Untitled Sermon

Call to Worship

[Passage]

Stand to sing first hymn/song.

Prayer list.

Join in singing second song.

Introduction

ATTN: Nightmare: “My boss called…my ex showed up.”

I once had this nightmare, where I was sitting alone at the table in my dining room, enjoying some leftovers. Then the phone rang.

“Hey, Roger? Long time no hear. How are you?

“Good, Matt! Say, I need a favor. I’ve got this new multi-million dollar project that needs a manager. I think you’re my guy for the job!”

...

As I walked into the kitchen to wash my plate, the doorbell rang.

“Emily? You’re not supposed to be here… What do you want?”

“I know our breakup was bad, and you’re probably still mad at me, but I need someone to talk to...”

“Yeah, well I don’t have much to say.”

“That’s fine too. I know you’ve been out of work and feeling lonely too. I thought maybe I could spend the night, and we could both help each other feel better.”

...

We all need a change of mind, remembering that we are slaves to whatever or whomever we obey.

In Romans 8:1-11, we will see how God assures believers of their freedom in Christ.

But how does [Text Idea] [affect] your life?

Sermon Idea: The Spirit of God Assures Believers of Their Freedom in Christ.

How does the Spirit assure believers of their freedom in Christ?

By rendering two forces powerless:

…By Rendering SIN Powerless (8:1-8)

Context

In Romans 8, Paul is concluding a discourse he began 5:11-21 when he ...

[Passage Section]

Explain

Condemnation

No eternal judgment

No penalty for sin

No guilt before God

Law

Old Covenant (flesh)

New Covenant (Spirit)

Fruits of the Flesh v. Spirit

Galatians 5:19–25 “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.”

Illustrate

We cannot see the wind, but we can observe what it does.

Our old desires before Christ were in line with the mind of the flesh, but having been transformed by the Spirit, we have new, godly desires.

You can tell a tree by its fruit.

…By Rendering DEATH Powerless (8:9-11)

[Passage Section]

Explain

Pneuma

Can mean “wind, breath, or Spirit.”

God’s breath gives life!

Genesis 2:7 “then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.”

Ezekiel 37 “The hand of the Lord was upon me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of the valley; it was full of bones. And he led me around among them, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley, and behold, they were very dry. And he said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord God, you know.” Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the Lord.” So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I prophesied, there was a sound, and behold, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. And I looked, and behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had …”

...

Illustrate

Our sin nature is like being born with a white shirt on. As soon as we come out of the womb, we are covered in blood. As we grow, we get our shirts covered in paint, grease, mud, and a mess of other things. What would God say when we stand before him? He gave us this perfectly white shirt, and we have ruined it.

No matter how hard we try and scrub it clean, we only make it worse. We need a new shirt! And praise God that Jesus gives his followers his “robes of righteousness.” Christ does all the work, and we enjoy thanking him into eternity.

Reiteration

The Spirit of God Assures Believers of Their Freedom in Christ

By Rendering Sin (8:1-8)

And Death Powerless (8:9-11)

Preach for Faith

I would like to encourage every one of us to live as thought we believe the gospel.

That you were a condemned criminal against God,

That Christ truly died for you, and rose again,

That he appeared before many, ascended into heaven, and is coming back one day!

In the meantime, for those who believe, he has sent his Spirit to empower you,

To completely forgiven you all your sins—past, present, and future,

And to give you the gift of eternal life!

Have you accepted this gift?

If so, will you joyfully tell the world how Christ has transformed your life?

Application

Because Christ has transformed our lives, we can be sure of our freedom from sin and death.

Gospel Invitation.

Closing Prayer.

Stand for Worship.

God Bless You