The New Life

Introduction

Have you ever watched a controlled demolition of an old, condemned building? It’s a fascinating process. For months, or even years, that building has sat there—unstable, unsafe, and marked for destruction. No amount of renovation could fix its faulty foundation or crumbling structure. The city engineers have posted signs all around it: "CONDEMNED. DO NOT ENTER." Anyone found inside is trespassing and at risk. The building has no future; its end is already decided.

Then, demolition day comes. With a series of carefully placed charges, the structure implodes in a cloud of dust and debris. In a matter of seconds, what was once a towering symbol of decay is now a pile of rubble.

But the story doesn't end there. The crew comes in to clear the site completely. They haul away every last piece of the old foundation until the ground is clear. And then they unroll a new set of blueprints. On the very ground where condemnation stood, a new, magnificent structure is planned—one designed for life, for community, for purpose. The old building wasn't just destroyed; it was replaced.

Romans 8:1–17 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. 12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Pray

1. You can have a purpose (v.12)

Romans 8:12 ESV

12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.

Explanation

The key here is so then, Paul is referencing back to his previous argument.

He said that people who live according to the flesh:

1. Live in sin. (v5, 7)

2. Live in hostility towards God. (v7)

3. Live without pleasing God. (v8)

4. Do not belong to God. (v9)

5. Leads to spiritual and physical separation from God forever.

Paul is saying to the church that true believers are no longer living according to the flesh. They are not debtors to sin. Nor are they held captive to their sinful desires. They have been set free for a purpose in their life. They are a new being with a new life.

In other words, Paul’s telling the church that because they have experienced the salvific work of Jesus and received the Holy Spirit’s power they cannot remain the same. They no longer live this life without a purpose drive by sin to indulge in the world’s offerings instead they are free to live for Christ and to have a purpose filled life that is only found in relationship with Jesus.

Illustration

Treadmill verses Running Outside

Treadmill you work hard but never actually see anything more than the tv, wall room that you run in.

But if you run outside you get to explore the world, you get to actually go somewhere other than that walled room.

Application

When you live your life without Jesus you can try to be in the best person you can be but it never will get you outside the walls of sin.

You need Jesus to free you to see the world through his eyes.

2. You can have life (v.13)

Romans 8:13 ESV

13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

Explanation

We are all destined to die but to live by the Spirit which means to put to death the fleshly pursuits of your former life means eternal life.

Essentially,

Eternal life is through Christ alone

Eternal life is proven in us through the Spirit putting to death our sinfulness.

Illustration

If you have ever had cancer you know that the treatment can be absolutely grueling. It can hurt, make you sick, and be a difficult season. Yet, we choose to take the treatment because the medicine is targeting the cancer cells giving us an opportunity to fight back against the illness.

Here’s the thing, when we receive Jesus as our savior he saves us and gives us the Holy Spirit who comes in and begins to work on our flesh. One by one he treats the sins in our life giving us victory to live for Jesus. Have you trusted in Christ to save you?

3. You can have a family (vv.14–16)

Romans 8:14–16 ESV

14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

Explanation

When you receive Jesus you receive a family.

You are adopted as sons and daughters of God

We do not have to fall back into the spirit of fear -> worried that we will lose our family relationship.

Adoptions are final. Ours is final.

We cry Abba! Father! -> Some have wrongly overstated the significance of this word’s mean a bit. Some say it is best to understand it as Daddy. While the sentiment is sweet, the better understanding is “dear father.” It is an intimate and relational word. Paul’s indication is that we can sincerely cry dear father to the God of the universe.

The holy Spirit.

Illustration

Some of you grew up with wonderful families, loving families. Both Katherine and I grew up with great models of Christian faithfulness. But not everyone does.

Some grow up with families where their dad’s ignore them. Abuse them. Hate them. Where their mom is always out with her friends and never spends time to love on her children. Family can have a bad taste in your mouth if that was your life. You can here family and immediately feel like that’s not what I want or need. Let me tell you Jesus is different. He is the the perfect family. He loves you perfectly. Without ceasing.

4. You can have a calling (v.17)

Romans 8:17 ESV

17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Explanation

We suffer with Christ in order that we my serve him and give him glory! And when we give him glory, we share it with Christ!

A carpenter’s child sweeps the shop as a kid. As they grow, the father teaches joinery, then trusts them with complex builds. Splinters and sore hands are part of the craft, but so is the joy of stepping back together and saying, “We made that.” One day the business will bear their name too.

CONCLUSION

This morning we have see that you can have a purpose, a new life, a true family, and a calling unlike anything this world has to offer. The question is what will you do with the opportunity?

There was a King who find a boy living in slavery—malnourished, clothed in rags, and without hope. The King's heart breaks for him. He goes to the slave market, pays an astronomical price, and legally adopts the boy as his own son.

He brings the boy back to his palace. He gives him a new name, new clothes, and a beautiful room. He presents him at a grand feast, declaring to the entire kingdom, "This is my beloved son, an heir to everything I have!" The boy's old life is completely over. He is now royalty.

But a week later, the King can't find his son. He searches the palace, the gardens, the library, and finally finds him. The boy is back in the old, dilapidated servant's quarters behind the palace. He has put on his old slave rags and is eating leftover scraps from the floor.

The King walks in, confused and heartbroken, and asks, "Son, what are you doing back here? This isn't your place anymore. A feast is prepared for you at my table. Why are you choosing to live like a slave when you are an heir?"

The boy looks up with fear in his eyes and says, "I don't know... this is just what I'm used to."

Church, that is the very question God is asking many of us today. Through Jesus Christ, He has not just forgiven you; He has adopted you. He has declared you His child and a fellow heir with Christ. He has given you the Holy Spirit to confirm it. Yet, how many of us keep running back to the servant's quarters of our old life? We put back on the rags of fear, shame, and sinful habits, living as if we are still slaves to the flesh.

The promise of Romans 8 is the voice of our Father calling to us in that dark room, saying, "Come out! That is not who you are anymore. You have a new purpose, a new life, a new family, and a royal calling. Stop living like a slave, because you are my son. You are my daughter. Come and take your seat at my table."

Child of God, there is no need to go back to the life we lived before Christ, He is worth giving everything up for. For the person who is here today that has not trusted Christ with the whole life, you can be saved today simply crying out to him today.

Invitation.