Be Filled With the Spirit - Lee Roberson - Bible Walking

Be Filled With The Spirit - by Dr. Lee Roberson

Posting Note. Be Filled With The Spirit is copied word-for-word from the book by Dr. Lee Roberson by the same name. We have made some changes in formatting to adapt it to this use. No changes were made in the text. It is posted here by the author's permission and we assume that to be extended to anyone who intends to distribute it free of charge and for use in Christian walk and ministry. You do not need to ask for permission. If you download or reprint, do not edit the text and please reproduce it in its entirety. Dr. Roberson published many books. To me, this is the crowning work of all he wrote because it is at the heart of what is necessary for Christian living and service.

The book is a compilation of notes on sermons preached by Dr. Lee Roberson at the Highland Park Baptist Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee for ten Wednesday night services in 1953. I heard the sermons and listened carefully. It was the first time I had ever heard any messages on the Holy Spirit. These messages are not wildfire but simply setting forth what the Bible actually teaches about being filled with the Spirit. It does not include the framework known as Pentecostalism and does not incorporate any doctrine of speaking in tongues, etc. All that follows this paragraph is taken directly from the book. (Dan Carr) End of Posting Note.

●Preface

We need power—Power for victorious living—power for witnessing—power for winning. This power is available for all of God’s Children. It is obtained through the filling of the Holy Spirit.

The sermons in this column were preached in the Wednesday evening, prayer services of the Highland Park Baptist Church.

I well remember the time when I first laid hold upon the words: “Be filled with the Spirit.” A new day came in my ministry, for which I continually thank God.

May your heart be stirred as you read and may you know the fullness of the Spirit.

                                                            LEE ROBERSON
                                                            Highland Park Baptist Church
                                                            Chattanooga, Tennessee

●Chapter One   The Secret Of Power

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

This is an age of great mechanical power. Upon the earth we see power demonstrated in great trains pulling of scores of heavy box cars. Fast moving trucks on the highways speak of power. In the air above us tremendous four-motored air planes speed through the air, carrying tons of cargo. Upon the ocean move great steamers cutting through the waves with power.

Demonstrations of power are all around us. A level airfield can be made out of a rough and hilly country. Powerful dirt movers are capable of pushing away a hill and filling a swamp in just a few days.

Yes, this is an age of great mechanical power, but it is not an age of great spiritual power. This world has many churches and millions of professing Christians, but not many demonstrations of spiritual power.    This is not a day when men are mighty through the power of the Spirit. When we look for illustrations of spiritual power, we must go back a number of years. There we find the names of men, who, though humble, did mighty works in the name of Christ.

This lack of spiritual power today can be traced to three things;

First, iniquity. The world is in the grasp of the evil one. Christians are supposed to come out from the world and be separate. Unless they do so, there can be no spiritual power. The ministry has lost its power because of compromise. Someone was telling me this week about a pastor, who goes weekly to the movies, encourages his young people to dance, and spends most of his time presiding at questionable civic functions. A child can understand how such a man could spend an entire twelve months and have only two conversions. There can be no spiritual power in the life of any person who compromises with sin and the world.

Secondly, ignorance of the Word and of what God has for His people keeps many from spiritual power. Many people who believe on Jesus Christ and profess to be saved, do not read the Word of God and do not know that there is a life of abundant and joyous living for them. In their ignorance of the Word and God’s way, they stumble on in skepticism and powerlessness.

Thirdly, indifference toward the matter of spiritual power accounts for much of the present day condition. How many Christians want spiritual power? How many ministers of the gospel truly desire it? How many Sunday School teachers? The great masses of people are content with a form of religion which they have. They are content with the petty functions and works they perform. Because spiritual power costs something, they are not willing to pay the price; therefore, they shrug their shoulders and carry on in a half-hearted, indifferent fashion.

Throughout the length and breadth of our land little or nothing is said about Christians living victorious lives. Nothing is said about the fullness of the Spirit. Instead most of the talk is about this program or the other. Or about some denominational project with the emphasis on pep and enthusiasm. When our man-made programs fail, it does not occur to us why it failed, but we simply make another one and try again.

As we seek to find the secret of power, let us turn to a consideration of the text. It speaks of three things.

I. God’s People

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you, and ye shall be witnesses unto me” (Acts 1:8).

The promise of our Savior was to an humble band of followers who had gone with Him to the Mount of Olives. There was nothing exceptional about the group except that they were God’s people. They had believed on Jesus Christ, and had become members of the family of God through faith in Him.

They did not know everything, but they believed that Christ was the Son of God. They were witnesses of His resurrection. They were ready to do whatever He would command them.

II. God’s Program

Jesus said,“And ye shall be witnesses unto me, both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
Notice the order of God’s program for his people. He said, “Ye shall be witnesses unto me in Jerusalem” the city where Christ was crucified, a wicked place because of its rejection of the Savior—“and in all Judaea”—the province of which Jerusalem was the capitol—“and in Samaria”—the next province where there lived a people whose religion was a mingling of Judaism and idolatry—and finally, “unto the uttermost part of the earth.” This was the divine program laid out by God for His people.

His witnesses were to begin in Jerusalem and tell the people of God’s grace. Those who had cried, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!” were to hear the story of redeeming love. After telling the story in Jerusalem, they were to go into the surrounding county of Judaea, witnessing to all the people of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. After covering Judaea, they were to go into Samaria, the people hated by the Jews. They were to tell the Samaritans that Jesus died for them and that He had risen from the grave and ascended into glory and was waiting to forgive all who would believe on Him. Upon finishing in Samaria, they were to go unto the uttermost part of the earth.

This was God’s program for the age of grace and this was His commission to His People. They were slow in carrying out this command. Witnessing was done in Jerusalem and Judaea with great power. Witnesses went into Samaria and revivals were held. Finally Paul and Barnabas were sent out from the church in Antioch into the world as missionaries.

Let us keep before us this program of our Savior. It is to be the program of every church. In this day our reach is to be to the uttermost part of the earth.

III. God’s Power

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you (Acts 1:8).

Before the ascension of Jesus, He said, and behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you, but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem until ye be endued with power from on high (Luke 24:49).

We read that they did tarry in Jerusalem until the day of Pentecost. They waited until the Holy Spirit came to fulfill the promise of Jesus and to fill them and to thrust them forth to carry the gospel to all men everywhere.

These humble men and women received power. There is no other way to explain the marvelous results of those early days aside from the enduement with the power of the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit came upon the early Christians, they had great spiritual power.

First, they had power to live victoriously. Before the day of Pentecost they were fearful and afraid. No one was more cowardly than the apostle Peter who became the stalwart leader of the Christians from Pentecost on. Peter was afraid of persecution. He was afraid of ridicule, but after Pentecost, he had power to live victoriously. Nothing hindered him from doing his best for Christ.

Secondly, They also had power to die gloriously. No one can read the account of the death of Stephen, the first martyr, without realizing that these men died gloriously. There was no weakness in the hour of death.

There was no consciousness of defeat. There was nothing but victory in death, and Stephen, as he was dying, being full of the Holy Ghost, “looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, and said, Behold I see the right hand of God” (Acts 7:55).

This is a power which God’s Holy Spirit can impart unto all men—power to live victoriously, and power to die gloriously. There is no reason for weakness and fear when we are empowered by the Spirit.

Thirdly, they had power to witness convincingly. On the day of Pentecost, three thousand received Christ and followed Him in believer’s baptism. After Peter’s sermon, as recorded in Acts 3, we read in the next chapter that “the number of the men which heard the word and believed was about five thousand” (Acts 4:4). Throughout the book of the Acts we read of the convincing preaching and personal work done by God’s empowered people.

Whence came this power? It came from God through the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Who received this power? Those who waited in prayer in the upper room, plus those who later received Christ and met the conditions for having the fullness of the Holy Spirit.

What was the secret of this small group? It was not knowledge or wealth, nor prestige. The secret was surrender.

Without reservation and without exception they were surrendered to the Savior they loved, the Savior who was carried out of their sight as He ascended into Heaven; the Savior who promised to return and receive them unto Himself.

They were surrendered completely to Him and they were filled with the Holy Spirit. This is the secret of power. We cannot enumerate here the many results of the surrendered life, but it will do us all good to consider some of them.

The surrendered life brings knowledge of the truth. In John 7:17 we read. If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. When the will is surrendered, there will come the knowledge of the truth. Nothing so opens our eyes to spiritual things as a complete surrender unto the Lord. Nothing so blinds the eyes of spiritual vision as self-will or sin. Some people are bothered by doubts and questions through a lifetime until they finally surrender to God.

Back of all skepticism is an unsurrendered will. If questions and doubts fill your mind, you can easily get rid of them by yielding yourself to God and surrendering completely to His plan and purpose.

We often hear people say, “If I could only know the will of God.” This statement can be made honestly for a while, but if it is made over a period of time, one thing is certainly true: The person who says it is unwilling to let go and let God have His way. Many doubts and many uncertainties will vanish with your full surrender to Him.

The surrendered life makes Christ real to us. The Savior will manifest Himself to those who love Him and keep His commandments. This is exactly what He said on the night when He was betrayed. In that wonderful 14th chapter of John, where so many blessed promises are given, the Lord said, “He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me; and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him and will manifest myself to him” (John 14:21). If Christ is not real to you, the answer is not far away—you are not keeping His commandments and doing His will.

To the surrendered person, Christ will be real in the time of sorrow, trouble, heartaches, discouragement, and death. Christ wants to be real to us when we read the Bible and pray. He desires to manifest Himself when we engage in the greatest of all works—soul winning. He is waiting to manifest Himself to you and will do so when you completely surrender your all to Him.

Finally, the surrendered life will bring the fullness of the Holy Spirit. When Peter was giving an answer to his persecutors, he said, “And we are His witnesses of these things, and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey Him” (Acts 5:32). The surrendered will and life is the great secret of having the power of the Holy Spirit.

The surrender is more than simply giving up certain sins. It is a yielding of yourself to God. It is a matter of placing yourself unreservedly in His hands.

