Living the Free Life!
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Title: Text: Romans 8:1-4
Review Sermon Series -
Sermon Series for Romans 7
Title: “You Can’t Do It!” – The Impossibility of Following God’s Law Flawlessly!
Sermon Series for Romans 8
Title: “You Can Do It!” – The Possibility of Following Christ Perfectly!
Review last weeks passage - Text: Romans 7:21–25 “21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 22 For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, 23 but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.”
Review last weeks sermon in a sentence -
Title: Only Jesus Can Do What You and the Law Can’t!
ENGAGE
“Aye, fight and you may die. Run, and you'll live... at least a while. And dying in your beds, many years from now, would you be willin' to trade ALL the days, from this day to that, for one chance, just one chance, to come back here and tell our enemies that they may take our lives, but they'll never take... OUR FREEDOM!” - William Wallace!
ENCOUNTER
A stirring speech for sure! And freedom is what every soul craves.
But is freedom possible?
I’m not talking about temporary freedom that governments or politics might afford, but lasting freedom from sin and its eternal consequences?
This is what Paul deals with in chapter 8...
Main Idea - True Freedom is Available to You! How Can You Get It?
There are three specific ways anyone can obtain true freedom, and the first is...
1. If You Want to be Free From Judgment, be in Christ Jesus (vs. 1-2)
“Freedom is never free, it always costs someone something.”
This is true for countries and this is true for our faith as well.
And if you want true and lasting freedom, there is only one place you can find it. Jesus Christ.
What do I mean? Well, let’s look at the text and then I’ll explain.
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.
Explain - Just as blood was spilled and sacrifices were made to provide you freedom in this country, so Christ sacrificed His life and shed His blood for your freedom as well.
But how does this freedom happen?
What is the process that one must go through in order enjoy freedom.
What am I freed from?
How do I know that I am free?
What is the first word or phrase that we see in this passage? Therefore!
As i have told you in the past, whenever we see a “therefore” in the text we must ask the question, “What is the “therefore”, there for? Go back to the end of chapter 7 and remember the lament of Paul...
24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.
Paul recognizes his need for deliverance and that there is only one place that this deliverance can come from, and that is Christ Jesus.
Jesus is our deliverer!
How was Paul delivered? How am I delivered? What is this process?
Think of it this way. There is an impending storm that is like any storm you have ever endured. You name it and it will be a part of this storm.
Wind, hail, fire, flood - It will be devastating! no one will be able to survive this storm!
However, there is one way of escape available to you.
Imagine an indestructible pod. A protective vehicle that you climb into - you put in on - and it protects you from tidal waves. It saves you from the hottest fires imaginable. It keeps you secure during the hurricane or tornado. Nothing can disable this pod. Nothing can damage this pod. As long as you are in this pod, you are safe and sound and it will deliver you from the impending storm.
The point?
Get in the Capsule and be Safe (vs 1) -
Jesus is this capsule. He is the indestructible pod. When one “put’s on” Christ, one is saved from the storm of God’s wrath that is yet to come! And it is coming.
Apart from Christ everyone and I mean everyone will face the storm of God’s wrath. There is no escape - except Christ!
You will face CONDEMNATION (God’s wrathful judgment) unless you are “IN CHRIST JESUS! a very important phrase!
It is God’s wrath that you are freed from by climbing into the Jesus pod.
By the way, entering the pod is an exercise of faith. You must believe that this pod will protect you from the coming storm.
You must believe that Jesus will protect you from the coming condemnation.
Do you?
If you don’t you must repent of your pride and self-reliance and turn to Christ as your only hope of deliverance and rescue!
Understand How Deliverance Possible (vs 2) -
2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.
Do you see this? “For” meaning the conduit. Something is the conduit for our freedom.
“the law of the Spirit of life” - what is this? Law means principle...
The NIV makes it more clear -
2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.
Who is the Spirit of life?
The Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the agent who set us free.
What happens to a person when they become a Christian.
They are born again by the power of the Holy Spirit.
What activities does the Holy Spirit do...
The Convicting Role of the Holy Spirit in Salvation
8 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment:
The Regenerating Role of the Holy Spirit in Salvation
5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—
5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
I Know Whom I Have Believed by Daniel Whittle (1883)
I know not how this saving faith to me He did impart;
Nor how believing in His Word wrought peace within my heart.
