Be Stretched by God

In order to have a passion for fullness, we need to be on the stretch for God:

• We refuse to put God in a box.
• We will not settle for the status quo.
• We refuse to relax and rest on past achievements, victories

What we mean is a stance of the soul which refuses to take comfort in the shape of things as they are-within our lives or within the world.

We cannot receive God's fullness if we are set in our ways, ideas, traditions, etc.

Isaiah 43:18-19

The Bride of Christ can hardly expect to reproduce abundantly unless she is stretched; and like a woman during pregnancy, the process isn't comfortable.

Hunger for fullness

God promises us if we have a hunger to be filled, it will happen

Matthew 5:6
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Emphasize hunger and thirst.

Many times we are lazy

Not taking about works or being burdened

Fullness comes from God alone-specifically from the Holy Spirit

We need the baptism of the Holy Spirit

Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Whatever we believe the sign to be, we need it for power.

We need God's anointing which enables, ensures, and enlarges:

• The Spirit enables the believer for service and witness, giving gifts which focus on answering human need, not personal, selfish, or private interests; gifts that bear witness to the faithful Word, exalting Christ and the triumph of His Cross as signs and wonders confirm His Resurrection rule and power (the greatest sign is an obedient life)

• The Spirit ensures the uniqueness of each personality. He doesn't violate the Father's handiwork by forcing any of us into a stereotyped method of ministering in the Holy Spirit's gifts and power. He'll use each of us in different ways-even when exercising the same gifts.

• The Spirit will enlarge our heart and vision. He will make us more like Jesus and make us love all who are His.

Passion is not emotionalism

We are not talking about a passion of an emotional pursuit, but the passion for a work of God in our day which exceeds our best-laid plans, expands our shrunken hearts, extends our withered reach and exalts Jesus in our minds.

The passion for fullness is not a search for some sensuous spiritual sensation. It's a quest for God Himself-a return to the Fountain of our being that the fullness of His purpose for us in Christ be realized. Without restriction. Without inhibition.

This passion for fullness is a passion fired by love-love for Christ, love for God's Word, and a loving will to learn greater love for all the members of the vast family of our Father.

A Passion for Fullness Leads to Holiness

True-hearted passion for fullness puts an absolute priority on personal holiness.

To be filled with the Holy Spirit means to be filled with the One who opens all the possibilities of holiness. The same regenerating work which makes us Holy before God opens His renewing work to grow us as people of holiness before men.

Real fullness calls us to real holiness.

True holiness is not the result of human efforts or enforced works of holy living.

Thirst, not works, determines if we receive purity and power from God. The idea that an acquired "holiness of life" earns a "balance due" of holy power is a common but empty idea. God is never indebted to any human being. All his works are by grace alone.

The Fruit of Fullness

Our character will be changed

We will want Jesus to more than Savior, we will want Him to be Lord

We will be faithful to God

We will commit to being all that God wants us to be

We will receive gifts of the Spirit. That is a whole other sermon

Salvation

Must be a believer to have the fullness of God
How To Accept Christ