<< Previous | Index | Next >>"THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST AND THE PROBLEM OF SIN" The Gospel's Answer To The "Power" Of Sin (The Gift Of The Holy Spirit) INTRODUCTION 1. We are continuing to examine how the gospel saves us from the PROBLEM of sin in this series of lessons... 2. We have seen how the COMMANDS found in the gospel effectively deal with specific aspects of sin: a. The command to BELIEVE when it is obeyed solves the problem of the LOVE of sin b. The command to REPENT when it is obeyed solves the problem of the PRACTICE of sin c. The command to BE BAPTIZED when it is obeyed solves the problem of the STATE of sin 3. And we have also begun to notice that the PROMISES found in the gospel relate to different aspects of sin's problem; e.g., the promise of the REMISSION OF SINS takes care of the GUILT of sin 4. In this lesson, we shall examine another PROMISE given to those who obey the gospel of Christ: THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT! [Before we can really appreciate the part the Holy Spirit plays in the life of the Christian, we need to understand...] I. THE POWER OF SIN A. SIN'S POWER IS VIVIDLY DESCRIBED IN ROMANS 7... 14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that [it is] good. 17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but [how] to perform that which is good I find not. 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. (Romans 7) 1. Paul describes the condition of one under the power of sin a. I understand Paul to be describing the dilemma of one outside of Christ; though he speaks in the first person, from the context I believe he is demonstrating how the Law of Moses was inadequate to deal with the sin problem (cf. Ro 7:7-14 and Ro 8:1-4) b. Others feel that he is describing the inner warfare that goes on inside of everyone, including Christians (which is certainly taught in Ga 5:16-17) c. But the reason I take the view that I do is seen as we continue on... 2. Notice that the person in this text is described as: a. "sold under sin" (14) b. having "sin that dwelleth in me" (17,20) c. in "captivity to the law of sin which is in my members" (23) d. "wretched man that I am" (24) e. in a "body of death" (24) -- (is this the condition of one in Christ? Not in light of what Paul goes on to say in chapter eight...) 3. This is the power of sin and the condition of all who do not have the help of God! B. INDEED, SIN AFFECTS EVERYONE! 1. "ALL" have sinned - Ro 3:23 2. Even Christians must confess they often sin - 1 Jn 1:8,10 3. For it continues to play a strong role in our lives... a. It prompts the flesh to wage war against the soul - 1 Pe 2:11 b. It tries to take advantage of our desires, and if it does, can lead to spiritual death - Ja 1:13-15 [But the gospel of Christ offers to all who obey its commands a wonderful promise to deal with the power of sin in our lives...] II. THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT A. THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS PROMISED TO THOSE WHO... 1. Believe in Jesus - Jn 7:38-39 2. Repent and are baptized - Ac 2:38-39 3. Obey God - Ac 5:32 B. THOSE WHO HAVE SO OBEYED GOD AND RECEIVED THIS PROMISE ARE SAID TO... 1. Be the "temple of God" (collectively, as the church) - 1 Co 3:16-17 2. Be the "temple of the Holy Spirit" (individually, in our physical bodies - 1 Co 6:19 3. Have the "Spirit of God (who) dwells in you" - Ro 8:9-11 C. WITH THE HELP OF GOD'S SPIRIT DWELLING IN CHRISTIANS, THEY NO LONGER NEED TO BE DOMINATED BY THE "POWER" OF SIN! 1. As Paul wrote: "12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live." (Romans 8) a. Christians are to "put to death the deeds of the body" - cf. Co 3:5-11 b. The Holy Spirit through His indwelling helps us to do this! 1) "The Holy Spirit by its indwelling strengthens the human spirit to enable it to control the flesh." (DAVID LIPSCOMB) 2) "The Christian's being successfully under the control of his own spirit is conditional, the condition being that the Holy Spirit shall dwell in him and help him." (MOSES LARD) 3) "To them (i.e., Christians) the Spirit is given as a helper of their weakness...and by its aid they overcome the flesh." (B.W. JOHNSON) 4) "Internally, the Spirit aids by ministering strength and comfort to the disciple in his effort to conform to the revealed truth and will of God." (J.W. MCGARVEY) 2. Compare this with the condition we saw described in Romans 7... a. In chapter 7, the man was described as in "captivity" to the law of sin which is in his members - Ro 7:23 b. But according to chapter 8... 