Topical · Week 2 of 6

Born of the Spirit

John 3:1-8, Titus 3:4-7

Regeneration

Main Point

The new birth isn't something you accomplish — it's something the Spirit does in you.

Application Ideas

Where are you trying to change yourself through willpower alone? Ask the Spirit to do what only He can.

Discussion Questions

Why did Nicodemus struggle with being 'born again'? What's the difference between human effort and the Spirit's work?

Detailed Sermon Outline

Primary Text: John 3:1-8

Supporting Texts: Titus 3:4-7; John 1:12-13; Romans 8:15-17

Big Idea: Being born of the Spirit is the foundation of the Christian life—a new birth, a new identity, a new power.

Target Length: 35-40 minutes

Introduction

One of the most misunderstood phrases in the New Testament is 'filled with the Holy Spirit.' Does it mean you have an ecstatic experience? A feeling of warmth? Speaking in tongues? Levitating?

No. Being filled with the Spirit means something much more radical: your life is controlled by the Spirit instead of by your own desires. You're yielded to His direction.

Today we're exploring what Spirit-filling actually looks like and how to cooperate with the Spirit.

I. Being Filled Means Being Controlled (John 3:3-8)

'Do not be drunk on wine... Instead, be filled with the Spirit.' The parallel is instructive. Drunkenness means the wine controls you. Spirit-filling means the Spirit controls you.

A drunk person doesn't make wise decisions. They're not thinking clearly. They're not in control. A Spirit-filled person has yielded control to God.
This is not loss of personhood. It's not being a puppet. It's willing subordination to God's direction because you trust Him.

The evidence of Spirit-filling is not unusual experiences. It's transformed living. When the Spirit fills you, you become more loving, more patient, more courageous, more joyful.

II. Filling Is Continual, Not One-Time (Titus 3:4-7)

'Be filled with the Spirit' is in the present continuous tense. Not 'be filled once,' but 'keep being filled.' It's not a single experience but an ongoing reality.

You don't get filled and stay filled forever. Every day, you need fresh filling. Every moment, you need to yield control to the Spirit.
This is why daily prayer, daily Bible reading, daily surrender is important. You're refilling. You're realigning. You're inviting the Spirit to work again.

A Christian who hasn't had a fresh encounter with the Spirit this week is running on fumes. Come back. Be filled again. Experience His power afresh.

III. The Fruit of Spirit-Filling (Galatians 5:22-23)

'The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.' This is what a Spirit-filled life produces.

Not miraculous gifts. Not supernatural experiences. Fruit. The slow development of character that looks more like Jesus.
If you claim to be Spirit-filled but you're not becoming more loving, more joyful, more patient, something is off. Check your life.

The real sign of the Spirit's power is not what you can do. It's who you're becoming. A person shaped by love. A person who bears the fruit of the Spirit.

Appeal

Be filled with the Spirit today. Right now. Surrender control. Let the Spirit direct your thoughts, your words, your actions.

And tomorrow, do it again. And the day after. Keep being filled. Keep yielding. Keep becoming more like Jesus. That's the Christian life empowered by the Spirit.