Pastor Taylor is a native of Pine Bluff and a graduate of Pine Bluff High School. He attended Ouachita Baptist University and received his B.A. in 1967. He did graduate Work at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary in Mill Valley, California. He received his Master of Divinity degree from there in 1970 and the Doctor of Ministry degree in 1980. While attending Seminary, Pastor Taylor served as a Student Chaplain at San Quentin State Prison for two years. He has served as Pastor in Arkansas, Chicago and the San Francisco Bay area. Pastor Taylor and his wife JoAnne have two grown children and twelve grandchildren.
The seventh chapter of Romans opens with the words “No condemnation” and closes with the words “No separation.” And in between we are told that “all things work together for good to those that love God.” This chapter introduces us to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. 19 times in this chapter the word Holy Spirit is found. Prior to this chapter there have been only two references to the Holy Spirit; 5:5 and 7:6. Many people, Christians included, are unclear on just who the Holy Spirit is, how He works, and just what place He has in their life. What is the role of the Holy Spirit in my life? If I am truly Holy Spirit filled will there be signs and wonders, miracles and tongues? This is what some people believe but is it correct thinking? Reading Romans 7 we see that the work of the Holy Spirit is internal rather than external. As he works on the inside there will be changes on the outside. His work begins in our mind; redirecting how we think. Because how we think determines how we live. In salvation we receive a new life but not a new mind. The new birth is similar to the old birth. A baby must learn how to live in his new environment. He must learn to walk, talk, make choices and obey. Our New Birth is Supernatural…but our growth is more natural. But…we have the help of the indwelling Holy Spirit. So, the first step is to confront the way we “think” about the new life. This is what Jesus did with His disciples. Before He ever dealt with the issue of their behavior He challenged their incorrect thinking. He corrected their views on children, money, ambition and religion. He always began by challenging the way they thought at the deepest level of their attitude. Paul did the same thing. He wrote to the Corinthian church because there were believers who were thinking like the world. He called them “carnal.” Those who are familiar with the book of Corinthians know that Paul does not question their salvation. He questioned their way of thinking. It was “carnal” and not spiritual. We must learn that the Spirit first addresses our mind and our attitudes. The emphasis is not so much on what we are thinking, but on how we are thinking. To have a Spirit controlled mind we must be in the Word of God. Our conclusions, decisions must be based on Biblical content. Once the mind is Spirit controlled the choices we make will lead us in a different way. And because we are Spirit controlled we will have the power to carry out our actions (Romans 7:11) The same Holy Spirit that “raised Jesus from the dead” dwells in us. He, the Holy Spirit will lead us (Romans 7:14) “For as many as are led…by the Holy Spirit.” Notice that word LED. How do you interpret that? How do you understand the “leading of God”? I have often heard people say “God led me to do this or that.” But later it turns our different from what they thought and said. It would seem that God wasn’t leading or if He was, he wasn’t sure in the leading. Lead here is used as a technical term, not a general one. It points to a progression to be found in vv.14-17 of Romans 7. We are “led” from being children adopted into the family of God to becoming heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. Go back to v.13 here in Romans 7 and look at all the “ifs” in this section. There are a number of them. The idea of leadership by the Holy Spirit is dependent upon our putting to death the things of the flesh. We are taken to the cross in order that we might crucify the old man so that the new man can grow and mature. Being “led” refers to an ongoing process of dealing with our selfishness and desire to control life. But this leading is gentle. The Holy Spirit does not force Himself on us. He brings us up to the full measure of our life in Christ; or if you will, He matures us. Since we are heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus something is coming to us…Our Inheritance. But unless we are” mature” we will never fully appreciate our inheritance. God wants to take us from being a child of the king…to maturity in Christ…So that…we might enjoy all our inheritance. So…Let’s grow…by being LED by God’s Holy Spirit.