Are you living the supernatural life God intended, or are you struggling through the Christian journey in your own strength? Drawing from Ephesians 5, Dr. Stanley teaches that the Christian life is meant to be empowered by the Spirit of God. Understand what it means to live under the Spirit's control and experience His power daily for victorious living.
Sermon Outline
The Holy Spirit leads us in a life that is fruitful and marked by genuine joy. This week, Dr. Stanley explains what it means to be filled with the Holy Spirit, why it matters for the life God has called us to live, and which steps every believer can take to walk in that fullness.
Key Passage: Ephesians 5:15-21
Supporting Passages: Matthew 6:33; John 7:37-39; Romans 6:16; Ephesians 4:30; Ephesians 5:1; Ephesians 5:11-12; Colossians 3:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:19
What does a deeper, more intimate walk with Jesus look like? To reach our full potential as believers, Paul says we must “be filled with the Spirit.”
“The Christian life isn’t simply going to church, reading your Bible, and praying.”
What does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit?
Being filled means the Holy Spirit is in absolute control (Eph. 5:18). This occurs when we surrender every aspect of life to His leadership.
It is a continual action rather than a one-time experience. God saves us once, but the filling of the Holy Spirit happens repeatedly.
It is distinct from salvation. Every believer is indwelt by the Spirit at salvation, but the filling of the believer requires ongoing submission.
It is voluntary. The Holy Spirit can control your life only if you allow Him to do so.
Why does being filled with the Holy Spirit matter?
The Christian life is a supernatural life that must be lived with supernatural power.
Believers face a supernatural enemy.
The filling of the Holy Spirit releases the supernatural power of Almighty God in and through the life of the believer.
There are five requirements for being filled with the Holy Spirit:
Desire—Submission to the Spirit’s control begins with hunger for more of God (John 7:37).
Cleanse—Saying yes to sin grieves the Spirit (Eph. 4:30) just as saying no to God quenches the Spirit (1 Thess. 5:19). We must instead be forgiven of sin. (See 1 John 1:9.)
Yield—Fullness of the Spirit requires absolute surrender to Jesus Christ.
Ask—We must invite the Holy Spirit to fill and control us.
Believe—We have to trust that He will do what He’s promised.
“You can be filled with the Holy Spirit right where you’re sitting if you’re willing to ask and believe.”
After Watching
Think about areas of your life where you feel most in control. What might it look like to loosen your grip on one this week and offer it to the Holy Spirit?
Of the five requirements Dr. Stanley outlined in today’s sermon—desire, cleanse, yield, ask, believe—which one is hardest for you right now? Why?
