Life Through the Spirit

Have you ever found yourself in a position where you knew that you couldn’t get it done on your own? That is the way I was feeling earlier this week about ministry. As I thought about the needs of our church and the community, I thought about how inadequate I was to be able to make things happen. But I also realized that it was okay to feel that way because I knew that God had provided the Holy Spirit to help me.

Galatians 5:22–25 NIV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

So, where I find it difficult to love, I pray that the Spirit gives me the ability to love. When I lack joy, I can pray that the Spirit fills me with joy. I especially like the 25th verse, “let us keep in step with the Spirit”. I imagine marching. “left, right…1, 2, 3, 4”. Get into step with the Spirit.

In the same way, I found myself praying for the gifts of the Spirit. There are 9 gifts of the Spirit listed in 1 Cor 12.

1 Corinthians 12:7–11 NIV

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

So, when I find that my faith is insufficient, I prayed, “Lord, increase my faith”, “Give me wisdom”, or “heal my friend”. Whether it is for emotional or character help or supernatural manifestation, we can pray for the HS to move. That is what I found myself praying earlier this week. It was interesting to hear John Bevere’s emphasis on the Holy Spirit at the men’s conference on Friday and Saturday.

As believer’s it is our privilege to enjoy a life expecting the help of the Holy Spirit.

Spirit Filled Living

In the book of Romans Paul describes the beauty of the Son and the Spirit at work making us into people of the Spirit:

Romans 8:1–17 NIV

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 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, 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. 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. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 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. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. 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. 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. 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.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

I know, that is a lot of ground to cover but it offers tremendous power for Christians who consider it and apply it. Do we truly realize our dependence on the Spirit? If we do, we find that it answers some questions that we have:

• How are we going to live a victorious life?

• How are we going to see people freed from their destructive behaviors?

• How are “good people” going to recognize that without Christ they are hell-bent?

• How are we, as a church, going to be a light to the community?

The Benefits of Spirit Filled Living

Covering everything in these 17 verses would take us awhile but we can look at a few things that Paul emphasizes. All of them come from the work of the Holy Spirit. Spirit filled and Spirit led believers are free from condemnation, free from the power of sin, and are enabled to live self-controlled lives.

The Spirit Frees Us from Condemnation

Romans 8:1–2 NIV

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.

Paul’s ‘therefore’ links the fact that there is no condemnation for Christians with the power of the Cross that we discussed last week, and that Paul covers in the earlier chapters. The law of sin and death said that unless we were redeemed from sin, we would live in sin. Fortunately for us, Jesus paid the price (His life) and we have been granted freedom.

In the Greek the word order is quite different. The authors would put the word of emphasis first. In this case, the word “no” is first. In the English it is 5th. Paul emphasized the word “no”. Ray Pritchard suggests that the 1st sentence would be more accurately read, “There is no condemnation – none whatsoever – for the believer in Christ Jesus.”

We have a hard time believing it –

- Our consciences remind us of guilt

- Family and friends will notice and point our inconsistencies

- Past memories of events and actions haunt us

- The perfection of the law will show us how imperfect we are

- The devil can even use Christ’s perfect example to discourage us

- Unhealthy comparisons with others can make us feel inadequate.[2]

But, the Spirit frees us from condemnation, “There is no condemnation – none whatsoever – for the believer in Christ Jesus.”

The Spirit Frees Us from the Power of Sin

Romans 8:2 NIV

because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.

What is the secret to an abundant Christian life? The secret is the Source—the Holy Spirit living in the hearts of believers. The overflowing Christian life is the Spirit-filled life: when there is more of Him in you than you.

Paul tells us to live victoriously and to avoid excesses of the flesh. [D.L.] Moody once illustrated this truth as follows: “Tell me,” he said to his audience, “How can I get the air out this glass?” One man said, “Suck it out with a pump.” Moody replied, “That would create a vacuum and shatter the glass.”

After many impossible suggestions, Moody smiled, picked up a pitcher of water, and filled the glass. “There,” he said, “all the air is now removed.” He then went on to show that victory in the Christian life is not by “sucking out a sin here and there,” but rather by being filled with the Spirit.

