Class Lesson July 8, 2012

Hey Gang,

Last week our series opened with a question: Where do I turn to find freedom from sin and guilt? As Christians we can “Live Free” because of the Holy Spirit’s work in our life. The Holy Spirit points us to our need for salvation and the truth of how we can receive that salvation through Christ. Forgiveness can be ours because of the work of the Holy Spirit in our life.

• In Jesus’ farewell address, He told the disciples that He was going away. His departure was necessary for God’s plan to be fulfilled.
• He promised to send a comforter and one of His missions would be to convict the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment.
• The Spirit would lead them into the future and help them share the mind of Christ.
• Last week we celebrated the 4th of July and especially the Declaration of Independence signed in 1776. This is the key document that provides for our political freedom – through Christ we celebrate our freedom from sin and death.

Today, our question is, how can we find victory over habits that drag us down? Paul tells us that these habits are part of a great inner battle that lives within us.

Jekyll & Hyde

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A small boy was standing at a fruit stand looking hungrily at the fruit. The owner asked him, “Are you trying to steal some of my fruit?” The boy replied, “No, I’m trying not to.” The boy’s struggle illustrates the struggle Christian’s experience.


 
Even before Robert Louis Stevenson wrote the Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, people have wrestled with the inner battle between good and evil. This is still true today.

Love vs. Lust

Peace vs. Anger

Self-Control vs. Lack of Control

Trust vs. Jealousy

Truth vs. Lies

Is it possible to win this battle? It is not only possible…it is guaranteed.

How many times have you either heard or maybe even thought, “It’s not a sin – just a bad habit?”

I. FACE THE INNER BATTLE – ROMANS 7:20-25
20 Now if I do what I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but it is the sin that lives in me. 21 So I discover this principle: When I want to do what is good, evil is with me. 22 For in my inner self I joyfully agree with God’s law. 23 But I see a different law in the parts of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and taking me prisoner to the law of sin in the parts of my body. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this dying body? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with my mind I myself am a slave to the law of God, but with my flesh, to the law of sin.

What do you think our lesson means when it says to “Face the Inner Battle?”


Are sinful habits more of a struggle for believers or nonbelievers? Even after we become believers, why do we continue to struggle with sinful habits? How successful can we be in fighting against sinful habits according to 7:20-24?

• In today’s study, the Scriptures describe Paul’s inner battles and struggles with sin. At first glance, we might think that these words were written by a young Christian, still facing problems because of spiritual immaturity. However, history tells us a different story. Paul was converted to Christianity in A.D. 35. Most scholars agree that Paul wrote Romans between A.D. 54 and 59. So at the time he wrote the book, Paul had been a Christian for about 20 years. Knowing this helps us understand that we never get to be too old or too mature for the sin problem. If we think that we have outgrown sin, we are fooling ourselves at the risk of a terrible cost. We can have victory over sin struggles. Paul described how.

Why is there such a civil war in the hearts of believers?

• When a person becomes a believer, he or she is saved; but the person enters a tug-a-war between a renewed heart and mind and a sinful nature, or the flesh. The conflict was not part of the believer’s experience prior to salvation but remains as long as he or she lives.

What are some misconceptions some might have about the Christian life?

• People think they would never have to struggle with sin again.
• Our old natures will continue to harass believers until they get into heaven.
• Although Christians have been saved from sin’s penalty, they are still in the process of being saved from its power, and they hope to be saved from its presence in the future.
• Although the Spirit dwells in us as Christians, we are still human beings who struggle with temptation.

What did Paul identify as the only solution to the struggle he faced and we face?

• Paul affirmed Christ as the only hope for overcoming the sin nature (v. 25).
• I know that the struggle against the sinful habits will not disappear, but with Christ’s help I can overcome.

What major decisions have you wrestled with? Are there any biblical principles that help with these decisions? Why is the wrestling worth it? Is the struggle we face with sin a good thing or a bad thing?

• Compare and contrast the approaches and show how they apply to letting the Spirit lead.
• People don’t want difficulty of any kind. But certain struggles, such as choosing between right and wrong or good and better, can be tremendously freeing struggles. Point out the value of decisions well made and executed.
• Note that even the small decisions matter. They develop or destroy character.
• One of the signs of real faith is the struggle with sin. Paul was struggling not only to avoid doing wrong but also with failing to do right.

The Christian life shows people who have:

1. Been saved from sin’s penalty

2. Are being saved from sin’s power

3. Who will be saved from sin’s presence





Have you ever thought this, “I hear that I’m forgiven, but I struggle with guilt at times?”

