Hello Project Ezra!
This week we will be reading Romans 8, a very well know passage. We will be focusing on the beginning of the
chapter, which talks about living according to the flesh or the Spirit. Of course, we all naturally live according to
the flesh, and only through the work of the Spirit is there any possibility of
that changing. The disturbing thing
(although sadly not surprising, and completely expected based on what scripture
tells us), is that so many claim the name of Christ while living
completely in
the flesh, and see no problem with that at all.
Modern evangelism, and sometimes I think modern Christianity
in general, has either downplayed and neglected the truth of God’s anger and
wrath to the point where those who do not spend time reading their Bible
regularly (which is most) have a false view of a God who is all love and peace
and comfort, and would never think of inflicting justice on anyone. They believe He simply accepts people as they
are (true to a point), and never cares whether there is any change (NOT
true!). I’ve heard this referred to as
living as a practical atheist, professing belief but living as if God never
gave us a law to obey. I have to
emphasize, as I have in previous posts, that I do not for a minute believe
works are necessary for salvation, or that you can work your way into God’s
favor by keeping the law. However, the
fruit we bear shows what kind of tree we are.
If our fruit is rotten, or non-existent, we have a problem.
When approaching people on their sin, there may be occasions
where it is appropriate to tell a person who is living in the flesh that, based
on their confession and the fruit (or lack thereof) in their lives that they
should be concerned for their salvation.
But be VERY careful with pronouncing anyone saved or damned. That is not ultimately our place, it is
God’s. And although direct denial of
basic Christian doctrine may seem to make their true standing before God
obvious, I believe it is still more appropriate to point out what God says
about the fruits of salvation and encourage people to examine themselves in
light of scripture. In open air
preaching it is most appropriate, since you really don’t know who is walking by,
or what they believe. Self examination
is something we should be doing ourselves every day, so use this opportunity to
help others do the same.
All for His glory,
Dan
INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND GROUP
READ ROMANS 8
Do you set you mind on the flesh or the spirit?
Do you walk according to the flesh, or according to the
Spirit?
More simply, do you live for this life, or the life to come?
Claimed belief, but a practical atheist?
Name the name of Christ, but live as though He doesn’t
exist?
Set your mind on the flesh is death, set your mind on the
spirit is life and peace.
Mind set on the flesh is hostile to God. Alienated and hostile in mind, enemies of God
through wicked works (Col 1:21)
Think you are basically good and friendly with God?
See what the Bible says about your standing before Him
None who does good, not one (Rom 3:10-12)
Our flesh desires sin.
Mankind are all by nature children of wrath. (Eph 2:3)
God not arbitrary or unreasonable.
God is holy and pure.
Can not tolerate sin
Under the wrath of God because of our sin
God is angry, and it is a fearful thing to fall into the
hands of the living God (Heb 10:31)
Under the law of sin and death
Guilty before God
We desire what we have not earned, so we covet and steal
We desire sexual satisfaction outside of God’s parameters,
so we lust and commit adultery
Wrongly put ourselves, our comforts and desires, first,
leading us to lie and disrespect parents.
Desire to write our own rules, to live as we please, enjoy
the pleasures of sin
We create a god in our minds who will allow us to
Not the God of the Bible, and can’t save or help us.
Claim Christ, and trample his Name under foot, in worse
danger (Hebrews 10:29)
If you live according to the flesh, you will die
If you die in your sins, you will spend eternity paying for
them.
Hell is real. Not
unbridled sin, unbridled pain.
Fire, pain, darkness for ever.
Hell Is not Satan’s domain.
God’s domain, like everything else.
Will not be tortured by demons. Given the justice you deserve by God.
But despite our sin, we have a God of love and mercy
Even though we are faithless, God is faithful
Can be set free from the law of sin and death
The power sin has over you can be broken.
Power of sin and death broken in the cross of Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ, God in human flesh
Humbled Himself, lived the only perfect life
Became the perfect sacrifice on the cross
Laid down His life willingly (John 10:17-18)
Price for sin paid on the cross
Rose on the third day, defeating sin and death
If we turn from our sin and to Jesus Christ we can be saved.
Go to heaven based on His righteousness
Can not walk in God’s law on your own.
Can not walk in the Spirit outside repentance and faith in
Jesus Christ
Only name under heaven by which we must be saved.
Turn to Christ and put your trust in Him alone
Only He died and rose, defeating sin and death
Only through Him can you be saved.
Turn to Christ today and live!
While it is true that we still live in the flesh and struggle against it, the verses in Romans 8:5-7 are not referring to this, but rather those whose position before God are still in the flesh without having the Holy Spirit in us. It is the condition in which we were brought into this world and remain until God saves us. Those still in this condition are neither willing nor able to submit to God's law.
ReplyDeleteBut thanks be to God that we who believe in Him and who are sealed with the Holy Spirit, are no longer in the flesh. Paul tells us this in verse 9 "You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you."
The spiritually deadened state of being in the flesh is one that we all needed (and many still need) to be rescued from by the grace of God. And He did so by His power and word (See 1 Thes 1:1-5).