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