The Importance Of The Local Church — Keith Malcomson

Saul’s Conversion and the Local Church

Turning to Acts chapter 9 here this morning, Acts chapter 9, and I want to continue on from where we were last week. Last week we dealt with the power of regeneration. But this week I want to continue on the same chapter and the same verses, dealing with the continuation.

That's why I said last week, don't take it as a message in itself. What I'm going to deal with this morning is so very important. My message this morning, the importance of the local church. The importance of the local church.

Reading from Acts chapter 9 and verse 8. And Saul arose from the earth, and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.

And there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias. And to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight.

And inquire in the house of Judas, for one called Saul of Tarsus. For behold, he prayeth, and has seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in. And putting his hands on him, that he might receive his sight.

Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man. How much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.

But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way. For he is a chosen vessel unto me to bear my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house. And putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest. Has sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

And immediately there fell from his eyes, as it had been scales. And he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.

And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. But all that heard him were amazed. And said, Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem?

And came he hither not for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the cheap priests. But Saul increased them more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus. Proving that this is the very Christ.

Let's pray here this morning. Father, I do pray that you speak to us, that you reveal to each one of us. The absolute vital importance of the local church. To all of those that are regenerate, born again, changed, and indwelt by the Spirit of God.

Father, I do thank you God, that you didn't leave Saul of Tarsus. In his blindness, in his loneliness, in his isolation, in the confusion of his thoughts. My God, you sent a man, you sent a certain disciple.

You sent a born again believer. A brother in Christ to lay hands upon him. My God, and to say, Brother Saul. My God, what a miracle the body of Christ is. Thank you that you operate through the body. That you place us in a body.

That you send good brothers and sisters unto us. To minister healing. To minister the Spirit. To minister the things of God. Father, I do thank you. That you surrounded Saul of Tarsus with the right people at the right time.

To minister the right thing. My God, to prepare him as a chosen vessel unto the Lord. Father, speak to us this morning. My God, make it beautiful. The body of Christ that you have created. That you raise up of your Holy Spirit.

We love you Lord Jesus. And we acknowledge you as the head of this body. We are submitted as individual members. There is only one head of the Church of Jesus Christ. And we acknowledge you as God. As our Sovereign Lord.

As High King of the Church of Jesus Christ. Blessed be your name. Amen. Last week we dealt with the power of regeneration. In the message last week, as I finished it. I left you looking at Saul. In his state of blindness.

Here this morning, by the time I finish. You are going to see that his eyes are wide open. To great revelations given by God. Last week when we finished. We see Saul being led into Damascus. Blind and by the hand.

By the end of this message. You are going to see him leading men to Jesus Christ. Last week when we finished. We seen him sitting alone in silence and isolation. But by the end of this message. We are going to see him standing publicly.

Preaching Jesus Christ. Last week we seen him sitting in frailty and weakness. Not even able to guide himself. But this week, by the time I am finished. We are going to see him in great strength. And victory in spirit.

Last week he was saved. But this week he will be saved. Sanctified. Spirit filled. And separated to the ministry. Of preaching Christ and him crucified. You see what is the difference. Between what I preached last week.

And what I am going to preach this week. What is it that makes a difference. He was a regenerate man. Where we left him last week. But the man I am going to deal with here. Where we are going to leave him today.

He is a very different man. He was born again last week. But he is not the man I am going to show you. By the end of today. What happened. Between the end of last weeks message. And what will be the end of this message.

What is it. That makes the difference. In this man called Saul of Tarsus. You see there are certain things. Happening in all of our lives. That move us from a certain place. To another spiritual place.

From sitting alone. In a home. On that street called straight. Sitting there blind. With many questions in the mind. To moving you to a place. Where you have moved out boldly. Filled with the spirit of God.

Something happens. In that short window of opportunity. Since we all need those seasons. Because it moves us. We all need those experiences. What am I saying. What can happen in that short period of time.

What is it that took Saul. From a converted man. Radically saved. To being on the high street preaching. Can I tell you this morning. And this is my message. The importance of the local church. You see I believe.

Saul Is Introduced to the Local Church

In Acts chapter 9. The verses we have just read. The outstanding mark of it. Is Saul of Tarsus. Who was regenerate. Only God can save a man. Only the spirit of God. Can change a person's heart. Only the spirit of God.

