THE DEEPER WALK PART 1: LIFE IN THE SPIRIT
ROMANS 8: 1-17
JULY 27, 2003
INTRODUCTION: Unless there is within us that which is above us, we shall soon yield to that which is about us.
— P.T. Forsyth
If a man is filled with anger, than anger controls his life.
If a man is filled with greed, then greed dominates his life.
If a man is filled with lust, then lust governs his life.
If a man is filled with love, then love influences all he does.
And if a man is filled with the Holy Spirit, he is controlled by the Spirit - it is, if you will, "control by consent."
Contributed by: Emile Wolfaardt
TRANSITION THOUGHT: Our text for today speaks of the Power of the Spirit filled life. We have talked for the last month about not playing the Devil’s game. The truth of the matter is that what we talked about was a refresher course in how the Devil works with the hope that we would wise up and not play his game. As I pondered where it is we should go NEXT, I felt that it was time to speak of a deeper walk. It seems that we may understand the basics, thus it is time to delve a little deeper into the waters of following after the Living God. Someone sent me an e-mail this week sharing their thoughts on the loss of MRS. Freddie. One of the comments made was that we will miss her wisdom and that there is a need for more Mrs. Freddies. To this I add a hearty Amen. It is time we step up our walk of faith and live lives worthy of our calling. The only way to do this is not in our power, but in HIS SPIRIT!
THESIS SENTENCE: THE SPIRIT CONTROLLED LIFE LEADS TO A DEEPER WALK!
SO, WHAT DO WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND TO LIVE IN THE SPIRIT?
I. LIFE IN THE SPIRIT BRINGS FREEDOM VV. 1-4
A. FREEDOM IS NOT WITHIN THE LAW
1. The Law has one function and it is to reveal our sinful nature.
2. We have been sinful since Genesis Chapter 3 and the apple.
3. The Law did not make us sinful it revealed to us that we liked “darkness instead of light.”
4. The Law also taught us about God’s standard for our lives, or better put, what the image of God in us should look like!
5. In all truth, we could never uphold all the Law of God. In our own strength, we have no strength at all!
6. Therefore we are all dead in sin because of the Law and no life can be found in us. Thus the Apostle Paul cries out, “Who will rescue me from this body of death (Romans 7:24b)?”
B. FREEDOM IS IN CHRIST ALONE
1. The power of Christ’s death means that the "righteous requirements of the law" are "fully met in us" (v.4). This righteousness frees us from condemnation (v.1), and makes our spirits live (v.10). The power of Christ’s resurrection means our bodies will live (v.11), and be cleansed of the sinful nature. 2. You see it is in Christ alone that we have the forgiveness of sins and the accrediting of righteousness.
3. Apart from Christ there is condemnation! Paul wrote in Romans 7: 24 and 25, “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God – through Jesus Christ our Lord!”
4. But in Christ, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1).”
5. In Christ we are free from sin and free to operate in a new dimension.
TRUTH: FREEDOM IS FOUND IN CHRIST ALONE!
ILLUSTRATION: As someone said, "Not all who profess Christ really possess Christ."
II. LIFE IN THE SPIRIT BRINGS SEPARATION VV. 5-11
A. SEPARATION FROM DEATH VV. 5-8
1. In verses 5-11 Paul contrasts life according to the sinful nature with life according to the Spirit. To live according to the sinful nature is to have the focus of life upon self. To live according to the Spirit is to have the focus of life upon God.
2. Death is therefore the end result of those who are controlled by the sinful nature. 3. These are they whose mindset are sin and its desires.
4. The Apostle describes these as they who are hostile to God. They do not submit to God’s law, nor can they do so.
5. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God!
6.
