Romans 8: The New Man:A New Life In The Spirit.

todays sermon is titled Romans 8: The New Man:A New Life In The Spirit.

Read all of Romans 8.

Recap Last Week.

Romans 7:5-6. 5 For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions aroused through the law were working in us to bear fruit for death.

6 But now we have been released from the law, since we have died to what held us, so that we may serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the old letter of the law.

-Verse 5 depicts pre-Christian experience, describing a time “when we were in the flesh,” and explains that the flesh produced “death.” Verse 6 refers to Christians in four terms: “But now,” “released,” “died” (to our old life), and “Spirit.” Virtually all commentators agree that verse 5 refers to unbelievers and verse 6 to believers.

Romans 7:7–25 unpacks verse 5, and Romans 8:1–17 unpacks verse 6. In verses 7–25 we see how sin via the law brings death to those in the flesh, and in Romans 8:1–17 we see how the Spirit grants life to those who belong to Jesus Christ. Romans 7:5–6 forecasts what Paul is about to say in remarkably clear terms.

SECTION 1:

LETS GO THROUGH ALL OF THIS NOW A SECTION AT A TIME.

Romans 8:1-11 (CSB):This passage is a cornerstone of Christian faith, illuminating the freedom we have in Christ, the transformative work of the Holy Spirit, and the assurance of life and peace that comes from living according to the Spirit.

1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus,

-This powerful opening statement sets the tone for the entire passage. In Christ, we are free from the condemnation of sin. The guilt and penalty of sin have been removed because of Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection.

-This truth is the foundation of our Christian faith and brings immense freedom and peace to our hearts.

We are no longer Condemned. The only condemnation we generally experience is that of our own self condemnation or the enemy. (Expound on this as led)

2 because the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 What the law could not do since it was weakened by the flesh, God did. He condemned sin in the flesh by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh as a sin offering, 4 in order that the law’s requirement would be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

-These explain why there is no condemnation for those in Christ. "The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death."

-The law, weakened by the flesh, could not save us. But God, by sending His Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, condemned sin in the flesh.

-Jesus’ sacrifice fulfilled the righteous requirement of the law for us, enabling us to live according to the Spirit rather than the flesh.

WE HAVE TRUE FREEDOM NOW IN THIS NEW LIFE THROUGH THE SPIRIT. NO LONGER ARE WE SALVES TO SIN.

-Embrace Your Freedom in Christ: Understand and internalize that there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. Live in the freedom and peace that this truth brings, letting go of guilt and shame.

5 For those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit have their minds set on the things of the Spirit. 6 Now the mind-set of the flesh is death, but the mind-set of the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind-set of the flesh is hostile to God because it does not submit to God’s law. Indeed, it is unable to do so. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

-Paul contrasts two mindsets: those of the flesh and those of the Spirit. "For those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit have their minds set on the things of the Spirit."

-The mindset of the flesh leads to death, hostility toward God, and an inability to please Him. In contrast, the mindset of the Spirit leads to life and peace. This distinction challenges us to examine where our minds are set and urges us to live by the Spirit.

Examine Your Mindset: Reflect on where your thoughts and desires are centered. Are they on the flesh or on the Spirit? Ask the Holy Spirit to transform and renew your mind.

Live According to the Spirit: Make a daily, conscious choice to set your mind on the things of the Spirit. This involves immersing yourself in God’s Word, prayer, and seeking to follow the Spirit’s leading in every aspect of your life.

9 You, however, are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to him. 10 Now if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, then he who raised Christ from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through his Spirit who lives in you.

-Paul reassures the believers that they are not in the flesh but in the Spirit if the Spirit of God lives in them. "If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to him." This indwelling of the Spirit is the defining mark of a true believer.

- Even though our bodies are subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. Moreover, the same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead lives in us, promising to give life to our mortal bodies as well.

Rely on the Indwelling Spirit: Recognize the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit within you. Depend on His strength, guidance, and life-giving power in your daily walk.

Hope in the Resurrection: Be encouraged by the promise that the Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies. This hope should inspire us to live with an eternal perspective, knowing that our future is secure in Christ.