Can turn you from being a persecutor. To a witness. Who loves Jesus Christ. Only the spirit of God can do that. But what is it. That makes the difference here. I want to show you. That one of the first things Christ done.

Was to introduce Saul of Tarsus. To a local church. This was of utmost importance. You see there was a persecution. Against the church. In the book of Acts. From the stoning of Stephen. Until the conversion.

Of Saul of Tarsus. There was a short period. Of unbelievable persecution. Every Christian. Was under threat. Every believer was in danger. Of their very life. But after Saul's conversion. After he becomes a regenerate man.

Listen to what it says here. In Acts chapter 9 verse 31. Then. After Saul's conversion. Then. Had the churches rest. Throughout all of Judea. And Galilee. And Samaria. That's three large regions. Do you know what that tells me?

Saul of Tarsus. Was the driving force. Behind the persecution. Of churches across many towns. And many cities. He was the main instrument. The main vessel. Of persecution. Against the first revival. And the first churches.

And the first leaders. Of the body of Christ. This was the man that most radically opposed it. And yet. Let that man get saved. Let him meet with the living Christ. And you know what it says. That all the churches had rest.

And were edified. Walking in the fear of the Lord. And in the comfort of the Holy Ghost. And they were multiplied. You see I believe that after. Saul's conversion. The most important thing we do. See here.

Is in being introduced to a thing called. The church. He persecuted it. He saw it. He saw it's preachers die. He persecuted the members of it. He had an effect upon it. And yet he never. Really knew what the body of Christ was.

Or the local church. You see I believe. As he's on the way to Damascus. Letter in hand. Saying I am going to destroy. The church. Every Christian in the city of Damascus. I am going to lead them to Jerusalem.

To be in prison. Do you know what was happening. Amongst the believers in Damascus. I believe they were praying. The church in Damascus was praying. Paul didn't know that. Or Saul didn't know that. But that church says.

That man is coming to imprison us. To persecute us. So they began to pray. But little could they have realized. That very shortly. He is going to join that church. He is going to become a member of that church.

Can I warn you here this morning. That maybe someone. Who attacks you violently. Someone who hates you. Someone who would want to destroy your testimony. May well get born again. And join this church.

And in fact it could be vital. For the future. Of Jesus Christ. It goes on. In what we dealt with last week. When Christ dealt with Saul. The first thing he said to him. Was Saul. Saul. Why persecutest thou me?

Now Saul wasn't persecuting Jesus. He never met Jesus. He never heard the voice of Christ. He never seen the face of Jesus. But when Jesus said. Saul. Why are you persecuting me? Do you know what he is saying?

You touch Stephen. You touch those men and women. That's my church. When you touch the church. You have touched me. If you persecute it. You have persecuted me. If you lie to it. You have lied to me. If you disturb it.

You have disturbed me. If you divide it and cause disunity. You have done that to me. You know what Christ was beginning to reveal. At the time of his conversion. I am the head. And there is a body on the earth.

I am joined to it. I feel what it feels. He said. I am Jesus. Whom thou persecutest. He is beginning to reveal. To Saul. On the day of his conversion. I have a church. You have been touching that church.

I am going to make you. A member of that church. I am here to change your life. The way you were. You wouldn't have fit in here. You would have killed a lot of them. When I finish with you. You are going to become a vital member.

Of the body of Christ. Saul responded. Lord what will thou have me to do? The Lord said unto him. Arise. Go into the city. And it shall be told thee. What thou must do. Listen carefully. He has just met the living Christ.

A resurrected Christ. Heard his voice. Seen his glory. He has been radically changed. He believes this is the Messiah now. He believes Jesus has risen from the dead. He didn't believe that before. But here he is a regenerate.

Born again man. You know what Christ says? What do you want me to do? At this moment I am not going to tell you. Hear the risen Christ revealed to you. I am not going to tell you. I want you to go into the city.

And I want you to wait there. And do you know what? I am going to tell you. Once you are there. What you must do. That is the first step. Do you know there are people who got saved in this city. They have never made the first step.

They are regenerate. And they have never made the first step. Of going to the place. Where Christ can now lead them. And show them what he wants to do. They are gazing into the sky. Saying Lord speak to me.

And nothing is coming to them. They are sitting waiting. They are blind. They are alone. They are isolated. And they are in their house. And they are looking for something to happen. You need to make the first step.

