Sermon: Feeling Stuffed
Text Summary and Thoughts: This paragraph is perhaps the pinnacle of the book of
Ephesians. In order for each part of the body to function as part of God's instrument
to carry out his purposes, there has to be an inner transformation with is possible only
through the Holy Spirit. The body cannot be filled up to all the fullness of God and
carry out his purposes unless it is first filled with the Spirit. Contrary to the way most
English translations render this (in the interest of good English), there is grammatically
only three imperatives (commands) in this section. (Paul liked long run-on sentences)
1) Be careful (blepo - literally: look at) how you walk.
2) Do not get drunk with wine.
3) Be filled with the Spirit.
In Greek, the rest are participles, which describe or modify the commands. Outlining
it would look like this:
1) Look (blepo) carefully at how you walk…
a) not as unwise, but as wise…
b) redeeming the time because the days are evil
2) Do not become drunk with wine, in which is dissipation, but…
3) Be filled with the Holy Spirit…
a) speaking to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs…
b) singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord…
c) giving thanks always for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ to God and/even the Father…
d) being submissive to one another in the fear of Christ
In the next section, Paul will go on to expand on what the Spirit filled life looks like in the
home.
Reflection: Paul gives no specific instruction on how to be filled with the Spirit beyond
self examination in wisdom against God's will,which seems to indicate that transformation
through the Spirit has a sense of mystery to it. It is not a product to achieve, but an
ongoing process to submit to. It is not something that we can control or manipulate, but
is something that we cooperate with. It is not something that magically happens as we
passively sit by, nor is it something that we attain through our own effort. This is perhaps
why Paul contrasts the "deeds" of the flesh and the "fruit" of the Spirit (rather than the
"deeds" of the Spirit) in Galatians 5. Fruit is a natural by product of being filled with the
Spirit. Law produces outward compliance and possibly "deeds." The Spirit produces
inward transformation and "fruit." In Paul's theology, the former leads to bondage and
death, while the latter leads to life and freedom. So, true transformation has to begin
with creating a climate in our inner lives that is conducive to the Spirit taking up
permanent and sole residence in every inch of ourselves. How do we do that? This
question needs significant reflection.
Sermon Summary: In order for us to truly be transformed in Christ, we need to be filled
with the Spirit. This involves careful self-examination against God's will and emptying
ourselves of that which crowds God out of our lives. In this way, God is the one who
transforms us from the inside out so as to avoid skin deep Christianity.
Know: True change has to begin with allowing God to fill every aspect of our lives, not
through mere behavior modification.
Feel: Dissatisfaction with wrote religion and going through the motions
Do: Spend time reflecting on what role God plays in how you "actually" view yourself,
relationships, and activities. Also reflect on the process you typically go through in
making a decision and where God typically fits in. Formulate a plan to set aside to for
introspection as individuals and as a group.
Text: Eph 5:15-21
Scripture Reading: 1 Thess 5:21
Intro:
1. Have to be stuffed in order to be a healthy Christian
2. Context leading up to this text
a. God brought us together to fulfill God's purposes
b. In order to do this, need to put off old self
c. Now comes to the central issue for change
3. Text: Eph 5:15-21
a. Central idea is the be filled with the Spirit
b. We are to be a "stuffed" Christian
c. How? Through these steps:
I. (v.15-17) Self Examination
A. Grk: Look carefully how you walk
1. Take a good look at yourself
2. Take a good look at how you are walking
3. Examine yourself, where are you going? Why?
B. What does this self-examination involve?
1. Not as unwise, but wise
a. In Proverbs, several synonyms/parallels for wisdom
- Knowledge, instruction, correction, understanding,
discernment, prudence, fear of the Lord
b. Interesting wisdom word - Mezzimah (Prov 2:1-3,10-11)
- Discretion, plan, device
- Idea that you have thought this through
- Not just wandering, but focused
c. Look carefully at how you walk
2. Making most of your time, because the days are evil
a. Some Bibles - "Redeeming" the time - Don't waste it!
b. Don't have time…but we "make" time for what's important
c. How do you make use of your time for God?
- Reading your Bible, Prayer, Meditation, Reflection
- Ministry, Service, sharing your faith, loving others
- Doing a good job at whatever you do as a witness
3. Understanding what the will of the Lord is
a. Just because you know the Bible doesn't mean you do
- Not saying the Bible is not important
- You must read and know it, then take the next step
b. The key is integrating your faith with your whole life
- What is God's view how you should think, plan, etc.
- How does God want you to do you job, school, etc.
C. ILL: Self examination needs to become a part of life
1. I had a horrible problem of not looking where I was going
a. Always bumping into things
b. My head was a corner magnet
c. Or maybe corners were a John's head magnet
2. I was always getting injured
a. Cut my lip on a screen door, broke my tooth tripping
b. I am surprised my head is still in one piece
3. Parent's always saying to look where I am going
4. That is was this passage it telling us
- Look carefully at how you walk
D. Two ways to apply this
1. Individually
a. Where are you going? Is it where God wants you to go?
b. Where are you now? Is it where God wants you to be?
c. What role does God play in EVERYTHING I do?
- Which college, military, trade school
- My job, how I do my job, my leisure activities
- Are these things a witness for God, or me?
2. Collectively
a. Self-examination may feel threatening, but it shouldn't
b. If our goal is to please God more than be comfortable
c. Where are we going? Is it where God wants us?
