Week 7 - Romans 8:1-17 | Life in the Spirit

What do you spend your time thinking about? If you ever have a spare moment where does your mind go?

And real quick before we get into it, can we all just all acknowledge upfront—spare moments are increasingly a thing of the past.

For most of us, our smartphones devour any free second we have. Whether it’s doom-scrolling funny reels, catching up on headlines, or responding to texts and emails, we rarely allow ourselves a moment of silence.

Which is why—shameless plug here—we’re planning a digital fast for Lent. I’ve included a Smartphone Compulsion Test in the bulletin this week to help you see just how much of a hold your phone has on you! Take it, and come back next week as we kick off a short sermon series called "Hang Up to Hang Out." Where we’ll spend some time reflecting on how to disconnect from distraction and re-connect with God and our community of faith.

But that’s next week. For today, I’m still curious—if you get a spare moment, what do you find yourself thinking about?

For most of us, I imagine our to-do lists and schedules would be near the top.

The pressures of work and home and the responsibilities we carry. Anyone else feel like their heart is being squeezed in a vice sometimes by the weight of staying on top of everything?

Adulting has some perks, but this part, well, this part kind of stinks doesn’t it?

It’s not all bad though. Alongside the pressures and worries, our minds also dwell on anticipation—things we’re looking forward to.

In about a month and a half, I’m going fly fishing, and if I can break my nervous habit of checking my phone every second, I sometimes find myself dreaming about landing a 20-inch brown trout! Or just standing in the middle of a river, taking in God’s creation.

My family and I are also planning a trip to Florida in May. I’m already thinking about the beach with all the snow and ice outside and the possibility of helping my kids land a 25-inch redfish off the coast!

You’re seeing a theme, right? Fish. I’ve been thinking a lot about fish… and also about spending time with my family, but mostly fish.

I have to share this—my family knows me too well. My dad gave me this sign for Christmas. I haven’t found a place to hang it yet, but it says: "A fine fisherman lives here with the greatest catch of his life!"

My family loves my wife more than me. Truth is truth.

And I get it. I spend a lot of time thinking about her as well in my quiet moments cause I love her and she’s great! The greatest catch of my life! Better than any fish! Which I’m sure she just really appreciates me saying… right, everyone woman grows up hoping their husband compares her to a fish!

Alright, but back to my question, what about you? What do you spend your spare time thinking about?

What fills the quiet spaces of your mind? Is it worries? Plans? Fantasies and Escapes?

Did you know the answer to that question reveals a lot about your spiritual state?

The Heavy Yoke We Carry

You see, most of us live at a pace that is unsustainable. We wake up already behind, rush through our days, and collapse into bed, only to repeat the cycle tomorrow. Our schedules are packed, our minds are anxious, and our souls are restless.

We chase financial independence, personal success, and a sense of control—constantly striving, constantly performing, constantly doing.

And when the weight of all that becomes too much, we look for escapes. Some turn to entertainment, some to food or drink, some to scrolling endlessly on their phones. Others bury themselves in work, numbing themselves with busyness.

But no matter where we run, the results are the same: exhaustion, emptiness, and a deep longing for something more.

It’s not just that we’re busy—it’s what’s driving our busyness.

We’re often living in the flesh—self-focused, self-sufficient, and ultimately self-ish. We tend to think mostly about ourselves and if we could just do more or try harder, we’ll finally find peace.

It’s exhausting but thankfully, Jesus offers us something radically different.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me… and you will find rest for your souls." (Matthew 11:28-30)

That’s good news friends and we love this verse, but many of us, myself included, we don’t live like it’s true.

Instead, we’re yoked to our ambitions, our anxieties, and our desperate need for control. And because of that, we are weary.

The Path to Life & Peace

We’re in a series on the life of the Apostle Paul, but today, we’re going to focus less on his life and more on his outlook—his teaching about what it means to live in the Spirit.

And we’re doing this, because if you’re like me, your heart could use some more peace and rest.

And that, my friends, is exactly what God is offering us this morning.

Life! Real, restful and peace-filled life in the Spirit.

Here’s my big idea: Life in the Spirit is not about striving harder or escaping reality but about receiving and resting in our identity as God’s children—living present and at peace amid life’s chaos.

Let’s turn to Romans 8:1-17 together. As we read, I want you to keep an eye out for four powerful truths.

Here’s what we’ll discover:

You Can Stop Striving (Romans 8:1-4)

Who You Focus Your Mind on Makes All the Difference (Romans 8:5-8)

Peace and Rest Are Possible! (Romans 8:9-13)

You are a Child of the King (Romans 8:14-17)

Alright, let’s read it together from the CEB, that’s the Common English Bible.

