Jesus our
Baptiser – Part 2
Memory Verse: “Do not get
drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the
Spirit.” (Eph. 5:18. NIV.)
We shall see the necessity
for daily filling with the Holy Spirit, and the fruit bearing that confirms His
presence in our lives.
The emphasis here is beyond a
one-time encounter with the Holy Spirit. Rather we are talking of a daily filling with Him.
From Gal. 5:19-21 Paul lists
a number of “acts of the sinful
nature”, under four sub-groups:
Can
you think of what can possibly belong to “…and the like” at the end of the list
in v.21b?
What
is the end result of living in this way? V.21b.
Gal. 5:22-23 lists the 9 fruit (not “fruits”)
of the Holy Spirit. We shall examine this latter under Lesson Outline 2.
For now do note from vs. 16, 18 and 25 the
principle that:
That finally is the way to be free from “the works of
the flesh”, or “the acts of the sinful nature”.
Lesson Outline 1:How to be filled with the Holy Spirit
q
Facts about filling with the Holy Spirit
o
A believer is baptized once, but there are many fillings.
Consider just Peter in Acts 2:4; 4:8,31.
o
God’s word commands us to be continually filled by the Holy
Spirit, Eph. 5:18b. In this passage, the Greek
(the language in which the NT was written) present tense is used to indicate
that the filling of the Holy Spirit is not a once-for-all experience. Repeatedly, as the
occasion requires, the Spirit empowers for worship, service and testimony.
o
Again from Eph. 5:18, we see
there is a fitting analogy between being filled with alcohol and being filled
with the Holy Spirit:
q
How can we be constantly filled with the Holy Spirit?
o
Remain assured that God has freely given His Spirit to all
who are His through faith in Jesus, Rom. 8:9.
o
Know that it is God’s command that we be continually filled
with the Holy Spirit, Eph.
5:18.
o
You cannot make room in your life for the “acts of he sinful
nature”, Gal 5:19-21, and expect the Holy Spirit to come
in and fill you at the same time. Therefore repent of all sin, and He will
forgive and purify you, 1 John 1:9.
o
Live by the Spirit; be led by Him and you will keep in step
with him, Gal. 5:16,
18, 25.
o
Pray in the Spirit too, Eph. 6:18.
Lesson Outline 2: Examining the Fruit of the Spirit
q
What is the fruit of the Spirit?
o
It is the godly and gracious habits produced in us as a
consequence of the presence of the Holy Spirit within us.
q
What are the characteristics of this fruit?
o
It has 9 characteristics: love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, Gal.6: 22-23.
q
Let us
dwell for a moment on its “Oneness”.
o
The fruit of the Spirit is a whole number, “One”, and not
divisible into 9 parts. All believers, who by definition must have the Holy
Spirit (Rom. 8:9),
must
possess the nine characteristics. All of the nine are united in one single
purpose.
q
What is the purpose of the fruit of the Holy Spirit?
o
It increases our effectiveness and productivity in our
knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ,
2
Pet. 1:5-8, Jn. 15:2.
q
Guide to
have the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
o
Offer your body, the whole of your person, as a living
sacrifice to God. Instead of following the norms, standards, practices and
expectations of the world, be transformed by the renewal of your mind. Then you
will confirm from a closer walk with God, that His will for your life is good,
pleasing and perfect. Rom12:
1-2.
o
Be dead to sin but alive to God, Rom. 6:1-2, 11; Gal.2: 20.
o
Work and pray on one characteristic of the fruit at a time,
and before long, all 9 will be manifested. The God we serve “has given us
everything we need for life and godliness…”, 2 Pet.
1:3; Gal. 5:22-23.
Summary:
The more our lives are filled with
fruit of the Spirit, the less the room for the works of the flesh. That finally
is the way our lives confirm we are indeed filled by the Holy Spirit.