More of Him … less of me … from sin, Holy Spirit, set me free.[3]

Stanley Horton wrote:

We as Christians live by the Spirit in the sense that we have our life by the Spirit. But we must also live by the Spirit if tendencies, impulses, and desires of the sinful nature are to be truly crucified in our daily experience (Romans 8:4, 5).[4]

The Spirit Enables Us to Live Controlled Lives

Paul was always careful lest by overemphasizing a truth he would have caused people to go in the wrong direction. The Gentiles were indeed free from the Law. But this must be balanced by the fact that they were free, not for self-indulgence, but for life in the Spirit. They were not to “use [their] freedom to indulge the sinful nature [to allow the desires and impulses of the sinful nature to take over].”[5]

Romans 8:5–8 NIV

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. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

What governs our behavior? Is it the Spirit or the flesh? Our personalities can operate in the flesh or in the Spirit.

Analytical

Balcony: well thought out, logical, deep, thorough, comfortable with numbers, figures, and charts, smart

Basement: rude, short, tough, never satisfied with the answer, too many questions

(Reference: Strength-finders survey)

The flesh will produce death. The Spirit will produce life.

So, how do we cooperate with the Spirit’s control?

- Ask for greater openness and responsiveness to the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

- Consciously humble ourselves before God, so we are not too proud to change.

- Look to God’s Word for guidance.

- Obey where we have clear direction, so that our forward movement will enhance the Holy Spirit’s leading. (It makes little sense to steer a parked car!)

When was the last time you prayed as Jesus did, “Nevertheless, may your will, not mine, be done”?[6] When we pray that kind of prayer, we are allowing the Spirit to help us live controlled lives.

The Spirit Gives Us Life and Relationship

Romans 8:12–17 NIV

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. 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.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

My children know me – maybe it is not so good at times because there exists the ‘imperfect’ me. I can see in their eyes that they expect a response. They know what I like and dislike. They know what I’ll tolerate, and what I won’t. As the sons and daughters of God we have to know Him and know the ways of God and the Spirit of God.

John Bevere said that we need to desire intimacy with God more than anything else. More than doing great things for Him we need intimacy – then we begin to know His heart. It reminds me of a statement made by a pastor friend of mine, “If you seek the heart of God, you’ll see the hand of God.”

It is through the Spirit that we have life and relationship.

Let the Spirit Take You Past the ‘Verge’

For the last 8 months we have been talking about the VERGE that the Lord has us on. We’ve talked about the fact that sometimes when we think that we are on the edge of a cliff, we are really on the VERGE of something great! I believe that living in the Spirit takes us beyond the VERGE and into where God wants us to be.

Our culture lacks power. Our churches lack power. Our lives lack power because we are not living through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Today, 66% of Americans say that pro-athletes have a greater impact on society than leaders in the Christian faith. According to researcher George Barna, the Christian Church is struggling to influence the nation's culture because "believers think of themselves as individuals first, Americans second, and Christians third. Until those priorities are rearranged, the Church will continue to lose influence, and biblical principles will represent simply one more option among the numerous worldviews that Americans may choose from." The Christian Church is losing influence. Non-believers are unimpressed by sermons and events; they want to see what difference faith has made in our lives - and they are struggling to see that impact.

“If the church isn’t supernatural, it is superficial.” – Leonard Ravenhill

What kind of relationship do you have with the Holy Spirit? Some people act as if He doesn’t exist. Others fail to credit Him with being fully God. Still others are intimidated by those He fills with His power. There are even people who try to control the Holy Spirit. Despite all the misconceptions, the Holy Spirit has a very important role to play in the life of every believer.

Benjamin West, the great painter, speaking of Gilbert Stuart, a brother artist famed for his beautiful coloring, used to say to his pupils, “It’s no use to steal Stuart’s colors; if you want to paint as he does, you must steal his eyes.”

When we are baffled in our efforts to live as Christ lived, the record of His life, however wonderful it is, will not enable us to be like Him. What we need is His heart, His nature. Only [His] divinity within us can recognize divinity without. Without the Holy Spirit, we cannot know Him as God.[7]

Our church mission statement is “Finding true life in Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit.” We need to do more than say it…we need to live it. Let’s give permission to the Holy Spirit to fill us and move us to do His will.

[1] The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), Ro 8:1–2. [2]Barton, B. B. et al. Life Application Bible Commentary. Romans. Tyndale House Publishers. [3]Leadership Ministries Worldwide, Practical Illustrations: 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude(Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 2003), 40–41. [4]Stanley M. Horton, What the Bible Says about the Holy Spirit (Springfield, MO: Gospel Publishing House, 2005), 177. [5]Stanley M. Horton, What the Bible Says about the Holy Spirit (Springfield, MO: Gospel Publishing House, 2005), 175. [6]Bruce B. Barton, David Veerman, and Neil S. Wilson, Romans, Life Application Bible Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1992), 152. [7]Leadership Ministries Worldwide, Practical Illustrations: 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude(Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 2003), 40.

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