"THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST AND THE PROBLEM OF SIN"
The Gospel's Answer To The "Power" Of Sin
(The Gift Of The Holy Spirit)
INTRODUCTION
1. We are continuing to examine how the gospel saves us from the PROBLEM
of sin in this series of lessons...
2. We have seen how the COMMANDS found in the gospel effectively deal
with specific aspects of sin:
a. The command to BELIEVE when it is obeyed solves the problem of the
LOVE of sin
b. The command to REPENT when it is obeyed solves the problem of the
PRACTICE of sin
c. The command to BE BAPTIZED when it is obeyed solves the problem of
the STATE of sin
3. And we have also begun to notice that the PROMISES found in the gospel
relate to different aspects of sin's problem; e.g., the promise of the
REMISSION OF SINS takes care of the GUILT of sin
4. In this lesson, we shall examine another PROMISE given to those who
obey the gospel of Christ: THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!
[Before we can really appreciate the part the Holy Spirit plays in the
life of the Christian, we need to understand...]
I. THE POWER OF SIN
A. SIN'S POWER IS VIVIDLY DESCRIBED IN ROMANS 7...
14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal,
sold under sin. 15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I
would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 16 If then I
do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that [it is]
good. 17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that
dwelleth in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my
flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me;
but [how] to perform that which is good I find not. 19 For the
good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not,
that I do. 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I
that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 21 I find then a law,
that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22 For I
delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23 But I see
another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind,
and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my
members. 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me
from the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus
Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law
of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. (Romans 7)
1. Paul describes the condition of one under the power of sin
a. I understand Paul to be describing the dilemma of one
outside of Christ; though he speaks in the first person, from
the context I believe he is demonstrating how the Law of
Moses was inadequate to deal with the sin problem (cf. Ro
7:7-14 and Ro 8:1-4)
b. Others feel that he is describing the inner warfare that
goes on inside of everyone, including Christians (which is
certainly taught in Ga 5:16-17)
c. But the reason I take the view that I do is seen as we
continue on...
2. Notice that the person in this text is described as:
a. "sold under sin" (14)
b. having "sin that dwelleth in me" (17,20)
c. in "captivity to the law of sin which is in my members" (23)
d. "wretched man that I am" (24)
e. in a "body of death" (24)
-- (is this the condition of one in Christ? Not in light of
what Paul goes on to say in chapter eight...)
3. This is the power of sin and the condition of all who do not
have the help of God!
B. INDEED, SIN AFFECTS EVERYONE!
1. "ALL" have sinned - Ro 3:23
2. Even Christians must confess they often sin - 1 Jn 1:8,10
3. For it continues to play a strong role in our lives...
a. It prompts the flesh to wage war against the soul - 1 Pe
2:11
b. It tries to take advantage of our desires, and if it does,
can lead to spiritual death - Ja 1:13-15
[But the gospel of Christ offers to all who obey its commands a
wonderful promise to deal with the power of sin in our lives...]
II. THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
A. THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS PROMISED TO THOSE WHO...
1. Believe in Jesus - Jn 7:38-39
2. Repent and are baptized - Ac 2:38-39
3. Obey God - Ac 5:32
B. THOSE WHO HAVE SO OBEYED GOD AND RECEIVED THIS PROMISE ARE SAID
TO...
1. Be the "temple of God" (collectively, as the church) - 1 Co
3:16-17
2. Be the "temple of the Holy Spirit" (individually, in our
physical bodies - 1 Co 6:19
3. Have the "Spirit of God (who) dwells in you" - Ro 8:9-11
C. WITH THE HELP OF GOD'S SPIRIT DWELLING IN CHRISTIANS, THEY NO
LONGER NEED TO BE DOMINATED BY THE "POWER" OF SIN!
1. As Paul wrote: "12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not
to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if ye live after
the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do
mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live." (Romans 8)
a. Christians are to "put to death the deeds of the body" - cf.
Co 3:5-11
b. The Holy Spirit through His indwelling helps us to do this!
1) "The Holy Spirit by its indwelling strengthens the human
spirit to enable it to control the flesh." (DAVID
LIPSCOMB)
2) "The Christian's being successfully under the control of
his own spirit is conditional, the condition being that
the Holy Spirit shall dwell in him and help him."
