1. @theWell 7 January 2018
Led by the Spirit of God

2. LED BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD
Have you told the story of your coming to faith?
The front story and the back story

3. Revelation 12
Revelation 12 Then I witnessed in heaven an event of great significance. I saw a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon beneath her feet, and a crown of twelve stars on her head. 2 She was pregnant, and she cried out because of her labor pains and the agony of giving birth. 3 Then I witnessed in heaven another significant event. I saw a large red dragon with seven heads and ten horns, with seven crowns on his heads. 4 … He stood in front of the woman as she was about to give birth, ready to devour her baby as soon as it was born. 5 She gave birth to a son who was to rule all nations with an iron rod. And her child was snatched away from the dragon and was caught up to God and to his throne. 6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where God had prepared a place to care for her for 1,260 days. 7 Then there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and his angels. 8 And the dragon lost the battle, and he and his angels were forced out of heaven. 9 This great dragon—the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world—was thrown down to the earth with all his angels.

4. Have you told the story of your coming to faith?
The front story and the back story
The backstory is more intriguing than the front story

5. Have you told the story of your coming to faith?
The front story and the back story
The backstory is more intriguing than the front story
The backstory is important for your spiritual victory

6. God’s backstory warning to Cain
You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.” (Genesis 4:7, NLT)

7. The backstory of your faith in Jesus Christ
How the Holy Spirit of God led you to your New Birth
How the Holy Spirit of God continues to lead you in your New Life

8. I. You are led by the Spirit of God into your New Birth
John 3 5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.

9. John 3 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

10. Two helpful terms
Prevenient grace
Effectual calling

11. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. (Romans 8:7)

12. The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:14, ESV)

13. John 6 44 “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.

14. John 6 61 Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? 62 Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before!

15. John 6 65 He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.”

16. Four things happen to me when I understand the backstory:
It keeps me humble
It keeps me grateful
It keeps me strong
It keeps me hopeful (for others)

17. When you are clear that you are led by the Spirit of God to faith in Jesus, you become grateful, humble, strong, and hopeful.

18. When we arrive, we have just begun.

19. II. You are Led by the Spirit of God into a New Life
This passage is about living the Spirit led life
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. … 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

20. II. You are Led by the Spirit of God into a New Life
… 19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: … 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is … 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

21. The issue in Galatians was circumcision
The meaning of “flesh”

22. Meaning of “flesh”
The Pauline teaching, the flesh (sarx) is most commonly used as a sphere of influence that is opposed to the Spirit.
Flesh ≠ Body

23. Meaning of “flesh”
Body and Soul/Spirit will be redeemed. Flesh will be destroyed
The Body is not contrary to the Spirit | The Flesh is contrary to the Spirit.

24. … is free from the law of legalism to the law of love
13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

25. … is free from the law of legalism to the law of love
Freedom from the law (circumcision) does not mean lawlessness, but the law of love, without which you will rip each other apart

26. … dying to the flesh and living in the Spirit
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

27. … dying to the flesh and living in the Spirit
The direct reference to “flesh” here refers to circumcision. Spiritual pride is part of the flesh.

28. … does not conform to the acts of the flesh
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

29. Acts of the flesh sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;
idolatry and witchcraft;
hatred,
discord,
jealousy,
fits of rage,

30. Acts of the flesh selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy;
drunkenness,
orgies,
and the like.

31. 4. … develops the fruit of the Spirit
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

32. 4. … develops the fruit of the Spirit
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

33. Fruit of the Spirit
love,
joy,
peace,
forbearance,
kindness,

34. Fruit of the Spirit goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and
self-control

35. Acts of the flesh vs Fruit of the Spirit

36. Led by the Spirit
To Faith
To Life

37. Led by the Spirit of God and the Spirit of the Word of God