WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:10.839 Please do turn back in to page 944 of your Bibles. Tonight we're starting a mini-series just in Romans chapter 8. 00:00:11.080 --> 00:00:19.839 ! So we'll be in this for the next few weeks. And it needs to be said, Romans 8 is one of just the most glorious chapters of the Bible. 00:00:20.519 --> 00:00:27.080 When I was in seminary, we had to read through the whole Bible just over the span of a few terms. So you had to read it pretty quickly. 00:00:27.079 --> 00:00:36.259 But Romans 8 would just stop you in your tracks, as you read. One of the great preachers, Martin Lloyd-Jones, he said, 00:00:36.439 --> 00:00:46.239 If the Bible was like a pile of gems, the book of Romans would be the brightest cluster, and chapter 8 is the brightest gem in the cluster. 00:00:48.039 --> 00:00:52.640 Throughout the generations, this chapter is just so well-loved and so well-known, isn't it? 00:00:52.640 --> 00:00:58.579 And it's almost like one of those films where you could just quote every line, and every line is a masterpiece. 00:00:58.939 --> 00:01:03.500 It's like watching Lord of the Rings. You'll probably recognize some of them. Just look at verse 1. 00:01:04.739 --> 00:01:09.539 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 00:01:10.400 --> 00:01:11.219 Verse 15. 00:01:11.219 --> 00:01:16.700 Verse 28. 00:01:17.579 --> 00:01:23.120 Verse 35. 00:01:23.120 --> 00:01:27.359 Verse 37. 00:01:27.359 --> 00:01:33.640 It's such a bright gem, isn't it? 00:01:34.680 --> 00:01:38.299 But why does this gem shine so bright? 00:01:38.299 --> 00:01:47.679 Well, I think it is so glorious because in the Christian life, we can so easily feel weak and vulnerable, 00:01:48.140 --> 00:01:52.079 and we can wonder, what is God doing in my life right now? 00:01:52.799 --> 00:01:55.539 We can feel like this is all just too much. 00:01:56.159 --> 00:01:57.679 How can I face tomorrow? 00:01:58.140 --> 00:02:01.719 And all this can just seem insignificant and hopeless. 00:02:01.719 --> 00:02:06.420 And we often wonder, is this Christian life all really worth it? 00:02:07.500 --> 00:02:09.840 That is so often our experience. 00:02:10.599 --> 00:02:15.000 But against that bleakness, Romans 8 is this shining gem, 00:02:15.680 --> 00:02:23.759 just showing us this detailed and vibrant picture of the powerful work God is doing in our life. 00:02:23.759 --> 00:02:32.159 In contrast to our weakness and our doubts, Romans 8 just has this triumphant note throughout. 00:02:33.039 --> 00:02:40.819 It is all about the power and life and joy and security and victory of the Christian life. 00:02:41.819 --> 00:02:43.459 So just think of those quotes again. 00:02:43.460 --> 00:02:44.460 No condemnation. 00:02:44.460 --> 00:02:45.060 No condemnation. 00:02:45.780 --> 00:02:47.099 Full adoption. 00:02:48.000 --> 00:02:49.500 Loved by God. 00:02:49.620 --> 00:02:52.040 Never ever being separated from Christ. 00:02:52.620 --> 00:02:53.980 More than conquerors. 00:02:55.680 --> 00:03:02.700 And so this chapter is rightly to be treasured because it speaks into our weakness and our worries, 00:03:02.860 --> 00:03:06.260 and it says God is triumphant in your life. 00:03:06.259 --> 00:03:13.479 And you may not see it, but beneath the surface, he is doing something far greater than we may realize. 00:03:14.579 --> 00:03:20.659 And it all comes down to his spirit in your life. 00:03:21.719 --> 00:03:26.620 The Holy Spirit is key to understanding this chapter. 00:03:26.620 --> 00:03:34.520 In Romans 8, Paul is opening our eyes to see this glorious picture of what God, 00:03:34.879 --> 00:03:43.180 but in particular, what the spirit of God is doing in this world and in the church and in our lives every single day. 00:03:44.319 --> 00:03:49.460 And he wants us to see the spirit's work, it is bigger than you might realize. 00:03:50.180 --> 00:03:53.240 And it is a work deeper than we can see. 00:03:53.240 --> 00:04:00.000 So you might be here today wondering, why bother with all this Christianity stuff? 00:04:00.860 --> 00:04:05.600 From the outside, this all may just seem weak and fragile and insignificant. 00:04:05.920 --> 00:04:11.719 Well, under the surface, there is something triumphant and indestructible going on. 00:04:12.719 --> 00:04:14.900 The divine spirit is at work. 00:04:16.400 --> 00:04:21.259 That shine of the gem, that is the spirit shining. 00:04:21.259 --> 00:04:25.579 And so I just want us to jump into these first 11 verses. 00:04:25.779 --> 00:04:31.120 And straight away, we see something glorious about the spirit's work in our life. 00:04:31.240 --> 00:04:35.039 We see the spirit sets us free. 00:04:35.560 --> 00:04:37.139 The spirit sets us free. 00:04:38.339 --> 00:04:40.599 This opens on amazing words, doesn't it? 00:04:41.259 --> 00:04:44.339 It's those words that we cling to in the darkest of days. 00:04:44.339 --> 00:04:44.899 Verse 1. 00:04:45.719 --> 00:04:51.379 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 00:04:53.139 --> 00:04:55.139 Now the word therefore, do you see that? 00:04:55.539 --> 00:05:00.039 It's referring back to all that Paul has said, basically from chapter 5 onwards. 00:05:01.339 --> 00:05:02.479 Everything about Christ. 00:05:02.480 --> 00:05:10.740 Since Christ has come down and shed his blood and died and been buried and raised and you are united with him. 00:05:11.400 --> 00:05:15.140 Therefore, there is now no condemnation. 