How does a Spirit-filled Christian behave? What are the thoughts of his heart? How does he interact with others? And what about a Spirit-filled church? What does a Spirit-filled church look like? Our text this morning gives us a brief but important glimpse at a Spirit-filled church. Three traits leap out to us from the Word. Because the hearts of Spirit-filled believers are aligned with God's Spirit, (1) the words that people share with one another are uplifting; (2) gratitude replaces complaining, whining, criticism, and fear; and (3) the believers work together to serve the Lord and to help one another. We can say that a church that is not filled by the Spirit tends to be the opposite: harsh words, sharp tongues, whining, fault-finding, blaming, stubbornness, inflexibility, and unforgiveness. Spirit-filled Christians are grateful Christians. Puritan scholar William Law once wrote: "Would you know who is the greatest saint in the world? It is not he who prays most or fasts most; it is not he who gives most alms, or is more eminent for temperance, chastity, or justice; but it is he who is always thankful to God who wills everything that God wills, who receives everything as an instance of God's goodness, and has a heart always ready to praise God for it." Begin with a grateful heart and you have a changed and fruitful Christian, and a happy and useful church. – Pastor David Packer
