Agape isn’t born out of emotions, feelings, familiarity, or attraction, but from the will and as a choice. Agape requires faithfulness, commitment, and sacrifice without expecting anything in return.

1 John 4:7-8

John 3:16

John 15:12-14

John 15:9-11

1 John 4:19

John 15:12-17

Do you ever quantify God’s love based on your circumstances rather than the cross?

Romans 8:38-39

Is there any situation in your life right now that is causing you to question the love of God?

Isaiah 43 God is doing a new thing

God’s plan is greater.

John 16:5-7

Romans 8:9-11

We have the power to live in freedom.

We have the power of discernment.

1 John 4:4

We have the power to be confident in our salvation.

1 John 5:12-13

Response:

Have you accepted a less than life in this season? Are you just surviving?

Have you chosen the greater than life that God is preparing for you? What do you need to do to grab onto that? What lie can you exchange for God’s truth?

How will you “go”? How will you use the power inside of you to move the Kingdom of Heaven here on Earth?

Hebrews 11:1, 2, 13-16; John 14:27

I’ll have peace when:

I can prove my worth

Others are doing worse than me - engaging with toxic people

I get it all together

I find happiness

I avoid anything that’s uncomfortable

I impress the right people

Someone else finally admits how wrong they are or were

I finally get _________

Gods Greater than Peace:

IS A PERSON - Ephesians 2:14

IS PURSUED - Hebrews 12:14

GUIDES US - Philippians 4:7

GROWS - Galatians 5:22; 2 Peter 1:2

IS A PROMISE - Isaiah 54:10

Romans 8:31-39

What is “more than conquerors?”

“hypernikomen” is used only once in the Bible and means “over and above victory.”

How are we more than conquerors? It’s only through Christ who loved us.

Why do we often “feel” separated or distanced from God?

1. Are you trapped?

Hebrews 12:1

2. Are you distracted?

Colossians 2:8

Colossians 3:1-2

3. Are you literally separated?

Isaiah 59:2

Ephesians 2:12-13

Phillipians 4:8

Titus 3:3-7

Romans 8:26-27

John 16:7

When we pray, the Spirit can interpret our needs and our desires without our words.

The Holy Spirit guides the direction of our prayers.

God will NEVER love you less.

Romans 8:29-30

1. For whom He foreknew...

2. He predestined us to be like His Son, Jesus.

3. He called us to do good works for His Kingdom.

4. He justified us through the sacrifice of Jesus.

5. He glorified us.

Romans 8:28

Phil 1:6

Discussion:

Do I surrender control of my prayers to the Holy Spirit?

Am I allowing God access to the anxious cries of my soul?

Do I believe that God will never love me less?

Do I allow myself to rest in being known by the creator of the universe?

As God’s Children:

We are led by the Spirit V. 14;

He leads us to know Jesus better Ephesians 1:17

He helps us understand the resources we have available to us - 1 Corinthians 2:9, 10

He leads us into truth and by implication to help us see what isn't true - John 16; 13, 14

We have been adopted by a Good Father V. 15; Galatians 4:7 The Message

We are now heirs VS 16, 17; 1 Peter 1:3, 4; Revelation 21:3

We share in His suffering VS 16, 17

We suffer because of the sacrifice that is required on our part to be the people of God and to extend the kingdom of God.

We suffer because we are identified with Christ.

We suffer because we see the destruction and despair in a sin-ravaged world.

We know suffering with Him is never meaningless Romans 5:3–5

The Transforming Work of the Spirit

Romans 8:5-17

The Flesh Versus The Spirit

Flesh: the fallen, unredeemed, human nature. A sinful and selfish state of mind

1. The mind set on the flesh

· leads to death V. 6

· is hostile to God and God’s truth VS. 7, 8

· cannot please God V. 9

2. The mind set on the Spirit

Is focused on what the Spirit desires V 5

Has life and peace V 6

Lives in the Realm of The Holy Spirit V. 9

Foundation of Truth - John 14:16, 17

Full Life - Galatians 6:8, 9

Sanctification – Galatians 5:16-25

Family/community - Romans 8:16, 17

Alignment - Romans 8:26, 27

Supernatural ministry - 1 Corinthians 12:4-7

Prepared for future - John 16:13

Romans 8:1-4

The Good News About The Good News

We Live in Confidence instead of Condemnation V. 8

Observations:

We feel condemned because Satan uses past guilt and present failures to make us question what Christ has done for us. There is now no condemnation because the Holy Spirit redemptively corrects us to help us grow (sanctification). The evil one condemns us in an attempt to cause distance and doubt between us and God and other believers.

We were condemned – past tense.

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

You can’t condemn people who are in Christ Jesus because Christ is not condemned.

We Live in Freedom Instead of Bondage VS 2, 3

The Result is our Sanctification V. 4

Are you living liberated? There is another law that is at work in us, setting us free! Romans 8- There is no condemnation... because you have been set free! Have you been in a spiritual battle this week? Repent, come to the table, receive grace and a fresh filling from the Holy Spirit.

Rules based vs grace based living. Rules based Christianity often leads to comparison, judgement, and robs us of joy and peace. If we live under grace, we find that God is our ally, He is on our side and gives us power and wisdom. Galatians 4:4-7.