Introduction:

The Book of Romans is the greatest of the New Testament witness concerning the life of freedom purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul, wrote this masterpiece of doctrinal theology. In it he teaches the work of redemption, the guilt of all people, the inability of man to find favor with God, the death of Jesus and it's redeeming purpose, and the work of faith -- especially in reference to obtaining the free gift of salvation.

My message today will focus on verses 1-4. Admittedly, I will only be plucking one small petal from this glorious rose of magnificent doctrinal beauty. I hope to verbalize several truths in a way which will make them plain but not deduct from their glory and richness.

One of the ever-present dilemmas which confronts a preacher is the challenge of presenting deep theology without being pontifical, on the one hand, and simplistic on the other hand. It is a dilemma I am very sensitive to this morning. Also, a preacher is faced with the daunting task of communicating spiritual truth in a way that appeals to all Christians regardless of the depth of their own personal experience. I don't make these statements to "beg off." Nor, do I say them to try to qualify my efforts in any way. I merely want you to understand that I am embarking on a difficult journey and I am inviting you to join me on the trip. If I do my best, and God helps me --- and you do your best, and God helps you --- together we will find the precious gems of truth which the Apostle Paul has written.

First, let me set the stage for this passage by reading a selection of verses from the 7^th Chapter of Romans beginning with verse 15 and reading through verse 24.

(Rom 7:15 NKJV) "For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do."

(Rom 7:16 NKJV) "If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good."

(Rom 7:17 NKJV) "But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me."

(Rom 7:18 NKJV) "For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find."

(Rom 7:19 NKJV) "For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice."

(Rom 7:20 NKJV) "Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me."

(Rom 7:21 NKJV) "I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good."

(Rom 7:22 NKJV) "For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man."

(Rom 7:23 NKJV) "But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members."

(Rom 7:24 NKJV) "O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?"

(Rom 7:25 NKJV) "I thank God; through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin."

Paul's description of the state of a man without Christ Jesus is chilling and frightful. Man is bound by the flesh and all of it's consequential behaviors which are forced upon him by the power of sin. He is helpless to do anything about his reckless lifestyle because his nature agrees with the temptations and, in fact, accommodates them. Even his most earnest desire and his ardent efforts will not stop the ever increasing influence of sin.

Paul goes on to express the futile frustration and heart wrenching agony a man feels when he knows to do right but cannot do it because of the overwhelming, controlling power of sin.

My text in Romans the 8^th chapter, verses 1-4 gives the triumphant answer. Listen to these wonderful verses of promised liberation to every person who will receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

(Rom 8:1 NKJV) "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit."

(Rom 8:2 NKJV) "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death."

(Rom 8:3 NKJV) "For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh,"

My message will focus upon these verses one at a time.

(Rom 8:1 NKJV) "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit."

A. Your life in Christ frees you from the power of sin's condemnation whether it comes from the devil or from the flesh.

1. The key to freedom is through Jesus - the power to continue is in the Spirit.
2. We become children of God through Jesus.

(John 1:12 NKJV) "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:"

3. The expectation is that the individual will respond to the leading of the Spirit and avoid, reject, refuse, renounce and repudiate the works of the flesh.

(Gal 5:19 NKJV) "Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,"

(Gal 5:20 NKJV) "idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,"

(Gal 5:21 NKJV) "envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."

(Gal 5:22 NKJV) "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,"

(Gal 5:23 NKJV) "gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law."

(Gal 5:24 NKJV) "And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."

(Gal 5:25 NKJV) "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."

(Gal 5:26 NKJV) "Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another."

(Rom 8:2 NKJV) "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death."

1. This is the reason why Christians can resist the temptations of the devil, the world and the flesh. Although the Christian is still most assuredly human, the power of Christ's life in him allows him to live a "more than human" life. Jesus called it a more abundant life.
2. Our freedom from sin's bondage does not depend upon our ability to believe or understand the Law of Christ. Rather, our freedom depends upon what God has already done for us through Christ, linked with our obedience to His life in us.
3. Sin, and it's bondage, has no further claim upon a person who has surrendered to Jesus. The power of it's influence over that individual has been broken by the power of the Holy Spirit who now dwells in the believer.

(Rom 8:3 NKJV) "For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh,"

1. The Law of God was perfect, detailed, authoritative and God given. It's best purpose demanded perfection. It was given to draw us to God.
2. But, man is imperfect. Man likes to sin. Man wants to sin. Man enjoys sin.
3. The Law showed man that he could not attain unto righteousness while sinful actions, behaviors and lifestyles controlled him. In doing so, the Law also revealed the hopelessness of the demand. "Tho the Law was perfect, it could not make man perfect. Man had to have a changed nature to fulfill the demands of the Law. The power of the flesh incapacitated the Law.
4. So God sent His Son in the form of human flesh to create a way for men and women to have a new nature. It was necessary for Him to be flesh in order to pay the ransom and meet the demands of the Law and thereby bridge the gulf between man and God. In His own flesh, He took upon Himself the penalty for all sinful men and women and, as Paul said, "was obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."
5. The complexity of this great doctrine makes it difficult to understand. God required a sacrifice for sin therefore God provided the sacrifice. It is profound in the magnificence of it's simplicity.
6. Man could never, ever, in all of his earthly sojourn pay the penalty for sin. He, after all, is the sinner. He could never meet the requirement of a sinless sacrifice - he was riddled through and through with disobedience and sin. It would be totally incompatible with the purposes and demands of righteousness for sinful man to be expected to lift himself out of the pit of wickedness and depravity.
7. So, God sent His own Son. Glorious Truth - Magnificent Mercy. Listen to these scriptures.

(Phil 2:7 NKJV) "but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men."

(Phil 2:8 NKJV) "And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross."

(Phil 2:9 NKJV) "Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,"

(Phil 2:10 NKJV) "that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,"

(Phil 2:11 NKJV) "and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

(Heb 2:16 NKJV) "For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham."

(Heb 2:17 NKJV) "Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people."

(1 Pet 2:22 NKJV) ""Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth";"

(1 Pet 2:23 NKJV) "who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;"

(1 Pet 2:24 NKJV) "who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed."

(1 Pet 2:25 NKJV) "For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls."

(Rom 8:4 NKJV) "that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit."

1. This is the most tremendous truth you could ever know. God, Himself, gave of Himself, to make it possible that sinful man could be restored to a state of purity and righteousness before Him.
2. We always have to be aware of our humanity and it's inclination to sin. We live in the flesh and the flesh is always at odds with God's plan. The flesh always looks for sinful pleasures; it's appetite and lusts constantly seek fulfillment. It is not a difficult challenge for Satan to overcome a man or woman. He simply appeals to the flesh and if that individual is not surrendered to the power of the Life of Christ in him - the devil can do pretty much what he wants to do.
3. Here's the key. Do you want to know what makes this great plan of God work? Do you want to know how you can conquer the tyranny of sin, the power of temptations, and the seductions of the world. Here it is: Live in the power of the Holy Spirit! Walk in the Spirit - work in the Spirit - eat in the Spirit - sleep in the Spirit. LIVE IN THE REALITY AND THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT.
4. So, here's the deal.