Living by the Spirit: Beyond Rules to Transformation

In our journey of faith, it's crucial to move beyond viewing Christianity as a mere set of rules, such as the Ten Commandments. The essence of our faith is not in the rules themselves but in the transformative work of the Holy Spirit. When we rely solely on rules, they can lead to self-righteousness or rebellion, both of which result in spiritual death. The letter of the law, without the Spirit, kills. However, the Spirit gives life, turning the letter into a life-giving force. This is a profound truth that we must preach, teach, and live by.

To truly understand and apply this, we must cultivate a habit of delving deeper into the Scriptures. This involves asking relentless questions of the text, seeking to understand not just the surface meaning but the deeper realities that God intends to reveal. For instance, why does Paul use the term "letter" instead of "law" or "commandment"? It's because the letter, the basic building block of words, can kill if not enlivened by the Spirit. This applies to all forms of communication, whether it's Shakespearean plays, philosophical treatises, or even sermons. Without the Spirit, these words can lead to death.

The Spirit's role is to remove the blindness of our hearts, allowing us to see and treasure the true relationship of the letters with ultimate reality—the glory of Christ and God's purposes. This understanding transforms even the most mundane or deadly words into a prism through which God's glory shines. As we engage with texts, whether biblical or secular, we should strive to see them in their true relationship to God, leading to a lifetime of worship.

At Bethlehem College and Seminary, we have been forming this lifelong habit of pressing into the deeper realities of biblical texts. My prayer is that you live by the Spirit, with enlightened hearts, seeing every letter in its true relationship to God in Christ, producing a lifetime of worship.

Key Takeaways

• 1. righteousness or rebellion, resulting in spiritual death. The Spirit gives life, turning the letter into a life-giving force. [06:36]
  2. To truly understand Scripture, we must ask relentless questions, seeking deeper realities beyond the surface meaning. This habit helps us uncover God's intended truths and apply them to our lives.
  
  3. The letter of the law, without the Spirit, kills. This applies to all forms of communication, whether it's literature, philosophy, or sermons. The Spirit's role is to remove the blindness of our hearts, allowing us to see the true relationship of the letters with ultimate reality.
  
  4. The Spirit transforms even mundane or deadly words into a prism through which God's glory shines. By seeing texts in their true relationship to God, we can lead a life of worship.
  
  5. At Bethlehem College and Seminary, we cultivate the habit of pressing into the deeper realities of biblical texts. This lifelong habit helps us see every letter in its true relationship to God, leading to a lifetime of worship.
  
  ** [06:36]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [06:36] - The Spirit Gives Life
• [07:48] - Delving Deeper into Scripture
• [09:27] - The Letter Kills
• [10:54] - Aroma of the Gospel
• [12:14] - Spirit's Transformative Role
• [13:27] - Educational Implications
• [14:40] - Deadly Words and the Spirit
• [15:35] - Prism of God's Glory
• [16:25] - Lifelong Habit of Mind
• [17:24] - Prayer for Graduates
• [17:54] - Closing Prayer

1. 2 Corinthians 3:6 - "He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life."
2. 2 Corinthians 4:4-6 - "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ."

1. What does Paul mean when he says "the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life" in 2 Corinthians 3:6? How does this relate to the sermon’s message about the role of the Holy Spirit? [06:36]
2. In 2 Corinthians 4:4-6, what is the role of the Holy Spirit in removing the blindness of the heart? How does this connect to the sermon’s emphasis on seeing the true relationship of letters with ultimate reality? [12:39]
3. How does the sermon describe the potential danger of relying solely on rules or commandments without the Spirit? [06:58]
4. What examples from the sermon illustrate how the Spirit transforms mundane or deadly words into a prism through which God's glory shines? [15:35]

1. How does the sermon explain the difference between the letter of the law and the Spirit? Why is it important to understand this distinction in our faith journey? [09:27]
2. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of asking relentless questions of the text? How can this practice deepen our understanding of Scripture? [07:48]
3. How does the sermon illustrate the Spirit's role in transforming our understanding of texts, both biblical and secular? What implications does this have for our daily lives? [15:35]
4. In what ways does the sermon encourage believers to cultivate a lifelong habit of pressing into the deeper realities of biblical texts? How might this practice impact one's spiritual growth? [16:25]

1. Reflect on a time when you relied on rules or commandments without seeking the Spirit's guidance. How did that impact your spiritual life, and what changes can you make to rely more on the Spirit? [06:36]
2. Consider your current approach to reading Scripture. How can you incorporate the practice of asking relentless questions to uncover deeper truths? What specific steps will you take this week? [07:48]
3. Identify a piece of literature or a sermon that you have recently engaged with. How can you apply the sermon’s teaching to see it in its true relationship to God and His purposes? [15:35]
4. The sermon emphasizes the Spirit's role in removing the blindness of our hearts. What specific areas of your life do you feel need the Spirit's illumination, and how will you seek this transformation? [12:39]
5. How can you cultivate a habit of seeing every letter in its true relationship to God in Christ, as encouraged by the sermon? What practical steps can you take to make this a lifelong practice? [16:25]
6. Think of a situation where you might have been self-righteous or rebellious due to a focus on rules. How can you invite the Spirit to transform your perspective in similar situations in the future? [06:58]
7. How can you share the insights from this sermon with someone who might be struggling with a rule-based approach to Christianity? What specific conversation or action can you initiate this week? [09:27]