Here this morning. I do have a message for you. And it is going to involve a man called Ananias. A simple disciple. It says in Acts chapter 9 verse 10. And there was a certain disciple. At Damascus. Named Ananias.

Look at him. He is not an apostle. He is not a preacher. He is not a pastor. He is not a teacher. We are not even told he is an elder. We are told nothing about him. A certain disciple. Which is at Damascus.

Over in chapter 22. We read in one Ananias. A devout man. According to the law. Having a good report of all the Jews. That dwelt there. Do you know who Ananias was? He was from a Jewish family. A Jewish background.

As far as the Jews go. He was a devout man. According to the law. According to the law of God. He was an upright. He was a righteous man. He was a holy man. But he was more than that. He was a born again man.

Who knew Jesus. He was a member of a local church. In the city of Damascus. Here tonight. Or here this morning. It might be tonight by the time I am finished. But here in this message. Listen carefully.

The importance of the local church. I have 8 simple things here. In the text that we have just read. That show the importance. Of the local church. At Damascus. To Saul of Tarsus. After he was regenerate.

God done the miracle in his heart. But the Lord says. I am not going to speak to you. I am going to send someone to you. And you have got to be in the right place for that. I want you to take the first step.

Go into that city. And wait on me. And you know how Christ is going to come to him next. He is going to come working. In the members of his body. He has chosen life. There are 8 things here. That happen all.

And 6 of them happen. All in one day. Through one man. One member of the body of Christ. And 2 of them. Happen over a short period of time. Through the entire local church. This was vital for Saul. Let me give them to you.

These 8 things here this morning. As we see the importance of the local church. In the life of a new Christian. A new regenerate believer. Called Saul of Tarsus. Number 1. The sovereign supernatural. Gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Sovereign Supernatural Gifts of the Holy Spirit

I am talking about. 9 supernatural gifts. That are written about. In 1 Corinthians 12. Through to 14. Those gifts are found. In the local church. The local body. In the members of the local church. Look with me in chapter 9.

Verse 10. To him said the Lord in a vision. Jesus came. Unexpectedly. To Ananias. Behold I am here Lord. Look at this instantaneous. He is not surprised. That Christ would show him a vision. He is not surprised.

That Jesus is alive. No not at all. He is not surprised. That Jesus would speak to him. He is going to be very surprised. That the message that Christ gives to him. Very very surprised. Lord here I am.

And the Lord said unto him. Arise. Arise. God is actually meeting here. With Ananias. In a vision. He comes to him and he says. I want you to get up. And I want you to get out of your house. And I want you to go to Saul of Tarsus.

Well Ananias had heard all about him. You know what no way are you going to get Ananias. Going to visit Saul. With the knowledge he has. He has heard from many. That he is on his way to persecute. He goes he is the greatest enemy.

Of the body of Christ. He hates me. He will kill me if he sees me. So what does the Lord do? The Lord has to bring a vision. Now what is a vision? A vision is not one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. It is not.

A dream is not a gift of the Holy Spirit. It is not. It is not one of the nine gifts. Do you know what a dream and a vision is? It is a means by which God can operate his gifts. All it is. A dream or a vision.

Is a means of communication. And so Jesus appears to Ananias. Jesus appeared. It wasn't just a vision. Jesus used the dream. To speak to Ananias. And to reveal. Factual information. Onto him. I believe it was actually a word of knowledge.

Not just a prophecy. The gifts of the Spirit were operating here. And he gave him facts. He gave him a street name. He gave him a house address. He told him who would be in that house. He gave the name.

Saul of Tarsus. Remember the guy you've heard about. Saul of Tarsus. And do you know what? I'll tell you what he's doing. He is praying. And I'll tell you what else. He's blind. And I need you to go and lay hands on him.

So that he's going to see. I'm telling you his physical condition. His spiritual condition. I'm telling you the address he's at. And I'm telling you what I want you to do. Since it was in a vision. You know the difference between a dream and a vision?

A dream is at night. When you're asleep. A vision is when you're awake. You get a vision when you have all your faculties. Your eyes are open. You're there in whatever situation. And you have a word from the Lord.

I mean a vision. That is what a vision is. You're awake. All your faculties are there. What does he say? Arise and go into the street. Which is called straight. It's still there today in Damascus. And inquire in the house of Judas.

