The Joy of Being Filled With the Spirit
The sermon emphasizes the importance of being filled with the Spirit to experience the living Jesus within us and have intimate fellowship with Him.
Andrew Murray emphasizes the transformative joy of being filled with the Holy Spirit, illustrated by the dramatic change in the disciples at Pentecost. He reflects on the longing for a closer relationship with Jesus, who desires to dwell within believers and provide them with His life. Murray urges believers to yield themselves to the Holy Spirit, allowing Jesus to take full possession of their hearts and experience His constant presence. He reassures that Jesus delights in intimate fellowship with each believer, encouraging them to seek this divine filling.
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The clearest illustration of the joy of being filled with the Spirit is seen in the wonderful change that Pentecost brought to the lives of the disciples. It is one of the most wonderful object lessons in all of Scripture--the Twelve, under Christ's training for three years, and yet remaining, apparently, at some distance from the life they were meant to live; and then all at once, by the blessed incoming of the Holy Spirit, being made just what God wanted them to be. Isn't that what your heart longs for?
I have thought and thought of Jesus in Bethlehem, of Jesus on Calvary, of Jesus upon the throne, and I have worshiped and rejoiced exceedingly in Him; but all the time I wanted something better, something nearer. The answer is to have the living Jesus within. That is what the Holy Spirit will give you, and that is why we plead with you: Will you not yield yourself to receive this blessing--to be filled with the Spirit--that the blessed Jesus may be able to take possession of you?
Jesus within--the very Jesus who is the Almighty One, who died on the cross and sits upon the throne, condescending to be your life. I would like to convince every believer that Jesus loves you; He does not wish to be separated from you for a moment. He cannot bear it. No mother has delighted more in the baby in her arms than does Christ delight in you. He wants both intimate and unceasing fellowship with you. Receive it, dear believer, and say, ''If it is possible, God helping me, I must have this filling of the Holy Spirit so that I may know and sense the presence of Jesus always dwelling in my heart.''
(Excerpted from: The Andrew Murray Daily Reader in Today's Language, pg. 28)
Sermon Outline
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I
- The Joy of Being Filled with the Spirit
- Illustrated by Pentecost
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II
- The Desire for a Deeper Experience
- Longing for Jesus to be nearer
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III
- The Answer: The Holy Spirit
- Giving us the living Jesus within
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IV
- Jesus' Desire for Intimate Fellowship
- Delighting in believers as a loving mother in her child
Key Quotes
“Isn't that what your heart longs for?” — Andrew Murray
“He wants both intimate and unceasing fellowship with you.” — Andrew Murray
“No mother has delighted more in the baby in her arms than does Christ delight in you.” — Andrew Murray
Application Points
- We should yield ourselves to receive the filling of the Holy Spirit to experience the living Jesus within us.
- We should ask God to help us receive the filling of the Holy Spirit and have intimate fellowship with Him.
- We should long for Jesus to be nearer to us and desire a deeper experience of His presence in our lives.