00:05:16.740 --> 00:05:22.580 And he's opening up the reality of the Christian life with that word, now. 00:05:22.579 --> 00:05:31.199 For those in Christ right here, right now, there is no condemnation from God in your life. 00:05:32.680 --> 00:05:37.699 And then, Paul gives a specific reason why this is the case. 00:05:38.439 --> 00:05:40.279 Why is there no condemnation? 00:05:41.079 --> 00:05:41.560 Verse 2. 00:05:41.560 --> 00:05:58.899 There is no condemnation because the spirit has set you free. 00:06:00.480 --> 00:06:06.500 And if you just stop and think about that for a second, that should surprise us. 00:06:06.500 --> 00:06:15.120 Because we might expect to hear there is no condemnation because Christ has died and taken away your sin. 00:06:15.759 --> 00:06:20.000 Or there's no condemnation because Christ has paid the debt of your sin. 00:06:20.759 --> 00:06:24.519 We would expect the reason to be outside of ourselves. 00:06:25.339 --> 00:06:29.100 Because Christ has done something for us out there. 00:06:29.100 --> 00:06:37.379 But instead, it says, there is no condemnation because God has done something in you. 00:06:38.320 --> 00:06:41.400 The spirit has set you free. 00:06:43.260 --> 00:06:49.200 And Paul gives this reason because he means something specific by no condemnation. 00:06:50.020 --> 00:06:54.500 He's not talking about the guilt of sin, although it's related to the guilt of sin. 00:06:54.500 --> 00:07:00.000 But specifically, he's talking about the power of sin. 00:07:01.060 --> 00:07:05.540 So it's like when you commit a crime and you're sentenced by a judge. 00:07:06.079 --> 00:07:07.600 There are two things that happen to you. 00:07:08.360 --> 00:07:09.920 Firstly, you're found guilty. 00:07:10.699 --> 00:07:13.220 You have the verdict and status of guilty. 00:07:14.220 --> 00:07:20.800 But also, you then face the prison sentence that arises from that guilty verdict. 00:07:21.500 --> 00:07:24.120 You are then condemned to prison. 00:07:24.500 --> 00:07:26.939 Well, that is just like sin. 00:07:28.120 --> 00:07:31.360 Sin involves guilt and imprisonment. 00:07:32.420 --> 00:07:38.300 Sin makes us guilty before God and it also captures us. 00:07:40.220 --> 00:07:46.819 Sin is a real power over our hearts and lives and desires. 00:07:47.279 --> 00:07:50.540 And it enslaves and rules us. 00:07:50.540 --> 00:07:52.920 Sin is a real power over our hearts and rules us. 00:07:52.920 --> 00:07:57.600 And so ever since the fall, the iron bars went up around humanity. 00:07:57.600 --> 00:08:03.500 the cage of sin surrounded us, and we were condemned to this prison sentence. 00:08:04.780 --> 00:08:10.640 And that's what Paul is talking about here. There is now no condemnation for the Christian, 00:08:10.840 --> 00:08:15.660 no prison sentence, because God has burst open the prison cells. 00:08:16.960 --> 00:08:23.000 The Christian life is a life free from sin's power ruling over your heart. 00:08:23.000 --> 00:08:31.459 And how did God do that? Verse 2, the law of the spirit of life has set you free. 00:08:33.360 --> 00:08:37.179 And this is how we can understand what he means by law here. 00:08:38.059 --> 00:08:41.039 So he's not talking about the law like the Ten Commandments. 00:08:41.720 --> 00:08:46.480 No, by law he means principle or power, right? 00:08:46.480 --> 00:08:56.500 The principle and power of the spirit has overcome the principle and power of sin in your life. 00:08:57.440 --> 00:08:58.440 And so you're set free. 00:09:00.159 --> 00:09:04.080 Sinclair Ferguson, he just has a great illustration that really captures this. 00:09:04.960 --> 00:09:09.360 He says, it's like the laws, the principles at work when a plane flies. 00:09:09.360 --> 00:09:16.159 So when a plane cruises at 33,000 feet, the law of gravity hasn't disappeared, 00:09:16.980 --> 00:09:23.800 but the law of aerodynamics is now at work causing that plane to take off and to fly. 00:09:25.000 --> 00:09:31.800 The law, the power of aerodynamics has overcome the law, the power of gravity, 00:09:32.480 --> 00:09:34.940 and set the plane free to fly. 00:09:34.940 --> 00:09:38.200 Well, that is the Christian life. 00:09:39.460 --> 00:09:43.160 We were held down by sin, trapped and caged, 00:09:43.260 --> 00:09:47.340 but Christ sent his spirit into our life and set us free. 00:09:48.620 --> 00:09:53.440 Now, sin hasn't disappeared, but its power has been overcome. 00:09:54.920 --> 00:09:58.740 When his spirit came to you and gave you faith and entered your heart 00:09:58.740 --> 00:10:01.320 and changed it from stone to flesh, 00:10:01.320 --> 00:10:06.340 that was the spirit taking charge of your life and setting you free. 00:10:08.280 --> 00:10:14.580 And this freedom is so needed because look what the law of sin and death does when it rules, verse 7. 00:10:15.620 --> 00:10:21.520 It makes us hostile to God, not submitting to God's law, no obedience. 00:10:21.519 --> 00:10:31.379 It's like a gravitational pull, keeping our hearts and our minds down to the ground and away from God, 00:10:31.559 --> 00:10:38.699 sin pulling toward more sin, disobedience, a life revolving around ourselves, not God. 00:10:39.939 --> 00:10:42.379 It's the prison cell of selfishness. 00:10:42.379 --> 00:10:47.580 But the law of the spirit of life is the complete opposite. 