True Spirituality - Next Steps

Message Summary

When it comes to spirituality, there are three types of people:
1) The Natural Person = someone who has not received Christ
2) Spiritual Believers = those who have received Christ and are directed by the Holy Spirit
3) Worldly Believers = those who have received Christ but live in defeat because they try to live in their own strength rather than relying on the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit regenerates and indwells all believers through faith in Jesus. But believers are filled by the Holy Spirit by confession, submission and faithful reliance on Jesus Christ to live the Christian life. The filling of the Holy Spirit produces the fruit of the spirit—true Christian character, unleashes spiritual gifts, illuminates scripture, and provides guidance and comfort.

1) How do you know when you are filled with the Holy Spirit?

2) Can you give an example of being filled by the Holy Spirit? How did it affect your relationships and your walk with Jesus?

Consider This

The spiritual believer is continually being filled with the Spirit, experiencing freedom in Christ, and living-out Christ to the world around them.

1) Do all believers have the Holy Spirit? How do you know? (see 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Romans 8:9)

2) What is the baptism of the Holy Spirit according to 1 Corinthians 12:13 and Ephesians 1:13-14?

3) Are there any special classes of believers that get more of the Holy Spirit? Why or why not?

“Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts” (Ephesians 5:18-19). We are commanded to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

1) What is the promise of James 4:7-8 and how does that relate to being filled with the Holy Spirit?

2) Read Colossians 2:6 and 2 Corinthians 5:7. How did you accept Christ? How should you then live in Christ?

3) Read Galatians 2:20. Who lives in you, and how do you live that life?

4) According to Galatians 5:22-23, what is produced by the Holy Spirit in the life of a person who is yielded to Him? List those qualities especially needed in your life.

5) Can you share a time when you thought you were specifically being led by the Holy Spirit to do something? (See Romans 8:14, Galatians 5:18)

6) What does it mean to “grieve the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30)? Consider the context Ephesians 4:22-31.

Moving Forward

“Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace” (Romans 8:5-6).

If you are focused on your will rather than God’s will WWJ (What Would Jesus Do), the Holy Spirit cannot direct and control you. This is a hard truth to assimilate into your life, but you can, through spiritual breathing. This week, practice spiritual breathing, out with the bad and in with the good.

1) Exhale.
a. Read Psalm 139:23-24. Why is this prayer so important?

b. Why is practicing 1 John 1:9 and specifically naming our sins also so important?

2) Inhale.

Surrender control of your life to God (2 Corinthians 10:5) and ask God to fill you (Luke 11:13).

3) Faith: Memorize Ephesians 5:18 and 1 John 5:14-15. How do these verses, a command and a promise, help give you faith to trust God the Spirit to fill, empower, and guide you?