Sermon #1479 Miscellaneous Sermons

Title: The Glorious Eighth Chapter of Romans

Text: Romans 8:1-39

Reading: 2 Timothy 1:1-14

Subject: The Believer’s Security in Christ

Date: Friday Evening – November 16, 2001

Sovereign Grace Baptist Church – Jacksonville, NC[1]

Tape #

Introduction:

Like you, I get a lot of mail. Like you, I throw a lot of mail in the trashcan. If I get a letter that does not have my name on it, addressed, “Box Holder”, “Resident”, or “Occupant”, I never bother opening it. I presume it is unimportant. I pay it no attention. If I get a letter that begins, “Dear Friend,” I will usually look to see who signed it. If I do not know the person, it goes into that round file setting on the floor beside my desk. But, when I get a letter that begins, “Dear Don,” that gets my attention. It is addressed to me. It was written to me. It concerns me. It is important to me. When I read those words, “Dear Don,” I know that someone has taken the time to write to me, personally.

Tonight, I have a message to deliver to you that is addressed to you personally, addressed to you who believe God, to you who are in Christ. I want to preach to you tonight from The Glorious Eighth Chapter of Romans.

If you are here without Christ, I want you to listen carefully. What I have to say may be just the thing God will use to reveal his Son in you and give you life and faith in Christ. But everything that is written in this chapter is addressed to believers. This is manna from heaven, sent by God to feed his Israel in this wilderness where no other bread can be found for your souls.

Keep your Bibles open on your lap. Everything I have to say tonight will come directly from Romans 8. This chapter begins with no condemnation (v. 1) and ends with no separation (vv. 35-39); and everything in between is grace, grace, grace! Romans chapter 8 is glorious in its description of…

· The believer’s freedom from condemnation in Christ.

· Our privileges as Christ’s brethren and as children of God the Father with him.

· Our everlasting security from all possibility of harm, or separation from our Redeemer, or from his great love.

Proposition: Romans 8 is a glorious declaration of grace to believing sinners in this sin-cursed world of woe.

I. Our chapter begins by declaring the believer’s complete freedom from the curse, bondage, and condemnation of the law (vv. 1-4).

(Romans 8:1-4) "There is therefore (because we are in Christ, -- because we are justified from all sin, -- because we have been crucified with Christ, -- because we are risen with Christ, -- because we are made righteous by Christ, -- because we are not under the law but under grace, -- because we are dead to the law and married to Christ) now (at this very moment, from this moment on forever) no condemnation ()no punishment, no sin, no guilt, no possibility of sin being imputed to us) to them which are in Christ Jesus (by election, by regeneration, by faith), who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit (to them who live by faith in the Son of God – [Gal. 2:20-21]) {2} For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. {3} For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: {4} That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."

(Romans 3:31) "Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law."

II. In verses 5-14 Paul describes the believer’s life in the Spirit.

There is no condemnation to them “that walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” What is it to walk after the Spirit and not after the flesh? Paul tells us in verses 5-14.

(Romans 8:5-14) "For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. {6} For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. {7} Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. {8} So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. {9} But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. {10} And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. {11} But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. {12} Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. {13} For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. {14} For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God."

Note: V. 9 – We live in the Spirit! – “As he is, so are we in this world.”

(1 Peter 4:1) "Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;"

(1 John 3:1-5) "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. {2} Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. {3} And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. {4} Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. {5} And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin."

III. Then the Apostle describes the blessed witness of the Spirit (vv. 15-16).

This is the source of our assurance!

(Romans 8:15-16) "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. {16} The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:"

How? By convincing us of sin, righteousness, and judgment. By showing us Christ. By giving us faith in him.

Illustration: Mark 10:49-52. Cf. Mark 8:22-26.

(Mark 8:22-26) "And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him. {23} And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought. {24} And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. {25} After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly. {26} And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town."

(Mark 10:49-52) "And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. {50} And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. {51} And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. {52} And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way."

1 John 5:8-15 – The Spirit – The Water (Word) – The Blood.

(1 John 5:7-15) "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. {8} And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. {9} If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. {10} He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. {11} And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. {12} He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. {13} These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. {14} And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: {15} And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him."

IV. Now, let’s see if I can make good on what I have said thus far. -- The believer, the person who is born of God, redeemed by the blood of Christ, the one who lives in the Spirit, lives in the hope of eternal life, is described in verses 17-25.

