Well, good morning. Let me invite you to take your Bibles out and join me in Romans chapter 8.
! It's good to be here with you this morning.
I am excited once again to have the opportunity to open this book and this particular chapter for our study today.
Our text is Romans chapter 8, verses 5 through 13.
And while you're getting there and settling in, say, over the past two weeks, we have largely focused our attention
on the reality that for those who are in Christ Jesus, there is therefore no longer any condemnation.
Hope your soul has been helped by that as much as mine.
The penalty due our sin, if we are in Christ, has been expunged.
It's been removed completely from us.
People who have placed saving faith in Jesus Christ have been justified.
And Paul has taught us repeatedly in this letter that we are justified by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.
Justification is a judicial declaration that our sinful record has been wiped clean.
It's as if our sin never existed.
But also that the righteousness of Christ has been granted to us.
Christ's perfect life has been given to us.
If you are in Christ Jesus this morning, you are no longer condemned.
And when God sees you, he sees the perfect law-keeping of Jesus.
The work of justification is entirely a work of our loving kind God.
He does it on our behalf.
We contribute nothing to the equation of our justification except our need of that justification.
And this is good news.
If you are in Christ Jesus, God has saved you and God will keep you to the end.
Last week we saw in brief that if we have been justified, then we will be sanctified.
Sanctification is the continual growth in holiness that will be experienced by all who have been justified.
We are not saved by our working, but our faith that we're saved through, it works.
We find ourselves growing in holiness as a result of our justification.
Justification.
Justification necessarily leads to sanctification.
Justification guarantees our sanctification.
Let me remind you that Jesus says in Matthew chapter 7 and verse 18,
A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.
The point there being that the type produces the fruit.
And in Luke chapter 6 and verse 45, he says,
The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good.
And the evil person out of the evil treasure produces evil.
So today we will see Paul make this argument.
Justification guarantees sanctification.
Before I read today's text, I will also read the first four verses of chapter 8 and remind you, beloved,
that this is God's word to us, written for his glory and our good.
And so we would all do well to listen to it in order to believe its promises and obey its commands.
All beginning in verse 1 of chapter 8.
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.
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,
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.
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh.
For those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
For to set the mind on the flesh is death,
but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
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.
Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
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,
then 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.
So then, brothers,
we are debtors not to the flesh
to live according to the flesh.
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.
Now there is much to consider here.
There's lots of nuance in Paul's language.
So to help us in the time that we do have together
for this text,
and I've mentally at least committed myself
not to make this into a part one and a part two,
so we'll see,
I've broken it into a simple two-point outline.
Number one,
the Spirit of life
gives us life.
And number two,
the Spirit of Christ
exalts Christ
by empowering us
to live like Christ.
And I'll repeat those soon.
So firstly,
the Spirit of life
gives us life.
We see this in verses 5-11.
Now I am reaching back to verse 2
and referring to the Holy Spirit
as the Spirit of life,
and forward to verse 6
as we see there,
Paul says,
the Spirit is life.
Paul makes little explicit mention
of the Spirit
until chapter 8,
and we may be tempted to think
that he is mitigating the importance
of this third person
of our triune God.
But this is not at all the case.
I think that our careful
verse-by-verse study
of books of the Bible
is a very important part
of what the church does together.
I think it's vital
to its very existence.
It's good for us
to get down into
the nitty-gritty
of these texts together,
to break it up
and to consider it
over long expanses
of time.
However,
sometimes breaking a book down
over time like this
can cause us to miss
some of the overarching points
the author is trying to make.
Were we to take up this letter
in one sitting,
we might be more readily
able to remember
what he said
back at the beginning
of the book.
So turn with me,
if you will,
to the beginning,
Romans chapter 1
and verse 4.
There he says of Jesus Christ
that he was declared
to be the Son of God
in power
according to the Spirit
of holiness
by his resurrection
from the dead.
Jesus Christ,
our Lord.
So very early
he's mentioned
the Spirit.
We see in this verse
that God declared
Jesus is God
by the power of the Spirit
bringing about
Jesus Christ's resurrection.
