“Life in the Flesh vs. Life in the Spirit” (Romans 8:4b–8)

“Life in the Flesh vs. Life in the Spirit” (Romans 8:4b–8)
Pastor Cameron Jungels
Eastside Baptist Church
Sunday AM, February 4, 2018

Romans 8:1–8, NIV
     1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

     5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

1. A different sphere of existence/domain

a. In the flesh
b. In the Spirit

2. A different mind-set

a. Minds set on what the flesh desires
b. Minds set on what the Spirit desires

3. A different way of life

a. Living according to the flesh

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21, NIV)

b. Living according to the Spirit

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (Galatians 5:22-24, NIV)

4. A different orientation toward God

a. Hostile toward God
b. At peace and reconciled with God

5. A different moral capability

a. Does not submit to God’s law, and can’t submit to God’s law, cannot please God.
b. Freedom from slavery to sin and become slaves of righteousness.

6. A different destiny

a. Death

I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:21, NIV)

b. Life and Peace

Main Idea: Believers in Christ are now in the Spirit, not in the flesh. This means that they have a fundamentally different way of thinking and living—one that is oriented toward God and not toward the self. This new way of life leads ultimately to eternal life.