But I know Whom I have believed!
I know not how the Spirit moves, convincing men of sin;
Revealing Jesus through the Word, creating faith in Him.
But I know Whom I have believed!
Chorus - But I know Whom I have believèd,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.
The Adopting Role of the Holy Spirit in Salvation
4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
The Sealing Role of the Holy Spirit in Salvation
21 And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, 22 and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Seal = ownership
Seal = A guarantee for something in transit
William Barclay, in his New Testament Words, wrote: "In classical Greek the word arrabon regularly means the caution money that a purchaser had to deposit and pay down when a bargain was struck and which was forfeited if the purchase was not carried out. It was the first installment which was the pledge and guarantee that the rest would follow in due time."6 He continued, "[W]hat Paul is saying is that God's gift to us of the Holy Spirit here and now is an installment, a guarantee, an advance foretaste of the life which the Christian will some day live when he lives in the presence of God."7
Seal = A guarantee of the quality of goods
Seal = A proof of identity
11 He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well,
What is the point? If you are IN CHRIST, you are FREE! What are you free? Because of the ministry of the Holy Spirit working in conjunction with the Gospel of Jesus Christ - These two entities work together to free you from the REALITY of sin and death.
God’s judgment results in death.
God’s Spirit results in life - everlasting life!
Judgement is a reality that every human being throughout the course of history must come to terms with.
Everyone faces God’s wrathful judgment that results in eternal CONDEMNATION!
27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,
Illustrate - Larry King tried to avoid death. He failed. Other famous people have spent inordinate amounts of money to keep from dying. They failed.
Apply - How can I be free from God’s judgement? I must be in Christ Jesus!
Are you? Have you climbed into the pod?
Review - True Freedom is Available to You! How Can You Get It?
If You Want to be Free From Judgment, be in Christ Jesus
Transition - The second way you can be truly free...
2. If You Want to be Free from the Penalty of the Law, Believe the Gospel (vs. 3)
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,
Explain - Okay, this verse is a little misleading.
Is The Law Weak? (3a) - The way most english translations render this verse makes it sound like God’s law is weakened by the flesh, this is not an accurate understanding. Take a look at one of the few translations that get it right.
3 The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins.
It is because OUR FLESH IS WEAK.
In other words, our flesh is not up to the task of flawlessly keeping the law!
38 Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39 and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.
But, look again at the rest of verse 3...
The Son of God is Strong (3b) -
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,
Friends, this is the gospel! This is the good news. This is a believer’s heartbeat, a believer’s only hope for everlasting life in the New Heaven’s and the New Earth.
You are Weak!
Christ is Strong!
You cannot save yourself by following God’s law - you are insufficient
10 For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.”
Christ Jesus is completely sufficient.
4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law,
He lived a sinless life!
He died a substitutionary death!
24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.
He rose from the Grave on the third day showing His mastery over death!
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
These actions verified that He is the ONLY one capable of “condemning sin in the flesh.”
Notice the word play Paul employees?
Law, because of sin, condemns you!
Jesus, fulfills the law and condemns sin!
Sin is death, Jesus is life!
Either you will be condemned by God’s law because of your sin, or you can have new life in Christ from this day forward!
In order for this to take place, you MUST believe!
You must not only believe the “Jesus Pod” works, but you have to climb in!
Illustrate - Once there was a famous tight-rope walker. He stood before a huge crowd by Niagara Falls, preparing to do his most daring feat.
“How many of you believe that I can walk across Niagara Falls on this tightrope?” he asked the people gathered there.
“We believe you can do it!” they shouted.
So the guy got up on the rope and started across the falls. Far, far, below he could see the water thundering down the cliff. If he fell, it would be instant death. Fearlessly, he kept walking – all he way across Niagara Falls and back.
“Now, do you believe that I can walk across this tightrope pushing a wheelbarrow?” he asked the enthusiastic crowd.
“Yes, yes! You con do it,” they screamed.
So the tightrope walker took his wheelbarrow and effortlessly pushed it across the slippery wet rope high above the water.
The crowd went wild, clapping and cheering.
“Now,” the man said, “For my most dangerous trick. I’m going to push someone in my wheelbarrow across Niagara Falls. How many of you believe I can do it?
“Yes, we believe you can do it!” the crowd shouted.
“Okay,” said he said. “Who will be my first volunteer?”
