Life in the Spirit

After hearing the irrefutable evidence of the guilt of your choose the sentence is passed. Sentence is pronounced by the judge that the prisoner is then taken from the court to the condemned, so today I throw where he is awaiting execution of the sentence.

The appeal system has been exhausted, is nothing more to say is guilt is absolutely certain irrefutable. No appeals is condemned to die. That is the picture that Paul has been painting in the opening chapter of Romans regarding each one of us. And Paul has clearly explained that all of us, or whether religious or interreligious, whether Jew or Gentile, whether moral people sincerely trying to live good lives, or whether outright pagans. We are all without exception under God's condemnation. Paula said that all of us have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

He said that the wages of sin is death, all of sin all die, all are condemned. All of us without exception have received, as it were a death sentence. We are under condemnation, but this is why the gospel is such good news. There is only one way according to Scripture, according to the truth, in which we can be free from the place of condemnation.

Paul is described in Romans five verse eight when he says that God shows his love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us the wonderful it was while we were still sinners when we were in the place of condemnation that God sends his son and comes to die for us. Paul writes in Romans five verse 18. Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.

Justification by faith is as false teaching in these opening chapters of Romans that we been studying over these months once condemned now justified. That of course is in perfect consistency with the words of our Lord Jesus. Many of us know John 316 John 317 says for God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved. When I started preaching. Romans almost a year ago friend of mine said John is a wonderful epistle, but is like climbing Mount Everest. Meaning there are some challenging parts of Romans, and I think we dealt with some of them without with one of them last week, but now in Romans eight as we come to Romans chapter 8 if we been climbing Everest. I think were coming near the summit of Everest, because Romans eight is surely one of the most importance, and it is certainly one of the most loved chapters in all of the Bible.

Paul is going to explain and has explained previously in chapter 6 that followers of Jesus have been freed have been set free from the power of sin, wonderful evidence to be set free from the powder saying that's Romans six and then Romans seven told us that not only have we been set free from the power of sin, we have been set free from the power of the law as we saw last week. Praise God and I were in Romans eight. He writes of another power is going to tell us and build a wonderful conclusion of the end of Romans chapter 8 that we who are authentic followers of Jesus Christ. Not only have we been set free from the power of sin. Not only have we been set free from the power of the law. We have received our new power as supernatural power. That is the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is mentioned 20 times in Romans chapter 8. No, I can't say this too strongly.

I said it many times but I say that again this morning that you cannot you cannot live the Christian life in your own power. I think all of us have tried to do that I would try to do the best we can. We tried to deal with the struggle of our sin and perhaps through self discipline, or through some counseling or some other means they get the victory over some particular sin or sins in our life and that we have realized that, try as we might, we cannot please God on our own resources on our church candidate on our religious heritage based on our sincerity based on our desire for social justice based on our desire to be kinder and more loving people, all of that, however well-intentioned leads to frustration and ultimate death is the message of Romans. Think of this that Paul is now in Romans chapter 8 I going to tell us in some detail as we will see about the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit that those of us who are saved by the grace of God. Receivers against the Holy Spirit and this Holy Spirit indwells us and empowers us to live a life pleasing to God the Holy Spirit assures us of our salvation and not only assures us of our salvation.

He guarantees our final salvation. That is our glorification.

This magnificent chapter.

Romans eight begins with no condemnation added and with no separation, no separation from the love of God for those who are in Christ Jesus. This is the hope of the gospel and that hope of the gospel. Paul is going to say that magnificent hope of the gospel which is guaranteed by God himself will never be defeated. However, Starmer your life. Whatever the severity of your suffering, however difficult the trials and tribulations of your life.

There's nothing in the whole universe which can separate us from the love of God because is guaranteed by God himself and even death itself will not extinguish the magnificent hope of the gospel. You believe that I do. I personally believe that. I hope some of you do as well. Let us learn about the supernatural power which God gives to every believer in Christ send and read Romans chapter 8 verses 1 to 3 and four. This is the word of God to us today.

