For Life

I think I’ve been saying this every week lately. This message topic could go on for weeks and weeks. It’s both that important to daily life and belief.

And I’m thinking more and more I need to say this too. What we’re talking about is reality. What is real in the world.

So we’ll touch on this today and…we’ll be open to God moving us beyond just this morning …to keep working in us to help us understand and live by the truths we find and figure out.

Fair enough? I think that we always need to see goals ahead of us and keep moving towards them. If not, then we’ll just live day to day according to what is demanded of us in the moment.

And…and I think you’ll agree with me on this one…if there was an enemy of Jesus, I think he’d do what he could to keep our minds occupied on stuff that keeps us away from thoughts and decisions and changes that lead to closeness to God. Make sense?

So …we’ve been moving through our statements of faith and last week we began to look at the Holy Spirit. Last week we specifically looked at how God needed to begin a recreation process in us…so that we could be with Him, in His Kingdom forever. We looked in the OT and saw how God began to show us that this was a heart issue…that we needed a “new heart” and “new spirit” in us.

And then in the NT we begin hearing Jesus talk about how He’s going to begin the process of us being recreated, regenerated, renewed…new life…a new spirit. And that His Spirit would do this and be with us.

Now…there’s some things we first need to come to realization before a statement like that can settle in. And these little statements all come from scripture…they are truth statements or truth claims …that if they are true…they mean something. Something about God and about us.

God is real. He’s the creator. He created us with meaning and purpose.

Humanity sinned - pulling us away from God. Meaning there are things, thoughts, beliefs, actions, behaviors that are good and in line with God’s will…and there are things, thoughts, beliefs, actions, behaviors that are not good…are not in line with God’s will…things that actually lead people (us) away from God…away from eternal life with Him.

If those things are true…then reality is situated around those truths.

Again, if there’s an enemy…he will will try and deceive us, confuse us, give us reasons to doubt and disbelieve.

Today we’re looking again at The Holy Spirit…otherwise known as the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of God, The Spirit of Jesus, the Spirit of Life…or just the Spirit (capital S).

The Spirit is known as a person…not a force. It isn’t like Star Wars…the force of good throughout all humanity…and some people are in touch with it…the Jedi…and some aren’t.

Now…if we can grant anything to Star Wars or any other movies or stories like that …there is such a thing as a battle between good and evil. That’s real. But the Holy Spirit, is referred to by God and Jesus as a person…referenced within scripture like this…and He will be with you. He will do these things for you…The Father, the Son, The Holy Spirit.

So the Holy Spirit begins that process of making us new. So what does that look like on a day to day basis? I think that’s a super important question right? If these things are true…then wow…if this is true too…this is important.

Paul wrote this about the spirit....and this will be our text for the day…context and text...

Paul wrote this to the church in Galatia -

Galatians 5:25 CSB

25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

Now…let’s slow down on this really short passage. Paul says..if we live by the Spirit. What does that mean.

Slow wayyyyyy down when you read scripture and it will help you immensely…if we live by....

live…by

Life in this way.

If our life is sustained and being recreated/regenerated by the spirit…meaning if God’s spirit is in us and is leading us to eternal life…the full life Jesus died and rose to give us…that life...

If we are living life in that context…in that reality…meaning we are beginning to truly live like we were created to live…in His Kingdom...

Life as it is meant to be …if we live like that…if that’s our choice and our intention…our hope…then what will we choose to do?

Keep in step with who? The spirit.

This is like one of those, “duh” statements…but its a statement that Paul feels the need to say.

Its like anything else in life…take any job and there’s a way to do that job well. And it kinda goes without saying right? Unless you just want to do your job the way you think is best and according to your own schedule…and then you’ll probably find yourself looking for another job. Even if you’re working for yourself you find that there’s probably a good sound way to do business for yourself…and outside of that the business weakens… rules of life.

Paul....rule of life…if you are alive and are living by way of the Spirit of God…then you probably should keep in step with Him. Make sense? Yes.

Ok…daily life.

Lots of times we think about the Holy Spirit and grab a verse to help us feel better. Like…He’s always with you...