Section 2:

-Lets move on to Romans 8:12-17. Which beautifully outlines our identity and inheritance as children of God. This section of Scripture reassures us of our new life in the Spirit, our adoption into God’s family, and the glorious inheritance we have as co-heirs with Christ.

12 So then, brothers and sisters, we are not obligated to the flesh to live according to the flesh, 13 because if you live according to the flesh, you are going to die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

Paul starts by addressing our obligation. As believers, we are no longer bound to live according to the flesh, which leads to death. Instead, we are called to live by the Spirit. This means actively putting to death the deeds of the body. It is a daily, conscious decision to reject sinful behaviors and attitudes and to embrace the life-giving guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Reject the Flesh, Embrace the Spirit: Recognize that you are no longer obligated to live according to the flesh. Make a daily commitment to put to death the deeds of the body and live by the Spirit.

14 For all those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons.

-Being led by the Spirit is a hallmark of our identity as God’s children. It signifies a relationship where we are guided, directed, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. This guidance is not forceful but rather a gentle leading that aligns our hearts and actions with God’s will.

Be Led by the Spirit: Cultivate a sensitivity to the Holy Spirit’s leading in your life. Seek His guidance in your decisions, relationships, and actions.

15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear. Instead, you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!”

-Paul contrasts the spirit of slavery with the Spirit of adoption. The spirit of slavery brings fear, but the Spirit of adoption brings intimacy and assurance. Through the Spirit of adoption, we have a new relationship with God. We can call Him "Abba, Father," a term of deep affection and trust.

-This speaks of a close, personal relationship with God, much like a child’s relationship with a loving parent.

Embrace Your Adoption: Reflect on the profound reality of being adopted into God’s family. Let the intimacy of calling God "Abba, Father" transform your relationship with Him.

16 The Spirit himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children,

-The Holy Spirit assures us of our identity as God's children. This internal testimony of the Spirit provides us with confidence and security. It’s not based on our feelings or circumstances but on the steadfast witness of the Holy Spirit within us.

17 and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

As children of God, we are also heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ. This means we share in both the sufferings and the glory of Christ. The suffering we endure in this life is not in vain; it is part of our journey as co-heirs with Christ, leading to a future glory that far outweighs any present trials.

Rest in Your Identity: Allow the Holy Spirit’s testimony to assure you of your identity as a child of God. Let this assurance bring peace and confidence in your walk with Christ.

Anticipate Your Inheritance: Remember that as heirs with Christ, our present sufferings are part of the journey toward a glorious inheritance. Let this hope sustain you through trials and hardships.

Section 3:

Romans 8:18-30

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us.

-Paul begins by acknowledging the sufferings of this present time but quickly contrasts them with the glory that will be revealed in us. The struggles and pains we face now, though real and often intense, are not worth comparing to the eternal glory awaiting us.

- This perspective provides hope and endurance, reminding us that our present difficulties are temporary and fleeting compared to the everlasting joy that lies ahead.

Embrace Hope in Suffering: Understand that present sufferings are temporary and incomparable to the future glory that awaits us. Let this hope give you strength and perseverance.

19 For the creation eagerly waits with anticipation for God’s sons to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility—not willingly, but because of him who subjected it—in the hope 21 that the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage to decay into the glorious freedom of God’s children. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together with labor pains until now.

-Paul then shifts to the larger scope of creation, which eagerly awaits the revelation of the children of God. Creation itself is depicted as groaning, subjected to futility and decay.

-This imagery of labor pains suggests that creation is in the process of bringing forth something new and glorious. The current state of the world, marred by sin and suffering, is not its final state. There is a future redemption that creation anticipates alongside us.

Recognize Creation’s Groaning: Be aware of the larger cosmic struggle and the anticipation of a renewed creation. Live with the awareness that God’s redemption plan includes not only humanity but all of creation.

23 Not only that, but we ourselves who have the Spirit as the firstfruits—we also groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. 24 Now in this hope we were saved, but hope that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees? 25 Now if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patience.

-Just as creation groans, we too groan inwardly as we await our full adoption and the redemption of our bodies. Though we have received the Holy Spirit as a foretaste of what is to come, we still live in a world where suffering and death are present realities.

-Our hope is in the unseen, and this hope sustains us as we wait with patience for the fulfillment of God's promises.