For one called Saul of Tarsus. For behold he prayeth. And has seen in a vision. A man named Ananias. Coming in and putting his hands on him. That he might receive his sight. Do you see what happened here?

Not only did God give this vision to Ananias. But in the vision he says. You know what? I've given Saul a vision as well. And I told Saul your name. And I told him what you're going to do. That you're going to come to him.

And that you're going to pray for him. Lay hands on him. And his eyes are going to be open. So look at this. You have a new Christian. Saved three days. Who has never been in the local church. Never been a member of a church.

And there he is in darkness and blindness. And he's all alone with all of his thoughts. But his life has changed. And Christ gives him a vision. Says Saul don't worry. This is the next step. I'm sending a man to you.

Why do you think Christ didn't heal him? Why do you think Christ didn't just baptize him in the Holy Ghost? Why don't you just think that Christ done everything? You know why? Christ has a body. A church.

Members that he actually works through. So here are two visions. Why did he give two visions? One to Saul. Saying he's coming and he's going to pray for you. And why did he give it to Ananas? And say look I want you to do this.

Here he is. And you know what? I've given him a vision saying what you're going to do. So Christ arranged it on both sides. And he's trying to bring the happy couple together. Somewhere in the middle.

You see why does Christ give two visions? To confirm it. To verify it. To make sure that both of their hearts are settled. To establish it. Do you know when you know this is real? The gifts of the Holy Spirit.

When they're supernatural. And you know nobody could have planned this. No man could do this. No man could possibly arrange this. It's got to be Christ. Do you know the confidence that that brings? Saints I'm telling you.

This is Saul's first encounter. With the real body of Christ. He is going to find out the gifts of the Holy Spirit are real. When Christ gives a word of knowledge. It is very very real. Ananas was neither surprised about the vision.

Or Christ speaking. But he was about the message. Master he persecuted the church. Don't you know? God has a plan. God had to show this vision to him. To settle his heart. You realize that God uses gifts to settle your heart.

So that you'll have confidence God is in this. It's not me. It's not my imagination. I am being led by the Spirit of God. Some of you here. Will not do certain things. Unless God speaks to you. Unless he operates through the gifts.

Of the Holy Spirit. You see Christ was commanding. Him to go and do this. But he's a human being. He is a normal guy with fears. And prejudice. And concerns. Oh if I have all these fears and worries. God could never use me in the gifts of the Spirit.

God could never give me a vision. Because I've got doubts and concerns. Ananas was terrified hearing this. Oh Lord not me. Please not today. Lord please not this man. The greatest enemy of the church.

And you want me to go to him. Do you realize he's using a clay vessel. A man with normal feelings. And normal thoughts. Who's going hold on. You're telling me this supernatural revelation. You're giving me all these facts.

Lord there's some things you don't know. You really don't know. You're making a big mistake here. Since I'm telling you the gifts operate. Through flesh and blood. Saul of Tarsus. Is just about to find himself.

Caught up into a dimension. This doesn't happen amongst Pharisees. It didn't happen in the temple in Jerusalem. Here are normal men. And women. Receiving divine revelation. To bring about the will of God.

And the purpose of God. Can I remind you who this new convert is. He's only saved three days. He's regenerate. But do you know what. He is the one who's going to write. 1 Corinthians chapter 12. Through to chapter 14.

He's going to be the one who writes more. On the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Than any man in church history. He is the man. That's going to teach the church about the gifts. But that wasn't the start of the gifts.

The gifts were already all operating. Way before Paul wrote it. In 1 Corinthians chapter 12. How was Ananias and Saul to know. That this was God. You can't afford to be wrong. If you're Ananias. I do not want to be going knocking.

On the door. On that door saying. Hey is Saul of Tarsus there. I'm a Christian. I'm a local believer. I'm your welcoming party. You don't want to make a mistake. You know what I believe. There is an assurance.

With the real gifts of the Spirit. Either it's radically wrong. Or it's radically right. There is no in between. And that's something remarkable. The gifts of the Spirit are supernatural. He will be at that address.

He will be in a state of blindness. His heart will be open. He is going to get healed when I go on to him. You can have that assurance. When it's the real gifts of the Holy Spirit. Do you realize. That these gifts had to be supernatural.

To introduce Paul to the body of Christ. Look where. Could Christ have done all this out on the road. Yes he could have. But he says you know what. I want you to go into the city. And then I'm going to start my work.

