Empowered - Five Words That Can Change Your Life | Romans 8:5-14

This sermon, "Empowered," from Romans 8:5-14 emphasizes that all believers are empowered by the Holy Spirit, not just a select few. This empowerment was promised by Jesus in Acts 1:8, and 1 Corinthians 12:11 confirms that all followers of Christ are empowered by the same Spirit.

The sermon outlines three realities concerning the Holy Spirit:

Not Having the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:5-8):

Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on worldly things, which leads to spiritual death (Romans 8:5-6).

A mind set on the flesh is hostile to God and cannot submit to His law or please Him (Romans 8:7-8).

This state indicates a lack of belonging to Christ, as anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Him (Romans 8:9).

Having the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9-11):

Believers are not "in the flesh" but "in the Spirit" because the Spirit of God dwells within them (Romans 8:9).

The Spirit gives spiritual life, even though our bodies are subject to death because of sin (Romans 8:10).

The same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead also gives resurrection power to believers, enabling the renewal of minds and overruling of bodily desires (Romans 8:11).

The Holy Spirit Has You (Romans 8:12-14):

Christians are no longer obligated to live according to the flesh (Romans 8:12).

Living by the Spirit means depending on Him daily (Romans 8:13), walking in obedience to His leading (Romans 8:12), and actively defeating the deeds of the body through His power (Romans 8:13).

All who are led by the Spirit of God are truly His children (Romans 8:14).

To live empowered by the Holy Spirit, evangelical Christians are called to:

Surrender every aspect of life to the Holy Spirit.

Spend daily time in prayer and Scripture.

Ask God for strength to overcome specific sins.

Consciously live in dependence on the Spirit.