Empowered Living: Overcoming Sin Through the Spirit

 

Summary

In this gathering, we embark on a transformative journey, exploring the profound relationship between hearing and doing God's word. As we launch into this new series, "Empowered by His Spirit," we delve into the book of Romans, particularly chapter 8, to understand the complexities of living a Christian life amidst the struggles of sin and the flesh. The essence of this journey is not merely knowing the truth but abiding in it, which leads to true freedom. This abiding is akin to intimacy with God, a deep familiarity that transforms our lives.

We acknowledge that as believers, we often struggle with sin, despite being saved by grace. The Apostle Paul, whose life and writings we hold in high regard, also faced these challenges. His transparency in Romans reveals the internal conflict between the desire to do good and the reality of sin dwelling within. This struggle is not unique to Paul but is a common experience for all believers. It highlights the insufficiency of willpower alone to live a life pleasing to God.

The key to overcoming this struggle lies in the Holy Spirit. Paul emphasizes that living according to the Spirit, rather than the flesh, is essential for a victorious Christian life. The Spirit empowers us to fulfill the righteous requirements of the law, which we cannot achieve through our own efforts. This empowerment is not about human strength but about surrendering to the life of Christ within us.

As we navigate this journey, we are reminded of the importance of the Holy Spirit's role in our lives. The Spirit provides guidance, wisdom, and the ability to see beyond the flesh into spiritual realities. This relationship with the Holy Spirit is crucial for living out the truths of the Christian faith and stepping into our God-given purpose.

In conclusion, we are called to a life of dependency on God, recognizing that our achievements in the world do not equate to spiritual success. By walking in the Spirit, we align ourselves with God's will and experience the fullness of life He intends for us.

Key Takeaways:

- Expectation and Faith: Entering God's house with expectation sets the stage for encountering His presence. When we come with great expectations, we open ourselves to the transformative power of God, who can do the impossible. Believing in God's ability to work in our lives is foundational to experiencing His miracles. [01:44]

- The Struggle with Sin: Like Paul, we all face the internal battle between our desire to do good and the sin that dwells within us. This struggle is a reminder of our need for God's grace and the insufficiency of willpower alone. Recognizing this struggle helps us rely more on God's strength rather than our own. [15:37]

- The Role of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit is essential for living a victorious Christian life. By living according to the Spirit, we can overcome the condemnation and accusations that hold us back. The Spirit empowers us to fulfill God's righteous requirements, which we cannot achieve on our own. [29:17]

- Abiding in the Word: Knowing the truth is not enough; we must abide in it. Abiding is about intimacy with God, which leads to true freedom. This relationship with God transforms our lives and enables us to live out the truths of the Christian faith. [13:51]

- Dependency on God: Our achievements in the world do not equate to spiritual success. True success comes from walking in the Spirit and aligning ourselves with God's will. This dependency on God keeps us humble and reliant on His strength rather than our own. [42:57]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:13] - God's House and Expectation
- [02:29] - Correction and Testimony
- [03:57] - God's Presence and Testimonies
- [05:33] - God's Voice and Elevation
- [06:39] - Series Introduction: Empowered by His Spirit
- [08:40] - The Struggle with Sin
- [12:06] - Abiding in the Word
- [14:40] - Paul's Personal Challenges
- [18:35] - The Battle Within
- [22:18] - Finding a Way Out
- [25:46] - No Condemnation in Christ
- [29:17] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
- [32:51] - The Law and Fulfillment
- [35:24] - Christ in Us: The Hope of Glory
- [39:14] - The Carnal Mind vs. The Spirit
- [42:57] - Dependency on God and Free Will

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide: Empowered by His Spirit

#### Bible Reading
- Romans 8:1-11
- John 8:31-32

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#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul identify as the internal conflict he experiences in Romans 7:18-19, and how does this relate to the struggle with sin mentioned in the sermon? [15:37]
2. According to the sermon, what role does the Holy Spirit play in overcoming the struggle between the flesh and the spirit? [29:17]
3. How does the concept of "abiding in the Word" as mentioned in John 8:31-32 relate to the idea of intimacy with God discussed in the sermon? [13:51]
4. What does the phrase "no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" mean in the context of Romans 8:1, and how was it explained in the sermon? [25:46]

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#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the sermon describe the insufficiency of willpower in overcoming sin, and what alternative does it propose? [16:27]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that living according to the Spirit differs from living according to the flesh? [28:17]
3. How does the sermon interpret the relationship between knowing the truth and abiding in it, as mentioned in John 8:31-32? [13:51]
4. What does the sermon imply about the importance of expectation and faith when entering God's presence? [01:44]

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#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you relied solely on willpower to overcome a challenge. How might inviting the Holy Spirit into that situation have changed the outcome? [16:27]
2. Identify a specific area in your life where you feel the struggle between the flesh and the spirit. What steps can you take this week to live more according to the Spirit? [28:17]
3. How can you cultivate a deeper intimacy with God in your daily routine to ensure you are abiding in His Word? [13:51]
4. What expectations do you bring when you enter into worship or prayer? How can you increase your faith and expectation to experience God's transformative power? [01:44]
5. Consider a recent situation where you felt condemned. How can the truth of "no condemnation in Christ" change your perspective and response in similar future situations? [25:46]
6. How can you practically depend more on God in your daily decisions, recognizing that worldly achievements do not equate to spiritual success? [42:57]
7. Think of a specific way you can surrender more to the life of Christ within you this week. What practical steps will you take to align yourself with God's will? [36:31]

Devotional

Day 1: Entering God's Presence with Expectation
When we enter God's house with expectation, we open ourselves to the transformative power of His presence. This expectation is not just a hopeful wish but a confident belief in God's ability to work in our lives. It sets the stage for encountering His presence and experiencing His miracles. By coming with great expectations, we align our hearts with faith, allowing God to do the impossible in our lives. This mindset is foundational to experiencing the fullness of His power and grace. [01:44]

Isaiah 64:4 (ESV): "From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him."

