New Life in the Spirit

The New Life in the Spirit

Romans 8:1-11

I. Introduction

A. The Menendez brothers – this week a judge lowered their sentence from life in prison without the possibility of parole to 50 years to life.  They are immediately eligible for parole.  All other issues aside, put yourself in their shoes on the day they are released.  They have spent 35 years in prison and are free for the first time in their adult lives (they committed the crimes at 18 and 21 and are now 54 and 57).  But what about you?  We may not be in prison, but we are still affected by guilt and shame for past wrongs.  What if we were fully forgiven in a moment.  It happens when we are saved

II. The Spirit gives us freedom (1-4)

A. Explanation

1. There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus

a. This comes just after Paul talks about the struggles of his desires and his actions

b. It is a reminder that we are justified in Christ – He has paid the penalty of our sin

c. For every sin there must be a punishment.  After the punishment things are restored.  The sin is committed, and the penalty restores justice

d. Because Jesus dies as our sacrifice the penalty is paid, and we do not have the fear of condemnation

2. In the Spirit we are free

a. The Spirit of life – This is a reference to the Spirit, but in Him is real life, both spiritual and eternal.  We come to life when He enters us

b. The Spirit is part of the whole salvation experience – We are forgiven, He enters us, we are changed, we begin to live in His righteousness

c. There is a difference between the Spirit of life and the law of sin and death

i. The law of sin and death is trying to live according to your own law

A. Trying to live up to your own code of righteousness

B. What is the standard?  How much is enough? Why does self-righteousness make me a more miserable person?

ii.But the Spirit makes us humble and gives our hearts what we need to live

3. God does what only He can do (3) –

a. The law cannot make us righteous – It cannot give us life

b. He condemned sin in the flesh -

B. Application

1. You couldn’t make a law that would eliminate cancer.  The law would make us not want to get cancer, but it would be powerless against such a problem.  In the same way a law does. Not cure the human sinful condition

2. But, The Spirit give us real freedom from:

a. Death – We have real and abundant life in Him

b. Sin – We are freed from the bondage to sin

c. Condemnation – I do not have to worry and fear the penalty of our just and holy God – Jesus paid it all

3. I can live in freedom from my brokenness and sin

III. The Spirit gives a new mindset (5-8)

A. Explanation

1. Think as you live – flesh = flesh, Spirit = Spirit

a. It is an absolute – It doesn’t say they “Should” think that way.  They just do.  You think according to what is going on inside you. 

b. You are truly who you are behind closed doors

2. The outcome

a. The mind set on the flesh is death

i. It leads to eternal death

ii.It is death right now – there is no fulfillment or purpose in the flesh

b. The mind set on the Spirit is life and peace

i. Setting your minds on the work of the Spirit in you leads to the things of peace

ii.That is what brings about the fruit of the Spirit

iii. We often look for the fruit of the Spirit in sin, but it will always leave us empty and unfulfilled

iv.When we find it in the Spirit it is full

3. The flesh is hostile to God for it does not submit to God’s law

a. The old nature wants to do what the flesh will – but that is sin that leads to death

b. It cannot submit to God’s law

i. That is not the law of Moses, but the great commandment

ii.The mind set on the flesh is only interested in the gratification of the flesh, not the fulfillment of the Spirit

c. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God

B. Application

1. The problem with many church people is that they want to be indwelt by the Spirit while living in the flesh – You cannot do both – James 4:4

2. We have the flesh from the time we are born – sin nature

3. When we come to Christ, we receive His Spirit

4. Our lives as believers should be about living in the Spirit and trusting Him more than our flesh

IV. The Spirit gives us life (9-11)

A. Explanation

1. You are not in the flesh if the Spirit of God dwells in you – This is the supernatural change of salvation – The Spirit comes in and changes us

2. If Christ is in you the body is dead, but the Spirit is life

a. Because of righteousness – imputed

b. The righteousness gives us freedom from sin and its effects

B. The power of the Spirit

1. He raised Jesus from the dead

2. If He can do that, her will give life to our mortal bodies

3. There is life through the Spirit

C. Application

1. Real life is found when the Spirit comes into us

2. We should look for real life in Him

3. This is when life begins!

V. Conclusion

A. Colton getting out of prison soon.  He has been leading a Bible study in the prison.  He is faithful.  What could God do in the life of this young man with a whole new chance and life transformed into His likeness?

James 4:4 (ESV)

4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.