Text:  Rom. 8:1-4

INTRODUCTION:

A.      MUCH MISUNDERSTOOD

          1.       Used to teach you can't fall( Gal. 5:4;  Heb. 6:4-6 ).

          2.       Used to teach tolerance of error.

B.      NEEDS EXAMINATION.

I.      A PROMISE:  "NO CONDEMNATION."

A.      SERVITUDE TO SIN BRINGS DEATH( Rom. 6:23 ).

B.      BUT WE ALL SIN( 1 John 1:8-10 ).

C.      PAUL SPEAKS OF THIS PROBLEM( Rom. 7:22-23 ).

          1.       This brings about a dilemma( vs. 24 ).

          2.       The solution is Jesus( vs. 25 ).

D. JESUS IS THE COVERING( 1 John 2:1-2 ).

          1.       How?( 1 John 1:7;  1 Pet. 1:18-19 ).

          2.       Why? ( Rom. 5:8 ).

II.     A STATE:  "IN CHRIST JESUS."

A.      THE BLESSING IN CHRIST IS DESCRIBED IN MANY WAYS:

          1.       Made alive ( Eph. 2:1, 4-6 ).

          2.       Made new( 2 Cor. 5:17 ).

          3.       Forgiveness( Col. 1:14 ).

          4.       All blessings( Eph. 1:3-14 ).

B. HOW DOES ONE GET INTO CHRIST?( Gal. 3:26-27; Rom. 6:3-4 ).

III.    A CONDITION:  "WHO WALK NOT AFTER THE  FLESH, BUT 

        AFTER THE SPIRIT."

A.      "WALK" REFERS TO DISPOSITION THAT IS DEMANDED( 1 John 1:6-7 ).

B.      CONTRAST BETWEEN "FLESH" & "SPIRIT" REMINDS US OF A GREAT

          SPIRITUAL BATTLE ( Rom. 7:22-23;  Gal. 5:16-17 ).

C.      THE CONDITIONS MUST BE MET, NOT UNCONDITIONAL!

          1.       Walk not after the flesh.

                   a.       evidenced by goals and outlooks( vs. 5;  1 Tim. 6:9-10 ).

                   b.       evidenced by fruit in the life( Gal. 5:19-21 ).

          2.       But after the Spirit.

                   a.       evidenced by goals and outlooks( Matt. 6:19-21;  2 Cor. 4:16-18;

                             Heb. 12:1-2;  Col. 3:1-2 ).

                   b.       evidenced by a repudiation of the flesh( Rom. 12:9;  Phil. 3:1-3;

                             Matt. 6:24 ).

                   c.       evidenced by fruit in the life( Gal. 5:22-26 ).

          3.  Conditions summarized:

                   a.       Simon the Sorcerer( Acts 8:22 ).

                   b.       John's comments( 1 John 1:6-7, 9 ).

CONCLUSION:

          A.      THE PROMISE OF GOD TO THE CHRISTIAN IN THIS PASSAGE

                    SOLVES HIS GREATEST PROBLEM, THE SIN HE CONTINUES TO

                    COMMIT.

          B.      ARE YOU WALKING AFTER THE SPIRIT OR AFTER THE FLESH?

          C.      ARE YOU EVEN IN CHRIST?