Xenos Christian Fellowship Offering Freedom through the Love

Xenos Christian Fellowship “Offering Freedom through the Love of Christ” Romans 8 “Practical Lessons in Spiritual Growth” Keith Mc. Callum Sunday, February 15, 1998

The Goal of Spiritual Growth: n Romans 8: 29 For from the very beginning God decided that those who came to him. . . should become like his Son. . . (LB)

It All Begins with Knowing (Rom. 6) You were Dead… You were made alive… SLAVES C “Weapons of Sin” E C I O H Position “ SLAVES ” “Weapons” of God Condition

Focus, Focus! Romans 8: 4 …in order that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. n v. 5 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, set their minds on the things of the Spirit. n

Kata Sarx (flesh) vs. Kata Pneuma (spirit) You were Kata Sarx You are Kata Pneuma SLAVES C Mind on things of Sarx E C I O H Position “ SLAVES ” Mind on things of Pneuma Condition

Mind Set on Things of the Spirit… God’s Word n Fellowship with God’s People n Prayer n More… n

Kata Sarx (flesh) vs. Kata Pneuma (spirit) n Rom. 6 -7 Sin vs. Christ Focus n Rom. 7 -8 Law vs. Grace Focus n Rom. 13 Self vs. Others Focus (soon) n Rom. 12 Kosmos vs. BOC Focus (soon)

Spiritual Growth: God’s Process #1 You Christ IN You

Spiritual Growth Part #2: You in Christ… n John 15: 4 "Abide in Randy Me, as I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in Me. ” (or, “remain with You me” -NIV) Indre Christ

Abiding in Christ: a natural conclusion! You were Alone Christ is now in You C Remain Alone E C I O H Position Choice Remain with Christ. Others See This Condition

You Position Christ IN You Condition You

How God Will Accomplish It? Romans 8: 12 -13 So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh-- for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die… n. . . but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. n

“Putting To Death… “ 2 Cor. 4: 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves; You Christ IN You

God Reveals the Inner Man: 2 Cor. 4: 8 -10 we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; n always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. n

The Process: Breaking the Flesh Younger Christian Older Christian

Continues for a Lifetime! n Romans 8: 23 And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.

Our Part? “if, by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live…” Active Cooperation. n Reject Illegitimate Pain Killers. n Hold eternal values: n ä Romans 8: 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

You Position Christ IN You Condition You

Conclusion: Romans 8: 28 -29 n And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. [29] For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren;