Untitled Sermon (1)

Romans 8:1-16 The Benefits of Relationship Intro: Friends with benefits - we want something that relationship offers without the commitment. DANGER! This might work for a little while, but brings up more questions than answers. We’re created for relationship. That’s intentional design. “No man is an island, each is a piece of the main.” - John Donne True in a human sense - I benefit as a son because of my relationship with my parents. I have unique access to my parents and to their home. I benefit as a husband because of my relationship with my wife. There is an exclusion of benefits to those outside the relationship. Relationships have conditions. Some can be entered into, some are natural, all come with their own set of expectations and requirements. I’m a parent - I’m expected to provide a place for my children to sleep, a safe environment for them to grow. All of this is true in our relationship with God, and one of the biggest conditions of our relationship with God is the gift of the Holy Spirit. V14-16: led by the spirit, received the spirit. The Spirit bears witness. This is a guarantee of our relationship, and of the benefits that come with it. What kind of relationship: sons, not slaves. Based on birth, not ability. We don’t have to be afraid, we’ve been adopted. What are these benefits of our relationship with God? What has He given us that the world doesn’t have? Sum it up in a word: help. We have help! “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” ‭‭John‬ ‭14:16-17 This help, this HELPER is what makes all the difference. 4 differences that the Holy Spirit makes in the life of the believer. 1: Different Perspective (V5-7) 5 times in 3 verses: set your mind… right living starts with right thinking. Hoy Spirit gives us a new perspective. Col. 3:2 things above. 2: Different Fruit (V6) Relationships we’re in affect us What comes out of us depends on what’s put into us. Downfall of the law, can’t help us live differently - Holy Spirit bears fruit in the believer. New fruit is a result of new thinking - when our minds are set on the spirit, fruit is a byproduct. Healthy fruit is a natural result of the right inputs. Galatians 5:16-24 3: Different Power (V11) The Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you. There is resurrection power in you because of God’s presence in your life. You don’t have to walk alone. OT: by the spirit, Samson, Gideon, David… Things bigger than themselves. For the believer today: empowered for every day life with God. 4: Different Outcome (V13) Life without God will kill you. Physically, spiritually, and eternally. Sin destroys. Life comes from God, Jesus came to give us life (John 10:10 - life and life abundantly) Strong, built in drive to live. This is what the world is after, LIFE. WRONG VIEW: God is trying to restrict our lives. RIGHT VIEW: Apart from God we aren’t all the way alive. Parts of us remain dead. Outro: This is what’s available to us, these are the benefits of the relationship, but the conditions of the relationship are relevant too. VS14 “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” Here are the conditions: are you led by the Spirit? Does the Holy Spirit have a leadership role in your life? “Led” implies trust, obedience, and willingness. Here’s what’s on the table - will you accept the terms? Can you submit to His authority? An invitation is before every one of us. Adoption is available, if we’ll submit. LIFE, FRUIT, POWER, and PERSPECTIVE are available to all of us!