Alpha | Session 11 | How Can I Be Filled With The Holy Spirit?

What the Holy Spirit does and brings to our lives is all about love.

Every Christian has the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9) but not every Christian is filled with the Spirit.

Five categories of people:

1. Longing (Pentecost – Acts 2:2–4)
2. Receptive (Samaria – Acts 8:14–23)
3. Hostile (Paul – Acts 8:1,3; 9:1–2)
4. Uninformed (Ephesus – Acts 19:1–6)
5. Unlikely (Gentiles – Acts 10:44–47)

What happened to Cornelius and his household when the Spirit came upon them? (Acts 10:44–46).

1. THEY EXPERIENCED THE LOVE OF GOD

‘… the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. Then Peter said… ‘they have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.”’ (Acts 10:44–47)

• There were physical manifestation
• Everyone’s experience is different
• What matters is God’s love being poured out into your heart (Romans 5:5)
• Pursue the person, not the experience (Ephesians 3:14–19)

2. THEY EXPRESSED THEIR LOVE FOR GOD

‘For they heard them… praising God’ (Acts 10:46).

• Fear of emotion: emotion versus emotionalism
• Emotion is an important part of faith and love for God
• Express with our whole bodies: raised hands; a traditional form of prayer

3. THEY RECEIVED A NEW LOVE LANGUAGE

‘For they heard them speaking in tongues’ (Acts 10:46).

• Not all Christians speak in tongues
  • Not the mark of being a Christian
  • Not necessarily a mark of being filled with the Spirit
  • There are no first- or second-class Christians
  • It is not the most important gift
• What is the gift of tongues?
  • Human or angelic language (1 Corinthians 13:1)
  • A form of prayer (1 Corinthians 14:2)
  • Builds up the individual
  • Transcends the language barrier (1 Corinthians 14:14)
  • The speaker is in full control
  • Public use requires an interpretation
• Why is it helpful?
  • Worship (1 Corinthians 14:15)
  • Praying for oneself (1 Corinthians 14:2,4)
  • Praying for others
• Why ask for the gift of tongues?
  • Paul encourages its use (1 Corinthians 14:5,18,39)

What are the barriers to being filled with the Holy Spirit?

• Doubt: ‘I don’t think I will receive’
• Fear: ‘What will happen to me’
• Inadequacy: ‘I’m not good enough’

But Jesus says:

‘… how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!’ (LUKE 11:13)