Note: This sermon has been graciously shortened—with permission—to magazine length while preserving its depth and scriptural richness. To read Elevate to the Next Level: “Living In God’s Grace” in its entirety click HERE. If you prefer to Watch on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2lgQAdZtdY
Our theme today is “Elevate”—taking discipleship to the next level, leveling up in our walk with Christ. In this message, we look at what it means to live as disciples in the fullness of the Holy Spirit, guided by Paul’s benediction to the Corinthian church: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” (2 Corinthians 13:14 NKJV)
The word “communion” is koinonia—fellowship. Paul is describing a relationship with the Holy Spirit that is personal, ongoing, and intimate. So the question becomes: How well do we know the Holy Spirit?
Knowing someone is not the same as knowing about them. We often talk about the Spirit’s gifts, talents, and fruit, but do we truly know Him? As you wrote, “We want the experience of the Holy Spirit, but we don’t necessarily want the relationship with Him.” The Spirit is grieved when we seek what He gives more than seeking Him Himself.
In Hebrew, the word yada means to know intimately, as a husband knows his wife. That is the kind of relationship the Lord desires us to have with the Holy Spirit. So we must seek not merely the experience, but the Person of the Spirit. The experience flows from relationship.
To understand this fellowship, consider three relational categories: companionship, partnership, and intimacy.
Companionship
Fellowship means sharing life together—ongoing communication. Paul experienced this kind of companionship with the Spirit: “The Holy Spirit has told me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead.” (Acts 20:22–23 NLT) Paul’s relationship with the Spirit was conversational, continual, and guiding.
Partnership
Our relationship with the Spirit is also a partnership. We work with Him, not apart from Him. Paul said, “For we are God’s fellow workers.” (1 Corinthians 3:9 NKJV) The New Living Translation puts it plainly: “We work together as partners.” We accomplish far more in partnership with the Spirit than we ever could alone.
Intimacy
Intimacy goes deeper still—into desires, intentions, and the longings of the heart. James writes, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously.” (James 4:5 NKJV) The Spirit longs intensely for us and desires our full devotion. He does not want us divided by the false gods and distractions of this world.
So how do we enter into this kind of relationship? Paul gives the answer: “Be filled with the Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:18 NIV)
The Contrast
Paul contrasts being drunk with being filled with the Spirit. Alcohol alters behavior, emotions, and decision‑making—usually with negative results. But the Spirit’s filling also produces changed behavior: wisdom for living in an evil age, understanding God’s will, joy, gratitude, and reverence.
A Work of God
Being filled with the Spirit is written in the passive voice—it is something God does. Our role is to make ourselves available. You described this with the word “fillability.” Just as a gas tank must be empty and open to be filled, so must we. And God does not merely fill—He “tops off,” filling us to overflowing.
F.B. Meyer compared the Spirit’s power to the third rail of an elevated train: the electricity is always present, but the train moves only when connected. So it is with us—we must stay in contact with the Spirit’s power.
Being filled with the Spirit does not mean we have more of Him; it means He has more of us. When we live under His influence rather than the world’s, we become aligned with God’s word, will, and way. Without the Spirit’s fullness, spiritual principles become impossible to live out through natural means.
Paul prayed that believers would be “strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man.” (Ephesians 3:16 NKJV) And he declared that God works “according to the power that works in us.” (Ephesians 3:20 NKJV) This power enables us to walk the narrow road, turn from sin, and live in victory. “Walk in the Spirit,” Paul says, “and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16 NKJV)
The Gift of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit Himself is the gift given by the Father and the Son. Jesus promised, “He will give you another Helper.” (John 14:16 NKJV) Peter preached, “You shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38 NKJV)
This gift comes in two ways. First, when we believe in Christ, He gives us the Spirit. Jesus breathed on His disciples and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” (John 20:22 NKJV) Just as God breathed life into Adam, Jesus breathed spiritual life into His followers.
Second, Jesus promised a further empowerment—the baptism of the Holy Spirit. “You will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1:5 NKJV) This baptism clothes believers with power from on high (Luke 24:49 NKJV) to fulfill Christ’s mission.
Endued With Power
To be “endued” means to be clothed in or immersed. Jesus promised that believers would be immersed in the Spirit’s power—an anointing enabling effective kingdom living.
How do we receive this empowerment? Jesus gave two instructions:
1. Wait
The disciples waited in unified prayer until the Spirit descended and filled them. Isaiah promises that those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength (Isaiah 40:31 NKJV). We wait with expectation, not inactivity.
2. Ask
Jesus said, “Ask… seek… knock.” (Luke 11:9–10 NKJV) These verbs imply continual action. And He assures us that the Father gives the Holy Spirit to those who ask (Luke 11:13 NKJV). As you beautifully put it, “We’re just one ask away.”
Conclusion
So today, let us ask the Lord to empower us with the Holy Spirit. The Father and Son desire to give Him to us without measure—fully and completely—so we can be His church, His bride, His people. Let us always be asking, seeking, and knocking for the fullness of the Spirit so we can elevate our walk, level up our discipleship, and live as Spirit‑filled followers of Jesus.
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