The Spirit, Sanctification, and Security
Romans 8
May 5, 2019
When I go to the mountains, the last morning I am there I invariably go outside for one last round of pictures of those majestic hills. Then, as we leave the area — when my car is about to take me out of view of the mountains — I slow and sometimes stop so I can turn my neck and get one last view of the sun gleaming off those favored spots.
When I was in Tel Aviv a few weeks ago, Dan Kirk and I walked down to the Mediterranean Sea and I took a series of pictures of the sun dipping below that sea, waiting until the last ray of sunshine was gone for the day, before turning and going back to the hotel.
When I finish reading a book, I will often flip through its pages and relive some of the highlights of the book, and the passages that stimulated me, before I put the book on the shelf.
I guess I am nostalgic. I just don’t want to miss anything of the beauty that I have enjoyed from those experiences. Today is our corporate nostalgic view of Romans 8.
This chapter sits in the middle of one of the most beloved books of Scripture. And it is the pinnacle of the section of that book that speaks of sanctification. One 17th century pastor said of this chapter: “if the Bible was a ring and the Book of Romans its precious stone, chapter 8 would be ‘the sparkling point of the jewel.’” [Quoted in Boa] Pastor Charles Trumbull wrote of this section, “The eighth of Romans has become peculiarly precious to me, beginning with ‘no condemnation,’ ending with ‘no separation’ and in between, ‘no defeat.’” Ray Ortlund has summarized this chapter by saying, “Here in Romans 8 there is refreshment enough for dry and thirsty believers!” [Supernatural Living for Natural People.]
We began our study of this chapter nine months and 20 sermons ago. This morning I want to take one more look at this glorious chapter around the theme of the Holy Spirit. What does Paul teach us in this chapter?
The grace of God that gives salvation to the believer also gives him the Spirit and His sanctifying and securing power.
The believer is inhabited by the Spirit, sanctified by the Spirit, and made secure by the Spirit. The spiritual life is the Spirit-life. Let’s look at that life in Romans 8 —
- Highlights of the Holy Spirit’s Work
- He has removed our condemnation (vv. 1-2)
- He has given us a new way to live (v. 4)
- He has given us a new way to think (vv. 5-6)
- He indwells all believers (v. 9)
- He is empowering our new lives (vv. 10-11)
- He empowers our mortification of sin (v. 13)
- He is uniting us in sonship to the Father (vv. 14-16)
- He is our guarantee for salvation (v. 23)
- He is helping us, particularly by praying for us (vv. 26-27)
- Implications from the Holy Spirit’s Work
- Live by His power (v. 4)
- Set your mind on Christ.
- Work hard against sin (v. 13)
- Pray (knowing He also is praying)
- Don’t be anxious for your salvation
- Give thanks and worship
Download the rest of this sermon on Romans 8.
The audio will be posted on the GBC website by tomorrow.
Words of Grace 