26-0607sc - Detailed Summary

Steve opens the class with a prayer, thanking God for the privilege of approaching Him, experiencing grace and mercy through Christ who reconciled humanity and dealt with sins, allowing believers to be counted among the righteous. He asks for blessings on the study, understanding, insight, and the presence of the Holy Spirit as they consider Paul’s inspired words. The prayer closes in Jesus' name. Amen.

The lesson introduces a role of the Holy Spirit that is seldom discussed: the gift of the Holy Spirit dwelling in believers. Steve notes that during his upbringing, this subject was often avoided due to Pentecostal teachings on speaking in tongues and spiritual gifts. This avoidance continues today, as seen with a young preacher at Toledo Road in Lorain influenced by school preaching on the Holy Spirit. Steve chooses not to shy away from the topic despite its controversial nature.

Paul highlights that the Holy Spirit dwells in believers and fulfills His responsibilities. Steve references John 16, where Jesus, preparing to ascend, assures His disciples they will not be left without help. Jesus is their leader providing all answers about relating to, worshiping, and pleasing God, along with comfort. The disciples worry about His departure, similar to Israelites asking Moses in Deuteronomy 18 about leadership succession. Steve connects this to Jesus fulfilling that prophecy and the Mount of Transfiguration scene where the baton passes from Moses and Elijah to Jesus, with God declaring to hear Him.

Steve reads from John 16:5-15. Jesus explains it is to their advantage that He leaves, as only then will the Helper (Comforter, Holy Spirit) come. The Spirit will convict the world of sin (because they do not believe in Jesus), righteousness (because Jesus goes to the Father), and judgment (because the ruler of this world is judged). The Spirit of Truth will guide into all truth, speak what He hears, disclose what is to come, glorify Jesus by taking from what is His and disclosing it. All things the Father has are Jesus'. Jesus mentions seeing Him for a little while then no longer.

Believers know the Holy Spirit has come per Acts 2. Steve summarizes the events: on Pentecost, the disciples in one place experience violent rushing wind from heaven filling the house, tongues like fire resting on each, all filled with the Holy Spirit and speaking in different tongues as enabled. This confirms Jesus is in heaven, having sent the promised Comforter. His departure enabled this blessing.

Peter’s convicting sermon leads the crowd to realize they crucified the Christ and fear God’s wrath, asking "What shall we do?" Peter instructs them to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness of sins, receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. Steve notes that baptisms include invocation in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit so recipients may receive this gift. The Holy Spirit comes to indwell the individual upon baptism.

The Holy Spirit indwells believers for a specific purpose and assignment. Steve hopes he is not misunderstood when discussing the Holy Spirit. Paul addresses Christians in Rome, showing how they should conduct themselves, relying on the indwelling Holy Spirit rather than being alone. They walk in the Spirit. Steve and others like Jim, Scott, and Mike rely on the Holy Spirit for messages, accuracy, and inspiration-even working on their minds during sleep, as Steve believes, where solutions often come after resting.

Steve begins reading Romans 8 for context. Key points: No condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. The law of the Spirit of life in Christ sets free from the law of sin and death. What the Law could not do (weak through flesh), God accomplished by sending His Son in likeness of sinful flesh as offering, condemning sin in the flesh so the Law’s requirement is fulfilled in those walking according to the Spirit, not flesh. Those according to flesh mind fleshly things (leading to death); those according to the Spirit mind spiritual things (life and peace). Fleshly mind is hostile to God, cannot submit to His law or please Him. Believers are not in the flesh but in the Spirit (capital S indicating Holy Spirit per translators). Steve discusses translation notes, capital S usage, and the importance of considering how translators interpret Greek.

Steve connects back to John 16 where Jesus described the Holy Spirit convicting the world of sin. The Holy Spirit performs this work, often using believers as instruments, but the ultimate job of conviction belongs to God through the Spirit. The Spirit helps people realize they are out of step with God, not in harmony with Him, and teaches what true righteousness is.

Continuing in Romans 8:9, if the Spirit of God dwells in you, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit; without the Spirit of Christ, one does not belong to Him. If Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is alive because of righteousness. The Spirit of Him who raised Jesus will give life to mortal bodies through His indwelling Spirit. Steve emphasizes this refers to physical resurrection. Referencing 1 Corinthians 15, our sown body will be raised as one designed for heaven, transfigured into the likeness of Jesus' heavenly body. Those destined for hell will be in a body suited for heaven, making it profoundly out of place. He invites comments on this resurrection hope.

Believers are under obligation not to the flesh but to live by the Spirit. Living according to the flesh leads to death, but by the Spirit putting to death the deeds of the body, one will live. Steve references Colossians for examples of fleshly deeds believers once practiced; instead, they pursue deeds of the Spirit. All who are led by the Spirit of God are sons and daughters of God. He encourages prayer that they are indeed being led by the Holy Spirit, as without it there is no help.

Believers have not received a spirit of slavery to fear but a spirit of adoption as sons (and daughters, an inserted word in italics). By this they cry "Abba, Father!" The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him to be glorified with Him. Steve highlights the Holy Spirit’s purpose in indwelling: He searches minds, validates Christian identity, righteousness, and efforts to live according to God’s Word and ways.

In Romans 8:18-25, present sufferings are not worthy to be compared with the glory to be revealed. Creation eagerly awaits the revealing of the sons and daughters of God. It was subjected to futility, not willingly, but in hope of being set free from corruption into the freedom of the glory of God’s children. The whole creation groans in pains of childbirth until now. Believers, having the firstfruits of the Spirit, also groan within, eagerly awaiting adoption and the redemption of the body. Hope that is seen is not hope; through perseverance they wait eagerly for what they do not see. Note "daughters" is again inserted.

Steve explains believers often do not know how to pray properly or in "God’s language," but the indwelling Holy Spirit knows their concerns, searches mind and soul, and intercedes with groanings too deep for words, accurately presenting them according to God’s will. This mirrors Jesus' intercession at God’s right hand, defending believers. Even with mistakes, if walking in the light, Christ’s blood cleanses. God sees "nothing but the blood of Christ" for the baptized. The Holy Spirit guides and provides strength. Steve notes it is comforting that both the Holy Spirit and Christ intercede.

The chapter discusses hope: not wishful thinking but confident assurance placed entirely in Jesus, as in the song "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness." For Abraham, circumcision was a mark of righteousness; for believers, the Holy Spirit at baptism is the mark, given as a down payment, earnest, and guarantee of inheritance (Ephesians). The Spirit attests to faithful walking as disciples and children of God. As long as walking in the light, Christ’s blood continues cleansing. This provides blessed assurance.

Returning to verse 26, the Spirit helps weaknesses in prayer, interceding with groanings too deep for words. God, who searches hearts, knows the Spirit’s mind and intercedes for saints according to His will. God causes all things to work together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Those foreknown are predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son (firstborn among many brothers and sisters), called, justified, and glorified. Steve calls this beautiful and notes Paul sums up the chapter powerfully.

Paul asks, "What then shall we say to these things?" If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son but delivered Him up for us all will freely give us all things. No one can bring charges against God’s elect, as God justifies. Who condemns? Not Christ who died, was raised, and intercedes. Nothing — tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, sword, death, life, angels, principalities, present or future things, powers, height, depth, or any created thing — can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Steve stresses believers are their own worst enemies through self-doubt and self-condemnation. Since God, Christ, and the Spirit do not condemn, believers must not condemn themselves. They have overwhelming victory through Him who loved them. The class ran over time but started late. Steve thanks everyone for their attention.