So Paul's communicating there.
Paul,
by the inspiration
of the Spirit,
is laying groundwork
for today's text
in calling the Spirit
the Spirit
of holiness.
I'm tempted to call it clever,
but I don't think Paul
was trying to be clever.
I think he was inspired
to write the book
in this way.
Later on in Romans chapter 6,
if you flip a few pages there,
and verse 5.
There he writes,
verse 4,
if we have been united
with Christ
in a death like His,
we shall certainly
be united with Him
in a resurrection
like His.
So if we sat down
and read it all
in one sitting,
we may remember,
I hope that we would,
back to chapter 1
and verse 4.
Well,
what kind of resurrection
did Christ have?
Well,
He had a resurrection
that was empowered
by the Spirit
of holiness.
If we are in Christ,
we have been united
with Him in His death
and also
in His resurrection.
So,
who empowers
our resurrection?
The Spirit.
The Spirit of holiness.
The Spirit of life.
The Spirit
of Christ.
I think this is
very cool.
You can kind of see that.
Him leading us up to
chapter 8.
So He's not been minimizing
the Spirit in this at all,
but He's been leading us
here.
The Spirit,
the Spirit of holiness,
the Spirit of life,
the Spirit of Christ,
right?
It is the Spirit
that makes God's
saving work,
accomplished by Jesus Christ,
effectual in the lives
of His people.
It's the way it's applied
to us
by the power
of the Spirit.
We begin by the Spirit
and we are
kept
by the Spirit.
Now,
let's back up
to the 4
at the very beginning
of verse 5
of Romans chapter 8.
Again,
Paul is using
this conjunction
and means by it
because.
Because what?
Well,
in verse 4,
he said,
those who are
in Christ
are those who walk
not according
to the flesh,
but according
to the Spirit.
4,
beginning of verse 5,
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.
In verse 4,
Paul uses
the verb
walk,
which refers
to the habitual
pattern
of our life.
In verse 5,
he tells us
that those who
are in Christ Jesus
walk according
to the Spirit
because they
set their minds
on the things
of the Spirit.
You may note
that in the ESV
we see
the verb
live,
right?
Those who live
according to the flesh
set their minds
on the things
of the flesh.
Those who live
according to the Spirit
set their minds
on the things
of the Spirit.
Now,
I don't disagree
with the translation.
I find this to be
a very good translation
of the Bible
and I'm not really
qualified to disagree
with translations
to be clear.
But it could be
more simply rendered
and has been
in other
faithful translations
simply
those who
are
according
to the flesh.
Those who are
or those who
are according
to the Spirit.
I prefer this
because Paul
is speaking
categorically
here.
He is stating
that if you
do not belong
to Christ
then you do
not have a Spirit
and your derivation
is from
sinful flesh.
It's your very being.
It's where it
comes from
which I believe
is why some
translators
use that term
live
according.
If you do
belong to Christ
then you
do have a Spirit
and your derivation
your very being
is from
the
Spirit.
And this is
the very point
being made.
The Spirit
of life
gives
us
life.
If you have
believed in Jesus
been justified
you have done so
by the power
of the Spirit
and now you are
new in Him
and He will
continue
to empower
your sanctification.
Paul is stating
that we have been
fundamentally changed
and our
overarching
bent
as new
creations
will now be
towards holiness
and away
from wickedness.
If you are
justified
by the power
of the Spirit
He is now
moving you
away from
the things
of this world
and toward
the things
of God.
So when thinking
of the most
important thing
about you this morning
the vitally
important question
is
to which
category
do you belong?
We divide up
along a lot
of different lines.
This is the
most important
one.
Categorically
are you one of
those who
live according
to the flesh?
You are not
in Christ.
You are not
a Christian
or one of
those who
live according
to the Spirit
are in Christ
are a
Christian.
look at
why this
is so
vitally
important.
Paul says
in verse 6
for to set
the mind
on the flesh
is death
but to set
the mind
on the Spirit
is life
and peace.
