Filled with the Holy Ghost
Sermon Blog 5/19/24: Rev. Jonathan McKinnies
Have you ever felt like something was missing in your spiritual life? Like you're going through the motions, but not experiencing the fullness of what God has for you? You're not alone. Many believers find themselves in this position, yearning for more but unsure how to attain it. The good news is that God has provided a solution – the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit isn't just an optional add-on to our faith; it's an essential part of the Christian experience. Without the Spirit, we don't truly belong to God. As Romans 8:9 states, "If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ." This powerful truth underscores the importance of seeking and receiving the Holy Spirit in our lives.
But what exactly is the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and how do we receive it? The book of Acts provides several accounts of believers receiving this gift, and a common thread emerges: hunger, humility, and expectation. These three elements seem to be key in preparing our hearts to receive the Spirit's infilling.
Consider the story of Cornelius and his household in Acts 10. While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. They weren't begging or pleading; they were simply open and receptive, hungry for God's word and expecting Him to move. This demonstrates that God is eager to pour out His Spirit on those who are ready to receive.
Another powerful example comes from Acts 19, where Paul encounters some disciples in Ephesus. When he asks if they received the Holy Spirit when they believed, they reply that they haven't even heard of the Holy Spirit. Paul then baptizes them in Jesus' name, lays hands on them, and they receive the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues and prophesying. This account shows us that sometimes, we might be following Jesus without realizing there's more available to us. It's never too late to seek the fullness of what God has for us.
So how do we cultivate this hunger, humility, and expectation in our own lives? It starts with recognizing our need for God's power and presence. Jesus said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled" (Matthew 5:6). This promise is for us today. When we come to God with genuine hunger and thirst for His righteousness, He will fill us.
Humility is equally crucial. In the Old Testament, we find a beautiful illustration of this in the story of Caleb's daughter, Aksah. After receiving land as an inheritance, she humbly approached her father, dismounting from her donkey – a sign of respect and humility – and asked for springs of water to go with the land. Her father, moved by her humble request, gave her both upper and lower springs.
This story parallels our own need to approach God with humility, recognizing that we can't fill ourselves with the Holy Spirit through our own efforts. We must come to Him empty, available, and ready to receive. It's not about begging or proving our worth; it's about presenting ourselves as open vessels for God to fill.
Expectation is the final key. Jesus assured us, "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 11:13). When we ask for the Holy Spirit, we should do so with confidence, knowing that God desires to give us this gift even more than we desire to receive it.
It's important to note that receiving the Holy Spirit isn't just a one-time event; it's an ongoing relationship. The apostle Paul exhorts us to "be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18), implying a continuous action. This filling empowers us to live out our faith, resist temptation, and bear fruit for God's kingdom.
One of the most visible manifestations of the Holy Spirit's presence is speaking in tongues. While this can be a controversial topic in some circles, the book of Acts consistently portrays it as a sign of the Spirit's infilling. James 3 provides insight into why the tongue might be significant in this context. It describes the tongue as the most unruly member of the body, capable of great good and great harm. When the Holy Spirit takes control of our speech, it symbolizes a complete surrender to God's control in our lives.
However, it's crucial to remember that the goal isn't just to speak in tongues or have a momentary spiritual experience. The ultimate purpose of the Holy Spirit's baptism is to transform us into Christ's image and empower us to be His witnesses in the world. As Jesus promised, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8).
If you've never received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, or if you feel the need for a fresh infilling, don't let fear, doubt, or pride hold you back. Come to God with hunger, humility, and expectation. Repent of any known sin, worship Him wholeheartedly, and ask Him to fill you with His Spirit. He is faithful to His promises and desires to give you this good gift.
Remember, this isn't about earning God's favor or proving your worth. It's about receiving a gift that God freely offers to all who believe in Jesus. Just as a loving parent delights in giving good gifts to their children, our Heavenly Father delights in pouring out His Spirit on those who ask.
So today, why not take a step of faith? Set aside any preconceptions or past disappointments, and approach God with an open heart. Ask Him to fill you with His Spirit, and be prepared for Him to answer in ways that might surprise and delight you. The promise of the Father is available to you – will you receive it?
