The Curses of God

I. Introduction
   A. There are many times in life where we need encouragement
   B. Likewise, there are also times for warnings!
   C. Many of the same passages in the Bible that present messages of 
      encouragement also present some warnings for us to heed
   D. Romans 8 is one such passage
      1. Few passages present as much encouragement for the Christian
      2. On the other hand, there is plenty there in terms of warning 
         for those who are in reality outside of Christ!
   E. Let us consider the curses of God in terms of Romans 8

II. Those in the Flesh: Condemned
   A. Romans 8, principally, is designed to encourage the Christian
      1. The message, on the whole, is rather positive
      2. ...but it is positive only for those who are really and truly 
        in Christ!
   B. As the passage begins, "there is no condemnation for those in 
      Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1)
      1. But what of those who are "not" in Christ Jesus?
      2. What does the text say about them?
   C. We must unpackage this message from Romans 8:1-9
      1. Paul makes a contrast between those who are "in the flesh" 
         and those "in the Spirit"
      2. In Romans 8:9, Paul establishes that if one does not have 
         the Spirit of Christ, one does not belong to Jesus
      3. Likewise, in the same verse, Paul says that one is of the 
         Spirit and not of the flesh "if in fact" the Spirit of God 
         dwells in you
      4. Using the opposite logic, then, Paul is saying that if you 
         do not have the Spirit of God dwelling within you, you are 
         of the flesh!
   D. Notice for a moment that the issue is not whom one professes, but 
      whether one can be said to belong to Christ or not!
      1. The contrast in vv. 1-9 are between those who "live by" and 
         "set their minds upon" either the flesh or the Spirit
      2. One can profess Christ and still be "fleshly" 
         (cf. 1 Corinthians 3:1-4)
      3. Therefore, it is a matter concerning to whom one renders 
         obedience, not whom one professes (cf. Romans 6:16-23)
   E. Regardless, what do we learn of those who walk according to the 
      flesh?
      1. It is death, not life and peace (Romans 8:6)
      2. Hostile to God, unable in that state to submit to God's law 
         (v. 7)
      3. They cannot please God (v. 8)
   F. Likewise, we can understand that such persons do not receive the 
      promises given to those who walk by the Spirit
      1. Not set free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2)
      2. Righteous requirement of the law not fulfilled in them 
         (vv. 3-4)
   G. The end of such persons is all too clear!
      1. They stand without recourse against the law of sin and death
      2. They stand in opposition to God
      3. They are dead as they live!
   H. For such persons, the reverse of Romans 8:1 is true: they are 
      condemned!

III. Not Receiving the Promises
   A. As we continue through the passage, we can see how those in the 
      flesh will not receive the promises given to the Christian
      1. The same as done for Romans 8:1-9
   B. Romans 8:10-14
      1. Those walking according to the flesh remain dead (v. 10)
      2. The promise of the resurrection is void for such persons, 
         heading toward eternal condemnation, not eternal life (v. 11)
      3. Such indeed are "debtors" to the flesh, living by it 
         (v. 12; cf. Romans 6:16-23)
      4. Such will die, living according to the flesh, not sons of God 
         (vv. 13-14)
   C. Romans 8:15-27
      1. Those living according to the flesh maintain a spirit of 
         slavery, falling into fear (v. 15)
      2. Not as adopted sons, not as heirs, but as illegitimate 
         children (vv. 15-17, cf. Hebrews 12:6-8)
      3. No value to the sufferings of the present age for such 
         persons (v. 18)
      4. Subject to the present futility and decay of the creation 
         (vv. 19-23)
      5. Such persons are without hope or its substance (vv. 24-25)
      6. The Spirit is not there to help them in their weakness; no 
         intercession can be made for such persons (vv. 26-27)
   C. Romans 8:28-39
      1. Not all things will work for good for those who do not love 
         God (Romans 8:28-30)
      2. If God is against such persons, as we have seen, who can be 
         for them (v. 31)?
      3. If they spurned the gift of the Son of God, why would God 
         give them anything else (v. 32; cf. Hebrews 20:26-31)?
      4. If God does not justify them, and Christ does not intercede 
         for them, how will they escape charges brought against them 
         and condemnation (vv. 32-33)?
      5. If they separate themselves from the love of God, how can God 
         strengthen them in the face of all kinds of adversaries 
         (vv. 35-39)?
      6. What can they conquer?  What victory could they possibly 
         have?  (v. 37)
   D. We can see, then, that it is a miserable condition to be under 
      the curse of condemnation from God!

IV. Conclusion
   A. We have seen, then, the curses of God for those who are 
      condemned
   B. We have seen that this is true for those who do not have the 
      Spirit of God but who walk according to the flesh, regardless 
      of what profession is made
   C. What will their plight be?
      1. Separation from and hostility against God
      2. Bereft of divine aid in times of distress
      3. Eventual defeat and suffering
      4. State of being dead while living, reserved for condemnation
      5. Chained to the law of sin and death!
   D. Is this a state that we want to be in?  Our friends and family 
      and neighbors?
   E. The solution is evident in the passage-- be "in Christ Jesus"!
   F. Let us strive to live according to the Spirit, not the flesh, 
      and to encourage our fellow man to do likewise!
   G. Invitation/songbook