Setting Our Minds on Christ

Romans 8:1-8

Let’s recap a little. Louie preached last week on Romans 7 that the law points to death, yet the grace of Jesus Christ points to life, that is life eternally through Jesus Christ alone! As we walk through this passage this morning, may you be forever reminded that Christ did for us what the law could not. Allow me to say that again, Christ did for us what the law could not.

In Christ we are not condemned (Romans 8:1) The word condemnation refers to being guilty! We are all guilty of sin. The only difference between those in Christ and those without Christ are those who are saved sinners (sin fighters) and unsaved sinners (sin lovers). Those condemned are subject to the wrath of God, Hell. Those who are saved by faith through grace are removed from the wrath of God, saved from wrath! On judgement Day, “I see that your name is written in the Lambs Book of Life, you have followed Jesus through faith in Him.” The condemned person stands at Judgement Day looking for their good deeds to cover their sin, it will not happen. This will be the response they will receive. (Matthew 7:21-23) “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’” In Christ we are not condemned. I use the phrase in Christ throughout these points because of this phrase in verse 1.

In Christ we are not controlled by sin (Romans 8:2) 2 Timothy 1:7 “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

In Christ we receive what cannot be conspired by man (Romans 8:3) Galatians chapter 3 really digs deep into this concept. We cannot work enough, do enough good deeds, or live by the law enough to earn salvation. It had to be by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, His burial, and His resurrection! By placing faith in Jesus, in Christ, He now transforms us, and gives us a desire to live for Him. No person can connive this or makeup this new birth physically, this transformation is a supernatural work of Christ alone!

In Christ we conquer sin through redirecting our mind (Romans 8:4-7) Verse 4 describes the contrast of walking in the flesh and walking in the Spirit. Psalm 1:1-3 also conveys this: “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.” The progression of corruption goes from walking to sitting. The way out is to saturate your mind with meditating on God’s Word. When storms come, you’re rooted, you weather the storm, and you produce fruit!

Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Colossians 3:2 “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Satan wants to wreck your mind. If he can made you busy, bothered, or burdened, he will do so in order to take your mind off of Christ. If he can keep you from plugging into a local church, he will. If he can bog you down and keep you away from His Word, he will do it. I have a list of applications that redirects our minds towards Christ.

Parents if we aren’t intentionally discipling our children, saturating the mind with Christ, the world will. You have seen that this past week with the Grammys.

We can only please God in Christ alone (Romans 8:8) Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”