Romans 8:1-17 CEB

 So now there isn’t any condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 God has done what was impossible for the Law, since it was weak because of selfishness. God condemned sin in the body by sending his own Son to deal with sin in the same body as humans, who are controlled by sin. 4 He did this so that the righteous requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us. Now the way we live is based on the Spirit, not based on selfishness. 5 People whose lives are based on selfishness think about selfish things, but people whose lives are based on the Spirit think about things that are related to the Spirit. 6 The attitude that comes from selfishness leads to death, but the attitude that comes from the Spirit leads to life and peace. 7 So the attitude that comes from selfishness is hostile to God. It doesn’t submit to God’s Law, because it can’t. 8 People who are self-centered aren’t able to please God.

9 But you aren’t self-centered. Instead you are in the Spirit, if in fact God’s Spirit lives in you. If anyone doesn’t have the Spirit of Christ, they don’t belong to him. 10 If Christ is in you, the Spirit is your life because of God’s righteousness, but the body is dead because of sin. 11 If the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your human bodies also, through his Spirit that lives in you.

12 So then, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation, but it isn’t an obligation to ourselves to live our lives on the basis of selfishness. 13 If you live on the basis of selfishness, you are going to die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the actions of the body, you will live. 14 All who are led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons and daughters. 15 You didn’t receive a spirit of slavery to lead you back again into fear, but you received a Spirit that shows you are adopted as his children. With this Spirit, we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16 The same Spirit agrees with our spirit, that we are God’s children. 17 But if we are children, we are also heirs. We are God’s heirs and fellow heirs with Christ...

Ok, there’s a lot going on here and we don’t have a ton of time so I just want to briefly highlight 4 truths that I think show us that Life in the Spirit is not about striving harder or escaping reality but about receiving and resting in our identity as God’s children—living present and at peace amid life’s chaos.

We'll start with verses 1-4, which extend an incredible invitation: an invitation to cease from our self-sufficient striving.

1. You Can Stop Striving (Romans 8:1-4)

Paul begins with this powerful declaration: 'So now there isn’t any condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.'

And I really like how the NLT puts it:

New Living Translation Chapter 8

So now there is no condemnation for those who

Vv. 3 and 4 continue to drive home the truth, that what the law was powerless to do, what it was too weak to do because our flesh and our self-ish, self-centered orientation, what we are too weak to do by ourselves, Jesus did for us!

Look at it in the NLT again:

New Living Translation Chapter 8

So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. 4 He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.

This is the truth declared in vv. 1-4.

Jesus through the power of the Spirit that resurrected Him, He did for us what we could never do for ourselves. He freed us from the requirements of the law and the power of sin, so that we no longer need to be controlled by our basic selfish and self-serving desires!

He set us free! And yet many of us live like we’re still under condemnation—many of us still live as if we have something to prove.

And what I really want you to see, what I’m praying the Holy Spirit moves into our hearts this morning is that Jesus is inviting you to rest! The work is finished friends. It’s done. Jesus did it on the cross and through His resurrection! You don’t have to prove yourself. You can’t but also, you don’t need to because Jesus already paid the price and by faith you become his children.

Receive the rest in this truth this morning!

And some of you might be thinking, I’d sure like to but how? How do I receive this truth? You don’t know what I did last night, thought yesterday, said yesterday! You don’t know what was done to me!

Church I wish I could force this truth into your heart, but I can’t and neither can you! We can’t heal ourselves, we can’t force ourselves to feel the truth of this claim, but what we can do is position ourselves on the regular to receive it!

If you’re a person who is constantly striving, trying to measure up and prove your worth to others or to God, here’s one small thing you can begin to do daily, to position yourself to move this truth from your head into your heart.

Before you feet hit the floor in the morning, pray this prayer: Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit, I can’t but you can. I don’t but you did! Help me to to receive the work that Christ finished on the Cross! Thank for you making me your child! Help me know and feel your love today. Amen!

Also, when the pressures and anxiety of the worries and cares of your life creep in, pause and pray this prayer: “Jesus, I am not limitless in my abilities, but you are. I am not strong, but you are. I give you everyone and everything. Please care for me and help me rest in you!”

Now I know what some of you are thinking. Are you serious! 2 small prayers! That’s how to live my life in the Spirit?

Friends, I know what it sounds like. But I want to remind you of 2 things. Jesus said his yoke was light and easy. I know this sounds simple and that’s because it is. Jesus said child-like faith is what saves! If you belong to Him, you are a child and children ask their parent’s frequently and often for help and love! That’s what God is inviting you into!

Along with that, don’t ever underestimate the power of prayer!

