The Holy Spirit in Romans 8

TEXTRom. 8:9, 16, 26

INRODUCTION:

A.      Romans 8.  A CONFUSING CHAPTER.

          1.       The Holy Spirit is a source of confusion.

          2.       The Bible is not silent elsewhere.

B.      THREE TEACHINGS ON THE HOLY SPIRIT IN Romans 8.

I.      THE INDWELLING OF THE SPIRIT (vs. 9-11).

A.      THE GREAT STRUGGLE – FLESH AND SPIRIT.

          1.       Equated with walking after the Spirit (vs. 4).

          2.       The mind of the flesh vs. of the Spirit.  MasteryGoals!

                   a.       Some serve the flesh (Phil. 3:19).

                   b.       We are encouraged to pursue Spiritual goals.

                   c.       Outcome or fruit:

                             -  flesh (Gal. 5:19).

                             -  spirit (Gal. 5:22-24).

                   d.       Final outcome – Spiritual implications (Rom. 8:5-9).

B.      HOW DOES THE SPIRIT “DWELL” IN US TO PRODUCE THIS FRUIT?

          1.       God dwells in us (2 Cor. 6:16).

          2.       So does Jesus (Eph. 3:17).

          3.       But we dwell in them, too (John 15:4-7;  1 John 2:24;  4:15-16).

          4.       God and Jesus dwell in each other (John 14:11).

          5.       How are they in one another? (John 14:10;  17:20-21).

                   a.       Working fellowship.

                   b.       Perfect unity, as is expected of us (Eph. 4:4-6;  Phil. 1:27;  1 Cor. 1:10).

C.      THE SPIRIT DWELLING IN US IS OUR RELATIONSHIP TOGETHER.

D.      THE POINT OF CONTACTTHE GOSPEL.

          1.       A revelation of God’s mystery (Eph. 3:3-5).

          2.       Instruction on how to live (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

          3.       “Led” by the Spirit (Rom. 8:14).

II.     THE SPIRIT’S TESTIMONY (Rom. 8:16).

A.      HIS MISSION (John 16:7-8,  12-13).

B.      THIS IS DONE IN THE GOSPEL (Acts 2:36-38;  Rom. 1:16-17).

C.      HIS TESTIMONY IS THE INSPIRED SCRIPTURE (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

D.      DOES MY TESTIMONY AGREEWHAT HAVE I DONE?

III.    THE SPIRIT’S INTERCESSION (vs. 26-27).

A.      WHAT IS THAT?

          1.       Intercession – to make a petition or intercede on behalf of another.” – Vine.

          2.       Has reference to prayers offered by the Spirit for us.

          3.       Jesus pleads for us, too (Rom. 8:34;  Heb. 7:25).

          4.       We might intercede for one another (Eph. 6:18-19;  Phil. 1:9).

B.      SPEAKING IN TONGUES?

          1.       Not even mentioned.

          2.       The Spirit is the one who groans – we are incapable of uttering.

C.      THE SPIRIT’S PRAYER.

          1.       For our infirmities (vs. 26).

          2.       That we will come (Rev. 22:17).

CONCLUSIONOUR PRAYEER IS THE SAME AS HIS.