Pastor showed us videos of the progression of game controllers from single button in 1980s to two to four buttons, to four with a and b and x and finally multiple buttons and joysticks today.
Then he asked the question: Who do you give control to in your life? The Bible text is Romans 8:1-17.
The message is “you are not controlled by the sinful nature but by the Spirit of God…”
The Transaction: Verses 1- 4 tell of a transaction that takes place when we surrender to Jesus. We belong to God. When Satan comes to remind us of the law and our sin, God protects us because there is no longer condemnation. The Holy Spirit freed us from the power of sin.
God declared the end of sin’s control over us (through the blood of Jesus). v3.
Who is in Control? Verses 5 - 8. We have the choice of “letting” (allowing) our sinful nature OR the Spirit to control. The sinful nature is always hostile to God. v7. But the believer is controlled by the Spirit and Christ who lives within.
Prophetic: Verses 9 - 11.
Fact 1: If the Holy Spirit lives in you, you are not controlled by the sinful nature. You can Choose Differently.
Fact 2: If you are saved, the Holy Spirit lives in you.
Satan is the deceiver who will tell you lies:
Lie 1: If you are struggling with sin, you don’t have the Holy Spirit in you. NOT TRUE. It is a human struggle.
Lie 2: You cannot defeat sin. NO – God can help you overcome sin.
Lie Shattering Truth: The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you, therefore you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. Verses 11 - 13.
The Point: The same person – The Holy Spirit – raised Jesus from the dead and lives in and with you. Give Control of your life to Him.
God made us children of God. Verses 14-17 . We share in His glory but that means we also share in His sufferings.
What do we do? You have the authority, the choice. You may have taken back control and allowed your sinful nature to prevail. So you need to give it back to the Holy Spirit. Live in the Holy Spirit, not in sin.
I searched and listened to several songs. This is the one I chose for today:
Out of My Hands
Romans 8:16 -17 NIVOut of My Hands
16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Lord, help me to surrender control clearly to You and not try to make decisions without You.
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