Let's read it thoughtfully. This is God's inspired word to us read with me.

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus for the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death, for God has done what the law weakened by the flesh could not do. By sending his own son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flash, but according to the spirit and this is the word of God to us. Please be seated. My notice Georgia Bibles open it so have the text in front of you. But as Paul says in Romans eight verse one that followers of Jesus are no longer under condemnation. There is therefore now no no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus with a glorious assurance that is the. Therefore, in verse one goes back I think particularly to chapter 7, verse six, where Paul talks about the new life of the spirit. But it provides all the Paul was written up to this point. Chapter 7 verses seven through 25 as we cited that over a couple weeks us all we saw was a kind of parentheses, as Paul dealt with the law and sin. Romans chapters 5, six, seven, eight, all deal with the whole of the gospel.

Here is another effect. Here is another result of those who are justified by faith. This can be said of all those saved by the grace of God.

Paul has begun the subject in chapter 5 when he says that those who are being justified by faith have peace with God is another effect. Here's another result, all of us saved by the grace of God. Of this, it can be said there is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus once wrote under condemnation.

Now we are justified by sin has gone. There is no condemnation whatsoever for the believer in Christ Jesus. In the original Greek text, the first word in Romans eight verse one is the word no and that the Greek writers they can reorganize the reward.

Are there no way that we can do in English, and often the first word in the sentence is the most important one is the one where the writer is putting an emphasis so Paul is emphasizing that there is no way whatsoever that those who are in Christ Jesus can be condemned. The penalty of our sin has gone paid by our Lord Jesus Christ. We are now liberated from the power of sin and death would no longer slaves to sin and death is not wonderful, not notice what he says. However, there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus will believe in universalism is that John what universalism universalism is a popular idea that it doesn't really matter what you believe, because eventually everyone certainly if you're sincere. Everyone eventually will be saved and get to heaven. That's not the teaching of Scripture, the message of the gospel, the good news of the gospel is announced. Everyone Paul is made that clear to the very beginning of his.

It is a puzzle when he says of the gospel is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes the offer of salvation goes to the whole world. All those justified by faith are saved with this only those who are saved. Only those who have been justified by God who can legitimately be described as being in Christ Jesus for them.

For those who are in Christ Jesus. There is no condemnation those saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone in Christ Jesus.

And that wonderful magnificent description by Paul in Christ Jesus is emphasizing the security the unbreakable security.

The unbreakable bond between our Lord Jesus Christ and his people. He gives us eternal life, and we shall never perish. If you are in Christ Jesus.

There is no no condemnation whatsoever you catch the wonder of this brilliant assurance this morning. Just think of it, if you truly are not talking about some I word to word switch are meaningless.

But if you truly are saved by the grace of God that is no way whatsoever in which you can be condemned now or ever. That's Paul's point, you say, but John, what about all of the sins of my past I've really messed up by I committed some some bad sins. I believe you really need to convince me and you say, Jon, I committed sins that, but I never really told anyone about the end if you knew about them you would throw me either Calvary church. While we would throw you out because it will be enough a lot of empty seats wouldn't way if we throughout all of the great sinners. I've been here 12 1/2 years and I know would love really bad sinners or come to Calvary church.

I don't know, but all of your and even people I know well we can cover it up, but to someone for John.

You don't know the depth of my sin. Perhaps I don't want to tell you if you are saved by the grace of God. All all of your sins are gone for a given saved justified no condemnation. Your friends may condemn you or your family may condemn your we as Christians might even condemn you but God never ever will condemn those who are in Christ Jesus understand why we call the gospel goodness of God. The Scripture emphasizes that over and over again. New Testament were told that our sins are buried in the depths of the sea, God remembers our sins no more. One that amazing truth to grip your soul.

Here is a man Moses was a murderer, will be thinking this evening of David was a man after God's own heart, but David was a nasty sinner. He committed some big ones. Adultery murderer lying and covetousness Simon Peter, the leader of the 12 the man who denied the Lord. But there is no no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus you say John how can I eradicate these haunting memories of my sins and my failures of the past my NMA of Satan comes doesn't it, and he whispers in her ear so people at Calvary church. Don't really know how bad you are. Have you forgotten you did such and such.