Reflection: What specific expectation can you bring to God today, trusting Him to work in your life in a way that only He can?


Day 2: Embracing the Struggle with Sin
The internal battle between the desire to do good and the sin that dwells within is a common experience for all believers. Like the Apostle Paul, we often find ourselves struggling with sin despite being saved by grace. This struggle serves as a reminder of our need for God's grace and the insufficiency of willpower alone. Recognizing this struggle helps us rely more on God's strength rather than our own, leading us to a deeper dependency on His grace and mercy. [15:37]

Galatians 5:17 (ESV): "For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you feel the strongest struggle with sin, and how can you invite God's grace into that struggle today?


Day 3: Living by the Spirit's Empowerment
The Holy Spirit is essential for living a victorious Christian life. By living according to the Spirit, we can overcome the condemnation and accusations that hold us back. The Spirit empowers us to fulfill God's righteous requirements, which we cannot achieve on our own. This empowerment is not about human strength but about surrendering to the life of Christ within us. The Spirit provides guidance, wisdom, and the ability to see beyond the flesh into spiritual realities, enabling us to live out the truths of the Christian faith. [29:17]

Ezekiel 36:27 (ESV): "And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules."

Reflection: How can you intentionally seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in a specific decision or challenge you are facing today?


Day 4: Abiding in the Word for True Freedom
Knowing the truth is not enough; we must abide in it. Abiding is about intimacy with God, which leads to true freedom. This relationship with God transforms our lives and enables us to live out the truths of the Christian faith. By abiding in His Word, we cultivate a deep familiarity with God that changes us from the inside out, allowing us to experience the freedom that comes from living in His truth. [13:51]

John 15:7 (ESV): "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you."

Reflection: What practical steps can you take today to deepen your intimacy with God through His Word?


Day 5: Dependency on God for True Success
Our achievements in the world do not equate to spiritual success. True success comes from walking in the Spirit and aligning ourselves with God's will. This dependency on God keeps us humble and reliant on His strength rather than our own. By recognizing that our true purpose and fulfillment come from Him, we can experience the fullness of life He intends for us, living out our God-given purpose with confidence and peace. [42:57]

Jeremiah 9:23-24 (ESV): "Thus says the Lord: 'Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.'"

Reflection: In what ways can you shift your focus from worldly achievements to a deeper dependency on God today?

Quotes

"That's a word he just put on my heart that as we come expecting to meet God, God will show up. If you come with low expectations, then that's what you get. Amen. But if you come with great expectation, that's what you get. Amen. And so as we gather together, as the beloved come together, come with expectation." [00:01:44] (31 seconds)


"Knowing the truth of what the word says is not enough. Now, in some regards, that's going to sound like a contradiction. Knowing the truth of what God said is not enough to walk this thing out called Christianity. So really quickly, before we get into Romans, let's go quickly to John chapter 8." [00:12:06] (37 seconds)


"Abiding, if I were to swap that word out, is another word for intimacy. Knowing. Hanging out, becoming familiar with the Father. And Paul is about to walk us right into that dynamic. All right. So now let's go to Romans chapter 8. But then let's back up a few verses. I want to start." [00:14:40] (34 seconds)


"The longings to do what is right are within me. But willpower, say willpower, is not enough to accomplish it. Now, the world will tell you that all you need is a little willpower. That the human will is strong and can do anything. But right here, we learn that. Willpower isn't sufficient to walk this faith out in Jesus." [00:16:06] (27 seconds)


"This is a struggle with many believers. I believe it's a struggle that keeps believers from fulfilling the very thing that God is calling us to do on an individual basis. Now, we can figure this thing out. Many of us. We'll begin to step into our purpose and our design. If we can figure it out." [00:22:18] (25 seconds)


"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. Can I get an amen? Oh, that was a week. Amen. Amen. I like how the. Passion puts it, it says, so now the case is closed. There remains no accusing voice of condemnation. I like that the case is closed." [00:25:46] (39 seconds)


"See, the condemnation is that little voice that keeps accusing you, keeps holding you down, keeps telling you you're not enough, keeps telling you, oh, you done messed up again. You just can't seem to get it right. It just, it never stops. It holds the best believers back at times. It holds the best believers back at times." [00:28:17] (21 seconds)


"Love God with all your. And love your. There you go. And you do these two things. He says all the laws of the prophet. What? Are fulfilled. Hang on those two things. Are you getting it? All right. This should be making sense. So for the law. The law of the spirit of life." [00:35:24] (25 seconds)


"Because the carnal mind, as it pertains to things of God, is, the Bible says, enmity against God. For it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. Listen, if we choose to default to our natural mind, just know that immediately you begin to war, go to war with God." [00:39:14] (29 seconds)


"Because if you were like me I would have I would have blown this thing and in fact many times I did but by his grace and his mercy he restores us and he he sets us back on the his path of of righteousness just place your hand over your heart and father as just an act of surrender we we place our hand on our hearts and we acknowledge that just knowing the truth is not enough." [00:42:57] (42 seconds)


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Transcript
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