Spirit-Filled Living
What does it mean to be part of a Spirit-filled church? It's more than just a feeling or atmosphere—it's about how the Holy Spirit moves through both leadership and congregation to create a community that reflects God's presence.
A Spirit-filled church begins with Spirit-filled people. When we talk about being "Spirit-filled," we're referring specifically to the Holy Spirit—the third person of the Trinity—moving in our lives and empowering us for God's purposes.
What Makes a Church Spirit-Filled?
A church becomes Spirit-filled when its people are Spirit-filled. That sense you feel when you walk into a church where God's presence is tangible comes from the Holy Spirit working through submitted believers. The more we yield to Him, the greater our church becomes.
In 1 Thessalonians 5, Paul outlines several marks of a Spirit-filled church. Let's examine what these look like in practice.
Spirit-Filled Pastors: Called by God
The first mark of a Spirit-filled church is Spirit-filled leadership. True pastors don't simply choose ministry as a career—they are called by God.
Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13: "But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work."
Pastors in a Spirit-filled church:
Are called by God, not self-appointed
Work diligently among God's people
Have spiritual authority from the Lord
Provide biblical instruction
How Does God Call People to Ministry?
God's call often comes in a Spirit-filled environment. In Acts 13:2, we see this pattern: "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.'"
God still speaks clearly today to those He's calling. Sometimes it comes through Scripture, as when Jesus told a potential follower: "Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead. Your duty is to go and preach about the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:60).
If you're sensing God's call on your life, the question isn't whether God can provide—it's whether you can obey. Every reason in your mind why you can't serve is just another reason why God can work through you.
How Do Spirit-Filled Leaders Lead?
Spirit-filled pastors lead in specific ways:
They Lead Gladly
"Care for the flock that God has entrusted you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly" (1 Peter 5:2-3). True spiritual leaders see their role as a privilege, not a burden.
They Lead Humbly
"Guard yourselves and God's people. Feed and shepherd God's flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders" (Acts 20:28).
Spirit-filled leaders recognize they're no different from those they lead—they're simply submitted to God's will for their lives.
They Lead by Example
"The things you've learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things and the God of peace will be with you" (Philippians 4:9).
Authentic leadership means being real about struggles while consistently moving toward Christ. When leaders make mistakes, they apologize and model humility.
They Lead by the Word
Spirit-filled pastors don't offer their opinions—they provide instruction from God's Word. They don't water down difficult truths to make people comfortable.
As Paul warned: "For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear" (2 Timothy 4:3).
Spirit-Filled People: How the Congregation Responds
A Spirit-filled church isn't just about leadership—it's about how the congregation responds:
They Love Their Pastors
Paul requests that believers "appreciate those who diligently labor among you" and "esteem them very highly in love because of their work" (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13).
They Submit to Spiritual Authority
"Obey your spiritual leaders. Do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God" (Hebrews 13:17).
This submission isn't blind obedience—it's recognizing that God has placed these leaders in your life for your spiritual growth.
Life Application
As we consider what it means to be part of a Spirit-filled church, here are some challenges to apply this week:
Submit to the Lord - What is God calling you to do that you've been resisting? Is He calling you to ministry, missions, or to use your gifts in a new way? Remember, the question isn't whether God can provide—it's whether you can obey.
Submit to godly people around you - Are there people in your life speaking truth to you that you've been ignoring? Don't isolate yourself from those who love you enough to challenge you.
Model submission for others - How are you demonstrating godly submission in your relationships? Children learn submission by watching their parents submit to God and to proper authority.
Ask yourself:
Am I fully surrendered to God's will for my life?
Have I been resisting the counsel of godly people around me?
Do I speak positively about my church and spiritual leaders, especially in front of my children?
Is there an area where God is calling me to ministry that I've been avoiding?
Remember, a Spirit-filled church begins with Spirit-filled individuals who are fully surrendered to God's purposes. When we submit to the Lord and to one another, we create an environment where the Holy Spirit can move powerfully.