WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.000 Good morning. 00:00:05.960 --> 00:00:08.859 Have you ever sat in a courtroom? 00:00:10.259 --> 00:00:15.679 Maybe as a jury, a witness, or an observer, 00:00:16.940 --> 00:00:18.940 but hopefully not as a defendant. 00:00:20.620 --> 00:00:24.240 Imagine that you are sitting in a courtroom right now. 00:00:24.239 --> 00:00:30.799 The prosecutor and the defendant attorney are right in the middle 00:00:30.799 --> 00:00:34.119 with a big table with all the evidence and paperwork. 00:00:35.879 --> 00:00:38.500 Across from you to the far left are the juries, 00:00:39.320 --> 00:00:45.239 and followed by the box where the witness will answer the questions. 00:00:46.420 --> 00:00:50.259 The judge sits next to the witness box. 00:00:50.259 --> 00:00:57.320 There are a couple of court cards between you and the judge. 00:00:58.519 --> 00:01:02.960 And to the right, behind the prosecutor and your defense attorney, 00:01:03.399 --> 00:01:06.539 is where people interested in the case can sit and observe. 00:01:07.680 --> 00:01:09.140 Some of them you might know. 00:01:10.039 --> 00:01:12.299 Some want to see you being acquitted. 00:01:13.659 --> 00:01:16.739 And others hope to see what verdict you get. 00:01:17.519 --> 00:01:18.659 Have you got the picture yet? 00:01:18.659 --> 00:01:22.159 Now the prosecutor stands and declares, 00:01:22.579 --> 00:01:28.140 Your Honor, this person sitting here today is guilty of all the sins committed. 00:01:29.299 --> 00:01:31.299 Past, present, and in the future. 00:01:32.439 --> 00:01:33.420 Yes, you. 00:01:34.200 --> 00:01:36.519 You are in the defense box. 00:01:37.579 --> 00:01:39.739 You are the one being judged. 00:01:40.719 --> 00:01:43.420 What sort of pleading will you enter into? 00:01:43.420 --> 00:01:48.780 What kind of judgment or furtive do you hope to get? 00:01:51.500 --> 00:01:56.120 We have been studying the Apostles Paul's letter to the Christians in Romans. 00:01:57.500 --> 00:02:02.180 A church of committed but young believers that God loves. 00:02:03.180 --> 00:02:07.980 They live in a world that is not too different to any contemporary readers. 00:02:08.460 --> 00:02:10.699 A world that is broken by sin. 00:02:10.699 --> 00:02:13.060 The people are the same. 00:02:14.000 --> 00:02:15.719 People steal God's glory. 00:02:16.519 --> 00:02:18.780 Worshipping many kinds of idols. 00:02:19.379 --> 00:02:22.159 The creator thinks, not God the creator. 00:02:23.219 --> 00:02:29.319 Indulge in the desires of our flesh and are often hypocritical and judgmental towards others. 00:02:29.319 --> 00:02:31.199 Even towards God. 00:02:32.319 --> 00:02:36.359 We deny God's sovereignty and judgment on our life. 00:02:37.099 --> 00:02:41.599 And falsify evidence to support our self-declared righteousness. 00:02:42.120 --> 00:02:45.400 By doing religious or charitable deeds. 00:02:45.400 --> 00:02:59.400 What Paul has pointed out about our condition in the first seven chapters is so true that it could leave any reader heavy-hearted and dismayed. 00:02:59.400 --> 00:03:06.219 But Paul did not just lay out our problem like the prosecutor crying out, this person's guilty as charged. 00:03:06.219 --> 00:03:13.400 He also highlighted that Christian has the best defense team that will not lose. 00:03:14.300 --> 00:03:19.740 Christian has our Lord Jesus as our greatest defender, the greatest attorney. 00:03:20.579 --> 00:03:23.560 That is Christian's greatest assurance. 00:03:23.560 --> 00:03:32.879 I want to show you our greatest assurance today and how we overcome sin in the spirit today. 00:03:33.699 --> 00:03:36.800 So please keep your Bible in Romans chapter 8. 