(Romans 8:5-11) The Christian Difference.

Paul draws a dramatic difference between the lost and the saved. The lost reflect a fallen condition with is slavery and destruction. However, the believer in Christ has a distinctive advantage and difference. The Indwelling Holy Spirit gives us new pursuits and a new life. It reflects what it means to be free from the law of sin and death.

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INTRODUCTION:

They are like water and oil"N:

Have you ever heard someone say, “They are like water and oil".

Perhaps it's a siblings, a coworker, a neighbor.

But they are two people who just butt heads.

They are two people with two different

ideas

and values

and ways of doing things.

They are like “oil and water”.

>>>>They just don’t mix.

A common American idiom is

The Worst oil spill in US history occured in 2010 in the gulf of Mexico. A catastrophic oil rig failure caused 3.19 million barrels of oil to leak in the gulf.

ILLUSTRATION:

But why is water and oil

I spent 4 years in a Joint Military Command.

And in many ways the Army and Navy were like oil and water.

I would recommend no end of tour award - they would demand one.

I would expect my team to PT outside operation hours … they would schedule an all day battalion wide PT.

We were just oil and water.

Our values,

our expectations were just different.

But Isn’t,

Being a Christian just like that.

On the other hand …

We are in the world,

But we are not of the world.

We are in the world,

but we are redeemed from the world.

Our lives after Jesus should be marked

by different values and ways of living.

We are like oil and water in this world.

Because of the Holy Spirit’s work -

>>>>>>>>>we have different

values

and ways of doing things.

Observe in ,

how we are like Oil and Water?

Observe

Romans 8:5–11 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. 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.

This text teaches us

To Value the Truths of God as we should.

To stay faithful to those truths.

PROP: Our Lives Should Be Distinctly Different as Christians.

PROP: The Holy Spirit Helps Us Live A New Life.

TRANS: And this text gives us 2 ways the Holy Spirit makes us different.

How are we like “oil and water”?

First,

You must have Christ to

1) The Holy Spirit Gives Us A Different Pursuit in Life. ()

If you could summarize your life's pursuit in one sentence, what would you say?

Life persuit.

- For some of us, it might be our occupation.

My life's pursuit is helping others as

a doctor or a nurse…

Fireman…

teacher.

ILLUSTRATION:

For instance -

We first moved here we had some test ran for Eli, and one of the children doctors polis their life's pursuit was being a specialist for young children. They loved helping little children get better.

Sometimes people ask me, why are you a pastor?

What they're asking is… Why did you choose to be a pastor and not something else.

And I might even say,

I love being a pastor because I love to see broken, hurting people have their lives transformed by Christ.

Yet, for many of us are job is what I do to pay the bills.

My life's pursuit is not my job … but something else.

I might even hate my job.

ILLUSTRATION:

I think of poor

We first moved here we had some test ran for Eli, and one of the children doctors polis their life's pursuit was being a specialist for young children. They loved helping little children get better.

- For others, our life's pursuit is summed up in enjoying life.

>>>I just want to enjoy all that life offers.

That might mean enjoying their family.

There is something special about baking cookies with your kids.

Others that might mean doing their dream job.

When I worked as an analyst … I meet many people who had their dream job and were loving it.

For some, that might mean doing an activity they love to do.

Restoring Cars.

Reading books.

Watching Movies.

Playing Music.

Playing board games.

Spending time outdoors.

Traveling around the world.

Or on the inverse, just staying at home and relaxing.

For some their persuit is just peace.

That means pursuing $1 million, so I don't have to worry about anything.

b) Really only two persuits.

I want the freedom pleasure money can offer.

Yet, our Scripture this morning teaches us that there are really only two pursuits in this life.

- In our postmodern world … we might think that there are thousands of pursuits that we can have in life.

>>>> We treat life like an ice scream parlor and we each get to choose our unique combination.

>>>> We each get to choose what we want to pursue most in life.

- In our postmodern world … we might think that there are thousands of pursuits that we can have in life.

ILLUSTRATION:

In fact,

probably the most common question a high school graduate is asked at graduation in this country… What am I going to do with my life.

And we always answer that with a

job,

or hobby,

or some ideal.

But is that really the most important question?

Is the purpose of our life really bound up in

Is the purpose of our life really bound up in our job, our family, our social status, and our hobbies?

our job,

our family,

our social status,

and our hobbies?

