Overcoming Sin Through Faith and the Holy Spirit

Devotional

Day 1: The Law as a Mirror

The law serves as a mirror, revealing our sinful nature and our need for a Savior. It exposes our thoughts, motives, and actions, making us aware of our shortcomings. This awareness leads us to appreciate the grace of God and the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. The law, while good, cannot save us; it can only show us how much we need salvation. Paul, despite his devout adherence to the law, recognized his own sinfulness and the futility of trying to achieve righteousness through the law alone. This realization is crucial for us to understand the depth of God's grace and the necessity of Jesus' sacrifice. [34:00]

Romans 7:7-8 (ESV): "What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, 'You shall not covet.' But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead."

Reflection: Think about a specific commandment that you struggle with. How does this struggle reveal your need for God's grace and the sacrifice of Jesus?

Day 2: The Internal War

We are in a constant battle between our sinful nature and our desire to follow God. This struggle is real and ongoing, but recognizing it helps us rely more on the Holy Spirit. By feeding our spirit and starving our sinful nature, we can live a life that pleases God. Paul vividly described this internal war, emphasizing that while we may have good intentions, our sin nature often leads us astray. This ongoing battle requires us to continually seek the Holy Spirit's guidance and strength to overcome our sinful tendencies. [40:07]

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: Identify one area in your life where you feel this internal war the most. How can you actively seek the Holy Spirit's help in this area today?

Day 3: No Condemnation in Christ

There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. The Holy Spirit brings life and freedom, setting us free from the law of sin and death. Walking in the Spirit means experiencing conviction rather than condemnation, leading us to run to God rather than hide from Him. This assurance of no condemnation is a powerful truth that liberates us from guilt and shame, allowing us to live in the freedom and joy of God's grace. [49:22]

Romans 8:1-2 (ESV): "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt condemned. How can you embrace the truth of no condemnation in Christ and allow it to transform your response to sin?

Day 4: Adopted as Sons and Daughters

We are adopted into God's family, making us heirs to all His resources and blessings. This identity as sons and daughters of God gives us access to His provision and purpose for our lives. We are no longer bound by fear or sin but are free to live in the fullness of His love. Understanding our adoption into God's family changes how we view ourselves and our relationship with God, empowering us to live confidently in His love and provision. [55:00]

Ephesians 1:5-6 (ESV): "He predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved."

Reflection: How does knowing you are adopted into God's family change the way you view your daily challenges and opportunities? What specific step can you take today to live out this identity?

Day 5: Overcoming Through Christ

We are more than conquerors through Christ. Nothing can separate us from the love of God, and we have the Holy Spirit interceding for us. This assurance empowers us to face life's challenges with confidence, knowing that God is for us and that we have victory in Him. As we face the daily battles of life, we can rest in the assurance that God is for us and that we are more than conquerors through Him. This truth gives us the strength and courage to overcome any obstacle or hardship we encounter. [01:00:02]

Romans 8:37-39 (ESV): "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Reflection: What is one challenge you are currently facing? How can the assurance of being more than a conqueror through Christ change your approach to this challenge today?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we delved into the profound truths found in the book of Romans, particularly focusing on chapters 7 and 8. We began by celebrating the joy of being in the presence of Jesus and the anticipation of His return. We acknowledged the importance of grounding our faith in the Word of God, especially in these chaotic times. The book of Romans provides a solid foundation, reminding us that we are justified by faith and have access to God through Jesus Christ.

We explored the role of the law, which, while good, serves as a mirror to reveal our sinful nature. The law exposes our shortcomings and makes us aware of our need for a Savior. Paul, despite his devout adherence to the law, recognized his own sinfulness and the futility of trying to achieve righteousness through the law alone. This realization leads us to appreciate the grace of God even more.

We discussed the internal war between our sinful nature and our desire to follow God. Paul vividly described this struggle, emphasizing that while we may have good intentions, our sin nature often leads us astray. This war is ongoing, and we must continually rely on the Holy Spirit to lead and fill us.

Moving into Romans 8, we found hope and assurance. There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, and we are set free from the law of sin and death. We are adopted as sons and daughters of God, with all the privileges and resources that come with this identity. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us, praying the will of God when we are at a loss for words.

Finally, we were reminded that we are overcomers through Christ. Nothing can separate us from the love of God, and we have access to all the blessings and resources of being His children. As we face the daily battles of life, we can rest in the assurance that God is for us and that we are more than conquerors through Him.

###

Key Takeaways

1. The Law as a Mirror: The law serves as a mirror, revealing our sinful nature and our need for a Savior. It exposes our thoughts, motives, and actions, making us aware of our shortcomings. This awareness leads us to appreciate the grace of God and the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. [34:00]
2. The Internal War: We are in a constant battle between our sinful nature and our desire to follow God. This struggle is real and ongoing, but recognizing it helps us rely more on the Holy Spirit. By feeding our spirit and starving our sinful nature, we can live a life that pleases God. [40:07]
3. No Condemnation in Christ: There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. The Holy Spirit brings life and freedom, setting us free from the law of sin and death. Walking in the Spirit means experiencing conviction rather than condemnation, leading us to run to God rather than hide from Him. [49:22]
4. Adopted as Sons and Daughters: We are adopted into God's family, making us heirs to all His resources and blessings. This identity as sons and daughters of God gives us access to His provision and purpose for our lives. We are no longer bound by fear or sin but are free to live in the fullness of His love. [55:00]
5. Overcoming Through Christ: We are more than conquerors through Christ. Nothing can separate us from the love of God, and we have the Holy Spirit interceding for us. This assurance empowers us to face life's challenges with confidence, knowing that God is for us and that we have victory in Him. [01:00:02]
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Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Joy in the Presence of Jesus
[02:30] - Importance of Grounding Our Faith
[04:00] - Justified by Faith
[06:00] - Role of the Law
[08:30] - The Law as a Mirror
[10:00] - Paul's Realization of Sin
[12:00] - The Internal War
[14:00] - Struggle Between Sin and Spirit
[16:00] - No Condemnation in Christ
[18:00] - Freedom in the Spirit
[20:00] - Adopted as Sons and Daughters
[22:00] - The Holy Spirit's Intercession
[24:00] - Overcoming Through Christ
[26:00] - Closing Prayer and Worship
[28:00] - Call to Generosity and Giving
[30:00] - Final Blessing and Dismissal

