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4000 E.
Collins Rd. “Preaching
the Living Word through the Written Word (2Tim 4:2)” |
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THE SPIRIT’S
WORK IN THE BELIEVER (Rom 8:5-11) 2/17/08 Grace Bible Church, Gillette, Wyoming Pastor I.
THE SPIRIT HAS
GIVEN THE BELIEVER A NEW MINDSET (5) A.
In Romans 8:4,
Paul explained the purpose for which the believer was set free by the Spirit
(vs. 2). The purpose was that the Holy Spirit might produce righteousness in
the believer. Conditional righteousness (not justification) is imparted to
the believer as he walks according to the Spirit and is controlled by the
Spirit (Gal 5:16; Eph 5:18; Phil 2:12-13). B.
In verse 5,
Paul begins to contrast two groups. Each group is dominated by their
position. The use of katá and
óntes
suggests a continual outworking of the domain in which each group resides. 1. The first group is “according to the flesh” because
they are “in the flesh.” This refers to an unbeliever whose position is “in
Adam” (Rom 5:12, 15-19; 1Co 15:22) and “in” the sphere of the flesh (Rom 7:5;
Rom 8:8). 2. The second group is “according to the Spirit” because
they are “in the Spirit.” This refers to a believer whose position is “in
Christ” (Rom 5:15-19; 8:1, 39; 1Co 15:22) and “in” the sphere of Spirit (Rom
8:9). Rom 8:9 emphatically declares that the believer is not “in the flesh”
but “in the Spirit.” C.
Such domination
exhibits itself in a particular “mindset” (phronéō - to think, frame of mind). It is the
essence of a person’s nature and determines their disposition and responses. D.
An unbeliever
therefore, will have a mindset based on the things that are natural to the
flesh but contrary to God. On the other hand, a believer will have a mindset
based on the things of God that are natural to the Spirit. E.
The Holy Spirit
has given the believer the “mind (mindset) of Christ” (1Co 2:16). II.
THE MINDSET OF
THE FLESH IS DESCRIBED (6-8) A.
The consequence
of the mindset of the flesh is spiritual death (6). 1. It is spiritual death because the unbeliever is a) spiritually dead (Eph 2:1), b) the fruit of his deeds bring death (Rom 7:5), c) and he rejects Christ which results in spiritual death
(thánatos - Rev 20:14). 2. In contrast, the consequence of the mindset of the
Spirit is spiritual life and peace. It is spiritual life and peace because they
have a relationship with God through Christ. 3. Eternal life is a present possession as well as a
future hope (Joh 5:24). It is follows that the Spirit of life (Rom 8:2) would
bring life to the believer. 4. Peace here would refer to the reconciliation that
believers enjoy with God (Rom 5:1). B.
The mindset of
the flesh is described by Paul. He gives four characteristics of the mindset
of the flesh in the unbeliever (7-8). 1. First, the flesh is hostile toward God. Hostile is
the Greek word échthra,
which means hostility or hatred. It is an inner disposition of opposition
toward God. It is a hostility in mind against God (Col 1:21-22) and has the
world as its friend rather than God (Jam 4:4). 2. Secondly, since the flesh is hostile toward God, it
does not subject itself to God. To subject oneself to God, a person must
arrange himself underneath the authority of God (hupotassō). If someone
will not submit to the authority of God, then he will never submit himself to
the Law of God. 3. Thirdly, the flesh could not submit itself to God,
even if it wanted (which it does not). Literally, “it is not able” (cp. 1Co
2:14) to do so. When God saves someone, he does not strengthen the flesh;
rather God places the believer in Christ and regenerates him. He operates by
a new nature through the power of the Holy Spirit. 4. Finally, Paul describes the flesh and the one “in
the flesh” as unable to please God (8). When one asks the question, “Can an
unbeliever please God?” The answer is, “No.” They are not in a right relationship
with God, they are under the wrath of God, and they do not have the Spirit of
God, who enables the believer to please God. III.
THE MINISTRY OF
THE SPIRIT IS DESCRIBED (9-11) A.
Paul clarifies
that believers are not “in the flesh” but are “in the Spirit” (9). 1. His explanation comes by way of a condition. The
condition is that if the Spirit of God dwells in them, then they are no
longer positionally in the flesh but in the Spirit. 2. When a sinner places his faith in Christ there are
many spiritual blessings that take place. One such blessing is that believers
are a) Indwelt (oikéō - to inhabit or dwell) by the Holy Spirit (1Co 3:16; 6:19). b) This dwelling is permanent (2Co 1:22; Eph 1:13; 4:30)
c) The Spirit is the very means by which a believer can
live the Christian life. d) In addition, the believer is baptized into Christ
positionally (1Co 12:13). All of the spiritual blessings in Christ are
applied to the believer by the Holy Spirit (Eph 1:3). 3. If someone does not have the Holy Spirit, it means
that they have never trusted Christ as Savior and they do not belong to
Christ. B.
Rom 8 teaches
that it is the indwelling Holy Spirit who gives the believer victory over sin
(10). 1. This victory is given through His various ministries
as well as His indwelling power. So important is God the Holy Spirit that
Paul gives six designations for Him. a) Spirit of life (8) b) Spirit (5, 6, 9a) c) Spirit of God (9b) d) Spirit of Christ (9c) e) Christ (indwelling through the Spirit) (10) f)
Spirit of Him
who raised Jesus from the dead (11a) g) His Spirit (11b) 2. Paul states that body is dead on account of sin.
This means that our physical body is subject and doomed to death (Heb 9:27).
However, the believer’s spirit is alive because we have been regenerated,
justified, and indwelt by the Holy Spirit. C.
The Holy
Spirit, the third member of the Godhead, not only raised Christ, but
ministers to the believer with the same power (11). 1. The same omnipotent Holy Spirit who raised Christ
from the dead will also give life to the believer’s mortal bodies in
resurrection (1Co 6:14; 15:42; 2Co 4:14). 2. The same omnipotent Holy Spirit who raised Christ
from the dead dwells in the believer. 3. The same omnipotent Holy Spirit who raised Christ
from the dead has already raised the believer spiritually with Christ (Rom
6:4, 8, 11). IV.
APPLICATION A.
Be comforted by
the Comforter. The Comforter comforts the believer not only when going
through difficult situations, but also comforts him with His resurrection
power to give victory over sin. B.
Be secure
through the Sealer. The Sealer does not seal us temporarily but forever. C.
Be mindful of
the mind of Christ. The Holy Spirit has given us the mind of Christ by giving
us a mind set on the things of the Spirit. |
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