Paul says, “Be filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18). The secret of being filled is a broken will and a yielded life.

God’s best is for each one of us. He does not withhold any good thing from us, but waits for us to meet the conditions and then He will flood our souls with power and victory. Ω

Reprinted from the book: Be Filled With The Spirit – Sermons by Lee Roberson, D. D. - Used by permission.

***Be Filled With The Spirit– Dr. Lee Roberson

●Chapter Two   Why Be Filled With The Spirit?

“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18).

In a recent issue of a weekly magazine, there is an article on the question, “Which twenty men and women had the most to do with shaping our lives in the last fifty years?” The list begins with the name of Winston Churchill and ends with the Wright Brothers. In the entire list there is not one who can be termed an outstanding Christian leader. In the list of twenty at least eight of them are atheists.

It may not seem very significant to you, but to me it is striking that in a world which has so many millions of professing Christians, that there is not one great enough to find a place in the list. (Of course, it may be that the makers of the list were atheists).

In the first century A.D. there was a man who stood head and shoulders above his fellows. I speak of the apostle Paul. Only one other person in that century exceeded him, and He was the Son of God Himself.

The influence of Paul did not stop with touching the lives of his day and generation, but down to the present time, he is helping to shape the lives of millions of men and women.

It was the apostle Paul who said by the Holy Spirit, “Be filled with the Spirit” (Eph.5:18). This is the need of every one of us if our lives are to be lifted out of the ordinary and commonplace into the realm where God would have us to live.

Every Christian is indwelt by the Spirit. This we read in I Corinthians 6:19, “What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?”* But not every Christian is filled with the Spirit. We have all of Him, but He does not have all of us.

Six times in the Acts we read of people being filled with the Spirit. Certain results were obtained because they were thus filled. We shall study this in a moment.

In answering the question, “Why be filled with the Spirit?” Let me suggest the negative side of it first.

First, the filling of the Spirit is not for personnel happiness. Happiness comes to those who are filled but this is not the primary purpose.

Secondly, it is not for personal gain. Simon, the sorcerer, offered the apostle Peter money for the gift of the Spirit, but Peter said, "Thy money perish with thee" (Acts 8:20). The filling of the Holy Spirit is not for personal gain, and no one will be filled with the Spirit who has the idea of gaining for himself.

Third, the filling of the Holy Spirit is not for popularity. The early Christians were not very popular. Their Spirit-filled lives did not protect them from persecution and from suffering. Those who are filled with the Spirit in this day will not enjoy popularity with the world. I can predict that in most cases you will be scoffed at, laughed at, and shunned by those who do not understand spiritual things.

Now, let us answer the question, “Why be filled with the Spirit?”

I. Because God’s Men and Women of Old Were Filled. Let us call the roll of many who were filled with the Spirit.

John the Baptist was filled. The Word says, "And he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb, and many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord, their God" (Luke 1:15).

At Pentecost, people were filled with the Holy Spirit and witnessed for Christ.

The apostle Peter, after Pentecost, was filled with the Spirit.  "Then Peter filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,” (Acts 4:8).

In Acts 4:31, a group of believers were filled with the spirit. "And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together, and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the Word of God with boldness."

When Stephen was chosen to be a deacon, it is written that he was a man full of faith, and of the Holy Ghost. When they were stoning Stephen to death, the Word says, "But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into Heaven,..." (Acts 7:55).

The apostle Paul was filled with the Spirit. When he began his missionary ministry, it is written that he was filled with the Holy Ghost, and as a result a sorcerer was struck blind and souls were saved.

It is written of Barnabas that "He was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and faith, and much people was added unto the Lord" (Acts 11:24).

As you have noticed, this matter of being filled with the Holy Spirit is given regarding the men God used in the first century. The Lord must consider it important to have mentioned it so many times in the Bible.

II.   We should be filled with the Spirit, For God’s Word Commands It.

Jesus specifically told His disciples before His ascension that they were to tarry in the city of Jerusalem until they were endued with power from on high. We read that they did tarry until the day of Pentecost, and they were empowered for service.

Men and women can go to Heaven without knowing the meaning of being filled with the Spirit, just as they can go to Heaven without baptism, but they cannot be greatly used of God unless they are filled.

III. God’s Work Demands It.

If we are to carry the gospel to a lost world and be effective witnesses, then we must have the filling of the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:8 is for you and me as well as for the early Christians. Jesus said, But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. The early Christians took the verse, waited for Pentecost, and when they were empowered by the Spirit, they went out to do soul winning. The one hundred twenty who were in the upper room, could not complete the work of the great commission, therefore, this command is to us. We are to receive power, and we are to be witnesses unto everyone.

Why be filled with the Spirit? In order that we might witness with power.

This is quite evident in the book of the Acts. On the day of Pentecost when they witnessed, it was after they had been filled with the Holy Spirit. Their witnessing was effective, and three thousand souls were saved.

In Acts 4:31, when the early Christians were filled with the Spirit, "They spoke the word of God with boldness.” These Christians had been filled before, but they were filled again, and spoke forth with great boldness the Word of God.
Many great lessons come to us from these illustrations.

1.    We notice that God’s people were empowered for service. They were filled and they spoke.

2.    All who were filled witnessed. Whenever a man says that he is filled with the Spirit, and he does not witness for Christ, there is something wrong. He does not have a New Testament experience. The New Testament Christians were filled and when they were filled, they could not help but witness. The Spirit-filled life was fruitful. This is always true. If one is filled, there will be fruit.

3.    The Spirit-filled person has boldness.This was true in the case of Peter, Stephen, Paul, and many others.
       There are many blessed results which come from the filling of the Holy Spirit:

            The Spirit-filled life is Spirit-directed.

            The Spirit-filled life is dead to self.

            The Spirit-filled life has inward joy and peace.

The fruit of the Spirit will be seen in the Spirit-filled life: "Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance:" (Gal. 5:22, 23).

But the main reason for the filling of the Holy Spirit is in order that one might witness for Christ. This work of witnessing, which is the main business of the Christian, demands the enduement of spiritual power.

In closing, how can we be filled with the Spirit? I want to give a full message on this subject, but I could not close this service without pointing out the way to this great blessing.

First, there must be supplication. "And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together" (Acts 4:31). The early Christians prayed and sought the fullness of power, and they received it. Their prayers were earnest and long.

Secondly, to be filled with the Spirit there must be separation. The early Christians lost all love for the things of the world. This must be our experience if we are to be filled. If we are compromising with worldly things and walking with the devil’s crowd, we cannot expect to be filled with the Spirit. One of the chief reasons why we have so many mediocre Christians today is because of compromise and lack of separation. This is the reason why we do not have any D. L. Moodys, Charles G. Finneys, Jonathan Edwards, or Richard Baxters. Men are not living wholly for God. They are not separated.

Thirdly, to be filled with the Spirit, there must be absolute surrender.** This means obedience to the Word of God and to the will of God. It means renouncing every known sin and committing yourself completely unto the Lord and His work.

May God grant that every child of God in this auditorium will desire to be filled with the Holy Spirit, not because you receive any personal gain or popularity, but because, by being filled, you can be used to be a blessing to many. Ω

Reprinted from the book: Be Filled With The Spirit – Sermons by Lee Roberson, D. D. - Used by permission.

Be Filled With The Spirit– Dr. Lee Roberson

●Chapter 3 What Is Being Filled With The Spirit?

"And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18).

If you can understand, receive, and obey the text for this message, your life will never be the same. All believers are indwelt by the Spirit of God, but not all believers are filled with the Spirit.  "Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his" (Romans 8:9).

It is, however, one thing to have the Spirit in the throne room, that is, in the heart, and it is an entirely different thing to have the Spirit on the throne. From the teaching of the Word, we believe that the filling of the Spirit is a very definite thing, not true in the lives of the majority of believers. All believers are not filled with the Spirit; therefore, we have this express command, Be filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:18). Above all else in our Christian lives, we should desire this filling of the Holy Spirit. Surely the Holy Spirit is grieved because believers are not giving Him His rightful place in their hearts and lives.

I. What Is It To Be Filled With The Spirit?

The entire verse of our text reads, "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit" (Ephesians 5:18).

You remember how at Pentecost the people cried out, "These men are full of new wine" (Acts 2:13). Peter immediately replied, "These are not drunken…but this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel…in the last days …I will pour out of my spirit upon all flesh" (Acts 2:15-17). There is evidently an analogy between being drunk with wine and being filled with the Spirit. When intoxicated, the whole being is dominated by the wine. When filled with the Spirit, the whole being is dominated from above.

As we have already said, the Holy Spirit indwells every believer, but too often the Spirit dwells in some hidden sanctuary of the heart. To be filled with the Spirit is to give Him right of way in the entire house of your life. We are to recognize the presence of the Holy guest, and we are to give Him full and complete control of every single part of our lives.

It goes without saying that those who are drunk with the things of this world, cannot know the filling of the Spirit. Following the analogy of our text, we can see that those who are drunk with the wine of this world can never be filled with the Spirit and know the joy of His filling.

II. Evidences Of Lack Of Filling. Here are some evidences or marks of incomplete surrender to the Spirit.

Restlessness. When the children of Israel disobeyed God, and refused to enter into the promised land, they wandered about for almost forty years. It mattered not what beautiful place they entered into, they were soon traveling on to some other location. The Christian who is not filled with the Spirit is forever restless. He is always searching here and there never finding satisfaction for his soul. There are no restful Christians in the wilderness of incomplete surrende

Discontent. A second evidence of lack of filling is discontent. A discontented Christian will soon be murmuring against God, and complaining about the hardness of the way. In his discontent he may even go so far as to look back toward the fleshpots of Egypt. Discontent will make us doubt our salvation, and bring us to say, “I don’t suppose I was ever saved.”

Jesus does not mean for us to be discontented. He wants us to be fully satisfied and   happy. In John 4:14, we read, “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water, springing up into everlasting life.” When we drink from the fountains of this world, we are always thirsty. For example, drink as deeply as you will of the fountain of wealth, but you will not be satisfied for very long. You will soon thirst again. Drink of the fountain of worldly fame, or honor, or power and you will thirst again.

