Key Scriptures: Romans 8:1-13
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 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 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. 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. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. 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. 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. 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. Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 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.
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Lesson One: There has been a change in power.
• Because of the power of the Holy Spirit—you are no longer bound in sin and in your flesh
Romans 8:1-2, Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.
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Lesson Two: Sanctification is a continual process.
• “Sin remains, but it does not reign.”—John Wesley
Romans 7:21-25, So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me…waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!
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PRACTICAL APPLICATION
The Co-op of Growth.
• Sanctification is a partnership between the believer and the Holy Spirit. We are called to “work out” our salvation with effort, not to earn it, but because God is at work within us.
Philippians 2:12-13, Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
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Tools for transformation.
• Submit our lives to the Word of God. The primary weapon for killing sin is the Word of God—wielded by the Spirit
• Invest in our relationship with God. We must move from “good intentions” to active “investment” in our relationship with God—through the practice of spiritual disciplines
• Surrender our lives to God. In light of the immeasurable mercy that God has poured out in your life—the only logical response is to offer everything you have in return
Romans 8:12-13, Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation, but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 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.
Ephesians 6:17, And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
“It is the will of God, to have the Spirit of God, use the word of God, to make the children of God, look like the Son of God.”—Pastor H.B. Charles
Romans 12:1, Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.