00:03:36.800 --> 00:03:49.260 As we are confronted and confused about being accused, Paul gave us the greatest assurance in verse 1. 00:03:50.520 --> 00:03:54.980 Therefore, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 00:03:56.120 --> 00:03:59.840 Why is it there is now no condemnation? 00:03:59.980 --> 00:04:01.180 He goes on in verse 2. 00:04:01.180 --> 00:04:10.520 Because through Christ Jesus, the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 00:04:11.280 --> 00:04:21.040 The power and authority of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the power of sin and death. 00:04:21.040 --> 00:04:25.399 It's the greatest assurance you have about your standing with God. 00:04:26.340 --> 00:04:28.399 Especially when you are accused. 00:04:28.399 --> 00:04:37.739 For those who are in Christ Jesus, you can be fully confident that there is now no condemnation. 00:04:38.279 --> 00:04:42.839 But only guarantee future inheritance as a child of God. 00:04:43.239 --> 00:04:44.479 Because in verse 3, 00:04:45.620 --> 00:04:50.739 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh. 00:04:50.919 --> 00:04:57.099 God did by sending his own son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offerings. 00:04:57.100 --> 00:04:59.920 And so he condemned sin in the flesh. 00:05:00.520 --> 00:05:04.800 In order that the righteous requirement of the law may be fully met in us, 00:05:05.140 --> 00:05:08.980 who do not live according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 00:05:10.420 --> 00:05:15.460 God sent his only son, Jesus Christ, to do what the law cannot do. 00:05:16.280 --> 00:05:22.420 The law can only tell us what wrong we have committed and what penalty are due. 00:05:22.800 --> 00:05:25.580 But it cannot pay out the penalty for us. 00:05:25.579 --> 00:05:29.300 Last week, when we looked at chapter 7, 00:05:29.300 --> 00:05:33.019 The purpose of the law were laid out clearly for us by Steve. 00:05:33.419 --> 00:05:34.060 And he said, 00:05:34.500 --> 00:05:39.419 The law was never meant as a means to salvation, 00:05:40.000 --> 00:05:42.659 as if we could obey it and be right with God. 00:05:43.659 --> 00:05:50.319 The law cannot save us, but pawn us to the only one that can, our Savior Jesus. 00:05:50.319 --> 00:05:59.740 The law requires a sacrifice to be offered to fulfill its righteous requirement regarding our sinful flesh. 00:06:00.480 --> 00:06:05.300 Not just any sacrifice, but one that is perfect and without sin. 00:06:06.139 --> 00:06:13.300 That is why Jesus is sent to be our replacement in the likeness of sinful flesh. 00:06:13.300 --> 00:06:16.699 For he is the only one without any blemish. 00:06:18.020 --> 00:06:23.520 In AD 33, sin was condemned at Jesus' crucifixion. 00:06:24.259 --> 00:06:28.220 So no condemnation is left for those in Christ Jesus. 00:06:28.220 --> 00:06:33.140 Two thousand years ago, at Jesus' death and resurrection, 00:06:33.780 --> 00:06:39.600 The righteous requirement of the law was fully met by those living according to the Spirit. 00:06:40.800 --> 00:06:44.560 There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 00:06:45.280 --> 00:06:48.280 What a great assurance of our relationship with God. 00:06:48.279 --> 00:06:52.319 When you stand in the heavenly courtroom, 00:06:52.839 --> 00:06:55.519 When accuser lay out the sin you have committed, 00:06:56.259 --> 00:06:59.379 You may and should feel ashamed, 00:06:59.839 --> 00:07:01.699 But you should not feel condemned, 00:07:02.099 --> 00:07:06.579 Because the penalty of sin was paid back in AD 33. 00:07:08.099 --> 00:07:10.519 When you are asked to go into a plea, 00:07:10.519 --> 00:07:11.659 You can say, 00:07:11.839 --> 00:07:16.279 I was credited righteous in AD 33 by Jesus Christ. 