Drink as deeply as you will of the fountain of worldly pleasure, and you will not be satisfied for long. Drink as deeply as you will of the fountain of human knowledge, of the fountain of science, or philosophy, or literature, or at the fountain of music or of art, and you will thirst again. Yes, even drink of the fountain of love, and you will soon thirst again. The world does not satisfy, but Jesus said. "Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst" (John 4:14).

Discontent is one of the evidences of lack of surrender to God and to the Spirit.

Fruitlessness. Another evidence of lack of surrender is fruitlessness. When the Holy Spirit fails to have right of way, there is no fruit in the Christian life. As we observe the   multitude of Christians whose lives are entirely fruitless, we can see the need to preach upon this admonition of the apostle Paul, "Be filled with the Spirit" (Eph. 5:18). Fifty-five percent of our people do not attend the prayer service of our church. Ninety-five percent of professing Christians have never led a soul to Christ. Very few Christians receive definite answers to their prayers. All of this is an evidence of disobedience to God and a lack of surrender to the Holy Spirit.

III. Consider Now The Result Of Being Filled With The Spirit. I want to list briefly three results of the Spirit-filled life.

Power for Service. The primary purpose of the filling of the Spirit is to equip us and to fit us for service. The Lord Jesus said to His disciples on the day of His ascension, "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you, and ye shall be witnesses unto me, both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). The coming of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples was not primarily to make them happy, but was to give them power for service; power to witness at Jerusalem and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Every Christian should desire the filling of the Spirit in order that he might have power for service. Care must be exercised at this point, for there are some who will say, like Simon, the sorcerer, "…Give me also this power…” (Acts 8:19), not for the purpose of glorifying God, but for the purpose of getting gain and popularity for self. Be assured, Christian, that the filling of the Spirit will not be given to that person who has a selfish motive in mind. But be also assured that if you unselfishly desire to have power in service, the Holy Spirit will fill your life and empower you.

A Place of Service. A second result of being filled with the Spirit is a place of service. I believe that the Word of God clearly teaches that any person who is surrendered to God and filled with the Spirit, will have a place of service. This is one of the marvelous provisions of God. Note carefully—it may not be the place that you want, but it is the place that God wants you to have. The Holy Spirit sent Philip to preach in the cities of Samaria, and in the midst of a great revival, He took him away and sent him down into the desert country. We must not question the leadership of the Spirit. Philip might well have questioned the wisdom of leaving the great city places and the great revivals in progress when the Spirit urged him to go to the desert.

The Holy Spirit always provided a place of service for the apostle Paul. If he was driven from one city, he quickly found an open door in another. Paul was sensitive to the leadership of the Spirit. When he desired to go to Bithynia, the Spirit turned him in another direction, but always the Spirit provided a place of service.

Let me repeat this thought with emphasis: I believe the Holy Spirit will always provide a place of service for that one who is filled with the Spirit, and is submissive to the will of God. Young preachers need not worry about getting a place to preach. If they are submissive to the Spirit, a place will be opened for them. Likewise, young people who desire to go to school, but lack sufficient funds, if they are in the will of God and filled with the Spirit, their need will be provided.

Peace. A third result of being filled with the Spirit is peace. The book of Galatians says, "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsufferig, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; against such there is no law" (Gal. 5:22, 23). Ephesians 5:19, 20 speaks of but one thing—joy. Here is the way the verse reads: "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord."
The Spirit-filled life is a life of song and peace. Of course, there can be no glad songs until our hearts know the peace of God. Being filled with the Spirit will cure us of our restlessness and discontent, and it will also insure the fruitfulness of our lives.

And now, by way of summary, let us mention the way whereby we can have the filling of the Spirit.

We must receive Christ as Saviour. There must be an utter dependence upon Him and His finished work. We must know that we are saved.

There must be an open confession of Christ before the world. We must follow Him in baptism and unashamedly confess Him as Savior whenever we have an opportunity.

We must renounce sin. It is utter foolishness to expect to have the filling of the Holy Spirit and to have power in service, to have a place of service and peace of heart, until we renounce sin; not some sins, but all sin. Everything that the Holy Spirit points out as questionable must be taken out of your life. Oft’times it is some sin that we call small that hinders us from having this joyous experience with the Holy Spirit. In reality, there are no small sins. There are sins about small things, but every sin is an act of rebellion against God. No matter how small the thing is in itself, no act of rebellion against God is a small thing.

We must obey God. There must be absolute surrender of your will to the will of God if you are to have the filling of the Spirit. We must obey Him, not just in some things, but in everything. No matter what the cost, we must be obedient.
May God give us a holy thirst for the filling of the Holy Spirit. May we know that we are never what we ought to be as followers of God until we have laid ourselves completely upon the altar and allowed the Spirit to have full and complete right of way in our hearts and lives. Ω

Reprinted from the book: Be Filled With The Spirit – Sermons by Lee Roberson, D. D. - Used by permission.

Be Filled With The Spirit- Dr. Lee Roberson

●Chapter 4   How To Be Filled With The Holy Spirit.

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

The Key verse of the book of the Acts is in chapter 1, verse 8. Here is given the promise through the filling of the Holy Spirit.

The greatest need of the Christian is power for life and service. This power has been promised to him through the infilling of the Holy Spirit.

We noticed in the first message on the subject that the main purpose for the filling of the Spirit is for witnessing. We can see that this is carried out in the book of Acts. They were filled with the Spirit and they witnessed in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and unto the utter most part of the earth.

The early Christians, many of them, were Spirit-filled. The Word of God says so.

Acts 2:4 “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

Acts 4:8 “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel.”

Acts 4:31 “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the Word of God with boldness.”

Acts 6:5 “And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost.”

Acts 13:9 “Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him.”

Not only does the Word of God indicate that the early Christians were filled with the Spirit, but the results which are recorded in God’s Word reveal it also. Those who were filled with the Holy Spirit were full of power. They had power to suffer and to sacrifice, to teach, and to preach, to witness and to work. As a result, thousands of souls were saved and blessed through the ministry of these early Christians. But, let us remember, this work was not wrought through energy, zeal, or wisdom, but through the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

We must observe also that the Christians who were filled received additional fillings as they faced special difficulties or opportunities to witness. Additional fillings of the Spirit come in the path of service according to the need.

We are commanded to be filled with the Spirit. Have you been filled with power from on high? Are you willing to be filled?

Permit me to give three simple conditions to the filling of the Spirit.

1. Be Cleansed.

The Lord does not use dirty vessels. There must be a cleansing process. The dirt and filth of life must be banished. Our contact with the world and the dirt of the world must be put aside.

There must be an emptiness if there is to be a fullness of the Spirit. If God is to speak through us, and use us, then we must be cleansed and empty. I dictate my messages on records, and in order for my message to be clear and understandable, I must use a record which has nothing on it. If I should try to put one message on top of another, there would be nothing but confusion.

The Holy Spirit cannot pour His fullness into those who are already full of the world.

Look for a moment at Acts 4:31. We are told that the Christians, a number of them, were all filled with the Holy Spirit. If we examine the Scripture, we find that these people were first empty and then they were filled. They were empty of bickering and fault-finding for it says, “The multitude that believed were of one heart and one soul” (Acts 4:31).

They were empty of selfishness, for “neither said any of them that aught of the things which he possessed was his own” (Acts 4:32).

They cared not for worldly possessions.They lost all love for these things, and desired only to be pleasing to God. There are many things which must be banished from our hearts if we are to know the filling of the Spirit. Our littleness and meanness must be taken away. Our selfish longing for possessions must vanish. There must be a cleansing of everything which is displeasing to God.

The means of cleansing is given to us inI John 1:7, “The blood of Jesus Christ , his Son, cleanseth us from all sin.” We are saved by the blood and we are cleansed by the blood. For the lost sinner, the blood removes the guilt of sin. For the erring saint, it removes the defilement of sin.

In I John 1:9, we are told what to do in order to have this cleansing; “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” There is no substitute for this simple, honest confession. Simply being sorry that you were caught in sin is not enough. There must be an out-and-out confession of your sin to God, and quite often, restitution must be made to remove the barrier between you and the Father.

But, when we make our confession to God, we have His promise that He will forgive us, and cleanse us.

II. Be Hungry.

The self-satisfied Christian will not be filled the Holy Spirit. The self-righteous one, though he is trusting Christ for salvation, will not have the blessedness of the Spirit’s fullness. This filling of the Holy Spirit to empower you for service comes when you desire it with a whole heart.

Jesus said, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me” (John 7:37). The Lord never turns away those who are hungering and thirsting after Him. The Father never withholds His blessings from those who are in earnest, and desire them for the right purpose.

The hunger for the Spirit’s filling should arise from two motives in our hearts; first, the desire to glorify Him. Any other purpose in Christian life is unworthy. We should desire to be our best as Christians for the purpose of bringing glory to His name.

The second motive should be to serve Him. Many of you are hungry to serve the Lord. You manifest constantly an interest in being more used of God. You are dissatisfied with your own service and you are constantly seeking to do more for Him.

There must be a hunger for the Spirit’s power if we are to be filled.

III. Be Willing.

Paul says, “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin, but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God” (Rom. 6:13).

Romans 6:19, “I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.”

What is yielding to God? It is the transfer of the ownership and control of the life from self to Christ. In yielding to Him, we crown Him as Lord of lords and King of kings.

If we are saved, we belong to the Lord, because He purchased us with His own blood. But self fights against this yielding process and seeks to keep our lives out of the hands of the Lord.

To be filled with the Spirit, we must be willing to be filled. God will not cross your will, but will wait for your surrender.

We must be willing to be controlled by Him. When we take our hands off our lives, and surrender every part to Him, there will come a floodtide of peace and power into our lives.

He must control us in every way. If we hold back the least part, the Spirit’s filling will be hindered.

Finally, we must be willing to be used of God. Whenever He wants to use us, and whenever He wants us, we must be willing.