Only a year ago member when you said that.

Remember when you did that and our enemy comes and tries to accuse our center distractors. We sometimes sing the wonderful song when Satan tempts me to despair and tells me of the Guild within upward. I look to him as my Savior there, who made an end of all my sin because the sinless Savior died, my sinful soul is counted free for God. The justice satisfied to look at him that his son and pardon me what you do with Satan when he comes and remind you of your sins to take him to the cross and so you're absolutely right. I'm a total wretch. I really messed up. But I wanted to look at my Savior. When he died on the cross. He paid the price of all of my sin undergone.

Paul is going to say at the end of Romans eight who can bring any charge against God's elect to imagine anyone of us standing up here this morning and said to bring any charge against me going. Upon the finger me and family members could those of noise. Those who work with us.

They know were not perfect people. But Paul is saying. For those who are justified who can legitimately bring a charge against God's elect. He then says it is God who justifies.

Who is he who condemns he asked rhetorically, then the Romans eight absolutely normal one for there is no therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Did you hear the choir sang no condemnation. Now I dread Jesus and all in him is mine.

Are you afraid this morning to stand before a holy God.

You should be afraid because God knows everything, who could stand for 1 �s in the presence of a holy God, will it not for this magnificent fact that the Lord Jesus has come, and has paid the price of all of my sin.

And so in the future when I stand before God. I stand in the righteousness of my Lord Jesus Christ. That's justification.

The declaration now given. Now to me with the righteousness of Christ.

The beauty of Christ. The sinlessness of Christ is imputed to me.

He receives all of my sin. I receive all of his righteousness, but make sure you're in Christ Jesus. Now let's look at the next two verses verses two and three were Paul goes on to say that followers of Jesus are set free by the power of the life-giving spirit followers of Jesus are set free from the power of sin.

Verse two for the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death set free from the penalty of my sin is my justification set free from the power of my sin. That's my sanctification.

The believer.

Paul has told us so wonderfully.

Romans chapter 6 has died to sin with Christ.

The power the authority to terminate a masterly of sin in my life has been broken because I have died with Christ. Romans six verse 18.

Let me remind you, having been set free from sin, having become slaves of righteousness you've been set free. Once you were a slave chained to sin, unable to extricate yourself unable to get out of the condemned cell, but Christ has come, and has broken the chains of sin no, you're free that this freedom we experience is followers of Jesus is the work of the Holy Spirit, the law of the Spirit of life.

Verse two is not the Mosaic law. Know this is the authority, this is the power of the Holy Spirit. The spirit of life. We are all aware and we of the temptations of sin and the pressures of sin in the life law is unable to overcome the flash, the answer to the power of indwelling sin is what is the greater power of the spirit of life.

Some translations say here the life giving spirit like to. Paul is not contrasting the weakness of the flash some translations a sinful nature.

The Greek word socks think flash is better the difference between the weakness of the flash and the power of the Holy Spirit is the difference between serving under the old written called and serving in the new life of the spirit.

As Paul says in chapter 7, verse six, so you are either living each one of us. You're either living according to the flash or your living according to the spirit which is in your life you civil hello how would we know the difference. Difficult to tell the mask. This is a question for you in the Lord. He already knows the answer, of course, but I ask you is your life dominated by your sinful passions, or is it controlled by the Holy Spirit. Paul says in chapter 6 chapter 7 verse six he says while we were living in the flash our sinful passions aroused by the law. The individual who is living in accordance with the flash is dominated controlled by sinful passions. The individual who is been justified is nominated is controlled by the Holy Spirit you civil how would I know if I'm controlled by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit produces fruit as it were kind of fruits Galatians 5 verse 22 for the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control, so Julia your life. Can you say my life. It's been a perfect imperfect people here, but generally speaking, is controlled by the spirit so that supernaturally when attacking the personality types, but supernaturally my life is being transformed.