Wait with Patience: Cultivate a hopeful and patient attitude as you await the fulfillment of God’s promises. Trust in what you do not yet see, knowing that God is faithful.

26 In the same way the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

-In our weakness, when we do not know what to pray for, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings. The Spirit helps us in our limitations, aligning our prayers with God’s will.

-This divine intercession reassures us that even in our moments of confusion and struggle, the Spirit is actively working on our behalf, interceding according to God’s perfect will.

Rely on the Spirit’s Help: Lean on the Holy Spirit in your weakness. When you are uncertain how to pray, trust that the Spirit is interceding for you according to God’s will.

28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; and those he justified, he also glorified.

-Paul concludes this section with a powerful affirmation of God’s sovereign purpose. "We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God (LETS BE CLEAR ABOUT THE WORDING HERE THOSE WHO LOVE GOD), who are called according to his purpose." This verse is a cornerstone of Christian hope, assuring us that God is at work in every aspect of our lives, orchestrating everything for our ultimate good.

- Paul then outlines the golden chain of redemption: those God foreknew, He predestined, called, justified, and glorified. This sequence highlights the certainty and security of our salvation, rooted in God’s eternal plan.

Trust in God’s Sovereign Plan: Rest in the assurance that God is working all things together for your good. Recognize the unbreakable chain of God’s redemptive work in your life, from foreknowledge to glorification.

Section 4:

31 What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us?

-Paul begins with a rhetorical question that sets the tone for the entire passage. Reflecting on the truths previously discussed—our adoption, the Spirit’s intercession, and the assurance of God’s purpose—Paul emphatically states that if God is for us, no opposition can ultimately prevail. This is not a denial of opposition but a declaration of God's supreme power and support in our lives.

Trust in God’s Support: Reflect on the truth that if God is for us, no opposition can ultimately prevail. Let this assurance embolden you in your daily walk and spiritual battles.

32 He did not even spare his own Son but gave him up for us all. How will he not also with him grant us everything?

-The ultimate proof of God’s love and commitment is the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. If God did not withhold His own Son, but gave Him up for our sake, we can trust that He will graciously give us all things needed for our salvation and spiritual well-being. This verse assures us that God's generosity and care extend far beyond what we can imagine.

Rest in God’s Provision: Remember that God, who did not spare His own Son, will graciously provide everything you need. Trust in His generosity and care for all aspects of your life.

33 Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies. 34 Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the one who died, but even more, has been raised; he also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us.

-Paul highlights the futility of any accusation or condemnation against believers. God is the one who justifies, and Christ Jesus, who died and was raised, is now interceding for us at the right hand of God. This powerful imagery reinforces our security in Christ—our justification is secure, and our advocate is Jesus Himself.

Stand Firm in Justification: Be confident in your justification through Christ. No accusation or condemnation can stand against you because Jesus Himself intercedes for you.

35 Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: Because of you we are being put to death all day long; we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered. 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

-Paul lists various trials and hardships that believers might face, but he declares that none of these can separate us from the love of Christ.

-In fact, in the midst of all these challenges, we are "more than conquerors" through Him who loved us. This phrase signifies overwhelming victory, emphasizing that through Christ’s love, we triumph over every adversity.

Rejoice in Unshakable Love: Embrace the reality that nothing can separate you from the love of Christ. Let this truth bring you peace and strength, especially in times of trial and hardship.

38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

-Paul concludes with a sweeping declaration of the invincibility of God’s love. He lists every conceivable barrier—death, life, spiritual powers, time, space, and any other created thing—and affirms that none of these can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

-This is the ultimate assurance for believers: God's love is eternal, unbreakable, and ever-present.

Live as More Than Conquerors: Recognize that through Christ’s love, you are more than a conqueror. Face life’s challenges with the confidence that comes from knowing you have overwhelming victory in Him.

WEEK 8 QUESTIONS:

1.In what ways do you experience self-condemnation, and how can you combat it with the truth of Romans 8:1?

2.What challenges do you face in keeping a Spirit-focused mindset?

3.How does the hope of resurrection and life in the Spirit shape your priorities and decisions?

4.How does the assurance that all things work together for the good of those who love God give you confidence in God’s sovereign plan for your life?