We must be as Philip was when he submitted himself to the leadership of the Spirit. He was preaching successfully in Samaria when God told him to go into the desert country. The Spirit guided him to join the chariot of the man from Ethiopia. He did so and led him to the Lord.

Sometimes men and women fight against being used of God in certain places. They are willing to be used of God in some big situation, but they do not want to work in a small place or at a small task. Because of this they cannot be filled with the Spirit, for they are not yielded to Him and to His guidance.

God wants every child of His to be filled and to be empowered. The command, “Be filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18), is unto everyone who is indwelt by the Spirit. We ought to be filled, not for one day, but every day, from conversion until the close of life.

The world is waiting for Spirit-filled witnessing—witnessing that bears the mark of divine unction. We have enough professional and machine-made work. We need that which is of the Holy Spirit.

Christ has two ways of making Himself known. One is through the Word of God, but there are so many who never read the Bible. The other way is through those in whom the Spirit dwells.

He wants our eyes, ears, lips, hands, feet, minds, hearts, and wills—He desires to use them to make Himself known unto men.

It is a wonderful and solemn thought that God wants to use you. Surely there could be a better way of making Christ known to the world than through poor, weak instruments such as we are. But this is the Lord’s way. He desires to take us, fill us with His power, and reveal Himself through our lives.

To answer this question, “How to be filled with the Spirit?” we say, Be cleansed, be hungry, be willing. Ω
Reprinted from the book: Be Filled With The Spirit – Sermons by Lee Roberson, D. D. - Used by permission.

Be Filled With The Spirit – Dr. Lee Roberson

●Chapter 5 The Result Of Being Filled With The Spirit.

“And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

“And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that aught of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

“And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all” (Acts 4:31-33).

The purpose of these messages is to lead people into a knowledge of the Holy Spirit and what He wants to do in and through us.

There are thousands of people who want to be filled with the Spirit and used of God. There are many who are willing to do anything to have their hearts and lives filled and empowered. Without doubt, more people would be filled if they were taught and led.

Therefore, we need preachers and teachers who are surrendered and filled, and who are willing to teach others. We must not be afraid of fanaticism—but give people the truth. The danger today is not from getting too excited, but from leaving them too indifferent.

We have discussed in the first messages the two questions, “Why Be Filled with the Holy Spirit,” and “How to Be Filled with the Spirit.” Now, I want you to see the result of the filling of the Holy Spirit in the Christians’ life. In still another message I will speak on the fruit of the Spirit as given in Galatians 5. This fruit should be borne in every Christian’s life. For this message, we are concerned with the matter of the fullness of the Spirit and the result.

I. Those Who Are Filled With The Spirit Have An Overwhelming Love For Christ.

Jesus said of the coming of the Holy Spirit,*“He shall glorify me, for he shall receive of mine, and shew it unto you**” (John 16:14). Whenever one is filled with the Spirit, he will be filled also with love for the Savior.

I am quite sure that Peter loved Jesus before the day of Pentecost. In John 21, he emphasized and reemphasized the fact of his love for the Lord. But, I feel quite sure that Peter loved Jesus still more after the experience of Pentecost. When the Holy Spirit filled him, his vacillating days were over. There was no longer any fickleness with Peter. With the power of the Holy Spirit, he was ready to carry out all of his impetuous boasts which he had made to Christ.

As the Spirit of God filled him on Pentecost, he was unable to talk about anything but Jesus. That remarkable message which we read in Acts 2 is full of Christ.

I think that this is always true of those who are filled with the Spirit. They will be full of love and ringing testimonies for their Savior. The things of the world grow strangely dim when the love of Christ floods our soul.

We face a grave danger today and that is being more occupied with matters concerning Christ than we are with Him. For example, there are those who talk so much about the events surrounding the coming of our Savior that they lose sight of the coming Lord Himself.

There are those in Christian work who are so engrossed in doing things in the church and promoting programs and perfecting organizations that they have no time for Jesus.

We certainly need the filling of the Holy Spirit in order that it might make us abound in love toward Christ.

II. Those Who Are Filled With The Spirit Have A Concern For The Lost.

Everywhere we read of people being filled with the Spirit, there comes a deep concern for men without Christ.

The apostle Paul was filled with the Spirit, and perhaps no man ever lived who had a greater concern for lost souls. He was out of breath chasing lost people. His heart was burdened. He was ready to make any sacrifice to win others.

The word “concern” is much of a lost word today. Lack of concern accounts for the multitudes who are lost in this country. Lack of concern accounts for the lost in foreign countries. If we cared for souls, we would both go ourselves and give our money that others might go.

Surrender your all tonight. Yield yourself completely to the Holy Spirit. Be empty of self and selfish plans. Let the Spirit fill you, and then see if there does not come a concern for lost souls.

I fear that we have too often tried to work up a concern in our hearts when we had left out the necessary step for having concern. First of all, God wants you. He wants you as a surrendered clean vessel for His use. When this happens, He will fill you with the Holy Spirit, and when the Holy Spirit fills you, there will be a Christ-like concern for the lost and dying.

III. Those Who Are Filled With The Spirit Have A Holy Boldness.

In The Scripture which I read, you noticed that after the early Christians were filled, they spoke the Word of God with boldness. Speaking boldly does not mean to speak harshly, but it means to speak without fear. It means to do that which God commands us to do.

In the chapter which follows Acts 4:3, we read that the apostles were cast into prison. Peter answered the counsel, saying, “We ought to obey God rather than men”(Acts 5:29).* Because of the intercession of Gamaliel, they were finally released from prison, but commanded not to speak in the name of Jesus. The Word tells us, “And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ” (Acts 5:41,42).

The threats of the council and the prospects of suffering did not deter the early disciples one whit in their witnessing. Because of the Holy Spirit’s presence they had boldness to continue their work for Christ. The work of our Lord is hindered by timid, fearful souls. Our door to door witnessing does not achieve the results it should because of our timidity. How can we overcome this fear and hesitancy? In one way, by being filled with the Holy Spirit.

We have nothing to fear today as compared to the early Christians.They did their preaching in defiance of the ruling councils. They faced physical persecution and imprisonment for speaking in Jesus’ name. But they did not fear—they witnessed just the same. We have nothing to fear today unless it be the cold indifference of the world. Yes, we have the opposition of Satan, but even the devil can’t intimidate us if we are filled with the Spirit.

The Lord will give boldness to the most timid as He did to Peter and John. On the day that they were brought before the council and witnessed concerning Christ, the council was impressed by their boldness. “And they took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13).

IV. Those Who Are Filled With The Spirit Have Joy In Tribulation.

When Paul and Barnabas preached in Antioch, persecution was raised against them, and they were expelled from the city. They shook the dust off their feet and came to Iconium. The last verse in Chapter 13 of Acts says,“And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost” (Acts 13:52).

Joy is certainly a fruit of the Holy Spirit, and when believers are filled with the Holy Spirit, they will have joy in the midst of their troubles.

As we travel through life, we must face some very dark hours. They cannot be avoided. They are the common lot of mankind. In the hours of darkness we can sink very low unless we have the lifting power of the Holy Spirit. When He fills us, we will press on through every trial.

Some of you are now facing periods of illness, others are having financial difficulties, and still others having home problems. These are but a few of the troubles that beset all of us. We cannot meet and conquer these difficulties by ourselves, but when the Spirit fills us, we will be victorious, and will have joy in the midst of tribulation. The early Christians rejoiced in their suffering. Why? Because they were filled with the Spirit.

V. Those Who Are Filled With The Spirit Will Have Power In Witnessing.

Jesus said, “Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you” (Acts 1:8).

It was true as the Master said. From the day of Pentecost on, the lives of the early Christians became a record of mighty deeds done in the power of the Spirit. It was said of Stephen that [he being] “full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people” (Acts 6:8).**

Whenever preaching is done in the power of the Spirit, something happens. It may be a feeble, stumbling message, but when empowered by the Spirit of God, it pricks the hearts of people, and brings conviction, and brings men to salvation. In the pulpit there needs to be less dependence on points and programs, and more on the Holy Spirit.

Prayer, to be effective, must be in the Spirit. So many prayers are useless, ineffective utterance, but when prayer is made in the Holy Spirit, arrows of conviction are shot into the hearts of sinners, and things begin to happen.

Praise, to be effective, must be in the Holy Spirit. So many of our songs and so much of our music does nothing more than fill up the time of a service. But whenever a song is sung in the Spirit of God, and from a Spirit-filled life, results are obtained.

Whenever a person is filled with the Spirit, there will be power in witnessing. This does not mean that God will make you a smooth and polished orator, but it means that the Holy Spirit, in his strange and mysterious way, will work through you to the hearts of others, and bring men unto salvation.

D. L. Moody was a Spirit-filled man. He testifies himself that he did not know God’s power in his preaching until he was filled with the Spirit. He said that after he was filled with the Spirit, he continued to preach the same sermons and the same truths, yet hundreds were converted.
R. A. Torrey, who has written much on the subject of the Holy Spirit, was filled with the Spirit.

Charles G. Finney was a man filled with the Spirit of God. In his own story he tells that he was filled again and again. The revivals which he conducted were denoted by unusual manifestations of power.
Time fails us to tell of the many who, when filled, had power in witnessing. Here is the truth that we are trying to impress upon every mind: When the soul is filled with the Spirit, you will be able to touch others and to witness with power. You may not see all of the results, but at the coming of Christ, it will be made known to you what was done through your yielded life.

Let us summarize the things which we have listed as resulting from the Spirit’s filling:

First, overwhelming love for Christ.
Second, concern for the lost.
Third, holy boldness.
Fourth, joy in tribulation.
Fifth, power in witnessing.

Now, once again, what is the secret of the Holy Spirit’s fullness? We quote the words of James McConkey: “The absolute, unqualified surrender of our lives to God; to do His will instead of our own.”

