"Saints Fly High By The Spirit" Romans Pt. 10 Series

“Saints Fly High by the Spirit.”

Romans pt. 10

Opening Illustration on the lighter side of life: Video “Got Jesus?” from Impact Productions - Tape - “Video Impact” Evangelism Commercials Demo.

Scripture Text: Romans 8:1-17:

1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. 3For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, 4in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.

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

9You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. 10But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11And 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.

12Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. 13For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, 14because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 16The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17Now 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.

Thesis: Saints will fly high in life as they live in accordance with the Spirit’s nature. When they live by the Spirit’s nature their life is useful for the Kingdom of God.

Introduction:

Paul challenges us in this chapter about how saints are to live their lives. They are to live a life that seeks to follow the way of the Spirit. It means that they are controlled by the Spirits nature and not controlled by the sinful nature. Paul reminds us in these first few verses that the law of the Spirit has delivered us from the law of the sinful nature. The law of the Spirit has the power to bring life – eternal life – meaningful life to the saint.

John Wesley stated, “Oh, Lord let me not live to be useless!”

Where as the law was powerless to bring about salvation for the saint the new way and the new law of the Spirit is able to bring eternal salvation to the saint and attached with that is an abundant life here on the earth.

Last week we discovered that Saints do struggle in this life and the struggle is between who will control the saint. Will it be the sinful nature or will it be the Spirit’s nature.

But God’s Word is the only force that is able to reveal who is in control of a person’s life.

Hebrews 4:12: For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

The Word of God is powerful because of its ability to explode between the spirit and soul, revealing which force is in control of the saint. The Word splits the seams of the heart and shows whether it is soul ruled or Spirit ruled. The Word reveals to the saint whether they are in the flesh or if they are led by the Spirit.

John 3:6: "Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to Spirit."

The reality from the teachings of God’s Word tells us that if we live life controlled by our fleshly desires – our sin nature - then we are not living by the nature of the Spirit. When we do not live by the nature of the Spirit then our life really becomes useless for the Kingdom of God.