– Finding a Life Worth Living –

3. “Living Empowered”

Romans 8: 1–25(p. 1043)

Living Victoriously Living the life God calls me to

Discipline that doesn’t feel burdensome Joy/Fullness from doing what is right – it’s

fun. Knowing what’s right – what God wants me

to do.

Living with a daily sense of his presence God is right with me – affirming and

approving my life

Struggles & opposition are only External – not within.

1. Barriers to Victory Current (Non) Experience of the Spirit

Normal for the early church (Acts 10:44; Gal 3:5; 1 Ths 1:5)

Power outworking in:• Signs & wonders (Heb 2:4)• Boldness to witness (Rom 1:16; 2 Tim 1:8)• Personal transformation & renewal (2 Cor 3:18; Eph 4:23)

Freedom (“set free” v 2) Worldly view – do whatever I want when I want.

• Slave to my desires, whims and selfish indulgences (cannot choose Good)

Godly view – able to do what is good, right and beneficial (to ALL)

2. Victory in the Spirit Following on from the “inability” of Rom

7. The “powerlessness” of the Law (v 3)

• “weakened by the sinful nature [flesh]” Overcome by Christ’s sin offering (v 3-4) Overcome by “the Law of the Spirit of Life”

(v 2)

Life in the “Flesh” [sinful nature] - vs - Life in the Spirit

Is Death (v 6) Is hostile to God (v 7) Does not & cannot submit to God

(v 7) Cannot please God (v 8)

Is Life & Peace (v 6) Lives in all who are in Christ (v

9; 1 Co 12:13) Gives life to our mortal bodies (v

11) Confirms our “sonship” (v 15) –

heirs (v 17) Allows us to cry “Abba” [Daddy] (v

15)

3. Choosing Victory A “SET” of the Mind (v 5)

Set on what the flesh desires - OR - Set on what the Spirit desires

No “mix-and-match” - all or nothing!

An “OBLIGATION” (v 12) Not to the flesh [sinful nature]. By the Spirit “put to death” the practices of the body

A willingness to share in Jesus’ sufferings (v 17) Not worth comparing to the glory we will receive (v 18)

A hopeful Waiting (v 25)

Living Empowered A Real possibility of a Life of VICTORY

Re-defining our worldview – Freedom in the Spirit Rejecting worldly indulgence; Embracing

God’s new Life

Knowing fully our new life in Christ through the Spirit All the privileges and benefits – not

distracted or enticed

Choosing life in the Spirit A new Mind SET – perseverance in suffering;

patient hope. A New Obligation – to the Spirit.