3. How Can I Be Filled With the Spirit?

4. How Can I Be Filled with the Spirit? “… be filled with the Spirit” Ephesians 5 18 The Holy Spirit is God’s gift to every believer … but all are not necessarily equally filled or full The presence of the Spirit The person of the Spirit The power of the Spirit

5. How Can I Be Filled with the Spirit? Pentecost Pentecost - the initial outpouring of the Spirit Acts 2 Samaritan believers Samaritan believers - as the good news bursts beyond the limits of the Jewish people group Acts 8 Paul Paul - transformed and filled Acts 9 First “Gentile” believers First “Gentile” believers Acts 10 Group of Ephesian believers Group of Ephesian believers Acts 19 The Experience of the Early Church

6. How Can I Be Filled with the Spirit? Pentecost language of a rainstorm! image of fire encounter with love Experiencing Power C. H. Spurgeon “He has embraced us”

7. How Can I Be Filled with the Spirit? spontaneous praise - the whole person thrilled about their experience of God Released in Praise “Why is it that if a cinema comedy produces laughter, the film is regarded as successful; if a theatre tragedy brings tears to the audience, the production is regarded as touching; if a football match thrills the spectators, the game is reviewed as exciting; but if the congregation are moved by the glory of God in worship, the audience are accused of emotionalism?” Letter in The Times

8. How Can I Be Filled with the Spirit? “Tongues” is the same word as that for “languages” May be a human language - or not Not all Christians “speak in tongues” “Tongues” is not a “proof” of being filled with the Spirit It has brought blessing to many … … but it also puzzles some! Receiving a New Language

9. How Can I Be Filled with the Spirit? a form of prayer which builds up the individual Christian it transcends the limitation of human language it helps in praise it helps when praying under pressure it helps when praying for other people it is not selfish to want it! Receiving a New Language

10. How Can I Be Filled with the Spirit? Receiving a New Language “… I prayed 15 minutes a day in the language of the Spirit and still felt nothing as I asked the Spirit to help me intercede for those he wanted to reach. After about six weeks of this I began to lead people to Jesus without trying. Gangsters fell to their knees sobbing in the streets, women were healed, heroin addicts were miraculously set free. And I knew it all had nothing to do with me.”

11. How Can I Be Filled with the Spirit? Common Hindrances to Being Filled with the Spirit "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!“ Luke 11 9-13

12. How Can I Be Filled with the Spirit? Doubt Doubt - Jesus affirms six times that God will respond! Fear Fear - will it be good? Jesus affirms that God will not let us down Inadequacy Inadequacy Some of us find it hard to believe that God will give to us - but the only requirement is to ask Common Hindrances to Being Filled with the Spirit

13. How Can I Be Filled with the Spirit? Seeking the Filling of the Spirit Choose to follow Jesus Ask forgiveness for anything “in the way” Turn from any area of life you know is wrong Ask God to fill you - and go on seeking If you would like the gift of tongues, ask for it Start praising Believe that what you receive is from God Persevere - language takes time to develop If you have asked for any other gift, look for opportunities to use it - use develops gifts Be re-filled