Raised From The Dead Series

STRAIGHT FROM ROMANS 8 - Raised from the Dead

May 15, 2022

Romans 8:9-11

Introduction:

Control: do we have any control freaks this morning? You don’t have to raise your hands because you were just pointed out by the elbow that hit your ribs…or the look. (Show look)

All your tools are marked, cleaned and placed in the proper place…all your nuts, bolts, and fasteners have their own little marked container.

You not only expect for things to be done a certain way, but you clearly believe…“it’s really the only way” to do this thing. If control freak “A” and control freak “B” end up working on the same project, or going on the same mission trip, or serving on the same committee…be assured…there will come a time they fiercely argue about how something should be done as they wrestle for “control” of the situation.

Webster defines “control” like this…“to have under command; to regulate, to check to restrain, to direct…as a noun it is “authority” “power.”

The pilot controls the plane…the driver controls the car…the engineer controls the train. Being out of control, in any of those vehicles is a very very bad thing…I think I want a little bit of a control freak flying my jet.

So, I’ve got a question for you this morning…“who controls your life?” Last week I asked, “who controls your thinking?” and we discovered, “sometimes I do, sometimes God does, sometimes Satan does…sometimes people impact my thinking…but, I am accountable for taking those temptations and those thoughts and bringing them into obedience to Christ…the only people who can do this are Spirit filled, born again followers of Christ.” God’s Spirit sets our minds on what His Spirit desires. (v. 5)

So, who controls your life? Or, what controls your life? Is it God living in you? Directing…keeping in check…restraining…and propelling? Once again there are only 2 options, 1) self, the sinful nature or 2) the Spirit, the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ.

God’s Word makes it very clear…we will live in either of one of two realms (the word “realm” means Kingdom). We will live in one of two kingdoms…and it will be clearly evident who’s our King.

I. THE KINGDOM OF SELF IS TEMPORARY AND DEADLY

Paul writes to the believers in Rome and says, “You are not in the realm (or Kingdom) of the flesh, but are in the realm (or Kingdom) of the Spirit…If indeed the Spirit of God lives in you…” (v. 9)

But then he makes a radical statement…

“If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.” (Romans 8:9)

Not so coincidentally, the Apostle Paul is saying the exact thing as Jesus said to Nicodemus…

“Very truly I tell you, no one can enter this realm (Kingdom) unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to Spirit.”

(John 3:5-6)

The Bible clearly describes two kingdoms. The first is the Kingdom of the flesh, often called “the world.” It’s the Kingdom of “self.” It’s a life lived apart from God…it’s governed by our sinful nature…and the king of this realm is “Satan” also called “the god of this world” or “the evil one.”

From the time he was removed from heaven, he’s been at war with God…and that war takes place in an invisible empire that surrounds us…Its why the Revelation from John warns us “Woe to the earth and the sea because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury because he knows his time is short.” (Rev. 12:12)

Paul describes the battle in this way to the Ephesians: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm.” (Kingdom). (Eph. 6:12)

It’s a battle for control…It’s one the evil one will lose…but there will be eternal casualties because of the war.

And the serpent of old always preys on our desires and our desire for control. And he finds a ready partner in our sinful nature.

In the Garden of Eden it starts with a questioning of God’s laws…Listen:

GENESIS 3:1-6

Did God really say this? What?!! You’re not really going to die (outright lie). Listen, God knows if you eat it you’ll be like Him.

The fruit looks delicious…and it was desirable for gaining wisdom (not the right kind of wisdom though). So they ate it…hid from God…lost their innocence…and eventually…died!

From that time on sin reigned in our hearts…every person sought to be their own god…and gratify their flesh.

And the god of this age continues to blind the minds of people so they cannot see the need for a Savior. (2 Cor. 4:4)