The Spirit of the Law (Outlawed #5)
If the New Testament says we’re no longer under the law but under grace, does that mean we’re free to live however we want?
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Q. & A.
1. What is the main point of the sermon "Outlawed 5 - The Spirit of the Law?"
The sermon explores the apparent tension between law and grace in the New Testament. It argues that while the Old Testament law is good and holy, it was never meant to save us. Instead, the law serves as a diagnosis of our sin, revealing our need for a savior. Jesus fulfills the law, offering freedom from sin and death through the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to live righteously.
2. How does the sermon explain verses like John 1:17, which seem to contrast law and grace?
The sermon cautions against interpreting these verses as suggesting the law is bad. John 1:17, for instance, highlights that while the law came through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus. This doesn't mean the law is opposed to grace; rather, it emphasizes that Jesus offers a fulfillment of the law, providing a path to true righteousness through his grace.
3. What analogy does Paul use in Romans 7 to explain our relationship to the law?
Paul uses the analogy of marriage. He explains that a married woman is bound to her husband by law until his death. Similarly, we were bound to the law until we died to our old selves in Christ. This death frees us from the law's condemnation and allows us to enter a new relationship with the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to live righteously.
4. According to the sermon, what is the purpose of the Old Testament law?
The sermon emphasizes that the law's purpose is not salvation but diagnosis. Like a medical scan that reveals a health problem but cannot cure it, the law accurately identifies sin in our lives, showing our need for a savior. It reveals God's standard of righteousness, which we are unable to achieve on our own.
5. If we are no longer under the law, does that mean we can live however we want?
No. The sermon stresses that freedom from the law is not freedom to sin. Rather, it is freedom to live in accordance with the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to live righteously. This freedom is not for selfish indulgence but for loving service to God and others.
6. How does the sermon define the role of the Holy Spirit in the Christian life?
The sermon portrays the Holy Spirit as the key to holy living. He is the "sanctifying Spirit," setting us apart for God and empowering us to live according to his will. He guides our decisions, renews our minds through God's Word, prompts us to act righteously, and ultimately transforms us into the image of Christ.
7. What are some practical ways the sermon suggests for walking in step with the Holy Spirit?
The sermon suggests three practical steps:
1. Surrender control daily: Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your decisions, thoughts, and actions.
2. Renew your mind with God's truth: Spend time reading and meditating on Scripture, allowing God's word to shape your thinking.
3. Follow the Spirit's leading: Pay attention to the Holy Spirit's whispers and nudges, responding promptly to his guidance.
8. What is the ultimate message of hope offered in the sermon?
The sermon ultimately offers hope through Jesus Christ and the empowering work of the Holy Spirit. Jesus provides freedom from sin and death, while the Holy Spirit empowers us to live righteously, fulfilling the heart of the law through love. This new life in the Spirit is available to all who accept Jesus as their savior.
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Connection Group Conversation Guide
Get-to-Know-You Question: Share your name with the group and answer this question: Do you have any “Christmas rules” or traditions you always follow? What are they?
Review: Last Sunday's message focused on Paul’s explanation in Romans 7–8 about the relationship between the Old Testament Law and grace. The Law, while good and holy, serves as a diagnostic tool for sin but was never intended to save anyone. Jesus provides freedom from the Law—not to live lawlessly, but to live in step with the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is essential to living a holy life, enabling believers to fulfill the heart of the Law.
Read: Have someone read Romans 7:1–6 aloud.
Discuss: What does Paul mean when he says we are freed from the Law but now belong to another (the Spirit)? What stands out to you in his analogy about marriage and the Law?
Discuss: Can you think of a personal example where being told “don’t” made you want to do something even more? How does this illustrate Paul’s point about the Law exposing sin?
Discuss: Scholar Roy E. Gane compares complaining about the Law’s inability to save us to complaining that the Surgeon General’s warning on cigarette packs doesn’t cure lung cancer. How does this change the way you view God’s rules and their purpose?
Discuss: One of the applications in the message was about walking in the Spirit—listening to His whispers and obeying His nudges. Did you sense the Holy Spirit speaking to you or nudging you this week? If so, what happened, and how did you respond?
Discuss: Walking by the Spirit involves surrendering control and renewing our minds. What is one practical step you can take this week to surrender more control to the Holy Spirit?
Pray: Share prayer requests and close in prayer. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide each person in understanding and living out the heart of the Law through His power. Pray specifically for sensitivity to His guidance and strength to follow His leading.
Message Listening Guide
Guiding Question: If the New Testament says we’re no longer under the law but under grace, does that mean we’re free to live however we want?
The Spirt of the Law — according to Paul (Romans 7:1-8:11)
Our union with Jesus frees us from the law, which was our old covenant partner, so that we can belong to a new partner: the Spirit (7:1-6).
The law is good because it reveals sin accurately, like a diagnosis; but it cannot cure the problem it exposes (7:7-13).
The problem is not with the law, which is spiritual and good, but with sinful flesh that corrupts our hearts and minds (7:14-25).
The cure to the problem the law diagnosed is union with Christ, whose Spirit sets us free and empowers us to live out God’s righteousness (8:1-4).
The key to fulfilling the heart of the law is living according to the Spirit, whose power transforms us and gives us life (8:5-11).
The Point: The Holy Spirit is the key to living a holy life.
Application: Walk in step with the Spirit
1. Surrender Control Daily: Living by the Spirit begins with acknowledging that we cannot live holy lives on our own. Surrendering control means asking the Holy Spirit to guide your decisions, thoughts, and actions each day.
2. Renew Your Mind with God’s Truths: The Spirit transforms us by changing how we think. Filling your mind with Scripture helps align your desires and attitudes with God’s will.
3. Follow the Spirit’s Leading: The Holy Spirit leads believers toward decisions and actions that reflect God’s will. Listening to His voice requires attentiveness and trust.