Romans 8: Gifts From God

Bryant Wright JFBC

Romans 8:1-11

Gifts from the Cross and Resurrection

One of the greatest chapters in the Bible. Thousands were at the Easter sunrise service on top of Stone Mountain last week.

The solution is Christ, at the end of chapter 7.

v 1 - Presidents have the privilege to give pardons. When the pardon is given, there is no further condemnation against that person. Similar to verse 1. The difference is that Jesus paid our penalty. That's the first gift we see in the chapter.

Then as we begin to walk with Jesus, the devil will begin to tempt us. Since there is no condemnation we could continue in sin, but there are many reasons not to.

v 2 the second gift is the Holy Spirit, and the gift of forgiveness. The Spirit changes our desires with its power. We are set free to not sin. We can resist sin.

v 2 we've received eternal life through faith in Christ, an abundant life.

John 10:10

v 3 we recognize the gift of the Cross, how Jesus took our place, being the perfect sacrifice. The law reminds us how weak we are. Jesus came to Earth and experienced all our hurts.

v 4 Jesus didn't come to replace the law, but to fulfill the law. In the Old Testament there were 28 sins that called for the death penalty. We deserve the death penalty for some of our sins, but Jesus was executed in our place. That's an incredible gift.

v 5 we see the difference between life in the Spirit and life in the flesh. We can only do so much in our own power.

Galatians 5:19-21. In Christ we are forgiven and made right with God so we can be gifted with the fruit of the Spirit - Galatians 5:22-23.

With the Spirit inside us, we start to want to live like and become more like Jesus.

v 6 the gift gives us life over death, and gives us peace. We seek to be at peace with other people, though others may not want to be at peace with us. Sin can give us heartache.

v 7-8 life in the flesh is expounded upon. Better to give up and live for Jesus.

v 9 God's Spirit indwells us. It never leaves us. If you don't have the Spirit inside you, you are not a Christian. It's futile to life life in the flesh.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ...your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. What a gift!

v 10 we are made right with God not because of anything we do, but through Christ and the Holy Spirit.

v 11 if the Spirit dwells in us, God gives us eternal life. The promise of eternal life in a new heavenly body.

v 20 our resurrected body never sins, never gets sick. Our mortal bodies may die, but our souls will be with God in heaven.

1 Cor 15:51-53 we won't have to think about sickness and death ever again.

Decide to stop trying to live life in your own power. Instead receive the greatest gift that you'll ever receive.