Living by the Spirit: Embracing God's Faithfulness
Summary
God's faithfulness is the cornerstone of our lives, and as His sons and daughters, we are called to live by the Spirit, not by the flesh. This week has been challenging for my family, but I am committed to sharing this message with you. I pray for you daily, and I ask for your prayers in return. We are in this journey together, and there is no turning back. We are exploring the profound truths found in the book of Romans, particularly chapter 8, where Paul explains the importance of being led by the Spirit. Knowing the Word is not enough; it must transform our lives through the Spirit's guidance.
Paul emphasizes that there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus who walk according to the Spirit. Many struggle with feelings of condemnation because they choose to walk in the flesh, which is at war with God. Our true battle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces. Walking in the Spirit brings life and peace, while living according to the flesh leads to death. We are reminded that we are not obligated to follow the flesh, and through the Spirit, we can put to death the deeds of the flesh.
Being led by the Spirit is a continuous process of surrender and obedience. It involves making daily choices to follow God's guidance in every aspect of our lives. As we do so, the Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, providing assurance of our salvation. This assurance is not based on works but on the Spirit's presence within us. We are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, experiencing the kingdom of heaven both now and in the future.
Our mission is to depopulate the kingdom of darkness and advance God's kingdom. This involves facing challenges and suffering, but also experiencing God's glory. As sons and daughters of God, we have the power to influence and change the world around us. Let us embrace our identity and assignment, surrendering to the Spirit's leading and trusting in God's faithfulness.
Key Takeaways:
- God's faithfulness is unwavering, and as His children, we are called to live by the Spirit, not by the flesh. This requires daily surrender and obedience to the Spirit's guidance, which transforms our lives and aligns us with God's will. [03:39]
- Walking in the Spirit brings life and peace, while living according to the flesh leads to spiritual death. The Spirit empowers us to put to death the deeds of the flesh, freeing us from its control and enabling us to live in alignment with God's purposes. [19:16]
- Assurance of salvation comes from the Spirit's witness within us, not from our works. This assurance is a gift from God, affirming our identity as His children and heirs, and it provides confidence in our relationship with Him. [36:16]
- Our mission as believers is to advance God's kingdom and depopulate the kingdom of darkness. This involves facing challenges and suffering, but also experiencing God's glory and power in our lives and the world around us. [43:34]
- As sons and daughters of God, we have the power to influence and change the world. Our identity and assignment are rooted in our relationship with God, and as we surrender to the Spirit's leading, we fulfill our purpose and bring about transformation. [40:10]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:44] - Prayer and Support
- [01:44] - Series Introduction
- [03:39] - The Importance of Being Led by the Spirit
- [04:34] - No Condemnation in Christ
- [08:04] - The Battle Against the Flesh
- [09:26] - Pleasing God Through Faith
- [10:03] - Assurance of Being in the Spirit
- [12:57] - Super Bowl and Community
- [18:04] - The Choice Between Flesh and Spirit
- [19:16] - Mortification of the Flesh
- [21:07] - Walking in the Spirit
- [23:47] - Sons and Daughters of God
- [26:57] - Practical Guidance of the Spirit
- [29:20] - Spirit of Adoption and Love
- [36:16] - Assurance of Salvation
- [40:10] - Influence and Assignment
- [43:34] - Mission and Suffering
- [47:20] - Prayer and Surrender
- [49:02] - Invitation to Prayer and Miracles
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Romans 8:1-17
- Galatians 5:16-18
- Ephesians 6:12
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Romans 8:1, who is free from condemnation, and what condition is attached to this freedom? [04:34]
2. What does Paul mean when he says that those who live according to the flesh cannot please God? [09:26]
3. How does the Spirit bear witness with our spirit that we are children of God, according to Romans 8:16? [31:30]
4. What is the significance of being heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ as mentioned in Romans 8:17? [38:24]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of "no condemnation" for those in Christ Jesus challenge common feelings of guilt and shame among believers? [04:34]
2. In what ways does living by the Spirit differ from living by the flesh, and how does this impact a believer's daily life? [19:16]
3. What does it mean to be led by the Spirit continuously, and how does this relate to the idea of surrender? [25:30]
4. How does the assurance of salvation through the Spirit's witness provide confidence in a believer's relationship with God? [36:16]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent situation where you felt condemned. How can the truth of "no condemnation" in Christ change your perspective on that situation? [04:34]
2. Identify a specific area in your life where you tend to walk according to the flesh. What steps can you take to be more led by the Spirit in that area? [19:16]
3. Consider the daily choices you make. How can you incorporate a practice of surrender to the Spirit's guidance in your decision-making process? [26:16]
4. How can you remind yourself of your identity as a child of God and an heir with Christ in moments of doubt or insecurity? [38:24]
5. What is one practical way you can participate in advancing God's kingdom and depopulating the kingdom of darkness in your community? [43:34]
6. Think of a challenge you are currently facing. How can you rely on God's faithfulness and the Spirit's leading to navigate through it? [01:44]
7. How can you encourage others in your small group to embrace their identity and assignment as sons and daughters of God? [40:10]
Devotional
Day 1: Living by the Spirit's Guidance
God's faithfulness is unwavering, and as His children, we are called to live by the Spirit, not by the flesh. This requires daily surrender and obedience to the Spirit's guidance, which transforms our lives and aligns us with God's will. Living by the Spirit means making conscious choices every day to follow God's direction in all aspects of life. It is a journey of continuous surrender, where believers are encouraged to let go of their own desires and embrace the Spirit's leading. This process not only transforms individual lives but also aligns them with God's greater purpose, bringing about a deeper sense of peace and fulfillment. [03:39]
"For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!'" (Romans 8:14-15, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to surrender to the Spirit's guidance? How can you take a step today to trust and follow His leading more fully?
