Filled With the Spirit
The sermon emphasizes the importance of understanding and experiencing the fullness of the Holy Spirit's power in order to live a fulfilling life.
David Wilkerson emphasizes the importance of truly understanding and experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. He reflects on his own journey of faith, questioning whether he has fully embraced the Spirit's transformative power or merely accepted it as a doctrine. Wilkerson illustrates this with a parable about a farmer who lived in poverty despite having a gold-rich farm, paralleling how many Christians may live unaware of the spiritual wealth available to them through the Holy Spirit. He urges believers to seek a deeper relationship with the Spirit to unlock the fullness of life and godliness that God has promised.
Text
"According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue" (2 Peter 1:3).
For years I've claimed to be filled with the Spirit. I have testified that I've been baptized in the Spirit. I've preached that the Holy Spirit empowers me to witness, and that he sanctifies me. I've prayed in the Spirit, talked to the Spirit, walked in the Spirit and heard his voice. I truly believe the Holy Spirit is the power of God.
I can take you to the place where I was filled with the Spirit, at eight years of age. I've read everything that Scripture says about the Holy Spirit. Yet lately, I've found myself praying, "Do I really know this incredible power that lives in me? Or is the Spirit just a doctrine to me? Am I somehow ignoring him? Am I not asking him to do for me what he came to do?"
The fact is, you can have something very valuable and not know it. And you can't enjoy what it is you have, because you don't understand how valuable it is.
There's a story about a farmer who worked his small farm his whole life. For decades he tilled the rocky soil, living poor and finally dying in discontent. At his death, the farm was passed down to his son. One day, while plowing, the son found a gold-streaked nugget. He had it appraised and was told it was pure gold. The young man soon discovered that the farm was full of gold. Instantly, he became a wealthy man. Yet that wealth was lost on his father, even though it was on the land his whole life.
So it is with the Holy Spirit. Many of us live in ignorance of what we have, of the power that resides in us. Some Christians live their entire lives thinking they have all the Holy Spirit brings, yet they truly haven't received him in fullness and power. He isn't accomplishing in them the eternal work he was sent to do.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Value of the Holy Spirit
- A. The Holy Spirit is the power of God
- B. The Holy Spirit brings life and godliness
- C. The Holy Spirit is essential for a fulfilling life
- II. Ignorance of the Holy Spirit
- A. Many Christians live in ignorance of the Holy Spirit's power
- B. The Holy Spirit can be a doctrine rather than a living reality
- C. Ignorance of the Holy Spirit leads to a lack of fulfillment
- III. The Importance of Knowing the Holy Spirit
- A. Knowing the Holy Spirit is essential for experiencing his power
- B. The Holy Spirit can be a source of wealth and prosperity
- C. Knowing the Holy Spirit leads to a life of fulfillment and purpose
Key Quotes
“The fact is, you can have something very valuable and not know it. And you can't enjoy what it is you have, because you don't understand how valuable it is.” — David Wilkerson
“So it is with the Holy Spirit. Many of us live in ignorance of what we have, of the power that resides in us.” — David Wilkerson
“He isn't accomplishing in them the eternal work he was sent to do.” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- Recognize the value of the Holy Spirit in your life and seek to understand his role in your spiritual journey.
- Don't settle for a life of ignorance; seek to experience the fullness of the Holy Spirit's power.
- Allow the Holy Spirit to accomplish the eternal work he was sent to do in your life.