ILLUSTRATION:

But that is why I love Scriptures simplicity – because it teaches us in this passage there only really two pursuits in life.

I mean consider,

right now we are in a season many of us men wait all year for.

Hunting season.

Is the meaning of life bound up in finding a dear and shooting it?

I hope not, because I went hunting, and I haven't got one so far.

I must be a failure in life

But that is why I love the wisdom of Scripture – because it teaches us in this passage there only really two pursuits in life.

ILLUSTRATION:

As One children's story program says it this way – there only two choices on the shelf - pleasing God or pleasing self.

One children's story program says it this way – there only to choices on the shelf - pleasing God or pleasing self.

As One children's story program says it this way – there only to choices on the shelf - pleasing God or pleasing self.

Read in your text the two pursuits there are in this life.

Romans 8:5–8 ESV

Romans 8:58

Paul explains to us that there really are only two pursuits.

One of the flesh

One of the flesh and one of the spirit.

and one of the spirit.

Our text translates this as what we “set our minds” too … in other words what we pursue.

What do we pursue?

What do we think about?

What do we spend our time and money on?

What brings us joy?

Paul contrasts what we pursue in life as one of two things -

either flesh

or the spirit.

Consider,

what this text teaches us about what you pursue in life.

a) We can pursue the mindset of the flesh.

The mindset of the flesh – observe what this text teaches us about what you pursue in life.

A person whose mindset is on the flesh pursues:

there sin cravings ()

that which brings destruction ()

fighting against God ()

and what displeases God. ()

Considering the context,

we can consider this the idea of pleasing self.

- More often than not our true pursuit in life is the pleasures of sin that satisfy me while hurting everyone else.

- Even when we choose a noble task of helping someone like being a doctor… When our mind set on the things of the flesh… And doing it because it makes me happy. It's a selfish noble pursuit.

- And it is pleasing self because it could care less about whether it is pleasing and acceptable to God, our Creator.

This is why our text communicates in – “those in the flesh cannot please God.”

In case we doubt that - Paul says in v. 7 - “Indeed we cannot.”

That is those who - think they can earn their way to heaven…

Those who think - they are good people and good enough to go to heaven…

Those who have - not put their faith in Christ alone to save them.

You can’t please God because your mind is set to the flesh.

Yet - we don’t have to choose to set our mind on the flesh.

When we place our Faith in Christ,

The Holy Spirit changes our mindset.

We can live instead in the Spirit.

CAVEAT:

Realize, first what this text says.

This isn't natural or by accident..

You don't naturally follow the spirit,

you naturally follow the flesh.

ILLUSTRATION:

Think of this like a river.

Friday I got to walk down by a river… And its natural flow of that river was south.

Unless you pumped it out or carried it or some how diverted water

>>>>>>…No water would ever travel north.

Unless you pumped it out or carried it…No water would ever travel north.

It’s impossible.

Its natural flow is South.

This is the same as us,

our natural flow is the flesh.

That without help we will always naturally flow to the flesh.

So we cannot possibly talk about setting our mind on the spirit

>>>>>>>>unless we have help of the Holy Spirit to change us and guide us.

This is why Paul says.

Romans 8:1–2 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.

But if you have Jesus.

You have the Spirit indwelling in you.

Which means -

Instead,

b) We can pursue the mindset of the Spirit.

b) Mindset of the Spirit.

How is the mindset of the spirit different from the flesh?

>>>>>You might say - how is the Christian different from the lost?

A Person who has the Holy Spirit is instead intent on pursuing the things of the spirit.

Realize, first with this text says. This isn't natural.

You don't naturally follow the spirit, you naturally follow the flesh.

ILLUSTRATION:

Think of this like a river.

Friday I got to walk down by a river… And its natural flow of that river was south.

Unless you pumped it out or carried it…No water would ever travel north.

What does our text say about setting our mind on the spirit?

Its natural flow is South.

Same way, our natural flow is the flesh. The without help we will always naturally flow to the flesh.

So we cannot possibly talk about setting our mind on the spirit unless we have Jesus who gave us a new heart and a Holy Spirit to guide and convict us.

But if you have placed your faith in Christ, then you have the Holy Spirit, and it is set you free to set your mind upon spirit.

What does our text say about setting our mind on the spirit?

>>>>>>>>>> (expand) <<<<<<<<<<<<

A person whose mindset is on the things of the Spirit pursues:

the things of God.() .

