For a study of Paul's Letter to the Romans. blazingfire.org

1. 4/10/2017
Romans 8
Victory for the believer
Charles Razzell

2. Turning the page into Romans 8
✤ We now enter a new chapter of Romans that builds on
the gospel truths carefully laid out in chapters 1-7.
✤ We are reminded that this doesn’t come out of no-
where, by the “Therefore” at the start of the first verse.
✤ Let’s look at the bold statement Paul makes and enjoy it!

3. “So now the case is closed. There remains no
accusing voice of condemnation against those
who are joined in life-union with Jesus, the
Anointed One.”
–Romans 8:1 (TPT)

4. ”With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that
fateful dilemma is resolved. Those who enter
into Christ’s being-here-for-us no longer have to
live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud.
A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in
Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently
cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime
of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death..”
–Roman 8:1-2 (MSG)

5. Romans 8:1 in context
✤ Why is there no condemnation for those who are in Christ
Jesus?
✤ I.e., why does Paul start with “therefore” or “so”.
What has come before that gives him the confidence
for this bold statement?
✤ What are your thoughts on this? (One or two of you,
please share on the microphone so we can all hear).

6. The story so far…
✤ Paul has developed a careful, and lengthy argument for the
Gospel in Romans 1-7, starting with the nature of man’s
condition; that we too have sinned a fall short of the glory of God;
that religion/culture/heritage won’t save us; that salvation was
always by faith apart from the law; that while the law made us
aware of sin, man’s best efforts to obey the law always fell short;
by identifying with him in His death, we can be confident that we
will also have a resurrection like His; and that sin shall no longer
be our master, because we are not under the law, but under grace!
✤ so THEREFORE…

7. Therefore, there is now no
condemnation for those who are in
Christ Jesus, because through Christ
Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives
life has set you free from the law of
sin and death. For what the law was
powerless to do because it was
weakened by the flesh, God did by
sending his own Son in the likeness
of sinful flesh to be a sin offering.
–Romans 8:1-3 (NIV)
1.For whom is there no condemnation?
2.When does that declaration of “no
condemnation” apply?
3.What other “law” (or principle) are
we now free from?
4.What did the “law” system fail to
accomplish and why?
5.What aspect of the Old Testament
does the phrase “sin offering” remind
you of?
What do you think?

8. “And so he condemned sin in the
flesh, in order that the righteous
requirement of the law might be
fully met in us, who do not live
according to the flesh but according
to the Spirit”
–Romans 8:4 (NIV)
1.What exactly was condemned here?
2.Was this an impersonal, legal decree?
3.Is everyone automatically a
beneficiary of this good news? What
does Paul say (in your own words)?
4.How is that righteous requirement
fully met (not just for us) but in us?
In groups of 3, discuss the following
questions.
Appoint one person to write down the
group’s main conclusions and be prepared
to share them with the rest of the Bible
study at the end of 15 minutes.

9. “Those who live according to the flesh have their
minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who
live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds
set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed
by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the
Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the
flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s
law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of
the flesh cannot please God.”
–Romans 8:5-8

10. Death, Depravity, Deity of Christ and more: Romans 8:5-10 - Mike Winger
Until 10:28

11. “My counsel is this: Live freely, animated and
motivated by God’s Spirit. Then you won’t feed the
compulsions of selfishness. For there is a root of
sinful self-interest in us that is at odds with a free
spirit, just as the free spirit is incompatible with
selfishness. These two ways of life are antithetical,
so that you cannot live at times one way and at
times another way according to how you feel on
any given day. Why don’t you choose to be led by
the Spirit and so escape the erratic compulsions of a
law-dominated existence?”
– Galatians 5:16-18 (MSG)

12. “Jesus in your heart, revolution in your life!”
–OM evangelization slogan
✤ from position: in Christ
✤ to condition: the old order dominated by sin is overturned

13. “You, however, are not in the realm
of the flesh but are in the realm of
the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of
God lives in you. And if anyone
does not have the Spirit of Christ,
they do not belong to Christ.”
1.What does Paul teach is the
distinguishing mark of someone who
belongs to Christ?
2.If you have the Spirit, can you also be
in the realm of the flesh?
What do you think?
–Romans 8:9 (NIV)

