The Holy Spirit and the Christian

The Holy Spirit and the Christian Summer Hill Church Romans 8:1-27 5 August 2018 1. What’s in it for me? a. The Spirit in the life of the believer i. What part should God’s Holy Spirit play in your day to day life? I. Many would say that the Spirit should be an enormous part of our life, and that we should be experiencing his gifts and his moving constantly ii. And there is no doubt that the Bible is very clear that the Spirit is with us all and dwells within us I. But how does that work out? What does that look like? What difference should it make to me? That is - what’s in it for me? b. The freedom of assurance i. And a distinctive aspect of being a Christian is assurance of salvation I. And this is linked directly with the work of the Spirit, a). So how does that work? II. In our walk with God, we are long for the touch of the divine a). For that moment when we know, unequivocally that God is in us, with and for us III. How can that be? Can an understanding of the Holy Spirit help us in that? a). As we search for that God-moment, when we can know!!! That we are God’s 2. We live according to the Spirit a. Life-giver i. Last wk we saw Jesus described the Spirit as an abundant well I. Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again II. but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:13–14 ii. The Spirit gushes up to overflowing, and brings life to us, and to those around us iii. Turn to at Rom 8:2 I. because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. v2 iv. It’s the Spirit of God that brings life to us - eternal life I. And the Spirit of God that has freed us from sin and death a). Notice - nothing that we have done, nothing that we can claim as our own effort. All the work of the Spirit II. and again in v11 i). And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. v11 III. And this means a). Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, v1 IV. It’s not the dead law that does that, it’s the living Holy Spirit! b. Through the son i. But as we saw last week, that doesn’t happen independent of Jesus. I. No, the Spirit works though Jesus and brings life to us II. And v3 shows us that God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are all involved in our salvation. The whole trinity. a). For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, v3 III. So God sends his Son as a Sin offering - the one, perfect, sin-bearer for the whole world. a). thus punishing sin, and showing sin to be utterly sinful, i). And in this way the Spirit can bring life - through the Son, sent by the Father. c. Moves us to holiness i. But this has a purpose - and that’s there in v4 I. in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. v4 ii. Now this isn’t easy to grasp, but it’s pretty amazing I. The Spirit enables us to fulfil the law and be righteous. Not all the time and not perfectly (the word fully is a little unhelpful). a). But the Spirit dwells in us, and is changing us, i). So before we were Christian, we we always under sin, as a Christian, but with the Spirit dwelling in us, we are not always defeated. b). As we live in the Spirit he works something in us II. If I asked you now what you think that the Spirit does that is unique to him and not the father and the son, what would you write? a). Gifts? Healings? Tongues? Prophecy? Words of knowledge? i). The Bible doesn’t think that - next week iii. But here it is - the Spirit is the life giver and moves us to be Holy! I. The Spirit works in the word and in our hearts to bring about holiness a). And he does this by changing our minds 3. We have minds set on the Spirit a. What the Spirit desires i. Do you see that there in v5? I. Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. v5 ii. Our minds are changed so that we want what God wants. I. What does God want? What is the will of God? a). We saw it a few weeks ago in 1 Thessalonians 4 i). It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 1Thessalonians 4:3 b). Or again in ch 5 i). give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1Thessalonians 5:18 c). And this can be found throughout the NT - that we should live lives worthy of the gospel II. Not as a path to salvation, because we already have that in the death and resurrection of Christ a). But as the things God works in us through his Spirit because we are his. iii. And so our minds are no longer primarily shaped by the flesh - by our sinful natures - but shaped by the Spirit of God into the image of our creator I. and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Colossians 3:10 iv. It’s the Spirit’s work to make us more like Jesus I. as he reshapes our minds and hearts over a lifetime to be Christlike a). the temptation is so strong to say - not that we will ever get there in this life b). And there is truth to that of course - it’s clear in the Bible that we will never be sinless, but we will be united to the sinless one. II. However, we should expect progress - in knowledge, yes, but also progress in godliness a). As the Spirit works in us. i). But it’s a two