What is Leading You?
Logan Felty – October 20, 2024
Listen to the Message
Romans 8:12-17
12 So then, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation, but it isn’t an obligation to ourselves to live our lives on the basis of selfishness. 13 If you live on the basis of selfishness, you are going to die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the actions of the body, you will live. 14 All who are led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons and daughters. 15 You didn’t receive a spirit of slavery to lead you back again into fear, but you received a Spirit that shows you are adopted as his children. With this Spirit, we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The same Spirit agrees with our spirit, that we are God’s children. 17 But if we are children, we are also heirs. We are God’s heirs and fellow heirs with Christ, if we really suffer with him so that we can also be glorified with him.
Galatians 5:16-26
16 I say be guided by the Spirit and you won’t carry out your selfish desires. 17 A person’s selfish desires are set against the Spirit, and the Spirit is set against one’s selfish desires. They are opposed to each other, so you shouldn’t do whatever you want to do. 18 But if you are being led by the Spirit, you aren’t under the Law. 19 The actions that are produced by selfish motives are obvious, since they include sexual immorality, moral corruption, doing whatever feels good, 20 idolatry, drug use and casting spells, hate, fighting, obsession, losing your temper, competitive opposition, conflict, selfishness, group rivalry, 21 jealousy, drunkenness, partying, and other things like that. I warn you as I have already warned you, that those who do these kinds of things won’t inherit God’s kingdom. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against things like this. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the self with its passions and its desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let’s follow the Spirit. 26 Let’s not become arrogant, make each other angry, or be jealous of each other.
What is Leading You?
Romans 8:12-17 / Galatians 5:16-26
Summary: Be honest with yourself for a moment. Is your soul truly satisfied? People often turn to the world for fulfillment, but it leaves them empty every single time. As Christians, there’s a constant battle between the Spirit of God and the desires of our flesh. This conflict results in your life being led by one or the other. The flesh will lead you to disconnection from God, but the Spirit will lead you to profound joy and satisfaction. As you submit to the Spirit’s lead, adopt a “rule of life” (spiritual disciplines) to guide your walk with the Lord.
Other References: Genesis 2:24; Matthew 11:28-30
Quote by John Wesley: Spiritual practices don’t earn grace; they help us receive it and take it deeply into our hearts and minds, bodies and souls.
Quote by Dr. Siang-Yang Tan: The traditional spiritual disciplines covered so far can be helpful in our growth into deeper Christlikeness. However, they can also be potentially dangerous if they are used in a legalistic, performance-based way by self-effort. They can actually harm our spiritual lives if our practice of them leads to self-sufficiency, self-righteousness, spiritual pride, and arrogance in our lives and ministries.
Quote by Holly & Glenn Packiam: The difference between legalism and spiritual disciplines is not the work or energy involved; it’s the motivation.
Resources (Welcome Center): Rule of Life Template