00:07:16.279 --> 00:07:19.319 He condemned sin back then, 00:07:20.039 --> 00:07:22.299 So there is now no condemnation for me, 00:07:22.779 --> 00:07:24.479 For I am in Christ Jesus. 00:07:25.339 --> 00:07:30.099 No more penalty is required for my past, present, and future sin. 00:07:31.159 --> 00:07:37.419 That is the assurance that we are promised and provided in this passage today. 00:07:38.739 --> 00:07:40.759 Yes, we can say that, 00:07:41.759 --> 00:07:44.279 But I cannot confidently do so. 00:07:44.279 --> 00:07:49.759 I know I have been credited righteous by what Jesus achieved. 00:07:50.779 --> 00:07:56.399 And this passage says that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 00:07:57.000 --> 00:07:58.259 But I do not feel right. 00:07:58.779 --> 00:08:01.699 I feel guilty about my failure and sin. 00:08:01.699 --> 00:08:10.259 Last week, we were also shown this reality of every Christian living in a sin-broken world. 00:08:11.779 --> 00:08:16.620 A war raged within every Christian between the freshly and spiritual self. 00:08:18.199 --> 00:08:21.159 Struggling with sin is a reality for all Christians. 00:08:21.699 --> 00:08:23.959 But we are not alone in our struggle. 00:08:23.959 --> 00:08:30.120 Being fully human came in the likeness of sinful flesh. 00:08:30.120 --> 00:08:36.840 Our Savior Jesus was tempted in every way as we, 00:08:37.720 --> 00:08:38.879 But did not sin. 00:08:39.539 --> 00:08:41.819 And can sympathize with our weakness. 00:08:41.820 --> 00:08:46.240 So, He gave us the best counselor. 00:08:47.140 --> 00:08:49.920 Our greatest advocate, the Holy Spirit, 00:08:50.360 --> 00:08:54.500 To guide us and help us defeat sin in our life. 00:08:56.500 --> 00:09:02.200 Chapter 8 and the rest of the letter lay out what living according to the Spirit looks like. 00:09:02.200 --> 00:09:08.420 God intended for His creation to flourish and live victoriously, 00:09:08.900 --> 00:09:11.320 But not without suffering and struggles. 00:09:12.580 --> 00:09:18.020 I will highlight four points of overcoming sin with the Spirit from verse 5 to 15. 00:09:19.940 --> 00:09:25.040 Firstly, setting our mind on what the Spirit desires. 00:09:25.960 --> 00:09:27.879 Reading from verse 5 to 6. 00:09:27.879 --> 00:09:34.939 Those who live according to the fresh have their minds set on what the fresh desires. 00:09:35.460 --> 00:09:41.679 But those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 00:09:42.539 --> 00:09:45.000 The mind governed by the fresh is death, 00:09:45.419 --> 00:09:48.679 But the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 00:09:50.200 --> 00:09:53.299 In the book of John, chapter 14 to 16, 00:09:53.299 --> 00:10:00.559 Jesus told His disciples that the Holy Spirit would teach and remind them of everything He taught. 00:10:01.719 --> 00:10:06.339 The Spirit decides for us to remember Jesus and His teaching. 00:10:07.199 --> 00:10:11.000 He is sent to help us and be with us forever. 00:10:11.899 --> 00:10:13.839 Guiding us and living with us. 00:10:14.359 --> 00:10:15.439 He is in us. 00:10:16.559 --> 00:10:20.279 The Spirit testify about Jesus to our broken world. 00:10:20.279 --> 00:10:23.959 Jesus is a gospel we proclaim. 00:10:24.759 --> 00:10:27.799 And the Spirit also help us to testify about Jesus too. 00:10:28.419 --> 00:10:34.259 His desire is to glorify Jesus and tell us all He hears and receives from Jesus. 00:10:36.240 --> 00:10:37.339 Desire Jesus. 00:10:38.199 --> 00:10:39.600 Desire life and peace. 00:10:40.519 --> 00:10:43.860 Set your mind to the joy of being in Christ. 