“Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:4
“Today we illustrate what it means to be filled with the Holy Spirit!” the pastor declared confidently, as he placed an empty clear glass gallon pickle jar on the table for all to see. He then began carefully putting baseball sized rocks in the jar. When enough rocks had filled the jar he asked, “Do you think it’s full?”
The audience gave a resounding “Yes!”
With an air of confidence the pastor asked, “Are you sure?” Taking a bag hidden from view he began pouring small pea gravel into the jar. Shaking jar as he poured, the smaller gravel filled in all the empty space around the larger stones.
Taking pride in his work, the pastor again asked, “Do you think it’s full?” The response from the congregation was noticeably louder, “Yes!”
Carefully looking over the entire congregation their loving shepherd asked once again, “Are you sure?” Pulling another bag from behind the pulpit he then began adding fine sand to the combined stones. Slapping the jar as the sand made its way down to the bottom, he was able to fill it to the rim! Lots of “Oh’s and Ah’s” could be heard.
Eyeing the crowd curiously, their teacher once again asked boldly, “Now do you think it’s full?” A united group hollered “YES!”
With a noticeable grin he paused as he looked over his church family and again asked slowly and deliberately, “Are you sure?”
Taking one more hidden item from behind the pulpit he brought out a pitcher of water! Murmurs were heard across the room. They sat in awe as the pastor slowly poured the entire pitcher into the jar “full” of rocks, pebbles and fine sand.
Having filled the jar to rim with water he turned to the people and asked one last time, “What do you think? Is it full?”
Some will ask what do the rocks, pebbles, sand, and water represent? It doesn’t matter. Catch the point of the story. We will never be filled with the Spirit until we are emptied of self and the Spirit of God has completely filled every part of our lives.
When there is only room for God, the Spirit lives within.
Blessed by you… Bro. Sherman
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