00:10:48.820 --> 00:10:53.299 It's the spirit ruling our lives to take us in the opposite direction. 00:10:53.460 --> 00:10:55.360 Verse 4, it's righteousness. 00:10:56.720 --> 00:10:59.919 A life fulfilling the law, doing the law, holiness. 00:11:00.159 --> 00:11:03.500 It's a life looking upward toward God. 00:11:03.500 --> 00:11:11.379 It's like if your heart is a car, before sin was in the driving seat. 00:11:12.299 --> 00:11:18.980 Driving full speed away from God, into ditches, crashing the car, heading toward death. 00:11:19.720 --> 00:11:24.899 But in Christ, the spirit comes into the car, takes over the driving seat, 00:11:25.100 --> 00:11:32.580 throws sin out of the driving seat, takes over your heart and turns it 180 toward God. 00:11:33.500 --> 00:11:43.059 And so Christian, that obedience that you have, however small, however fragile, 00:11:44.299 --> 00:11:46.139 that is not insignificant. 00:11:47.519 --> 00:11:52.580 That is the spirit of life having set you free. 00:11:53.720 --> 00:12:01.399 When you say no to that gossip at lunch, that is the spirit of life at work in you. 00:12:01.399 --> 00:12:08.980 When you close that internet tab before you go any further, that's the spirit's power right there. 00:12:10.480 --> 00:12:17.019 Working at your marriage, forgiving and forbearing day after day when it's easier just to give up, 00:12:17.120 --> 00:12:19.439 but you do it all for the sake of your God. 00:12:20.559 --> 00:12:23.179 That is you, freed by the spirit. 00:12:23.179 --> 00:12:32.699 Being here, hearing God speak, singing his praises, and then going out into this week to live the ordinary Christian life, 00:12:33.399 --> 00:12:36.179 working hard for the Lord, raising your children in the faith, 00:12:36.419 --> 00:12:39.939 it may all just seem small, even insignificant, 00:12:40.519 --> 00:12:45.579 but in reality, that is all spirit-given freedom. 00:12:45.580 --> 00:12:51.220 That is the iron bars destroyed in your life. 00:12:51.360 --> 00:12:52.540 No condemnation. 00:12:54.580 --> 00:12:59.560 And so Paul is giving a very black and white picture of the world here. 00:12:59.559 --> 00:13:04.099 And he's saying that there are two ways to exist in this world. 00:13:04.519 --> 00:13:09.159 Either we are ruled by sin, or we are ruled by the spirit. 00:13:10.619 --> 00:13:12.419 Condemned or free. 00:13:14.179 --> 00:13:15.879 But looking at our lives, 00:13:17.099 --> 00:13:19.419 and looking at everyone around us, 00:13:20.000 --> 00:13:21.379 we may not realize that. 00:13:21.379 --> 00:13:24.240 Looking at the church, 00:13:24.340 --> 00:13:25.779 and then looking at the world, 00:13:25.899 --> 00:13:27.500 you can compare two people, 00:13:28.159 --> 00:13:29.320 and on the surface, 00:13:29.519 --> 00:13:30.620 they appear the same. 00:13:30.740 --> 00:13:33.139 Same school, same job, same postcode. 00:13:34.419 --> 00:13:36.259 But underneath the surface, 00:13:36.960 --> 00:13:38.100 deep in the heart, 00:13:38.200 --> 00:13:39.539 there is a drastic 00:13:39.539 --> 00:13:41.720 and glorious difference. 00:13:42.980 --> 00:13:44.500 When you look at the Christian, 00:13:45.299 --> 00:13:47.919 you see a heart set free. 00:13:48.919 --> 00:13:51.360 You see the divine spirit, 00:13:51.379 --> 00:13:52.639 in the driving seat, 00:13:52.759 --> 00:13:54.100 and powerfully at work. 00:13:54.720 --> 00:13:56.460 The prison bars shattered. 00:13:57.779 --> 00:14:00.620 A life transformed by the grace of God. 00:14:01.000 --> 00:14:02.379 But we may not always see it, 00:14:02.419 --> 00:14:03.399 but beneath the surface, 00:14:04.240 --> 00:14:07.279 you see a person who owns these words, 00:14:07.759 --> 00:14:09.539 no condemnation. 00:14:11.679 --> 00:14:13.759 And that is because our sin 00:14:13.759 --> 00:14:16.100 was all condemned in Christ. 00:14:17.379 --> 00:14:18.379 Look at verse 3. 00:14:18.379 --> 00:14:21.340 For God has done what the law, 00:14:21.480 --> 00:14:22.460 weakened by the flesh, 00:14:22.559 --> 00:14:23.220 could not do, 00:14:23.340 --> 00:14:25.179 by sending his own son 00:14:25.179 --> 00:14:27.200 in the likeness of sinful flesh, 00:14:27.259 --> 00:14:28.279 and for sin, 00:14:28.720 --> 00:14:31.519 he condemned sin in the flesh. 00:14:33.320 --> 00:14:34.379 Sin's power, 00:14:35.059 --> 00:14:36.379 you cannot overcome 00:14:36.379 --> 00:14:38.159 just by trying hard, 00:14:38.860 --> 00:14:40.179 or living a good life, 00:14:40.240 --> 00:14:41.600 or just trying to grab 00:14:41.600 --> 00:14:43.360 the steering wheel for yourself. 00:14:43.360 --> 00:14:46.200 No, the law cannot do that for us. 00:14:47.500 --> 00:14:48.740 Our flesh is too weak. 00:14:48.840 --> 00:14:50.680 We can't overcome the gravity. 00:14:51.580 --> 00:14:52.360 The world is, 00:14:52.399 --> 00:14:54.240 it's trapped in this cell. 00:14:55.180 --> 00:14:57.340 And so what has God done instead? 00:14:58.300 --> 00:14:59.879 He sent his own son 00:14:59.879 --> 00:15:03.560 in the likeness of sinful flesh. 00:15:03.700 --> 00:15:04.639 Not sinful, 00:15:04.840 --> 00:15:07.700 but in the likeness of sinful flesh. 00:15:08.360 --> 00:15:09.560 Truly human. 