Sermon application for Romans 8:9-11

Paul continues by showing, in a most encouraging manner, who a Christian really is (vv. 9–11).His outline is simple. He talks about the Christian’s past, present, and future.

The Christian’s Past

"You, however, are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to him.” ()

You used to be in the flesh! It’s your past. Look carefully of what’s happened to you in salvation dear believer.You were described as being “in the flesh” in v9, but in that same verse you’re described as being “in the Spirit”.

Look carefully of what’s happened to you in salvation dear believer.

You were described as being “in the flesh” in v9, but in that same verse you’re described as being “in the Spirit”.

Who are those who are not under any condemnation?

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus,” ()

Jesus sent us His Spirit (“the Helper”) so that we can fulfill God’s purposes on earth. The Spirit dwells inside His people—just as God dwelt in the tabernacle and temple in the Old Testament—so that He can work through us. This indwelling of the Spirit is not a special gift for some Christians, but rather it is God’s gift to all of His people. Paul said very simply, “Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him” ().

The Spirit is absolutely essential for fulfilling the mission we have been given. Unless the Spirit gives us the power to faithfully follow Jesus, we will follow in the footsteps of disobedient Israel. So great is our need for the Spirit that we are commanded to

walk by the Spirit ()

be filled with the Spirit ()

pray in the Spirit (. 20), and

put sin to death by the Spirit (), among other things.

Even our assurance that we are Christians, where does it come from? ()

At conversion the Spirit is given to us () but for what purpose?

____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________

The Christian’s Present

10 "Now if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit gives life because of righteousness.” ()

The indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives is another firm indication that we are a child of God. Christians have the Holy Spirit dwelling in them; non-Christians do not. Take a moment and read again. Count how man “if”s are in the passage. _________________

So how then will we know that the Spirit of God is present in our lives? Here are a few helpful indicators to discern...

We believe correct doctrine about the Lord.

What does Paul observe in ?

What’s John also say in ?

What’s John also say in ?

2. The Spirit bears fruit in our lives. The Spirit leaves His fingerprints all over the believers life. Look up .

What has been crucified in that passage?

3. As we obey God we will begin to bear fruit for Him. If we love JEsus, we will keep His commandments (). Like David, we ill be able to say that God’s Word is not a burden but is sweet like honey ().

Just as the Spirit of God bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God (), so does the Spirit within us bear witness with the Spirit in other believers that we are fellow members of the one spiritual family of God and that these others are our brothers and sisters in Christ.

so does the Spirit within us bear witness with the Spirit in other believers

that we are fellow members of the one spiritual family of God and

that these others are our brothers and sisters in Christ.

This is why we encourage everyone to gather with a Care Group. No where in Scripture are supposed to come to church on Wednesdays and Sundays, sit and hear a sermon and leave. Heb. 10:24-25

The Christian’s Future.

Verse 11 describes the Christian’s future, pointing forward to his or her physical resurrection. It is true, as verse 10 has said, that the “body is dead because of sin.” But although we die we shall all nevertheless rise again. The text says

11 "And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, then he who raised Christ from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through his Spirit who lives in you.” ()