Having discussed the command to be filled with the Spirit in our previous message, we now focus on the consequences of being filled with the Spirit. This church meeting turned out to be very different as you will probably realize as you listen to it. Buckle your seat belts, for you will be going on a ride as you tune into this house church gathering!
Teaching Notes:
The Spirit-Filled Life – Pt. 2
Ephesians 5:18-21
Intro: On February 28, 8 weeks ago!, we studied Eph.5:18. We called it “The Spirit-Filled Life – Pt. 1”. In that study we saw that Paul’s exhortation to be filled with the spirit was in the present tense, passive voice, imperative mood, and plural number. The present tense means that this is something to be obeyed continually, not once and for all. The passive mood tells us that we don’t fill ourselves. We are the glove, the Holy Spirit is the hand. The glove doesn’t pull the hand into it. The imperative mood tells us this is a command, not a suggestion. And the plural number tells us this command is for ALL of God’s people, not a select few.
Further, we examined how we are going to obey this command. There are 2 things we must do. 1) Let the word of Christ dwell in us richly (Col.3:16-17). 2) Yield to the Spirit (surrender to the Spirit). So, last time we saw the Command to be filled with the Spirit; today we are going to continue on and see Consequences of being filled with the Spirit.
The Consequences Of Being Filled With The Spirit:
It’s interesting what Paul doesn’t say the consequences are. He doesn’t say it is tongues, miracles, prophecies, or ecstatic experiences. No, the consequences are much more ordinary. What will it look like to be filled with the Spirit? There is 1 verb here (be filled), and 5 participles (speaking, singing, making melody, giving thanks, being subject). These 5 participles teach us what happens when a person is filled with the Spirit. For the sake of briefness and clarity we will boil these 5 participles down to 3, 1 for each verse.
1. Singing:
A. Among Whom Are We To Sing? “One another” (brothers and sisters). This is not speaking of our private worship. “Speaking” in this text is rendered “teaching and admonishing” in Col. 3:16. There is a horizontal aspect to our corporate worship. The songs we sing are meant to teach truth. Thus, our praise and worship songs should be Biblical, full of truth. We would probably be amazed at how much doctrine we gather from our songs. They are easily memorized, and we go around humming or singing them throughout the day. We should be careful as to which songs we choose to sing together to make sure they are Biblical. One of the ways the truths of the Reformation spread so rapidly, is that Martin Luther composed so many hymns that the plowman or cobbler could sing throughout the day.
B. What Are We To Sing? Psalms, Hymns, Spiritual songs. We probably shouldn’t press the distinctions between these categories of songs too much. Basically Paul is saying, in all kinds of songs. Psalm refers to the Old Testament psalms. Hymn refers to a song of praise composed by the church. The phrase “spiritual songs” appears in the NT only here and Col. 3:16. We are never told exactly what it is. It may refer to “singing with the spirit” in 1Cor.14:15 which appears to be singing in an unknown tongue. So, we are to sing the Psalms, old hymns composed by the church, and new, fresh spontaneous songs. It’s great to have variety in our worship. Many churches have gone through the “worship wars” where part of the congregation wants to sing hymns and part wants to sing contemporary songs. Why not combine the best of both? As long as all the songs are true to Scripture and come from our heart.
C. With What Are We To Sing: “our hears”. We would have thought Paul would say our mouth, lips, or tongue. One of the most important elements of corporate singing is that it comes from the heart. Affections of love and joy to God is a consequence of being filled with the Spirit. Heartless singing is not! Anyone can do that. It takes a spirit-filled person to sing with his heart to the Lord.
D. To Whom Are We To Sing? The Lord – not each other or ourselves. Our singing is not worship if it is not directed to the Lord. Are you more conscious of other people or God when you sing on Sundays? How aware are you of His presence? That’s why it can be helpful to close your eyes when you sing. You can shut out those things that might distract you from Him. 2Sam.6:12-23. God is the Audience Of One, the Guest of Honor, the Center of Attention. Don’t sing, raise your hands, clap, shout, or kneel to be noticed by men. That’s abominable! But these things are a delight to Him if they are done unto Him for His pleasure!
2. Thanking:
A. When? Always. There is never a time when it is OK not to give thanks. We are to give thanks in the good and the bad, during blessing and afflictions, after the fact (Ex.15) and before the fact (2Chron.20).
B. For What? All things. Rom.8:28. There is always something to be thankful for in every situation. God is sovereign over all things and will bring good out of all things. The Spirit-filled Christian is not complaining, griping or negative. He is thankful, cheerful, and positive. He takes after Paul in Silas who when they were thrown into the inner prison sang hymns of praise to God.
C. How? In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. This means that we realize every blessing and mercy comes to us only because of Christ, and we realize that our thanks can only be accepted by God through the mediation of Christ.
D. To Whom? God the Father. He is our loving, caring, providing, nurturing Father. Thank your Father for all things. It is He who always takes care of you! Tauler, a 14th century mystic and preacher met a beggar. “God give you a good day, my friend,” he said. Beggar: “I thank God I never had a bad one.” Tauler: “God give you a happy life, my friend.” Beggar: “I thank God I am never unhappy.” Tauler in amazement: “What do you mean?” Beggar: “Well, when it is fine, I thank God. When it rains, I thank God. When I have plenty, I thank God. When I am hungry I thank God. Why should I say I am unhappy when I am not?”
3. Submitting:
A. To Whom? One another. We are not to submit just to the elders, or wives to husbands. There is to be a mutual submission in the body of Christ. 1Pet.5:5. This is speaking about a willingness to humble ourselves and put others first. Phil.2:3-5. This kind of submission should be true across the board (pastors and the congregation, husbands and wives, employers and employees, parents and children). Starting in 5:22 Paul will speak of various relationships, but this verse is a good transition to prepare for them. All relationships must have mutual submission to be healthy. This is a mark of a Spirit-filled life. It means I don’t have to have my own way. I’m willing to let others go first, to put aside my rights for the sake of others.
B. How? In the fear of Christ. This is speaking of a deep reverence of Christ. We know this is His will, and submit to others out of love and respect for Him.
Application:
What are the consequences of being Spirit-filled? Singing, Thanking, Submitting. Is this true of you?
- Are you a joyful, praising Christian. Is there a song in your heart that must be expressed. When you gather with the saints do you sing from your heart to the Lord.
- Is your life characterized by gratitude and thanks in the good times and bad? Are you on the lookout for what God is doing even in affliction? Do you see His sovereign hand of providence?
- Is your life characterized by submission? Are you pigeonheaded, stubborn, and self-willed, or willing to put others before yourself? Can you take orders? If not, you are not filled with the Spirit.
Let’s confess our sins, forsake them, yield to the Spirit, and walk in the Spirit!
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