Acts chapter 6 and 7 tell the story of Stephen who was a disciple of Jesus'. The Scripture tells us that he was "full of the Holy Spirit" as he was brought before the religious authorities and then eventually stoned to death. The ultimate statement comes at the end to chapter 7. Remember that he is still full of the Holy Spirit at this point. He asks Jesus to not hold this sin against them. What sin? His stoning to death! Full of the Holy Spirit he forgives them. Wow! Do you think you could do that? I mean, do you think you could be full of the Holy Spirit? "Full" indicates completeness. Full means there was no room for anything else. Full is the way Jesus wants us as we surrender to Him. He wants ALL of us and not just the garage and living room. Unless we are "full" of the Holy Spirit we are not full of Jesus. The Holy Spirit is the "room cleaner" if we will surrender. It's the Holy Spirit that convicts us of our sin and areas in our lives that need cleaning in order for Jesus to reign supreme in and through us. Adoration, confession, thanksgiving and supplication all lead to being full of Jesus and full of the Holy Spirit. Lack of same means we reserve rooms for our own pleasure and sin. There is no need to do this but it's a choice Christians make day in and day out. Are you full of the Holy Spirit? That's the only way we will be able to stand for God.
Stephen wasn't initially much different from you and I. He was a man. He was a sinner. He followed Jesus. The religious authorities of the day didn't care about Stephen anymore than they cared for Jesus. He, like Jesus, upset their status quo. He dared to speak the truth in a manner that their hearts were convicted as the fakes that they are. Today there are those who still deny Jesus and somehow the Christian world sees that Jews as God's chosen people. They didn't accept Jesus and according to Scripture they are no longer under the umbrella. They aren't God's chosen people until they repent of their evil ways, accept Jesus as God and give their lives to Him. There is only one name by which man can be saved; Jesus! There are many religious groups that fall into that category of "unsaved" and are lost at this time. Those who brought "another gospel" to people also are guilty of leading their followers astray. Remember that these were and are not Jesus' followers. They the worlds rendition of the gospel according to Satan. Mormons, Catholics, and many more groups are in danger of the fires of hell for their rejection of Jesus and the Holy Spirit. They are full of the devil and not the Holy Spirit.
This "full" is akin to being consumed. Stephen knew nothing but Jesus and him crucified, risen and living through him. He was full (consumed) by the Holy Spirit and had no room for anything the world had to offer which is always less than what God has provided. There is no other option for the true Christian than to be consumed by the Holy Spirit to the point where they are "Full of the Holy Spirit." Are you? Do you even want to be full of the Holy Spirit? Your choices in life tell you the story of where you stand with God. Full of the world? You're not full of the Holy Spirit. Not full of the Holy Spirit? You're not letting Jesus have all of your life. Not full of Jesus. You are lost in your sin and need to repent. Any questions?
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