1. All Nations Apostolic Tabernacle A SPIRIT FILLED LIFE
Wednesday Night Bible Study
June 19, 2013
Jennifer E. Faulknor

2. The Holy Spirit
Acts 2:1-4
1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

3. The Holy Spirit
Speaking in tongues is the first evidence that you have been baptized in the Holy Ghost.
The Holy Spirit is Christ indwelling in you.
The Bible declares that when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, “Ye shall receive POWER” from on high (Acts 1:8, Luke 24:49)
Power is the mark of a born again Christian who is Holy Ghost filled.
You will need a reservoir of Power to live for God, to live above sin, and to be a true witness on a daily basis.

4. Scripture Text 1 Corinthians 2:10-13 (King James Version)
“ But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
JOY of the Lord It was my privilege recently to sit under the ministry of a man of God who was a missionary in a foreign land for sixty-one years. During those three score years he swallowed the Bible by degrees. It was obvious from his speaking that he was familiar with all sixty-sit books! His years of meditating in the Word of God has fastened the glory of the Lord upon his countenance. Despite the fact of his more than eighty years all who are acquainted with him are inspired by his exuberance. He has experienced trials like all the rest of us but nothing is permitted to rob him of his joy in the Lord. This verse of Scripture has liberally been fulfilled in his life,…with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord (2 Corinthians 3:18).
JOY DEPLETEDWhy can’t all of us wear unbroken testimony to the glory of the Lord as does this dear servant of the Lord? Instead of getting under the circumstances why don’t we, with the Lord’s help, stay on top of the circumstances? We need to remind our hearts of what Jesus said in John 16:33, In the world re shall have tribulation: be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. Since He has overcome the world for us why should we permit the world to overcome us?: When tribulation comes, why give up our peace when our peace is in Him and He is our peace? For He is our peace.,..,(Ephesians 2:14) . Why do we go down in defeat before an already defeated foe? Forasmuch then, as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same, that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil (Hebrews 2:14). Why should we be victimized by the works of the devil when the Son of God, our Savior, has already destroyed his works?…For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil (I John 3:8). Really, now, aren’t we without excuse in permitting our joy to flee from us, or even in allowing it to subside in the least degree, regardless of what happens?We cannot put on and take off our garments of salvation – our robe of righteousness – so why remove our ornaments or our jewels? Beloved, do not allow Satan to bankrupt your spiritual legacy.; Make the determination stated in Isaiah 61:10, I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God, for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with jewels.JOY’S CHALLENGEThese goals I am setting forth are of tremendous stature. From my observations, victorious, cheerful Christians are in the minority. This lack of joy does not honor our Lord. It does not prove that He is as great and as faithful as we declare Him to be. We are not demonstrating what He is doing for us – what we tell others He can do for them. Believe me, I do not read Ann Landers' column. But when she and her husband separated a while back, I read in a news report that she said the advice she gave to others had not worked for her. God forbid that we ever have to make such a confession regarding our preaching and our witnessing concerning what our Lord Jesus Christ is able to do! The Apostle Paul gives us a picture of is almightiness, Now unto Him Who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to His power that worketh in us (Ephesians 3:20).JOY’S EXPANSEA careful and prayerful reading of the book of Nehemiah would help us realize the possibility of victory in any kind of situation. Nehemiah heard of the distress of the remnant of the children of Israel in Jerusalem, and of the reproach of the broken-down wall of the Lord’s chosen city. He became burdened about it. After praying about the matter, confessing his sins and sins of the children of Israel, he sought the Lord’s permission and help to do something about it. God granted Nehemiah’s request and he set out to correct an untenable situation. From the very beginning of the job to rebuild the wall to the Holy City, he met with opposition of every type. There was opposition by ridicule, conspiracy and threats. Some of his teammates became discouraged, some became greedy. His enemies accused him of having selfish motives and of being personally ambitious. Nehemiah kept on praying and working and the wall was finished.JOY’S AUTHORITYAfter the working on the wall was completed, Nehemiah directed the attention of the people to the law of God. So they read in the book of the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading (Nehemiah 8:8). What a daily schedule! They stood and read the law of God for three hours and another three hours they confessed and worshipped the Lord, their God (Nehemiah 9:3). Their repentance for breaking the law bought restoration. The Word of God was a source of spiritual refreshment to the people of God.
TRANSFORMING JOY
The secret of Nehemiah’s success was, I believe, ,his tremendous realization that THE JOY OF THE LORD is strength. It was Nehemiah’s strength. It can be your strength. It can be my strength.
God grant that it be so. The acceptance of this truth, acting upon faith, will change any forlorn Christian into a cheerful Christian, a defeated Christian into a victorious one,, a gloomy countenance into a glowing countenance. The Holy Spirit will help you if you will call Him in to furnish the wisdom and power you need to rejoice in the Lord
Maintain the glow, beloved! The world needs to see radiant Christians. Let your light shine. Be an exhibit of the fruit of the Spirit – JOY. It has transforming power. The fragrance of joyful Christians is a wonderful therapy for a sick world.

