Filled with the Spirit & In The Spirit

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11082015FilledWithTheSpiritDonRuhl

Filled with the Spirit 

Don Ruhl • Savage Street, Grants Pass, Oregon • October 4, In the year of our Lord, 2015

  1. Old Testament Descriptions 
    1. What does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit?
      1. Does being filled with the Holy Spirit mean being able to work miracles?
      2. Do miracles occur today?
      3. Can we be filled with the Holy Spirit today?
    2. Exodus shows that this was not only a New Testament phenomenon,

      3 “So you shall speak to all who are gifted artisans, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron’s garments, to consecrate him, that he may minister to Me as priest” (Exo 28.3).

      3 “And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship” (Exo 31.3).

      31 “and He has filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom and understanding, in knowledge and all manner of workmanship” (Exo 35.31).

      35 “He has filled them with skill to do all manner of work of the engraver and the designer and the tapestry maker, in blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine linen, and of the weaver—those who do every work and those who design artistic works (Exo 35.35).

      1. Here are men who had ability to work on
        1. Aaron’s garments and the tabernacle
        2. as a result of God filling them with the Spirit.
      2. What exactly did they have by the filling of the Spirit?
        1. Wisdom, understanding, knowledge and workmanship.
        2. Did they make these things miraculously?
      3. Being filled with the Holy Spirit did allow some to work miracles.
        1. But remember this is not inherent with the filling.
        2. So, what does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit?
          1. We will see that it is a matter of influence.
          2. Moreover, the influence will be in different areas.
            1. The men in Exodus could work on the tabernacle.
            2. Others could do miracles.
            3. Others were following the teachings of the Spirit.
    3. Deuteronomy 34 shows what Joshua had,

      9 Now Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him; so the children of Israel heeded him, and did as the LORD had commanded Moses (Deu 34.9).

      1. What did Joshua have as a result of being full of the spirit of wisdom?
        1. For one thing, he had leadership recognition from Israel.
        2. He obviously used that wisdom to lead Israel, a daunting task.
        3. Did being full of the spirit of wisdom keep Joshua from making mistakes?
          1. Can you think of any mistakes that he made?
          2. How about Joshua 9.1–15?
          3. Having the influence of the Spirit means that it is available, but
            1. a person is not forced into heeding it.
            2. We are still capable of making choices.
      2. Joshua was capable of leadership,
        1. having had Moses lay his hands on the new leader, but
        2. was leading Israel a miraculous work?
      3. Is this merely a disposition of or toward wisdom?
        1. Joshua had the hands of Moses impart this wisdom and
          1. dispositions are not imparted by simply laying on of hands.
          2. Thus, Joshua received wisdom from the Spirit of God.
          3. Did Joshua receive it miraculously?
            1. I do not think the text gives enough information to know.
            2. Somehow he had it.
        2. Isaiah 11 speaks of what Christ would have,

          2 The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him,
          The Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
          The Spirit of counsel and might,
          The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD.
          (Isa 11.2)

          1. Does this give us anymore insight into Joshua?
    4. Micah 3

      8 But truly I am full of power by the Spirit of the LORD,
      And of justice and might,
      To declare to Jacob his transgression
      And to Israel his sin.
      (Mic 3.8)

      1. A reference to the boldness which he had as the Spirit inspired him.
      2. The Spirit gave the prophet what he needed to stand before a rebellious people.
  2. Filled with the Spirit: Could Refer to Divine Inspiration 
    1. Remember to read these verses with the thought of influence in mind,

      41 And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit (Luke 1.41).

      67 Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying… (Luke 1.67).

      55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God (Acts 7.55).

    2. Baptism in the Spirit filled a person with the Spirit, enabling inspiration,

      4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance (Acts 2.4).

      8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel…” (Acts 4.8).

      1. This also shows the ability to speak in tongues.
      2. This was a miraculous activity.
        1. Why was it?
        2. What were they doing when they spoke in tongues?
      3. Evidence that Paul spoke by inspiration,

        17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 9.17).

        9 Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him (Acts 13.9).

      4. However, there is no indication that Cornelius could speak by divine inspiration.
  3. Filled with the Spirit: Not Inherent Reference to Miraculous Ability, but to Accepting the Spirit’s Influence 
    1. Luke 4 tells how Jesus ended up in the wilderness to be tempted by Satan,

      1 Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness (Luke 4.1).

      1. Jesus had the fullness of the Spirit, but
        1. in a sense not experienced by the apostles and other Christians.
        2. If there is no difference,
          1. then what is the significance of Jesus?
          2. Again see how Jesus followed the influence of the Holy Spirit.
    2. The influence may be miraculous,
      1. non-miraculous through His Word,
      2. activities He encourages us to be a part of, or
      3. through His indwelling.
    3. John the Baptist was filled with the Spirit?
      1. Luke 1 explains how soon John would be filled with the Holy Spirit,

        15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb (Luke 1.15).
      2. Did John the Baptist work miracles during his ministry?

        41 Then many came to Him and said, “John performed no sign, but all the things that John spoke about this Man were true” (John 10.41).
      3. In what way was John filled with the Holy Spirit?
    4. Acts 6 shows that Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit before he could work miracles,

      3 “Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, 6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. 7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. 8 And Stephen, full of faith {NU-Text reads grace.} and power, did great wonders and signs among the people (Acts 6.3–8).

      1. How were the brethren able to see that Stephen was full of the Spirit?
        1. The brethren saw that Stephen was full of the Spirit by holy fruit in his life,

          22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law (Gal 5.22–23).

          17 …for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom 14.17).

      2. Initially only the apostles worked miracles (Acts 2.43),
        1. then Stephen and the others had the apostles lay hands on them.
        2. From Acts 8 it appears that this was done to impart miraculous ability.
    5. Other references show a non-miraculous filling of the Spirit,

      24 For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord (Acts 11.24).

      52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit (Acts 13.52).

      18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God (Eph 5.18–21).

      1. Not a spiritual parallel to drunkenness, but
      2. a spiritual alternative.
      3. To encourage a Spirit-filled life Paul stated three activities that will do this:
        1. Speaking in spiritual songs (v. 19),
        2. Giving thanks (v. 20), and
        3. Subjecting ourselves to each other (v. 1).
      4. Let us then be filled with the Holy Spirit, bearing the fruit of the Spirit.