A. We are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ (17-18).

(Romans 8:17-18) "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. {18} For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."

(John 17:5) "And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was."

(John 17:22) "And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:"

B. We have the earnest of the Spirit (19).

(Romans 8:19) "For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God."

C. We are waiting for a better day (20-21).

(Romans 8:20-21) "For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, {21} Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God."

What on earth is Paul talking about? He is talking about resurrection glory, eternal life in its consummate perfection, that glorious liberty that is ours now and shall be perfectly enjoyed by us when Christ comes again. He is talking about that inheritance of the saints in light which we have obtained by divine predestination, blood atonement, and faith in Christ, that inheritance Christ has taken possession of as our Forerunner. He is talking about that eternal redemption our Savior obtained for us with his own blood when he entered into heaven as our Substitute. He is talking about the glory awaiting us in glory! John tells us a little about it in the Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ.

(Revelation 7:13-17) "And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? {14} And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. {15} Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. {16} They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. {17} For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."

(Revelation 22:1-5) "And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. {2} In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. {3} And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: {4} And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. {5} And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever."

D. Here we groan within ourselves – (Sin) (22-23).

(Romans 8:22-23) "For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. {23} And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body."

E. But we live in hope! (24-25).

(Romans 8:24-25) "For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? {25} But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.”

(1 Corinthians 2:9-10) "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. {10} But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God."

Yes, we live in hope. That is to say: -- We live in the confident, reasonable expectation of everlasting glory with Christ in “the glorious liberty of the children of God.”

· The Glory of His Presence!

· The Glory of His Perfection!

· The Glory of His Praise!

· The Glory of His Possessions!

V. In verses 26 and 27 Paul assures of God’s persistent grace, describing the Spirit of grace and intercession.

A. In verse 26 he describes the Spirit’s intercession within us.

(Romans 8:26) "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."

Illustrations: The Lady in the Rest Home at Danville

The Sons of Zebedee

Paul (2 Cor. 12)

B. In verse 27 he describes the intercession of Christ for us in heaven.

(Romans 8:27) "And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God."

1. He searches the heart!

2. He knows the mind of the Spirit!

3. He maketh intercession for the saints.

Though he makes intercession for transgressors, he never calls us transgressors! – “Nevertheless, I have prayed for thee!”

Illustration: John 17:7 – “The people Thou gavest me. – I have loved them!”

4. His intercession is “according to the will of God” (1 John 2:1-2).

VI. Then, in the last part of the chapter, the Apostle declares the absolute security of God’s elect in Christ (28-39).

(Romans 8:28-39) "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. {29} For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. {30} Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. {31} What shall we then say to these things?”

“What shall we then say to these things?” -- Here are five bold challenges of faith (31-39).

A. “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (31). -- God is for us in…

1. His sovereign providence (v. 28).

2. His saving purpose (vv. 28-30).

3. His substitutionary provision (v. 32).

4. His securing promises (vv. 35-39).

B. “How shall he not with him freely give us all things?” (32).

(Romans 8:32) "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?"

C. “Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect?” (33).

(Romans 8:33) "Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth."

D. “Who is he that condemneth? (34).

(Romans 8:34) "Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us."

E. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” (35-39).

(Romans 8:35-39) "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? {36} As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. {37} Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. {38} For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, {39} Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

· No Earthly Trouble!

· No Spiritual Trouble!

· Nothing In Heaven!

· Nothing In Earth!

· Nothing In Us!

· Nothing In Time!

· Nothing In Eternity!

1. The purpose of God must stand!

2. The blood of Christ shall never lose its power!

3. The seal of the Spirit cannot be broken!

4. The promise of God cannot fail!

Application: Can I claim these promises? Yes, I can!

1. I am in Christ by faith!

2. I walk in the Spirit!

3. The Spirit of God is my witness!

4. I live in hope! If the firstfruits of grace are mine, the full harvest of glory shall be mine too!

5. I have an intercessor in heaven! (1 John 2:1-2).

6. I believe God!

(Hebrews 10:35-39) "Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. {36} For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. {37} For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. {38} Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. {39} But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul."

(Hebrews 11:1) "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

(1 John 5:1) "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God."

(1 John 5:10-13) "He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. {11} And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. {12} He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. {13} These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."

AMEN!