About this Episode

Fill Us Up, Please!

Living the Two Step Life. One step away from the darkness, one step toward the light.

Main Scripture Reference(s):

Ephesians 5:8-21 (NIV)

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible--and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said: "Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."

1) If we are following Jesus, we should be like Jesus, shouldn’t we?

Scriptures referenced: Ephesians 5:1-7, 1 Corinthians 11:1,

Ephesians 5:1-7 (NASB)

Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person--such a person is an idolater--has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.* 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them.

1 Corinthians 11:1 (NASB)

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ

Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.

Ephesians 5:1-7 (NIV)

Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person--such a person is an idolater--has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.* 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them.

Ephesians 5:8-10 NIV (NIV)

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord.

2) To be more like Jesus, we need the Holy Spirit, don’t we?

Scriptures referenced: Ephesians 5:18-21, Ephesians 1:13-14, Acts 1:8, Ephesians 4:29-32

Ephesians 5:18-21 (NIV)

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Ephesians 1:13-14 (NIV)

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory.

Acts 1:8 (NIV)

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."

Ephesians 4:29-32

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Scriptures referenced: Galatians 5:22-25 NIV, 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 NIV

Galatians 5:22-25 (NIV)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:7-11 (NIV)

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,* and to still another the interpretation of tongues.* 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

Who is the Holy Spirit?

What does the Holy Spirit do?

3) Because we want to be like Jesus, we need to be filled with the Holy Spirit, all of us, all the time.

Scriptures referenced: Ephesians 5:18-21, Philippians 2:4-8, Ephesians 3:14-21

Ephesians 5:18-21 (NIV)

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Philippians 2:4-8 (ESV)

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,* 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,* 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,* being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

Ephesians 3:14-21 (NIV)

For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family* in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,

Being Filled with the Holy Spirit – (vs. 18)

Because We Need More...

Discussion Questions, Thoughts, and Things to Ponder

For your personal discipleship, discussion with family, your Life-Group, or a watch party

Quick Review

Ask yourself: Was there a particular point or passage of Scripture that inspired, encourage, challenged, confused, or caught your attention?

Review the main idea behind each of the points.

Read all the related Scripture passages.

Fill Us Up, Please!

1. In what ways do you notice in the Church a greater need for God’s Spirit?

If we are following Jesus, we should be like Jesus, shouldn’t we?

1. In your own life, where are you noticing that you are becoming more like Jesus?
   

2. If you would think of general areas (finances, attentiveness, sexuality, thoughts, actions, etc.), where do you think it would be important for you to become more like Jesus?

3. What is your greatest spiritual hinderance to becoming more like Jesus?

Notes:

To be more like Jesus, we need the Holy Spirit, don’t we.

1. What are some of your initial thoughts about the Holy Spirit? What do you know about Him?

2. Would you say you are aware of your need for Him?

3. How would you describe your “feelings” toward the Holy Spirit? (nervous, craving, idolatrous, unsure, etc.)

Notes:

Because we want to be like Jesus, we need to be filled with the Holy Spirit, all of us, all the time.

1. If you are not full of the Holy Spirit, what are you full of? Can you describe the competitors to the Holy Spirit’s fullness?

2. What would yielding to the Spirit look like in your life?

3. Would you pray right now through Ephesians 3:14-21. Ask God to fill you with His Spirit and to strengthen you in your inner being with His power.

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