Bread of Life Fellowship

We have identified our sufferings the last two weeks in the groans of creation, the groans of the Christian and in the aching groans of God's Spirit for his people. We have noted these groans are not emanating from us as sighs of misery but as sighs of anticipation or longings for future glory. Now we look at the glory we are to measure all our sufferings against:

The groans reported in Romans 8 are 3 fold. Each relates to a distinct manner in which Christians are called into suffering with the Lord Jesus. Each also indicate in the midst of suffering an anticipation of promise.

To be a joint heir with the Lord Jesus is a great promise of security and future glory.

From Romans 8-17 a secured position for the present and a bright hope for the future.

To be a joint heir with the Lord Jesus is a great promise of security and future glory.

Considering the provision and full possession God has provided for his children.

From Romans 8:17 a secured position for the present and a bright hope for the future.

The Witness of the Spirit is the core element in the believers assurance of salvation.

Considering the provision and full possession God has provided for his children.

What does it look like to put sin to death.

The Witness of the Spirit is the core element in the believers assurance of salvation.

If you live according to the flesh we will die... if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body you will live. The word 'if' is a huge clue as to what Paul is teaching here and how it applies to the believer.

What does it look like to put sin to death.

If you live according to the flesh we will die... if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body you will live. The word 'if' is a huge clue as to what Paul is teaching here and how it applies to the believer.

Our empowerment comes with a proper sense of indebtedness.

The flesh, our members, the body are all identified in Romans 6,7 and 8 at vessels of sin and death that are to be overcome by living in the Spirit. But is there no hope for our bodies-- Is the best we can hope for to be released one day from those bodies altogether-- Consider here in short... God's plan for your sinful bodies.

Our empowerment comes with a proper sense of indebtedness.

The flesh, our members, the body are all identified in Romans 6,7 and 8 at vessels of sin and death that are to be overcome by living in the Spirit. But is there no hope for our bodies? Is the best we can hope for to be released one day from those bodies altogether? Consider here in short... God's plan for your sinful bodies.

The clear declaration over the Christian is 'you are no longer in the flesh but in the Spirit.' This declaration entails the believers security in Salvation. But then Paul says, -if the Spirit dwells in you.- And there we learn that this security is confirmed in the believers 'assurance' of the Spirit's indwelling. Consider here what constitutes that assurance.

Consider these four points of our positional sanctification- The work of Christ to deal with sin and condemn it in His flesh has set a foundation for holy living. That foundation is fourfold. 1st vs. 1 we are not under condemnation. 2nd vs 2 we are set free to realize our purpose in the law. 3rd and 4th as considered in this message the full requirement of the law is accomplished in us from the start. And we are set beyond the restrictions of the flesh to live in the domain -range- of the Spirit of Life. The believer begins their life in the wide open place of the Spirit.