Sermon Tone Analysis

(ESV)

If “life” is the ruling idea in vv.

1–13, being “sons” (v.

14; cf.

“sonship/adoption” in v. 15) or “children” (vv.

16, 17) of God dominates vv.

14–17.

Title: 3 Freedoms “In Christ”

Moo, D. J. (1996).

The Epistle to the Romans (p.

496).

Grand Rapids, MI: Wm.

B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

PRAY

I.

The Grace That We Experience

A. There Is No Condemnation for Sin

INTRODUCTION

I am so excited that we have reached this point in Romans, because herein lies 3 truths that Christ followers MUST comprehend, in order to live as Christ calls you.

If you are sitting here this morning and you are in Christ, you can relate to what I am about to say: easy to be excited as a new Christian, but things begin to creep into life that can stir your heart to shift from delight to doubt: (1) Our past memories of how we lived can haunt us; (2) others will notice (and point out) our inconsistencies; (3) personal dysfunctions such as shame, low self esteem, or compulsions will trip us up; (4) the perfection of the law will show how imperfect we are; (5) we can allow Christ’s perfect example to discourage our efforts rather than encourage our trust; (6) unhealthy comparisons with other believers will make us feel inadequate.

But this need not be if you are in Christ.

• Our own conscience reminds us of guilt.

• Non-Christian friends will notice (and point out) our inconsistencies.

• Past memories of how we lived can haunt us.

• Personal dysfunctions such as shame, low self esteem, or compulsions will trip us up.

Paul shares with us 3 freedoms that you have “in Christ” that will revolutionize your faith, OR make you realize your fate.

• The perfection of the law will show how imperfect we are.

• We can allow Christ’s perfect example to discourage our efforts rather than encourage our trust.

• Unhealthy comparisons with other believers will make us feel inadequate.

The “no condemnation” that heads this paragraph is grounded in the reality of the believer’s transfer from death to life.

In vv.

2–4, this transfer emanates from “the Spirit of life,” who applies to the believer the benefits won by Christ on the cross, thereby enabling the fulfillment of the law’s just demand

B. There Is No Control By Sin

BODY

I. Free From Condemnation (1-4)

A. The Spirit Has Set You Free (1-2)

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

B. No Control by Sin (2-3)

C.

There Need Be No Continuance In Sin

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

B. The Son Met The Requirements of the Law For You (3-4)

B. The Son Met The Requirements of the Law For You (3-4)

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,

C. No Continuance in Sin (4)

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.

We feel condemned because we focus on past guilt and present failures to make us question what Christ has done for us.

An old Indian, after living many years in sin, was led to Christ by a missionary.

Friends asked him to explain the change in his life.

Reaching down, he picked up a little worm and placed it on a pile of leaves.

Then, touching a match to the leaves, he watched them smolder and burst into flames.

As the flames worked their way up to the center where the worm lay, the old chief suddenly plunged his hand into the center of the burning pile and snatched out the worm.

Holding the worm gently in his hand, he gave this testimony to the grace of God: “Me. . .

that worm.”

An old Indian, after living many years in sin, was led to Christ by a missionary.

Friends asked him to explain the change in his life.

Reaching down, he picked up a little worm and placed it on a pile of leaves.

Then, touching a match to the leaves, he watched them smolder and burst into flames.

As the flames worked their way up to the center where the worm lay, the old chief suddenly plunged his hand into the center of the burning pile and snatched out the worm.

Holding the worm gently in his hand, he gave this testimony to the grace of God: “Me. . .

that worm.”

Our assurance must be focused on Christ, not our performance.

An old Indian, after living many years in sin, was led to Christ by a missionary.

Friends asked him to explain the change in his life.

Reaching down, he picked up a little worm and placed it on a pile of leaves.

Then, touching a match to the leaves, he watched them smolder and burst into flames.

As the flames worked their way up to the center where the worm lay, the old chief suddenly plunged his hand into the center of the burning pile and snatched out the worm.

Holding the worm gently in his hand, he gave this testimony to the grace of God: “Me. . .

that worm.”

And the life that the Spirit gives is by no means ended by the grave, for the presence of the Spirit guarantees that the bodies of believers will be raised from physical death (vv.

10–11)

We feel condemned because Satan uses past guilt and present failures to make us question what Christ has done for us.

Our assurance must be focused on Christ, not our performance.

• Non-Christian friends will notice (and point out) our inconsistencies.

• Past memories of how we lived can haunt us.

• Personal dysfunctions such as shame, low self esteem, or compulsions will trip us up.

• The perfection of the law will show how imperfect we are.

• We can allow Christ’s perfect example to discourage our efforts rather than encourage our trust.

• Unhealthy comparisons with other believers will make us feel inadequate.

II.

Free From The Control of Sin (5-14)

A man from a remote mission field, after living many years in sin, was led to Christ by a missionary.

Friends asked him to explain the change in his life.

Reaching down, he picked up a little worm and placed it on a pile of leaves.

Then, touching a match to the leaves, he watched them smolder and burst into flames.

As the flames worked their way up to the center where the worm lay, the old chief suddenly plunged his hand into the center of the burning pile and snatched out the worm.

Holding the worm gently in his hand, he gave this testimony to the grace of God: “Me. . .

that worm.”

When did Christ snatch you out of the fire?

TRANSITION: “In Christ” you are free from condemnation, that you may be free from the control of sin.

II.

Free From The Control of Sin (5-14)

Paul reminds his readers that the life-giving power of God’s Spirit is finally effective only in those who continue to let the Spirit change their lives.

Moo, D. J. (1996).

The Epistle to the Romans (p.

485).

Grand Rapids, MI: Wm.

B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

A. Control by the Spirit Leads to Life and Peace (5-8)

A. Control by the Spirit Leads to Life and Peace (5-8)

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.