00:15:09.559 --> 00:15:11.799 Flesh in all our frailty, 00:15:11.919 --> 00:15:12.759 but without sin. 00:15:14.139 --> 00:15:15.079 And on that cross, 00:15:15.199 --> 00:15:17.799 God laid our sins on him, 00:15:18.099 --> 00:15:20.899 and God condemned our sin 00:15:20.899 --> 00:15:24.099 in the frail, mortal flesh 00:15:24.099 --> 00:15:25.039 of his own son. 00:15:26.619 --> 00:15:28.899 Our sin was judged, 00:15:29.619 --> 00:15:30.000 punished, 00:15:30.159 --> 00:15:32.579 and sentenced in his wounds. 00:15:33.579 --> 00:15:35.500 He took his last breath, 00:15:35.679 --> 00:15:36.679 and the prison bars 00:15:36.679 --> 00:15:38.519 shattered in your life. 00:15:38.519 --> 00:15:41.819 And when the guilt goes, 00:15:42.360 --> 00:15:43.460 so does the sentence. 00:15:45.100 --> 00:15:45.939 On the cross, 00:15:46.059 --> 00:15:47.860 the Son of God, 00:15:48.079 --> 00:15:50.779 he only heard condemnation, 00:15:51.139 --> 00:15:52.980 so that today, 00:15:53.139 --> 00:15:54.220 we can hear the words, 00:15:54.919 --> 00:15:55.860 no condemnation. 00:15:57.600 --> 00:16:00.419 The whole purpose of God 00:16:00.419 --> 00:16:01.539 sending his Son, 00:16:01.620 --> 00:16:02.360 the incarnation, 00:16:03.100 --> 00:16:03.720 the suffering, 00:16:03.879 --> 00:16:04.759 the crucifixion, 00:16:04.899 --> 00:16:06.679 it was all to release you 00:16:06.679 --> 00:16:07.500 from the prison. 00:16:07.500 --> 00:16:09.259 So that you 00:16:09.259 --> 00:16:10.639 can be free to live. 00:16:11.600 --> 00:16:12.759 Live for God. 00:16:14.039 --> 00:16:15.179 Look at verse 4. 00:16:16.799 --> 00:16:17.659 Christ died 00:16:17.659 --> 00:16:19.779 in order that the righteous 00:16:19.779 --> 00:16:21.059 requirement of the law 00:16:21.059 --> 00:16:22.659 might be fulfilled in us. 00:16:23.779 --> 00:16:25.240 Not that we perfectly 00:16:25.240 --> 00:16:26.059 fulfill the law. 00:16:26.940 --> 00:16:28.299 Sin still exists in us. 00:16:28.440 --> 00:16:29.500 Gravity still exists 00:16:29.500 --> 00:16:30.460 as the plane flies. 00:16:30.460 --> 00:16:32.600 But it's been overcome. 00:16:32.600 --> 00:16:36.639 And Christ came to overcome 00:16:36.639 --> 00:16:38.600 that power of sin in your life. 00:16:39.000 --> 00:16:41.200 To take the driving seat 00:16:41.200 --> 00:16:42.620 and rule your heart. 00:16:42.879 --> 00:16:44.320 Which is what he's doing right now. 00:16:45.600 --> 00:16:47.440 And we can't take that for granted. 00:16:48.720 --> 00:16:50.120 We can't miss 00:16:50.120 --> 00:16:52.639 how drastic this freedom is. 00:16:52.639 --> 00:16:55.240 Because Paul then goes on 00:16:55.240 --> 00:16:55.899 to highlight 00:16:55.899 --> 00:16:56.779 just what it means 00:16:56.779 --> 00:16:59.199 to not have this freedom. 00:17:00.360 --> 00:17:01.179 And this is the next thing 00:17:01.179 --> 00:17:01.840 I want us to see. 00:17:01.960 --> 00:17:02.779 Without the Spirit, 00:17:03.319 --> 00:17:04.240 we are dead. 00:17:05.039 --> 00:17:05.839 Without the Spirit, 00:17:06.299 --> 00:17:06.700 we're dead. 00:17:08.180 --> 00:17:09.359 These next few verses 00:17:09.359 --> 00:17:11.700 are just describing 00:17:11.700 --> 00:17:13.539 what unbelief is like. 00:17:14.079 --> 00:17:14.779 What it's like 00:17:14.779 --> 00:17:16.680 to not have God's Spirit 00:17:16.680 --> 00:17:17.759 in your life 00:17:17.759 --> 00:17:18.859 and just ruled 00:17:18.859 --> 00:17:20.119 by the flesh instead. 00:17:21.019 --> 00:17:22.220 And flesh meaning 00:17:22.220 --> 00:17:24.140 just everything sinful 00:17:24.140 --> 00:17:25.019 in this age. 00:17:25.740 --> 00:17:26.779 Sin in the driving seat. 00:17:27.920 --> 00:17:29.099 And it's quite shocking 00:17:29.099 --> 00:17:30.259 in hard words to hear. 00:17:30.500 --> 00:17:31.019 Verse 5. 00:17:32.460 --> 00:17:33.240 For those who live 00:17:33.240 --> 00:17:35.859 according to the flesh 00:17:35.859 --> 00:17:36.879 set their minds 00:17:36.879 --> 00:17:38.680 on the things of the flesh. 00:17:40.220 --> 00:17:41.400 Now to set your mind 00:17:41.400 --> 00:17:41.859 on the flesh, 00:17:41.960 --> 00:17:42.700 it doesn't just mean 00:17:42.700 --> 00:17:43.500 that you think 00:17:43.500 --> 00:17:44.740 about sinful things. 00:17:44.839 --> 00:17:45.720 It would include that. 00:17:45.960 --> 00:17:47.220 But it's not just that. 00:17:47.220 --> 00:17:48.779 No, the mind here 00:17:48.779 --> 00:17:50.480 means the whole life. 00:17:51.460 --> 00:17:52.660 It's our mindset. 00:17:53.900 --> 00:17:55.079 Without the Spirit, 00:17:55.220 --> 00:17:56.220 our whole life, 00:17:56.380 --> 00:17:57.500 our ambitions, 00:17:58.400 --> 00:17:59.180 our desires, 00:17:59.360 --> 00:18:00.079 our values, 00:18:00.380 --> 00:18:01.559 morals, cares, 00:18:01.700 --> 00:18:03.720 all our time and energy, 00:18:04.100 --> 00:18:04.819 without the Spirit, 00:18:04.920 --> 00:18:07.519 it is all set on the flesh. 00:18:08.519 --> 00:18:10.200 On the sinful way 00:18:10.200 --> 00:18:10.960 of this world. 00:18:11.400 --> 00:18:12.680 Driving in that direction. 00:18:12.819 --> 00:18:13.700 Not toward God. 00:18:14.079 --> 00:18:15.579 Not set on the Spirit. 00:18:15.579 --> 00:18:17.039 but with our backs 00:18:17.039 --> 00:18:17.519 to God. 00:18:19.240 --> 00:18:20.259 And so how does that person 00:18:20.259 --> 00:18:20.919 relate to God? 00:18:21.039 --> 00:18:21.559 Verse 7. 