Through normal members of the body. That's the first thing. Sovereign supernatural gifts. When you come into the local church. There is a realm in the church. Where the gifts of the Holy Spirit are revealed.

Since they may not always operate. When we think they should operate. But I assure you. I can give hundreds of testimonies. Of the genuine operation of the gift. That operated at the right time. When I needed it.

Thank God. Even here we read about healing as well. Maybe the gift of healing was in operation. But secondly. Brotherly love. This new three day year old. Three day Christian. Soul of Tarsus. With a radical conversion.

Brotherly Love and Acceptance in the Local Church

Is introduced to the love. Of the Lord Jesus Christ. Look with me in verse 17. An ananas went his way. And he entered into the house. And putting his hands upon him. Said. Brother Saul. What a dynamite statement.

Brother Saul. You better be sure about that. Then over in chapter 22. Verse 13. And it says again. Paul testifying. He came unto me. And stood and said unto me. Brother Saul. Do you realize Paul never forgot that sentence.

Brother Saul. It is the first time. Saul is ever being called. Brother. By another Christian. He'd never heard that before. Here is a stranger that he's only seen in a vision. And he's standing. And he's put his hands on him.

And he says brother Saul. Brother Saul. Do you know the word brother. Brother means to be birthed out of the same womb. It means we come from the same source. We've had the same experience. We are family now.

Can you imagine. Saul of Tarsus say three days. And you're laying hands on him. And saying brother. Brother I love you. I love you. You see Saul was introduced to the love of God. In this house. Christ had prepared him.

I'm sending a real brother to you. I'm sending someone to you. That's going to embrace you. You know where he was when Ananias came in. He was blind. He was alone. He was quiet. He was waiting. He desperately needed the local body.

He desperately needed real Christians. He desperately needed someone to stretch out their hand. And say brother. Brother Saul. Be very careful. With the love of God in your heart. Towards those that we meet along the way.

And laying hands on him. It meant acceptance. Reception. And the blessing of God. He was now a part of the family of God. With a common identity. With a common identity. Since the local church. Is where.

New Christians. Experience the love of God. Remember what Brother Soup ministered. There the other week. And may continue with. Is this love of God. Where is it written about. Where did Brother Soup turn to.

When he wanted to preach on love. Charity. Love in action. Where did he turn to. He turned to 1 Corinthians 13. And he began to read that beautiful chapter. About charity. The love of God in action. Who was it wrote that.

It was a man. Who was sitting in darkness and blindness. With all of his thoughts. Had someone come and say. Brother Saul. Do you realize he never forgot that. The first time a Christian said. You are my brother.

Because you met Christ. And I met Christ. And that makes us family. This is a miracle. It is a remarkable thing. You know a little bit later. Three years later. We read about Saul. Going up to. Jerusalem.

And remember what Anna and I said here. When the Lord says I want you to go to him. What did he say. No way this man is after me. Do you realize. If the love of God had not conquered that. He would never have gone near Saul.

He wouldn't have tried to hand him a tract. On the high street. Would you guys. Hey there is Saul of Tarsus. As Suf tries to grab Rory. No. Not him. No Rory goes charging. I'll give him a gospel tract.

As Suf tries to hide. Behind the street bin or something else. Since it is real. What happens. Anna and I was scared. Of Saul of Tarsus. But the love of God overcome. It was a very very real thing. But look at verse 26.

And when Saul was come to Jerusalem. He is three years later. He has said to join himself. To the disciples. But they were all afraid of him. And believed not. That he was a disciple. Anna and I didn't initially believe it.

The church of Jerusalem. With its twelve apostles. Didn't believe it. They were scared. So what did God do in Damascus. He had to have an Anna and I. Who had love in his heart. Who says I believe he has been changed.

And the church in Jerusalem. There had to be a Barnabas. Remember it was Barnabas. Who no one believed it. But Barnabas said I believe you have been changed. And he brought Saul to the apostles. And they said you are changed.

You are born again. Yes I am. You see the Bible says. In Galatians 5 and 6. Faith which worketh by love. Do you realize you need faith. Before that love operates. You see how could he. If he didn't have faith to believe.

He has been changed. Why would he go and show him love. You see you have got to have faith. Out of real faith comes a real love. Towards those who don't deserve it. I am telling you. This is what you find in the body of Christ.

