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October 28, 2007
"The Greatest Life of All"
Discovering The World's Most Important Book—Part 6
Romans 8
Review: Acts demonstrates the power of the Spirit of God and Romans teaches us how to cooperate with the Spirit of God.
Question: What does maturity look like? A life yielded to the Spirit of God, filled by the Spirit of God, and producing the fruit of the Spirit of God is what maturity looks like!
Principle: Unity produced by the Spirit is a powerful witness. A life yielded to the Spirit is a contagious and powerful witness.
Principle: A fractured church is a fruitless witness. A Christian who has quenched the Spirit of God in his/her life is a bitter and fruitless witness.
The Spirit controlled life is the greatest life of all.
Summary: Although Christians still struggle with sin, the threat of judgment for their sin was removed at the cross. In God's eyes, Christians are not guilty! The sacrifice of Jesus removed our certain judgment.
False teaching: Some are teaching these days that Jesus' sacrifice removed the judgment of sin from everyone. Whether they know Christ or not, it doesn't even matter if they reject Christ. In God's eyes they are not guilty because of Christ's sacrifice. Romans 8 speaks clearly to this heresy.
1. Freedom came through what Jesus Christ did for us.
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus...
—Romans 8:1
2. The Spirit controlled life:
- Is a life at peace.
Those 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. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace...
—Romans 8:5-6
- Is a life that can please God.
Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you.
—Romans 8:8-9
- Is a life that has confidence of its connection to Christ.
For 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, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For 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." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.
—Romans 8:13-16
- Is a life that receives help from the Spirit in its weakness.
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.
—Romans 8:26-27
3. The blessing of the Spirit controlled life:
- All things work out for our good.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
—Romans 8:28
- We are being conformed to the likeness of Christ.
For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
—Romans 8:29
- God is for us and He will give us all we need.
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
—Romans 8:31-32
- Nothing can separate us from the love of God and we will be victorious.
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ...No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
—Romans 8:35, 37-39
Application: Would you like to be free from your deserved judgment? Ask Jesus to forgive your sin and allow Him to direct your life.
"The Power of the Spirit"
Personal and Small Group Study
Getting Started
- What do you expect to inherit from your parents or grandparents? What do you expect to pass on to your children or family?
- What have you eagerly expected during this past year or two that did not come off as planned? How did you express your disappointment?
Digging Deeper: Read and Reflect
- More than Conquerors (Romans 8:1-39) What are the biggest influences in your life? Would you say anything "controls" you? What does it mean to be "controlled" by the Spirit? Do you think Paul was a pessimist or an optimist? Why?
- The Fruit of the Spirit Galatians 5:16-6:10) Which qualities of the fruit of the Spirit do you think are hardest to cultivate? Which fruit of the Spirit would you like to see more of in your life? Why?
- The Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-20) Do you believe there is such a thing as spiritual warfare? How would you describe it? Have you ever been in a spiritual battle? What happened and how did you find strength to press on?
- Rejoice in the Lord (Philippians 4:4-9) Is rejoicing part of your life? When do you rejoice most often? Why? What would you say is the key to real, inner peace? At what times have you experienced it the most?
- The Supremacy of Christ (Colossians 1:1-23) What words would you use to describe who Jesus Christ is to you? Is it possible to be a good Christian without believing in Jesus Christ? Why?
Applying It To My Life
- What truths in Romans 8 can help you handle feelings of guilt and unworthiness? What does it mean to you that you are not God's slave but God's child (full son or daughter)?
- What frustrates you about living in a fallen world? What is the difference between hope and wishful thinking? When was the last time you did not know how to pray? How did the Holy Spirit help you?