00:10:43.860 --> 00:10:50.659 Have the confidence to testify that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Him. 00:10:51.820 --> 00:10:59.500 The first point of living according to the Spirit is setting our minds on what the Spirit desires. 00:11:00.519 --> 00:11:07.680 It is adopting a godly and Christ-focused mindset that treasures Jesus. 00:11:08.480 --> 00:11:13.060 Trusting God to care for any worries you might have about life. 00:11:13.860 --> 00:11:16.879 Every Christian has two selves. 00:11:17.899 --> 00:11:22.180 The old self, the fresh, and the new self in Christ. 00:11:23.600 --> 00:11:28.759 The one that you feed and nurture more will grow. 00:11:29.759 --> 00:11:30.500 I say that again. 00:11:30.680 --> 00:11:33.899 The one that you feed and nurture more will grow. 00:11:35.340 --> 00:11:38.000 The fresh is anything without God. 00:11:38.000 --> 00:11:41.200 So seek the things above. 00:11:41.840 --> 00:11:43.740 Set your mind on things above. 00:11:43.740 --> 00:11:45.559 Not on the things on earth. 00:11:46.519 --> 00:11:49.279 Feed and nurture your new spirit self. 00:11:51.360 --> 00:11:55.600 Secondly, understand that our minds cannot deal with sin. 00:11:56.340 --> 00:11:57.159 From verse 7. 00:11:57.159 --> 00:12:02.139 The mind governed by the fresh is hostile to God. 00:12:02.139 --> 00:12:06.179 It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. 00:12:06.740 --> 00:12:09.959 Those who are in the realm of the fresh cannot please God. 00:12:11.179 --> 00:12:17.299 Without the Spirit, our freshly mind is not just incompetent to deal with sin. 00:12:17.719 --> 00:12:19.379 It is hostile to God. 00:12:20.120 --> 00:12:25.480 It does not and cannot submit to God and His intended purpose for our life. 00:12:25.480 --> 00:12:36.139 We see from chapter 7 last Sunday that the essence of all sin is we have a deep desire to be in charge of the world and our life. 00:12:36.940 --> 00:12:38.300 We want to be like God. 00:12:39.320 --> 00:12:43.560 To sin and do wrong for the adrenaline rush that it provides. 00:12:43.559 --> 00:12:47.399 There will be no room to please God. 00:12:47.399 --> 00:12:56.159 Far too concerned with how we can keep feeling our addiction as junkies, as repeated offenders. 00:12:58.019 --> 00:13:06.199 This second point is a very important realization and a reminder to stop us from dealing with our sin foolishly. 00:13:06.200 --> 00:13:11.580 The following may sound ridiculous, but often true for many of us. 00:13:12.580 --> 00:13:18.759 Even though God, the judge of life, has declared us not condemned and free to go, 00:13:19.660 --> 00:13:26.280 with no record of wrong against us, because a guilty record has been laid on His Son Jesus, 00:13:26.279 --> 00:13:34.100 We instead insist on living in a system of good behavior bond. 00:13:35.579 --> 00:13:39.879 Instead of accepting the generous grace and mercy of the judge, 00:13:39.879 --> 00:13:45.559 we think we can pay off sin's penalty by doing community service. 00:13:46.439 --> 00:13:53.459 We rather keep doing religiously by living a good and moral life under a probation office. 00:13:53.460 --> 00:14:03.180 We think by our behavior, and after a certain period of time of proving our corrective remorse, 00:14:03.560 --> 00:14:06.220 we deserve to have our wrong record wiped out. 00:14:07.780 --> 00:14:11.940 If you foolishly believe that we can deal with our sins, 00:14:12.280 --> 00:14:18.180 we will never come to the realization and cries that Paul had at the end of chapter 7. 00:14:18.179 --> 00:14:25.079 We will not get to appreciate the deliverance that God has given us through Jesus. 00:14:26.199 --> 00:14:29.779 Instead, keep living under God's judgment. 