Living by the Spirit

Intro

Illustration FLIGHT Pressurization At 30,000 feet the thin air would kill you—unless you’re in the cabin. The danger hasn’t disappeared; you’ve been placed in a life-giving environment. In Christ, the Spirit’s “law of life” is like cabin pressure sustaining what flesh cannot.

Romans 8:1–11 ESV

1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 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 set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

1) Receive what God’s done. (vv.1–4)

Romans 8:1 ESV

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

Those in Christ are free of condemnation.

You are no longer defined by who you were but are found not guilty by God.

Romans 8:2 ESV

2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

When you place your faith in Christ you are free in Jesus. You are no longer cursed or tied to sin and death. You are truly free.

Maybe use an illustration

Romans 8:3 ESV

3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh,

God acted on our behalf when the law nor our ownselves could do anything.

God sent Jesus. To be like us, so that he could die for us, so that he could defeat sin!

Romans 8:4 ESV

4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Through Jesus’ death, he fulfilled the requirement for salvation for us. All who place their faith in Jesus are given Jesus’ righteousness so that we can have eternal life.

Illustration: Lifeguard vs. Swim Coach A drowning person doesn’t need lessons; they need a lifeguard. The cross is rescue, not self-improvement. Training comes after breathing again.

2) Reset your thinking. (vv.5–8)

Romans 8:5 ESV

5 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 set their minds on the things of the Spirit.

Where’s your mind set? What do you find yourself thinking on more?

If it is the things of this world then that is your God; if it is pursuing the Lord and serving him the that is on the Spirit and the things of God.

Romans 8:6 ESV

6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

What is the benefit of being Spirit minded?

If you are on the flesh it leads to rebellion and sin against God that results in death.

If you are on the Spirit, it leads to eternal life and peace with God.

Romans 8:7 ESV

7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.

When you think on the flesh and it’s desires, it leads to rebellion and makes you an enemy of God. You are hostile towards God, you are incapable of submitting to the will of God with your life.

Romans 8:8 ESV

8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

You cannot please God on your own! You must submit to Christ and place your whole faith in Jesus and set your mind upon the Lord and his Word!

Listen to this contrast:

Life in the Flesh

Focused on earthly things.

Leads to death

Hostile toward God

Hate’s God’s Word

Displeases God with actions

Doesn’t belong to God

Life in the Spirit

Free from Sin

Free from Death

Focused on the Lord

Receives Peace with God

Dwells with the Spirit

Receives new eternal bodies

Illustration:

Garden Weeds Neglect grows weeds by default. The mind set on the flesh is like an untended bed—hostile, choking life. Spirit-mindedness is daily weeding and watering with the Word.

3) Rely on the Spirit in You. (vv.9–11)

You are in the Spirit if the Spirit dwells in you; Christ is in you; the Spirit who raised Jesus will give life to your mortal bodies.

Romans 8:9 ESV

9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.

When you place your faith in Jesus your mindset has changed, your position has changed from the flesh to the Spirit.

The spirit dwells within you.

If the holy spirit is not dwelling in you then you are not saved! You are not a child of God.

Romans 8:10 ESV

10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

That is why we are at war within ourselves.

Our flesh is dead because of sins work in our bodies.

Yet, our Spirit has been made alive in Christ! SO while we struggle against our sinful desires that are still present. Our minds should be set up honoring the Lord and living for the Lord in our lives. Our mind should have a new way of thinking even if we stumble and fall to sin at times.

The Holy Spirit enables and empowers to live according to his power not our own.

Romans 8:11 ESV

11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

We also should remember the promise we have from God. Our mortal bodies, that is our flesh will be given new life that is no longer tainted by sins curse! Christ Jesus’ own resurrection is our assurance that we will too rise again from the grave with new redeemed bodies!

Illustration: Battery vs. Jumper Cables Living on borrowed bursts (events, camps, pep talks) is jumper-cable Christianity. The Spirit indwells like a new battery—daily, internal power to start and keep going.

Closing:

Illustration

Lights Back On After an outage, every switch you flip still does nothing—until the grid is restored. The resurrection is God restoring the grid; the Spirit is the current in your house. Now every “switch” of obedience actually lights.