“The Witness of the Holy Spirit”

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Sermon Notes

I.       The Witness of the Holy Spirit                                              Romans 8:12-17

A.   It’s a battle. 

      1.    According to the flesh – Those who are ruled by their sinful nature with a                     dependency on finite, human effort which ultimately is rooted in self-centeredness. Paul would refer to this as life “in Adam”.

      2.    According to the Spirit – Those who are ruled by the Spirit of God with their                        dependence on the infinite resources of the Spirit which is ultimately rooted in God-centeredness. Paul would refer to this as life “in Christ”, the new Adam.

      3.   This battle is not between two natures within us as persons, but two very different ways of existence. We constantly choose between kingdom of God existence or kingdom of flesh (the world) existence.

      4.    Verse 13 – The outcome of the battle is already guaranteed.

             a.    According to the flesh – “you will die”.

             b.    According to the Spirit – “you will live”.

B.   Those who choose to live by the Spirit of God. 

       1.   Verses 14-16 – “the children of God.”

             a.    Instead of living as slaves to our sinful nature, when we receive the Spirit, we are adopted as children.

             b.    In the first century Roman empire, an adopted son was carefully chosen to carry on the name of the adopting father and to inherit his estate                        (cf. Psalm 23:3 – “He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”).

       2.    Because of the resurrection, in which sin is defeated, when we receive Christ,                    we are no longer slaves to sin. We have a new life in the Spirit who is putting to death our life in the flesh.

       3.    As our spirit is transformed “the Spirit himself testifies (bears witness) with our spirit that we are God’s children” (v. 16).

C.   The war has been won and victory is guaranteed.

       1.    We, as God’s children, have already been proclaimed “heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ” (v. 17), but there is a price to pay.

       2.    We must “share in his sufferings” (v. 17). Though victory is already guaranteed, real battles still rage. The world of the flesh is hopelessly committed to ascending to God’s throne. Those who are “in the Spirit” will share in Christ’s suffering until he comes in his glory.