A Spirit-Filled Church

Ephesians 5:18-21

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

* * * * *

Ephesians 4:1 - Implored us to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which we have been called. 
What does it look like to find a church filled with the Holy Spirit?

When Paul mentions FILLING, he means influence or control.  How are we able to fulfill the commands God gives us? It's because the Holy Spirit enables us to do the things we need to do.

We are filled by:

• Having the Word of God dwelling in us richly
• Being aware we have the Spirit -- have been sealed with Him.
• Depend on the Lord in prayer.

Today we will look three fruits the Apostle Gives to Show us how to maintain the filling

FIRST - SINGING - making melody to the Lord with all your heart. 

The church is a worshipping body and do this together with our voices. God’s design is to have his people come together physically in one location to worship and hear each other sing. Congregational singing is even a way of discipling each other and even the Elders who hear these praises. This is why we strive to have our lyrics / hymns be sound in doctring and theologically rich.

SECOND - GIVING THANKS ALWAYS & TO GOD THE FATHER IN THE NAME OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.

We should be characterized by thankfulness. Do visitors see that when they enter our church? How can we not be thankful for all the Lord has done. Ephesians, Chapters 1 - 3, should make us thankful. 

We have the reason to be thankful! Because of what the Lord has done for us. Christ is the means and reason of our blessing -- and our worship.

THIRD - SUBMITTING TO ONE ANOTHER

Verse 21 reminds us to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. As Paul transitions to a new section of his epistle, he reminds us to put each other first.  Defer to one another.  Jesus was the perfect example of what that means when he washed the feet of the disciples at the Last Supper.

Our motivation for seeking to walk in these fruits is out of deep reverence for our Lord Jesus Christ. It comes out of our desire to please Christ.