My men's group is studying Isaiah, and I recently read Isaiah 37. It's the story of King Hezekiah facing a terrifying threat. The Assyrian army, known for its brutality, was camped outside Jerusalem, boasting that they would destroy the city and its God. Hezekiah and his officials were terrified, but what did Hezekiah do? He went to the temple and prayed. He sent his advisors to the prophet Isaiah to seek God's guidance. And what happened? God responded! Isaiah 37:21 says, 'Because you prayed... the Lord has spoken this word against him.' That very night, God silently with no battle whatsoever, he kills 185,000 soldiers in their sleep and the King of Assyria runs out of Israel the same way he came with his tail between his legs having had his hiney severely whooped by the High King of Heaven!

Loved ones, do not underestimate the power of prayer! If you belong to Jesus, you are God’s child. Stop striving and start praying and you watch in wonder at what the Lord does for you!

Now, embracing the truth that we can stop striving leads us to another important truth about finding peace and rest. It’s not just about what Christ did, it’s also about what we think.

Let's look at Romans 8:5-8, where Paul talks about the importance of where or rather who gets the focus of our hearts and minds.

2. Who You Focus Your Mind on Makes All the Difference (Romans 8:5-8)

Look at v. 5 with me again from the CEB translation. I love it.

"People whose lives are based on selfishness think about selfish things, but people whose lives are based on the Spirit think about things that are related to the Spirit." (Romans 8:5)

Translation: Who we set our minds upon shapes our lives Church!

The Apostle Paul confirms this truth else where telling us in

Philippians 4:8 NIV

8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Jesus also affirms the truth behind this idea:

He says in

Matthew 12:34–35 NIV

...the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. 35 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.

and

Matthew 22:37 NIV

37 Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’

Scripture is clear, the things we let into our hearts and minds, the thoughts, the feelings and emotions, those things shape who we are, how we live and what we become! And Paul tells us very clearly here that not just what but who we focus our minds and hearts upon make all the difference, it either leads to exhaustion, emptiness and death or to life and peace!

In yet another letter from Paul, in Galatians 5:19-23 Paul contrasts the hallmarks of a life governed and focused on the things of the Spirit vs a life marked by selfishness, sin and our fleshly desires.

I’ll give you the list now as a helpful kind of matrix to evaluate where your mind is primarily focused. The fruit in our lives reveals all friends!

Paul shows us that a life focused on the flesh is

Filled with selfish motives leading to: sexual immorality, moral corruption, doing whatever feels good, 20 idolatry, drug use and casting spells, hate, fighting, obsession, losing your temper, competitive opposition, conflict, selfishness, group rivalry, jealousy, drunkenness, partying, and other things like that.

And he warns us, that those who do these kinds of things won’t inherit God’s kingdom.

Why, because the fruit reveals the heart. God’s child belong to Jesus and progressively live more and more like Jesus. Those who aren’t progressing in grace and Christ-likeness reveal that they don’t have the Spirit and therefore don’t belong to God!

But those who belong to God, well they are growing in these fruits Paul says:

love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

And friends I need you to hear this, again this isn’t about striving or trying harder! This fruit is not fruit you can produce. Only Jesus and His Spirit in you can do it. So if you find that your life is characterized more by the fruits of the flesh rather than the fruits of the Spirit, well the the answer is to repent! To turn from you sin and pray, ask Jesus to form His character and Spirit in you more! The answer is to take your eyes of yourself and to fix them upon King Jesus, the author and perfecter of your faith!

Practically you can do this daily by committing Psalm 23:1 to memory.

When the worries and cares of this world seem so pressing and the desires of your flesh are begging to be satisfied, speak is truth to yourself

“The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.” (Psalm 23:1)

Also, set a guard over your media consummation. We believe and speak what we’re full of. So don’t fill up on the junk of Hollywood. Fill up on the goodness of God!

Practice daily pauses. Try 3 times a day to stop, breathe and refocus your heart and mind on God!

Keep a prayer journal of praises, where you remember moments when you felt close to God or received one of His good gifts. Remember the joy of receiving the gift but also what it speaks of the God who in His goodness and faithfulness decided to give it to you for your enjoyment, rest and and pleasure!

So, we've seen that who we focus upon makes all the difference. But you might be wondering, 'Is it really possible to experience peace and rest in the midst of all the chaos of my life?' The answer, thankfully, is yes! And that's exactly what Romans 8:9-13 shows us."