Now there is
a single
Greek word
here translated
to set
the mind
it's a verb
and it refers
to the
thought patterns
of the mind.
Not so much
the mental
faculty of it
but the way
in which
you normatively
think.
If you're
bent as
toward the
flesh
sinful
appetites
the lust
of this
world
idolatrous
comfort
false
philosophies
and religions
etc.
Then this
is
death.
He doesn't
say that it
leads to
death
he says
that it
is
death.
Paul is
speaking of
spiritual
death.
The person
not in
Christ
is
spiritually
dead
now
and
will
be
forever
more
unless
they
repent
and
believe
in
Jesus.
Adversely
if
you're
bent
is
toward
the
spirit
then
you
have
spiritual
life
and
you
have
peace
with
God.
Categorically
two
things
going
on
here.
Verse 7
he elaborates
on this
for the
mind
that is
set
on
the
flesh
is
hostile
toward
God
does
not
have
peace
with
God
as
an
enemy
to
God
for
it
does
not
submit
to
God's
law
indeed
it
cannot
we
need
to
be
made
new
by
the
power
of
the
spirit
we
need
to
be
made
alive
that
we
might
be
able
to
see
God's
law
and
given
the
capacity
to
obey
it
those
who
are
in
the
flesh
cannot
please
God
and this
morning
if you
are not
in
Christ
if you
have
never
placed
believing
faith
in
him
you
must
hear
this
there
is
no
measure
of
your
good
doing
that
is
going
to
please
God
outside
of
Christ
everything
that
you
do
categorically
the
things
that
we
call
good
are
an
offense
to
God
they're
not
empowered
by
his
spirit
they're
not
for
his
glory
and
he
is
not
pleased
with
those
works
you
must
be
found
in
Christ
you
must
have
your
sin
wiped
away
you
must
have
the
righteousness
of
Christ
imputed
to
you
must
be
empowered
by
the
spirit
to
live
in
obedience
to
the
law
hear
that
cry
this
morning
on
the
day
of
judgment
you
cannot
and
will
not
be
able
to
appeal
to
any
working
of
your
own
our
cry
on
that
day
will
be
the
righteousness
of
Christ
it's
in
him
that
I
find
myself
before
you
justified
but
Paul
says
speaking
to
Christians
you
however
are
not
in
the
flesh
but
in
the
spirit
if
in
fact
the
spirit
of
God
dwells
in
you
raises
some
question
there
does
he
not
right
the
assumption
is
Christian
church
in
Rome
Christ
family
church
today
you
are
in
the
spirit
if
the
spirit
of
God
dwells
in
you
because
anyone
who does
not
have
the
spirit
of
Christ
does
not
belong
to
him
so
how
can
we
know
that
we
have
the
spirit
of
Christ
we
don't
pin
this
to
an
event
the
bible
never
gives
us
this
kind
of
language
walk
the
aisle
sign
a
card
raise
a
hand
some
of
us
came
to
faith
through
those
kinds
of
things
but
it
was
God
who
saved
us
in
the
midst
of
them
it
wasn't
the
event
that
saved
us
we
are
told
in
the
bible
that
we
are
to
examine
our
lives
and
see
if
we
have
the
spirit
by
the
fruit
that
we
are
producing
again
the
works
do
not
save
us
but
the
evidence
that
we
have
been
saved
verse
10
says
but
if
Christ
is
in
you
although
the
body
is
dead
because
of
sin
the
spirit
is
life
because
of
righteousness
that
it
produces
!
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
and
here
Paul
ties
the
bow
on
that
overarching
point
that
began
in
chapter
1
and
verse
4
carried
through
chapter
6
verse
5
and
find
its
further
explanation
here
in
chapter
8
begun
by
the
spirit
kept
by
the
!
empowered
for
righteous
living
the
spirit
of
life
gives
us
life
the
alternative
is
death
secondly
the
spirit
of
Christ
exalts
!