I'm becoming more and more like Jesus and the evidence of that is the fruit of the spirit or am I living life on the natural level controlled following my sinful passions is in a dead legalism using llama member, church, a vocational being a member.

Kyle Richards is getting in the heaven. Could it be that you've embraced a dead legalism or are you experiencing the abundant life of the spirit. Paul says elsewhere that the letter kills, but the spirit gives life also says in the same chapter. Second Corinthians 3, that where the spirit is there is freedom. Freedom, fruitfulness, joy, all of the evidences of the life controlled by the spirit set free from the power of sin to be set free from sin.

Your life is been dominated by the sin and by the sinful passions but also pulsates in the end of chapter, then the verse two that we been set free, not only from the law of sin, but set free from the law of this is the answer at the verse 24 of chapter 7 who will deliver me from this body of death.

The greatest fear that we have as human beings is fear of death, but now is a following of Jesus. I have been given as a gift eternal life. The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

You see, if I am truly in Christ Jesus, I am alive forevermore.

I may die physically, but even though I die, says Jesus, yet shall you live because we are in Christ who is the resurrection and the life I've been delivered from the power of sin and from the law of day was and who the writer of Hebrews puts it in Hebrews chapter 2 really uses the same argument as Paul. I think here. Some say Paul wrote Hebrews Hebrews 2 verse 14. Since therefore the children share in blood flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of that that is the devil and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. There is the devil keep us in slavery to sin and through the fear of death. Our Savior comes pays for our sin goes into death bunkers that in the and is alive forevermore and all of us who are in Christ have not been set free, not only from the law of sin, but also from the law of that he gives us eternal life, and we shall never perish wonderful to go through life knowing that whatever happens, whatever happens will eternally saved, I have received eternal life will know people perhaps in your own family. We thought they were in very good health little lake a little paying a little problem seemingly go to the doctor and are diagnosed with a terminal illness and then on very short time. The gone time into eternity will know people who have been killed immediately in a car � life is fragile for the believer in Jesus Christ. We don't need to fear. This is in the hands of the Lord and that through the power of Almighty God our Savior has come, and broken not only the stranglehold of Satan but the stranglehold of day so Paul can say here for the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death note.

How did you do that verse three for God has done what the law weakened by the flash could not do. By sending his own son in the likeness of sinful flesh and forcing the condemned sin in the flesh, God's son condemned sin.

God saw another law conquered sin and death. The law will never ever set you free from sin and death know the problem is in the law process is here.

Another problem is that the law is weakened by the flash. We saw a couple weeks ago that the law is holy is good if the merit of the problem is with the matter. The problem is with us and the law can tell you what to do, but it can give you the power to do it why it's weakened by the flesh, but what the law could never do. God does what God's answer. You noticed him to that in great love, God the father sends his own son. He sees our situation.

He sees that we're in the condemned cell he sees a try as we might and we will never ever get free from the pilot of sin and death on the wrong and so what does he do an amazing love and tremendous humility. He sends his son, his unique son his own son would likely repulses this by sending his own son to give your son to save my life.

I don't think so. I'm hoping to give my son to save your life. I can tell you that.

But God sends his own son and he comes into our world and in the mystery of godliness is God's son come into the world. Paul says here he comes in the likeness of sinful flesh. Paul is very careful here is the Apollo's a brilliant theologian and of course writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. God son when he comes into her world.

He comes in genuine human flesh, but he does not come in sinful flesh becomes in the likeness of sinful flesh that is our Lord humanity was real, but it was sinless. He was truly a man truly God and truly man, the word became flesh just like you and me.

He takes on flesh and blood, but with this difference is the sinless Christ without a spackle stain of Adam sin. All of us are born in Adam we are born sinners, but not our Lord Jesus Christ comes into this world who enters in this world in a you in a unique way as he's conceived of the Virgin, and he comes in the likeness of sinful flesh wonderful wisdom of God the magnificent plan of God in rescuing us from our condemnation, but says Paul in verse three.