That makes sense…doesn’t it? Sure! We talked about Peace in chapel this week with the day care kids and we talked about God being there with us.

Sure…the Holy Spirit is always with us…and in that we find some form of comfort.

But why? Why does that bring us comfort.

I mean I’ve heard those people who aren’t atheists but they still say things like God’s always there right? And for some reason that brings a sense of…structure, soundness, sensibility…as though there something or someone out there whos for us rather than against us.

We, as believers take with that a bit more knowledge and say…literally…meaning reality…that God’s spirit is always with us.

Why?

And we see ideas about this in scripture...

…for help when we need help.

…for words when we need words.

…for understanding when we might be confused.

…for peace…for those “i need a deep breath” moments....right?

I thought about this…and I’ll have to admit...

So who here has a smart phone. Ok …I think we can all pretty much say…we are beginning to say these are just phones now and its just understood that a phone is more like a communication/entertainment/work device.

But sometimes we look at the Holy Spirit and use Him like an app on the phone....

Right? Don’t we? Ok…stepping on toes time…mine included.

We have a bad part of the day and we say…God help me feel better.

Or I don’t know what to say…push the app button.

Or…I need a shot of encouragement…push the app button.

Now…if that helps us…maybe that’s ok. But I’m not sure that’s what Paul meant when he wrote…as we live…meaning as we are able to have life through God’s Spirit....

He’s not just an app…a quick fix....we have life through the Spirit of God.

If that’s true...

Let’s go back and get a picture of what Jesus is picturing…immersion…spirit and fire.

Usually go to spirit when:

when we think we need Him.

Is that what God is wanting? Us to view Him as that app that occasionally helps us when we think we need it?

Remember the truth claims that Jesus and Paul have made so far for us.

Jesus gave us the spirit…how…in essence…like being immersed.

The OT told of how God has a plan to give His spirit to humanity…to live with and in them. Multiple prophets talked about this.

Then you have John the Baptist saying…I’m just baptising with water, but HE (Jesus) will baptize with the Holy Spirit and with Fire.

That would be for those who believe in and have made that mindful choice to follow Christ....remember believing is only part…James (Jesus’ brother) writes in his book in the NT that even the demons believe in Jesus…they don’t follow.

And there’s a distinction to make…they believe but will never experience the life the spirit can give...

Truth is…(truth…truth claim) the desire of Jesus is for you to live…truth life…full life…with and in and through the Spirit.

Paul - if we live by the spirit…meaning have life.

So here we go…What does this look like day to day?

Was Jesus living by the Spirit here on the planet? Absolutely. We have example of Jesus being tempted and how does He respond? With truth....not just like telling the devil off…you stupid fallen angel what do you know?

We have Christ’s example of what true life can be here…in this time period or season of time…while the Kingdom is here…but still coming…

When there’s still the effects of sin here…but we’re looking forward with Hope.

Ok…lets start with something here. Baptized by the Holy Spirit…the picture that gives could be taken as ....the Spirit takes over and we never have to worry about sinning (doing thinking behaving wrongly again) amen? No....that’s not it.

So the question might be....does receiving God’s Spirit mean that you no longer of free will?

We still have the ability to choose.

…and I think this is where we get the ideas throughout the NT that we are to die to ourselves…meaning the part of us that lives as deceived...

Remember OT passages that talk about God wanting…hoping…looking forward to the time when we will be able to receive the spirit? God wants us to give up that part of us that says…we don’t need God…we can do this on our own.

God says die to that part of humanity…so you can receive real life…not the life you think is best…but what the creator thinks is best …with the new heart HE’s creating in you.

Last week we asked the question…and you all answered in the affirmative…So, do you all want a new you?

That’s exactly what God is offering. God is saying, this world is trying to fix itself…people are finding their own ways of living that will never bring eternal peace and happiness. Give up on those things, the Bible actually uses the term surrender or die to that self…so you can take on the new self.

Paul gives us a passage in Galatians that will help us. Again…this is a passage that will step on toes…i’m only the messenger!