Christ
by
empowering
us
to
live
like
Christ
and
once
again
I'm
reaching
back
to
pick
up
a
title
given
to
the
spirit
this
time
to
verse
9
the
spirit
of
Christ
and
Paul
does
this
often
refers
to
the
spirit
as
the
spirit
of
Christ
and
as
a
brief
aside
I
just
want
to
say
to
you
again
I
said
this
last
week
whatever
gifts
of
the
spirit
you
may
think
have
ceased
or
continue
on
we
should
be
sure
that
anything
that
the
spirit
empowers
has
the
exaltation
of
Christ
as
its
aim
this
is
what
the
spirit
of
Christ
works
to
bring
about
!
this
is
a
person
supposedly
in
the
name
of
Christ
I
think
it
is
so
helpful
I
want
to
read
to
you
again
a
quotation
from
a
contemporary
pastor
by the
name
of
Dan
Phillips
and
then
we'll
get
to
verses
12
and
13
he
said
this
show
me
a
person
obsessed
with
the
Holy
Spirit
and
his
gifts
real
or
imagined
and
I
will
show
you
a
person
not
filled
with
the
Holy
Spirit
!
Show
me
a
person
focused
on
the
personal
work
of
Jesus
Christ
never
tiring
of
learning
about
him
thinking
about
him
boasting
of
him
speaking
about
and
for
and
to
him
thrilled
and
entranced
with
his
perfections
and
beauty
finding
ways
to
serve
and
exalt
him
tirelessly
exploring
ways
to
spend
and
be
spent
for
him
growing
in
character
to be
more
and
more
like
him
and
I
will
show
you
a
person
who
is
filled
with
the
Holy
Spirit
this
is
the
work
of
the
spirit
of
Christ
and
the
life
of
believers
that's
never
lose
sight
of
the
fact
that
the
spirit
giving
us
life
making
dead
people
alive
and
working
in
us
to
bring
about
obedience
is
the
greatest
of
his
miracles
all
of
the
other
miracles
that
you
can
observe
in
the
scripture
are
simply
pointing
!
us
to
that
greater
miracle
regeneration
justification
sanctification
this is
the most
wonderful
thing
that the
spirit
does
in our
midst
so
Paul
says
so
we're
debtors
not
to the
flesh
to live
according
to the
flesh
having
been
delivered
from
the
bondage
to
sin
having
been
made
new
we're
no
longer
to
live
for
the
flesh
but
rather
!
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
remember
that
we
already
have
life
it's
already
been
given
to
us
so
Paul's
using
this
idea
of
sanctification
both
in
the
what
is
and
what
is
coming
to
be
the
already
and
the
not
yet
Paul
has
said
that
justification
necessarily
leads
to
sanctification
while
our
justification
is
entirely
a work
of
God
it
is
monergistic
God
is
the
one
who
justifies
our
sanctification
is
synergistic
we play
a part
in this
notice
verse 13
it says
if by the
spirit
you put
to death
the deeds
of the
flesh
there's a
both
and
at work
here
it is
empowered
by the
spirit
but having
had our
natures
changed
we also
play a
role
in the
process
on the
back of
your
bulletin
today
there's
a
quotation
from
J.C.
Ryle
that I
have
appreciated
from his
book
holiness
he said
in
justification
the word
to be
addressed
to man
is
believe
only
believe
in
sanctification
the word
must be
watch
pray
and
fight
so you
see the
monergistic
justification
and the
synergistic
sanctification
there in
J.C.