The receiving of the Spirit is God’s answer to repentance and faith.
The fullness of the Spirit is God’s answer to surrender and faith. When we are yielded, He will fill us. When we are yielded, He will wield us. The Heavenly Father is looking for Christians He can use. Ω
Reprinted from the book: Be Filled With The Spirit – Sermons by Lee Roberson, D. D. - Used by permission.

Be Filled With The Spirit – Dr. Lee Roberson

●Chapter 6   The Fruit Of The Spirit

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22,23).

We all agree that Christians should be different from the people of the world. But we know that a name on the church roll book does not make a Christian different from others, for many professing Christians do the same things as the people of the world.

Submitting to baptism does not make a Christian different. It is good and important to obey the Lord, but being baptized does not make a man or a woman stand out from the sinful world.

Church activities do not make Christians different. It is sad to say, but there are many who take a very active place in the work of the church, and yet for most of the week they live just as other people. Christians should be different from the world, and they will be different if they bear the fruit of the Spirit.

Every Christian is to be a fruit-bearing Christian—this is certainly the plan of God for our lives. But, when we bring the wonderful fruit of the Spirit alongside of the lives of many professing Christians, there is much lacking and much to be desired. Let us consider this matter for a while and see if God cannot give to us a definite blessing.

I. What Is This Fruit Of The Spirit?

It is the product of the Spirit-possessed life. It is the fruit of the Spirit, that is, it is His fruit, and not that of the believer. This fruit is the outcome of the Spirit’s indwelling in the heart and life of the Christian. When He has His way in our hearts and lives, there will be fruit. With our Bibles before us, may we notice the nine great graces which are termed the fruit of the Spirit.

1. The fruit of the Spirit is love. Love is first, because it is the foundation for other things which follow.

Love is the outstanding characteristic of the Lord Jesus Christ. Because He loved us, we are the children of God through faith in Him. It was His love which washed us from our sins. It was His love which caused Him to Give Himself on the cross. It is His love which makes us secure forever. It is His love that brings chastening when we are disobedient.

Love is the fruit of the Spirit. Love is shed abroad in our hearts because we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit.

The love of God in Christ is the supreme message of the Bible. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…” (John 3:16a). God is love, and if we are to walk with God, then we must love.
The Lord Jesus Christ is the greatest manifestation of love the world has ever known. We read,“The Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Gal. 2:20). “But God commendeth His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us…” (Rom. 5:8). In Revelation 1:5, we read,“Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins…” (Rev. 1:5).

Now, the fruit of the Spirit is the shedding abroad of the love of God in our hearts. We are to love even as He loved. We are to love others as He loved others. In ourselves we will fail, but if the Holy Spirit rules us, we will succeed.

2.     The fruit of the Spirit is joy. The Christian is to be a joyous person. In all of our trials, we are to rejoice, even as did Paul in the midst of his afflictions. In the letter to the Philippians, he repeated over and over, “Rejoice in the Lord…again I say, Rejoice” (Phil. 4:4).

Paul’s joy was not dependent upon circumstances. Even in the darkest night he could sing, for the joy of the Lord filled his heart. This joy which we are to have is not something that is worked up. It is something that comes as a result of the Spirit’s indwelling.

As we study the book of the Acts, we can easily see that the early Christians were filled with joy. In Acts 2:46 “…they did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart.” In Acts 5:41, after severe persecution, the early Christians were “...rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name." In Acts 8, there came a revival in the city of Samaria, and the Scripture says, “And there was great joy in that city” (Acts 8:8).

There are many other passages, but we give these to show that when the Spirit of God has His way, there will be joy.

3. The fruit of the Spirit is peace. Our God is the God of peace, and it is His peace that He gives unto us. Christ said, “…My peace I give unto you…” (John 14:27). This peace of God is not dependent upon the absence of trouble, but comes to us when we realize the presence of God with us at all times. Peace is resting in the Lord. It does not come by fighting, but by surrender.
We have peace with God through Jesus Christ. We have the peace of God through submission to His will, and trust in Him. In the coming of Christ, we shall enter into a realm of peace. Now we have individual peace, but one day we shall have universal world peace.

4. The fruit of the Spirit is longsuffering. Longsuffering is an attribute of God. He is longsuffering toward men, not willing that any should perish. The long suffering of God is responsible for the delay of judgment.

God is always patient while we are quite often impatient. I think it was the Reader’s Digest that recently had this line on one page: “Someone walked into the office of Phillips Brooks, the preacher, and found him pacing up and down the floor. They said what is wrong?” He said, ‘I am in a hurry, but God isn’t.’ “

The natural heart can never produce the grace of longsuffering. The best of people are impatient and critical. They are eager to find fault and quick to seek revenge; therefore, the Holy Spirit alone can bring to pass the fruit of longsuffering in our lives.

We need to be longsuffering and patient in our work, for God says, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Gal.6:9).

5. The fruit of the Spirit is gentleness. Gentleness can be translated kindness or kindliness. “Gentleness is love refined.” The gentle person, controlled by the Spirit, is able to hold his turbulent feelings in check; even when things go wrong, there is a gentleness causing the world to wonder at his composure. This grace is the work of the Spirit. He alone is able to make us courteous and sweet of disposition, and willing to give way unto others.

6. Goodness is a fruit of the Spirit. Someone has said that “Goodness is love in action.” Goodness implies doing good to others. It means helping those, who have need of a helping hand. It means following in the steps of Jesus who went about doing good.

Goodness is attractive to the lost world. David Livingstone in Africa learned that nothing impressed the hearts of the savages like the possession of the daily beauty of goodness in his life. This goodness is the fruit of the Spirit, and only the spirit can make us good and beautiful of life.

7. The fruit of the Spirit is faith [faithfulness]. Paul was not here speaking of that faith of believing on Christ for salvation. He is here speaking of our faithfulness to God which will make others see Christ in us. Now, to be faithful we must be full of faith. There must be a complete trust in God, resting upon His promises, and believing everything that He says.

The fruit of the Spirit is faithfulness and fidelity. This one characteristic will be sought for by the Lord at the judgment seat. We are commanded to be faithful unto death.

8. The fruit of the Spirit is meekness. Meekness is complete and willing submission unto God. Meekness of heart revels itself as humility. It is the opposite of the pride and self-will so prevalent today.

Meekness is not weakness. Moses was a meek man, but not a weak man.   David was known for his meekness, but he was not weak. Paul, the apostle, preached meekness and practiced it, but he was not weak. He was not afraid to stand against evil. Christ was a meek man, and yet He was unafraid. Meekness expresses itself in a Christ-like spirit, and willingness to forgive others when they hurt us. Such was true of Moses. He was always able to forgive those who dealt unkindly with him. Christ said, “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth” (Mat.5:5).

9. The fruit of the Spirit is temperance. [“Self-control.”] This indicates a control or mastery over all passions. The works of the flesh are envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, but the fruit of the Spirit is temperance.
It is absolute control in all our doings; control of tongue, of feelings. This control can only come by the Holy Spirit. When He gives us self-control, we will be joyful in our temperance.

II. Why Bear Fruit?

First, because it glorifies Him. Surely honor is due unto Him who loved us and gave Himself for us. As we bear fruit of the Spirit, we are showing forth to the world that we are the Lord’s. His name is glorified, His cause is advanced.

Secondly, we should bear fruit, for it is good for us. We are not to be selfish in this desire to bear fruit, but anyone can readily see that if we bear the things that we have just talked about, we will be greatly blessed. This is not a primary reason, but it must not be overlooked.

Thirdly, we must bear fruit, for it is good for others. What a testimony goes forth from the life that is faithfully bearing the fruit of the Spirit. Others are made to see Christ and come to follow Him. If these graces are missing, we will present no joyous testimony to the world.

Pause for a moment and think of the blessings you have received because of contact with those who are bearing the fruit of the Spirit: Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. Whenever these graces are found in the life, others are bound to be blessed. Therefore, we have a strong three-fold reason for desiring to bear the fruit of the Spirit.

III. How To Bear Fruit Of The Spirit.

There is no way aside from the filling of the Spirit; therefore, how to bear fruit goes back to the question, “How to be filled with the Spirit.”

The first condition to being filled is surrender or abandonment. Nothing can take the place of this. It matters not how much you pray, or read your Bible, or how hard you work, if you have not yielded to the Spirit of God, there can be no filling. At any moment that you will let go and let God have His way, there will come that joyous infilling of the Holy Spirit. The whole life is to be presented unto God.

As Paul said, “Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin, but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God” (Rom. 6:13). It is always true that wherever there is a wholehearted, absolute surrender unto God, the life becomes filled with the Holy Spirit.

There is a second condition to bearing fruit, and that is abiding in Him. We are filled with the Spirit when we surrender, but we continue to be filled and to bear fruit as we constantly abide in Him. John gives us a definition of what it means to abide in Christ. “And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him” (1 John 3:24). This presents a very simple matter of abiding in Christ. It is to obey the Lord and keep His commandments. When we are filled and remain filled, then there will come forth from our lives this wonderful fruit of the Spirit.

The Holy Spirit wants to fill you and to bring forth in your life those wonderful graces which will make you a blessing to others. He wants to make you and me Christ-like. He is grieved when we withhold our all from Him. May there be a complete yielding now to the Holy Spirit, a surrender of all, and a daily abiding in Him. Ω

Reprinted from the book: Be Filled With The Spirit – Sermons by Lee Roberson, D. D. - Used by permission.

***Be Filled With The Spirit– Dr. Lee Roberson

●Chapter 7   The Marks Of The Spirit

“And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30).

“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess, but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18).

In Galatians 6:17, the apostle Paul said, “From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.”*** We know that he was referring to the marks he received in his suffering for Christ. These marks he bore proudly and happily. Every Christian should bear certain marks which identify them with our Savior. In 1 John we find seven marks of the child of God.

1. Saving acquaintance with Christ. “And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins, and in him is no sin” (1 John 3:5).

2. Surrender of will to Christ. “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous” (1John 5:2,3).

3. Sympathy with all the members of Christ. “We know that we have passed from death unto life because we love the brethren” (1 John 3:14).

4. Steadfast abiding in Christ. “Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen Him, neither known Him” (1 John 3:6).

