Romans 8:1-11: No Condemnation

Base Text: Romans 8:1-11

I. Understanding the Text
   A. No condemnation for those in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1)
      1. A definitive statement!
      2. Those who belong to Christ will not be condemned
      3. Importance of being "in Christ Jesus"!
   B. Set Free From Sin and Death (Romans 8:2-4)
      1. How is it that there is no condemnation for those in Christ?
      2. Christ set us free from law of sin and death
      3. Law of sin and death-- penalty for our sin was physical and 
         spiritual death (Romans 5)
      4. "The Law" of Moses unable to remove penalty since no one 
         could keep it (Galatians 3-4)
      5. Christ was able to do so by coming in the "likeness" of 
         sinful flesh (cf. John 1:1, 14)
      6. By keeping the Law perfectly, and being sacrificed for sin, 
         He did away with sin and death (Hebrews 7-9)
      7. Sin itself is now "condemned" in Him
      8. But to whom is this applied?  Those who walk not by the 
         flesh but by the Spirit
   C. Flesh versus Spirit (Romans 8:5-8)
      1. Paul sets up the contrast: those who live by the flesh versus 
         those who live by the Spirit
      2. Distinction: those who set their minds on either
      3. Galatians 5:17-24
      4. Mind on the flesh = death (Romans 6:23)
      5. Mind on the Spirit = life and peace (Philippians 4:7)
      6. True in both spiritual and physical terms
      7. Mind on flesh hostile to God—cannot please Him
      8. Does not abide by His law
   D. Promises to Believers (Romans 8:9-11)
      1. Christians should not have their minds on the flesh
      2. The Spirit of God must "dwell" in them
      3. Without it, one does not belong to Him
      4. Spirit of God / Spirit of Christ 
      5. If Christ is present, even though body is dead, spirit alive
      6. Death of body based on Adam's, our sin (Romans 5:12-14)
      7. Yet spirit need not die or be condemned-- Spirit is to be 
         life because of "righteousness"
      8. Promise of resurrection: if we have same Holy Spirit as 
         Christ, we will be raised as Christ was raised

II. Applications
   A. Great encouragement
      1. Paul is attempting to encourage the believers
      2. He points to the great salvation accomplished for us
      3. We have every reason to believe in God and His promises
   B. Superiority of Christ
      1. Christ was able to do what the Law could not
      2. We indeed live under a better covenant with better promises 
         (Hebrews 8:6)!
   C. "Freedom From"
      1. In Christ, we are "free from" sin and death
      2. Not license, as is commonly understood
      3. Romans 6:16-18
   D. Mind on the Spirit
      1. All the promises in this passage are dependent on having the 
         mind set on the Spirit
      2. We must "have" the Spirit "in us"
      3. Without it, we are no longer Christ's!
      4. Demonstration of Spirit: its fruit (Galatians 5:22-24)
      5. We demonstrate by our conduct to whom we belong 
         (Matthew 7:16-20)!
      6. Passage also a demonstration that we must "have" the Spirit 
         in some measure if we belong to Christ
      7. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 1 Peter 4:10-11, Romans 12:4-8, 
         1 Corinthians 12:12-28
      8. Hard to argue against some kind of presence of Spirit 
         considering Romans 8:11-- without the Holy Spirit, we cannot 
         be resurrected on the final day!
      9. The Spirit as "down payment" on our inheritance 
         (Ephesians 1:13-14)
   E. Salvation of Christians
      1. Those who are "in Christ Jesus" will be saved
      2. There is "no condemnation" for them
      3. They have their minds set on the Spirit, and the Spirit 
         is "in" them
   F. All that remains is for us to be those persons!
      1. Are our minds set on the Spirit?
      2. Is the Spirit "in" us?
      3. Will there be no condemnation for us?

III. Conclusion
   A. Romans 8:1-11 a comforting and encouraging passage for the 
      Christian
      1. Salvation is not in doubt for those who serve God
      2. No condemnation for such persons!
   B. Importance of having the Spirit, having mind set on the Spirit
   C. Is your mind set on the flesh or on the Spirit?
   D. Invitation/songbook