edged sword - the Spirit works to change us - and if we could objectively measure our progress in godliness, then we should see progress! Perhaps 2 steps forward and 1 step back ii). The other side is, though, that the Spirit makes us increasingly aware of our sin, so we feel we grow even further from perfection! b). So let’s encourage one another by giving thanks for the changes we see God working in us. Don’t primarily praise the person - that won’t help! Praise God for his work in them b. Life and peace i. But the Spirit’s work in changing our mind moves it from death to life and peace a). The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.. v6 II. Our mind is moved from the realm of darkness, serving ourselves, to the realm of light, serving God and others in love. ii. And our mind is life and peace, because it has changed. I. from being governed by the flesh to being governed by the Spirit! a). and from being hostile to God to being peace and life! b). The Spirit’s work means we are no longer fundamentally hostile to God. II. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. v8–9 III. So the Spirit is what marks us as being Christian. c. Put to death the acts of the body i. And the Spirit leads us to turn from sin a). Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. v12–13 ii. The fundamental shift is not just from sins, but from sin. I. It’s not that everyone is evil, but everyone outside of Christ is a sinner - which isn’t the same thing. II. It’s about an attitude to God - do you have faith in him!? a). So the word misdeeds isn’t helpful - the first phrase makes it clear - to live according to the flesh - that is to follow your own mind, not God’s. III. So we put to death the flesh when we trust in Jesus by the Spirit a). And the Spirit brings faith that means we have life. IV. We become aware of our sin and turn from it and we struggle. We feel the war within us between the flesh and the Spirit. a). So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. b). For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. Galatians 5:16–17 V. And that’s a war you never had before you put your faith in Christ. Without the life-giving Spirit there is no conflict between the flesh and the Spirit - it is just the flesh a). So the war is proof of life. Evidence that you are one Christ’s people indwelt by his Spirit 4. Spirit of ‘sonship’ a. Leads us to sonship i. And the Spirit brings a very special relationship with God I. He certainly takes us from the realm of the flesh and brings us to the realm of the Spirit ii. But even more that that he brings us into the relationship of “son” I. By which he means ‘heir’ - which we can be chosen for - not “male offspring” - which only Jesus was. a). For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” vv14–15 iii. We can call God father because of what the Spirit does in us. I. it’s totally different to the way a slave might relate to the head of the household. a). We’re not fearful slaves of impassive law — has no heart b). But God is both completely righteous and completely loving II. And we can look to him as Our Father not just the father a). Which is what Abba means! iv. So he reassures us in bringing us the amazing privilege of calling God our father b. Testimony of the Spirit I. And this is what it means that the Spirit testifies to us: a). The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. v16 II. It’s what the Spirit does as it enables us to call God our father. It confirms to us that we are God’s children a). That we know we can approach him confidently is the particular privilege of a child of a loving Father God.d III. What a blessing and what a c. Seals us for God i. That is, not that he glues us up, but he marks us as his I. You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. v9 ii. In the ancient world, only scribes wrote, and so ownership was indicated by the seals I. This scroll belonged to Ophrah (1ch 4:14) a). The clay seals (wax hadn’t been invented yet) mark it as his or hers iii. Those seals, that show the letter (or other item) was from Ophrah I. When the Holy Spirit seals you it is a sign of ownership. - that you belong to God. II. And it is a “guarantee” or a “downpayment” of what is to come a). Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 2Corinthians 5:5 III. And Paul is bringing together the two ideas here. The seal of ownership: the Spirit, shows that we are one of God’s people. a). That he has reached into our lives and changed us 5. Spirit is our advocate i. But he’s more than just the Spirit who changes us - turn to John 14. b. Another advocate i. First - he is an advocate - some translations have ‘helper’ or ‘comforter’ or ‘counsellor’ a). And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever John 14:16 II. Does not mean he is our psychologist - as much as we might want that to be a). No, he is our advocate or counsellor in the legal sense III. He represents us and aids us and advises us and guides us. a). He is with us in the courtroom, or places we need help. b). So he is our advocate in that