The Fullness of the Spirit
Today's Verse:
But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, Â ~Acts 7:55
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A few years ago, I had the privilege to preach in a conference where the emphasis was on dying to self, prayer, and the Spirit’s filling. The blessing of God was upon each message, and there was an incredible liberty of the Holy Spirit during and at the end of each service. There was a deep hunger and thirst that every attendee desired for the fullness of the Spirit. Stephen was a man who had the fullness of the Holy Spirit in his life. This morning, may the Lord stir our hearts with a deep desire to have the Spirit’s continuous filling in our life.
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We see the unction of the Spirit.
Every Christian is privileged to have the indwelling of the Spirit at the moment of his conversion. The Spirit’s indwelling is the evidence that we belong to God. However, the ministry of the Holy Spirit does not stop at his indwelling. It is the command of God that we also have His filling. This filling is where He has complete control over and in us. It is His power working through us to do the work of God. The fruit of the Spirit is the manifestation that we are walking in the Spirit life. The product of the Spirit is the supernatural result that the Spirit produces through us in preaching the gospel and seeking to win sinners to the Lord. The unction is a vital necessity for victorious Christian living.
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We see the unusual of the Spirit.
Stephen was a servant of the Lord who made it his priority to have the Spirit’s filling in his life. He was such a Spirit-filled man that he could command an audience with men of his day. We are told these educated and learned men were not able to resist the wisdom and spirit by which he spake. Stephen is described as a man full of faith and great power. He captivated a large audience of stout Jewish men in preaching the unsearchable riches of Christ to them. The Spirit’s filling gave him unusual boldness and courage. The Spirit’s filling gave evidence that he was very close to the Lord in his walk and fellowship. Men who are filled with the Spirit are extraordinary men. Men who are filled with the Spirit are men equipped to do a great work for God.
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We see the undertaking of the Spirit.
We see Stephen completely controlled by the Spirit of God. First, we are told that Stephen’s appearance was like that of an angel. He had a glow about him. Second, in the midst of strong opposition to his message, Stephen looked steadfastly to the face of the Lord Jesus. A man filled with the Spirit never has his eyes on his predicament, but always on the Lord. Third, as these men sought to persecute and stone Stephen, he exhibited a peaceful calmness in the midst of a chaotic situation. Fourth, the Spirit’s filling gave him a special love for his persecutors. As stones were being pummeled at him, he prayed for his persecutors. He asked the Lord to not lay their sin against their charge. Even more incredible is how gracefully he laid his life down and was taken up into the presence of the Lord. From the start of his ministry to the moment his life was being taken from him, Stephen demonstrated how the fullness of the Spirit enables, encircles, and enriches.
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Do you have a hunger for the Spirit’s fullness just as Stephen did? Do you desire to see unusual results in serving the Lord? Make it your emphasis to be controlled and consumed the Holy Spirit!
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Have a Spirit-filled God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Deuteronomy 32-34