Victory in the Spirit

Before you sit down this morning turn and greet someone. Tell them you look good today!

Good morning! Welcome to Freedom Chapel. My name is Pastor Terry and I am the lead Pastor here at Freedom Chapel. If you are new with us this this morning thank you for joining us. I have some exciting news this morning we are working to make things a little easier for every one. Check out this new slide. If your a guest or you have never filled out the welcome card you can now do it on your phone.

Offering:

We want to take a moment to thank you for your faithfulness and generosity. We have several way for you to give this morning. you can bring it forward and plate it in the plate, you can give online, or you can place a check in the black box. However you choose to give I would like to pray over today’s giving as an act of worship to our God.

Let’s pray.

Tonight we are hosting a New People Party here at the Church. If you have joined us since Easter we want to invite you to come out and share a meal with our staff and board. We want to get to know you and share who we are with you.

You can RSVP in the Church Center App or by following the QR Code on the Screen.

Ladies you are not going to want to miss The Fearfully and Wonderfully Made Conference that we are hosting September 23rd and 24th. Our special guest Pastor Sandra Cave is returning and this time she is going to dive deeply into Strengths. You are going to learn about how God has created you for purpose and how you can make a difference for the Kingdom of God. Check your Bulletin for more information.

Lastly, if you have your phone with you I want you to go to the Church Center App. The Sermon’s are now available through this app both in video form and now as a podcast. On Top of that you can now catch up on any podcast app you have on your phone Just look Up Freedom Chapel.

Pause!!!!!!

Let’s dive into today’s Message.

If you have your Bibles please turn with me to Romans Chapter 8.

We are going to continue where we left off last week.

But first let’s Recap.

Romans 8:1–11 ESV

1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

Key Facts to Remember:

There is No Condemnation for Those in Christ. Conviction Yes: Condemnation No.

Following the rules by shere determination will only lead you into failure. The law of the Flesh is death: The law of the Spirit is Life.

Where is your your mind set. Flesh or Spirit: Death or Life

Paul is really really really trying to get us to submit ourselves to the work of the Holy Spirit.

In The Spirit:

1. Our Thinking Changes

2. Life and Peace is produced in us and through us

3. We don’t feel so alone because He is with us and dwells in us.

4. We find hope because we know that he has resurrected us and will resurrect us.

The Holy Spirit is our guide to life. There is nothing more life giving than walking in sanctification.

Sanctification: is the continuing change worked by God in us, freeing us from sinful habits and forming in us Christlike affections, dispositions, and virtues. It does not instantly eradicate sin, nor does it merely restrain or repress sin. Sanctification produces real transformation. John Lindell

Romans 8:11 ESV

11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

Amen!

So now we transition to today’s Scriptures.

Romans 8:12–13 ESV

12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

So Then!

If all this is true!

Romans 8:12 (ESV)

12 So then, brothers, we are debtors,

I hate owing somebody something!

One of my favorite episodes of big bang theory is the the Episode where Penny gets Sheldon a gift.

I think some time we forget the great gift that God has given us in our salvation. We take it for granted.

Romans 8:12 ESV

12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.

Romans 8:13 (ESV)

13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die,

Self Gratification: is the number one killer in our world today.

There is no hope found in the Flesh.

Romans 8:13 ESV

13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

The Battle against the Mind begins in the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 10:4–5 ESV

4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

Craig Groeschel: Winning the War in Your Mind! Trapped in the Closet.

How do We Break Free.

1. We Recognize the Presence of Sin in our Flesh

Romans 8:13b (ESV)

but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

What are the deeds of the body?

Colossians 3:5–9 (ESV)

5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming.

7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them.

8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.

9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices

What about Jesus?

How do I know what I need to put to death?

Psalm 139:23–24 ESV

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24 And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!

1 Thessalonians 4:3–4 (ESV)

3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality;

4 that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor,

Paul’s World and our world were not much different.

2. Refuse to entertain your sinful thoughts.

James 1:14–15 (ESV)

14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.

15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

“If you merely repress a temptation or this first motion of sin within you, it will probably come up again still more strongly. To that extent I agree with the modern psychology. Repression is always bad. “Well, what do you do?” asks someone. I answer: When you feel that first motion of sin, just pull yourself up and say, “of course I am not having any dealings with this at all.” Expose the thing and say, “This is evil, this is vileness, this is the thing that drove [Adam] out of Paradise.” Pull it out, look at it, denounce it, hate it for what it is; then you have really dealt with it. You must not merely push it back in a spirit of fear, and in a [cowardly] manner. Bring it out, expose it, and analyze it; and then denounce it for what it is until you hate it. ~ Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

We have to realize that we don’t have to keep our minds trapperd.

Romans 13:14 (NLT)

14 Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.

3. Repent when you mess up!

Psalm 32:5 (NASB95)

5 I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I did not hide; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”; And You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah.

Psalm 32:5 (The Message)

5 Then I let it all out; I said, “I’ll make a clean breast of my failures to God.” Suddenly the pressure was gone— my guilt dissolved, my sin disappeared.

You do not have to go it alone! Call in a friend.

James 5:16 (ESV)

16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

4. Set Your Heart on God!

Colossians 3:1–2 (ESV)

1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Galatians 5:16 (NLT)

16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.

5. Read and Memorize Scripture!

Psalm 119:11 (ESV)

11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

6. Talk to God, Consistantly!

Matthew 26:41 ESV

41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Romans 8:13b (ESV)

but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.