Empowered by Christ: Overcoming Our Old Nature
Summary
In our journey of faith, we often find ourselves in a battle between our old nature and the new life we have in Christ. This struggle is vividly depicted in Romans 7, where Paul describes the frustration of wanting to do right but being pulled back by sin. The key to overcoming this battle is not through sheer willpower or self-help strategies, but through a deeper understanding of Christ and His work on the cross. It's about allowing Jesus to be not just a resident in our lives, but the president, the one in charge.
The first step in this battle is to deepen our understanding of Christ. Knowing about Jesus is not enough; we must truly grasp what He has done for us. This understanding is crucial because it is through Jesus that we find freedom from the "body of death" that Paul describes. This metaphor illustrates the burden of sin that we carry, much like a decaying body chained to us. The answer to this predicament is not found in principles or programs, but in the person of Jesus Christ.
The second step is to detect and disarm the lies we believe. Satan's primary tactic is to deceive us, and often, we deceive ourselves. We must confront these lies with the truth of God's Word. The Bible tells us that if we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves. Therefore, acknowledging the truth about our struggles is essential for freedom.
Finally, we must declare our struggles to another person. Confession is not just about seeking forgiveness from God but also about finding healing through community. Sharing our burdens with a trusted friend or accountability partner opens the door to healing and transformation. As James 5:16 says, "Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed."
In summary, the battle against our old nature is not won by our strength but by the power of the Holy Spirit working in us. We must let go of self-reliance and allow Christ to live through us, empowering us to live victoriously.
Key Takeaways:
1. Understanding Christ's Role: To win the battle against our old nature, we must deepen our understanding of Christ and His work on the cross. It's not enough to know about Jesus; we must let Him be the president of our lives, guiding and empowering us. [02:50]
2. Freedom Through Christ: The struggle with sin is like carrying a "body of death." True freedom comes not from self-help but through Jesus Christ, who liberates us from the burden of sin. [05:03]
3. Confronting Lies: Satan's primary weapon is deception. We must detect and disarm the lies we believe, whether they come from Satan or ourselves, and replace them with God's truth. [07:14]
4. The Power of Confession: Healing comes through confession, not just to God but to one another. Sharing our struggles with a trusted friend brings accountability and support, leading to transformation. [15:35]
5. Spirit Empowerment: Willpower alone is insufficient. We need the Holy Spirit to empower us to live victoriously. It's about letting Christ live through us, fulfilling God's desires in our lives. [20:34]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - The Limitations of Willpower
- [00:44] - The Struggle Within
- [01:20] - God's Battle Plan
- [01:53] - Deepening Understanding of Christ
- [03:40] - Freedom from the Body of Death
- [05:03] - The Answer is Jesus
- [06:38] - Detecting and Disarming Lies
- [07:51] - Self-Deception and Sin
- [09:14] - The Heart's Deceitfulness
- [10:44] - Stop Defeating Yourself
- [12:00] - The Truth Sets You Free
- [13:57] - Declaring Your Struggle
- [15:35] - The Power of Confession
- [17:36] - Living by the Spirit
- [20:00] - The Need for Spirit Power
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Romans 7:24-25
2. James 5:16
3. Galatians 5:16
---
Observation Questions:
1. In Romans 7:24-25, Paul describes a struggle with sin. What metaphor does he use to illustrate this struggle, and what is the solution he identifies? [03:40]
2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of Jesus being the "president" of our lives rather than just a "resident"? [02:50]
3. How does James 5:16 relate to the concept of confession and healing within a community? [15:35]
4. What is the difference between the life described in Romans 7 and the life described in Galatians 5:16, according to the sermon? [17:36]
---
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the metaphor of the "body of death" in Romans 7:24-25 help us understand the burden of sin in our lives? What does this imply about the nature of sin? [03:40]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of detecting and disarming lies we believe. How might self-deception hinder spiritual growth, and what role does truth play in overcoming it? [07:14]
3. In what ways does confessing our struggles to others, as mentioned in James 5:16, contribute to personal and communal healing? How might this practice be challenging yet beneficial? [15:35]
4. Galatians 5:16 speaks about living by the Spirit. How does this concept contrast with relying on willpower alone, as discussed in the sermon? [20:34]
---
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current understanding of Christ's role in your life. What steps can you take this week to deepen your understanding of His work on the cross? [02:50]
2. Identify a lie you might be believing about yourself or your circumstances. How can you confront this lie with the truth of God's Word this week? [07:14]
3. Consider a struggle you are facing. Who is a trusted friend or accountability partner you can share this with, and how can you initiate that conversation? [15:35]
4. Think about an area in your life where you have been relying on willpower. How can you invite the Holy Spirit to empower you in this area instead? [20:34]
5. What practical steps can you take to make Jesus the "president" of your life, ensuring He is in charge of your decisions and actions? [02:50]
6. Reflect on a time when you felt defeated by your old nature. How can the insights from this sermon help you approach similar situations differently in the future? [22:53]
7. How can you create a habit of regularly confessing your struggles to God and a trusted friend to foster healing and transformation in your life? [15:35]
Devotional
Day 1: Christ as the President of Our Lives
Understanding Christ's role in our lives is crucial for overcoming the battle against our old nature. It's not enough to simply know about Jesus; we must allow Him to be the president of our lives, guiding and empowering us. This means surrendering control and letting Christ lead us in every aspect of our lives. By doing so, we align ourselves with His will and purpose, which enables us to live victoriously over sin. The work of Christ on the cross is the foundation of our freedom, and by deepening our understanding of this, we can experience true transformation. [02:50]
Colossians 3:3-4 (ESV): "For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."
