We had the privilege of being joined by Dr. Crawford Loritts, as he reminds us of the importance of the Holy Spirit in our walk of faith. Diving into the book of Acts, we are taught that demonstrating the power of God and living a supernatural life is a commandment. As the Spirit of God structurally changes us, we must model it ourselves by obeying His command and continually submitting to His control.
Key Takeaway
We are able to live completely transformed lives if we will yield and embrace the power of the Holy Spirit. Our lives are too precious to waste on repeating cycles of sin that we were never called to.
We often struggle because we don't see transformation in our lives. We are doing all the right things by reading the Bible, having time in prayer, and going to church, but none of these good things equal transformation. What we are really struggling with is an absence of power.
In Ephesians 5:18, Paul says not to get drunk on wine but to be filled with the Holy Spirit. He takes power and expands our understanding even further. It's not just the necessity of this power; it's that experiencing the power is an objective command. The verse in the imperative command literally means to "be filled with the Holy Spirit." Any follower of Jesus Christ who has not knowingly, willingly submitted to the control of the Holy Spirit is living in sinful disobedience to God. We were born for transformation, to experience His power.
To walk and live with Jesus means a life that's been transformed, a supernatural lifestyle, a life that has been empowered by the 3rd person of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit is not just an influence, He's a person that lives inside of us and can change us. No Christian should ever shrug off sin struggles as "that's just the way I am" because the Holy Spirit can change you just the way you are.
There is a sense of urgency and continuance that is present in Ephesians 5:18. Being filled means that it happens constantly, not just once. The filling of the Spirit doesn't mean you get more of the Holy Spirit; it means you yield fully to the Spirit of God that is inside of you. We surrender to Him. Your life is too important not to experience the transforming power of our Savior. Since we "leak" throughout the day and sin, we must continually yield and be filled again.
What does it look like for us to be consistently controlled by the Holy Spirit? The answer is found in Galatians 5:19-23. Paul contrasts the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit. Neither list he gives is exhaustive, but what Paul is giving with the fruit of the Spirit is a profile for Christ-likeness. Stay away from Christians who use Spirit-filled language but want to use the Spirit to position themselves, their own power, and control over others. Pride is insidious and subtle and can wear many disguises, including false spirituality. To be authentically filled with the HS, you will exalt Christ and look like Him.
In Galatians 5:22-23, it says the fruit of the Spirit, not works of the Spirit or products of the Spirit. Fruit is singular. These characteristics are a manifestation of one thing: Christ-likeness. It is developed and demonstrated over time.
Who produces the fruit? The Spirit. You cannot do it on your own. It presupposes submission, yielding, humility, and coming under the control of the Spirit of God. Apple trees naturally bear apples. They don't strain to make it happen. Factories produce a product, but they can't produce fruit. Fruit is the product of life. The fruit of the Spirit is what is developed when you have life in Christ. If you want fruit in your life, you have to yield to the Spirit because He is the only One who can produce it.
All transformation in the Christian life is the product of three steps. It's especially true when it comes to being filled with the Holy Spirit.
1) Repent. We often think that we need to do more in order to be a better Christian, but that's pushing the accelerator to go faster in the wrong direction. Stop. Search your heart. What is hindering you from being under the control of the Holy Spirit? 1 John 1:9 says if we confess, He will forgive. Confess that you've been self-serving, had bad thoughts, made bad choices. The Holy Spirit will not control us when we're holding on to stuff that's wrong.
2) Yield. Confess: "I yield to you, Lord Jesus." Success and freedom in the Christian life mean dependence. You were born to live for someone else. Take the second position.
3) Believe. God wants you to be controlled by the Holy Spirit. You don't have to beg Him. Stop the self-incrimination. Get up! Believe that He's controlling you. Be careful about letting your emotions be your spiritual barometer. Know what you believe.
Do this multiple times during the day. Every time you miss the mark, confess and repent, yield to the Spirit, and believe that He is in charge.
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"The filling of the Spirit doesn't mean you get more of the Holy Spirit, it means you yield fully to the Spirit of God that's inside of us."
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Dr. Crawford Loritts
Discussion Questions
Why is simply doing all the good things like reading your Bible, praying, and going to church not enough to transform you?
What happened just before Acts 1: 1-8 takes place?
Dr. Crawford Loritts said that the disciples received exposure, education, and enthusiasm from Jesus, but why was that not sustainable to maintain the movement they were very excited to start?
What is the command found in Ephesians 5:18?
The comparison between a substance and the Holy Spirit is a strong one. What is Paul's point in doing that?
How do we "leak" throughout the day? What do we need to do when that happens?
Read Galatians 5:19-23. What are the fruits of the Spirit? Why is it singular? How do you develop it?
What are the 3 steps to have transformation in your life? Which one do you struggle with the most?
How did Dr. Crawford Loritts define success and freedom in Jesus Christ?
Have you chosen surrogate means of power?
Scripture References
Freedom in Christ1.It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.2.Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. 3.Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. 4.You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. 5.For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. 6.For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.7.You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? 8.That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. 9.“A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” 10.I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion, whoever that may be, will have to pay the penalty. 11.Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. 12.As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!Life by the Spirit13.You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh5:13 In contexts like this, the Greek word for flesh (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit; also in verses 16, 17, 19 and 24; and in 6:8.; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14.For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”5:14 Lev. 19:1815.If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.16.So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17.For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever5:17 Or you do not do what you want. 18.But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.19.The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20.idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21.and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.22.But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23.gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24.Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25.Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26.Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost1.When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2.Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3.They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4.All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues2:4 Or languages; also in verse 11 as the Spirit enabled them.5.Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6.When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7.Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8.Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9.Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,2:9 That is, the Roman province by that name10.Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11.(both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12.Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”13.Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”Peter Addresses the Crowd14.Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15.These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16.No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:17.“ ‘In the last days, God says,I will pour out my Spirit on all people.Your sons and daughters will prophesy,your young men will see visions,your old men will dream dreams.18.Even on my servants, both men and women,I will pour out my Spirit in those days,and they will prophesy.19.I will show wonders in the heavens aboveand signs on the earth below,blood and fire and billows of smoke.20.The sun will be turned to darknessand the moon to bloodbefore the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.21.And everyone who callson the name of the Lord will be saved.’2:21 Joel 2:28-3222.“Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23.This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men,2:23 Or of those not having the law (that is, Gentiles) put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24.But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. 25.David said about him:“ ‘I saw the Lord always before me.Because he is at my right hand,I will not be shaken.26.Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;my body also will rest in hope,27.because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,you will not let your holy one see decay.28.You have made known to me the paths of life;you will fill me with joy in your presence.’2:28 Psalm 16:8-11 (see Septuagint)29.“Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. 30.But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. 31.Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. 32.God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. 33.Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. 34.For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said,“ ‘The Lord said to my Lord:“Sit at my right hand35.until I make your enemiesa footstool for your feet.” ’2:35 Psalm 110:136.“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”37.When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”38.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. 39.The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”40.With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41.Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.The Fellowship of the Believers42.They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43.Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44.All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45.They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46.Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47.praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
18.Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,
16.Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.
1.In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2.until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3.After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4.On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.5.For John baptized with1:5 Or inwater, but in a few days you will be baptized with1:5 Or inthe Holy Spirit.”6.Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”7.He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.8.But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