5. Successful in conflict through Christ. “I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one.” (1 John 2:13).

6. Seeking to act like Christ. “If ye know that He is righteous, ye know that everyone that doeth righteousness is born of Him” (1 John 2:29).

7. Sealed and swayed by the Holy Spirit for Christ. “And He that keepeth His commandments dwelleth in Him, and He in Him. And hereby we know that He abideth in us, by the Spirit which He hath given us” (1 John 3:24).

We are speaking tonight about the marks of the Spirit. Since we are indwelt by the Spirit of God, we should bear the marks of His indwelling. The apostle Paul who bore the marks of suffering also had the marks of the Holy Spirit. It was Paul who said, “Be filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18),therefore, I want us to check the apostle’s life in the book of the Acts and notice some things which he did which marked him as a Spirit-filled man. His life was marked as ours should be by the Spirit.

I. He Was Marked By Submission To The Holy Spirit.

The church in Antioch received a burden for the work of missions. In Acts 13, we read, “As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus” (Acts 13:2-4).

Paul and Barnabas were called by the Spirit of God to go out as missionaries. The church was directed to select them, and after additional fasting and prayer, they sent them forth by the Holy Spirit.

The church in Antioch was prospering. Without question, they had beautiful fellowship, and the Word of God was abounding in that city. But when the Holy Spirit said, “I want these two men,” Paul and Barnabas bowed to the wish of the Spirit, and they were sent forth. Our lives should be marked by submission to the Holy Spirit. When He has manifested His will for our lives, there should be a readiness on our part to go or to stay.

May we fear nothing so much as living in rebellion to the wish of the Spirit. May we fear nothing at all when He is guiding us. I am more and more amazed at the many fearful people all about us. How often do I hear the words, “I believe that God is guiding, but I am afraid.” Sometimes it is fear of suffering, sometimes fear of ridicule. Fear hinders the work of God, and keeps many people in rebellion to the Holy Spirit.

As a church, may we move forward under the direction of the Spirit. May there be a daily, continuous submission to His will. May we not run ahead nor lag behind, but be absolutely submissive to His divine guiding.

Let your life be marked by submission to the Spirit. If He is calling for the ministry, or for missionary endeavor—be submissive. If the Spirit is leading you into deep waters of suffering—be submissive. If He is telling you to stand fast in your present place—stand fast.

II. Paul Was Marked By The Fullness Of The Holy Spirit.

“Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him” (Acts 13:9).

When Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus and said, “Be filled with the Spirit” (Eph. 5:18),he understood what he was saying. He was a man filled and possessed by the Spirit of God.

As we read and study the book of the Acts, we notice that the fullness of the Spirit was always connected with witnessing for Christ. It is true here in the case of Paul on the isle of Cyprus. When he was filled with the Holy Ghost, he caused blindness to overtake the sorcerer, and as a result, the deputy believed on Christ.

For the sake of lost souls, and an effective, powerful witness, the Lord wants us to be filled with the Spirit, and to continue to be filled day by day. The fullness of the Spirit results in witnessing in power and the winning of precious lost souls.

The early church made rapid strides because they depended on the Holy Spirit. They had a Spirit-filled leadership. “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together, and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spoke the Word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31).

Boldness in testimony will be the result of the fullness of the Spirit. Many of us are naturally timid. We long to do things for Christ, but we are afraid to speak out. But when there is the fullness of the Spirit, we will become as fearless as the apostle Peter when he faced the Sanhedrin and said, “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).

Be filled with the Spirit, and remain filled. In response to surrender and faith, the believer is filled with the Holy Spirit. The early disciples were empty of self, and, therefore, filled with the power of God. Now, the great problem for many people is to continue to be filled. Allow me to give three suggestions for our part in remaining Spirit-filled.

First, there must be obedience to every command of our Christ; obedience to all of the Word of God.

*Secondly**, there must be Bible study.* If we are to live on a higher plane with our Savior, and if the Holy Spirit is to fill us and work through us, then we must read the word of God and hide its truth in our hearts. As we study the Bible, we will be cleansed and refreshed. We will also be nourished and built up in the faith.

*Thirdly**, if we are to remain Spirit-filled, there must be prayer.* We must pray for ourselves, but most of all, we must pray for others. In order to pray aright, we must be right. Sin and iniquity must be put out of the way. The Lord must have full right of way with us. If we are obedient, read our Bibles, and pray, a fourth thing will follow: We will have an interest in lost souls. Those who are full of the Spirit will always be concerned about winning others to Christ.

III. The Apostle Paul Was Marked By Obedience To The Spirit’s Definite Guidance.

“Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the Word in Asia, After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not” (Acts 16:6,7).

Here we can see that Paul was obedient to the Holy Spirit, even in the details of daily life and service. As he prayed and sought the guidance of the Spirit, some doors were closed and others were opened. Yes, it is possible for us to have the unerring guidance of the Holy Spirit at every turn in our lives.

If we pray and seek the Spirit’s guidance, we will have direction in our soul winning. It is not always to speak to every person with whom we come in contact. Sometime we may be wasting our time, therefore, we need to pray and ask God to direct us. Someone suggested that doubtless Phillip met many as he journeyed toward Gaza before he met the one of whom the Spirit said, “Go near, and join thyself to this Chariot” (Acts 8:29).

It seems to me that the Holy Spirit will give us guidance in the definite affairs of life in two ways. First, as we pray, definite impressions will be given us by the Spirit. Secondly, as we read the Word of God, which is the sword of the Spirit.

Sir Arthur Blackwell has summed up the Christian’s relationship to the Bible in four great words.

Admit—open your whole being to let it be flooded with light. Let the truth in. Study the Bible sympathetically and lovingly.

Submit—let the truth grip you that it may govern you.

Commit—grip the truth by hiding it in your heart. Let today’s message grip your soul and give you strength in the hour of need.

Transmit—don’t be a pool, be a stream. We’re not to hoard the riches of God, but to share them with others.
May your life and mine be marked by obedience to the Holy Spirit in all things.

IV. Paul Was Marked By Death To His Own Desires.

“Save that the Holy Ghost witnesses in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me” (Acts 20:23).

The apostle was guided by the Holy Spirit as he journeyed to Jerusalem, and then was finally sent to Rome. But the Spirit warned him that trouble was coming in many places. Paul was dead to self, therefore, he said, “But none of these things move me neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy” (Acts 20:24).

This is one of the greatest lessons which can ever come to the child of God, the lesson of death to self and sin and living unto God. To the church in Rome, Paul wrote, “Likewise, reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:11).

He said also, “neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin, but yield yourselves unto God as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God” (Rom. 6:13).

This way of death is not easy, for self does not give up without a struggle. There are two little books in our Temple Book Store which every person should read. One is, “When Did You Die?” and the other is, “How to Die Daily.” God grant that self may be declared dead and that Christ might shine through in our lives.
Ezekiel said that the Lord showed him waters coming from the sanctuary, waters that began as a trickle and became a mighty torrent. He said the man with the measuring rod led him out until the water came to his ankles. Water to the ankles means some progress, but not as much as God would have us to make. As Ezekiel followed his guide, the water came to his knees. This might speak of prayer and praying in the Holy Spirit. As he went on, the prophet found the waters up to his loins, and finally about one mile from its source, Ezekiel found the river great. Self was covered, and there was water to swim in.

How far are have you gone since the day that you were saved? Have you come just to the ankles or the knees, or have you plunged in to the deep waters where self is hidden, and where we can attempt great things for God?

In closing, let me urge that our lives be marked by spiritual progress. May we launch out into the deep, and do that work which has been committed unto us. Ω
Reprinted from the book: Be Filled With The Spirit – Sermons by Lee Roberson, D. D. - Used by permission.

Be Filled With The Spirit – Dr. Lee Roberson

●Chapter 8   Grieving The Holy Spirit

“And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” (Eph. 4:30) The New Testament speaks of three sins against the Holy Spirit.

First, resisting the Spirit. “Ye stiff necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.” (Acts 7:51) Man, as a sinner, can resist the Spirit. Stephen indicates that this was the sin of Israel. They were guilty of fighting against God.

Secondly, the Holy Spirit can be grieved. Our text gives us this fact. The child of God can grieve the Spirit. There are things which a regenerated person can do which are displeasing to the holy guest.
Thirdly, some quench the Spirit. “Quench not the Spirit.” (I Thess. 5:19). This sin against the Holy Spirit may be committed by a person who works against the one great source of power. J. Wilbur Chapman said that this sin “may refer especially to the life of the Holy Spirit in the church, so that we may quench Him by ignoring Him in the government of the church. If we would have a blessing sweeping over our land from sea to sea, from north to south, I believe that we must begin by conforming the life of our churches to the teachings of the Holy Spirit.”
In this message we are considering the grief that can be brought to the Holy Spirit. Christians may grieve the Spirit, but they do not lose the Holy Spirit, nor His seal. He is not driven away, though He is grieved. Paul gives this very plainly in our text, when he says, “Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption” (Eph. 4:30). It is the sealed ones who have it in their power to cause the Holy Spirit grief.
Grieving the Spirit is to cause great sorrow to the Spirit, yet this word, “grief,” is deeper than sorrow. This grief springs from a deep relationship of love. Because the Holy Spirit loves us so much, He is sensitive to any wrong in our lives which is against Him. In order that we may see the entire matter, may we consider four aspects of the question.

I. Consider What The Holy Spirit Wants To Do.

The believer is one who has been regenerated by the Spirit, and is indwelt by the Spirit. Now, as He indwells us, He wants to do certain things for us, in us, and through us.

1.   He wants to fill us. Paul says, “Be filled with the Spirit.” When we are filled, He has complete control of our lives. Every Christian should obey this command, and be filled with the Spirit.
2.   He wants to lead us. We who are saved are to walk after the Spirit. Romans 8:1. Again we read, Romans 8:14 “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” In Galatians 5:18, “But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.”

There is a leadership of the Spirit which we should have in our lives. We are not to rush ahead of Him, nor to lag behind, but we are to follow His leadership. This is something the Holy Spirit wants to do for us.

