Firm Foundation

Week 8

The Holy Spirit - Be Filled with the Spirit

God’s plan for our salvation is just the beginning of our spiritual journey. God has more for us, and He wants to empower us to pursue that “more” through relationship with the Person of the Holy Spirit. Now, more than ever, we need God’s power in our lives. Let’s seek Him, go all in with Him, and live the full life God planned for us. 

Acts 1:8 (NIV) “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you...” 

Main idea – God has more for you. And He wants to empower you to pursue that “more” through a relationship with the Person of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 19:1-6 (NIV) While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied. Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. 

Acts 8:5, 12 (NIV) Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there... But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 

Acts 8:14-17 (NIV) When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. 

Ephesians 4:30 (MSG) Don’t grieve God. Don’t break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted. 

Ephesians 5:18 (NIV) ...Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

• 1. Remove the barriers that keep me from all God has for me. 

We tend to avoid what we’re afraid of or what we don’t understand. 

James 1:17 (NIV) Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 

Acts 2:38-39 (NIV) Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” 

• 2. Ask God to give me all that He has for me. 

All that we have is not all that God has. 

Ezekiel 47:3-5 (NIV) As the man went eastward with a measuring line in his hand, he measured off a thousand cubits and then led me through water that was ankle-deep. 

He measured off another thousand cubits and led me through water that was knee-deep. 

He measured off another thousand and led me through water that was up to the waist. 

He measured off another thousand, but now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough to swim in—a river that no one could cross. 

“Give us a year of your life.” – Your life will be better and, you’ll be better at life.

Ezekiel 47:9 (NIV) Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh; so where the river flows everything will live. 

• 3. Develop an intimate friendship with the Holy Spirit. 

2 Corinthians 13:14 (MSG) The amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God, the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you. 

The amazing grace of Jesus.

The extravagant love of the Father.

The intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit. 

1. Have you misunderstood or been confused by role of the Holy Spirit in the past? Be honest and share that hesitancy with someone else. Have someone you admire and respect as a Spirit filled person pray for and encourage you as you begin to pursue a Spirit-filled life. 
2. Have you received the baptism of the Holy Spirit? How has a relationship with the Holy Spirit changed your life? 
3. What barriers may be keeping you from all God has for you? Discuss what you need to lay down so you can pursue the “more.” 

God has more for ME!