Ryle's
quotation
on this
side of
glory
we will
maintain
the corrupted
nature
of our
flesh
we have
been set
free
from the
power
of sin
but yet
sin
still
walks
closely
with us
if we
have
believed
in
Christ
if we
have been
granted
his
spirit
then
our
natures
have
fundamentally
changed
but we
have yet
to experience
our
full
and final
liberation
I hope
that you
with me
this morning
long
for that
day
when we'll
be glorified
and this
body of
death
will be
no more
I can tell
you
younger
people in
the room
as you
get older
you're going
to get
more tired
and you're
going to
long for
that day
to come
oh
the day
oh
the day
when no
longer
I carry
about
this
corrupted
nature
of my
flesh
recall
Paul's
words
at the
end of
chapter 7
beginning
in verse
21
he said
I find
it to be
a law
that when
I want
to do
right
evil
lies
close
at hand
for I
delight
in the
law
of God
in my
inner
being
see there
his
changed
nature
he delights
in God's
law
in his
inner
being
he says
but I
see in
my
members
another
law
waging war
against the
law of
my mind
and making
me captive
to the law
of sin
that dwells
in my
members
right
I want to do
what's right
but it just
seems so
hard
sometimes
what does
he say
in verse
24
wretched
man
that I
am
who
will
deliver
me
from
this
body
of
death
and I'm
glad he
knows
the answer
to that
which he'll
tell us
in
verse
25
but before
we read
verse
25
I want
to read
a quotation
to you
from
John
MacArthur's
commentary
on
verse
24
he
writes
it is
reported
that near
Tarsus
where Paul
was born
a certain
ancient
tribe
sentenced
convicted
murderers
to an
especially
gruesome
execution
the corpse
of the
slain
person
was lashed
tightly
to the
body
of the
murderer
and remained
there
until the
murderer
himself
died
you can
imagine
you were
convicted
of murder
the dead
person's
body
was tied
onto you
so that
it couldn't
be taken
off
in a few
days
which
doubtless
seemed
an eternity
to the
convicted
man
the decay
of the
person
he had
slain
infected
and killed
him
so
perhaps
we can't
say with
massive
certainty
perhaps
this is what
Paul has
in mind
and perhaps
this was a
known
thing
that happened
when he
says who
will deliver
me from
this body
of death
maybe he's
thinking about
this type
of sentence
right
I can feel
it on me
and it still
is infecting
me
who will
deliver me
and in
verse 25
he says
thanks be to
God
through
Jesus
Christ
our
Lord
right
and then
chapter 8
and verse 1
there is
therefore now
no condemnation
for those
who are in
Christ Jesus
this
this side of
glory
we will not
live
perfectly
like Christ
nevertheless
we are to be
growing in
holiness
across the
span
of our
lives
it's not
going to
look great
moment to
moment
and day
to day
but
through
careful
attention
through the
application
of the
ordinary
means of
grace
through the
work of
the church
together
helping us
press on
we can
start to
see
yes
like
year to
year
that's
often how
I give
some assessment
in my life
I think about
last year
because if I
think about
yesterday
that could be
miserable
am I
growing in
holiness
is the
spirit of
Christ
active
in my
life
bending
me
towards
the
things
of
God
the
desire
in me
to put
off
the
things
of
this
world
and to
put
on
the
things
of
Christ
listen to
what
Peter
says
about
this
the
apostle
Peter
in
2nd
Peter
chapter
1
you may
appreciate
going
here
with
me
I'm
actually
going
to
read
some
from
this
chapter
in
a
little
while
so
maybe
a
bookmark
I hope
you have
a ribbon
in your
Bible
not
maybe
a
finger
2nd
Peter
chapter
1
I'll
begin
reading
in
verse
5
he
says
here
make
every
effort
to
supplement
your
faith
with
virtue
and
virtue
with
knowledge
and
knowledge
with
self
control
and
self
control
with
steadfastness
and
steadfastness
with
godliness
and
godliness
with
brotherly
affection
and
brotherly
affection
with
love
for
if
these
qualities
are
yours
and
are
increasing
they
keep
you
from
being
ineffective
or
unfruitful
in the
knowledge
of
our
Lord
Jesus
Christ
for
whoever
lacks
these
qualities
is
so
nearsighted
that
he
is
blind
having
forgotten
that
he
was
cleansed
from
his
former
sins
therefore
brothers
be
all
the
more
diligent
to
confirm
your
calling
and
election
for
if
you
practice
these
qualities
you
will
never
fall
for
in
this
way
there
will
be
richly
provided
for
you
an
entrance
into
the
eternal
kingdom
of
our
Lord
and
Savior
Jesus
Christ
what is
he
saying
you have
to be able to examine
your life
you have to be able to
work at these things
and if
Christ
is in you
by his
spirit
you will
find
effect
as you're
working
verse 12
therefore
I intend
always to
remind you
of these
qualities
though you
know them
and are
established
in the
truth
that you
have
I
think it
right
as long
as I
am
in
this
body
to
stir
you
up
by way
of
reminder
we need
to be pressed
on
we need
to be
reminded
the way
in which
we're
meant
to
live
our
lives
for
the
glory
of
Christ
Romans
8
13
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
now
there's
a lot
that can
be said
about
the
Christian
life
we
can't
explore
everything
that it
takes
this
morning
to
grow
in
Christian
maturity
!