3. He wants to bring fruit in our lives. Here is the fruit of the Spirit which the Christian should bear. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.” Galatians 5:22,23. The fruit of the Spirit is love, and out of love spring all of the succeeding graces.
Dr. Lockyer says, “Joy is love exalting. Peace is love reposing. Longsuffering is love enduring. Gentleness is love in refinement. Meekness is love with bowed head. Goodness is love in action. Temperance is love obeying. Faith is love confiding.”

Let us remember that the Holy Spirit who indwells us wants to make of us the very best for the glory of God. He wants us to be in the likeness of Christ, and He wants us to be clean vessels so that His power can flow through to others.

II. Consider How We Can Grieve The Holy Spirit. There is much to be said on this point, but we will try to put it in a few simple statements.

*First**, we can grieve the Spirit by disregarding His presence.* At our conversion the Holy Spirit comes to dwell. We all know quite well that there are many professing Christians who have never recognized the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus said, “I will send you another Comforter.” He is Christ’s gift to us. How tragic that many do not notice the gift of our Savior. If I brought my boy or my girl a gift, costly and precious, and they took no notice of it, I would certainly be grieved. The Holy Spirit is grieved when men disregard His presence.

Secondly, He is grieved when we deny Him full possession of our lives. He is to fill us and control us. We are to surrender daily to Him. Whenever we deny Him full possession of our hearts and lives, He is grieved.

Thirdly, He is grieved when we disobey His commands. The Holy Spirit is always prompting us. We are wise if we obey His voice. He is grieved if we do not obey Him.

He is certainly grieved when we disobey the express commands of the word of God. This Bible was inspired by the Spirit. It contains the mind of God. It has directions for every phase of life. If we turn away from it, then the Spirit will be grieved and pained.

Fourth, He is grieved when we do the things He hates. The Word says that our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit. Whenever we bring into our bodies anything displeasing to Him, He is grieved. Whenever we go into forbidden paths, He is grieved.

Our hearts are to be clean, or the Spirit will be grieved. The smallest uncleanness can offend Him. Worldly pleasures offend His holy nature.

Wrong treatment of others will grieve the Spirit. It is worthwhile to consider the words which follow our text. “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (Eph. 4:31-32)

Meditate upon those words carefully—bitterness and wrath and anger go together. They are in opposition to the Spirit who is loving, kind and gentle. The word, “clamor,” indicates strife and controversy which are not pleasing to the Spirit. It speaks of the person who is shouting for his own rights, and for his own way.

Evil speaking is a sin which grieves Him, for it covers slander against others. The sins of the lips certainly pain the Holy Spirit. In John Wesley’s journal for May 31, 1738, he wrote, “Yet on Wednesday did I grieve the Spirit of God, not only by not watching unto prayer, but likewise by speaking with sharpness instead of tender love to one that was not sound in the faith. Immediately God hid His face and I was troubled.”

Paul says, “Put away all these things with all malice.” Malice, hatred, spite must be put away if we are to please the Spirit. Not only so, we are to be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake, hath forgiven us.

We can easily see that the Holy Spirit is a loving friend who can be greatly hurt. His grief can be deep because His love is deep. As Jesus sobbed in the garden of Gethsemane, so can the Spirit be grieved by the conduct of those He has sealed.

III.     Consider What Grieving The Spirit Does To Us.

1. Our joy will be lessened. As Christians, we are to rejoice in the Lord. There can be no great abounding joy when the Holy One is grieved.

2. When He is grieved, our prayer life will be hindered. If we are to pray effectively, we must pray in the Spirit. He is the One who helps to pray, as we read in Romans 8:26,“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” It follows also that the things which grieve the Spirit of God also hinder prayer, in that our iniquities separate us from definite answer.

3.   When He is grieved, our fellowship with God will not be as precious as it should be. There is a certain place where we can feel the presence of God. We can pray with ease and know that He is hearing. We are conscious of His nearness. But when the Spirit is grieved, this fellowship with the Father will not be as precious.
4.   When He is grieved, the fullness of peace will not be ours. Full surrender and submission to the Spirit will bring peace. Lack of surrender grieves Him and takes away peace. Almost all Christians are searching for the same thing—for satisfying peace in the heart. This can only be as we are filled with the Spirit, and controlled by Him. If this be not true, then He will be grieved. Our consciences will be disturbed, and peace will be missing.

5.   When the Spirit is grieved, we will not have spiritual power. “Power belongeth to God” (Psa 62:11). The Spirit is the One who imparts to the believer the power that belongs to the Father. It is the work of the Spirit to take what belongs to God, and to make it ours. As we give Him right of way in our lives, He infills us and gives us power for service. The Spirit will not withhold anything from us if we will surrender all to Him. But when He is grieved, our spiritual power is lessened.

May we search our hearts tonight. Have we been grieving the Spirit? Have we disregarded His presence, denied Him full possession of our lives, disobeyed His commands, done the things He hates?Have we grieved Him by lack of surrender? Have we polluted our hearts with impure thoughts?

If you have grieved Him, there must be a turning away from those things which are displeasing to Him. There must be an acceptance of His leadership, a willingness to walk with Him, and to bear the fruit of the Spirit.

Separate yourselves from that which is wrong and surrender yourselves to that which is holy. This will be pleasing to Him, and will bring peace, joy, and power to you. Ω

Reprinted from the book: Be Filled With The Spirit – Sermons by Lee Roberson, D. D. - Used by permission.

Be Filled With The Spirit – Dr. Lee Roberson

●Chapter 9 Channels Of Blessing

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you. And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment”(John 16:7,8).

It is evident from a study of the Scripture before us that the Holy Spirit works through believers. Very plainly our Savior said, “I will send Him unto you.” The next sentence begins, “And when He is come (that is, when he is come to believers) He will reprove, or convict, the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment.”

Here is a truth that apparently the great masses of believers have forgotten. Or, perhaps they have never known it. The Holy Spirit works through believers to bring about the things which Christ has appointed for Him to do.

How wonderful that God wants to work through us to bring about the greatest blessing unto men. Though we are poor and weak, if we are saved, we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and He is ready to work through us to bring conviction to others.

How fearful is this responsibility, for should we fail to be open channels, then the Spirit will not be able to do His work. I want to be a channel of blessing. By God’s help, I want the Holy Spirit to have full right of way in my life. If we are to be channels of blessing, three things are necessary.

I. We Must Be Ready For The Holy Spirit To Use Us.

If we would be channels of blessing, then we must put ourselves at the disposal of the Holy Spirit. We must make ourselves ready, and we must remain ready for His holy purposes. Three things must be true of your life and mine:

First, we must be separated from the world. God is not looking for the great and the mighty, but He is looking for clean vessels and clean channels through which to work. We all receive great encouragement as we read: “But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty. And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in His presence:” (1 Cor. 1:27-29).

Our God is ready to use the weakest of people if they are clean vessels and separated from iniquity. Paul tells us that “In a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and of earth, and some to honor, and some to dishonor. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the Master’s use, and prepared unto every good work” (2 Timothy 2:20,21).

If the Holy Spirit is to work through us to the unsaved, then there must be an open channel. If our lives are not separated from the world, then the channel will be choked.

If wives are to win their husbands, then they must so live that the Holy Spirit can work through them. If the life is not pleasing to God, and if it is full of compromises, then the Holy Spirit cannot use it. I saw this illustrated some years ago when I was visiting in Birmingham.

A pastor and I went to see a man about his salvation. The four of us sat and talked for a long time, but the man was not interested. His wife was a member of the church and she seemed concerned about him, but he did not show any concern for his soul. After we had spent quite a bit of time talking with him, showing him his need of Jesus suddenly his wife fell out of her chair upon the floor and began to cry, “It is my fault! It is my fault! I thought I could win my husband if I would go with him to the places of amusement and if I would do the things he does, but I can see now that this will never win him.” The wife poured out her confession to God. It was not long until the husband was upon his knees, and he accepted Jesus as his Savior.

A poor woman came crying to me only a few hours ago, asking prayer for her husband. She said, “I was a Christian when we married, but he was not. Throughout the years, I have gone with him to places of amusement. I have played cards with him and his friends, and allowed him to bring whisky into the home, though I did not believe in it. We are now separated from each other, and both of us are miserable, and unhappy, but I know it is my fault because I did not live in such a way that he could see Jesus.”

There must be separation from the things of the world if God’s Holy Spirit is to work through us to bring blessings to others.

Secondly, if the Spirit of God is to use us, we must be dead to self. We must die to sin, to self, and to the world, or fail in Christian service. There is absolutely no other way to be used of God. Jesus said, “Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone; but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit” (John 12:24).

This is without question the reason why so many Christians are failing in their service—they have not died to self. We may be energetic and faithful in church attendance and tithing, but if self is still alive and has not been reckoned dead then we will not bear much fruit in Christian service.

“I am crucified with Jesus,

And the cross has set me free;

I have risen again with Jesus,

And He lives and reigns in me.

“It is sweet to die with Jesus,

To the world and self and sin;

It is sweet to live with Jesus,

As He lives and reigns within.

“This the story of the Master,

Through the cross He reached the throne

And like Him our Path to glory,

Ever leads through death alone.”

Have you reckoned self to be dead in order that the channel might be clean and open for the Holy Spirit to work?

Thirdly, if we are to be used of the Holy Spirit, then we must be willing, absolutely willing, for God to use us. Some people are afraid to surrender for fear that God will ask some hard thing of them; therefore, they go through life fighting against the Lord because of fear of the price they might have to pay if they surrendered. If that is your condition, then let me testify that one day in the will of God is better than a thousand days outside of His will. He may not want you to do the hard thing which you fear, but He wants you to be willing to do anything that He asks you to do.

Yes, make ready for the Holy Spirit to use your life, by separation, death to self, and surrender to God’s will.