Galatians 5:16–25 CSB

16 I say, then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I am warning you about these things—as I warned you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things. 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

That’s a lot isn’t it. I encourage you to go back and look at that verse slowly. Some of you might have parts of that memorized.

These two lists from Paul are outcomes…if you live selfishly…that’s a hard word but that what “by the flesh” means. If you live to only bring pleasure, happiness to yourself…here’s what you will see.

If you live by the Spirit…meaning you’ve humbled yourself and said…I know that my ways are not your ways God…and I trust you have the best plan for me having real and full life…here’s what you’ll see.

Put that list up against the life we see Jesus living through the Gospels (Matthew Mark Luke and John). They match.

Follow the spirit. Let the spirit lead. Let the spirit teach. Let the spirit feed you. Let God’s spirit grow you.

Brown grass? it rained just a little bit the other day…and we immediately saw some green. Stick with God and allow Him to bring real life back into you.

There’s a very cool account of when Paul and his missionary companions are going through a part of Asia…now Asia in that time was well it started in Turker…just north of where Jerusalem is in the middle east…and then asia head east.

Those are the details but what happened is even cooler.

Paul…missionary....taking Jesus to the world. Starting churches. Healing people. Teaching…bringing life…even when being slandered and criticized and threatened physically…he’s motivated. This guy is moving… and he’s moving the whole team start going into this specific area…and Luke writes this in his history book of Acts...

Acts 16:6–10 CSB

6 They went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia; they had been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 When they came to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. 8 Passing by Mysia they went down to Troas. 9 During the night Paul had a vision in which a Macedonian man was standing and pleading with him, “Cross over to Macedonia and help us!” 10 After he had seen the vision, we immediately made efforts to set out for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

So here we have just a quick account of Jesus, through His Spirit, saying Paul…no…don’t go.

Evidence of the spirit moving through Paul in his life.

In Cross County we just saw a couple of new kids start this past week.

They were kinda intrigued by the thought of being involved in a sport. They had run before.

They came out and we started them slow and said…this is a step by step process...

Side stitches, cramps....but as they kept moving they understood.

one kids said…I’m coming back tomorrow.

They they got there on Thursday…I don’t think I can do this…took them out…they actually ran stronger…through pain…with more knowledge…very very very sore muscles…hot...

A few weeks…it will feel the same for awhile…

What about races…yeah racing hurts...

As a coach I just don’t provide a computer chip that one puts into their spinal cord and they become a perfect runner.

Wow…wouldn’t that be great? Amen?

You know as we grow in the spirit there is such a thing as…giving up what you thought was true about life and allowing God to simply show you truth…admitting you might have been deceived …and you might not know everything about what’s right and wrong. Its a process isn’t it? And its kinda mysterious…looking at life as though there really is a spiritual aspect to it.

I’m not an expert on running…but I have a lot of wisdom…I’ve seen the patters over and over. I know what works and what doesn’t…for the most part.

Jesus is the expert on life. He created it.

Jesus is saying…I am the way, the truth and the life. I have life…true life…not false life that Satan has said is the best. We might call that deception.

Paul says…if we live by the Spirit of God…we need to keep in step with the Spirit of God.

Life change …like learning to run…might cause some pain…some humbling....some changes in habits and some mind focus. But results will show. Daily.

It isn’t all easy…Jesus said in this world you will have trouble. What’s Jesus hinting at? In this world…giving us the idea that there's a coming part of reality…a coming Kingdom…a coming world, where there will be nothing like that. No pain tears death.

In this world you’ll have it....but wait…hold on tight…I’ve overcome this world. So daily, walking with the spirit…helps us to live the best possible way…finding peace, enjoyment, help…in tough times for sure…and Hope!

John 16:13 CSB

13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth. For he will not speak on his own, but he will speak whatever he hears. He will also declare to you what is to come.

Just previous to this Jesus said that the spirit convicts us of sin, testifies about Jesus, helps us through day to day life…leads, influences, counsels us.

Does it sound like this is someone we need? Does it sound like a good plan on God’s part to give us His spirit…while we’re in this world? Absolutely.

1 John 4:13 CSB

13 This is how we know that we remain in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit.