Be Filled with the Spirit

Short Talk (SHT013) Be filled with the Spirit © Jane Hulme 2015 Aim of Short talk: Main themes: Biblical references: Props: SHORT TALK: “BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT” (SHT013) To encourage people to keep on being filled with the Holy Spirit Holy Spirit, Sharing the Gospel John 14:15-18, Acts 1:8, 2:38, Ephesians 5:18b Large flat balloon ........................................................................................................................ Before we come to know Jesus our lives are a bit like this balloon (Show large flat balloon)  They are empty of God....  Empty of real life. However when we come to Jesus,  and turn away from living life in our own selfish way,  Jesus does something wonderful. He breathes His Holy Spirit life into our spirits...  and fills us with the life of God. (Blow up balloon) This life of God completely changes us as you can see,  but this life is not meant to be just kept inside us for our own benefit.  Jesus wants to send us out into the world with the power to change the world. Watch this balloon move as the power of the breath inside it moves it.....(Release balloon so it flies off) In the same way as the breath in the balloon sent it out,  the Holy Spirit within us will send us out into the world  to do the things that Jesus wants us to do. He may send us out to share Jesus’ love with our friends at school,  and our family at home. He may send us out to bring hope to a neighbour who is depressed.  or support to a work colleague. He may send us out to pray for someone who is sick at home  or in hospital. He may send us out to fight for justice for the poor,  or to help build an orphanage overseas....  or to work as a lawyer  or something else altogether. You see God wants everyone to know that they are loved,  and that through Jesus they can become a part of His great family. He chooses each one of us to go and share this great news in all sorts of wonderful ways,  and He gives us His power through the Holy Spirit to be able to do it. © Jane Hulme 2015 2 So what happens to the balloon after it has used up all of its breath power?  It seems dead again doesn’t it? All out of power. (pick up the flat balloon) On one hand we are not like the balloon.....  Jesus promises that the Holy Spirit will be within us forever.  We will never run out of the Spirit’s power. (blow up the balloon half way) But on the other hand we are like balloons with tiny holes.....  we leak....  Because we leak, we need to be daily filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. (blow up the balloon until it is filled and tie it up) Can I encourage you to ask Father God to fill you with his powerful Holy Spirit each day,  and then be willing to go where Jesus sends you..... (bat the balloon into the congregation) Let’s bat the balloon around,  and as the balloon comes near to you shout out where you think Jesus might be sending you to serve Him. (allow the balloon to be batted around for a while) Let’s pray: Father would you fill each one of us with your precious Holy Spirit, and then send us out to share your love with those we meet, for the glory of the name of Jesus. Amen. © Jane Hulme 2015 3