Explores the transformative power of the Spirit's indwelling, and how it impacts our lives, choices, and physical existence through spiritual sustenance.
Good morning, dear family of faith. It is indeed a joy to gather together in this sacred space, to lean into the warmth of fellowship, and to open our hearts to the transformative power of God's Word.
I am reminded today of the words of Reinhard Bonnke, who once said, "In truth, I have done nothing alone. God has called me and has been my pilot. The Holy Spirit has been my comforter, my guide, and my power source." This is a testament to the sustaining power of the Spirit, a power that we are about to experience as we turn our attention to the book of Romans.
Our Scripture today comes from Romans 8:9-11,
"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. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 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."
What a powerful passage! It speaks of transformation, of indwelling, of life and death, of sin and righteousness. It speaks of the Spirit, the very breath of God, dwelling within us. But what does this mean for us, dear friends? How does the Spirit's indwelling affect our lives, our choices, our very beings?
We will seek to answer these questions today as we unpack the riches of this passage. We will consider the transformation that comes through Christ, the significance of the Spirit's indwelling, and the way in which our physical lives are sustained by spiritual power.
But before we do, let us bow our heads in prayer.
Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for this day, for the chance to gather together as Your people. We thank You for Your Word, a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. As we consider this passage from Romans, we ask that You would open our hearts and minds. Help us to understand Your truth. May Your Spirit guide us, transforming us into the image of Your Son, Jesus Christ. In His name, we pray, amen.
Let’s get started!
In the heart of this passage from Romans, we find a truth that is both profound and transformative. It's the truth that we, as followers of Christ, are not bound by our flesh, our earthly desires, or our sinful nature. Instead, we are in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in us. This is a radical transformation that takes place when we accept Christ as our Savior. It's a transformation that changes everything about us, from the way we think and act to the way we relate to God and others.
Not a superficial change: It's not about modifying our behavior or trying to be a "good" person. It's about a deep, inner change that only the Spirit of God can bring about. It's about being born again, not of the flesh, but of the Spirit. It's about becoming a new creation in Christ, with old things passing away and all things becoming new.
Not a temporary change: It's not something that happens once and then we go back to our old ways. It's a permanent change, a change that lasts for eternity. It's a change that affects not only our lives here on earth, but also our eternal destiny. It's a change that guarantees us a place in heaven, in the presence of God, where we will experience joy and peace that surpasses all understanding.
Not a passive process: It's not something that happens to us while we sit back and do nothing. It's an active process, a process that involves our participation and cooperation. It's a process that requires us to surrender our will to God, to yield to the leading of the Spirit, and to strive to live a life that is pleasing to God.
Not an isolated event: It's not something that happens in a vacuum, without any impact on those around us. It's a transformation that affects our relationships, our interactions, and our influence on others. It's a transformation that makes us a light in the world, a city on a hill that cannot be hidden. It's a transformation that compels us to share the good news of Christ with others, so that they too can experience the life-changing power of the Spirit.
It gives us hope: It assures us that we are not alone, that we are not helpless, and that we are not doomed to a life of sin and despair. It assures us that we have the Spirit of God dwelling in us, empowering us to live a life of righteousness and holiness.
It gives us confidence: It assures us that we belong to Christ, that we are His, and that nothing can separate us from His love. It assures us that we have the Spirit of Christ in us, testifying with our spirit that we are children of God.
It gives us strength: It assures us that we have a Helper, a Comforter, and a Counselor who will never leave us nor forsake us. It assures us that we have the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwelling in us, giving life to our mortal bodies.
It gives us humility: It reminds us that we are not self-made, that we are not self-sufficient, and that we are not the source of our own success. It reminds us that we have the Spirit of God in us, enabling us to do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
The Spirit of God, as we read in Romans, dwells within us ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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