but
I
do
want
to
hone
in
a little
bit
this
morning
and
consider
one
application
so
Romans
chapter
12
and
verse
2
there
Paul
writes
do not
be
conformed
to
this
world
but
be
transformed
by the
renewal
of
your
mind
this
is
just
before
he
gets
into
the
very
practical
okay
so
what
does
the
Christian
life
look
like
now
that
we've
gone
through
the
doctrinal
section
of my
level
and he
just
starts
to
give
off
commands
this
is
what
you
will
look
like
if
you
are
in
Christ
this
and
growing
in
this
do
not
be
conformed
to
this
world
but
be
transformed
by
the
renewal
of
your
mind
I
want
to
make
the
case
to
you
that
the
way
we
do
this
is
by
taking
up
God's
word
learning
it
and
applying
it
and
we
do
this
over
and
over
and
over
again
that's
why
when
we
come
together
as
a
church
we
place
at
the
center
of
our
gathering
together
the
preaching
of
God's
word
we
want
to
open
it
up
we
peer
into
it
we
hear
it
I
also
why
we
read
it
in
other
settings
and
we
sing
it
and
we
pray
it
God's
word
is
the
way
in
which
we
renew
our
minds
by
the
power
of
the
spirit
so
I
want
to
make
that
case
to
you
from
a
couple
of
other
texts
so
first
Ephesians
chapter
5
and
Colossians
chapter
3
these
are
parallel
texts
There
Paul
writes
in
Ephesians
5
verse
17
therefore
do not
be
foolish
but
understand
what
the
will
of
the
Lord
is
and
in
verse
16
he
said
because
the
days
are
evil
so
because
the
days
are
evil
do
not
be
foolish
understand
what
the
will
of
the
Lord
is
he
says
and
do
not
get
drunk
with
wine
for
that
is
debauchery
but
be
filled
with
the
spirit
addressing
!
one
another
in
psalms
and hymns
!
Paul
writes
let
the
word
of
Christ
dwell
in
you
richly
teaching
and
admonishing
one
another
in
all
wisdom
singing
psalms
and hymns
and
spiritual
songs
with
thankfulness
in
your
hearts
to
God
so
notice
the
connection
there
right
this
singing
of
psalms
and hymns
and
spiritual
songs
in
both
places
in
Ephesians
he
says
be
filled
with
the
spirit
in
Colossians
he
says
let
the
word
of
Christ
another
right
he's
saying
that
is
the
that
is
the
act
of
being
filled
with
the
spirit
is
having
the
word
of
Christ
dwell
richly
in
you
it's
going
to
overflow
out
of
us
into
holy
living
another
text
that
may
help
us
with
this
as
we
think
about
what
it
means
to
be
transformed
by
the
renewing
of
our
mind
and
what
the
activity
of
setting
our
minds
on
the
things
of
the
spirit
this
raises
a big
question
I think
for a lot
of
people
what
are
the
things
of
the
spirit
there's
a lot
of
Christian
traditions
that would
tell you
a lot
of
things
that are
the
things
of
the
spirit
but
I
want
to
draw
you
to
a
central
thing
which
is
the
scripture
itself
so I
mentioned
that I
would
take
you
back
to
2
Peter
chapter
1
so
if
you
happen
to
follow
my
bookmark
instructions
2
Peter
chapter
1
and
I'll
begin
reading
in
verse
16
I
love
this
passage
anytime
I get
a chance
to work
it
into
a
sermon
I
do
there
Peter
says
for
we
did
not
follow
cleverly
devised
myths
when we
made
known
to
you
the
power
and
coming
of
our
Lord
Jesus
Christ
but
we
were
eyewitnesses
of
his
majesty
now
he's
going
to
explain
that
further
but
what
he's
talking