3. There is more to self examination than self examination….
II. (v.18) Stuffing Yourself with the Spirit
A. Paul makes an interesting contrast
1. Why does he contrast being filled with the Spirit with wine?
a. What happens when someone is filled with wine?
b. Affects judgment, senses, may see strange things
c. Affects your speech, strength, actions, memory
d. It transforms you
2. What you are filled with changes you, and it shows
B. ILL: A Balloon
1. When filled with Helium, it transforms it
2. Whether air, helium, water, shaving cream, etc. it changes it
3. What do you fill yourself with?
a. Alcohol, drugs, other mind altering substances
b. Pornography, ungodly music, entertainment
c. You start filling yourself with it, it will change you
C. So, instead, we need to be filled with the Spirit
1. What is the Spirit? Where from? (Eph 1:13-14)
a. Spirit is a seal and a pledge - We belong to God
b. Spirit is a "who" not an "it"
c. We didn't attain the Spirit, God gave us the Spirit
d. 3:16 - Spirit strengthens our inner person
2. Is being filled with Spirit something God does or we do? - Yes
3. Galatians and Romans help answer this
a. Contrasts - Law v.s. Faith. But there is more
- Law, works, sin, bondage, human effort
- Faith, grace, forgiveness, freedom, God's effort
b. (Gal 5:16-18) Walk by Spirit, and not carry out the flesh
- Appears that it is soley up to us, but not
- (Gal 5:19, 22) - "Deeds" of the flesh, "fruit" of Spirit
c. Salvation by works of law doesn't work - Bondage
- Law produces outward compliance and "deeds"
- Spirit produces inward transformation and "fruit"
d. But not "magic," we don't sit passively while Spirit works
- If so, it would be like study by osmosis
- Book under pillow so answer seep into brain
- Have to work hard and study
- We are to walk by the Spirit to avoid deeds of flesh
- (Rom 8:16) - Spirit bears witness "with our" spirit
- Spirit doesn't work "for" us but "with" us
D. How? do we to our part in this symbiotic relationship
1. Not just by adding more works
a. Not that works are not important, need to do them
b. ILL: Can polish car up on outside, but if engine is blown
c. We need an inner overhaul - transformation. How?
2. Take everything out, overhaul and re-assemble - overhaul
a. This is part of the self examination process
b. Examine all parts of your life and self?
c. What is your life filled with?
3. Consider ways to purge and fill
a. Jesus went to the mountain to pray
b. Find places to get away from noise and distraction
c. Way to meditate, and refocus on God
d. Different ways for different people
4. In short, create an climate in our minds for Spirit to own us
III. (v.19-21) Showing what you're stuffed with
A. These verses show the result
1. Self examination, and being filled with the Spirit leads to this
2. Not an all inclusive list, there is also the fruit of the Spirit
B. Let's look at what Paul includes
1. Singing
a. Singing to each other
- Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual songs
- Sing a variety of types of songs
b. Singing and making melody in your heart to God
- An expression to God
- Audience is God
- He listening to our heart, not just voices
2. Thanksgiving
a. This reflects a changed heart and proper attitude
b. (Rom 2:21) - Failure to give thanks a root of sin
3. Mutual Submission
a. Paul will give some examples in the verses that follow
` b. Principle is to put others first
c. Phil 2:3-4 - Consider others ahead of self, their interests
d. Jesus Others You
D. f these things are missing, need to examine yourself
1. Some of us don't sing
2. Some of us don't give thanks
a. Take things for granted, or think it is all from our efforts
b. Some of us may complain all the time
3. Some of us may not submit to anything
a. All about what I want, about my rights
b. May not want to give in to anyone
4. If this is the case, time to do self-examination
Concl:
1. Take some time to examine ourselves this morning (Invitation)
2. Can you see the fruit of the Spirit in your life this morning?
a. What is your life filled with? Is it godly? Does it please God?
b. Do you need to purge and refill your life with freshness of God?
c. Will reflect on this some more in Life Group
3. This is very important
a. Cannot be filled up to fullness of God if not filled with the Spirit
b. If not filled with the Spirit, can't carry out God's purposes as a body
4. Need to reflect on this as a group/church as well as individually
a. Are we a spirit filled body?
b. In what ways do we need to be filled with the Spirit?
c. Come back to Life Groups
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Small Group Questions:
Summary: In order for us to truly be transformed in Christ, we need to be filled with the
Spirit. This involves careful self-examination against God's will and emptying ourselves
of that which crowds God out of our lives. In this way, God is the one who transforms
us from the inside out so as to avoid skin deep Christianity.
Open:
- What is the most difficult exam you have every taken?
Explore:
1. Does the text give any clues as to what is involved in being careful how you walk?
If so what are they?
2. What role does being filled with the Spirit play in examining how you are walking
through life?
3. What does the contrast between being filled with the Spirit with being filled with wine say
to you? (Paul could have contrasted being filled with something else, but chose wine instead)
4. What are some outward signs that you are indeed filled with the Spirit?
Apply:
5. Reflect on what role God plays in how you "actually" view yourself, your relationships, and
activities. What process do you typically go through in making a decision, big or small, and
what role does God play in it?
6. In what way does this need to change in your life in order to be more Spirit filled (
God centered)?
7. What processes can you go through in order to examine yourself and how God centered
every area of your life is? What process can you go through collectively?
8. What is God calling you to do right now?
Prayer:
1 Thess 5:21
Pray to be open to God's guidance and transformation
