This was the Preacher's topic for Sunday, April 13, 2008, which, by the way, marked one year that my Mom has been in the presence of the Lord.  I cried all during the service, and most of yesterday.

My Aunt always made homemade muscadine wine when she was alive.  It was a fruity and pungent drink, and I was only allowed about 2 ounces at one visit to her house.  Before she died, I asked her how to make it and she reluctantly shared "the recipe."  Mother and I used to get tickled over having the "family recipe."

Ephesians 5:18 is the reference verse for the sermon, that states, "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." (Biblegateway.com).

Bro. Dave explained there were 3 types of wine in the Bible.  First was the fermented wine, in which this passage refers.  Although this wine was very mild compared to the strong drink we have today, it took hours for someone to get drunk.  Second, there was the fresh crushed grape juice, like a breakfast drink, and lastly, there was the jelly, or jams made from the grapes.

Four Truths stem from this passage.

1- There is a Comparison -  A drunk person is controlled by his beverage, whereas a Christian should be controlled by the Holy Spirit.  When controlled by the Holy Spirit, a Christian has confidence and courage to be bold in the Lord, and able to do things supernaturally that they are unable to do naturally.  Luke 1:15, and Acts 2 are supplemental passages for this truth.

2- There are two Commands to this passage.  One, we are not to be drunk, and two, we are to be filled with the Holy Spirit.  It is a sin to disobey both of these commands.

In the imperative tense, we can't take it or leave it, but must obey His command.  We can't have a victorious and abundant life if we don't obey.  We can't love, live, serve, suffer, etc..., like Christ if we don't obey.  When Christians are saved, we are baptized by the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit abides in us.  We are signed and sealed, but not filled.  It is our choice to obey and be filled, or not.

In the passive tense, a flower can't smell themselves, it takes someone to smell the flower.  We can't save ourselves, Jesus has to save us.  Jesus fills us with the Holy Spirit, it is nothing we do alone, but accepting His gift of eternal life.  but, it is our choice to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and live a Christ-like life.

In the plural tense, the filling of the Holy Spirit is for every person, every day.  It's not just for some, it is for all.

In the present tense, we are to be filled day after day, moment by moment.  We are to ask daily, Give us this day our daily bread.  A Christian's problems stem from NOT being filled with the Holy Spirit, and doing things in his own strength.

3- There are Conditions to acknowledge.John 7:37-39.  There has to be a deep yearning, a sincere thirst for the Holy Spirit.  Luke 11:13, and 1 Corinthians 1:3 are supplemental verses.

4- There are Consequences to being filled with the Holy Spirit.  These are the Fruits of the Spirit, which can be found in Galations 5. 

In conclusion, we must guard our heart.  For only two things can come from the heart:  love, or hate.  Love comes from being filled with the Holy Spirit, and hate comes from NOT being filled with the Holy Spirit.  James 4:5 speaks of this.

I miss my Momma, but I can look forward to being with her and our Savior, in the future.