(A Larger Christian Life) 3. FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT
A.B. Simpson teaches that the essence of the Christian life is to be wholly and personally filled with the Holy Spirit, resulting in a complete and powerful spiritual fullness.
In this sermon, A.B. Simpson explores the profound biblical call to be completely filled with the Holy Spirit. He emphasizes that this filling is not a mere influence or feeling but the indwelling of the living Person of Christ, empowering believers to live a full and fruitful Christian life. Simpson highlights the simplicity and completeness of this spiritual fullness as the key to experiencing true peace and power. This message encourages believers to embrace the Holy Spirit's work deeply and personally.
Text
"Be filled with the Spirit." Eph. v: 18.
"Ye are complete (filled) in Him." Col. ii: 10.
The emphatic word in both these verses "filled." It is the Greek plaroo which means to fill full, so full that there will be no room left empty. This is the thought which, with the assistance of the Holy Spirit, we desire to impress in this message. It does not mean to have a measure of the Holy Spirit, and to know a good deal of Christ, but to be wholly filled with, and possessed by, the Holy Ghost, and utterly lost in the life and fullness of Jesus. It is the completeness of the filling which constitutes the very essence of the perfect blessing. A fountain half full will never become a spring. A river half full will never become a water power. A heart half filled will never know "the peace which passeth all understanding" and the power which flows from the inmost being, as "rivers of living water."
I. THE NATURE OF THIS FILLING.
It is all connected with a living Person. We are not filled with an influence; we are not filled with a sensation; we are not filled with a set of ideas and truths ; we are not filled with a blessing, but we are filled with a Person. This is very strange and striking. It is wholly different from all other teaching. Human systems of philosophy and religion all deal mainly with intellectual truths, moral conditions or external acts. Greek philosophy was a system of ideas; Confucianism is a system of morals; Judaism is a system of laws and ceremonies; Christianity all centres in a living Person, and its very essence is the indwelling life of Christ Himself. He was not only its Head and Founder, but He is forever its living Heart and Substance, and the Holy Spirit is simply the agent and channel through whom He enters, possesses and operates in the consecrated heart. This reduces Christian life to great simplicity. We do not require to get filled in a great many compartments, and with a great many different experiences, ideas, or influences, but, in the centre of our being to receive Him in His personal life and fullness, and then He flows into every part and lives out His own life in all the diversified experiences and activities of our manifold life.
In the one garden we plant the living seed, and water it from the same great fountain, and lo! it springs up spontaneously with all the varied beauty and fruitfulness of the lily and the rose, the foliage plant and the fruit tree, the clinging jessamine and the spreading vine. We have simply to turn on the fertilizing spring and nature\
Sermon Outline
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I. The Nature of This Filling
- It is a filling with a living Person, not an influence or sensation.
- Christianity centers on the indwelling life of Christ through the Holy Spirit.
- The filling is personal and complete, affecting every part of the believer's life.
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II. The Meaning of Being Filled
- The Greek word 'plaroo' means to fill full with no room left empty.
- Partial filling is insufficient for true spiritual power and peace.
- Complete filling leads to rivers of living water flowing from within.
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III. The Simplicity of the Christian Life
- No need for many compartments or experiences.
- Receive Christ's personal life and fullness at the center of being.
- The Holy Spirit channels Christ's life into all aspects of life.
Key Quotes
“We are not filled with an influence; we are not filled with a sensation; we are not filled with a set of ideas and truths; we are filled with a Person.” — A.B. Simpson
“A fountain half full will never become a spring. A river half full will never become a water power.” — A.B. Simpson
“The Holy Spirit is simply the agent and channel through whom He enters, possesses and operates in the consecrated heart.” — A.B. Simpson
Application Points
- Seek to be wholly filled with the Holy Spirit, not just partially influenced.
- Focus on receiving Christ personally rather than accumulating religious experiences.
- Allow the Holy Spirit to flow through every part of your life for true spiritual fruitfulness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to be filled with the Spirit?
It means to be wholly and personally possessed by the Holy Spirit, leaving no part of the heart empty.
Is being filled with the Spirit about feelings or ideas?
No, it is about being filled with a living Person, Jesus Christ, not just sensations or intellectual truths.
Why is completeness important in being filled?
Because partial filling cannot produce the peace and power that come from total spiritual fullness.
How does the Holy Spirit work in the believer?
The Holy Spirit acts as the agent through whom Christ enters, possesses, and operates within the believer.
What is the result of being filled with the Spirit?
A believer experiences peace beyond understanding and a powerful life flowing like rivers of living water.