5. Scripture Text 1 Corinthians 2:10-13 - Amplified Bible (AMP)
“Yet to us God has unveiled and revealed them by and through His Spirit, for the [Holy] Spirit searches diligently, exploring and examining everything, even sounding the profound and bottomless things of God [the [a]divine counsels and things hidden and beyond man’s scrutiny]. 11 For what person perceives (knows and understands) what passes through a man’s thoughts except the man’s own spirit within him? Just so no one discerns (comes to know and comprehend) the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12Now we have not received the spirit [that belongs to] the world, but the [Holy] Spirit Who is from God, [given to us] that we might realize and comprehend and appreciate the gifts [of divine favor and blessing so freely and lavishly] bestowed on us by God. 13 And we are setting these truths forth in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the [Holy] Spirit, combining and interpreting spiritual truths with spiritual language [to those who possess the Holy Spirit].
JOY of the Lord It was my privilege recently to sit under the ministry of a man of God who was a missionary in a foreign land for sixty-one years. During those three score years he swallowed the Bible by degrees. It was obvious from his speaking that he was familiar with all sixty-sit books! His years of meditating in the Word of God has fastened the glory of the Lord upon his countenance. Despite the fact of his more than eighty years all who are acquainted with him are inspired by his exuberance. He has experienced trials like all the rest of us but nothing is permitted to rob him of his joy in the Lord. This verse of Scripture has liberally been fulfilled in his life,…with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord (2 Corinthians 3:18).
JOY DEPLETEDWhy can’t all of us wear unbroken testimony to the glory of the Lord as does this dear servant of the Lord? Instead of getting under the circumstances why don’t we, with the Lord’s help, stay on top of the circumstances? We need to remind our hearts of what Jesus said in John 16:33, In the world re shall have tribulation: be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. Since He has overcome the world for us why should we permit the world to overcome us?: When tribulation comes, why give up our peace when our peace is in Him and He is our peace? For He is our peace.,..,(Ephesians 2:14) . Why do we go down in defeat before an already defeated foe? Forasmuch then, as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same, that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil (Hebrews 2:14). Why should we be victimized by the works of the devil when the Son of God, our Savior, has already destroyed his works?…For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil (I John 3:8). Really, now, aren’t we without excuse in permitting our joy to flee from us, or even in allowing it to subside in the least degree, regardless of what happens?We cannot put on and take off our garments of salvation – our robe of righteousness – so why remove our ornaments or our jewels? Beloved, do not allow Satan to bankrupt your spiritual legacy.; Make the determination stated in Isaiah 61:10, I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God, for He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with jewels.JOY’S CHALLENGEThese goals I am setting forth are of tremendous stature. From my observations, victorious, cheerful Christians are in the minority. This lack of joy does not honor our Lord. It does not prove that He is as great and as faithful as we declare Him to be. We are not demonstrating what He is doing for us – what we tell others He can do for them. Believe me, I do not read Ann Landers' column. But when she and her husband separated a while back, I read in a news report that she said the advice she gave to others had not worked for her. God forbid that we ever have to make such a confession regarding our preaching and our witnessing concerning what our Lord Jesus Christ is able to do! The Apostle Paul gives us a picture of is almightiness, Now unto Him Who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to His power that worketh in us (Ephesians 3:20).JOY’S EXPANSEA careful and prayerful reading of the book of Nehemiah would help us realize the possibility of victory in any kind of situation. Nehemiah heard of the distress of the remnant of the children of Israel in Jerusalem, and of the reproach of the broken-down wall of the Lord’s chosen city. He became burdened about it. After praying about the matter, confessing his sins and sins of the children of Israel, he sought the Lord’s permission and help to do something about it. God granted Nehemiah’s request and he set out to correct an untenable situation. From the very beginning of the job to rebuild the wall to the Holy City, he met with opposition of every type. There was opposition by ridicule, conspiracy and threats. Some of his teammates became discouraged, some became greedy. His enemies accused him of having selfish motives and of being personally ambitious. Nehemiah kept on praying and working and the wall was finished.JOY’S AUTHORITYAfter the working on the wall was completed, Nehemiah directed the attention of the people to the law of God. So they read in the book of the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading (Nehemiah 8:8). What a daily schedule! They stood and read the law of God for three hours and another three hours they confessed and worshipped the Lord, their God (Nehemiah 9:3). Their repentance for breaking the law bought restoration. The Word of God was a source of spiritual refreshment to the people of God.
TRANSFORMING JOY
The secret of Nehemiah’s success was, I believe, ,his tremendous realization that THE JOY OF THE LORD is strength. It was Nehemiah’s strength. It can be your strength. It can be my strength.
God grant that it be so. The acceptance of this truth, acting upon faith, will change any forlorn Christian into a cheerful Christian, a defeated Christian into a victorious one,, a gloomy countenance into a glowing countenance. The Holy Spirit will help you if you will call Him in to furnish the wisdom and power you need to rejoice in the Lord
Maintain the glow, beloved! The world needs to see radiant Christians. Let your light shine. Be an exhibit of the fruit of the Spirit – JOY. It has transforming power. The fragrance of joyful Christians is a wonderful therapy for a sick world.

