Life in the Spirit - Living Waters

The Day of Pentecost and the coming of the Holy Spirit wasn’t an accidental event. God had a plan that day–a plan that would take ordinary people and empower them to do extraordinary things. A plan that would bring change, transformation, and new life to the nations. A plan that would see the Name of Jesus known, worshipped, and obeyed, to the ends of the earth. A plan that would ultimately bring creation to perfection and salvation history to completion, as the fullness of God’s Kingdom rule was revealed. God infused those first believers with an amazing Spirit of unity, love, and power to help them come alive, to live the new life that they were called to live, and to empower and equip them in their mission to the world. The coming of the Holy Spirit changes everything, not the least being how we’re called to live our lives.

This series that will be looking at Romans 8–a chapter that surveys the entire landscape of Christian blessing–from our justification and right-standing with God, through sanctification and adoption, to glorification and on to the new creation at the end of the ages. In Romans 8 our drooping heads are lifted, our fearful hearts are comforted, our doubting minds are assured, and we’re reminded of the riches that we have in the Lord Jesus Christ.” A quick read of the chapter will show you why this series is called, “Life in the Spirit.” Up until now in the letter to the Romans, Paul has only mentioned the Holy Spirit twice: first in 1:4 and then again in 5:5. However, as chapter 8 begins, the Holy Spirit is all of a sudden mentioned twenty times! Indeed, what makes this chapter so important is the way the intimate involvement of the person and work of the Holy Spirit, in every aspect of our salvation, is revealed and applied to our lives.

It is safe to say that most believers have a much clearer grasp of the Biblical teaching regarding the first two persons of the Trinity: God, the Father and God, the Son, than the Holy Spirit. Perhaps this is because we think only Pentecostals and charismatics can talk about the Holy Spirit. Or because we’re uncomfortable talking about something we don’t understand and seems a little “out there.” No matter what the reason, many people could also confess that they know what it feels like to struggle with sin, to be burdened with guilt and overtaken by doubt; to be more aware of their own frailties, weaknesses, and shortcomings than they are of God’s purposes for their good and His glory. One of the reasons for this is a lack of understanding of the person and work of the Holy Spirit in our everyday lives. And so, it’s my prayer that God will use this series to not only address that lack, but also correct it–to help familiarize us with the third person of the Trinity and his importance in our lives.

SERMONS

Sermon: No Condemnation!

Preacher: The Rev. Canon Christopher Doering

Date: Sunday, June 4, 2023 ~ Trinity Sunday

Scripture: Romans 7:14-8:1

Handout: Part 1. HO