Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction:

We have found ourselves perhaps at one of the greatest chapters in the New Testament if not the Bible.

This chapter has so much richness, depth, truth, theology, and hope.

Every time I read it I find something rich and powerful and that feeds me.

Freedom from Condemnation Equates Deliverance (Romans 8:1-4)

Rom 8:1-4 “1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

“therefore” seems to go back to Romans 7:25.

Romans 7:13-25 vividly dramatizes the situation of one who sees God’s standard, desires God’s standard, appreciates the rightness of God’s standard, but is defeated by the power of the law of sin in the flesh (7:25).

Two deliverances:

Condemnation of the Law

Condemnation is a legal technical term for pronouncing a sentence and can also include the carrying out of that sentence.

Those who are in Christ are free from this.

I like the song “In Christ Alone”

No guilt in life, no fear in death | This is the power of Christ in me| From Life’s first cry to final breath| Jesus commands my destiny

Control of the “law of sin and death”

The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus what is it?

I understand it to be “the law of God” in Rom 7:22 “22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:”

Fleshly Characteristics (Rom 8:5-13)

Rom 8:5-13 “5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.

Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the …”

The exercise of the fleshly mind (Rom 8:5)

“mind” – aims, aspirations, striving, way of thinking.

This person takes the flesh’s side in the conflict between the Spirit of God and our human flesh (desires).

Remember, our walk depends on how we think.

Our conduct reflects our outlook.

(Prov.

23:7).

The enmity of the fleshly mind (Rom 8:6-7)

Who we side with decides spiritual death or Spiritual life and peace.

While it is somewhat flawed I think the Old Native American tale makes the point of this pretty well:

An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life.

“A fight is going on inside me,” he said to the boy.

“It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves.

One is evil – he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.”

He continued, “The other is good – he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.

The same fight is going on inside you – and inside every other person, too.”

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?”

The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”

The enormity of the flesh

Those who are not living “in Christ” are living under the control of “the flesh”

The flesh determines the motives and intents.

To “mortify” means to “put to death” to live in the flesh means you allow the decisions and directions of your life to be determined by your fallen nature.

You feed the flesh.

The Means of Deliverance and Freedom (Rom 8:3)

THE MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT Rom 8:14-27.

Rom 8:14-27 “14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth …”

We have FELLOWSHIP through the Spirit (Rom 8:14-17)

The Spirit leads us (Rom 8:14)

The term “Abba” means “Daddy.”

It is a term of endearment a child uses to address its Father.

One of the key characteristics of being saved is the fact we are led by the Spirit.

Please read Galatians 5:16-18 on what it means to be “led” by the Spirit.

The Spirit liberates us (Rom 8:15-16)

He provides freedom from the Bondage of Fear (15a)

He provides confidence when approaching God (15b-16)

We are adopted in God's family (15b)

We have assurance through the Witness of the Spirit (16)

There is the witnesses of the Spirit “TO us” - Heb. 10:15 -16 = a fact

There is the witness of the Spirit “IN us” – Heb.

4:2; I Jn.

5:10 –through faith

There is the witness of the Spirit “WITH us” - Rom. 8:16 - by feelings

The Spirit provides us a Legacy (17)

The Spirit gives us FREEDOM from Discouragement (8:18-27)

Romans 8:18-27 “18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?

25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”

The Groans of Creation - focus on future glory (18-22)

Note that KJV speaks of the “creature” in verses 19, 20, and 21.

A better translation is “creation.”

The Groans of the Christian - focus on future hope (23-25)

The Groans of the Comforter - focus on present help (26-27)

The “infirmities” of 8:26 is specifically speaking of not knowing what to pray for as we ought.

It is not speaking of “infirmities” or “weaknesses” in general.

FREEDOM FROM FEAR 8:28-30

Romans 8:28-30 “28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.”

God's PROMISE (28)

The Person who qualifies

The Promise that is given

The Process that is employed

God's PLAN (29-30)