B. SEPARATION TO LIFE VV. 9-11
1. The contrast is of those who are controlled by the Spirit.
2. Their mindset is different; it is set on what the Spirit desires and not on what the sinful nature desires!
3. This mindset is focused not on self, but upon life and peace (v. 6).
4. This truth can only be so if the Spirit of God lives in you!
5. When the Spirit is in control, the body is dead, but our spirits are alive because of righteousness.
6. This is none other than the Spirit of Christ (vv. 9)
7. “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 through his Spirit, who lives in you (vv. 11).”
8. What the Apostle is telling us is we are raised to life in Christ now because of the Spirit of Christ living in us. We are no longer dead to sin, but alive in Christ and therefore are controlled by the Spirit that led him to complete obedience to God the Father!
TRUTH: LIVING IN THE SPIRIT SEPARATES US FROM THE SINFUL NATURE!
ILLUSTRATION: GOD ONLY LIVES IN THE BEST
The Old Testament Temple was only 30’ wide by 90’ long-- a mere 2700 square feet. It was smaller than many homes today. It has been estimated that to rebuild the Temple by the directions in the Bible would cost today about four billion dollars! It would take incredible amounts of gold, expensive wood and tapestries, and the finest stone. It was the most expensive building per square foot ever built. Queen of Sheba saw it and swooned.
And now, we have become the dwelling place of God!! We are of great value to God as the place where His Spirit takes up residence.
III. LIFE IN THE SPIRIT BRINGS OBLIGATION VV. 12-17
A. OBLIGATION IS OPPOSITION VV. 12-13a
1. Christians "have an obligation" to live according to the Holy Spirit rather than according to the sinful nature because of what Christ has done for us. We have received sonship from the Father, being heirs of God, co-heirs with Christ.
2. Our new obligation, because the Spirit of Christ dwells in us is in opposition to the sinful nature.
3. Opposition to the sinful nature is opposition to death, for if we live according to the sinful nature we die!
4. But in contrast to us dieing a spiritual death, or separation from God the Father, we are to “put to death the misdeeds of the body.”
B. OBLIGATION IS LIVING VV. 13b-17
1. Living is obeying: this is the obligation attending the possession of the new status and privileges. Obeying God the Father, through the leading of the Spirit, is putting to death the misdeeds of the body, so we will live!
2. Living is depending on God: we are “led by the Spirit of God.
3. Living is fellowship with God: There is no need for fear when approaching the Father. He draws us with His irresistible love. The Cry “abba Father” is the affectionate response to that love.
4. This is because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God and thus we have received the Spirit of sonship!
5. “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 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 (Romans 8:17).”
6. The Apostle has come to a climatic conclusion: We are God’s children, we share all God has with Christ, and we exemplify this truth in suffering.
7. What did he say, “Suffering?” Our obligation is suffering.
8. The tension is suffering now equals glory then!
TRUTH: LIVING IN THE SPIRIT OBLIGATES US TO LIVE AS CHILDREN OF GOD!
ILLUSTRATION: FILLING UP WITH THE SPIRIT
Speaking to a large audience, D.L. Moody held up a glass and asked, "How can I get the air out of this glass?" One man shouted, "Suck it out with a pump!" Moody replied, "That would create a vacuum and shatter the glass." After numerous other suggestions Moody smiled, picked up a pitcher of water, and filled the glass. "There," he said, "all the air is now removed." He then went on to explain that victory in the Christian life is not accomplished by "sucking out a sin here and there," but by being filled with the Holy Spirit.
SOURCE: Today in the Word, September, 1991, p. 30.
CONCLUSION: We know we are in God’s family as the Spirit of God leads us forward in our daily lives. God breaks the power of sin in the believer’s life, giving him the power to put to death the misdeeds of the body. He enables us to live to please Him! This entire chapter teaches that if we are truly in Christ, nothing in creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God. Our obligation is to make a conscious effort every day to yield to the Lord. This must be done even in the small, secret things, continuing to understand that all we are and have is because of God’s love and grace. Let each of us thank and praise Him for the relationship He has given us through Jesus Christ, sealed with the Holy Spirit.
BENEDICTION: I THESSALONIANS 5: 23-24
