This message addresses the question: What do I need to do to live the life I was designed to live?
How do I move beyond cycles of failure and frustrations (Romans 7) to a life of righteousness, joy and peace?
Three keys are explored:
(1) Acknowledge that only Christ can make it happen.
(2) Recognize what God has already done for you at the cross
(3) Rely upon “the law of the Spirit” (Rom. 8:2).
The struggles Christians experience are more fully explained and the avenue of victory as set forth in Scripture is expounded.
You can live in victory!!!
View PDF for this sermon (opens in a new window)
Outline
Intro:
A. Text: Rom. 8:1-17 (NIV)
B. Review: Exchange at Cross
Journey from Rom. 6 toward Rom. 8
Struggle of Rom. 7:15 to desperation (vs 24) to answer (vs 25)
C. What do I need to do to live the life God has designed me to live?
I. Acknowledge that only Christ can make it happen!
(Rom. 7:25)“Thanks be to God-through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Not through trying harder) Grace (divine influence) not just for being born again—but for whole journey.
II. Recognize what God has already done!
(Rom. 8:1) “Therefore, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Condemnation (from Accuser) v Conviction (from Holy Spirit) Best manuscripts no qualifier ( is simply “in Christ Jesus)
III. Rely on influence of Holy Spirit (life of Christ) in you.
(Rom. 8:2) “because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the
law of sin and death.”
A. Law = principle of operation
Sin is present to pull us down,
but rely on life of Christ in you to overpower operation of sin.
Gal. 2: 20 “…Christ lives in me….”
B. Crucial Question = What am I relying on? (Rom. 7 problem) (John 15:5 solution)
C. Weakness of the Law (works approach, esp. Law of Moses) (Rom. 8:3) “For what the law was powerless to do
in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did….”. D. Outcome of God’s plan of grace in our lives:
(Rom. 8:4) “in order that the righteous requirements of the law be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.”
Prevalent error of church today: Keep living in Rom. 7, everybody else is.
What are “the righteous requirements of the Law”? Matt. 22:37-39 & Rom. 13:8-10