about
Peter
James
and
John
got
to
see
Christ
transfigured
this
is a
big
deal
he
says
for
verse
17
when he
received
honor and
glory
from
God
the
father
and
the
voice
was
born
to
him
by
the
majestic
glory
this
is
my
beloved
son
with
whom
I
am
well
pleased
we
ourselves
heard
this
very
voice
born
from
heaven
for
we
were
with
him
on
the
holy
mountain
they
heard
God
the
father
speak
from
heaven
this
is
my
beloved
son
with
whom
I
am
well
pleased
and
then
Peter
says
this
in
verse
19
and
I
just
think
if
you
haven't
read
this
before
this
should
make
your
head
explode
he
says
and
we
have
the
prophetic
word
more
fully
confirmed
the
Bible
more
fully
confirmed
how
is it
how is
it
that
we
have
it
more
fully
confirmed
but
the
work
of
the
spirit
in
our
lives
those
who
are
in
Christ
can
take
up
and
read
and
we
can
see
and
understand
with
some
hard
work
in
some
places
and
give
application
in
our
lives
and
this
is
the
work
that
we
are
to
be
doing
again
and
again
and
again
he
says
in
verse
19
to
which
you
will
do
well
to
pay
attention
as
to
a
of
Christ
glorification
there
knowing
this
first
of
all
that
no
prophecy
of
scripture
comes
from
someone's
own
interpretation
for
no
prophecy
was
ever
produced
by
the
will
of
man
but
men
spoke
from
God
as
they
were
carried
along
by
the
Holy
Spirit
what
are
the
things
of
the
spirit
it's
the
truth
of
God
right
do
we
have
the
truth
of
God
yes
we
do
in
a
!
primarily
this
is
the
work
that
we
do
in
a
lot
of
different
ways
when we
take
up
this
word
we
read
it
ask
that
we
believe
it
we
give
it
application
in
our
lives
and
this
produces
holiness
how
we
can
see
that
the
spirit
of
Christ
is
at
work
in
us
you
will
not
you
will
not
have
the
confidence
that
you're
justified
if
you
can't
see
sanctification
active
in
your
life
and
you
will
not
do
that
if
you
don't
take
up
and
read
work
to
apply
see
the
power
of
the
spirit
work
in
you
to
change
you
from
one
degree
of
glory
to
another
the
spirit
of
Christ
exalts
Christ
by
empowering
us
to
live
like
Christ
we
are
meant
to
be
little
imperfect
reflections
of
him
in
the
world
in
which
we
live
and
so I
want to
read to
you
I
hope
when we
give you
these
congregational
recitations
you're paying
some attention
to them
I know
that they
get read
fast
and we're
moving on
to another
thing
perhaps maybe
you take that
bulletin
home and
give it some
study
later on
we throw an awful
lot of them
away
each Sunday
this
came
from
our
confession
of
faith
which
came
originally
from
the
New
Hampshire
confession
which
was
written
in
1833
and the
question
what do
we believe
about
sanctification
here this
summary
again
we believe
that
sanctification
is the
process
by which
according
to the
will
of
God
we
are
made
partakers
of
his
holiness
that
it
is
a
progressive
work
that it
has begun
in
regeneration
and that
it is
carried
on
in
the
hearts
of
believers
by the
presence
and
power
of
the
Holy
Spirit
the
sealer
and
comforter
in the
continual
use
of the
appointed
means
especially
the
word
of
God
self
examination
self
denial
watchfulness
which
all are
informed
by the
word
of
God
and
prayer
let's
pray
together