No Condemnation - Romans 8:1-11

The following is the bare outline of the sermon preached on August 20, 2006 Green Brier Baptist Church, Utica, KY on August 20, 2006 by Larrry Brown.

No Condemnation!
Sermon Preached at
Green Brier Baptist church
August 20, 2006

Romans 8:1-11 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (2) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (3) For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: (4) That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (5) For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. (6) For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (7) Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (8) So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. (9) But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. (10) And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. (11) But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

Introduction: In Chapter 7 Paul made it clear that even though we are part of God's forever family, the old person we were before we came to know Jesus strives in us to control us. Paul spoke of a war that goes on within us. No amount of effort on our part will win that war for us. It is only when God does something in us that we become the victor. What the law cannot do, the gospel of Jesus Christ is able to do in us. That is what Paul tells us about in Chapter 8. Let's listen to my paraphrase of the first eleven verses.

1. Therefore, because of what Jesus did those who live in union with him will not be punished for their sin.
2. For the power of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, who unites us with Him has set us free from the power of sin and death.
3. Moses’ law could not do what God did by sending His Son because human nature is weak and our weakness showed the weakness of the law. God condemned sin in the flesh when he sent his Son in the nature of human flesh and overcame the power of sin.
4. This God did in order that the righteous demands of the law might be satisfied in those who live in union with the Spirit and do not obey the desires of human nature.
5. Those who live under the dominance of their human nature are controlled by what their human nature tells them. Those who live as the spirit tells them to live are controlled by what the Holy Spirit wants.
6. To be controlled by the desires of our heart brings death but if we let the Spirit control us we will have life and peace.
7. It is impossible for our human nature to be at peace with God: because human nature is always an enemy of God.
8. It is impossible to please God if we allow our human nature to control us.
9. But you are not controlled by your fleshly desires if God's Spirit lives in you and if God's Spirit does not live in you then you are not his child.
10. Even though this body will one day die, God's Spirit gives life to those in whom He lives.
11. God's Spirit raised Jesus from the dead and if His Spirit lives in you, He will give life to you just as He gave life to Christ.

I. NO CONDEMNATION TO THOSE WHO ARE IN CHRIST! (v.1-3)
A. The Law (works) could not....
B. This result is based solely upon the actions of God.
C. Sin is condemned.
D. Life in Christ has set me free from sin's power to kill me.

II. PROGRESSIVE SANCTIFICATION IS ONLY POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF WHAT GOD HAS DONE IN SENDING HIS SON. (v.4-8)
A. The purpose of regeneration is sanctification.
B. We will always live according to the content of our hearts.
James 1:12-15 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. (13) Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: (14) But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. (15) Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
C. Human nature is God's enemy naturally.
a. Not subject to God's will.
b. Cannot be.
D. If we live according to human nature we cannot please God.

III. THE HOLY SPIRIT ENABLES US TO LIVE A LIFE PLEASING TO GOD! (v.8-11)
A. All of Grace.
B. We do not have the Spirit. The Spirit has us.
C. If the Spirit does not have us, we do not have Christ.
D. Even though the body dies, the one who has Christ will live.
E. Resurrection power is extended to us as to the Son.

Conclusion: Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. When we began the study of The Epistle to the Romans, we saw that entire book is framed around these wonderful words found in Chapter 1, verse 16. I am not ashamed of the Gospel! It is the power of God! It is the power of God to everyone who believes! Without the truth of these words, we have no hope. We stand condemned because of the evil of our own hearts. Thank God for this good news: "He loved us while we were yet sinners." If at this moment, you are experiencing the call of God, won't you cry out ot him, "Dear God, be merciful to me a sinner."