00:14:32.339 --> 00:14:37.500 There is no condemnation means there is no record of wrong against us. 00:14:38.919 --> 00:14:44.139 Living according to the Spirit means living freely to please God 00:14:44.139 --> 00:14:47.579 according to what He purposed for us to live. 00:14:48.179 --> 00:14:55.059 We do not take on too many things and assume a crushing number of responsibility 00:14:55.059 --> 00:14:59.500 to try to work off or make up for our sins. 00:15:02.439 --> 00:15:08.659 Thirdly, being sure that the Spirit can deal with sin, starting from verse 9. 00:15:09.799 --> 00:15:14.539 You, however, are not in the realm of the fresh, but are in the realm of the Spirit, 00:15:14.539 --> 00:15:17.299 if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. 00:15:17.719 --> 00:15:21.779 And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 00:15:21.779 --> 00:15:30.019 We must make a very important distinction between a believer of Christ and an unbeliever 00:15:30.019 --> 00:15:33.240 because it is a matter of life and death. 00:15:34.360 --> 00:15:38.980 We are either in Christ, who has a Spirit and life, 00:15:39.240 --> 00:15:44.740 or outside of Christ, without the Spirit, do not belong to Christ, 00:15:44.740 --> 00:15:46.639 and only sin and death remain. 00:15:48.120 --> 00:15:52.560 A believer of Christ is someone who accepted the gospel by faith 00:15:52.560 --> 00:15:56.340 and turned away from themselves and the world. 00:15:57.620 --> 00:16:01.899 They stop tracing after their desires, turn towards Jesus, 00:16:02.399 --> 00:16:05.560 and keep turning back to Jesus for the rest of their life. 00:16:05.559 --> 00:16:09.059 If you have not accepted the gospel, 00:16:09.659 --> 00:16:13.079 let me encourage you to speak with any Christians you know, 00:16:13.500 --> 00:16:14.579 or speak with myself, 00:16:15.119 --> 00:16:18.459 to find out how to accept God's gospel by faith, 00:16:18.719 --> 00:16:20.939 to become righteous in God's sight. 00:16:22.159 --> 00:16:23.859 Paul goes on in verse 10. 00:16:24.859 --> 00:16:28.479 But if Christ is in you, 00:16:28.979 --> 00:16:32.619 then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, 00:16:33.000 --> 00:16:35.279 the Spirit gives life because of righteousness, 00:16:35.559 --> 00:16:40.299 and if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, 00:16:40.739 --> 00:16:45.439 He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal body 00:16:45.439 --> 00:16:48.719 because of His Spirit who lives in you. 00:16:49.899 --> 00:16:54.359 Because of sin, our body is mortal and subject to death. 00:16:54.839 --> 00:16:59.539 A reality of all believers and unbelievers, there is no escape. 00:17:00.419 --> 00:17:04.179 But for Christians, the one who believes in the promise of God, 00:17:04.180 --> 00:17:07.480 there is a new and immortal body waiting for us. 00:17:08.620 --> 00:17:13.160 The Spirit can deal with sin because the Spirit has a power 00:17:13.160 --> 00:17:15.380 that raised Jesus from the dead. 00:17:15.380 --> 00:17:21.120 It was a direct assault and total defeat of sin 00:17:21.120 --> 00:17:26.720 when death was conquered in the resurrection of Jesus Christ in AD 33. 00:17:28.200 --> 00:17:32.200 Sin, the stink of death, was defeated, 00:17:32.200 --> 00:17:37.539 and what awaits all believers at the end of their mortal life 00:17:37.539 --> 00:17:41.519 is that immortal body to enjoy eternal life with God. 00:17:42.940 --> 00:17:46.559 This third point should give us a new perspective 00:17:46.559 --> 00:17:50.600 and freedom regarding this mortal body we live in 00:17:50.600 --> 00:17:52.480 with Christ and the Spirit. 