Paul's Epistles Part 17 – Life in the Spirit

Paul's Epistles

Part 17 – Life in the Spirit

Pastor Bruce A. Shields

House of Faith Church | www.PS127.org | www.TruthDigest.org

INTRODUCTION

We are going to look at the Epistles of Paul in this series of sermons. In Chapter 6 we looked at Paul telling us to be Dead to Sin, and Alive in Christ and that we are Slaves to Righteousness, Released from the Law and Bound to Christ, That which I hate, I do.

Today we will take a look at Romans chapter 8, and how we are Life in the Spirit.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE Romans 8:1-17

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, ² because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you^[a] free from the law of sin and death. ³ For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, ⁴ in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

⁵ Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. ⁶ The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. ⁷ The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. ⁸ Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

⁹ You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. ¹⁰ But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. ¹¹ And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

¹² Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. ¹³ For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

¹⁴ For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. ¹⁵ The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” ¹⁶ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. ¹⁷ Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

                   I.            THEREFORE, THERE IS NOW NO CONDEMNATION

a.      For those who are in Christ Jesus

                                                                         i.      Through Christ Jesus, the law of the Spirit who gives life, has set you FREE from the Law of sin and death.

                                                                      ii.      The Law was powerless to do this!

                                                                   iii.      However, the righteous requirement of the Law was paid for by Christ, and thus, created a New Covenant.

                                                                     iv.      And those in Christ, the New Covenant, are no longer bound by the sin and death of the Law, the Old Covenant.

b.     Two covenants, two laws.

                                                                         i.      Law of Moses (10 Commands), the Law of Sin & Death

                                                                      ii.      Law of the Spirit (Salvation in Christ), the Law of Life & Peace

c.      Two Realms for our minds to dwell

                                                                         i.      The Law of Moses, 10 Commands, the Law of Sin and Death, this is the realm of the flesh which leads to condemnation.

                                                                      ii.      The Law of the Spirit, Salvation in Christ Jesus, the Law of Life and Peace, this is the realm of the Spirit where there is no condemnation.

               II.            YOU LIVE ACCORDING TO YOUR MINDS GOVERNING

a.      Your MIND is "WHO" you are.

                                                                         i.      Not your flesh.

1.      For that will pass away, and "you" will still exist!

                                                                      ii.      Not the Spirit within you.

1.      There are many Spirits in this world, we were created to have the Spirit of God within us...if He is not, then another will want to take His place.

                                                                   iii.      But your MIND, (sometimes referred to as your heart in scripture)

1.      This is the essence of who you are.

2.      This is where Salvation takes place.

a.      Romans 10:10 "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

3.      This is where sin takes place.

a.      2 Corinthians 11:3 "I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ."

4.      This is where we are told to "change" the way we think.

a.      Romans 12:2 "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."

b.     Romans 15:5 "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had"

c.      2 Corinthians 4:4 "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."

b.     Who is governing your MIND?

                                                                         i.      If you live under the 10 Commands, you are in the Law of sin and death, and under condemnation, living in the realm of the FLESH.

1.      Therefore, your mind if being governed by your flesh!

                                                                      ii.      If you live under the Law of the Spirit in Christ Jesus, the Law that sets you FREE from the Law of Sin and Death, there is no condemnation, you are living in the realm of the Spirit.

1.      Therefore, your mind is being governed by the Spirit!

c.      Whichever leads your mind, dictates your life, and secures your afterlife.

                                                                         i.      If your flesh is governing your mind, you will be hostile toward God, you will not, and cannot keep the 10 commands of God, and therefore, it is impossible for you to please God in the realm of the flesh!

1.      You will die, and be condemned under the Law of sin and death. You will not receive a new body, because the Spirit of God that raised Jesus is NOT in you!

                                                                      ii.      If the Spirit is governing your mind, you will be led by the Spirit of God, and desire that which the Spirit desires, and be called a child of God.

1.      Children are heirs, and we too will inherit from God.

2.      Because we have the Spirit of Life within us, we, like Jesus will have our bodies raised, and receive NEW and SINLESS bodies like Christ Jesus.

            III.            IN WHICH REALM TO YOU RESIDE?

a.      Are you led by your flesh, or the Spirit of God?

                                                                         i.      You cannot live in two realms!

                                                                      ii.      Galatians 5:13-14, 16 "¹³ You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. ¹⁴ For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 

¹⁶ So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever^[c] you want. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

b.     The flesh governs the mind by desiring

                                                                         i.      ¹⁹ The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; ²⁰ idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions ²¹ and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

c.      The Spirit governs the mind

                                                                         i.      But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

CONCLUSION

¹² Therefore, brothers and sisters (those IN Christ), we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. ¹³ For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

¹⁴ For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. ¹⁵ The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” ¹⁶ The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. ¹⁷ Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

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