By the Spirit

Introduction

Welcome

Introduction to Sermon/Topic:

Main passage:

Romans 8:1–4 NLT

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. 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. 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.

Title:

Prayer:

In Jesus name, amen.

Story:

I just started getting serious in gym again. It’s been 5 weeks and I feel myself getting stronger. However, I kind of dread the start of a new week because that means I have to increase the weight more than I did the week before.

It was Monday, which means chest and tricep. My first workout was bench press and I have to do 3 sets of 6-10 reps. It’s always the last set that I have trouble with because I’m fatigued by the end.

So I always ask someone to spot me. A spotter if you don’t know is someone who stands behind you to lift up the bar just in case you can’t lift it up; they usually call that, “till failure.”

It’s inevitable that I go till fail and I can longer lift up the bar above my chest. That’s when someone helps me lift it off my chest and put the bar back.

Explanation:

Romans has been teaching something similar. We can’t live holy without the help or spot of the Holy Spirit.

Illustration:

Zechariah 4:6 NLT

Then he said to me, “This is what the Lord says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

Application:

Our walk with God can only be accomplished only by the power of the Holy Spirit, not in ourselves.

Body

Bible

Context

For those who have been part of the series, it’s not a mystery what the context of Romans is: To unify the church by centering the church on the Gospel.

We have been climbing a hill, learning about sin, being saved from the penalty of God, the power of sin and being dead to the law.

All of Romans 1-7 has led us to this moment in Romans 8 — the climax, the peak of the hill.

Transitional Sentence:

Paul will share 4 truths on how the answer is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Points

First main point: The Blessing (verse 1-2)

Explanation:

Romans 8:1–2 NLT

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.

Illustration:

Application:

Second main point: The Work of the Cross and Resurrection (v.3)

Explanation:

Romans 8:3 NLT

The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. 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.

Illustration:

Application:

Third main point: By the Spirit (v.4)

Explanation:

Romans 8:4 NLT

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.

Illustration:

Application:

Conclusion

Summary:

The Blessing

The work of the cross and resurrection

By the Spirit

So what:

Now what:

Prayer:

In Jesus name, amen.