00:17:52.480 --> 00:17:59.400 Are you spending much money and time on therapeutic products 00:17:59.400 --> 00:18:03.319 or focusing on the latest trend in healthcare products 00:18:03.319 --> 00:18:05.420 to achieve certain looks? 00:18:06.500 --> 00:18:09.980 Have you fallen into the body confidence 00:18:09.980 --> 00:18:12.779 and self-esteem of our consumer world? 00:18:12.779 --> 00:18:20.839 And on the other hand, if you are suffering from a debilitating sickness, 00:18:21.319 --> 00:18:24.059 that puts many restraints on your mortal body. 00:18:25.119 --> 00:18:29.039 Take courage that there is a guaranteed future inheritance 00:18:29.039 --> 00:18:31.740 of new body awaiting for you. 00:18:33.639 --> 00:18:35.359 How you look and feel 00:18:35.359 --> 00:18:41.539 is not the deep and true identity of who you are. 00:18:41.539 --> 00:18:45.799 If you are in Christ and the Spirit lives in you, 00:18:46.339 --> 00:18:49.440 your body and your sickness and suffering 00:18:49.440 --> 00:18:51.980 are never a curse but a blessing. 00:18:53.159 --> 00:18:57.240 A blessed assurance that as you suffer in your mortal body, 00:18:57.359 --> 00:18:59.619 as Jesus has suffered in His body for us, 00:19:00.059 --> 00:19:03.799 you will surely be glorified with Christ in your resurrection. 00:19:05.379 --> 00:19:08.480 Lastly, living according to the Spirit 00:19:08.480 --> 00:19:10.619 means killing sin with the Spirit. 00:19:11.539 --> 00:19:13.500 Let's look at verse 12 to 13. 00:19:14.440 --> 00:19:15.899 Therefore, brothers and sisters, 00:19:16.579 --> 00:19:19.139 we have an obligation, but it is not to the fresh, 00:19:19.539 --> 00:19:20.980 to live according to it. 00:19:21.440 --> 00:19:24.119 For if you live according to the fresh, you will die. 00:19:24.519 --> 00:19:27.799 But by the Spirit, you put to death the misdeeds of the body. 00:19:28.079 --> 00:19:28.839 You will live. 00:19:30.440 --> 00:19:32.579 In the conclusion of today's passage, 00:19:33.379 --> 00:19:35.399 Paul further points out that 00:19:35.399 --> 00:19:38.259 living according to the Spirit carries an obligation. 00:19:38.259 --> 00:19:43.220 We are obliged to put to death the misdeeds of the body 00:19:43.220 --> 00:19:47.799 because killing sin carries with it the reward of eternal life. 00:19:49.059 --> 00:19:54.200 There are two actions involved in putting sin to death by the Spirit. 00:19:54.200 --> 00:19:57.819 Firstly, in the Sermon on the Mount, 00:19:58.400 --> 00:20:02.059 Jesus was very definite about how we should deal with sin. 00:20:03.559 --> 00:20:07.840 We must deal with sin from the heart. 00:20:07.839 --> 00:20:10.659 The deepest motive. 00:20:10.659 --> 00:20:13.179 Jesus said, 00:20:13.379 --> 00:20:15.879 If your right eye causes you to sin, 00:20:16.279 --> 00:20:18.379 tear it out and throw it from you. 00:20:18.759 --> 00:20:20.799 And if your right hand causes you to sin, 00:20:21.259 --> 00:20:22.759 cut it off and throw it from you. 00:20:22.759 --> 00:20:28.379 Paul also told Timothy to flee the evil desires of youth 00:20:28.379 --> 00:20:33.119 and the Ephesians to have no hints of sexual immorality, 00:20:33.799 --> 00:20:35.099 impurity or greed, 00:20:35.339 --> 00:20:38.519 because these are improper for God's holy people. 00:20:39.660 --> 00:20:41.920 To kill sin with the Spirit 00:20:41.920 --> 00:20:46.379 is a ruthless, foolhardy resistance to sinful practice. 00:20:46.380 --> 00:20:50.180 Total rejection of everything we know to be wrong 00:20:50.180 --> 00:20:54.780 declaim war on attitude and behaviors. 00:20:55.940 --> 00:20:58.780 Christian does not play games with sin. 00:20:59.760 --> 00:21:03.460 We get as far away from it as possible. 