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to Romans 7:7, what is the purpose of the law? How does Paul describe its role in revealing sin? [34:00]
In Romans 7:15-20, Paul talks about the internal struggle between his desire to do good and his sinful nature. What specific examples does he give to illustrate this struggle? [40:07]
Romans 8:1 states that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. What does this mean in the context of the sermon? [49:22]
How does Paul describe our new identity as sons and daughters of God in Romans 8:14-17? What privileges come with this identity? [55:00]

Interpretation Questions

Why does Paul emphasize the importance of the law as a mirror to reveal our sinful nature? How does this understanding lead to a greater appreciation of God's grace? [34:00]
What does Paul mean when he talks about the "internal war" between our sinful nature and our desire to follow God? How does this war manifest in our daily lives? [40:07]
How does the concept of "no condemnation in Christ" change the way we approach our relationship with God, especially when we sin? [49:22]
What does it mean to be adopted as sons and daughters of God? How should this new identity affect our daily lives and decisions? [55:00]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when the law of God revealed a specific sin in your life. How did this awareness change your behavior or attitude? [34:00]
The sermon mentioned the ongoing internal war between our sinful nature and our desire to follow God. What practical steps can you take to "feed your spirit" and "starve your sinful nature" this week? [40:07]
How do you typically respond when you feel condemned for your sins? What can you do to shift from a mindset of condemnation to one of conviction and running to God? [49:22]
Considering your identity as a son or daughter of God, what specific actions can you take to live out this identity more fully in your family, work, or community? [55:00]
The sermon emphasized that we are more than conquerors through Christ. Identify a current challenge you are facing. How can you apply the truth of being an overcomer to this situation? [01:00:02]
The Holy Spirit intercedes for us when we don't know what to pray. Think of a situation where you felt at a loss for words in prayer. How can you rely more on the Holy Spirit in such moments? [58:26]
The sermon highlighted the importance of grounding our faith in the Word of God, especially in chaotic times. What specific steps can you take to deepen your engagement with the Bible this week? [30:55]

Sermon Clips

1. "The truth is, folks, that we need something to really ground our faith. How many of you believe we need some grounding in our faith today? That as the world is more chaotic, and there's so much going on, we need the Word of God to stabilize us, and I believe that the book of Romans is that book that helps you and I understand, number one, who we are in Christ, and number two, what he's done." [30:55] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "When you begin to realize how much you miss it, you appreciate all the more the grace of God. You appreciate all the more what Jesus did when he hung on the cross for you. And you know what it does for me? I'm thankful. Are you thankful this morning?" [35:34] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "So you have this war going on, right? And it's this idea that you're a three-part person, right? You're a trying person. So you have a spirit, all right? You have a soul, which is your mind, your will, and your emotions, and you have a physical body. All three, God wants to bring unto the lordship of Christ. But there's a problem. Your soul and your body want some things that aren't like Christ." [43:19] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "So if I feed the pit bull, what do pit bulls do once they grab onto you and they bite? They will not let go. So what you're going to do is, I'm going to starve. Okay, I'm not against, I'm not for animal cruelty. So please, don't go out of here saying the pastor's for animal cruelty. But you got to, because the analogy only goes so far, okay? You're starving your sin nature. You're saying no to it. And you're saying yes to the golden retriever." [45:30] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Thanks be to God who delivers me, how? Through Jesus Christ. So who's the who? Jesus Christ. Are you glad for that this morning? If you are, come on, give him praise this morning. Are you glad he's the one who will rescue you from this body of sin and death? That's good news." [48:32] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Therefore there is now no, say it out loud, condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Why? Because through Christ Jesus, the law of the Spirit who gives what? Life has set you free from the law of sin and death." [50:23] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "The Spirit you received does not make you slaves. You're no longer bound, amen? You're free. Now watch this. That you would live in fear again. No condemnation. Rather, the Spirit you have received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by Him we cry, Abba, Father. Isn't that beautiful this morning, folks?" [55:00] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "When we don't know what to pray. Has anybody ever been in a place? Where life was so overwhelming, and you were facing such circumstances that you really couldn't put into words what to pray? Everybody can identify. Here's the good news. Because you are Spirit-filled and Spirit-led, the Spirit of God prays for you." [58:26] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "If God is for us, who can be against us? Come on, somebody. Is that good news this morning? Amen. Amen. Amen. Amen. If God is for you, who can be against you? If God be for you, who can be against you? If God be for you, who can be against you? Listen to me, folks. You serve a God who has defeated the enemy once and for all. The moment He said it is finished, it was over." [01:00:45] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "Nothing can separate you from his love. That's how I'll leave you today folks. This journey that you're on, yes it's a war, yes you're battling the flesh and the spirit, but you're an overcomer. Why? Because you have the Lord Jesus on the inside, you have the Holy Spirit filling you and leading you, you have access to all the blessings, all the resources that come with being a son of God and you're an overcomer." [01:03:19] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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