This Means War

Passage

Romans 8:1-17

Sermon Summary

Romans 8 shows us that people have one of two core identities, which produce two different processes (or battles), which lead to two different outcomes. All people are naturally "in the flesh," but Christians alone are "in the Spirit." Both identities create a war within. A Christian joins the Spirit in waging war against the flesh, while a non-Christian battles unstable and competing identities within. Each of these battles has a dramatically different outcome: Those in the Spirit will ultimately defeat the flesh and live forever with Christ, whereas those in the flesh will die and be separated from Christ.

Discussion Questions (choose any—you don't have to answer them all!)

1. What stood out or stuck with you from the sermon?
2. Why is it important to understand the "flesh" as the "sinful nature," rather than our bodies?
3. Have you benefited from "secular" wisdom like Atomic Habits to work change in your life? What helped? What limits did it have?
4. Read Romans 7:7-25. Can you relate to Paul's experience with the "flesh"? How? Be specific.
5. Romans 8 lists numerous benefits of being a Christian "in the Spirit." Name as many of them as you can. Which are most precious to you—and why?
6. How can you tell when you are trying to fight your flesh with fleshly resources instead of the Spirit? What are the signs?

Prayer Prompts

• Thank you, Father, for __________
• Forgive me, Jesus, for __________
• Empower me, Holy Spirit, to ___________

Resources Consulted

• Africa Bible Commentary, ed. Tokunboh Adeyemo
• The Message of Romans, John Stott
• Romans for Everyone, NT Wright
• True to Our Native Land, ed. Bryan K. Blount
• The New Testament in Color, ed. Esau McCauley
• The Holy Spirit, Sinclair Ferguson
• Into the Heart of Romans, NT Wright
• The Mortification of Sin, John Owen
• Knowing God, JI Packer
• Atomic Habits, James Clear‍
• How AI Deepens Our Identity Crisis (article), Michael Keller‍
• The Absurdity of Autonomy (article), Joshua Chatrow