Day 2: The Path to Life and Peace
Walking in the Spirit brings life and peace, while living according to the flesh leads to spiritual death. The Spirit empowers us to put to death the deeds of the flesh, freeing us from its control and enabling us to live in alignment with God's purposes. This transformation is not a one-time event but a daily commitment to choose the Spirit over the flesh. By doing so, believers experience a profound sense of peace and fulfillment that comes from living in harmony with God's will. The struggle against the flesh is real, but the Spirit provides the strength and guidance needed to overcome it. [19:16]
"For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace." (Romans 8:6, ESV)
Reflection: Identify a specific habit or thought pattern that aligns with the flesh rather than the Spirit. What practical steps can you take today to replace it with a Spirit-led mindset?
Day 3: Assurance Through the Spirit
Assurance of salvation comes from the Spirit's witness within us, not from our works. This assurance is a gift from God, affirming our identity as His children and heirs, and it provides confidence in our relationship with Him. The Spirit's presence within believers serves as a constant reminder of their identity in Christ, offering peace and security that transcends circumstances. This assurance is not based on human effort but on the Spirit's work, providing a firm foundation for faith and a deep sense of belonging in God's family. [36:16]
"The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him." (Romans 8:16-17, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you doubted your salvation. How can you rely on the Spirit's witness today to reaffirm your identity as a child of God?
Day 4: Advancing God's Kingdom
Our mission as believers is to advance God's kingdom and depopulate the kingdom of darkness. This involves facing challenges and suffering, but also experiencing God's glory and power in our lives and the world around us. Believers are called to be active participants in God's redemptive work, bringing light to dark places and hope to the hopeless. This mission requires courage and perseverance, as it often involves stepping out of comfort zones and confronting spiritual opposition. However, the promise of God's presence and power provides the strength needed to fulfill this calling. [43:34]
"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:12, ESV)
Reflection: What is one practical way you can contribute to advancing God's kingdom in your community this week? How can you prepare yourself spiritually for any challenges you might face?
Day 5: Embracing Our Identity and Assignment
As sons and daughters of God, we have the power to influence and change the world. Our identity and assignment are rooted in our relationship with God, and as we surrender to the Spirit's leading, we fulfill our purpose and bring about transformation. Embracing this identity means recognizing the authority and responsibility that comes with being a child of God. It involves stepping into the roles and assignments God has prepared, trusting in His faithfulness to equip and empower for the task. This journey of faith is marked by a willingness to be used by God to bring about change and transformation in the world. [40:10]
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively embrace your identity as a child of God today? What specific action can you take to influence and bring about positive change in your sphere of influence?
Quotes
We've been in this wonderful series, this conversation that God started last week, empowered by His Spirit as the Apostle Paul began to speak to us about how he came up with all this amazing doctrine. Doctrine that we as Christians, as Jesus followers, live by, we stake our life on it, and it's what unites us as believers all over the world. [00:01:52] (42 seconds)
But until you get to that place in your life, where you are willing to be led by the Spirit of God, the truth that is written, handed to us, will not affect your life. And that is the truth. The word of God said, ever learning, but never coming to the knowledge of the truth. How can that? How can that be? [00:03:53] (36 seconds)
And Paul takes us on this journey. And he begins to explain that there is no condemnation. And I know we like to stop there. But he says there is no condemnation for those who are what? In Christ Jesus. But it didn't stop there. He said, for those who do not walk according to the flesh. [00:04:30] (40 seconds)
Because the reality is God has given us a choice we can walk in the flesh according to our natural self according to our feelings and our emotions or we can walk according to the Holy Spirit and I know many don't really believe that he wants to actually guide our lives but that's a deception all by itself. [00:06:14] (32 seconds)
He says, but you are not in the flesh, but in the spirit. He just wants to remind us if indeed the spirit of God is in you. And I love when he pauses there because he just wants to qualify things. He says. That you are a son or a daughter. If the spirit of God lives in you. [00:09:48] (22 seconds)
And the only way the spirit of God will live in you is if you confess Jesus as Lord. And the only way the spirit of God lives in you is if you confess Jesus as Lord. And the only way the spirit of God lives in you is if you confess Jesus as Lord. Thank you. [00:10:10] (16 seconds)
For if you live according to the flesh, you will die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the flesh, you will live. Did you know? Did you know? That the more you obey the Spirit of God inside you, that He brings death to the flesh. Every single time you obey. [00:19:00] (31 seconds)
We learned last week that willpower is not enough. But actually, as you walk out this faithfulness. Faith and obedience, following the promptings, the nudging, the impulses of the Spirit, He brings death to the flesh. It's called mortification. Have you ever noticed that as you begin to really serve the Lord, the things that so easily beset you are just not as exciting anymore. [00:19:52] (35 seconds)
And when we said yes to Jesus, He added a new address to occupy. His residency is inside of you. All of Him in all of you. Tell your neighbor, wow. Now you didn't look at Him. Anything? We go through this all the time. You know, it's like, wow. No. Find somebody, look them in the eyeball and say, wow. Wow, wow, wow. Jesus. [00:27:42] (48 seconds)
And if children, then heirs. Heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. That means that as a son and a daughter. As evidence. By us. Being obedient to the influences. The nudges. Of the Holy Spirit. That we are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. We have a future inheritance. [00:37:43] (34 seconds)
And Paul is and he said we're going to experience glory and we're going to experience suffering you know we don't like to talk about the suffering side of the cross and that's not just having a bad day we are facing a formidable foe but our mandate is to depopulate the kingdom of darkness that's our mandate mission that's our assignment and so with that we will experience the glory of God and we will experience suffering. [00:44:16] (44 seconds)
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