(MOSES LARD)
3) "To them (i.e., Christians) the Spirit is given as a
helper of their weakness...and by its aid they overcome
the flesh." (B.W. JOHNSON)
4) "Internally, the Spirit aids by ministering strength and
comfort to the disciple in his effort to conform to the
revealed truth and will of God." (J.W. MCGARVEY)
2. Compare this with the condition we saw described in Romans 7...
a. In chapter 7, the man was described as in "captivity" to
the law of sin which is in his members - Ro 7:23
b. But according to chapter 8...
1) In Christ, one is "set free" from this law of sin and
death - Ro 8:2
2) By the help of the Spirit, one is no longer a "debtor"
- Ro 8:12-13
D. SO THE CHRISTIAN HAS REAL "POWER" TO DEAL WITH THE POWER OF SIN!
1. Paul wanted the Ephesians to appreciate this "power" - Ep
1:19-20
a. Notice: it is according to the same power that raised Jesus
from the dead
b. By what power was Jesus' resurrection accomplished?
1) "And declared [to be] the Son of God with power,
according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection
from the dead:" (Romans 1:4)
2) "But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the
dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead
shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that
dwelleth in you." (Romans 8:11)
-- I.e., by the power of the Spirit of God!
2. Paul prayed that the Ephesians would be strengthened inwardly
through this "power" or "might" (i.e., the Spirit of God) -
Ep 3:16
3. How great is this "might" or "power"? Note carefully Ep 3:20
where it is stated that God is:
a. "able to do"
b. "exceedingly"
c. "abundantly"
d. "above all that we ask or think"
-- "according to the power that works in us"!
4. This should make us appreciate more the statement of Paul later
in his letter to the Ephesians: Finally, my brethren, be
strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might." (Ep 6:10)
[The source of that strength and mighty power the Lord provides is the
indwelling Spirit in the lives of Christians! Consider, therefore...]
III. THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS GIFT
A. FOR THE CHRISTIAN...
1. This wonderful promise should serve as a MOTIVATION not to sin
a. For you are a "TEMPLE" of the Holy Spirit - 1 Co 6:18-20
b. When you sin, you deeply offend the Spirit! - Ep 4:30;
He 10:26-29
2. This wonderful promise should ENCOURAGE YOU IN YOUR FIGHT
against sin
a. You are not alone in your efforts! - Ph 2:12-13
b. You have whatever power you need to overcome the sins you
face! - 1 Jn 4:4; 1 Co 10:13
1) This does mean that we can become "sinless" - 1 Jn 1:8
2) For we do not have perfect knoweldge of God's will, and
can therefore be guilty of "sins of ignorance"
3) But it does mean we can overcome those sins of which we
are aware!
B. FOR THE NON-CHRISTIAN...
1. Don't put off obeying the gospel until you have "reformed
yourself"
a. Many people mistakenly think that they cannot become a
Christian until they overcome all their bad "habits"
b. Yet Romans 7 demonstrates the futility of trying to do
this without Christ!
2. God will take you "as you are"...
a. Provided you will:
1) Believe (trust) in His Son Jesus (that he died for your
sins - 1 Co 15:1-3)
2) Repent of your sins (i.e., have a change of mind in which
you decide to turn from your sins and start living for
God - Ac 17:30-31)
3) Be baptized into Christ for the remission of your sins
(an immersion in water as commanded by Christ and His
apostles - Mt 28:19-20; Mk 16:15-16; Ac 2:38; 10:48)
b. Then God by His grace will:
1) Forgive you of your sins
2) Give you the gift of the Holy Spirit Who through His
indwelling will help you to "reform" as you heed the
Word of God!
CONCLUSION
1. Don't you desire these wonderful "PROMISES"?
2. By the grace of God, when you OBEY the gospel you receive...
a. Not only the "remission of sins" TO DEAL WITH YOUR PAST
b. But the "gift of the Holy Spirit" TO HELP WITH YOUR FUTURE!
3. To those who would accept these gracious provisions of God, I can
only tell you the same thing the apostle Peter said to those people
of his day:
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of
you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye
shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is
unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, [even]
as many as the Lord our God shall call. (Acts 2)
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