Power in and Upon
To experience the fullness of the Holy Spirit, we must first empty our hearts of pride, selfishness, and ambition, and seek to be filled with the Spirit.
D.L. Moody emphasizes the distinction between the Holy Spirit dwelling within believers and the Holy Spirit coming upon them for service. He illustrates that just as the tabernacle was filled with God's glory when it was prepared, our hearts must be emptied of pride and selfishness to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Moody argues that many seek to be filled with the Spirit while still holding onto worldly desires, and he stresses the necessity of an emptying process before true filling can occur. He draws parallels from Scripture, particularly the experiences of Moses and the priests in the temple, to highlight the transformative power of the Holy Spirit when we create space for Him in our lives.
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The Holy Spirit dwelling in us, is one thing; I think this is clearly brought out in Scripture; and the Holy Spirit upon us for service, is another thing. Now there are only three places we find in Scripture that are dwelling places for the Holy Ghost.
In the 40th chapter of Exodus, commencing with the 33rd verse, are these words:
"And he (that is Moses) reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the hanging of the court gate. So Moses finished the work. "Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. "And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle."
The moment that Moses finished the work, the moment that the tabernacle was ready, the cloud came, the Shekinah glory came and filled it so that Moses was not able to stand before the presence of the Lord. I believe firmly, that the moment our hearts are emptied of pride and selfishness and ambition and self seeking, and everything that is contrary to God's law, the Holy Ghost will come and fill every corner of our hearts; but if we are full of pride and conceit, and ambition and self seeking, and pleasure and the world, there is no room for the Spirit of God; and I believe many a man is praying to God to fill him when he is full already with something else. Before we pray that God would fill us, I believe we ought to pray Him to empty us.
There must be an emptying before there can be a filling; and when the heart is turned upside down, and everything is turned out that is contrary to God, then the Spirit will come, just as He did in the tabernacle, and fill us with His Glory. We read in 2nd Chronicles, 5th chapter and 13th verse:
"It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one to make one sound, to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord, and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the Lord, saying, For He is good; for His mercy endureth forever; that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the Lord. So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud, for the glory of the lord had filled the house of God."
Sermon Outline
- I. The Two Aspects of the Holy Spirit
- A. Dwelling in us
- B. Upon us for service
- II. The Need for an Empty Heart
- A. Pride and selfishness hinder the Spirit
- B. We must be emptied before we can be filled
- III. The Filling of the Tabernacle
- A. The cloud and glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle
- B. Moses was unable to enter due to the glory
- IV. The Importance of Humility
- A. We must turn our hearts upside down
- B. Remove everything contrary to God
Key Quotes
“The moment that Moses finished the work, the moment that the tabernacle was ready, the cloud came, the Shekinah glory came and filled it so that Moses was not able to stand before the presence of the Lord.” — D.L. Moody
“Before we pray that God would fill us, I believe we ought to pray Him to empty us.” — D.L. Moody
“There must be an emptying before there can be a filling;” — D.L. Moody
Application Points
- Pray for God to empty you of your pride and selfishness before seeking to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
- Recognize that humility is essential for the Holy Spirit to fill your heart.
- Seek to remove everything that is contrary to God's law from your heart.