What matters to God is what matters to him.

the new life and peace found in Christ. ().

They live the new life and peace Christ gave them.

submission to God. ()

And what rules their life is God.

So consider today -

what is your mindset?

what do you set your mind to?

What do you set your mind to?

ILLUSTRATION:

Money, Time Reflect what you value. What you are intent on.

Budget - Budget of Time.

I remember one afternoon watching a Navy chief standing on the peer,

saluting our ship, as we went out to sea.

Why was he saluting the ship?

He was retiring from the Navy,

having completed his 20 years of service for retirement.

That image of that chief has stood in my mind ever since.

Not because it was an act of intense devotion,

but it was all too sad story of a meaningless life.

Not because it was an act of intense devotion, but it was all too sad story of a meaningless life.

His life was represented by a person who pursued the job he loved,

with a noble purpose of serving his country.

And that's all noble, but then what?

The reason that has stuck in my mind… is because it symbolizes the meaningless pursuits we have in this world.

It is a world where God is not the center,

and Christ is not our first love,

and is a life void of meaning.

So often we as Christians believe that lie… That there is meaning in something other than God.

And so we set our minds on things of the flesh.

May we realize that nothing good comes from setting our mind on the things of the flesh.

C.S. Lewis once said,

The glory of God, and, as our only means to glorifying Him, the salvation of human souls, is the real business of life.

(C.S. Lewis)

I think there is a little more to this verse then just the salvation of souls.

But

May we live in pursuit of the real business of life.

May the things of God be what we pursue.

We as Christians ought to be like oil and water

We as Christians ought to be different because we know what really matters.

Our minds are set on the real business of life.

What do you pursue?

What do you think about?

What do you spend your time and money on?

What brings you joy?

And I hope the answer to that question is the real business of life.

ILLUSTRATION:

There are two choices on the shelf - Pleasing God or pleasing self.

So,

1) The Holy Spirit Gives Us A Different Pursuit in Life. ()

But secondly,

2) The Holy Spirit Gives Us A Different Way to Live. ()

You and me - who live for Jesus .... are not like everyone else.

We can’t be.

Consider our last point -

The Unsaved World can’t help, but to pursue the things of the flesh.

But the Christian is compelled, and guided, and convicted to pursue the things of the Spirit.

And that is not just a philosophical point, but a practical point.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ should make me and you live a different way then the rest of the World.

Romans 8:9–11 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. 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.

How can we summarize what Paul teaches here?

a) The Believer has the Holy Spirit living inside (indwelling).

He saying if you have the spirit of Christ … then you also are indwelled with the Holy Spirit.

In other words,

if you had the spirit of Christ… The Holy Spirit is living inside you.

First, on a side note,

this passage is one of many that makes Jesus equally God along with the Holy Spirit.

It is one of a number of incidental observations from the New Testament that demonstrate the Trinity.

But,

What does it mean to have the spirit of Christ?

When we come to believe in the gospel,

we are no longer ruled by the flesh, but by the gospel.

In other words… Jesus and his work rules and reigns over our life.

We have the spirit of Christ in us and this is demonstrated every time we honor Jesus with our lives as we ought to.

And what Paul is saying is that,

if you have a belief in Christ .... then you also have the Holy Spirit living inside you.

ILLUSTRATION:

They are like a combo meal … you can’t have one without the other.

They are a complete package.

Why does that matter?

First,

- The Spirit gives us freedom from the rule of sin and death.

2nd,

- The Spirit Guides us according to God’s Ways.

3rdly, we just looked at -

- The Holy Spirit changes our pursuits … to the things of God.

b) It matters because the Spirit gives us life.

It matters because the Spirit gives us life. ()

In this text, it appears that we have a double promise.

Verse 11 makes it very clear that we are talking both about

- a spiritual resurrection

- and a physical resurrection.

verse 11 demands a more than just a spiritual resurrection.

(Bible Translations smooth out this text)

Personal Translation:

And (1) if the Spirit of the raised Jesus from (2) death is in (3) you, (4) who having raised from (2) death Jesus Christ, (4) will make you alive (5) and (6) your mortal body through (7) his indwelling spirit in you.

The idea of making you alive is a Spiritual resurrection.

The idea of making your mortal body alive is the physical resurrection.

Beginning here and now… The Spirit gives us a new life in Christ.

a) Beginning here and now… He gives us a new life in Christ.

Our old life was intent on the things and especially the sins of this world.