II. WALK WITH CHRIST – ROMANS 8:1-4
The Life-Giving Spirit

8 Therefore, no condemnation now exists for those in Christ Jesus, 2 because the Spirit’s law of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3 What the law could not do since it was limited by the flesh, God did. He condemned sin in the flesh by sending His own Son in flesh like ours under sin’s domain, and as a sin offering, 4 in order that the law’s requirement would be accomplished in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 

Why do you think Romans 8 is a favorite Bible chapter?

• Romans 8 deals with the work of God’s Spirit in saving us from the power of sin.
• The theme of Romans 8 is the Holy Spirit. I will not fear condemnation because the Holy Spirit has set me free.

How do we live free from condemnation?

• Read Roman 8:1-4 aloud. Point out that “therefore” connects the content at the end of chapter 7 with the content in chapter 8. Allow learners to define the “condemnation” from which Christ followers are rescued.
• Explain that “condemnation” is a legal term and is the opposite of justification. Each time we obey Christ we feel a shackle of condemnation drop off. We are without condemnation, but it takes time to live like it.
• The death of Christ frees believers from condemnation because of sins. No one can be saved or live a holy life by keeping the law. Only through God’s Spirit can believers live holy lives.

What are your favorite ways to exercise? What benefits do you experience from exercise?

• Spiritual exercise also produces great benefits. One basic spiritual exercise involves relying on the power of the Spirit and doing what God says. By exercising this muscle we can stand against the roadblocks the enemy throws in our paths.
• Some other exercises like stop and insert truth when I’m tempted to lie, lift others up rather than tear them down, and stop fearing truth.

Just think about this, in what ways does your life reflect the work of the Spirit? How have you learned to heed His voice?

Have you ever really wondered what it means to live a life that is truly pleasing to God?


III. PLEASE GOD – ROMANS 8:5-9

5 For those who live according to the flesh think about the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, about the things of the Spirit. 6 For the mind-set of the flesh is death, but the mind-set of the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind-set of the flesh is hostile to God because it does not submit itself to God’s law, for it is unable to do so. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 You, however, are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God lives in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.

What is a mindset?

1. A fixed mental attitude or disposition that predetermines a person's responses to and interpretations of situations.

2. An inclination or a habit.




What two mind-sets did Paul describe? How can you tell which you are expressing?

• The mind of the flesh is hostile to God. The mind of the Spirit brings life and peace.
• There are two categories of people – the unregenerate who live according to the flesh, and the regenerate who live by the Spirit.
• Those who live according to the flesh have a mind-set that treasures the things of the world; those who live by the Spirit have a godly mind-set that rejoices in good things.
• The outcomes are different: life and peace for those in the Spirit and hostility against God and death for the other.
• All those who have the Spirit of Christ are God’s people.
• There’s no middle ground between the mind-sets.

1. 50 Shades of Grey – Book

• In the book, Anastasia Steele is required to sign a contract that allows Grey to have complete control of her life which included fulfilling any desires Grey had in the bedroom. Grey was in to BDSM, bondage and Sadism and for Steele, whom was still a virgin all this seemed very overwhelming at first.
• The first book of the series was released as an ebook and almost instantly gained huge popularity amongst women all over the world. Readers find this book highly captivating and the kinky nature of the novel has drawn in readers in millions world-wide.
• There has also being a lot of positive reviews from readers with many saying that thanks to this book they were able to further explore their sexuality with their partners and feel much more freedom to explore new things sexually and emotionally, with most readers commenting on their improved sex lives. Some females have even mentioned that their husbands and boyfriends are thanking this novel for their improved sex lives which is another most noted point about this book.

2. Magic Mike – Movie



What impact would you say these media hits might have on the mindset of a believer?



What do you need the Spirit to help you gain the victory over in your life?

• I will work to please God by specifically obeying the Bible as guided by the Holy Spirit within me.
• I will allow the Holy Spirit to have full control in my life so that I can please God.

Conclusion

When have you paid off a debt, such as a school loan, a car, or a mortgage? How eager were you to get back into debt?

• Think about it. Feeling the impact of previous messes can help us not want to fall back into that kind of bondage. Sometimes it helps to remember what it was like.

What are the battlefields in your life? How can you claim victory rather than get back into the same mess?



Non-Christians sometimes use this excuse for not following Jesus: “I can’t live the Christian life.” In a sense that is true, because none of us is good enough or strong enough to live a Christian life in our own strength. Only by the grace of God, the work of Christ, and the power of the Spirit can we meet God’s expectations. Conversion can take place in a moment, but living for Christ and growing in Him are life-long tasks. When the Spirit comes into our hearts at conversion, He begins the work of transformation in our lives.

Prayer of Commitment

Lord, by Your Spirit, make me a victorious follower of Jesus Christ. Amen

Well, this week we take a closer look at sin itself and the power it can have on the strongest of Christians, hence the necessity for the Holy Spirit.


See you on Sunday!


In His Love,


David & Susan