1) In Christ, one is "set free" from this law of sin and death - Ro 8:2 2) By the help of the Spirit, one is no longer a "debtor" - Ro 8:12-13 D. SO THE CHRISTIAN HAS REAL "POWER" TO DEAL WITH THE POWER OF SIN! 1. Paul wanted the Ephesians to appreciate this "power" - Ep 1:19-20 a. Notice: it is according to the same power that raised Jesus from the dead b. By what power was Jesus' resurrection accomplished? 1) "And declared [to be] the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:" (Romans 1:4) 2) "But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you." (Romans 8:11) -- I.e., by the power of the Spirit of God! 2. Paul prayed that the Ephesians would be strengthened inwardly through this "power" or "might" (i.e., the Spirit of God) - Ep 3:16 3. How great is this "might" or "power"? Note carefully Ep 3:20 where it is stated that God is: a. "able to do" b. "exceedingly" c. "abundantly" d. "above all that we ask or think" -- "according to the power that works in us"! 4. This should make us appreciate more the statement of Paul later in his letter to the Ephesians: Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might." (Ep 6:10) [The source of that strength and mighty power the Lord provides is the indwelling Spirit in the lives of Christians! Consider, therefore...] III. THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS GIFT A. FOR THE CHRISTIAN... 1. This wonderful promise should serve as a MOTIVATION not to sin a. For you are a "TEMPLE" of the Holy Spirit - 1 Co 6:18-20 b. When you sin, you deeply offend the Spirit! - Ep 4:30; He 10:26-29 2. This wonderful promise should ENCOURAGE YOU IN YOUR FIGHT against sin a. You are not alone in your efforts! - Ph 2:12-13 b. You have whatever power you need to overcome the sins you face! - 1 Jn 4:4; 1 Co 10:13 1) This does mean that we can become "sinless" - 1 Jn 1:8 2) For we do not have perfect knoweldge of God's will, and can therefore be guilty of "sins of ignorance" 3) But it does mean we can overcome those sins of which we are aware! B. FOR THE NON-CHRISTIAN... 1. Don't put off obeying the gospel until you have "reformed yourself" a. Many people mistakenly think that they cannot become a Christian until they overcome all their bad "habits" b. Yet Romans 7 demonstrates the futility of trying to do this without Christ! 2. God will take you "as you are"... a. Provided you will: 1) Believe (trust) in His Son Jesus (that he died for your sins - 1 Co 15:1-3) 2) Repent of your sins (i.e., have a change of mind in which you decide to turn from your sins and start living for God - Ac 17:30-31) 3) Be baptized into Christ for the remission of your sins (an immersion in water as commanded by Christ and His apostles - Mt 28:19-20; Mk 16:15-16; Ac 2:38; 10:48) b. Then God by His grace will: 1) Forgive you of your sins 2) Give you the gift of the Holy Spirit Who through His indwelling will help you to "reform" as you heed the Word of God! CONCLUSION 1. Don't you desire these wonderful "PROMISES"? 2. By the grace of God, when you OBEY the gospel you receive... a. Not only the "remission of sins" TO DEAL WITH YOUR PAST b. But the "gift of the Holy Spirit" TO HELP WITH YOUR FUTURE! 3. To those who would accept these gracious provisions of God, I can only tell you the same thing the apostle Peter said to those people of his day: 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, [even] as many as the Lord our God shall call. (Acts 2)<< Previous | Index | Next >>
The "Executable Outlines" Series, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 1999
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