GROWING INTO MATURITY: LESSON 3- How to be filled and controlled by the Holy Spirit

Review lesson 2 material

INTRODUCTION

How to be filled with the Holy Spirit is the other part of spiritual breathing and it is the most important messages all Christians need today. The first century Christians filled and controlled by the Holy Spirit were changed from fearful men to bold and fruitful witnesses for Christ. Being controlled by the Holy Spirit is the most important experience you will ever have.

A.           THE PERSON OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

               (i) Who is the Holy Spirit?  Gen. 1:26; Matt 28:19, Jn 14:26

               (ii) Where does the Holy Spirit come from? Joel 2:28, 29

 (iii) What are some of the attributes of His personality? Eph. 4:30; 1 Thess 5:19; 1 Cor. 12:11-13, Gal. 5:22

The Holy Sprit is the last expression of God to man kind.(God-Jesus-Holy Spirit)

B.           THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

               (i) John 16:13      (ii) John 15:26-27              (iii) Acts 1:8        (iv) 1 Cor. 12:11 etc

C.           HOW MANY CHRISTIANS NEED TO BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT AND WHY

               (i) Rom. 8:9, 10, 14;           (ii) Eph. 5:18       (iii) Eph 1: 13-14

D.           HINDRANCES TO BEING FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

               Generally sin. E.g. Pride, disobedience, unbelief, insincerity, prejudice, frivolity, etc (see Gal. 5:19-21)

E.           HOW TO BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT

               There is the need for heart preparation.

(i)               Sincerely desire to be filled  (Matt. 5:6; Jn. 7:37-39)

(ii)             Give each area of your life to him. (Rom. 12:1,2)

(iii)            Confess and forsake all sins (Prov. 28:13)

(iv)            Ask God to fill you with the Holy Spirit and believe that you have been filled (Lk. 11:13)

NB:        The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a phenomenon which occurs when a person totally surrenders to God and asks   Him in faith. This could occur at conversion or any other time after conversion and it is accompanied by spiritual gifts.

F.            CHARACTERISTICS OF A SPIRIT-FILLED LIFE

               (i)           Power to live victorious Christian life (2 Tim. 1:7; Acts 20:22-24)

               (ii)          Power to witness. (Acts. 1:8)

(i)               Glorifying God (Jn. 16:14)

(ii)             Bearing the fruits of the Spirit. (Gal. 5:22-23)

(iii)            Manifestations of the gifts of the Spirit. (1 Cor. 12:7)

CONCLUSION: The secret of being filled with the Holy Spirit is to surrender; surrendering our wills, bodies and possessions to the Holy Spirit is the indispensable qualification for all holy living. Remember the filling is not a once-for-all experience. It must be continuous as often as possible. This we do by faith in the promise of God that He will give to all who ask Him for the Holy Spirit. Since the Holy Spirit empowers and controls us, He makes us equipped for any spiritual warfare.

MEMORY VERSE:   Ephesians 5:18