Christianity For The Real World Series

Christianity for the Real World Part 1 Romans 8:1-16

Preached at Midway Community Church Oct 10, 1999

A billboard attracted my attention. College for the Real World; The ad says I can get an education for the real world. Those who respond will have skills they can draw on as they go out to apply for and work at a job.

This eighth chapter of Romans is what I like to call Christianity for the real world. What we will learn here will help us in the real world, the world outside that door.

The Real World: Barren times; Rejection, heartbreak, times when we feel unworthy, unaccepted, and incompetent. Ever have any times like that in the real world? How about the real world of broken pieces? The tragedy of broken relationships, the tragedy of broken lives because of sin, the broken families that are a result of divorce and or death, the pain that comes from the broken pieces is like no other pain I have experienced. Will Christianity work in the middle of these broken pieces? That is the real world. What about all those blessings that have turned in to so called curses. When that child that you have poured your life in turns out to be a disappointment. They did not turn out like you planed for them to. They chose a relationship with someone else over you. All those unfilled dreams, the sudden storms the unplanned losses. Will Christianity work in this real world? What about the things that have me in bondage that I have been battling for years, habits that are destroying my health, and in some cases my wealth? Is there a real answer for this REAL WORLD? CAN I NOT ONLY SURVIVE BUT CAN I THRIVE IN THESE STORMS?

IS CHRISTINIATY FOR THE REAL WORLD, OR IS IT A PANACEA.

IS IT ONLY SOMETHING WE DO ON SUNDAY AM?

IS IT ONLY A RELIGION THAT WILL KEEP ME OUT OF HELL OR IS IT A REALITY FOR THE HELL I AM IN?

WHEN WE GET THROUGH WITH THIS CHAPTER I HOPE YOU WILL BE ABLE TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS FOR YOURSELF.

What we are going to examine here in Romans 8 is life in the Spirit. What has this to do with the real world? Everything. Some people may have a concept of life in the Sprit different than the Bible depicts. 1, Emotionalism, and sure it has emotions but it is much more practical and down to earth than just feelings.

2. Some people think it is only something to do with the gifts of the Spirit, and truly He gives gifts, but life in the Spirit is much more than the gifts.

3. 3. Some are even skeptic.

4. 4. And some of us don’t really know, and this is where I fall. I approached this chapter with out any preconceived notions. I wanted to learn about Life in the Spirit.

A few verses: 8:4; a person can walk or live according to the Spirit, he is our source; 8:6 He is someone we can set our minds upon; 8:9 LIFE IN THE SPIRIT IS A LIFE OF BELONGING; 8:11 The Spirit will give life to our mortal bodies; 8:13 By the Spirit we put to death the deeds of the body; 8:16 The Holy Spirit bears witness that we are His children; 8:23 we have the first fruits of the Spirit; 8:26 The Holy Spirit helps our weakness; 8:27 The Holy Spirit intercedes for us; One thing I can conclude already, is that if as a believer, I am living in the real world, The Holy Spirit is very active and involved with me in my circumstances. I don’t have to meet the real world in the energy of my own power. Do you agree? Then why do we meet them on our own? We don’t know much about life in the Spirit, is my conclusion. I thought I could handle the broken pieces, the barren places, and the blessing into curses but I found out I could not. Life in the Spirit IS Christianity for the real world.

First we will see the release: This is where life in the Spirit begins; then we will see The Response to our being released in 8:12-17; and later we will see The reality of being released and the response, in other words what Life in the Spirit looks like lived in the trenches of the real world.

1. The release; PERMANENT FREEDOM NOT PROBATION;

Romans 8:1; No condemnation, the foundational truth to life in the Spirit. One of the greatest statements you will ever read in the New Testament. The problem is that many only read it they don’t embrace it or don’t believe it.

When is there no condemnation to those who are In Christ Jesus? When I get good enough? When I learn certain truths? When I get to where I don’t struggle with sin? When will this be a reality? NOW. Now that God has acted in grace on your behalf; now that Jesus has reconciled you to God through His death on the cross; Now that you have received the reconciliation; Now that you have been justified as a gift of his grace; now that you have peace with God. Now that the finished work of God and Jesus is done: The moment you repented and received salvation is the moment you moved into the reign of no condemnation. Never ever will you ever be condemned, executed for your sin? Col. 2:13-14