THE SPIRIT- EMPOWERED LIFE

THE SPIRIT- EMPOWERED LIFE

May 29th June 4th The Spirit-Empowered Life SERMON OUTLINE Romans 8:1 17 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. I. THE FREEDOM OF THE SPIRIT (ROMANS 8:1 4) A. We are free from condemnation (8:1a) B. The means of freedom (8:2 3) C. The reason for the freedom (8:3b 4) II. THE BATTLE BETWEEN THE FLESH AND THE SPIRIT (ROMANS 8:5 8) A. Those who live according to the sinful nature 1. They have their minds on what that nature desires (8:5a) 2. It results in death (8;6) 3. It is hostile to God (8:7) 4. They cannot please God (8:8) B. Those who live according to the Spirit (8:5b) 1. They set their minds on what the Spirit desires (8:5b) 2. The mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace III. THE EVIDENCE OF THE SPIRIT IN YOUR LIFE (ROMANS 8:9 17) A. The Holy Spirit lives inside you (8:9) 1. The believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit (8:9a) 2. The unbeliever does not have the Holy Spirit (8:9b) B. The Holy Spirit gives you spiritual life (Romans 8:10 11) C. The Holy Spirit leads you in the ways of righteousness (Romans 8:12 13) 1. You must make a choice (8:12) 2. The consequences of the choice (8:13)

The Spirit-Empowered Life 9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. 12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. D. The Holy Spirit gives assurance that we are God s children (8:14 17) 1. We are led by the Spirit (8:14) 2. The Spirit assures us that we are children of God (8:15 16) 3. The Spirit testifies of our incredible privileges as children of God (8:15b, 17) a. We have access to our Heavenly Father (8:15b) b. We are joint-heirs with Christ (8:17) CONCLUSION Galatians 5:17, 15 SERMON NOTES 14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

The Spirit-Empowered Life WA R M U P I don t want my life to be explainable without the Holy Spirit. I want people to look at my life and know that I couldn t be doing this by my own power. I want to live in such a way that I am desperate for him to come through. I don t believe God wants me (or any of His children) to live in a way that makes sense from the world s perspective, a way I know I can manage. I believe He is calling me (and all of us) to depend on Him for living in a way that cannot be mimicked or forged. He wants us to walk in step with His Spirit rather than depend solely on the raw talent and knowledge He s given us. Francis Chan, Forgotten God How does it impact you personally to know that There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus Romans 8:1? How has the Holy Spirit revealed Himself to you in your life? Do you see evidence of a supernatural presence in your life? If so, how? If not, why not? DIG I N Read Romans 8:1 17 (Excerpt) 14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

The Spirit-Empowered Life REFLECTIONS Romans 8:1 17 As believers, we are led by the Holy Spirit. Share some examples where you sensed you were being led by the Holy Spirit. How did you know He was leading you? Why is it so difficult to Set your mind on what the Spirit desires? How can you relate to the Apostle Paul in his struggle with sin? (Romans 7:14-20) How does the Holy Spirit help you overcome the Law of sin and death? How does it make you feel to know that you are a child of God and a jointheir with Christ? Melvin Blackaby asks, Is the Holy Spirit moving you out of your comfort zone and into the Father s will? If so, how? TAKE IN Ask Yourself Paul writes: If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Gal.5:25. What can you do this week to try and keep in step with the Spirit?

The Spirit-Empowered Life PRAY UP Ask God Father, show me the things I still do that counter the Spirit s work in my life. Father, help me truly understand the depth of your love for me and that I m your child. Father, help me keep in step with the Spirit this week. PRAYER REQUESTS