Sorry folks, this week’s notes are not as thorough as usual.  There was a lot more in the sermon than represented here. Listen to the podcast for more info. They are posted Tuesdays on iTunes “PromiseLand” or go to our direct podcast site.

Gospel Message/Flesh and Spirit Living

Romans 8:3 …So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. 4 He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.

Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace… 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

In this series, we want to teach and preach about what happens when your life is FILLED with the Spirit and you are LED by the Spirit.

Here is a divine dichotomy: You can live in the Flesh or the Spirit.  A brutal way to live is to try and live in BOTH the flesh and the Spirit.  Remember last week we discussed that it is completely acceptable to be led by the Spirit and also work hard and plan things out.  Working and planning things is not ‘living in the flesh’.

The difference in living in the flesh and living in the Spirit can be better described as living for the flesh or living for the Spirit.

Living as a believer does not mean that you simply understand or ‘cognitively get’ the fact that Jesus died for you and then you continue to live the same selfish life that you have always lived.  Paul is telling the Romans that your true salvation comes when live your life for the Spirit.  Set your mind on the Holy Ghost.

God (as) the Son saves us from our sin. He takes our punishments and His blood covers our sin.
God (as) the Holy Ghost empowers us for kingdom building and gives us signs that are only supposed to point back to the Gospel message.  In this series, we will talk about some amazing/supernatural things, however, it is crucial that we seek these things not to make our personal life better, but to establish the kingdom of GOD!  Not make us comfortable or rich or successful by earthly measure.

Mark 16:20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. 

Acts 1: 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Remember why He left us on the earth? To become one, so that the world may know that Jesus is God and that He loves everyone!