Brotherly love. Acceptance. Since we may be scared at times. We may fail in our love. But we must manifest the real brotherly love. To every soul that comes in that door. Third of all. Divine healing.

Divine Healing Through the Body of Christ

I am talking about a convert of three days. Who he has discovered. Gifts are real. These gifts are supernatural. This love is real. I have been brought right in. Man I wonder what he had done about his letter.

That was given by the high priest. It says there is your authority. Go and kill the Christians in Damascus. Go and imprison them. Here are soldiers to take with you. I wonder what he had done. Did it drop in the fireplace.

The day of his conversion. Or maybe when he is getting baptized in water. It just floated down the river. I don't know. I really don't know. But this third point. Divine healing. He had never experienced healing before.

Never seen anyone healed before. He had heard that the false Messiah. Healed people. But he never experienced it. But he is in the body of Christ. He is being brought right into a real church. Verse 17.

Brother Saul. The Lord Jesus even. Jesus that appeared unto thee in the way. As thou camest. Has sent me. That thou mightest receive. Thy sight. And then in verse 18. And immediately there fell from his eyes.

As it had been scales. And he received his sight forthwith. It was ananas laying hands on him. That brought that healing. Christ said I want you to go and do it. Christ had also said. To Saul. I'm going to do this for you.

Here as hands are laid on. His eyes are healed. There is a miracle of healing. Do you realize Saul later. As Paul the Apostle writes about healing. And the gifts of healing. And all of the various. Things that happen.

But do you know where it began. It began with him having his own eyes healed. This is the third thing. Do you realize there is gifts of healing. In the church. Not just one gift. Many gifts. There is also the prayer of faith.

To be prayed by the elders. With the anointing of oil. For those who are sick. It's not my job to go to you when you are sick. You are to call for the elders. To anoint with oil. The healing. Is the children's bread.

Why didn't Christ heal him. Out on the road to Damascus. Outside the city. Why did Christ not heal him. He had the power to. He could answer. Saul's prayers. For three days he must have said. Lord will you heal me.

Very shortly I will but I will send someone. Who is going to pray for you. And lay hands on you. Do you know Christ chooses to use men and women. I can't heal. Neither can you heal. But Christ actually chooses.

To use normal men and women. A member of the body of Christ. Do you know what Christ is showing Saul. There is a body. That you are to be reliant upon. Fourth of all. Being filled with the Holy Spirit.

Being Filled with the Holy Spirit

Again verse 17. And the Lord even Jesus has sent me. That thou mightest be filled. With the Holy Spirit of God. Since he not only got healed. On this day. He not only had an experience. Of the love of God.

And of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. As the hands are still upon him. He is about to get filled. With the Holy Spirit. Three days before he got born again. To be born again. Or have the Spirit live in you.

Is different than being filled. With the Holy Spirit. That word filled means you are so full. Nothing else can get in there. Do you know what it means to be filled. That you are filled to capacity. You are actually full.

Of the Holy Spirit of God. You go I've got no room for anger. I've got no room for bitterness. God has poured in his Holy Spirit. I mean I am overflowing. With the Holy Spirit. There is an experience.

Where the Holy Spirit not only indwells you. But he comes to fill you. You see Saul. Had already met Christ. He was born again. He was already changed. He was going in a different direction. He was already called a brother.

As a member of the body of Christ. He's already been healed. But he has never ever. Been filled with the Holy Spirit of God. Can I ask you this morning. Have you been filled. With the Holy Spirit of God.

He was already. A part of the body. But had not experienced. This dynamic work. On the third day. You have this all through the book of Acts. Look in Acts chapter 2. You have a hundred and twenty. Believers.

Men women children. They're all regenerate. They're washed in the blood. They're actually in communion with God. But they have never been filled. With the Holy Spirit of God. But in Acts chapter 2. That's what happens.

They love Jesus. They're in a prayer meeting. They're walking with God. But they get filled with the Holy Spirit of God. And speak in tongues. What about in Samaria. In Acts chapter 8. We read of Philip the evangelist.

He leads thousands of them to the Lord. They're born again. The joy of God is there. Miracles of healing. Surely they must have everything. Oh no there's more. There is more. Philip the evangelist seen the entire city stirred for God.

But there's more. It says the church in Jerusalem. Sent down Peter and John. To lay hands on them. That they might receive the Holy Spirit. Because none of them in that community had received the Spirit yet.