We should never say this it is too doctrinal or too theological
The Bible is about the truth of God's word
We should never find the Bible boring
We should be lost in wonder, love and praise at the truths [in the Bible]
Paul understood that people would find it difficult at times so uses illustrations
We need the grace of God to understand
We should pray for spiritual discernment
"Open my eyes that I might see wonderful things in Your law"
Overview and previous teaching
Justification by Faith (Rom 5:1) [21st Aug]
The bedrock of Christianity and belief
We can never be good enough before God
We need somebody to save us from our sin
Christ took our place on the cross
Christ took our sin and our condemnation
If we believe in Him we are justified by faith alone and have peace with God and are children of God
The basis of the reformation
Freedom from the Dominion of Sin (Rom 6:11,14) [28th Aug]
v11 - Reckon yourself to be dead to sin but alive to Christ Jesus
You are no longer a slave or mastered by sin
v14 - Sin shall not have dominion over you
Illustration of a garden
Given a new heart and a new nature
Put to death the sins
Deliverance from the Law (Rom 7:1-13) [4th Sept]
The Spirit (Rom 8:5-14)
The implications of being a child of God
A continuation of the previous teaching
How am I to put the death sin?
What about indwelling sin?
Your spirit is saved by your body will be redeemed by the Holy Spirit
We are freed from the rigour of the law, but not the requirements of it
The Holy Spirit enables us to fulfill the law of God
Overview: v5-14
A Contrast: those in the Flesh and the Spirit (v5-9)
What are the implications of being in the Spirit? (v10-11)
A Conclusion (v12-14)
A Contrast: Those in the Flesh and the Spirit (v5-9)
"For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit" (v5)
There are two types of people in this world
Look at the book of Psalms or the teaching of Jesus Christ
The world is divided into two: those who love Him and those who don't
Two types of people:
The flesh:
Consider the sin of Adam
Human nature
Born with a heart that doesn't love or serve God
The Spirit:
Those who are converted
Those who are saved
Those in whom the Holy Spirit has come to dwell in their hearts
Two types of mind:
The flesh: set their minds on the things of the flesh
Lives purely for self
Examples
Living to satisfy the desires of the flesh
The child of God want to serve Him
2 Cor 5:11
Eph 5:10
You are fundamentally different from people that don't know Christ
Two results of this type of living:
"For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace." (v6)
The flesh: death
Separation from God
A physical, spiritual and eternal death
The Spirit: life and peace
We have spiritual life
Examples
There is peace
Peace with God
Peace within Himself
Assurance
Two certainties (v7-9):
Those who are not saved cannot please God
They have a mind that cannot and does not want to keep God's law
Examples
It is enmity towards God
If you have the Spirit of Christ and the Spirit of God (they are one) dwelling within your heart - you are a child of God
Paul wants to encourage the believers
If you do not have the Spirit of Christ and the Spirit of God (they are one) dwelling within your heart - then you are not a child of God
How do we know if we have the Spirit of God within us?
Do you love God?
Do you want to please Him?
Do you struggle with sin?
Then you are a child of God
Summary of this section
What are the implications of being in the Spirit? (v10-11)
What is the corollary? (What is the truth that follows on from this teaching?)
We are not a slave of sin but we still struggle with sin
The truth that follows from the indwelling Spirit
The Holy Spirit raised Christ from the dead
It is the Spirit of Christ (v10)
One day we will be raised and will be free from this body that still causes us problems (v22-23)
A Conclusion (v12-14)
What is the conclusion of the matter?
We owe nothing to the flesh
We owe everything to the grace of God
If we live by the flesh we will die - if we live by the Spirit we will be saved
The Holy Spirit will help us to put to death our deeds of the body
We are on the victory side!
Example of WW2
D-Day has occurred and now it is a 'mop-up' operation
Put to death the deeds of the body
Put to death all sin
Closing Remarks
"But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life." Rom 6:22
However calls on the name of the Lord will be saved