Not only did he send his son in the likeness of sinful flesh. He sends him and for sin I'm reading from the English standard version and I have a footnote for this verse which says it may mean and as a sin offering the NIV says that that he sends his son in the likeness of sinful flesh and to be a sin offering for sin. Nothing that's right, this Greek expression is used in the Greek translation of the Old Testament, they are like sex for the sin offering. For example, is used in Leviticus 4 verse three he shall offer for the sin that he has committed a bull from the herd without blemish to the Lord for a sin offering exactly the same expression of this open God so loved the world, and he sends his son into this world. Not only does he come in the likeness of sinful flesh. Think of that.

Think of the condescension, the Lord of glory. The eternal God is firing as a man on earth what humility only does he come in the likeness of sinful flesh he comes as a sin of he comes for you sin on the cross when our Savior dies is being offered up as an offering for sin, paying the price for the penalty of our sin, and he triumph over that in his own flash. He condemned our sin, in his sinless humanity, so that the place where God's condemnation took place is in the flesh, Paul's eyes. He condemned sin in the flesh that staggering is the condemnation, that I desire falls on the sinless Christ that God condemns the sin of John Monroe and the person of his sinless son. And this is why sin has no claim on me the condemnation I deserved because I'm a sinner because the wages of sin is that the condemnation, that I desire is borne by my Lord Jesus Christ, so that no longer am I in the place of condemnation.

Once I was before I came to Christ.

That was the place of condemnation, God's wrath was on me my Lord Jesus Christ has come has paid the price of my sin has taken my place, so you have visited St Andrews in Scotland is that that's where the golf courses.

Yes, the golf course with something more important than the golf course in St Andrews and with a picture of it.

St Andrews is the place with the Scottish Reformation came and if you've had with John Knox and this is a picture of a dungeon is called the bottle dungeon governs and Andrews and visiting the old castle in the remains of the Reformation, so you need to see the bottle dungeon. It's a small prison 25 feet deep small aperture small entrance and then it becomes in shape like a bottle as it were. And so the prisoner is thrown into the dungeon into the darkness is only one way and that through the top and there is no way even an athletic person like Peter firing. There's no way that anyone can scale 25 feet in the wall that is shaped like that. Replace the place of condemnation story is told of a man whose friend was in the bottle dungeon and he asked permission to see him finally.

Permission is granted, and so his Lord is a rope on the rope burn to the bottle bottom of the bottle dungeon when he's down there. He says to his friend. This condemned friend, the condemned prisoner. He said were going to change clothes, so he takes the close of the prisoner puts them on himself and the prisoner gets his quotes after while they talk the rope and the shut up and so the people haul up. They thought they think the same management that, but no there holing up the prisoner's dress differently and his friend is left in the place of condemnation and is old close is not a faint picture of our Lord Jesus Christ is done here I am at the bottom of the dungeon in the condemned cell and rightly so, but my Lord Jesus Christ comes takes on my humanity made in the likeness of sinful of sinful flesh sin apart and he takes all of my sin and I receive all of his righteousness, he bears the guilt and the wrath of God and I am free. I am set free. I'm forgiven because my Savior has died in my place. Don't we sometimes saying bearing shame and suffering route in my place but condemned he stood sealed my pardon with his blood, hallelujah water Savior can imagine that Jesus Christ goes into the place of my condemnation and by sin is no longer condemned in me because it has been condemned in Christ Jesus. There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ, but one more last for followers of Jesus, and I love change lives through the Holy Spirit. Can we not be different best for an order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flash, but according to the spirit of freedom from sin or freedom from that is so that now we live different lives, displaying the holiness and the righteousness of our Lord Jesus Christ, and able to do that through the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit. Paul is going to describe this motors will see next week. Followers of Jesus we have the righteous requirements of the law fulfilled in us, we can we do this in different ways, but the one that is that for over 13 years, our Lord Jesus Christ walked on this earth, and during that time he fulfilled every commandment every step he took.

Ever wonder why Jesus Christ didn't just come for a short a few days, and is a full-grown man be condemned and the pay the price of sin go back to heaven.