14. But if Christ is in you, then even
though your body is subject to
death because of sin, the Spirit gives
life because of righteousness. And if
the Spirit of him who raised Jesus
from the dead is living in you, he
who raised Christ from the dead
will also give life to your mortal
bodies because of his Spirit who
lives in you.”
1.What is the primary meaning of “life
to your mortal bodies” in this context?
(C.f. Rom 6:5).
2. Why does Paul keep stressing if
Christ is in you and if the Spirit of him
who raised Jesus from the dead is
living in you (vv. 9,10,11)?
What do you think?
–Romans 8:10-11 (NIV)

15. “Therefore, brothers and sisters, we
have an obligation—but it is not to
the flesh, to live according to it. For
if you live according to the flesh,
you will die; but if by the Spirit you
put to death the misdeeds of the
body, you will live.”
1.What is the “therefore” there for?
2.Why does Paul mention that it is by
the Spirit that we should put to death
the misdeeds of the body?
3.Can we possibly do this on our own?
What do you think?
–Romans 8:12-13 (NIV)

16. “Make no mistake about it, God will never be mocked!
For what you plant will always be the very thing you
harvest. The harvest you reap reveals the seed that was
planted. If you plant the corrupt seeds of self-life into
this natural realm, you can expect to experience a
harvest of corruption. If you plant the good seeds of
Spirit-life you will reap the beautiful fruits that grow
from the everlasting life of the Spirit.”
– Galatians 6:7-8 (TPT)
Parallel Passage

17. “ For those who are led by the Spirit
of God are the children of God. The
Spirit you received does not make
you slaves, so that you live in fear
again; rather, the Spirit you received
brought about your adoption to
sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba,
Father.’ The Spirit himself testifies
with our spirit that we are God’s
children.”
1.How do you relate to the tenderness
and intimacy of this cry out to “Abba/
Daddy Father”? Is it something you
recognize in your own life?
2.How would we know that God’s
Spirit testifying is with our spirit? Can
you recall a time when that was very
clearly happening to you?
In groups of 3, discuss the following
questions. Share your stories!
(Some of you may feel empowered to share
with the whole group later)
–Romans 8:14-16 (NIV)

18. “Now if we are children, then we are heirs
—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if
indeed we share in his sufferings in order
that we may also share in his glory.”
–Romans 8:17

19. Heirs of God and Coheirs with Christ - Dave Emmett - 4th Feb 2018 - Central - Until 16:55

20. Take a moment with the Holy Spirit
Cry, ‘Daddy, Father.’ Connect.
Consciously ask the Holy Spirit to testify again with your spirit
that you are God’s child.
Thank him for placing you in His Royal family as a co-heir.

21. “Now if we are children, then we
are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs
with Christ, if indeed we share in
his sufferings in order that we may
also share in his glory.”
✤ Is it likely that someone who
is fully led by the Spirit will
never experience sharing in
Christ’s sufferings? (C.f. 2
Timothy 3:12)
✤ Is Paul saying that our
salvation is dependent on
sharing in Christ’s sufferings?
In groups of 3, discuss the following.
(I’ll be asking for feedback from a couple of
the small groups.)
–Romans 8:17 (NIV)

22. “ I consider that our present
sufferings are not worth comparing
with the glory that will be revealed in
us. For the creation waits in eager
expectation for the children of God to
be revealed. For the creation was
subjected to frustration, not by its
own choice, but by the will of the one
who subjected it, in hope that the
creation itself will be liberated from
its bondage to decay and brought
into the freedom and glory of the
children of God”
1.Paul talks about “our present
sufferings,” what were they in Paul’s
case?
2.“The created world itself can hardly
wait for what’s coming next.” (MSG).
Is this primarily referring to the
present age, or one to come?
3.Is “all creation” experiencing
fallenness, or is it just us humans?
(Genesis 3:17).
What do you think?
–Romans 8:18-21 (NIV)

23. “ We know that the whole creation
has been groaning as in the pains of
childbirth right up to the present
time. Not only so, but we ourselves,
who have the firstfruits of the
Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait
eagerly for our adoption to sonship,
the redemption of our bodies. For in
this hope we were saved. But hope
that is seen is no hope at all. Who
hopes for what they already
have? But if we hope for what we do
not yet have, we wait for it patiently”
1.What is the redemption of our bodies
that we hope for, but is not yet seen?
2.Why is pregnancy and childbirth a
fitting analogy to our present and
future condition?
What do you think?
–Romans 8:22-25 (NIV)

