Vintage Grace's Podcast

Paul wants us to know that ALL circumstances work for our good. What a promise. The challenge is to believe this in the middle of the ‘Grap’. Paul tells us: suffering is God’s plan for now, there are better days (eternity) ahead, the Holy Spirit helps us in our suffering, giving us a firm foundation of faith. 
Perhaps the most accurate appraisal of our faith is when we are suffering. Do we actually trust that each and every circumstance will be used for our good? 

Vintage: a church where everyone was growing in their ability to believe this extraordinary promise of God.

We do not groan alone in the gap- Creation groans comparing its current curse to the glory of its future freedom
Our hope in the gap- We groan comparing our present selves to the glory of our future sonship
Our Help in the Gap- The Holy Spirit groans for us & His compassion has no comparison

As those who treasure Jesus, the Holy Spirit plays an essential, life-transforming role in our lives. The Holy Spirit moves to convert us into children of God, then as children of God the Holy Spirit continues to provide us with spectacular ongoing power and benefits.

We all have a choice to make- live by the flesh or live by the Spirit.

Paul states that ALL believers IN CHRIST experience no condemnation for eternity (future) & the present reality!  We no longer struggle with trying to abide by the law, living under sin & death—law has been fulfilled in Christ; but rather we walk in a newness of life: freedom in the Spirit.  This is good, good news for our present reality & our future in eternity!

1. What are you holding onto as confidence & certainty of your salvation (power to save)?
2. Prayer life changes & includes active repentance because of a growing awareness of sin.
3. Holy Spirit activates & empowers garden (Imago Dei) living living = new humanity & new affections.
4. Communion “Thanks be to GOD!”

Paul wants to make clear that the law is NOT evil rather it is a gift from God that makes us aware of the evil in our hearts.  Not only that, but the law actually activates the rebellion in our spirit to resist God as a good Father.  The law was a gift from Him to protect and provide true and eternal intimacy for his children.

Paul tells his audience that they are not just dead to sin and the old self, they are also dead to the law.

We need to know that God wants something for us more than he wants something from us.

Paul wants you to experience being set free.  He doesn’t want you to be set free for just a moment, but wants you to be set free forever.  Forever freedom comes from receiving the free gift of grace offered to you in Christ.

In God's great wisdom, He always knew what his children were worth & was always willing to pay the price. This Easter may we remember that God willingly sent & crushed His Son to redeem us, but death could not hold Him–He has overcome the grave to heal the sick & give us all Living Hope!