Life in the Spirit
Journey's Road Map • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Transcript
Text: Romans 8:1–11
Text: Romans 8:1–11
Series: Journey’s Road Map
Series: Journey’s Road Map
Theme: The Spirit sets us free from condemnation, empowers obedience, and gives new life.
Theme: The Spirit sets us free from condemnation, empowers obedience, and gives new life.
Introduction – The Weight Is Gone
Introduction – The Weight Is Gone
Funny Opener:
Funny Opener:
“I stepped on a talking scale once—it said, ‘One at a time, please.’
“I stepped on a talking scale once—it said, ‘One at a time, please.’
That’s what Romans 8 is like—it tells us the weight of guilt is finally off.”
That’s what Romans 8 is like—it tells us the weight of guilt is finally off.”
Romans 7 ended with Paul’s desperate cry: “Who will deliver me from this body of death?” Romans 8 opens with a shout of victory: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Romans 7 ended with Paul’s desperate cry: “Who will deliver me from this body of death?” Romans 8 opens with a shout of victory: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
This passage declares freedom from guilt, victory through the Spirit, and life that death can’t cancel.
This passage declares freedom from guilt, victory through the Spirit, and life that death can’t cancel.
Point 1 – The Spirit Frees Us from Condemnation (vv. 1–4)
Point 1 – The Spirit Frees Us from Condemnation (vv. 1–4)
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.”
For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.”
Explanation
Explanation
“No condemnation” (κατάκριμα) means no guilty verdict remains. The gavel has fallen—your case is closed.
“No condemnation” (κατάκριμα) means no guilty verdict remains. The gavel has fallen—your case is closed.
The “law of the Spirit of life” is not a new set of rules but a new ruling authority.
The “law of the Spirit of life” is not a new set of rules but a new ruling authority.
God did what the Law could not—He sent His Son to bear our sin and fulfill righteousness in us.
God did what the Law could not—He sent His Son to bear our sin and fulfill righteousness in us.
Cross-Refs:
Cross-Refs:
John 3:17 – “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world.”
John 3:17 – “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world.”
2 Corinthians 5:21 – “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us.”
2 Corinthians 5:21 – “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us.”
Illustration – Historical:
Illustration – Historical:
When Abraham Lincoln pardoned a Union soldier sentenced to death, the man kept the paper folded in his pocket for years. When challenged about his guilt, he simply showed the signature of the President—“You can talk to him about it.”
When Abraham Lincoln pardoned a Union soldier sentenced to death, the man kept the paper folded in his pocket for years. When challenged about his guilt, he simply showed the signature of the President—“You can talk to him about it.”
That’s Romans 8:1 — God’s pardon in writing.
That’s Romans 8:1 — God’s pardon in writing.
Quote – Charles Spurgeon:
Quote – Charles Spurgeon:
“When God says, ‘No condemnation,’ it is as impossible to condemn the believer as it is to condemn Christ Himself.”
“When God says, ‘No condemnation,’ it is as impossible to condemn the believer as it is to condemn Christ Himself.”
Application
Application
Stop living as if you’re still on trial. In Christ, the verdict is final: forgiven, free, and favored.
Stop living as if you’re still on trial. In Christ, the verdict is final: forgiven, free, and favored.
Point 2 – The Spirit Empowers Us for Victory (vv. 5–8)
Point 2 – The Spirit Empowers Us for Victory (vv. 5–8)
“Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh,
“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.”
but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.”
Explanation
Explanation
Two mindsets: flesh vs. Spirit.
Two mindsets: flesh vs. Spirit.
“Mind” (φρόνημα) means the whole orientation of one’s life—what dominates your desires and decisions.
“Mind” (φρόνημα) means the whole orientation of one’s life—what dominates your desires and decisions.
The flesh is self-centered; the Spirit is Christ-centered.
The flesh is self-centered; the Spirit is Christ-centered.
The flesh produces hostility toward God; the Spirit produces harmony with God.
The flesh produces hostility toward God; the Spirit produces harmony with God.
Cross-Refs:
Cross-Refs:
Galatians 5:16 – “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”
Galatians 5:16 – “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”
Philippians 4:8 – “Think on whatever is true, honorable, just, pure.”
Philippians 4:8 – “Think on whatever is true, honorable, just, pure.”
