Friday, January 27, 2012

Romans 8


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!

1 comment:

  1. 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.

    But 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).

    ReplyDelete

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