Reflection: What area of your life are you still trying to control instead of letting Christ lead? How can you begin to surrender this area to Him today?
Day 2: Freedom from the Burden of Sin
The struggle with sin is like carrying a "body of death," a metaphor for the burden of sin that weighs us down. True freedom is not found in self-help strategies or sheer willpower but through Jesus Christ, who liberates us from this burden. By understanding and accepting what Christ has done for us, we can experience the freedom that comes from being released from the chains of sin. This freedom allows us to live a life that is pleasing to God and aligned with His purpose. [05:03]
Galatians 5:1 (ESV): "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery."
Reflection: What is one sin or burden you feel chained to? How can you invite Jesus to help you find freedom from it today?
Day 3: Disarming the Lies We Believe
Satan's primary weapon against us is deception, and often, we deceive ourselves. To overcome this, we must detect and disarm the lies we believe by confronting them with the truth of God's Word. Acknowledging the truth about our struggles is essential for freedom, as self-deception only keeps us in bondage. By replacing lies with God's truth, we can break free from the enemy's hold and live in the light of God's promises. [07:14]
2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (ESV): "For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ."
Reflection: Identify a lie you have believed about yourself or your situation. What truth from God's Word can you use to counteract this lie today?
Day 4: The Healing Power of Confession
Confession is a powerful tool for healing and transformation. It's not just about seeking forgiveness from God but also about finding healing through community. By sharing our struggles with a trusted friend or accountability partner, we open the door to healing and transformation. This act of vulnerability brings accountability and support, allowing us to experience the freedom and healing that comes from being honest about our struggles. [15:35]
James 5:16 (ESV): "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."
Reflection: Who is a trusted person you can share your struggles with? How can you take a step towards confession and healing today?
Day 5: Empowered by the Holy Spirit
Willpower alone is insufficient to overcome the battle against our old nature. We need the Holy Spirit to empower us to live victoriously. By letting Christ live through us, we can fulfill God's desires in our lives. This means relying on the Holy Spirit's power rather than our own strength, allowing Him to guide and transform us from the inside out. Through the Spirit's empowerment, we can experience true victory over sin and live a life that honors God. [20:34]
Ephesians 3:16-17 (ESV): "That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need the Holy Spirit's empowerment? How can you invite Him to strengthen you in this area today?
Quotes
Willpower is not enough to defeat your old nature and if you think that you can change simply by wanting to change or by learning about change it ain't going to happen it'll happen for a little while but then you're going to get tired and you're going to stop flapping knowing what to do is not enough to change you. [00:00:00]
The first thing I need to do God's battle plan for winning the battle inside me is I must deepen my understanding of Christ now you already know Christ it's you got to deepen your understanding of Christ and what he did for you on the cross now we're not talking about being an unbeliever here you're you're a Believer. [00:01:40]
Having Christ in you is not enough he doesn't just want to be resident in your life he wants to be president in your life he he doesn't want to just take up space he wants to be in charge he wants to be the Lord of your life what does that mean Lord it means he's the CEO he's the boss he's calling the shop. [00:02:38]
The answer to the battle in you is not a principle it's not a program it's not a pill it's a person it's Jesus Christ you know those things you want to change but can't change in your life the answer is not a Tony Robbins seminar the answer is not a new book the answer is not the next conference. [00:05:03]
The number one way Satan messes up your life is by suggesting lies to you or to get you to lie to yourself and that's the way number one way you mess up your own life is lying to yourself every time you Expose and challenge a lie that you've listened to in your mind you're going to be further set free. [00:07:01]
Behind every self-defeating Act is a lie I have believed behind every self-defeating Act is a lie that I have believed either I lied to myself or um or I let Satan lie to me you see we have an amazing ability to lie to ourselves and to convince ourselves of things that aren't true. [00:09:12]
To stop defeating myself I must stop deceiving myself to stop defeating myself all those self-defeating things in my life that I don't like about me that I'd like to change to stop defeating myself I have to stop deceiving myself I must become a person of the truth I stop stop denying I stop rationalizing. [00:10:38]
Declare my struggle what I'm struggling with with to another I'm struggling with my mouth I'm struggling with my mind I'm struggling with my memory I I'm struggling with my behavior I'm struggling with my secret addiction I'm struggling with and and you the Bible says we just share it sharing revealing your feeling is the beginning of healing. [00:14:02]
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that God can heal you when a believing person prays great things happen now he says confess it not to God it says confess to each other and pray for each other and then you'll be healed now we've talked about this verse dozens and dozens of times. [00:15:32]
Live according to your new life in the Holy Spirit Circle that phrase in the Holy Spirit live your according to your new life in the Holy Spirit then you won't do what your new what your sinful nature craves now the difference between Romans 7 which is a picture of total defeat and the picture of Romans 8 which is a picture of a man or woman in total Victory is this word spirit. [00:17:29]
You have the equipment to live a successful Victorious life but you it's not worth anything if you don't have the spirit powering you to do it you cannot do it on your own if there's anything I want you to understand this week as we start this very long series on spiritual warfare and understanding the deeper things of God. [00:19:33]
The only way to win this battle against the first enemy the old nature is to let the Holy Spirit do it now you're never going to get to the victory of chapter 8 until you experience the frustration of chapter 7 and you finally realize you can't live the Christian Life on your own power. [00:21:28]
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?