1. Xenos Christian Fellowship “Offering Freedom through the Love of Christ” Romans 8 “Practical Lessons in Spiritual Growth” Keith McCallum Sunday, February 15, 1998

2. The Goal of Spiritual Growth: n Romans 8:29 For from the very beginning God decided that those who came to him...should become like his Son... (LB)

3. It All Begins with Knowing (Rom.6) You were Dead… You were made alive… “Weapons of Sin” SLAVES Position Condition “Weapons” of God “ SLAVES ” CHOICE

4. Focus, Focus, Focus! n Romans 8:4 …in order that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. n v.5 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, set their minds on the things of the Spirit.

5.  x (flesh) vs.  (spirit) Mind on things of  x SLAVES You were   x You are  Position Mind on things of  “ SLAVES ” CHOICE Condition

6. Mind Set on Things of the Spirit… n God’s Word n Fellowship with God’s People n Prayer n More…

7.  x (flesh) vs.  (spirit) n Rom. 6-7 Sin vs. Christ Focus n Rom. 7-8 Law vs. Grace Focus n Rom. 13 Self vs. Others Focus (soon) Rom. 12  s vs. BOC Focus (soon)

8. You #1 Spiritual Growth: God’s Process Christ IN You

9. Spiritual Growth Part #2: You in Christ… n John 15:4 "Abide in Me, as I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” (or, “remain with me” -NIV) Christ You Randy Indre

10. Abiding in Christ: a natural conclusion! You were Alone Christ is now in You Position Remain Alone Remain with Christ. Choice CHOICE Condition Others See This

11. You Condition You Position Christ IN You

12. How God Will Accomplish It? n Romans 8:12-13 So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh-- for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die… n... but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

13. “Putting To Death… “ 2 Cor. 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves; Christ IN You You

14. God Reveals the Inner Man: n 2 Cor. 4:8-10 we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; n always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.

15. The Process: Breaking the Flesh Younger ChristianOlder Christian

16. Continues for a Lifetime! n Romans 8:23 And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.

17. Our Part? “if, by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live…” n Active Cooperation. n Reject Illegitimate Pain Killers. n Hold eternal values: ä Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

18. Condition You Position Christ IN You

19. Conclusion: Romans 8:28-29 n And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. [29] For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren;