VICTORY OVER SELF
(Romans 8:5-17)
Notice the Cause and Effect in verses 5-10
It is a contrast between flesh and Spirit —
the carnal mind – and the spiritual mind.
Question: What two choices present themselves to
us every day?
Answer: In verse 5, we can “mind the things of
the flesh” or “mind the things of the
Spirit”.
Question: If there are two choices, what are the
two results or consequences of our
choice?
Answer: In verse 6, we see:
#1. To be carnally minded is death.
#2. To be spiritually minded is life and
peace.
Question: What does it mean to be
“Quickened” by God?
Answer: The Greek word for “Quicken”
means: “To make alive, to give new
life, to cause to live, to renew
and to remake altogether.”
In Plain Truth:
When you got saved, the same Spirit that resurrected Jesus from the grave took up residence in you.
Question: How do we respond to being
quickened and born again?
Answer: We accept responsibility and
understand that we are debtors.
Question: Who enables us to subdue the
desires that are opposed to God?
Answer: The Holy Spirit!!!
Question: What does it mean to be “Led by
God”?
Answer: To word “Led” means: “To be carried
along and supported through every
season of life.”
Fact:
The verb “Led by the Spirit” means: “Willingly led”.
Question: How are we blessed by God?
Answer: They are found in:
~ Verse 15 – “Adopted”
~ Verse 17 – “Joint-Heirs”
~ Verse 17 – “Glorified together with Jesus”
Question: Why is it so wonderful to be a
Christian?
Answer: #1. In verse 15, we receive the Spirit
of adoption which means
affection and confidence of a
child with a loving Father.
(Affection)
#2. In verse 15, we can cry out “Abba
Father” which means we can express
in prayer whatever is on our hearts.
(Access)
#3. In verse 16, we have the inward
witness of being a part of God’s family.
(Assurance)
“Joint heirs with Christ”, means:
As God exercised His favor towards His Son,
so God exercises His favor and blessing
on those who receive His Son.
VICTORY OVER SIN
(Romans 7:14 – 8:4)
Question: How does Paul begin his song of victory?
Answer: The people who belong to Jesus are not
condemned!
Question: What do the words “No Condemnation” means
to you and me?
Answer: The Greek words means: “No consequences of
sin or No Divine displeasure over sin.”
Question: Who is it that is free from condemnation?
Answer: Verse 1, says: “those who are in Christ Jesus,”
Question: What is the consequence of true repentance in
the heart?
Answer: #1. Your conscience is relieved.
#2. Your favor with God is assured.
#3. Your acquittal is sealed.
Question: What is “The Law of sin and death?”
Answer: Is the rule and reign of sin that results in death.
Question: What has happened to the law of sin and death
in the believer?
Answer: #1. You are free from the law or the power of
sin that results in death.
#2. You now live in the Spirit of life in Christ
Jesus.
Fact: The law of sin leads to death! But the law of the Spirit
frees us from (or overpowers) the former law!
“Condemned Sin in the Flesh” Means:
#1. Jesus abolished the ruling principle of sin to
call the shots in your life and mine.
#2. Jesus destroyed Satan and Sin in their power
to overcome someone who is “In Christ”.
Question: How do we react to Jesus condemning sin in the
flesh?
Answer: In verse 4, it says: “We walk not after the flesh
nature, but after the Spirit”
Fact:
The Word of God kept in our hearts, enables us to discern the source behind every urge, impulse and desire. If it is an urge from God, it will produce joy and peace. If it is an urge from Satan, it will produce guilt and death.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN:
CONDEMNATION AND CONVICTION
IS FROM SATAN IS FROM GOD
CUTS YOU OFF FROM THE LORD LEADS YOU TO THE LORD
IS FULL OF FEAR IS FULL OF FORGIVENESS
BEATS YOU DOWN PULLS YOU UP
POINTS TOWARD SPIRITUAL DEATH POINTS TOWARD SPIRITUAL LIFE
IS HARD AND HARSH IS GENTLE AND KIND
SAYS, “YOU ARE NO GOOD.” SAYS, “I HAVE CHOSEN YOU.”
LEADS TO DESTRUCTION LEADS TO DELIVERANCE
LEADS TO DEPRESSION LEADS YOU TO JOY
SEPERATES GOD AND MAN UNITES GOD AND MAN
PREVENTS SPIRITUAL GROWTH LEADS TO SPIRITUAL GROWTH
IS BONDAGE AND DARKNESS IS FREEDOM AND LIGHT
LEADS YOU TO BE AFRAID OF GOD LEADS TO A HEALTHY FEAR OF GOD
SAYS, “YOU HAVE FAILED AGAIN.” SAYS, “FATHER FORGIVE THEM.”