Total silence. Everyone believed that he was able to do it – but they didn’t believe to the point of trusting their lives into his hands. They didn’t believe enough to get into his wheelbarrow.
Apply - You have to believe! There is no other way to be saved!
31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Have you gotten into the pod? The Wheelbarrow? Are you in Christ?
Review - True Freedom is Available to You! How Can You Get It?
If You Want to be Free From Judgment, be in Christ Jesus
If You Want to be Free from the Penalty of the Law, Believe the Gospel
Transition - And lastly, true freedom involves a powerful relationship with the HOLY Spirit!
3. If You Want to be Free to Fulfill the Law, Walk in the Spirit (vs. 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.
Explain - Now wait a minute, do you see what these verses say?
You Can Fulfill the Law! (vs. 4a)
You and I are able to fulfill the righteous requirements of the law! I though this was not possible?
The MacArthur Study Bible Chapter 8
Every unbeliever is still under its requirement of perfection and its condemnation, until he comes to Christ (Gal. 3:23–25) and every believer still finds in it the standard for behavior.
If you are not a believer here this morning, you are still under God’s righteous condemnation
36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.
And then, once you become a follower of Christ, something amazing happens to you! The Spirit of God Himself comes to live within you.
You Must Walk in the Spirit! (vs. 4b)
And our job as followers of Christ is to keep in step with the Spirit!
Look again at verse 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.
Believers are not to walk according to the flesh -
Believers are to walk according to the Spirit.
Next week we will cover this idea in more detail, but it is worth noticing that this is, according to Paul, a statement of fact. It is an indicative truth! There is no getting around the idea that believers are people who “walk, not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”
In other words, you must walk the HOLY path of life guided by God’s Spirit!
While there are mystical and subjective aspects to walking in the Spirit, it’s not as mysterious as you might think.
Promptings of the Spirit are real and you must be sensitive to them.
However...
The Word of God, written by the Spirit of God (2 Peter 1:21) is our superior option as a guide to living this life.
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Illustrate -
What God chooses, He cleanses.
What God cleanses, He molds.
What God molds, He fills.
What God fills, He uses.
J. S. Baxter
Apply -
How can I Walk in the Spirit?
Recognize Who Lives Within You!
Yield to His Power and Will
Soak You Mind in His Word.
Pray for His Power to Obey.
Walk Accordingly!
Friends, this is true and lasting freedom!
Review - True Freedom is Available to You! How Can You Get It?
If You Want to be Free From Judgment, be in Christ Jesus
If You Want to be Free from the Penalty of the Law, Believe the Gospel
If You Want to be Free to Fulfill the Law, Walk in the Spirit
Transition -
EMPOWER
Combination of Exhortation, Animation, and ultimately Application of the preacher’s words to make space for God’s power to flow.
You don’t tell them about a truth: you give an experience of it.
Don’t turn into powerless moralism
In the life of Jesus, those hypotheticals become actuals
Jesus becomes the stories he tells
The message becomes about Jesus
A MAN who lived in a foreign country became a citizen of the United States of America. In the country where he was raised and grew up, there was a curfew overseen by the military. Beyond a certain time, the streets had to be cleared and everyone had to be in their homes. When he immigrated to the United States, he began immediately sightseeing to see part of the country that he was now becoming a part of. However, when he saw darkness set in and looked at his watch, he saw that he was about to pass his curfew time.
Seeing a man getting in his car, he said, “Sir, would you please rush me to my hotel so that I won’t overstay my curfew and get in trouble?”
The gentleman in the car couldn’t figure out what in the world the man was talking about until it dawned on him that he was a foreigner and that he was a little mixed up about his new life in America. He explained to and assured the man that in the U.S. the law that he had been used to no longer applied. He explained that he was no longer under the jurisdiction of the country he came from. He was in a new country now and that meant he was free to stay up and stay out. The restrictions of the old homeland no longer applied. This man was in the United States. but had not yet learned to cast off the bondage of the old country.
A lot of us are in Christ, but we’ve not yet learned how to cast off the old bondage of being in Adam. So we sing about freedom, talk about freedom, and yet we feel the pressure of the curfew and the bondage and oppression of the old law system under which we operated. Far too many Christians today are in chains because they’ve just spent so much time in the old country. In getting used to this thing about being free in Christ, they have not adapted yet.336
Connection Group Reflection Questions