3. Peace and Rest Are Possible! (Romans 8:9-13)

Look at v. 6 specifically: "The attitude that comes from the Spirit leads to life and peace." (Romans 8:6)

The flesh, selfishness, self-sufficiency, it leads to exhaustion, anxiety, and eventually death! But praise be the Father of Good gifts! The Spirit leads to peace, rest, and life. That’s what it says, and if God said it, well then we can believe it because no word from God will ever fail. Psalm 138:2, All of the promises of God are backed by the honor of his name! (Psalm 138:2)

Ultimately Church, it comes down to who is at the center of our lives. Is it Jesus and His Spirit or is it us! Are we in control and in charge or is God?

And what you think about God and your identity in Him, makes all the difference.

Which is precisely why Paul says what He says in Romans 8:14-17.

He reminds the saints in the Church at Rome and us, that true freedom and peace are found in remembering that we belong to Jesus not as slaves or servants but as His Children!

4. You’re a Child of the King (Romans 8:14-17)

Look with me at Romans 8:14-17. These verses reveal the incredible privilege of our adoption. We're not just forgiven; we're family. This isn't a distant, impersonal relationship. The Spirit himself testifies to our adoption, assuring us that we are God's children. This isn't a status we earn; it's a gift we receive. And as children, we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. This knowledge—this deep, settled assurance of belonging—is the foundation for true peace. It frees us from the constant need to prove ourselves. It motivates us not out of fear, but out of love. So that life in the Spirit becomes something that we live from, not something we must strive for.

You see, many of us live as if we only understand half the gospel. We know the beautiful truth: there is now no condemnation. We’ve been pardoned. But that’s not the whole story. We’re not just forgiven; we’re adopted. We’re not just pardoned criminals; we’re beloved children. To illustrate this difference...

Imagine with me that you're an orphan in Charles Dickens' England. You live on the streets, hungry and stealing to survive. The police are always on your back. Survival is all you know. One day, you hear a rumor: The king has issued a pardon for all orphans. At first, you think it’s a trap—just a way to lure you in and arrest you. But then you meet others who show you their pardon papers. So, cautiously, you go to the courthouse, and sure enough, they hand you a pardon.

Now, that’s good news—but does it really change how you live? Not really. You're just a "forgiven orphan." You can’t get in trouble anymore for your shadiness in surviving, but is that really enough to motivate you to change. Probably not. Nothing about your life or identity feels much different.

But then something amazing happens. The king himself arrives in your neighborhood. His carriage rolls in, and his attendants call your name. Panicked, you assume the worst, but when you look up, the king is smiling at you.

"I knew your parents," he says. "I’m so sorry for the life you’ve had to live, but I’m doing something about that today."

He pulls out a parchment with an official seal and says, "I’m adopting you. You are now my child. You have an inheritance waiting for you. I have to leave for a while, but when I return, you’ll come live with me in the palace. Until then, stay here, receive my seal of authority and live differently—live as the prince you are, not the orphan you once were."

Now Church that’s a reason to change, isn’t it! Adoption changes everything!

Your heart is different, not because you're afraid of punishment or trying to earn favor, but because you've been given a new identity. Suddenly, everything you do flows out of that truth. You’re not trying to survive anymore—you’re living as a beloved child of the king.

Which is great, but just like in this story, the King doesn’t immediately take us to His palace. He’s got a war to finish fighting and so in the mean time, He calls us to wait and serve as His ambassadors of His Kingdom. So we stay were we are. With a new identity, but sometimes it doesn’t feel true does it?!

One day, you’re walking down the street, and a voice hisses at you from the shadows: "Who do you think you are? You’re no prince—you’re just a thief. You’ll never be anything else."

In that moment, friends, you have a choice. You can believe the lie and go back to your old ways, or you can stand firm in the truth and you can fix your eyes not on yourself and your past, but on Jesus the author and perfecter of your faith and you can declare to that voice in the shadow: "I may have been an orphan once, but now I’m a child of the king. Even when I mess up, I’m still his child. And because of Jesus, nothing can ever change that."

This folks is what life in the Spirit is all about. It’s not about striving harder or escaping reality. It’s about receiving and resting in your identity as God’s child.

Because Jesus did the work, there’s no condemnation, you can stop striving to measure up.

Because Jesus did the work, if you fix your eyes and heart and mind on Him and His Spirit, you will be changed.

Because Jesus did the work and rose, you never walk alone. His Spirit lives in you and with and His peace and rest are possible to experience today in admits chaos...

And all of this is true and possible because He loves you. He’s always glad to see you—because of Jesus, his face is always full of joy when he looks at you.

You’re a child of the King—so live like it. Not out of fearful striving, but because it’s who you are. God’s given you a new heart and a new Spirit, and he’s coming back one day to take you home. Until then, walk in the freedom and confidence of your new identity and know that nothing in all of creation will ever be able to separate you from the of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

If we know the Father, we know He has good plans in store for us all in Jesus.

Pray.