CHRIST FOR PRISONERS WEEKLY BULLETIN
Sunday, September 16, 2007

The Spirit-Filled Christian

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

Ephesians 5:18 (RVR)
¹⁸ No os embriaguéis con vino, en lo cual hay disolución; antes bien sed llenos del Espíritu,

1. The Spirit-filled Christian Will Be Devoted

A. By Study:

2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)
¹⁵ Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15 (RVR)
¹⁵ Procura con diligencia presentarte a Dios aprobado, como obrero que no tiene de qué avergonzarse, que usa bien la palabra de verdad.

We are told to hide God’s Word in our hearts.

Psalms 119:11 (NKJV)
¹¹ Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You!

Psalms 119:11 (RVR)
¹¹ En mi corazón he guardado tus dichos, Para no pecar contra ti.

Also read the following verses; Joshua 1:8; Psalms 119:9

B. By Surrender: Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Our bodies belong to God, therefore our bodies should bring honor and glory to God.

C. By Separation: 1Timothy 5:22

Paul said:

2 Corinthians 6:17 (NKJV)
¹⁷ Therefore "Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you."

2 Corinthians 6:17 (RVR)
¹⁷ Por lo cual, Salid de en medio de ellos, y apartaos, dice el Señor, Y no toquéis lo inmundo; Y yo os recibiré,

And:

2 Corinthians 7:1
¹ Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

2 Corinthians 7:1 (RVR)
¹ Así que, amados, puesto que tenemos tales promesas, limpiémonos de toda contaminación de carne y de espíritu, perfeccionando la santidad en el temor de Dios.

2. The Spirit-filled Christian Will Be Dedicated

A. Always Loving God – no matter what happens.

2 Corinthians 11:24-27

Paul’s dedication to God caused him to accept all these sufferings. He had scars on his body as the result.

Galatians 6:17

B. Always Looking to God – in everything. Hebrews 12:1-2

We need to keep our eyes on Jesus Christ. Looking to Him brings encouragement, strength, and help.

C. Always longing for God

Philippians 3:10 (NKJV)
¹⁰ that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,

Philippians 3:10 (RVR)
¹⁰ a fin de conocerle, y el poder de su resurrección, y la participación de sus padecimientos, llegando a ser semejante a él en su muerte,

Paul had one great desire-to know God. We know that Paul knew God, at this time, but he lived to know Him better. So much so that he even wanted to die like Jesus did.

Note the desire of Job; Job 23:3

This longing will draw us not only near to God, but make us like Him.

3. The Spirit-filled Christian Will Be Determined

A. In Testimony. Acts 20:24

Paul could say that all suffering and problems could not move or discourage him. How do problems on this life, the everyday trials and battles, affect you Christian walk. Are you a roller—coaster Christian. That means are you fine and praising God only when things are going good? Could you live victorious if you had to go through what Paul went through?

B. In Testings. Galatians 6:9

Suffering for Christ was a test for Paul, yet he endured testing. He was determined to live for the Lord regardless of the cost.

C. In Trials. James 5:11

Christians will be happy to endure all the trials that come their way.

D. In Temptation.

James 1:12 (NKJV)
¹² Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

James 1:12 (RVR)
¹² Bienaventurado el varón que soporta la tentación; porque cuando haya resistido la prueba, recibirá la corona de vida, que Dios ha prometido a los que le aman.

The person who endures temptation is blessed by God, and is a happy person.

4. The Spirit-filled Christian Will Be Detained

There must be a time of waiting before God in prayer.

Isaiah 40:29 (NKJV)
²⁹ He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength.

Isaiah 40:29 (RVR)
²⁹ El da esfuerzo al cansado, y multiplica las fuerzas al que no tiene ningunas.

Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV)
³¹ But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31 (RVR)
³¹ pero los que esperan a Jehová tendrán nuevas fuerzas; levantarán alas como las águilas; correrán, y no se cansarán; caminarán, y no se fatigarán.

A. Plea to prayer.

1 Timothy 2:8 (NKJV)
⁸ I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting;

1 Timothy 2:8 (RVR)
⁸ Quiero, pues, que los hombres oren en todo lugar, levantando manos santas, sin ira ni contienda.

Christians everywhere should pray.

B. Personal Prayer.

Matthew 6:6 (NKJV)
⁶ But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

Matthew 6:6 (RVR)
⁶ Mas tú, cuando ores, entra en tu aposento, y cerrada la puerta, ora a tu Padre que está en secreto; y tu Padre que ve en lo secreto te recompensará en público.

Secret prayer is the secret of the Christian life.

C. Powerful Prayer.

James 5:16 (NKJV)
¹⁶ Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

James 5:16 (RVR)
¹⁶ Confesaos vuestras ofensas unos a otros, y orad unos por otros, para que seáis sanados. La oración eficaz del justo puede mucho.

There is no limit to the power of the prayers of the righteous.

D. Patient prayer. (Read Acts 1, 2)

They prayed for 10 days. This was Christ’s command.

Luke 24:49 (NKJV)
⁴⁹ Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high."

Luke 24:49 (RVR)
⁴⁹ He aquí, yo enviaré la promesa de mi Padre sobre vosotros; pero quedaos vosotros en la ciudad de Jerusalén, hasta que seáis investidos de poder desde lo alto.

E. Prevailing prayer.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NKJV)
¹⁷ pray without ceasing,

1 Thessalonians 5:17 (RVR)
¹⁷ Orad sin cesar.

Would you like to be a Spirit-filled Christian? Let us begin to pray daily. Pray for each other. Pray for God’s work at LLCC. When the devil tries too make you think bad of a person or even gossip about another, say a prayer for them. Would you be willing to set a time each day to pray for the needs of others and forget about yourself for maybe an hour? Let’s try it this coming week. Everyday pray for others before you pray for yourself.

In order to have a Spirit-filled Church we need to have Spirit-filled Christians in it.

Next week’s lesson is on the Spirit-filled Church.