We were enslaved to our sin nature.

teaches us that no longer the case.

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.

However, this is not the full Spiritual restoration God has planned.

In this life we await that day in hope and are tasked with the job of

however, in this life we are tasked with the job of renewing our minds with the truth of Christ's while awaiting the day will be glorified.

>>>>>>>>>renewing our minds with the truth of Christ's .....while awaiting the day will be glorified.

Glorification will happen when when Christ returns

and all those who have believed in Christ will be made perfect and sinless.

This is why glorification is often called ultimate sanctification.

But verse 11 demands a more than just a spiritual resurrection.

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.

Personal Translation:

I point us to and for a description of that day.

But of course … in that day also the sting of death will be gone.

We will receive a physical resurrection.

I point us to and for a description of that day.

So in this text and in Scripture we are promised

a spiritual

and physical resurrection.

The Spirit literally gives us life.

But how does this make us different?

Paul says in v. 9

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.

He is telling us that this fact makes us different.

This means we live differently.

If Scripture gives us – a different set of:

Values

priorities

and morals.

Then we fundamentally are going to live differently.

ILLUSTRATION:

We live in a day mission statements and value are almost an expectation.

In our culture, we value mission statements and value statements

>>>>>because we realize values and priorities determine what we do.

It is no different in our daily lives even if it's an unwritten set of values, priorities, and a set of morals.

We as Christians fundamentally will make different

business decisions,

family decisions,

time decisions

money decisions

moral decisions

because the spirit has given us life.

We might ask - does the Gospel change who you are and the decisions you make?

Yet, on another level the hope we find in Christ also makes us fundamentally different.

When you realize this world is not everything…

And there's something coming this so much the better…

Then it changes how you live here and now.

This is the point Paul Tripp makes in his book forever.

Eternity changes everything.

Our despair

Our priorities

Our time and money.

We have a different hope.

So we live differently and we hope differently.

The Holy Spirit Gives Us A Different Way to Live. ()

CONCLUSION:

Therefore consider,

Are was as Christian different then this world?

And I believe this text makes it very clear… because of the Holy Spirit’s work.

PROP: Our Lives Should Be Distinctly Different as Christians.

I don’t think this text is telling us we ought to try to be odd and different.

Novel even.

But because the Holy Spirit gives us

A Different Pursuit in Life

and A Different Way to Live

Our lives become distinctly set apart, and different.

ILLUSTRATION:

My wife was given a tropical, under the sea picture once - by one of her students.

In that picture there was a line of fish,

3 rows of 4 fish.

All purple.

All facing the left.

Except one.

It was bright yellow

And faced the right.

>>>> Which just made it look like it was going in the opposite directions.

ILLUSTRATION:

When I lived in Hawaii,

I remember driving down the road one day.

And while everybody else is wearing board shorts and flip flops.

There was one guy who stood out.

And I don’t mean he had the coolest board shorts around.

I don’t know if he was from Texas or Wyoming … but I bet you can guess what he was wearing.

He had his boots on,

his blue jeans,

his plaid shirt,

and his cowboy hat.

He stood out like a sore thumb.

In some ways, we as Christians lives lives that are distinctly different then those around us.

On one hand we are all sinners … and the other hand the Christian is everyday becoming more like Jesus.

The Holy Spirit is changing us.

And that makes our life distinctly different.

Our Morals.

Our Values.

Our Character.

Our Life Choices.

If the Spirit is working in us … then we are just like that.

We can’t help but

look different,

act different,

and walk to our own beat.

The work of the Gospel just makes us different.

Which means

And I tell you this … because I think to often we envy the lost.

We wish we had what they had.

Or we think they have it better… so we try to be like them.

And that is to bad … because we are to be a light to a lost world.

But I also tell you this … because we are often like and Oil and water.

Scripture teaches us to be peacemakers as much as we are able.

But often the Christian life is a lonely walk.

If you are really sold out for God … you will probably find yourself walking alone and to your own beat.

ILLUSTRATION:

It is like that picture … you are bright yellow and going right.

When everyone else is purple and going left.

and that means we shouldn’t be surprised when people get upset with us for just obeying God.

They are not like us … and thus many times in life we will find ourselves being like oil and water.

I challenge you this morning - Let the Holy Spirit make you different.

Don’t try to be like the world, but try to be like Jesus.

Because of how Jesus loved you … go out and be distinctively different from everyone else.

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