LEADS TO SUPERFICIAL CHANGE LEADS TO GENUINE REPENTANCE
ENGULFS EVERY AREA OF YOUR LIFE SPEAKS TO A SPECIFIC PROBLEM
MAKES YOU FIGHT AND REBEL HELPS YOU YIELD AND SUBMIT TO GOD
IS THE POWER TO SATAN UNTO IS THE POWER OF GOD UNTO SALVATION
DAMNATION
IS FULL OF TORMENT IS FULL OF POWER AND LOVE
COMES FROM THE LAW COMES FROM CALVARY’S CROSS
SAYS, “YOU ARE NO GOOD.” SAYS, “YOU ARE SPECIAL TO GOD.”
SEPERATES YOU FROM FELLOWSHIP RESULTS IN FELLOWSHIP WITH OTHERS CAUSES YOUR FAITH TO DIE LEADS YOU TO GREATER FAITH
SAYS, “GIVE UP, IT’S NO USE.” SAYS, “DON’T QUIT, JUST KEEP ON
GROWING
Resolutions, making this a Great Year.
Ephesians 4:17-32
A. I must look Backwards and be Grateful. (Vs. 17-19)
Question: Why then, do we need to look Back and be
Grateful?
Answer: There are five areas were we all were.
#1. We were vain (futility). (v. 17)
#2. We were darkened. (v. 18)
#3. We were alienated (separated). (v. 18)
#4. We were past feeling (no sensitivity). (v. 19)
#5. We were carnal (impurity). (v. 19)
B. I must look Inward and be Hopeful. (vs. 20-24)
Question: What really happened when I got saved?
Answer: A process of dramatic change began to take place in
your life.
Question: How do you “put off the old man”?
Answer: By exercising faith in the truth.
C. I must look Outward and be Fruitful. (vs. 25-32)
Fact:
“Notice how inward change is
reflected in outward behavior.”
Question: What am I to deal with?
#1. Deal with my Tongue. (v. 25)
#2. Deal with my Anger. (V. 26)
#3. Deal with my Deceit. (v. 28)
#4. Deal with my Intentions. (v. 29)
#5. Deal with my Forgiveness. (vs. 31-32)
A Truth to Remember.
Un-forgiveness is the poison we drink
while we wait for the other person to die.
Question: Why do we Forgive?
Answer: #1. God has forgiven you.
#2. Because forgiveness releases God’s power for
you to minister to more people.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths.”
(Proverbs 3:5-6)
Finding Love in Our Differences
(Rediscover Christmas)
1 John 4:7-16
Question: Who were these mysterious visitors from the
East?
Answer: We’re not entirely sure, but we know they
had followed a star a long distance to find
and worship the promised Messiah.
Fact: But importantly, they are Gentiles, not Jews, and
their inclusion in Jesus’s birth story echoes the
radical idea that Christ the Messiah brings
salvation and restoration to all people, not just
Fact: This relationship with God that He brings us into
is a relationship of love.
Question: How will people know that they are followers
of Jesus?
Answer: By the love they show to other people.
Fact: It’s why Jesus’s teaching was so radical. It’s why
God’s love is so radical. (Matthew 5:43-44)
Fact: Jesus didn’t only tear down the walls of division
at His birth, He continuously reached across the
chasm of separation and exclusion.
Fact:
Jesus’s love is fearless love that calls us and enables us to cross the borders, to tear down the barriers, to reach out above the disagreements.
Finding Joy in Our Discouragements
Rediscover Christmas
Luke 1:5-7
2. When Elizabeth is six months pregnant, Gabriel
Fact: Often in our Christian culture, the two get split
into happiness as secular and less valuable or
fulfilling, and joy as spiritual and more important
or fulfilling.
Fact: It’s OK to want to be happy and joyful, and it’s OK
to enjoy those emotions.
Fact: God sees you no matter where you are on the
emotional spectrum of happiness.
Fact: Nehemiah is calling the people to remember and
return to their relationship with God.
Fact: Our true source of happiness, joy, and fulfillment
comes from Christ. (1 Peter 1:8-9)
Fact: Rejoice is the verb form of joy. It’s the action of
feeling or expressing joy and delight.
Fact: It’s why rejoicing is our process of refueling our
tank, restoring our strength and renewing our
spirits. (James 1:2-4)
Finding Peace in Our Struggles
(Rediscovering Christmas)
Luke 2:8-20
Question: Of course, the audience for this grand
announcement and amazing angelic show must
have been the most important VIPs, the rich and
famous and powerful, the kings and
queens and movers and shakers of the world,
right?
Answer: No! It’s those shepherds.
Israel were shepherds.
Fact: It certainly reminds us that God’s favor is not based
on human standards.
Fact: Peace is not based on class or position or occupation
but on God’s purpose and design to bring good
news that will cause great joy for all the people.
our own intersection with God’s peace.
our peace and hope and joy.
Fact: I don’t know every hardship you are facing today, or
every wince of pain you are feeling. But God does.
Fact: Jesus is the God who is come to be with us, and He
offers us this invitation in this Advent season and
always: “Come to me”(Matthew 11:28-30)