00:18:22.819 --> 00:18:23.859 For the mind that is set 00:18:23.859 --> 00:18:24.460 on the flesh 00:18:24.460 --> 00:18:26.799 is hostile to God. 00:18:27.359 --> 00:18:28.599 For it does not submit 00:18:28.599 --> 00:18:29.279 to God's law. 00:18:29.399 --> 00:18:29.759 Indeed, 00:18:30.240 --> 00:18:30.759 it cannot. 00:18:31.039 --> 00:18:32.419 Those who are in the flesh 00:18:32.419 --> 00:18:34.839 cannot please God. 00:18:36.519 --> 00:18:37.639 Without the Spirit, 00:18:37.759 --> 00:18:38.460 there is not only 00:18:38.460 --> 00:18:39.799 a refusal 00:18:39.799 --> 00:18:41.539 to live for God, 00:18:41.539 --> 00:18:43.379 but an inability. 00:18:45.059 --> 00:18:46.119 Without the Spirit, 00:18:46.399 --> 00:18:46.859 do you see, 00:18:47.359 --> 00:18:48.379 you cannot 00:18:48.379 --> 00:18:49.879 obey God. 00:18:51.099 --> 00:18:52.099 Without the Spirit, 00:18:52.259 --> 00:18:53.119 you cannot 00:18:53.119 --> 00:18:55.019 follow God 00:18:55.019 --> 00:18:56.559 or love God 00:18:56.559 --> 00:18:57.599 or trust God 00:18:57.599 --> 00:18:58.740 or submit to God. 00:18:59.480 --> 00:19:00.539 It's impossible. 00:19:01.579 --> 00:19:02.559 Because we are 00:19:02.559 --> 00:19:04.519 too set on sin, 00:19:05.259 --> 00:19:06.259 too trapped 00:19:06.259 --> 00:19:07.500 in this cage, 00:19:07.639 --> 00:19:08.819 living for ourselves, 00:19:08.819 --> 00:19:09.839 my values, 00:19:09.980 --> 00:19:10.579 my morals, 00:19:10.740 --> 00:19:12.279 driving in that direction. 00:19:13.659 --> 00:19:14.899 And so if we cannot 00:19:14.899 --> 00:19:16.019 submit to God, 00:19:16.799 --> 00:19:18.119 we cannot please God. 00:19:19.000 --> 00:19:20.000 He's not happy. 00:19:21.859 --> 00:19:23.299 Now, this isn't saying 00:19:23.299 --> 00:19:25.319 we are as bad 00:19:25.319 --> 00:19:26.319 as we possibly 00:19:26.319 --> 00:19:26.980 could be 00:19:26.980 --> 00:19:27.740 without the Spirit. 00:19:28.839 --> 00:19:29.139 No, 00:19:29.379 --> 00:19:29.899 mercifully, 00:19:30.240 --> 00:19:30.980 God doesn't let 00:19:30.980 --> 00:19:31.480 our sin 00:19:31.480 --> 00:19:32.679 get out of hand 00:19:32.679 --> 00:19:33.919 as bad as it could be. 00:19:33.920 --> 00:19:35.940 But we are 00:19:35.940 --> 00:19:37.580 set against God. 00:19:38.779 --> 00:19:39.759 And we may not 00:19:39.759 --> 00:19:40.360 realize it, 00:19:40.400 --> 00:19:41.300 but without the Spirit, 00:19:42.200 --> 00:19:42.740 we are 00:19:42.740 --> 00:19:43.580 hostile 00:19:43.580 --> 00:19:44.560 to God. 00:19:46.160 --> 00:19:47.660 And this is why 00:19:47.660 --> 00:19:49.340 we see such 00:19:49.340 --> 00:19:51.200 wicked things 00:19:51.200 --> 00:19:52.779 not only being 00:19:52.779 --> 00:19:53.660 tolerated, 00:19:54.180 --> 00:19:55.860 but being celebrated 00:19:55.860 --> 00:19:56.600 in our world. 00:19:57.600 --> 00:19:58.800 And we can just 00:19:58.800 --> 00:19:59.539 see it 00:19:59.539 --> 00:20:00.100 and wonder, 00:20:00.500 --> 00:20:02.240 how are you saying 00:20:02.240 --> 00:20:03.500 that's a good thing? 00:20:04.300 --> 00:20:05.560 How has the world 00:20:05.560 --> 00:20:06.160 got here? 00:20:07.560 --> 00:20:08.560 Well, it's because 00:20:08.560 --> 00:20:09.340 without the Spirit, 00:20:09.460 --> 00:20:10.420 that's where the human 00:20:10.420 --> 00:20:11.160 heart will go, 00:20:12.220 --> 00:20:13.420 set on the flesh. 00:20:15.140 --> 00:20:16.500 It's why MPs 00:20:16.500 --> 00:20:17.259 can be challenged 00:20:17.259 --> 00:20:18.240 about the end-of-life 00:20:18.240 --> 00:20:18.519 bill, 00:20:18.600 --> 00:20:19.340 the arguments 00:20:19.340 --> 00:20:20.220 made very, 00:20:20.360 --> 00:20:21.360 very clear to them, 00:20:21.500 --> 00:20:22.460 laid out perfectly, 00:20:22.960 --> 00:20:23.620 but they just 00:20:23.620 --> 00:20:24.160 won't budge. 00:20:25.300 --> 00:20:26.100 In some ways, 00:20:26.180 --> 00:20:27.019 it shouldn't be 00:20:27.019 --> 00:20:28.100 a surprise to us 00:20:28.100 --> 00:20:29.039 because the mind 00:20:29.039 --> 00:20:29.700 is set 00:20:29.700 --> 00:20:30.820 on the flesh. 00:20:30.819 --> 00:20:33.200 it's why 00:20:33.200 --> 00:20:33.740 when we share 00:20:33.740 --> 00:20:34.279 the good news 00:20:34.279 --> 00:20:34.679 of Christ 00:20:34.679 --> 00:20:35.419 with our friends 00:20:35.419 --> 00:20:36.879 and our family, 00:20:37.879 --> 00:20:38.819 but the light 00:20:38.819 --> 00:20:40.339 just doesn't come on 00:20:40.339 --> 00:20:42.139 and we just want 00:20:42.139 --> 00:20:42.700 to cry out, 00:20:42.879 --> 00:20:44.099 can you not see 00:20:44.099 --> 00:20:45.179 the truth of the gospel? 00:20:46.059 --> 00:20:47.099 Can you not see 00:20:47.099 --> 00:20:47.980 how empty 00:20:47.980 --> 00:20:48.740 that lifestyle 00:20:48.740 --> 00:20:49.399 is you're living 00:20:49.399 --> 00:20:50.720 and how Christ 00:20:50.720 --> 00:20:51.339 can just meet 00:20:51.339 --> 00:20:52.439 your every single 00:20:52.439 --> 00:20:53.059 needs, 00:20:53.559 --> 00:20:54.319 but they just 00:20:54.319 --> 00:20:55.019 don't see it 00:20:55.019 --> 00:20:57.200 because the mind 00:20:57.200 --> 00:20:57.720 is set 00:20:57.720 --> 00:20:58.539 on the flesh. 00:21:00.160 --> 00:21:01.299 Without the spirit, 00:21:01.859 --> 00:21:02.519 we're dead, 00:21:03.799 --> 00:21:04.240 powerless, 00:21:04.500 --> 00:21:05.859 trapped in this mindset 00:21:05.859 --> 00:21:08.079 and we cannot argue 00:21:08.079 --> 00:21:09.539 someone out of this prison. 