The Victory of the Believer: Living in the Spirit Romans 8:1-13

Who Is the Holy Spirit? John 16:7 “Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.” John 14:15-18 “If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever; the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” 2 Corinthians 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. Galatians 5:16 I say then: walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

The Spirit Gives Us Life and Freedom from the Body of Sin (8:1-14)

Katakrima- a judgment or sentence against Psalms 130:3-4 If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared. Hebrews 8:12 “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.”

Condemnation vs. Conviction CONDEMNATION- drives me away from the Lord; focuses upon self; “false” guilt CONVICTION- drives me to the Lord, focuses on Christ, involves actual offenses (true guilt)

The Roller Coaster Ride of Romans 7 “I,” “I,” “I” (32 times in chapter times in chapter 8 — vs. 18, 38) “Spirit” referred to one time in chapter 7, 21 times in chapter 8 (7:6)

Sin: Produced evil desire in me... (7:8) Revived when the law came... (7:9) Deceived me... (7:11) Produced death in me... (7:13) Is responsible for my failure (sins of commission and omission... (7:17, 20) This law or principle is in the members of my body (7:23)

Death: Separation from God The absence of life Frustration Failure Guilt Shame Lack of the fruit of the Spirit

Emotional or spiritual problems? Anxiety Fear Addictions Anger Manipulative behavior Loneliness Jealousy Hatred Bitterness Etc. Absence of trust Absence of love Absence of self control Absence of patience or longsuffering Absence of kindness and goodness Absence of personal contentment or friendliness Absence of true rejoicing for another Absence of forgiveness or acceptance Absence of grace

“When we believe what God says about us and see ourselves in a new way, then we will change the way we act. This is always God’s way of deliverance. We think that we have the change the way we act in order to be different; God says, ‘No, I have made you different, and when you believe it, you will automatically change the way you act.’ ” (From Guilt to Glory, Ray Stedman, p. 208)