The Everyday Prayer

Re:Verse passage – Romans 8:5-11 (day two) For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. vs. 5

In the next verse Paul will go on to describe a life lived in the Spirit is evidenced by abundant life and peace. If this were the only time that Paul spoke about a Spirit-filled life, it would be enough, but in his letter to the church in Galatia he provides further evidence of someone whose mind is set on the Spirit. He says that their life will be filled with things like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control (Gal. 5:22-23). There is no law against such things. How cool is that? Stop and take stock of your walk with Christ right now. Can you sense those spiritual fruit in your life? Are other thoughts or actions crowding out the ability for you to walk with a Spirit-filled focus? God has promised us these things as another barometer of our faith journey. Continue to ask for the Spirit to remove all other things that take away from His perfect plan for you.

Re:Verse passage – Romans 8:5-11 (day one)

Join us as Senior Pastor Chris Johnson, Associate Pastor Aaron Hufty and Associate Pastor Bryan Richardson walk us through Romans 8:5-11  in our New Summer Sermon Series: “Living in the Spirit” a study of the Holy Spirit.

Re:Verse passage – Romans 8:1-4 (day seven)

“Therefore there is now no condemnation”

When I talk with our young people about reading scripture, I tell them anytime there is a “therefore” in scripture, we must ask “what is the ‘therefore’ there for?” This will help us understand the context surrounding this verse, and therefore, understand the passage at hand more clearly.

What is this “therefore” there for? Paul is pointing us back to three things that he has covered thus far in Romans. One, the passage immediately prior to this in 7:23-25 where there is an exclamation of victory “through Jesus Christ our Lord!” Which also connects us secondly to 7:6 where Paul first outlines for us that we are released from the old law to “serve in newness of the Spirit.” Lastly and more broadly, it points us back to chapters 3-5 where Paul in detail explains salvation in Christ.

Therefore, entering into chapter 8, we can read the next several verses with a foreknowledge of the argument to be laid out. We are free in Christ Jesus because of the work He has done on the cross and the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Re:Verse passage – Romans 8:1-4 (day six)

The law turned us into rebels, or rather the power of sin did, taking advantage of the law. The law made it personal. No longer were we committing moral wrongs arbitrarily, we were willfully sinning against a personal and holy God. So overrun by the power of sin, we were as good as dead; walking corpses.

And the law could do nothing about it. Left to the law, shackled by the power of sin, we are nothing but dead rebels.

So, God did what the law could not do, He sent His own Son.

“I am the resurrection and the life,” he said.

“Come out of that grave,” he said.

And the dead rebels breathed and rejoiced.

Re:Verse passage – Romans 8:1-4 (day five) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.
The work of the Holy Spirit is integral in salvation.  In this week’s Re:Verse passage, Paul lays out 2 aspects of this work. First, we are saved from the penalty of sin. No condemnation and Freedom from the law of sin and death. Second, we are saved from the power of sin. Life in the Spirit brings righteousness. Sin’s effect and influence are in direct opposition and conflict with the Spirit. The Sprit brings the opportunity and capability to glorify God through our living “in the Spirit”. The Spirit’s power is greater.

Thank God for His work and provision through the Holy Spirit to save us.

Re:Verse passage – Romans 8:1-4 (day three)

“…that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us…”

The Pharisees’ use of the law as a tool for building a society was – well, just stop right there. The law is not a tool for anything. It is not something one uses. It is itself the mind of God in written form. The human person will be transformed by it, and when that occurs, no one will ever have to worry that such a person will become like the Pharisees. Such a person – and only such a person – will never die. That is what the law’s “requirement” is all about. Transformation is required for a person to live forever. The Holy Spirit came a-howling gale across the society that the Pharisees built. It leveled everything – except that which was transformed by the One who fulfilled the law.

Re:Verse passage – Romans 8:1-4 (day two) He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us vs. 3b-4a

In my collegiate experience I had the wonderful opportunity to pursue my academic studies through three degrees at three different institutions. One of the things that made each experience unique was the stage of life I was in at the time. During my undergraduate degree there was very little sense of urgency or responsibility to get through. My Master’s was different because I had rent to pay and other bills that were new to me. During my doctorate I entered with a family and had to give up my teaching career to begin my studies, therefore no income.

This shift in life also changed how I viewed the requirements that were needed to complete my degrees. During my doctorate, in particular, I was always aware of how every class would fulfill what needed to be done. I always knew how many more classes I would need to fulfill the requirement and thus earn the degree.

God gave us the law so that we could always know the requirements needed to honor him fully, but there was a catch. We could never, on our own, meet the minimum. Our fallen state brings us up short every. Over the years sacrifices, rituals, and ceremonies were instituted to fill the gap. And then came Jesus. He, and He alone, had the necessary ability to fulfill the requirement once and for all. He has done it for you. Have you thanked him for what He has done; for all those requirements that He has fulfilled that you never could have done on your own? Why not thank him now.

Re:Verse passage – Romans 8:1-4 (day one)

Join us as Senior Pastor Chris Johnson, Associate Pastor Aaron Hufty and Associate Pastor Bryan Richardson walk us through Romans 8:1-4  in our New Summer Sermon Series: “Living in the Spirit” a study of the Holy Spirit.

Re:Verse passage – Acts 1:8 (day six)

“And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.” Acts 1:9

What a miraculous moment this must have been! Imagine all the emotions flowing through the disciples’ minds: Astonishment at the ascension. Confusion as to when the Messianic Kingdom will be established. Fear of the unknown. Excitement of the promise Jesus has given them. Frustration that Jesus has left them again. Peace that this was what Jesus said would happen all along.

“Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.” ‭‭John‬ ‭16:7‬ ‭

Jesus’ ascension wasn’t the end of this story. It was only just beginning.