II. If We Are To Be Channels of Blessing, We Must Be Sensitive To The Holy Spirit.

By this I mean that we must listen for His voice, and follow those divine impressions which come to us by the Spirit. Jesus said of the Holy Spirit that when He is come, “He will guide you into all truth”(John 16:13).

Not only does He guide into truth, but He guides in everything if we are sensitive to hear and obey. This was true in the experience of Philip the deacon who conducted a successful revival in Samaria, and the Spirit of God sent him down to the desert to preach to one lone man. If Philip had followed the human way, he would have remained in the crowded cities of Samaria and preached to the multitudes, but it was the Spirit’s desire for him to reach the Ethiopian eunuch.

Let us not be too sure that we are doing what the Spirit wants us to do simply because we have apparent success. Though I may preach to a large crowd the Spirit of God may want me to leave here and preach to one person in a distant and isolated place.

The apostle Paul was guided by the Holy Spirit. He was separated to the work of missions by the Spirit, and his trips were planned according to the Spirit’s guidance. On one occasion we remember that Paul desired to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit suffered him not.
Peter was directed by the Spirit of God to go to the house of Cornelius and preach the Word of God. Had he not been sensitive to the Holy Spirit, souls would have perished, and the apostle would have lost the joy of obedience to God.

The Holy Spirit not only guides, but He provides: He provides opportunities for service. I do not believe that any Christian who is willing to follow the Spirit will ever be without opportunities to serve God. Those who are constantly lamenting their dearth of opportunities are without question men and women whose hearts are not sensitive to the Spirit’s direction, and whose ears are deaf to His call.

Since I began to seek the Spirit’s guidance for my life in all things, I have never lacked for opportunities to serve God. Doors of opportunity are open on every side and strength to undertake every task will be given when we follow Him.

He provides opportunities and when we are sensitive to the Spirit, He will give us words to say. Many of you have told me how the Lord has helped you in your witnessing; when sometimes it seemed that the person to whom you were talking had problems that could not be answered, the Lord gave you the words to say.

As we read through the book of the Acts, we will see how God’s servants never lacked the proper words to speak when they were led by the Spirit. We see an illustration of this in the message of Peter on Pentecost, and in the sermon of Peter and John at the Beautiful Gate. We see an evidence of this in Peter’s sermon in the household of Cornelius. He was breaking all traditions. He was going against all Jewish conceptions, but God gave him the words to speak as he followed the Holy Spirit.

Go as the Spirit guides you, and speak as He directs you speak. Be very sensitive to His leadership.

III.   Depend On The Holy Spirit To Convict Sinners.

It is the work of the Holy Spirit to convict men of sin. It is only through His work that they are made to see their personal sinfulness.

Conviction is absolutely necessary before men are to be saved. After conviction seizes the heart, it is not difficult to get a man to receive the Lord. A few nights ago, after the close of a service in Beckley, West Virginia, the Sunday School superintendent grabbed me and said, “Come with me. You must help me at once.” He drew me down to the basement of the church and there, in a dark room, was a man pacing the floor, weeping, crying, and wringing his hands. His conviction was so great that it was hard to talk to him. But after a few moments of simple instruction, he cried out, “Lord Christ, I will receive You as my Savior.”

One of the greatest needs of the present day in sacred work is conviction of sin. Let us remember that this conviction must be done by the Holy Spirit. We cannot convict people. The telling of stories and the singing of sentimental songs may bring tears, but there is a difference between tears of emotion and conviction for sin. We must use the Word of God and point men to the Lamb of God and let the Holy Spirit do His work.

Now, let us notice briefly what Jesus said He would do when He is come unto you. “He will reprove, or convict, the world of sin, and of righteousness and of judgment” (John 16:8).

What is the sin of which He will convict men? “Of sin, because they believed not on me” (John 16:9). This is the sin that the Holy Spirit deals with. It does not say that He convicts men of drunkenness or stealing, or immorality, but He convicts of the sin of unbelief.

This is the hardest sin to get men to see. They can understand the awfulness of certain social sins, but they fail to see the awfulness of rejecting Jesus Christ. Many people stand proudly in the house of God and boast of their goodness when they are guilty of the greatest of all sins—the sin of unbelief.

Note also that the Holy Spirit will convict the world of righteousness. This is not our righteousness, but the righteousness of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit makes men to see their guilt and sin, and then points to that righteousness which they must have in our Savior.

Lastly, He convicts the world of judgment. “Because the prince of this world is judged” (John 16:11). The devil is judged and will go to his appointed place in hell. All who reject our Savior will be judged and sentenced also to that terrible place of fire and brimstone.

Judgment and hell are two words that we do not hear so much in our churches. We have sought for softer words when we need to be plain and honest about this matter. The Holy Spirit works through believers to convict men of sin, of righteousness, and of that judgment which is to come.

Depend on the Holy Spirit in all of your work, whether teaching, preaching, or singing. Depend on Him. As we do so, there will be greater joy in service, greater liberty in our work, and more fruit will be borne to the glory of God. Ω

Reprinted from the book: Be Filled With The Spirit – Sermons by Lee Roberson, D. D. - Used by permission.

Be Filled With The Spirit – Dr. Lee Roberson

●Chapter 10   The Holy Spirit And Lost Sinners

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you. And when He is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me: Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.” (John 16:7-11)

In previous messages we have discussed the work of the Holy Spirit in relation to the child of God. We have studied how He fills us, uses us, and brings forth fruit in our lives.

In this message, we are thinking of the Holy Spirit and His work with the lost. This message is given to impress on Christians the need to depend upon the Holy Spirit to do His work, and it is given with the prayer that lost sinners will read and be convicted of their sins.

What does the Holy Spirit do to lost men? He convicts them of sin.

There is no salvation without conviction. Man must be brought to realize that he is lost and condemned. He must see that he is bound for Hell, and that his condition is helpless, hopeless, and Godless. He must be convicted of his sinfulness before God. He must be brought to know that all of his self-righteousness is as filthy rags in God’s sight.

The Holy Spirit is the agent of conviction. “And when He is come, He will reprove, (or convince) the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment” (John 16:8).

The Holy Spirit works through believers. Jesus said to His disciples,“If I depart, I will send Him unto you” (John 16:7). As a usual way, the Spirit works through believers to the unsaved. This places a heavy responsibility upon the children of God. We must be obedient to the Lord’s will. We must be submissive unto Him, and we must be clean channels for the Lord to use.

The Holy Spirit cannot work through dirty, vile vessels. Paul said to Timothy, “But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work” (II Timothy 2:20, 21).

Child of God, let the Holy Spirit work through you that conviction might be produced in the hearts of those who are lost and bound for destruction.

Notice again, the Spirit uses the Word of God. He is the author of it, and He uses the sword to bring conviction. The Word is preached or taught by God’s servants, and the Spirit drives it home to the hearts of those who are lost. The Word declares that sin brings death, and that sin condemns. The Spirit takes such a word and brings conviction to the unredeemed.

Jesus said, “And when He is come, He will reprove (convict) the world of sin” (John 16:8) Of what sin does He convict? “Of sin, because they believe not on me” (John 16:9). Unbelief is the great damning sin. The Holy Spirit alone can show man the enormity of this sin. All about us are men who argue that they are good and have no need of salvation—Why? Because they do not see that they are guilty of the greatest sin of all, the sin of unbelief.

“He that believeth not is condemned already” (John 3:18). Unbelief on the part of good men or bad men is all the same.

Before salvation there must be conviction. This conviction may express itself with tears or without tears. That is not important, but it is important that men be convicted.

Still again, it is well for us to notice that conviction does not always result in salvation. Felix trembled and apparently was under conviction, but he was not saved. He said to Paul, “Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee” (Acts 24:25).

Sinner friend, do not stop short of the gift of eternal life. If you are conscious of your sin—the sin of unbelief—then fall down before the Lord, and let Jesus come into your heart.

I. He Regenerates.

Jesus said, “Ye must be born again” (John 3:7).

How does this new birth take place? On man’s side, by repentance and faith. On God’s side, we are born again by the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit makes us new creatures in Christ Jesus.

When Jesus told Nicodemus that he must be born again, he was mystified. But then in plain and simple terms, He said, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up; That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:15).

The sinner’s part is to repent of his sins and to believe on Jesus Christ. When this is done, then we are born again by the Spirit of God.

The new birth is not reformation, church membership, baptism, Lord’s Supper, good works, or morality. The new birth is the work of God, not the work of man.

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration” (Titus 3:5).

II. He Comes In To Abide.

When we are saved, the Holy Spirit comes in to abide with us forever. Our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit. “What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your Spirit, which are God’s” (I Cor. 6:19, 20).

1. When He abides, He guides.

“I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for He shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I that He shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you” (John 16:12-15).

2.   When He abides, He comforts.

“And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever. Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you and shall be in you” (John 14:16-17).

3.   When He abides, He helps us to pray.

“Likewise the spirit also helpeth our infirmities, for we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit Himself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God”(Romans 8:26, 27).

4.   When He abides, He brings forth fruit.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith;
“Meekness, temperance, against such there is no law” (Gal. 5:22, 23).

May we recognize the indwelling Guest. May we see that we are dependent upon Him for guidance, for comfort, for assistance in prayer, and for fruitful living. May we recognize that our labor is in vain without Him. He does the work, we are the instruments and the channels.

            “Holy Spirit, faithful guide,

            Ever near the Christian’s side;

            Gently lead us by the hand,

            Pilgrims in a desert land.

            Weary souls for e’er rejoice

            While they hear that sweetest voice,

            Whispering softly, “Wanderer, come,

            Follow me, I’ll guide thee home.’

            “Ever present, truest Friend,

            Ever near thine aid to lend;

            Leave us not to doubt and fear,

            Groping on in darkness drear;

            When the storms are raging sore,

            Hearts grow faint and hopes give o’er

            Whisper softly, ‘Wanderer, come,

            Follow me, I’ll guide thee home.’ “Ω

Reprinted from the book: Be Filled With The Spirit – Sermons by Lee Roberson, D. D. - Used by permission.

This is the end of the book: Be Filled With The Spirit by Dr. Lee Roberson