In a seminary missions class, Herbert Jackson told how, as a new missionary, he was assigned a car...

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THE REAL YOU In a seminary missions class, Herbert Jackson told how, as a new missionary, he was assigned a car that would not start without a push. So for 2 years he had to get students to push his car to get it going or he would park his car on a hill or leave it running. He finally had to leave the seminary due to ill health and a new missionary was assigned the car. Jackson proudly explained the process for starting the car. The new man looked under the hood and found a loose wire which he promptly tightened. He got into the car and turned the ignition and to the astonishment of Jackson the car started just fine. For two years needless trouble had become routine. The power was there all the time. Only a loose connection kept Jackson from putting that power to work. How tremendous is the power available to us in

Transcript of In a seminary missions class, Herbert Jackson told how, as a new missionary, he was assigned a car...

Page 1: In a seminary missions class, Herbert Jackson told how, as a new missionary, he was assigned a car that would not start without a push. So for 2 years.

THE REAL YOU

In a seminary missions class, Herbert Jackson told how, as a new missionary, he was assigned a car that would not start without a push. So for 2 years he had to get students to push his car to get it going or he would park his car on a hill or leave it running.

He finally had to leave the seminary due to ill health and a new missionary was assigned the car.

Jackson proudly explained the process for starting the car. The new man looked under the hood and found a loose wire which he promptly tightened. He got into the car and turned the ignition and to the astonishment of Jackson the car started just fine.

For two years needless trouble had become routine. The power was there all the time. Only a loose connection kept Jackson from putting that power to work.

How tremendous is the power available to us in Christ.We will look at the source of this incredible power this

morning.

Page 2: In a seminary missions class, Herbert Jackson told how, as a new missionary, he was assigned a car that would not start without a push. So for 2 years.

FINDING YOUR TRUE IDENTITY

IMAGE OF GOD Objective: Foundation #1 – To understand man as created

  INSIDE OUT

Objective: Foundation #2 – To understand man after the fall and after the new birth

IDENTITY RECOVERED Objective: How to recover your stolen identity

IDENTITY TESTED Objective: A test to determine if your lost identity has been recovered

INCREDIBLE TREASURE Objective: To know the power of God available to you

  INHERITANCE OF GOD

Objective: To know the completeness and greatness of Christ’s sacrifice for you

IN CHRIST Objective: To provide the key to consistent living for the believer

Page 3: In a seminary missions class, Herbert Jackson told how, as a new missionary, he was assigned a car that would not start without a push. So for 2 years.

THE REAL YOU

Part 5Incredible treasure

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;” 2 Corinthians 4:7

Page 4: In a seminary missions class, Herbert Jackson told how, as a new missionary, he was assigned a car that would not start without a push. So for 2 years.

THE REAL YOU

Previously The penalty for our sins and power over our sin nature was

paid for by Christ’s death on the cross We were justified by faith alone in Christ’s shed blood We were identified with Christ by faith alone in His cross

work

Three imperatives Know: crucified, buried, raised, seated with Him Believe: Consider this to be true Present: Hand your life over to Him as your owner

Last week saw that we are under a new husband – Christ not the law

Today This week we will see a fourth command in Romans 8

Walk: By the power of the Holy Spirit

Page 5: In a seminary missions class, Herbert Jackson told how, as a new missionary, he was assigned a car that would not start without a push. So for 2 years.

FREE FROM CONDEMNATION“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” Romans 8:1 NASB Rev. NIV

The qualifying statement in the KJV is not in the Greek. The key qualifying phrase is “to those who are in Christ

Jesus” If you have been born again, God sees you in His Son The Son has no condemnation – so neither do you

Therefore - Check what this verse is ‘there for’ Points back to chapters 6 and 7 – dead to sin, dead to

lawCompare – Romans 8: 31-39

God is for us (vs. 31) God has justified us (vs. 33) Jesus intercedes for us so no one can condemn us (vs.34) Jesus’ love keeps us and gives us victory (vs. 35-39)

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FREEDOM FROM SIN AND LAW You have been set free (vs.2; Galatians 5:1)

Freed from the law of sin and death (vs.2) Freed from the law which only dealt with the flesh (vs3) Freed to live as directed by the Spirit not the flesh (vs.4) Freed from the dictates of the flesh (vs.5-8)