Illustration – Moral Story: The Two Dogs
Illustration – Moral Story: The Two Dogs
An old preacher said, “Inside me are two dogs fighting—a black one and a white one.”
An old preacher said, “Inside me are two dogs fighting—a black one and a white one.”
A young man asked, “Which one wins?”
A young man asked, “Which one wins?”
He said, “The one I feed.”
He said, “The one I feed.”
That’s Paul’s point: what you nourish dominates your nature.
That’s Paul’s point: what you nourish dominates your nature.
Quote – C.S. Lewis:
Quote – C.S. Lewis:
“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.”
“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.”
Application
Application
Victory begins in the mind. Feed the Spirit through prayer, Scripture, and obedience. Starve the flesh by denying it attention.
Victory begins in the mind. Feed the Spirit through prayer, Scripture, and obedience. Starve the flesh by denying it attention.
Point 3 – The Spirit Gives Life and Assurance (vv. 9–11)
Point 3 – The Spirit Gives Life and Assurance (vv. 9–11)
“If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you,
“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.”
He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies.”
Explanation
Explanation
The indwelling Spirit (οἰκεῖ ἐν ὑμῖν) — He takes up residence, not visits occasionally.
The indwelling Spirit (οἰκεῖ ἐν ὑμῖν) — He takes up residence, not visits occasionally.
The same power that raised Jesus is working in believers now, giving spiritual vitality and guaranteeing bodily resurrection.
The same power that raised Jesus is working in believers now, giving spiritual vitality and guaranteeing bodily resurrection.
Verse 11 ties our present sanctification to our future glorification.
Verse 11 ties our present sanctification to our future glorification.
Cross-Refs:
Cross-Refs:
Ephesians 1:13–14 – The Spirit is the seal and guarantee of our inheritance.
Ephesians 1:13–14 – The Spirit is the seal and guarantee of our inheritance.
John 14:16–17 – “The Spirit will be with you forever.”
John 14:16–17 – “The Spirit will be with you forever.”
Illustration – Historical:
Illustration – Historical:
When the first telegraph line was completed between Washington D.C. and Baltimore, Samuel Morse sent the message, “What hath God wrought!”
When the first telegraph line was completed between Washington D.C. and Baltimore, Samuel Morse sent the message, “What hath God wrought!”
Power unseen traveled across miles of wire. The Holy Spirit is God’s invisible power line—bringing resurrection life from heaven to the human heart.
Power unseen traveled across miles of wire. The Holy Spirit is God’s invisible power line—bringing resurrection life from heaven to the human heart.
Quote – A.W. Tozer:
Quote – A.W. Tozer:
“The Spirit-filled life is not a special, deluxe edition of Christianity. It is part and parcel of the total plan of God for His people.”
“The Spirit-filled life is not a special, deluxe edition of Christianity. It is part and parcel of the total plan of God for His people.”
Application
Application
The Spirit doesn’t just improve you—He resurrects you.
The Spirit doesn’t just improve you—He resurrects you.
Live today with resurrection confidence: if the Spirit lives in you, death is not the end of your story.
Live today with resurrection confidence: if the Spirit lives in you, death is not the end of your story.
Conclusion – The Weight Lifted, the War Won
Conclusion – The Weight Lifted, the War Won
Romans 8:1–11 announces three truths:
Romans 8:1–11 announces three truths:
No Condemnation – Christ sets us free from guilt.
No Condemnation – Christ sets us free from guilt.
New Mindset – The Spirit empowers obedience.
New Mindset – The Spirit empowers obedience.
New Life – The Spirit guarantees resurrection.
New Life – The Spirit guarantees resurrection.
Quote – John Stott:
Quote – John Stott:
“The Christian life is essentially life in the Spirit—a life that is animated, sustained, directed, and enriched by the Holy Spirit.”
“The Christian life is essentially life in the Spirit—a life that is animated, sustained, directed, and enriched by the Holy Spirit.”
Final Reflection:
Final Reflection:
The verdict is in, the battle is winnable, and the power is within you.
The verdict is in, the battle is winnable, and the power is within you.
You don’t have to live defeated when the Spirit who raised Jesus lives in you.
You don’t have to live defeated when the Spirit who raised Jesus lives in you.
Closing Line:
Closing Line:
“Sin’s power ended at the cross; the Spirit’s power began at your heart.”
“Sin’s power ended at the cross; the Spirit’s power began at your heart.”