00:21:10.200 --> 00:21:11.900 We cannot bring life 00:21:11.900 --> 00:21:12.539 to the dead 00:21:12.539 --> 00:21:14.779 and so what is 00:21:14.779 --> 00:21:15.680 our only hope? 00:21:15.859 --> 00:21:17.019 What is this world 00:21:17.019 --> 00:21:19.119 in desperate need of? 00:21:19.759 --> 00:21:21.019 We need 00:21:21.019 --> 00:21:21.859 the spirit 00:21:21.859 --> 00:21:22.519 of God. 00:21:22.519 --> 00:21:24.900 we need 00:21:24.900 --> 00:21:26.039 the divine spirit 00:21:26.039 --> 00:21:26.859 to descend 00:21:26.859 --> 00:21:28.259 upon dead hearts 00:21:28.259 --> 00:21:29.639 and bring life 00:21:29.639 --> 00:21:30.680 and peace. 00:21:31.460 --> 00:21:32.259 We need 00:21:32.259 --> 00:21:32.819 the law 00:21:32.819 --> 00:21:33.500 of the spirit 00:21:33.500 --> 00:21:33.920 of life 00:21:33.920 --> 00:21:35.460 to transform lives 00:21:35.460 --> 00:21:37.099 and set our minds 00:21:37.099 --> 00:21:37.759 on the things 00:21:37.759 --> 00:21:38.440 of the spirit 00:21:38.440 --> 00:21:39.339 and to bring 00:21:39.339 --> 00:21:40.240 freedom. 00:21:42.079 --> 00:21:42.680 And that is 00:21:42.680 --> 00:21:43.619 the only way 00:21:43.619 --> 00:21:44.339 to be right 00:21:44.339 --> 00:21:44.799 with God, 00:21:44.900 --> 00:21:45.700 the only way 00:21:45.700 --> 00:21:46.579 to please him. 00:21:49.079 --> 00:21:49.779 And so 00:21:49.779 --> 00:21:51.139 we really, 00:21:51.140 --> 00:21:52.500 we really need 00:21:52.500 --> 00:21:52.920 to pray, 00:21:53.020 --> 00:21:53.320 don't we? 00:21:54.880 --> 00:21:56.160 In all our ministries, 00:21:56.920 --> 00:21:57.780 in all that we do 00:21:57.780 --> 00:21:58.240 as a church, 00:21:58.320 --> 00:21:59.060 in all our preaching, 00:21:59.220 --> 00:22:00.240 in all our conversations, 00:22:00.800 --> 00:22:01.740 we really, 00:22:01.860 --> 00:22:02.700 really need to pray. 00:22:04.140 --> 00:22:04.540 Pray 00:22:04.540 --> 00:22:05.420 that the spirit 00:22:05.420 --> 00:22:06.120 would work 00:22:06.120 --> 00:22:08.220 because we can try 00:22:08.220 --> 00:22:09.480 as hard as we like. 00:22:10.280 --> 00:22:10.800 We can try 00:22:10.800 --> 00:22:11.900 to preach our socks off 00:22:11.900 --> 00:22:13.020 and have the best arguments 00:22:13.020 --> 00:22:14.640 and put all the energy in 00:22:14.640 --> 00:22:15.780 but we are nothing 00:22:15.780 --> 00:22:17.020 without the spirit. 00:22:17.019 --> 00:22:19.900 And what's more, 00:22:19.960 --> 00:22:20.639 he is able 00:22:20.639 --> 00:22:21.740 to set any, 00:22:21.799 --> 00:22:23.000 any captive free. 00:22:24.559 --> 00:22:25.900 The hardest heart, 00:22:26.019 --> 00:22:26.859 the most hostile, 00:22:27.339 --> 00:22:28.180 whoever you think 00:22:28.180 --> 00:22:28.980 right now 00:22:28.980 --> 00:22:30.180 and you think of them 00:22:30.180 --> 00:22:30.759 and you just think 00:22:30.759 --> 00:22:31.759 it is impossible 00:22:31.759 --> 00:22:33.200 for them to believe, 00:22:33.500 --> 00:22:34.059 the spirit 00:22:34.059 --> 00:22:35.579 can set that person free. 00:22:37.759 --> 00:22:38.799 And I realize 00:22:38.799 --> 00:22:39.900 if you aren't a Christian 00:22:39.900 --> 00:22:40.500 here tonight, 00:22:41.279 --> 00:22:42.079 you may hear 00:22:42.079 --> 00:22:43.259 these words 00:22:43.259 --> 00:22:44.200 and just think 00:22:44.200 --> 00:22:45.539 this language 00:22:45.539 --> 00:22:46.700 is a bit too strong. 00:22:47.940 --> 00:22:48.680 You might think, 00:22:49.259 --> 00:22:49.659 well I live 00:22:49.659 --> 00:22:50.920 a pretty normal life, 00:22:51.799 --> 00:22:52.319 I'm a fairly 00:22:52.319 --> 00:22:53.420 respectable person, 00:22:53.539 --> 00:22:54.279 this all sounds 00:22:54.279 --> 00:22:55.960 just a bit too much. 00:22:57.200 --> 00:22:58.539 But the whole purpose 00:22:58.539 --> 00:22:59.359 of this chapter 00:22:59.359 --> 00:23:00.180 is to get us 00:23:00.180 --> 00:23:01.599 to see what we don't realize. 00:23:02.839 --> 00:23:03.659 This language, 00:23:03.819 --> 00:23:04.920 it is strong 00:23:04.920 --> 00:23:06.759 and it's meant 00:23:06.759 --> 00:23:08.159 to make us feel uncomfortable 00:23:08.159 --> 00:23:09.119 because this is meant 00:23:09.119 --> 00:23:10.139 to be a wake up call. 00:23:11.319 --> 00:23:12.319 It is telling us 00:23:12.319 --> 00:23:13.920 living a nice life 00:23:13.920 --> 00:23:15.860 or a respectable life, 00:23:15.980 --> 00:23:17.480 it is not enough. 00:23:19.080 --> 00:23:20.080 That life 00:23:20.080 --> 00:23:20.860 ultimately 00:23:20.860 --> 00:23:22.400 doesn't please God. 00:23:22.740 --> 00:23:24.000 Trying harder in life 00:23:24.000 --> 00:23:24.940 and just thinking 00:23:24.940 --> 00:23:25.680 we are good, 00:23:26.120 --> 00:23:27.220 it doesn't please God. 00:23:28.560 --> 00:23:28.759 No, 00:23:28.820 --> 00:23:29.920 what pleases God 00:23:29.920 --> 00:23:31.519 is when he 00:23:31.519 --> 00:23:32.640 sets you free 00:23:32.640 --> 00:23:33.580 by the spirit. 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:36.360 Trusting in Christ 00:23:36.360 --> 00:23:37.660 and receiving his spirit. 00:23:39.700 --> 00:23:40.519 And I hope 00:23:40.519 --> 00:23:41.259 we all realize 00:23:41.259 --> 00:23:42.400 this is not Christians 00:23:42.400 --> 00:23:43.440 thinking that we are just 00:23:43.440 --> 00:23:44.500 better than everyone else. 00:23:45.220 --> 00:23:45.780 Thinking that, 00:23:45.920 --> 00:23:45.980 well, 00:23:46.019 --> 00:23:46.620 we've just come 00:23:46.620 --> 00:23:47.280 to our senses. 