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Preaching the Living WORD through the Written WORD - 2 Tim 4:2 - |
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THE SPIRIT’S WORK
IN THE BELIEVER (Rom 8:5-11) 2/17/08 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 ( 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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