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Sharon Reformed Presbyterian Church · Sermon study sheet

Fear and Freedom (Romans 8:1-30)

Bryan Schneider · March 14, 2020

Romans 8:1-30

sharonrpc.org/sermons/fear-and-freedom-romans

Summary

  • Romans 8 announces no condemnation for those in Christ because God condemned sin in his Son and gives the life-producing Spirit the law could not supply through fallen flesh.
  • Humanity divides between minds governed by the flesh and those indwelt and led by the Spirit; the Spirit who raised Jesus will also give life to believers' mortal bodies.
  • Spirit-led Christians actively put sinful deeds to death, not to earn adoption but because they are no longer debtors or slaves to the flesh.
  • The Spirit of adoption replaces bondage before God's judgment with the freedom to cry, ‘Abba, Father,’ trusting that the Father cares for bodily needs as well as eternal salvation.
  • Freedom from fear is not carelessness: the duty to preserve one's own and others' lives requires wise precautions without panic, contempt for danger, or paralysis.
  • Creation and believers groan under corruption while awaiting bodily redemption, yet they groan in a sure hope that present suffering cannot compare with coming glory.
  • The Spirit helps weak believers pray when words fail, and God's sovereign purpose works all things toward the good of conforming his called people to Christ.
  • Confidence in the Father's care frees Christians to love vulnerable neighbors wisely and courageously rather than choosing either reckless exposure or fearful isolation.

Reflection and discussion

  • Why is there no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus?
  • How do the mind of the flesh and the mind governed by the Spirit differ?
  • What does active mortification reveal about the Spirit's work without implying present perfection?
  • How does adoption answer fear before God's judgment and fear concerning daily needs?
  • Why does preserving life require caution without either panic or recklessness?
  • What are creation and believers groaning for in Romans 8:18-25?
  • How does the Spirit help when suffering or confusion leaves a believer unable to formulate a prayer?
  • What ‘good’ does Romans 8:28-30 define through God's purpose of conformity to Christ?

Key terms

No condemnation
The justified believer's freedom from God's judicial sentence because sin has been condemned in Christ.
Flesh
Fallen human life oriented against God and unable to submit to or please him.
Indwelling Spirit
The Spirit of God and of Christ living in believers, producing holiness now and guaranteeing bodily resurrection.
Mortification
The Spirit-enabled, continuing work of putting sinful deeds to death.
Adoption
God's gracious reception of believers as children who may cry to him as Father and share Christ's inheritance.
Christian hope
Confident expectation of unseen resurrection glory and creation's liberation, not a mere wish for favorable circumstances.

Notes and prayer