00:23:47.519 --> 00:23:47.700 No. 00:23:48.660 --> 00:23:49.100 We, 00:23:49.280 --> 00:23:49.820 of all people, 00:23:49.880 --> 00:23:50.900 have no right to brag 00:23:50.900 --> 00:23:53.560 because we are only here 00:23:53.560 --> 00:23:54.460 by God's grace 00:23:54.460 --> 00:23:55.620 and by his spirit. 00:23:57.259 --> 00:23:58.120 And we know 00:23:58.120 --> 00:23:58.680 our hearts, 00:23:58.759 --> 00:23:59.300 we know 00:23:59.300 --> 00:24:00.160 where we would be 00:24:00.160 --> 00:24:01.300 without the spirit of God. 00:24:01.980 --> 00:24:02.920 We are no better, 00:24:03.060 --> 00:24:03.860 no more deserving 00:24:03.860 --> 00:24:04.840 than anyone else. 00:24:05.620 --> 00:24:06.040 But 00:24:06.040 --> 00:24:08.240 the spirit of God 00:24:08.240 --> 00:24:08.740 has changed 00:24:08.740 --> 00:24:09.900 everything for us. 00:24:09.900 --> 00:24:12.940 which is why 00:24:12.940 --> 00:24:14.120 Paul now turns 00:24:14.120 --> 00:24:15.420 to the Christian 00:24:15.420 --> 00:24:16.000 and says, 00:24:17.060 --> 00:24:17.920 that's what life 00:24:17.920 --> 00:24:18.960 in the flesh 00:24:18.960 --> 00:24:19.820 is like, 00:24:20.560 --> 00:24:22.100 but that's not you anymore. 00:24:22.980 --> 00:24:23.500 You 00:24:23.500 --> 00:24:24.980 now live 00:24:24.980 --> 00:24:25.860 in the spirit. 00:24:26.880 --> 00:24:27.519 That's my third 00:24:27.519 --> 00:24:28.220 and final point. 00:24:28.720 --> 00:24:29.660 We now live 00:24:29.660 --> 00:24:30.640 in the spirit. 00:24:31.780 --> 00:24:32.580 Look at verse 9. 00:24:33.580 --> 00:24:34.100 You, 00:24:34.580 --> 00:24:34.900 however, 00:24:35.720 --> 00:24:36.840 are not in the flesh 00:24:36.840 --> 00:24:37.560 but in the spirit. 00:24:37.559 --> 00:24:37.980 if, 00:24:38.119 --> 00:24:38.440 in fact, 00:24:38.500 --> 00:24:39.379 the spirit of God 00:24:39.379 --> 00:24:40.079 dwells in you. 00:24:40.879 --> 00:24:41.899 Anyone who does not 00:24:41.899 --> 00:24:43.000 have the spirit of Christ 00:24:43.000 --> 00:24:44.279 does not belong to him. 00:24:45.859 --> 00:24:46.299 Paul, 00:24:46.579 --> 00:24:47.579 he's now coming back 00:24:47.579 --> 00:24:48.299 to the victory 00:24:48.299 --> 00:24:49.339 and triumph 00:24:49.339 --> 00:24:50.539 of the Christian life. 00:24:50.720 --> 00:24:51.659 And look what he says 00:24:51.659 --> 00:24:52.139 about the spirit. 00:24:52.299 --> 00:24:53.919 And notice the names here. 00:24:54.940 --> 00:24:56.359 We're not in the flesh 00:24:56.359 --> 00:24:58.980 because the spirit of God 00:24:58.980 --> 00:25:01.740 dwells in every believer. 00:25:03.099 --> 00:25:04.200 From now on, 00:25:04.200 --> 00:25:05.720 we never exist 00:25:05.720 --> 00:25:06.559 on our own 00:25:06.559 --> 00:25:07.200 in this world. 00:25:08.220 --> 00:25:09.679 But we now live 00:25:09.679 --> 00:25:11.839 with the actual presence 00:25:11.839 --> 00:25:12.919 of the spirit 00:25:12.919 --> 00:25:13.659 in our lives 00:25:13.659 --> 00:25:14.200 every day. 00:25:15.159 --> 00:25:16.519 Him in the driving seat. 00:25:17.960 --> 00:25:18.819 But then notice, 00:25:19.079 --> 00:25:19.879 he says we have 00:25:19.879 --> 00:25:21.799 the spirit of Christ. 00:25:23.059 --> 00:25:24.819 So it's the spirit of God, 00:25:25.279 --> 00:25:26.059 but it's also 00:25:26.059 --> 00:25:27.519 the spirit of Christ. 00:25:28.639 --> 00:25:29.359 And we can even say, 00:25:29.539 --> 00:25:30.139 look at verse 10. 00:25:31.179 --> 00:25:32.279 Christ himself 00:25:32.279 --> 00:25:33.399 is in you 00:25:33.399 --> 00:25:34.919 in the driving seat. 00:25:34.920 --> 00:25:37.580 when you have the spirit 00:25:37.580 --> 00:25:38.600 in your life, 00:25:39.200 --> 00:25:41.400 you have the whole trinity 00:25:41.400 --> 00:25:42.140 in your life. 00:25:43.600 --> 00:25:45.019 When you go on the tube, 00:25:45.660 --> 00:25:46.980 when you're in your flat, 00:25:47.039 --> 00:25:48.340 when you go back home tonight, 00:25:48.440 --> 00:25:49.519 the holy trinity 00:25:49.519 --> 00:25:51.220 never leaves you. 00:25:52.600 --> 00:25:53.560 But something else 00:25:53.560 --> 00:25:54.160 never leaves you. 00:25:55.759 --> 00:25:56.740 Resurrection life. 00:25:57.800 --> 00:25:58.519 Look at verse 11. 00:25:58.519 --> 00:26:01.319 The spirit of him 00:26:01.319 --> 00:26:02.139 who raised Jesus 00:26:02.139 --> 00:26:02.879 from the dead 00:26:02.879 --> 00:26:04.539 dwells in you. 00:26:05.680 --> 00:26:07.099 The same spirit 00:26:07.099 --> 00:26:08.079 that raised Jesus 00:26:08.079 --> 00:26:09.639 on that first Easter Sunday, 00:26:10.440 --> 00:26:11.059 the spirit 00:26:11.059 --> 00:26:12.420 who began creation 00:26:12.420 --> 00:26:13.259 at the very beginning 00:26:13.259 --> 00:26:13.940 and began 00:26:13.940 --> 00:26:15.059 that new creation 00:26:15.059 --> 00:26:15.819 on Easter, 00:26:16.519 --> 00:26:17.859 for every single believer 00:26:17.859 --> 00:26:18.599 here today, 00:26:19.019 --> 00:26:20.240 the same spirit, 00:26:20.460 --> 00:26:22.180 that same spirit 00:26:22.180 --> 00:26:23.440 dwells in you 00:26:23.440 --> 00:26:25.580 and rules 00:26:25.580 --> 00:26:26.580 over your heart. 