Jon Augusta

The Attitude of Gratitude: A Spirit-Filled Life

By Jon Augusta

It’s amazing how quickly time flies. Just a few months ago, we were all caught up in the whirlwind of the election. And, well, I’ll be honest – I’m thankful for the outcome. (Yes, I know, maybe I’m the only one here!) But regardless of your political views, tonight, I want to talk about something far more important: gratitude.

Let’s turn to Ephesians 5:18-21:

“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.”

This passage, coming right after our series on the Gospel, beautifully illustrates the impact of the Holy Spirit on a believer’s life. It’s not an exhaustive list, like Galatians 5, but it gives us a clear picture of what a life transformed by God looks like.

Being Filled with the Spirit

Verse 18 tells us not to be drunk with wine, which in the context of Ephesus, meant avoiding the debauchery associated with pagan rituals. Instead, we are commanded to “be filled with the Spirit.” This isn’t something we can do on our own. As MacArthur says, it’s about being so focused on Christ and His Word that the Spirit is empowered to work in us, conforming us to His will.

Think of it like this: the opposite of being filled with the Spirit is grieving the Spirit, as Paul mentions in Ephesians 4:30. DL Moody said, “We must be emptied before we can be filled.” We need to empty ourselves of pride, selfishness, and worldly ambitions to make room for the Spirit to work.

The Fruit of the Spirit, Not the Gifts

When we are filled with the Spirit, we don’t suddenly gain miraculous powers. Instead, we see the fruit of the Spirit blossoming in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22). As MacArthur reminds us, “being filled with the Spirit brings forth the fruit of the Spirit, not the gifts of the Spirit.”

Joy Through Music

The immediate result of a Spirit-filled life, as Paul says in Ephesians 5:19, is joy expressed through music: psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Did you know that believers are the only religion to use music in this way? Music is a gift from God to give wings to our joy.

Christians should be joyful people. It irks me when someone professing Jesus is constantly grumpy and negative. Joy is a fundamental aspect of our faith.

The Power of Thankfulness

And how do we cultivate this joy? By being thankful. Paul says in verse 20, “giving thanks always and for everything.”

RC Sproul said, “Gratitude, not poverty, cures greed.” An unthankful spirit is a sin against God and a source of unhappiness. Believers should be the happiest people on earth.

When we are thankful, we remember all that God has done. We realize that everything we have is from Him, and we become more generous. As 2 Corinthians 9:11-12 tells us, generosity leads to overflowing thanksgiving to God.

Thankful in All Circumstances

Sometimes, when we focus on what we lack, we lose sight of God’s blessings. That’s why I often ask people to list three things they’re thankful for. It helps us open our eyes to the reality of God’s goodness.

We are called to be thankful always, not just when times are easy. Paul, in his suffering, always gave thanks. He knew God was in control and working for His glory.

Humility and Service

Finally, a Spirit-filled life is a humble life. Verse 21 calls us to “submit to one another.” Philippians 2:3-4 echoes this, urging us to consider others more important than ourselves.

Imagine a world where everyone humbly served each other. That’s what we are called to as Christians. We should be unified, loving, and serving one another.

Conclusion

Brothers and sisters, let’s seek Jesus and His Word. Let’s allow the Holy Spirit to mold us. Let’s be joyful, thankful, and humble.

Let’s empower the Holy Spirit to work in us. Let’s be thankful in all things and give God all the glory.