FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT (Ephesians 5:18)

The Big Idea: There is a clear contrast between being intoxicated and being Spirit filled. While being intoxicated by alcohol is often accompanied with feelings of comfort, joy and courage, it is because inhibitions are removed and a person becomes blinded from the consequences of their actions. The fact is that intoxication, “numbs, dumbs and desensitizes” a person from reality.  On the other hand to be “filled with the Spirit”, is to experience true comfort, joy and courage – not because one has been numbed to reality – but because the Spirit reveals the greatest realities in life, in Christ.  The Spirit shines the truth of Christ into the human heart on a daily basis.  When a person is Spirit filled, there can be genuine comfort, joy and courage, and the heart then rises up in worship, song, thankfulness, contentment and in love towards others.

GRIEVING THE SPIRIT (Ephesians 4:25-32)

The Big Idea: Grieving the Spirit, is grieving THE Holy Spirit, which means that a Christian is stepping out of harmony with the One who is perfect love, who has your highest good in mind, and is your protection. The Holy Spirit works to protect you from the morphing destructive realities of sin by exalting the person and work of Christ in your life!  Grievingthe Holy Spirit is the sin of COMMISSION! It is an UNGODLY ACT! While quenching the Holy Spirit is the sin of OMISSION.  It is knowing what is right but NOT DOING IT!

THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT (I Cor. 12:7)

The Big Idea: As a Christian, the Holy Spirit in His infinite wisdom, endows you with grace, skills and resources for the purpose of edifying fellow Christians and the church as a whole. In short, the Holy Spirit has given you something to give to fellow Christians in the context of a local church community. If you aren’t a conduit of the gifts that He has given you, it not only stagnates your own growth (because there is not an outlet for your faith) but it also undermines the church from being strengthened as God intended — which can effect a whole generation!