00:26:27.900 --> 00:26:29.019 Which means 00:26:29.019 --> 00:26:30.480 there is 00:26:30.480 --> 00:26:32.360 resurrection life 00:26:32.360 --> 00:26:33.440 inside of you 00:26:33.440 --> 00:26:33.960 right now. 00:26:35.320 --> 00:26:35.840 Now, 00:26:36.080 --> 00:26:36.600 our bodies 00:26:36.600 --> 00:26:37.519 aren't raised yet. 00:26:38.299 --> 00:26:39.180 That will come, 00:26:39.259 --> 00:26:40.320 but it will come 00:26:40.320 --> 00:26:42.220 because that life 00:26:42.220 --> 00:26:43.180 is already 00:26:43.180 --> 00:26:43.820 at work 00:26:43.820 --> 00:26:44.460 inside of you. 00:26:45.500 --> 00:26:46.420 You have, 00:26:46.500 --> 00:26:46.940 you could say, 00:26:47.059 --> 00:26:48.299 resurrection life 00:26:48.299 --> 00:26:49.519 pumping through 00:26:49.519 --> 00:26:50.019 your veins 00:26:50.019 --> 00:26:50.559 right now. 00:26:51.299 --> 00:26:52.380 They're beating 00:26:52.380 --> 00:26:53.400 in your heart. 00:26:55.260 --> 00:26:55.520 And so, 00:26:55.580 --> 00:26:56.380 the Christian life, 00:26:56.480 --> 00:26:57.420 it may seem ordinary, 00:26:58.040 --> 00:26:59.120 but maybe even weak 00:26:59.120 --> 00:27:00.080 and insignificant, 00:27:00.260 --> 00:27:01.520 but there is something 00:27:01.520 --> 00:27:02.960 victorious 00:27:02.960 --> 00:27:04.460 below the surface. 00:27:06.140 --> 00:27:06.740 Indestructible 00:27:06.740 --> 00:27:08.140 resurrection 00:27:08.140 --> 00:27:09.200 life. 00:27:11.180 --> 00:27:12.320 And as you go 00:27:12.320 --> 00:27:13.060 into this week 00:27:13.060 --> 00:27:13.860 and as you face 00:27:13.860 --> 00:27:14.620 those struggles 00:27:14.620 --> 00:27:16.240 and temptations 00:27:16.240 --> 00:27:16.880 and worries, 00:27:17.000 --> 00:27:18.360 whatever is on your mind 00:27:18.360 --> 00:27:19.040 right now 00:27:19.040 --> 00:27:20.160 and burdening you, 00:27:20.880 --> 00:27:22.000 you do not go alone. 00:27:22.380 --> 00:27:23.940 And you do not 00:27:23.940 --> 00:27:24.660 go helpless. 00:27:25.800 --> 00:27:26.060 No, 00:27:26.160 --> 00:27:27.600 you go with the spirit 00:27:27.600 --> 00:27:28.400 of resurrection 00:27:28.400 --> 00:27:29.600 inside of you. 00:27:30.560 --> 00:27:31.160 So, 00:27:31.280 --> 00:27:32.420 whatever that struggle 00:27:32.420 --> 00:27:33.260 may be, 00:27:33.840 --> 00:27:35.080 it isn't hopeless. 00:27:36.420 --> 00:27:37.800 If you are right now 00:27:37.800 --> 00:27:39.360 worrying about the future 00:27:39.360 --> 00:27:40.240 and it is just 00:27:40.240 --> 00:27:41.520 overwhelming you 00:27:41.520 --> 00:27:43.160 and it is a real burden, 00:27:43.360 --> 00:27:45.100 you have the spirit 00:27:45.100 --> 00:27:46.500 to bring you peace. 00:27:46.500 --> 00:27:49.200 if you are struggling 00:27:49.200 --> 00:27:50.380 to forgive right now, 00:27:51.339 --> 00:27:52.940 you have the spirit 00:27:52.940 --> 00:27:53.640 of life. 00:27:54.960 --> 00:27:56.319 If you are battling 00:27:56.319 --> 00:27:57.279 with that sin 00:27:57.279 --> 00:27:58.819 again and again, 00:27:58.960 --> 00:27:59.839 that impatience, 00:27:59.980 --> 00:28:00.619 that anger, 00:28:00.980 --> 00:28:01.700 that lust, 00:28:02.460 --> 00:28:04.200 you have the spirit 00:28:04.200 --> 00:28:06.180 who raised Jesus 00:28:06.180 --> 00:28:07.180 from the dead. 00:28:08.180 --> 00:28:08.779 And so, 00:28:08.920 --> 00:28:10.539 he will help you 00:28:10.539 --> 00:28:11.200 in the fight. 00:28:11.200 --> 00:28:13.180 Now, 00:28:13.240 --> 00:28:13.980 that isn't to say 00:28:13.980 --> 00:28:14.980 the sin will disappear, 00:28:15.220 --> 00:28:15.779 that the pull 00:28:15.779 --> 00:28:16.620 will be there 00:28:16.620 --> 00:28:17.480 inside of us, 00:28:17.600 --> 00:28:18.360 this side of heaven. 00:28:19.080 --> 00:28:20.340 But with the spirit, 00:28:20.480 --> 00:28:21.460 it is overcome. 00:28:23.220 --> 00:28:24.700 Sin will not win 00:28:24.700 --> 00:28:26.160 and you are not alone. 00:28:28.039 --> 00:28:28.340 And so, 00:28:28.460 --> 00:28:29.140 in your need, 00:28:29.620 --> 00:28:31.380 in your weakness, 00:28:31.840 --> 00:28:32.880 when you may wonder, 00:28:33.039 --> 00:28:34.319 what is the point 00:28:34.319 --> 00:28:35.059 in all of this? 00:28:35.059 --> 00:28:37.220 realize there is 00:28:37.220 --> 00:28:38.259 something glorious, 00:28:38.500 --> 00:28:39.599 something glorious 00:28:39.599 --> 00:28:40.700 going on 00:28:40.700 --> 00:28:41.839 beneath the surface. 00:28:42.960 --> 00:28:44.019 In the spirit, 00:28:44.619 --> 00:28:45.799 you are free. 00:28:46.839 --> 00:28:48.039 You have life. 00:28:49.679 --> 00:28:50.659 And there is therefore 00:28:50.659 --> 00:28:52.960 now no condemnation 00:28:52.960 --> 00:28:54.039 for those who are 00:28:54.039 --> 00:28:54.700 in Christ Jesus. 00:28:56.839 --> 00:28:58.419 You go out here tonight 00:28:58.419 --> 00:29:00.419 belonging to the Son 00:29:00.419 --> 00:29:02.720 and the Father 00:29:02.720 --> 00:29:04.079 always with you. 00:29:05.059 --> 00:29:05.919 and the spirit 00:29:05.919 --> 00:29:07.599 dwelling inside of you. 00:29:08.480 --> 00:29:08.759 And so, 00:29:08.899 --> 00:29:10.079 you go out tonight 00:29:10.079 --> 00:29:11.359 free. 00:29:13.639 --> 00:29:14.139 And so, 00:29:14.279 --> 00:29:15.000 let's live for God 00:29:15.000 --> 00:29:16.619 and let's enjoy 00:29:16.619 --> 00:29:17.079 that freedom. 00:29:18.099 --> 00:29:18.579 Let's pray.