The Holy Spirit is our gift

Romans 8:1–7 “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.”

Therefore refers to the victory we have in Jesus

Because we have been victorious in Jesus

we are not condemned

Does anyone know what condemned means?

Judged to capital punishment

Jesus sets us free from hell.

According to v.1 what two groups is Paul talking about?

What is flesh vs. spirit?

What does it mean that the flesh cannot do in v.3?

The flesh cannot earn eternal life

so God did

how?

Sending his son.

In v.7 what is a carnal mind?

Paul’s point is that going to heaven

on your own efforts is impossible as seen in v.8.

Have any of you

tried lifting a weight that was too heavy?

What about failing to lift the weight in the middle of the motion?

I have when benching.

I was lifting too much weight that when I was trying to put the weight back

the bar was not going up

but going down.

It was terrifying.

Thankfully a friend was around

to help and lift it for me.

We call these people spotters. Familiar?

Spotter video

What are examples of worldly/carnal thinking?

What can you do to overcome fleshly carnal thinking?

The Spirit

1. The Holy Spirit gives you freedom

Romans 8:12–15 “Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.””

What is a debtor in v.12?

Being no longer a debtor means you are free

I want to talk about someone who wasn’t free

A lady who got into a small car accident was discovered to actually have a suspended driver’s license by the police

This means she had to go to court

Why?

Because of debt.

The woman owed money because of a yoga class. (yoga pic)

She tried to cancel the debt but it was never cancelled.

So in the state of Maryland

if you lend someone money

like through a loan or credit card

and they don’t pay

you can send the police

to arrest them.

So because the yoga people asked people to arrest her

Her license was suspended.

She had to go to court twice

and the small debt

with late fees and interest

became $1000.

Those who don’t have the Spirit

are in constant debt

they can’t escape it

and it keeps building up

as time goes.

They are indebted to God for their sins.

But the Spirit frees Christians

because of what Christ did paying for your debt on the cross

if you believe in Him.

What kind of new relationship do we have with God because of the Spirit in v.15?

A family relationship

Abba is a casual form of father like daddy or papa

How does a father-and-child relationship with God free us from worldly living?

How do we overcome the flesh according to v.13?

We kill or put to death sin.

How do you do that?

2. The Holy Spirit leads to life

Romans 8:26–28 “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

What the the Holy Spirit do for you according to v.26? Help you in your weakness

According to v.26 how does the Holy Spirit help you exactly?

Intercede for us because we don’t know what to pray for as we should at times

What does intercede mean?

The spirit knows what to pray for because He is one with God in v.27

According to v.28 what great promise do Christians have?

Because the Spirit prays for you you know that all things work together for your good.

What is helpful to you knowing that the Holy Spirit, God himself, prays for you? (each one answer)

What can you do when things are getting difficult to stay hopeful? (answer: v.28)

3. The Holy Spirit intercedes for you