WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT?

Acts 29 #2

Pastor Dennis Clanton

Woodland Church

Sunday, October 12, 2025

Acts is the story of Jesus’ ministry through Spirit filled people

(Luke 1:1–4, NLT) “Many people have set out to write accounts about the events that have been fulfilled among us. They used the eyewitness reports circulating among us from the early disciples. Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write an accurate account for you, most honorable Theophilus, so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.”

(Acts 1:1–8, NLT) “In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit. … Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” … you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Add A Note

Waiting is hard

(Acts 1:14-15,17, NLT) “They all met together and were constantly united in prayer … when about 120 believers were together in one place, Peter stood up and addressed them. … Judas was one of us and shared in the ministry with us.”

(Acts 2:1, NLT) “On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place.”

Be available to wait upon the Lord in worship, prayer, and expectation

Add A Note

Celebrate who God is

(Acts 13:43, CJB) “… Keep holding fast to the love and kindness of God.”

(Acts 20:32, WCA) “Now I commit you to God and the message about his extravagant love. Such love can strengthen you and build you up so that you will become like Jesus.”

God is:

Love
Relational
Wise
Joyful
Generous

Add A Note

Jesus gave us personal images of the Holy Spirit:

Counselor – brings clarity and comfort
Advocate – stands with and for us
Teacher – illuminates truth
Assuring – reminds us we belong to God
Intercessor – when words fail, He prays for us
Guide – leads us into truth and mission

Add A Note

The work of the Holy Spirit is life

(Romans 8:2, NLT) “And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.”

(Psalm 104:29–30, NLT) “But if you turn away from them, they panic. When you take away their breath, they die and turn again to dust. When you give them your breath, life is created, and you renew the face of the earth.”

Add A Note

The Gifts of the Holy Spirit build the Church up

(Judges 3:9–10, NLT) “But when the people of Israel cried out to the Lord for help, the Lord raised up a rescuer to save them. His name was Othniel, the son of Caleb’s younger brother, Kenaz. The Spirit of the Lord came upon him, and he became Israel’s judge. He went to war against King Cushan-rishathaim of Aram, and the Lord gave Othniel victory over him.”

Add A Note

The Spirit of the Lord came upon…

Expresses the inexpressible
Operated in God’s power
Our capacities are beyond our normal human limitations
- Skill
- Wisdom
- Strength

Never for personal glory; always for the good of the community

(Joel 2:28–29, NLT) “I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions. In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on servants—men and women alike.”

Add A Note

I will pour out my Spirit upon all people