Why, why did you live about 33, 36 years to demonstrate. One of the reasons is this a demonstrated for that time as a man. He lived a perfect life. Every thought, every word, every deed, every act honored his father. He said I always do the things that please. My father, he and he alone fulfilled the righteous requirements of the law. I know in the wonder of the of the mystery of the gospel.

His righteousness and fulfillment of the law becomes mine because that has been imputed to me my sins are gone and I receive the righteousness of Christ and now it is my joy to live that out in my life. Through the power of the spirit as I live, not according to the flash my old sinful ways, but according to the new life in the spirit of sin is gone and were now being transformed through the in dwelling spirit know this is not accomplished by the outward conformity to the log on the back. The old written code of the law no through the supernatural work of the spirit FF Bruce writes Christian holiness is not a matter of painstaking conformity to the individual precepts of an external law called it is rather a question of the holy spirit producing his fruit in the life right producing those graces, which were seen in perfection in the life of Christ will said FF Bruce mother said the Holy Spirit, producing his fruits in our lives right producing those graces, which were seen in perfection in the life of Christ is not wonderful when you see something of Jesus and others someone who before they came to Christ with a bit was a bit cranky, still a bit cranky, but we see some joy. Someone who before the cancer Christ was really a very selfish individual. But no, we see them with a desire to serve someone who before they came to Christ was all about themselves and no they are generous was happening, and of the Holy Spirit right producing the graces of Jesus in our lives know the law neither justifies or sanctifies. As John Stott says through the death of his incarnate son.

God justifies us through the power of the indwelling spirit P sanctifies us, so Paul can say no and Galatians 5 walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. I ask your things different is is like different for you know that your follow Jesus you know anything about the work of the spirit in your life.

What a difference between living in the flash and living in the spirit we all know what it is to live in the flash but only those who are genuinely saved love.

The indwelling spirit.

No about the life of the spirit. This is the only way to true freedom. What does our culture, prized personal autonomy. What does that mean secular independence in charge of your own life. Decide for yourself what is right and wrong. Set your own rules and if you don't want rules. That's all right then you just do your own thing man personal autonomy.

Culture also talks about personal authenticity, which often comes down to being true to my own feelings so someone says when that's how I feel as if how you feel can determine what is right and wrong.

It's all living according to the flesh, the more you pursue your personal autonomy. The more you pursue your personal authenticity and base your life on your own desires and your feelings are more broken and the more disillusioned and the more ultimately despairing and meaningless. Your life will be in the will ultimately end in death or a different way.

Life span. We are in Christ and he is in us in this identity in Christ gives us a tremendous security doesn't it because it is based not on her own accomplishments, not on our feelings when on the solid rock of Jesus Christ.

And so what directs us in life is not ourselves that are feelings on their own agenda, but the life-giving Spirit of God hears phone recipes with us he's in us living according to the spirit so I have to ask, are you in Christ Jesus you think that followers of Christ is not something you work for, but something you receive based on what Christ has done with an opportunity this morning to humble yourself before the cross and say when to be free from sin understand that this is why Christ has come for Jesus, and forgive me and transform and change and is a fellow traveler in life. I can say I can testify to this. For me there is no condemnation not because I'm a perfect person.

I'm far from it now because of my pastor absolutely no but because my sin is condemned in Jesus Christ. He was wounded for my transgressions, he was bruised for my iniquities to the chastisement of the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

My prayer is that all of us today. All of us can say with Paul be wonderful if everyone in this century this morning. Everyone listening to the lifestream he could say there is therefore no no condemnation for me because I am in Christ Jesus we pray with me eternal God, thank you for the magnificent Savior we follow.

Thank you for the Holy Spirit who give to us. This life-giving spirit brings transformation and change in power in their life. For those of us who were saved by the grace father Phyllis with the split may we live life is controlled by the spirit will easily sin comes into our life. For those without Christ made the call on the name of the Lord and be saved, that they will realize that salvation is found in Christ and in Christ the Lord, we pray in his name