24. “ In the same way, the Spirit helps us
in our weakness. We do not know
what we ought to pray for, but the
Spirit himself intercedes for
us through wordless groans. And he
who searches our hearts knows the
mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit
intercedes for God’s people in
accordance with the will of God”
1.Paul draws a parallel between our
groaning in Spirit-led intercession and
the groaning of the whole creation.
How might you connect these two in
the bigger scheme of things? (Cf.
Philippians 2:13)
What do you think?
–Romans 8:26-27 (NIV)

25. “And we know that in all things God
works for the good of those who love
him, who have been called according
to his purpose. For those God
foreknew he also predestined to be
conformed to the image of his
Son, that he might be the
firstborn among many brothers and
sisters. And those he predestined, he
also called; those he called, he also
justified; those he justified, he also
glorified.”
1.How does the promise of “all things”
work together (sunergeō) for the good
of those who love him, fit within the
bigger picture Paul is painting of the
plan of God for humanity and
creation?
2.Which is the better sense of v. 28: that
every little thing that happens is good
in and of itself, or that the sum of all
things that happen are orchestrated by
God to his magnificent purpose?
What do you think?
–Romans 8:28-30 (NIV)

26. Let the text speak here…
✤ God knew us before we did a thing.
✤ God’s purpose is for believers to be conformed to the image
of His Son. (Hebrews 2:10, Colossians 1:15, Romans 12:2)
✤ Here’s your entire pre-history, history and eternal future
summarized in one verse (v. 30)!
✤ And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he
also justified; those he justified, he also glorified

27. Now let’s own it an confess it!
✤ Thank you God that you knew everything about me,
and yet you called me anyway to be yours!
✤ Thank you that I stand justified before you, by the
merits of Jesus and his death on cross!
✤ That being justified is an amazing act of kindness, but
it’s just the beginning of a glorious future with you!

28. Rescued Forever
Sermon on Romans 8:28-39 "Rescued Forever" | All Things Work Together for Good
From Start to 11:00

29. “God’s judgment is for you in justification.
God’s power is for you in sanctification.
God’s love is for you in adoption.
God’s glory is for you in glorification.
God is totally for you in Jesus Christ.”
–Pastor Colin S. Smith

30. “ What, then, shall we say in
response to these things? If God is for
us, who can be against us? He who
did not spare his own Son, but gave
him up for us all—how will he not
also, along with him, graciously give
us all things?”
1.What things do you consider are
included in “all things” that he will
graciously give us? Note this is the
same Greek word ("ᾶς) for “all
things” as in “all things” work
together for the good of those who
love God.)
What do you think?
–Romans 8:38 (NIV)

31. “Who will bring any charge against those
whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.
Who then is the one who condemns? No one.
Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who
was raised to life—is at the right hand of God
and is also interceding for us. Who shall
separate us from the love of Christ? Shall
trouble or hardship or persecution or famine
or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is
written:
‘For your sake we face death all day long
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’
No, in all these things we are more than
conquerors through him who loved us.”
–Romans 8:33-37
1.What does “more than conquerors”
really mean in plain english?
2.What is your reaction to knowing that
the Anointed One, Jesus died, was
raised to life and is (even now)
interceding for us? (Hebrews 7:25,
Jude 1:24)
3.What is the significance of “in all these
things”? Should we expect to be
always rapidly removed from these
things?
What do you think?

32. “ For I am convinced that neither death nor
life, neither angels nor demons, neither the
present nor the future, nor any powers, neither
height nor depth, nor anything else in all
creation, will be able to separate us from the
love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
‘For your sake we face death all day long
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’
No, in all these things we are more than
conquerors through him who loved us.”
1.What is it that is guaranteed by these
last two verses? How could you
rephrase it in simple language?
What do you think?
–Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)

33. You can’t turn out a light
shining from the inside…
https://youtu.be/roD8D7K9moE
SteffanyGretzinger-Blackout

34. “Your loving connection to the invisible God
(shining from the inside)
is what makes you invincible”
–Charles Razzell