 8, 2011

HOW TO BE FILLED AND CONTROLLED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT



The Holy Spirit is one of the most important messages all Christians need today. Early Christians filled with the Holy Spirit were changed from fearful men to bold and fruitful witnesses for Christ. Being filled with the Holy Spirit is an experience you need to have.

Act 1:8 says- But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Who is the Holy Spirit?
The Holy Spirit is the workforce of God; the Comforter; the guardian; the Counselor (see John 14:26; 16:7-14)

Where does the Holy Spirit come from?
The Holy Spirit comes from God (Joel 2:28-29)

What are the attributes of the Holy Spirit’s personality?
Can be grieved (Eph. 4:30); Can be quenched (1Thess. 5:19); is one but has many parts (1Corin. 12:11-13); He is Holy and without sin.

What are the works of the Holy Spirit?
• Guides us to the truth (John. 16:13)
• Bears testimony of Jesus Christ (John 15:26-27)
• Gives power (Acts 1:8)
• Gives gifts (1Corin. 12:11)
• He counsels
• He reminds us of the word of God

How many Christians need to be filled with the Holy Spirit?
All Christians (Ephesians 5:18; Romans 8:9B)

Hindrances to been filled by the Holy Spirit?
Mainly Sin which comes in the form of Pride; unbelief; Adultery; fornication; witchcraft; lust; envy; murder; drunkenness; wrath, etc (Gal. 5:19-21)

How to be filled with the Holy Spirit?
• Sincerely desire to be filled with the Holy Spirit
• Give every area of your life to the Holy Spirit
• Confess and forsake all your sins
• Ask God for the Holy Spirit and believe you have been filled

NB: The Holy Spirit baptism is a phenomenon that occurs when a person totally surrenders to God and asks Him in faith. It can occur at conversion or after and is accompanied by gifts (1corin. 12)

Characteristics of a spirit- filled life?
• Power to live victorious Christian life (2Tim. 1:7; Act 20:20-24)
• Power to witness (Act 1:8)
• You glorify God always (John 16:14)
• You bear fruits of Him (Gal. 5:22-23) i.e. love, joy, patience, goodness, temperance, etc.
• You manifest His gifts (1 Corin. 12:7) i.e wisdom, knowledge, healing, miracles, etc
• You are changed into righteousness. Eg from a cheat, a gossip, a timid personality, a quarrelsome person, an angry person to a ‘new man’.

The secret to being filled by the Holy Spirit is to surrender your life, will, possessions and all to Him. Being filled is not a once-for-all experience but a continuous one. This is by faith in the promise of God that He will give to all who ask Him. Since the Holy Spirit empowers and controls us, He equips us for every warfare.

Memory Verse: Ephesians 5:18. AMEN!

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