00:21:04.100 --> 00:21:06.740 Not just avoiding things you know are sins, 00:21:07.380 --> 00:21:09.480 we avoid things that lead to sins, 00:21:09.840 --> 00:21:11.080 including doubtful things. 00:21:12.280 --> 00:21:14.040 The second action we take is 00:21:14.039 --> 00:21:15.960 we turn towards the gospel, 00:21:16.420 --> 00:21:17.240 our Lord Jesus. 00:21:18.440 --> 00:21:20.159 By the power of the Spirit, 00:21:20.480 --> 00:21:21.980 we can repent of our sins. 00:21:22.579 --> 00:21:24.480 Repenting means turning away 00:21:24.480 --> 00:21:26.899 from sins towards something else. 00:21:27.740 --> 00:21:30.720 That something or someone needs to be Jesus. 00:21:32.220 --> 00:21:33.319 Jesus once said, 00:21:34.099 --> 00:21:37.200 An unclean spirit has gone out of our person 00:21:37.200 --> 00:21:40.059 and it traveled through waterless places 00:21:40.059 --> 00:21:41.639 to search for rest. 00:21:42.539 --> 00:21:43.799 When it finds no rest, 00:21:44.039 --> 00:21:44.599 it says, 00:21:44.599 --> 00:21:46.759 I will return to my house 00:21:46.759 --> 00:21:48.099 from which I came out. 00:21:48.940 --> 00:21:50.039 And when it arrives, 00:21:50.539 --> 00:21:51.559 find the house wiped 00:21:51.559 --> 00:21:52.980 and put in order, 00:21:53.500 --> 00:21:54.319 it goes in 00:21:54.319 --> 00:21:57.000 and bring along seven other spirits 00:21:57.000 --> 00:21:58.619 more evil than himself. 00:21:59.920 --> 00:22:01.200 And they go in 00:22:01.200 --> 00:22:02.139 and live there. 00:22:02.539 --> 00:22:04.259 And the last stage of that person 00:22:04.259 --> 00:22:05.759 becomes worse than the first. 00:22:07.119 --> 00:22:09.680 Don't just wipe sin from your body. 00:22:10.740 --> 00:22:11.659 Swiping it in, 00:22:11.819 --> 00:22:12.619 putting it in order, 00:22:12.619 --> 00:22:14.939 and leaving it unoccupied. 00:22:14.940 --> 00:22:17.660 You need to occupy your body 00:22:17.660 --> 00:22:20.559 with your strongest defender and advocate. 00:22:21.559 --> 00:22:22.920 Fill your heart and mind 00:22:22.920 --> 00:22:25.400 with what Christ has accomplished for you 00:22:25.400 --> 00:22:26.259 on the cross. 00:22:26.259 --> 00:22:28.039 In that way, 00:22:28.720 --> 00:22:30.279 sin cannot return to you. 00:22:30.819 --> 00:22:32.660 It may become more restless 00:22:32.660 --> 00:22:34.819 and try to cause you more trouble, 00:22:34.819 --> 00:22:37.240 but it will not be able 00:22:37.240 --> 00:22:38.819 to get back into you. 00:22:39.819 --> 00:22:41.359 Sin will cry loudly 00:22:41.359 --> 00:22:43.039 at the heavenly courtroom 00:22:43.039 --> 00:22:44.319 as a vicious, 00:22:44.920 --> 00:22:46.160 homeless accuser. 00:22:46.779 --> 00:22:48.519 It might even put your heart 00:22:48.519 --> 00:22:50.279 in the witness box 00:22:50.279 --> 00:22:52.519 because that is where it used to live 00:22:52.519 --> 00:22:54.740 and where all our sins start. 00:22:55.740 --> 00:22:58.339 But in 1 John 3, 20 says, 00:22:58.339 --> 00:23:00.759 if our hearts condemn us, 00:23:01.139 --> 00:23:02.799 we know that God is greater 00:23:02.799 --> 00:23:03.699 than our hearts 00:23:03.699 --> 00:23:05.379 and he knows everything. 00:23:06.720 --> 00:23:07.720 Set your mind 00:23:07.720 --> 00:23:09.539 on what the Spirit desires. 00:23:10.359 --> 00:23:12.399 Cherishing and glorifying Jesus, 00:23:13.199 --> 00:23:14.079 put to death 00:23:14.079 --> 00:23:15.480 the things of the flesh, 00:23:16.079 --> 00:23:17.579 live according to the Spirit. 00:23:18.500 --> 00:23:19.740 And the final verdict 00:23:19.740 --> 00:23:21.059 will always be 00:23:21.059 --> 00:23:22.339 no condemnation 00:23:22.919 --> 00:23:25.099 for you are in Christ Jesus. 00:23:25.099 --> 00:23:55.079 Thank you.