– Finding a Life Worth Living – 3. “Living Empowered” Romans 8: 1–25 (p. 1043)
Living Victoriously Living the life God calls me to Discipline that doesn’t feel burdensome Joy/Fullness from doing what is right – it’s fun. Knowing what’s right – what God wants me to do. Living with a daily sense of his presence God is right with me – affirming and approving my life Struggles & opposition are only External – not within.
1. Barriers to Victory Current (Non) Experience of the Spirit Normal for the early church (Acts 10:44; Gal 3:5; 1 Ths 1:5) Power outworking in: Signs & wonders (Heb 2:4) Boldness to witness (Rom 1:16; 2 Tim 1:8) Personal transformation & renewal (2 Cor 3:18; Eph 4:23) Freedom (“set free” v 2) Worldly view – do whatever I want when I want. Slave to my desires, whims and selfish indulgences (cannot choose Good) Godly view – able to do what is good, right and beneficial (to ALL)
2. Victory in the Spirit Following on from the “inability” of Rom 7. The “powerlessness” of the Law (v 3) “weakened by the sinful nature [flesh]” Overcome by Christ’s sin offering (v 3-4) Overcome by “the Law of the Spirit of Life” (v 2) Life in the “Flesh” [sinful nature] - vs - Life in the Spirit IIs Death (v 6) IIs hostile to God (v 7) DDoes not & cannot submit to God (v 7) CCannot please God (v 8) IIs Life & Peace (v 6) LLives in all who are in Christ (v 9; 1 Co 12:13) GGives life to our mortal bodies (v 11) CConfirms our “sonship” (v 15) – heirs (v 17) AAllows us to cry “Abba” [Daddy] (v 15)
3. Choosing Victory A “SET” of the Mind (v 5) Set on what the flesh desires - OR - Set on what the Spirit desires No “mix-and-match” - all or nothing! An “OBLIGATION” (v 12) Not to the flesh [sinful nature]. By the Spirit “put to death” the practices of the body A willingness to share in Jesus’ sufferings (v 17) Not worth comparing to the glory we will receive (v 18) A hopeful Waiting (v 25)
Living Empowered A Real possibility of a Life of VICTORY Re-defining our worldview – Freedom in the Spirit Rejecting worldly indulgence; Embracing God’s new Life Knowing fully our new life in Christ through the Spirit All the privileges and benefits – not distracted or enticed Choosing life in the Spirit A new Mind SET – perseverance in suffering; patient hope. A New Obligation – to the Spirit.