The Command Walk in that freedom – in the Spirit (vs.14)

Walk or live by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit

Stand firm in that freedom (Galatians 5:1)Don’t go back into bondage to sin and law

FREE AT LAST

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FREEDOM FROM PERFORMANCE

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;” (2 Corinthians 4:7) The ‘earthen vessel’

Who or what is it? You and I – made from the dust of the ground (Gen.2:7; 2

Cor.5:1) The ‘treasure’

Who or what is it? Ryrie takes this as the gospel from the immediate

context (vs. 1-6) The wider context would indicate this to be God

(Col.1:27)▪ Christ in you, the hope of glory (Col.1:27)▪ Specifically the Holy Spirit (the wider context – 3:1 to

4:7; John)

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FREEDOM FROM PERFORMANCE

The Glory of the Ministry of the Holy Spirit (3:1-18)

The Old was a ministry of death (vs. 6,7) Stone tablets, came with glory, condemnation and

death It was veiled or hidden (vs. 12-15)

The New is a ministry of life, a ministry of the Holy Spirit (vs. 6b) Far more glorious, no comparison (vs.8-11) The veil is removed (16) It is a ministry that sets free (17) The Spirit continues to reveal new glories of Christ (18)HIS MINISTRY

GLORIOUS

Page 9: In a seminary missions class, Herbert Jackson told how, as a new missionary, he was assigned a car that would not start without a push. So for 2 years.

FREEDOM FROM PERFORMANCE

The Gospel Ministered by the Holy Spirit (4:1-6)

It is the gospel of the glory of Christ (vs. 4b) It is God who reveals the glory of the gospel (vs.6)

Specifically this is the ministry of the Holy Spirit He convicts of sin, righteousness and judgment (John

16:7-11) He teaches, discloses, and glorifies Christ (John 16:13-

15) He brings about the new birth (John 3:3,5,6)HE MINISTERS

GOSPEL

Page 10: In a seminary missions class, Herbert Jackson told how, as a new missionary, he was assigned a car that would not start without a push. So for 2 years.

FREEDOM FROM PERFORMANCE

The Greatness of the Ministry of the Holy Spirit (4:7)

The reason for this treasure within us (vs. 7b) So that two things

The greatness of the power comes from God (vs.7c) It does not come from us (vs.7d)

It is God the Holy Spirit who brings this about This is an incredible power within us It is not about our performance but His Our sole obligation is to walk in the Spirit

To live in dependence upon Him To allow Him to live in and through us He wants to be the sole pilot of your life He does not need back seat drivers

HIS GREATPOWER

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FREEDOM FROM PERFORMANCE

The Old Testament Connection to 2 Cor.4:7 (Judges 7)

Midianite/Amalekite Armyas numerous as locusts

135,000 men (Jud.7:12; 8:10)

Gideon’s Armyoutnumbered

the enemy32,000 then 10,000then 300 (Jud.7:2-8)

Gideon’s Army300 men with trumpetspitchers with torches

(Jud.7:16, 20)

Midianite/Amalekite Army’s defeat

120,000 swordsmen killed, 15,000 lived(Jud.7:21-23; 8:10)

Page 12: In a seminary missions class, Herbert Jackson told how, as a new missionary, he was assigned a car that would not start without a push. So for 2 years.

FREEDOM FROM PERFORMANCE

The Old Testament Connection to 2 Cor.4:7 (Judges 7)

This is the type of lamp used in ancient times. It was a clay vessel containing oil and usually a wick. It would seem that in the account of Gideon these were rather large pitchers filled with oil or with a separate torch inside. When the pitcher was broken the oil would flame brilliantly and be seen by the enemy surrounding the camp. The trumpets were a summons to war.

Significance:The flaming fire inside the pitchers is a picture of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:3)We are the clay vessels containing the fire of the Holy SpiritWhen we are broken the Holy Spirit is then able to shine forthIt is the power of the Holy Spirit unleashed that defeats the enemyDon’t continue to struggle to push your car – make the connection

Page 13: In a seminary missions class, Herbert Jackson told how, as a new missionary, he was assigned a car that would not start without a push. So for 2 years.