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Victory in Christ Over Every Spiritual Attack
Appealing to God for a Good Conscience
Audio file
Text: Heb 9:11-14
Summary: Make an appeal to God our Father for a good conscience and hold onto Jesus and let Him lead your life.
Deny Yourself and Follow Jesus’ Example
Preacher: Pastor Ray
Text: Heb 9:23 – 10:25
Jesus denied His self-will throughout His life and we must also deny ourselves–our flesh, our mind, our emotions and our will.
Soul Care and the Will of God
Preacher: Pastor Ray
Text: 1 Thess 4:3-8, 13-18; 5:16-24
What is the will of God? To rejoice, to pray, and to give thanks. When do we do it? Always, without ceasing, and in all circumstances. Who does it? We do our part, but ultimately we rely upon God to do His.
Rom 7-8: Free and Not Condemned
Preacher: Pastor Ray
Romans 7 or Romans 8? Which chapter is the normative experience for the Christian? It’s time for you to decide which side you’re on.
Discussion Questions
– Romans 7 or 8? Which chapter captures the normative experience for the Christian?
– Do you agree that the Word is clear as to which chapter ought to be our normative experience?
– Assuming you agree that Romans 8 ought to be the normative experience, why is it then that many Christians believe that Romans 7 is our normative experience?
Read Rom 6-8.
– How did Plato view the soul vs the body?
– How do we create a false dichotomy between the mind/heart/spirit/inner man and the body/flesh even as believers?
Read Rom 7:25.
– Do you find this verse rather odd? Why?
Rom 6-8 talks about our members, the body and the flesh.
– What is the difference between the “body” and the “flesh?”
– Do you find it significant that there are two different words in the Greek for body and flesh?
– Why is the “body” a neutral thing?
Read Rom 8:10-11. Our bodies will be given life through the Spirit.
– When does this happen? How might a Rom 7 believer answer and how might a Rom 8 believer answer?
Read Rom 12:1.
– Is it significant that Paul mentions “bodies” here?
In Rom 8, Paul pits the Spirit against the flesh.
– What does “flesh” refer to?
– How does Paul refer to “flesh” in this chapter?
– How can religious-minded people who are thankful for Jesus still approach the spiritual life in a “fleshly” way?
– Another way of explaining the distinction between the Spirit vs. the flesh is the supernatural vs. the natural. Explain this statement.
Think about the Israelites in Exodus.
– How do they fit in with Rom 7 and Rom 8?
– The Israelites were free for a moment but they died as slaves in the wilderness. Explain this statement and how this relates to Romans.
Read Rom 8:3-4.
– This is the gospel. Put it in your own words.
Look up the multiple definitions of the word “condemnation.”
– What does it mean that you are no longer under condemnation?