6. Definition of “Filled”
1. a. To put into
b. To supply or provide to the fullest extent
2. a. To satiate
b. To satisfy or meet; fulfill: fill the requirements.
c. To complete (something) by insertion or addition: fill in the blanks.
3. a. To possess and discharge the duties of; hold: fill a post.
4. a. To occupy the whole of; pervade:
5. a. To spread throughout
b. To engage or occupy completely;

7. What Does Spirit –Filled Means?
Being Spirit-filled on a continual basis speaks of the degree of the relationship we have with the Lord.
Just receiving the Holy Ghost is not enough, what do we choose to do with this salvation experience is another issue.
Say for example, you received an inheritance, the property and money of an estate became yours. You could either squander the blessing or use it to accomplish more. In the same way, when we receive the Spirit, we receive an eternal inheritance from God, we have the choice, to allow God’s Spirit to us or not use us.

8. What Does Spirit –Filled Means?
The idea of empowered, directed, permeation,and domination is envisioned.
To be Spirit-filled is to, “allow the dominating influence of the Holy Spirit to permeate every part of your life.”
After the infilling of the Holy Ghost with the initial evidence of speaking in tongues, the spirit enables us to live a victorious Christian life of righteousness, peace and joy (Romans 14:17).

9. Scripture Text
Being Spirit-filled is an exercise of faith that enables Christian to continue to strengthen their relationship with God, experience God's love, power and forgiveness.
Acts 4:31 “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness”.

10. A Spirit-Filled Life is Visible
In the book of Acts, Barnabas was described as “…a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.” (Acts 11:24).
Being “full of the Holy Spirit” is treated as a measurable and visible description of his character.
We see the same thing in Acts 6:4 where the Church is told to “pick out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom.” 
A spirit-filled life is about measurable character and life choices. One should be able to see evidence that testifies to the Spirit-filled character of an individual or a community of believers. 

11. A Spirit-Filled Life Is Led By God
A spirit-filled life is one directed by God, by which He lives in and through us in the power of the Holy Spirit.
The scripture in Gal 5:16-25; 6:8 speaks of:
Walking by the Spirit
Being Led by the Spirit
Bearing the fruits of the Spirit
Keeping in line with the Spirit
Sowing the Spirit

12. A Spirit-Filled Life Is Led By God
This emphasis reminds us that everything in the believer’s life is affected by the role of the Holy Spirit. All of these expressions (from Galatians 5 & 6) also fit under the New Testament command: “Be Filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18).
But how does one obey this command?
What does the Spirit-filled life look like?
Is there a way to identify the Spirit-filled person?

13. Contrast of A Drunkard
Ephesians 5:18 “Be not drunk with wine; but be filled with the spirit”.
The contrast with getting drunk: The person who decides to get drunk chooses to allow the alcohol to be the controlling factor in every function of his life (speech, vision, bodily coordination and even the mind are affected when one is drunk).

14. Contrast of A Drunkard
In contrast, the Spirit-filled person chooses to allow the Spirit of God to be the controlling influence in all parts of his life (speech, vision, body, mind).
“A person, and in this case, a church community, whose life is so totally given over to the Spirit that the life and deeds of the Spirit are as obvious in their case as the effects of too much wine are obvious in the other” (John Stott).

15. The Spirit vs. Flesh
Galatians 5:16 states: “This I say then, walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” 
The question we must answer is “Who or what will we allow to be in control?”
A life which is controlled by the flesh, is a life that is directed by self and for self. It is life driven by selfish ambition and self-absorption. It is life where I demand to be in control. And, since I am in control – I feel easily threatened and I must fight, scheme, manipulate and worry. I do these things to fight for my control (compare the contrast in James 3:13-17).

16. The Spirit vs. Flesh
The apostle Paul uses a harvest metaphor to describe our response to the flesh and to the Spirit. Choose the soil that you wish to cultivate and then do your sowing. But expect to reap a harvest from your choice.
“Don’t be misled—You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit” (Gal 6:7-8).

17. The Spirit vs. Flesh
Sowing to the flesh is a choice to cultivate and plant thoughts, attitudes and behaviors in keeping with the things described in Galatians 5:15;19-20,24-25.
Sowing to the Spirit is a choice to allow the control of the Holy Spirit to be the permeating and dominating reality in your life. It involves giving yourself – your thoughts, attitudes and actions to producing the fruit of the Spirit:

18. Attributes Of A Spirit-Filled Person
A Spirit-filled person is:
Full of joy
Grateful
Humble
Submissive
A Spirit-filled person:
Manifests the fruits of the Spirit (Gal 5:22- 23)
A Spirit-filled person is not:
Grouchy or grumpy
Ungrateful or discontent
Rebellious or arrogant
A Spirit-filled person does not:
Manifests the works of the flesh (Gal 5:19-21)
Gal 5:22-23: love, joy, peace, longsuffering
(or patience), gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness,
and temperance (or self-control)”
Gal 5:19-21: love, joy, peace, longsuffering
(or patience), gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness,
and temperance (or self-control)”

19. How to Walk in the Spirit
Faith (i.e., trust in God and in His promises) enables a Christian to live a Spirit-filled life.
Present every area of your life to God (Romans 12:1, 2).
Your life will demonstrate more and more of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22, 23) and will be more and more conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 3:18).
Your prayer life and study of God's Word will become more meaningful.

20. How to Walk in the Spirit
You will be guided by wisdom into all truth (John 16:13).
You will experience His power in witnessing (Acts 1:8).
You will be prepared for spiritual conflict against the world (1 John 2:15-17); against the flesh (Galatians 5:16-17); and against Satan (1 Peter 5:7-9; Ephesians 6:10-13).
You will experience His power to resist temptation and sin (1 Corinthians 10:13; Philippians 4:13; Ephesians 1:19-23; 2 Timothy 1:7; Romans 6:1-16).

21. Inspirational Songs Come Holy Spirit I need You
Holy Spirit, Rest On Me
Holy Spirit, Move me now
Sweet Holy Spirit, Sweet Heavenly Dove
Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me