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Core Thread
See the SCRIPTURES for this message.
Paul reminds us that we only have two choices: we either follow the ways of this world or the Spirit of God, the Lord or the spirit at work in the disobedient, objects of wrath or recipients of mercy (Ephesians 2:1-10). So rather than choosing the ways of the world — becoming drunk on wine — we must be "filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:17-21)!
Also see Phil's article to keep on track with a related message.
Paul lists five things we can participate in as followers of Jesus that accompany being filled with the Spirit:
But do these things cause us to be filled with the Holy Spirit or are they things we do because we are filled with the Holy Spirit? After all, most of these are things we do when we "go to church"!
The best answer is simple, "Yes!" Yes these things can open us up to be filled by the Holy Spirit and we also are led to do these things because the Holy Spirit motivates and moves us to do them. Most importantly, we are commanded to "be filled with the Holy Spirit" and these things accompany our being filled. In other words, as we do these things, we do them with expectation that the Holy Spirit will be active in filling us!
To the previous list of five things, Paul adds two others in the final chapter of Ephesians (Ephesians 6:17-20):
So often we approach Sunday as a time when we "have to go to church" rather than an opportunity to encounter the living God. The Father welcomes us, His children, into His presence. Where we gather together, the Lord Jesus is among us. As we worship, the Spirit of God fills us and empowers us. And as we leave, committed to live with the mind and lifestyle of Christ (cf. Philippians 2:5-11), the Spirit continues to fill and empower us!
But the key is expectation! Expectation is faith with anticipation. We live with the expectation that the Spirit of the living God is at work in us, to fill us, strengthen us, encourage us, empower us, mold us, and use us for the glory of God!
