“THE GLORY TO BE REVEALED” (Romans 8:17-25)

Introduction

Two Sundays ago, we were told that all who are led by the Spirit are adopted into the family of God, and are children of God and fellow heirs with Christ. We were also reminded that as Christ suffered, we who are united to him should also expect to suffer. Today, Paul says that there is a great future glory yet to be revealed to us who with patiently wait for it.         

THE SUFFERING AND GLORY OF CHRIST (vv. 17-18)

THE SUFFERING AND GLORY OF CREATION (vv. 19-22)

THE SUFFERING AND GLORY OF CHRISTIANS (vv. 23-25)

Application

• Consider that all your suffering is in union with Christ and never apart from him.   

• Consider that all your suffering and hardship has an end. 

• Consider that all this fallen creation (ourselves included!), will be made new by God.

CONCLUSION 

Beloved, suffering and trials are an inescapable part of this life. But God’s Word assures us that they will turn to joy in the morning of His heavenly presence. Facing tough times? Lean on God, and be encouraged by the joy, newness, freedom, and fulfillment that will someday replace those trials.

“Sons of god and Heirs with christ” Romans 8:12-17

Introduction

The whole Christian faith rests on the fact that after the death and burial of Jesus, the tomb was found empty. When the women arrived at Jesus’ tomb on Sunday morning and did not find his body, the angel told them, “He has risen; he is not here…” (Mark 16:6).  Today we will look at what the empty tomb of Jesus means and what its implications are for us. 

AN EMPTY TOMB (vv. 1-5)

A RISEN JESUS (v. 6)

A MESSAGE TO TELL (vv. 7-8)

CONCLUSION 

Beloved, Easter is about an empty tomb, a risen Jesus, and a message to tell. What would your response be to this momentous event? Are you going to walk out astonished and keep silent? Or are you going to praise God and proclaim with joy that “Christ Is Risen, He Is Risen Indeed!”?

“Sons of god and Heirs with Christ” Romans 8:12-17

Introduction

Last Sunday, Paul contrasted life in the Spirit with life in the flesh. He described two mindsets and two modes of life. Today he continues his teaching and adds that all who are led by the Spirit are adopted into the family of God, and are children of God.    

YOU ARE A DEBTOR (vv.12-13)

• Not to the flesh

• But to the Spirit

YOU ARE A CHILD OF GOD (v. 14)

YOU HAVE PRIVILEGES AS A CHILD OF GOD (vv. 15-17)

• Security

• Status

• Intimacy

• Assurance

• Inheritance

APPLICATION

• Remember who you are, and remember who your Father in heaven is!

CONCLUSION

Beloved, to be adopted through Christ into the family of God is a glorious biblical teaching. To be called a son or a daughter of God is a great privilege and honor. Live worthy of your new status.  

“Spiritually Minded” Romans 8:5-11

Introduction

Last Sunday, Paul declared that “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Today, he contrasts life in the Spirit with life in the flesh. He describes two mindsets and two modes of life. 

TWO MINDSETS (vv. 5-8)

• Flesh – Spirit

• Death – life

• War with God – peace with God

• Pleasing self – pleasing God

TWO MODES (vv. 9-11)

• God the Holy Spirit dwells in you

• God the Son dwells in you

• God the Father dwells in you

APPLICATION

• Live a holy life glorifying God who dwells in you.

• Live a holy life that shows that the Spirit dwells in you.

• Live a holy life that pleases and honors Christ who dwells in you.

CONCLUSION

Beloved, you were made to glorify God, not to live to gratify the desires of the body and the carnal mind. In Jesus there is joy, peace, fullness, complete satisfaction, fulfillment, abundant and eternal life. Are you living with your mind set on the things of the Spirit?

No Condemnation Romans 8:1-4

Introduction

Last Sunday, Paul described the ongoing moral struggle within a Christian between the flesh and the Spirit. Today, he contrasts life in the Spirit with life in the flesh. The indwelling Spirit is our liberator now from “the law of sin and death.” 

 IN CHRIST THERE IS NO CONDEMNATION (v. 1)

IN CHRIST THERE IS LIBERATION (vv. 2-3)

IN CHRIST THERE IS SANCTIFICATION (v. 4)

APPLICATION

• Don’t walk in the flesh

• Walk in the Spirit

CONCLUSION

Beloved, remember this glorious and beautiful statement, “there is now no condemnation” for me because I am in Christ Jesus. He loved me enough to take on flesh, to die and rise again to accomplish this for me.  

The War Within Romans 7:7-25

Introduction

Two Sundays ago, Paul (in verses 1-6) said that when we come to faith in Christ, we are released from the old way of serving God through the law, and we are bound to Jesus that we might serve in a new way through the Holy Spirit. Today, Paul describes the inner conflict of the Christian life and shows where victory is found.

THE THREE FUNCTIONS OF THE LAW (vv. 7-13)

• It reveals sin

• It provokes sin

• It condemns sin

THE WAR WITHIN (vv. 14-20)

THE VICTORY FOUND IN JESUS CHRIST (vv. 24-25)

APPLICATION

• Fight sin and do not make any excuses for it

• Flee to Jesus to be delivered from this body of death

CONCLUSION

Beloved, although we are new creatures in Christ, we still struggle with sin. But we need not despair or be governed by it, for we are united to Christ and indwelt by the Holy Spirit. By obeying God's Word and yielding to the Spirit, we can be victorious over our sinful nature.