Have you ever felt like something was missing in your spiritual life? Like you're going through the motions, but not experiencing the fullness of what God has for you? You're not alone. Many believers find themselves in this position, yearning for more but unsure how to attain it. The good news is that God has provided a solution – the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit isn't just an optional add-on to our faith; it's an essential part of the Christian experience. Without the Spirit, we don't truly belong to God. As Romans 8:9 states, "If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ." This powerful truth underscores the importance of seeking and receiving the Holy Spirit in our lives.
But what exactly is the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and how do we receive it? The book of Acts provides several accounts of believers receiving this gift, and a common thread emerges: hunger, humility, and expectation. These three elements seem to be key in preparing our hearts to receive the Spirit's infilling.
Consider the story of Cornelius and his household in Acts 10. While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. They weren't begging or pleading; they were simply open and receptive, hungry for God's word and expecting Him to move. This demonstrates that God is eager to pour out His Spirit on those who are ready to receive.
Another powerful example comes from Acts 19, where Paul encounters some disciples in Ephesus. When he asks if they received the Holy Spirit when they believed, they reply that they haven't even heard of the Holy Spirit. Paul then baptizes them in Jesus' name, lays hands on them, and they receive the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues and prophesying. This account shows us that sometimes, we might be following Jesus without realizing there's more available to us. It's never too late to seek the fullness of what God has for us.
So how do we cultivate this hunger, humility, and expectation in our own lives? It starts with recognizing our need for God's power and presence. Jesus said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled" (Matthew 5:6). This promise is for us today. When we come to God with genuine hunger and thirst for His righteousness, He will fill us.
Humility is equally crucial. In the Old Testament, we find a beautiful illustration of this in the story of Caleb's daughter, Aksah. After receiving land as an inheritance, she humbly approached her father, dismounting from her donkey – a sign of respect and humility – and asked for springs of water to go with the land. Her father, moved by her humble request, gave her both upper and lower springs.
This story parallels our own need to approach God with humility, recognizing that we can't fill ourselves with the Holy Spirit through our own efforts. We must come to Him empty, available, and ready to receive. It's not about begging or proving our worth; it's about presenting ourselves as open vessels for God to fill.
Expectation is the final key. Jesus assured us, "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 11:13). When we ask for the Holy Spirit, we should do so with confidence, knowing that God desires to give us this gift even more than we desire to receive it.
It's important to note that receiving the Holy Spirit isn't just a one-time event; it's an ongoing relationship. The apostle Paul exhorts us to "be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18), implying a continuous action. This filling empowers us to live out our faith, resist temptation, and bear fruit for God's kingdom.
One of the most visible manifestations of the Holy Spirit's presence is speaking in tongues. While this can be a controversial topic in some circles, the book of Acts consistently portrays it as a sign of the Spirit's infilling. James 3 provides insight into why the tongue might be significant in this context. It describes the tongue as the most unruly member of the body, capable of great good and great harm. When the Holy Spirit takes control of our speech, it symbolizes a complete surrender to God's control in our lives.
However, it's crucial to remember that the goal isn't just to speak in tongues or have a momentary spiritual experience. The ultimate purpose of the Holy Spirit's baptism is to transform us into Christ's image and empower us to be His witnesses in the world. As Jesus promised, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8).
If you've never received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, or if you feel the need for a fresh infilling, don't let fear, doubt, or pride hold you back. Come to God with hunger, humility, and expectation. Repent of any known sin, worship Him wholeheartedly, and ask Him to fill you with His Spirit. He is faithful to His promises and desires to give you this good gift.
Remember, this isn't about earning God's favor or proving your worth. It's about receiving a gift that God freely offers to all who believe in Jesus. Just as a loving parent delights in giving good gifts to their children, our Heavenly Father delights in pouring out His Spirit on those who ask.
So today, why not take a step of faith? Set aside any preconceptions or past disappointments, and approach God with an open heart. Ask Him to fill you with His Spirit, and be prepared for Him to answer in ways that might surprise and delight you. The promise of the Father is available to you – will you receive it?
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