sense. Our encourager. ii. But second, John says, he is “another” advocate. I. Because we have an advocate in the Lord Jesus Christ a). He stands for us and pleads our case in the throne room of God all the time i). My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 1John 2:1 b). But what makes the Spirit different is that he will stay with us forever II. He will be with us here, while Jesus is in heaven III. And while Jesus is absent,... c. he teaches us about Jesus i. the Spirit is all about drawing us to Jesus, not to himself I. “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father—he will testify about me. John 15:26 ii. That is, the Spirit doesn’t draw attention to himself, or call us to worship him directly - the forgotten person of the Trinity I. but to trust in Jesus and his death and resurrection for us iii. Indeed, while he is coequal with the Father and the Son, and with the Father and son is to be worshipped and glorified, what the Spirit actually does is to bring Glory to the Son. I. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. John 16:14 iv. So to worship the way the Spirit wants to be glorified - will be to worship Jesus and the Father, by the Spirit d. Intercedes i. And as advocate, the Spirit intercede for us I. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. II. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. Rom 8:26–27 ii. When we are weak, and we don’t know what to pray, the Spirit will pray for us. I. An they will always be spot on because he knows our hearts and he knows the heart of God. a). He knows what we are really like and what we deeply need. Which is better than we do most of the time. i). But better than that, he knows what God wants b). What an amazing advocate to have. He knows you intimately and deeply, and knows the judge perfectly as well. i). He will know what to pray when you don’t know what is best. Which is a lot of the time isn’t it? So it should give us confidence to pray! “Don’t know what to pray” e. When Jesus leaves i. Finally, the Spirit comes when Jesus goes. But Jesus says this is better for us than having Jesus physically here... I. Rather, you are filled with grief because I have said these things. II. But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. John 16:6–7 ii. The Spirit only comes after Jesus goes. Jesus goes to the Father and pours out his Spirit into us. I. In his earthly life, Jesus could only be with a few people at a time, and was limited by his body. One place. Part of being human a). But the Spirit has no such limitations and can dwell in all of us. i). the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. John 14:17 II. And can work more widely through the entire world - both convicting them of their sin and drawing Christ’s people to faith in him. 6. What the Spirit does in (for) us a. Assurance i. One of the great marks of real Christianity is it’s directionality I. Other religions are about man reaching up to God, and trying somehow to be acceptable to him II. But Christianity is not centrally about us, but about God, and him entering our world as a human being III. Seeking to restore the relationship we had broken with our rebellion against him, our sin. ii. So the other religions depend on our efforts to please God or become God-like I. But Christianity is all about God becoming like us, and gifting to us relationship to him. a). A costly gift - it cost him the life of his only Son i). But a gift that we can just accept II. And so, unlike and other religion, we can know that God is our saviour because Jesus died for us. iii. It’s founded in the reality of God’s promises and history, it rests on the facts that God is utterly truthful and faithful, and that Jesus died and rose again I. And we can know that. II. And we experience it as we call God Father - an amazing thing i). And as we see the fruit of that change in our lives III. Founded on the bedrock of truth and the promises of God a). But experienced every time we pray Our Father, or Father God. b. Do you have it? i. Assurance of salvation is a wonderful thing. I. It means that we can serve God in the freedom of worship, not the slavery of law a). We can serve from the heart, and not from fear. ii. We can love God & others from fullness not just obligation I. Is that something you know? Is that something you can see, even in part, in your life? a). Because it is a wonderful thing that the forgiveness of sins and being given new life brings about in people i). If you are Christian, you know this. You may know it imperfectly, or in part, but you know it. You can call God Father - what an honour. What a privilege. II. But if you aren’t a Christian today, then you can find out more about what all this means...ask...card. The freedom of life in the Spirit, knowing and worshipping the Lord Jesus Christ and receiving God’s forgiveness will utterly change you a). Because i). Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, ii). because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1–2 b). You can do something about his - today. 7. Let’s pray.