Got Spirit? by Pastor Scott

Got Spirit?

“But those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires” Romans 8:5b

In the 1990’s there was a popular ad campaign called, “got milk?” (California Milk Processor Board) that encouraged & promoted the consumption of milk & dairy products for healthy bone growth, for being perceived as “cool” and other humorous benefits.

In the Gospels Jesus promised to send His followers a gift in the person of the Holy Spirit who would guarantee, guard, and guide the salvation of everyone He indwells. The Advocate, Comforter, Counselor, Guide, Helper and many more titles of His role fills believers to their fullest potential of sanctification enabling them to “live according to the Spirit of God.”  The Spirit also functions as fruit-producer in our lives. He indwells believers and begins the work of producing His fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23); now that is something worthy to drink up!

In John 7 we read how Jesus stood before a crowd and in a loud voice said, “If anyone is thirsty, let them come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within.  By this He meant the Spirit…”

In Romans, chapters 1-7 Paul mentions the Holy Spirit only three times:

• (Christ Jesus) “who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God…” 1:4 (NIV)
• And “circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code” 2:29 (NIV)
• And … “God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us” 5:5 (NIV)

These are three very important theological and practical principals of what it means to “have the Spirit” dwelling in us –got Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is part of the God-head (three-in-one), setting us apart from within (circumcision of the heart); a gift of God’s love.

In Romans chapter 8, Paul mentions the Holy Spirit 17 plus times! New American Standard = 17, ESV = 20 and NIV =21.

Twenty plus times in one chapter; wow!  What an exciting and adventurous study for us to embark on this summer.

Here are a few occurrences to quench your thirst:

• For “the law of the Spirit of life has set you free” 8:2
• For those “who live according to the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires” 8:5
• For “you are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you” 8:9
• For “if you live by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body” 8:11
• For “those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons (children) of God” 8:14
• For “you received the Spirit of sonship (adoption) and by Him we cry ‘Abba, Father’ 8:15
• For “the Spirit Himself testifies that we are God’s children” (co-heirs with Christ) 8:16-17

God does the amazing & grace-based work of Christ-bearing salvation & Spirit-leading sanctification – His wonderful work.

Believers are called to receive His gifts, repent from our past and resolve to walk by His Spirit – our rewarding responsibility.

Have you received His wonderful work and are we responding with a willing walk?

In prep for Sunday, June 11, please read carefully Romans 8:1-11 seeking practical application for living to please God:

“Therefore there is now no condemnation [no guilty verdict, no punishment] for those who are in Christ Jesus [who believe in Him as personal Lord & Savior]. For the law of the Spirit of life [which is] in Christ Jesus [the law of our new being] has set you free from the law of sin and of death. For what the Law could not do [that is, overcome sin and remove its penalty, its power] being weakened by the flesh [man’s nature without the Holy Spirit], God did: He sent His own Son in the likeness of sinful man as an offering for sin. And He condemned sin in the flesh [subdued it and overcame it in the person of His own Son], so that the [righteous and just]requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us who do not live our lives in the ways of the flesh [guided by worldliness and our sinful nature], but [live our lives] in the ways of the Spirit [guided by His power]. For those who are living according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh [which gratify the body], but those who are living according to the Spirit, [set their minds on] the things of the Spirit [His will and purpose].Now the mind of the flesh is death [both now and forever–because it pursues sin]; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace [the spiritual well-being that comes from walking with God–now & forever]; the mind of the flesh [with its sinful pursuits] is actively hostile to God. It does not submit itself to God’s law, since it cannot, and those who are in the flesh [living a life that caters to sinful appetites/impulses] cannot please God. However, you are not [living] in the flesh [controlled by the sinful nature] but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God lives in you [directing and guiding you]. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him [and is not a child of God]. If Christ lives in you, though your [natural] body is dead because of sin, your spirit is alive because of righteousness [which He provides]. And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you.” Romans 8:1-11 Amplified Bible

[Bracketed words are not Holy Scripture, but synonyms or explanations to help us understand the text]