Holiness, Godliness, Usefulness
06/29/2014, by John Kincaid
Lesson 282: His Power Not Willpower
Power over sin isn’t a matter of willpower, or convincing yourself with pep talk to be confident.
The changes in the heart of a sinner would be impossible without supernatural power.
Paul uses the phrase “by the Spirit” as equivalent to “by faith”. Gal.3:3, 5:5,16,18,25
The indwelling Holy Spirit gives us new desires and new character.
Gal.5:16-17, 22-23 walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do… the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control
Because of the Holy Spirit, I am able to change, no longer tangled up in my sin.
We don’t have to commit the same sins tomorrow. Change is possible. God is always with us, always at work in us. This is great hope and encouragement! His grace is sufficient for us. 2 Cor.12:9
About This Series
The goal of this series is to become more useful in serving the Lord Jesus Christ, as an instrument in the Redeemer's hand. The theme verses for the series are Ephesians 4:22-24, Philemon 11, 2 Timothy 2:21
- to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,
- and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
- Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.
- Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.
