1. Strong in the battle Romans 8:1-17

2. 1. No condemnation – Rom.8:1-3 How is it possible for sinners to stand before a holy God & hear – “No condemnation”? a. Our situation - God’s law exposes our sin – “law of sin”-v.2; Rom.7:7-13 - God’s law exposes our sin – “law of sin”-v.2; Rom.7:7-13 - God’s law condemns us to death – “law of death”-v.2; Rom.7:9-11 - God’s law condemns us to death – “law of death”-v.2; Rom.7:9-11 - God’s law cannot empower us – v.3a - God’s law cannot empower us – v.3a

3. 1. No condemnation – Rom.8:1-3 b. God’s solution – v.3 - Jesus became fully human. God became man – John1:14 - Jesus was sinless –”likeness of sinful man” - Jesus bore our judgement – “a sin offering” - The great exchange – v.1 “those who are in Christ Jesus” – 2Cor.5:21 - Our great assurance – NO CONDEMNATION –v.1; Rom.5:9

4. 2. The power to please God 8:4-14 The unbeliever The Christian The unbeliever The Christian a. Hostile to God –v.7 a. Belongs to Chist & has the Spirit & has the Spirit worships idols worships God-Ex.20:3 worships idols worships God-Ex.20:3 b. Cannot please God-v.8 b. Empowered to please God –v.4 please God –v.4 1. killing – v.12,13 1. killing – v.12,13 Lk.9:23; Col.3:5-9 Lk.9:23; Col.3:5-9 2. putting on – v.14; 2. putting on – v.14; Col.3:12-17 Col.3:12-17

5. 2. The power to please God 8:4-14 The unbeliever The Christian The unbeliever The Christian c. The result – death v.6,12 c. The gifts of God - life & peace –v.6 - life & peace –v.6 - hope – v.10,11 - hope – v.10,11 We cannot please God on our own – Rom.7:22-24 We are to walk with & work with the Spirit in a wonderful partnership – Phil.2:12,13 “The law bid me fly but left me on the ground. Now the law bids me fly & the Spirit gives me wings”

6. 3. The joy of a new relationship – 8:15-17 The Christian is in a special relationship: a. They are a child of God – John 1:12,13 b. The Spirit makes that relationship real - we cry out to God – v.15 - we cry out to God – v.15 - we enjoy God’s love –v.16; Rom.5:5 - we enjoy God’s love –v.16; Rom.5:5 c. The Spirit points us to a glorious future – v.17 ; Eph.1:13,14 We have assurance & a desire to be like Jesus –1John3:1-3

7. 4. Assurance in the battle Our assurance is based on :- a. What God has done – Cross & Spirit b. What God is doing – transforming us c. What God will do – resurrection & new creation In our struggle with sin we are to:- 1. Know the truth 1. Know the truth 2. Take hold of God’s grace 2. Take hold of God’s grace