Leaning Into Freedom
Romans 8:5-13
Chris Seidman
Part of Romans 8—God For Us
October 13, 2019

Leaning Into Freedom - Romans 8:15-13


Romans 8:5-13 (NIV)
Those who live according to the flesh (sinful nature) have their minds set on what the flesh (sinful nature) desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.

The mind governed by the flesh (sinful nature) is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh (sinful nature) is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh (sinful nature) cannot please God.

You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh (sinful nature) but in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.

But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation – but it is not to the flesh (sinful nature), to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh (sinful nature), you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.


This Is The Big Idea Of What We Read in Romans 8:5-13

No condemnation in Christ leads to transformation in the name of Christ.


Romans 8:13 (NIV)
… put to death the misdeeds of the body … .

Leaning Into Our Freedom Involves …

  • Having a mind set on the desires of the Spirit.


Romans 8:5-6 (NIV)
Those who live according to the flesh (sinful nature) have their minds set on what the flesh (sinful nature) desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh (sinful nature) is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.


Romans 12:2 (NIV)
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.


Ephesians 4:22-23 (NIV)
You were taught … to be made new in the attitude of your minds … .


Romans 8:6 (NIV)
… the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.


Romans 8:7 (NIV)
The mind governed by the flesh (sinful nature) is hostile to God; it does not submit to God law … .

Leaning Into Our Freedom Involves …

  • Trusting in the power of the Spirit.


Romans 8:9-11 (NIV)
You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh (sinful nature) but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness.

And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

Leaning Into Our Freedom Involves …

  • Realizing our obligation to the Spirit.


Romans 8:12-13 (NIV)
Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation – but it is not to the flesh (sinful nature), to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh (sinful nature), you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.


Romans 6:12-14 (NIV)
Therefore do not let sin reign in our mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.


Romans 8:13 (NIV)
… by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body … .

Communion

  • What do you desire to put to death by the power of the Spirit?
  • What desire of the Spirit will you set your mind upon?