three
traits of a Spirit-filled person
I.
Ephesians 5:19
1. Now, note the three traits of a Spirit-filled
person.
1. A Spirit-filled person
has a singing spirit. This is in contrast to the drunken person. The mention of
singing is the picture of joy and happiness. The worldly person often seeks joy
and happiness in drink and partying. This is not to be the case with the true
believer. He is to seek his joy and happiness by being filled with the Spirit
of God and by singing to himself. Note a crucial point: singing to oneself
helps a person to experience the fulness of the Spirit. What do we sing? God
tells us:
Þ Psalms:
the psalms of the Old Testament. We need to learn them—yes, by memory—so that
we can sing them. Think how victoriously we could walk through life if we knew
the Psalms.
Þ Hymns:
the great hymns of the church. Again we must learn them.
Þ Spiritual
Songs: F.F. Bruce suggests that these may refer to songs being made up by
the person as he walks along singing praise to the Lord throughout the day (The
Epistle to the Ephesians, p.111). We have all experienced walking along
making melody in our hearts to the Lord; therefore, his suggestion makes sense.
Þ It
is certainly a good practice.
"What
is it then? I will pray with the Spirit, and I will pray with the understanding
also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding
also" (1
Cor. 14:15).
"Sing
aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob" (Psalm 81:1).
2. A Spirit-filled person
has a thankful spirit. Note the words "always" and "for all
things." Our lives are in God's hands. He guides and directs us through
all things. Therefore, we can thank Him for all things—no matter what the
things are. He controls all. Giving thanks as we walk along throughout the
day—always giving thanks—helps us to experience the fulness of God's Spirit.
"Be careful
[anxious] for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God" (Phil. 4:6)."
And whatsoever ye
do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God
and the Father by him" (Col. 3:17).
3. A Spirit-filled person
has a submissive and respectful spirit. A Spirit-filled person does not have a
spirit of criticism, dissension, envy, divisiveness, or selfishness. He has a
spirit of submissiveness. The same is true of churches: a Spirit-filled church
has a body of people who are submissive—going out of their way to minister and
serve each other. There is no dissension or divisiveness, no envy or
selfishness among its people. In the fear of God, they submit to each other
before they break the fulness of God's Spirit.
"Whosoever
therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in
the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:4).
"For
I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to
think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly,
according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith"
(Romans 12:3).
Preacher's Outline and Sermon
Bible - Commentary - The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible – Galatians,
Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians.
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