Freedom in Jesus: I Need to be Free from Me (Romans 8:1-2)

Series: Freedom in Jesus

Sermon: I Need to be Free from Me

Scripture: Romans 8:1-2

Date: September 9, 2018

 

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.  (Romans 8:1-2)

I don't really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don't do it.  Instead, I do what I hate.  And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.  I want to do what is right, but I can't.  I want to do what is good, but I don't.  I don't want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.  (Romans 7:15, 18-19; NLT)

The key to Romans 7 and 8 is that the words "I," "my," and "me" (in Romans 7) occurs a lot (over 20 times), and the word "Holy Spirit" or "Christ" (in chapter 8) occurs a lot (over 15 times).

Best intentions are not enough.  Decisions and actions determine your life.

7 weapons of self-destruction (from Rick Warren):

1. shame
2. uncontrolled thoughts
3. compulsions
4. fear
5. hopelessness
6. bitterness
7. insecurity

Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?  Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.  So you see how it is: in my mind I really want to obey God's law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.  (Romans 7:24-25)

Notice he says who - not what - will free me.

 

Here are 7 mental habits to help us understand and live out the magnificent truths of Romans 8:

1. Grace versus Shame: I must remind myself daily what Jesus did for me
   • So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.  For the power of the life-giving SPIRIT has freed you through Christ Jesus from the power of sin that leads to death.  The Law of Moses could not save us, because of our sinful nature.  But God put into effect a different plan to save us.  He sent his own Son in a human body like ours, except that ours are sinful.  God destroyed sin's control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins.  He did this so the requirement of the law would be fully accomplished for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow THE SPIRIT.  (Romans 8:1-4, NLT)
   • Jesus doesn't have to condemn you because He was condemned for you.
   • You can ask the Holy Spirit to put good thoughts into your mind: friends, revival, family, witnessing, prayer.
2. Spirit-controlled thoughts versus Uncontrolled thoughts: Ask the Holy Spirit to give me better thoughts
   • 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, NIV)
   • The sinful mind is hostile to God.  It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so.  Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.  (Romans 8:7-8, NIV)
3. Spirit-controlled actions versus Uncontrolled desires: I realize I have a new ability to say no
   • So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives.  Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves.  (Galatians 5:16, NLT)
   • But you are not controlled by your sinful nature.  You are now controlled by the SPIRIT if you have the SPIRIT of God living in you.  Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ living in them does not belong to Christ.  (Romans 8:9, NLT)
   • So, dear brothers, you have no obligations anymore to your old sinful nature to do what it begs you to do.  (Romans 8:12, LB)
4. Spirit-controlled faith versus Fear: I need to turn my thoughts to God whenever I'm afraid
   • The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.  And by him we cry, "Abba, Father."  The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.  (Romans 8:14-16, NIV)
   • Antidote to fear:
     • Remember whose family you are a part of
     • Call out to your Father in trust
   • When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.  (Psalm 58:3)
5. Spirit-controlled long-term focus versus Fleshly short-term focus: I will focus on the long-term not the short-term
   • Since we are his children, we WILL possess the blessings he keeps for his people, and we WILL also possess with Christ what God has kept for him!  For if we share Christ's suffering, we will also share his glory!  I consider that what we suffer at the present time cannot be compared at all with the glory that is going to be revealed to us.  (Romans 8:17-18, TEV)
6. Remind myself that God is good and in control
   • 4 things to help you get over bitterness:
     1. Remember the Holy Spirit is praying for me.
        • Also, the Spirit helps us with our weakness.  We do not know how to pray as we should.  But the Spirit himself speaks to God for us, and even begs God for us with deep feelings that words cannot explain.  God can see what is in our hearts...and the Spirit speaks to God for his people in the way God wants.  (Romans 8:26-27, NCV)
     2. God is using it all for good.
        • And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.  For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren.  (Romans 8:28-29, NASB)
     3. God wants me to succeed.
        • So what can we say about such wonderful things as these?  If God is for us, who can ever be against us?  (Romans 8:31, NLT)
     4. God will give me what I need.
        • Since God did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won't God, who gave us Christ, also give us everything else?  (Romans 8:32, NLT)
7. Trust that God will never stop loving me
   • I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love.  Death can't, and life can't.  The angels can't, and the demons can't.  Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away.  Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.  (Romans 8:38-39, NLT)