Rom 8:9-17 “But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) 10 And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. 11 The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. 12 Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. 13 For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” 16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. 17 And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.”
What is the Spirit of Christ?
- Power of the Resurrection.
- Guide, we are led by the Spirit of Christ
- Adoption, because of Jesus, we are His sons and daughters.
The most notable and significant event in history is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It’s more historical and significant than His birth. Everybody is born. The resurrection is more impactful than His death, because everybody dies. The resurrection is death being rolled back. We can’t revert death in a science lab.
The Spirit that did that can dwell in us.
Gen 1:1 “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” If you can believe that, the rest is easy.
This is the house of the Lord, a Spirit-filled house of the Lord. You are to participate in the things that God has for us. When the Word goes forth, something takes place when you agree with it. Faith matters.
The Spirit of Christ, the Spirit of God raised up Jesus from the dead, three days dead, revered completely. The stone was rolled away so people could see that Jesus was gone.
That same Spirit can dwell in you.
We have a new resurrection kind of power life. Jesus has given us this life giving power. The Spirit brings life. We can change the way we live according to the power of God.
This means that a depressed person can have a better, more joy filled life. There is a Spiritual answer to every problem. This is life. You have access to that kind of power. Don’t let the devil lie to you.
We have a system where we say, ‘Hi, my name is such and so, and I’m an alcoholic.’ Jesus has set us free, completely. There are signs that show a person is slipping long before a person actually takes a drink. We are set free from sin. If you consider alcoholism as a disease, then the Spirit of Christ is the cure.
Passed away is a euphemism for dead. Sin has passed away. After you have been touched by Jesus, you are changed. If you try to go back to your sin, it will be different.
There is always hope because of Jesus.
The Holy Ghost ‘fell’ on people, like a tidal wave. The power of the resurrection is available to you. This is always available to you, no matter what else is going on in your life.
John 2:19 ““All right,” Jesus replied. “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
People didn’t understand what He was saying. He was talking about His own death and resurrection. We believe that the devil can talk through people. Why do we question if Jesus is speaking through people?
We are led by the Spirit of Christ. (However, it’s up to us to actually follow!)
Other religions have ‘spirit guides’. This is real, but make sure you’re led by the Spirit of Truth.
John 14:26 “But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.”
John 16:13 “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.”
It’s okay to enjoy entertainment, but be careful what you allow into your mind and life.
‘Let this mind be in you, even the mind of Christ.’ We can’t understand the mind of God. We have no idea how to create a planet or get Jupiter to spin. However, we can have the mind of Christ.
The way we think matters. As we’re led by the Spirit of God, we walk in peace and truth.
Rom 12:2 “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
2 Tim 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.”
Calling yourself stupid is NOT God’s will. Your thoughts matter. ‘I’m not good enough,’ that is NOT God’s thoughts about you. Don’t allow those thoughts to dwell in your mind.
1 Tim 4:1-5 “Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. 2 These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead. 3 They will say it is wrong to be married and wrong to eat certain foods. But God created those foods to be eaten with thanks by faithful people who know the truth. 4 Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks. 5 For we know it is made acceptable by the word of God and prayer.”
There are seducing, get-you-off-track, spirits that will pull you away from truth. It’s not about heaven or hell issues. Eating certain foods doesn’t matter nearly as much as knowing and following Jesus’ Spirit. Having a ‘spiritual checklist’ isn’t the same as having a close relationship with Jesus Christ.
2 Pet 2:1-3 “But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered. 3 In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction will not be delayed.”
If you don’t love the truth, God will turn you over to believe a lie. Jesus said, ‘Follow me.’ He didn’t say, ‘Let Me come along.’ He didn’t say, ‘Include Me in your life.’ He said, ‘Deny yourself and follow Me.’
Sometimes, we have a whole lot of activity, but we’re not actually following after Jesus. If you look around, is anything actually changing? Or are you just on a treadmill? Is there a lot of activity, but no productivity?
Before King Saul was king, God had good things to say about him. Saul was tall and a good kid. He obeyed his father and spent three days looking for donkeys. He was beloved by his father.
1 Sam 9:27 “When they reached the edge of town, Samuel told Saul to send his servant on ahead. After the servant was gone, Samuel said, “Stay here, for I have received a special message for you from God.”
Sometimes what is ‘best’ is not what is right. Sometimes, I feel like it’s best for me to continue to work and finish this project so that when we go on vacation we’ll have money for ice cream. BUT, the Spirit says, ‘Go home now and spend time with your family.’
1 Cor 2:14 “But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.”
God’s will and way may seem silly to you, but He has something for you. Follow His Spirit and actually be productive.
His Spirit will help you prioritize.
Luke 10:38-42 “As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39 Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. 40 But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” 41 But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! 42 There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Culturally, Martha did nothing wrong. Mary was supposed to help. However, the Spirit was saying something else. Martha’s spirit was so aggravated that she got angry at Jesus. Jesus’ response was, ‘If you’re led by the Spirit, you will have peace.’ Martha had chosen stress. Follow the Spirit.
We receive the Spirit of Adoption. We get a little bit of the inheritance. Such love has been given to us. We get to be saved. We get Life.
Meeting famous people might not change your life. It’s just a cool memory. However, we get to speak daily, throughout the day, with the King of kings. We are His children. We’re royalty because of what Jesus has done for us. You are the sons and daughters of God.
Before Paul became an apostle of Jesus, he was knocked down to the ground by a great light. Jesus spoke through the light, ‘Why are you persecuting Me?’
Acts 9:3-5 “As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?” 5 “Who are you, lord?” Saul asked. And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting!”
Don’t look down on yourself. Know that you are the child of God and He loves you. Follow His Spirit. Choose to live an abundant, good life.
More Questions for Personal or Group Study:
- What really spoke to you in this message?
- What do you think about throughout your days? Are you following Jesus? What needs to change in your thoughts?
- Read Rom 8. According to these verses, how are we to think and how are we to live?
- How can you encourage someone else with this message?
Excerpted from a sermon preached by Pastor Anthony LoCascio.
If you are looking for an Apostolic Pentecostal church and are in the Chicagoland area, come check out The Life Church of Northbrook.
We have services on Sundays at 11 am: The Life Church of Northbrook and Life Groups on Wednesdays at 7 pm.
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The Life Church 