Sermon Manuscript

We watch a lot of great kids movies in my house, but one that stands out above the rest is Finding Nemo. There are so many things to love in that movie, but one of my favorite scenes happens at the very end. There’s this group of fish that are in a fish tank at a dentists’ office and all they want to do is escape. Start showing pics. Nemo is captured by the dentist at the beginning of the movie and placed into this fish tank with the rest of them. He eventually escapes on his own, but the rest of the fish remain. 

Of course Nemo is reunited with his dad at the end and it’s very sweet, but that’s not my favorite part. I love the gag at the end with our left behind fish in the fish tank. The tank gang conspire to make the fish tank dirty so it has to be cleaned. They’re then placed into plastic bags (filled with water of course) and they roll their way out the window, across the street, and into the ocean. Show the pic of them in bags in the ocean. Finally they have tasted their freedom! They look out at the vast ocean, tasting freedom, only to realize they’re not actually free. They’re still trapped in the bags. So close to getting into the ocean, but they have no way to get out! They’re still just as trapped as they were in the fish tank. The puffer fish kind of looks around and just goes, “Now what?”

The fish technically got out, but they’re not really free. And honestly, that scene captures what life feels like for a lot of people. We try to clean up, make better choices, and swim in the right direction. but somehow we’re still stuck inside the same old bag. That’s exactly what Paul describes in Romans 7. The feeling of wanting to do right, but finding ourselves trapped by sin.

When speaking to the Romans, Paul describes this “trapped” feeling in a raw and powerful way. There’s a sense of vulnerability as he humbly talks about the struggle between wanting to do what is right, but being unable to do so. He says there’s this tension between what he knows is right and what selfishly wants to do. It’s almost like a tug-of-war happening within him. But it’s an impossible match up. The way he describes it makes me think of one small person (hey that’s me) attempting to go up against an entire team of NFL offensive linemen. It’s an unwinnable matchup!

No matter how hard he pulls. No matter how much effort he puts in. He could even train for years! He will not be able to overcome an entire team of NFL linemen on the other end of that rope. The situation Paul describes is void of all hope. This hopeless is the trap of sin. It’s giving the illusion you have a chance to overcome it by your own strength, but Paul says it’s hopeless. You never will. Worse than that, he later goes on to say the wages of sin is death. So not only is the battle unwinnable, the end result is being condemned to death. Trapped within the clutches  of sin offering no release.

And that ends Romans 7. But that hopelessness comes to a screeching halt with Paul’s opening verse in Romans 8. He shocks the Romans with an amazing truth. After describing the awful reality for those trapped, he offers them hope. Their current reality doesn’t have to be their tomorrow. There is hope, and that hope is with Jesus. Paul says, 

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Can you imagine what this sounded like to the Romans? After diving deep into the law of sin and death, all they heard was hopelessness. That no matter how hard they tried they could never escape their trap of sin on their own. They would remain forever in that place only wishing they could pursue righteousness. The Jews would have had their entire world tuned upside down as they began to realize the law they followed so diligently never provided salvation, only the realization of sin.

Yet in the midst of their confusion Paul introduces hope with the opening verse of Romans 8. A truth that is so incredible it’s hard to believe offers hope in the midst of their despair. Over the next few weeks we’re going to be examining some of these truths that are so incredible they’re hard to believe. And that is exactly what Paul has to offer: a truth so wonderful it can be hard to believe.

With Jesus we are not condemned, we are set free. He has broken the grip sin had over us and has given us life. Paul writes to the Romans,

2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh,

Paul uses the word law in two different ways here. He’s not just talking about a set of rules; he’s describing two real powers that govern how we live. One that leads to death, and one that leads to life in the Spirit.

We all live under some kind of law. A few years ago, I was pulled over for speeding. I had crossed from a 45 into a 60. I got lucky and only received a warning, but the experience reminded me that the law is real and has consequences. I’m not free to speed again simply because I escaped the consequences. I am still under that same law, and if I end up going 60 in a 45 again I could get a ticket! Escaping consequences isn’t freedom.

In the same way, the law calls all of us to obedience. If we break the law we get a fine or worse. As Paul explains in Romans 7, those under “the law of sin and death” are capable of knowing what is right and even doing it at times, but just because you know what’s right doesn’t mean you do it. I’m willing to bet every person in this room as sped at one point even when you knew what the speed limit was. Knowing what the law is isn’t the same as following it. Paul says those under “the law of sin and death” often find themselves serving their own desires instead of God’s because that is where their obedience lies.

We are obedient to the law we follow. For the Romans following the law of sin and death, Paul describes this innate pull to serve what he refers to as “the flesh”. I think that term can simply be referred to as “selfish desires”. Those things that seem like they’re going to benefit us the most. It could be small things like pretending you don’t notice that poopy diaper, or “not noticing” that your spouse’s gas is getting low. Escaping inconvenience isn’t freedom. 

But here’s the good news! The gift of the Holy Spirit sets you free from the condemnation of sin. Made possible through God’s Son, Jesus, taking the form of a man while remaining fully God and sacrificing Himself on our behalf. That’s what Paul means when he says “likeness of sinful flesh”. Paul describes in Romans 7 the inability of people to be anything other than sinful apart from Jesus. He’s not insinuating Jesus sinned, but he is making it clear Jesus took the form of a man to be ultimate sacrifice for the condemnation of sin. Resulting in the path to freedom for you and me through the Holy Spirit.

When Paul says “sets you free,” the Romans would have pictured liberation. Being released from the control of something that once ruled them. I think sometimes we equate freedom and escape. Think about a runaway prisoner. They have escaped their captors, but are they really free? Is the person who has escaped jail with their face plastered all over the news as free as you are to go to the grocery store? Of course not. Because freedom isn’t escape. It’s much deeper than that. The prisoner isn’t free until they have been liberated, released, from prison. So when Paul is speaking to this audience he’s not saying you have simply escaped death, he is telling them they have been liberated from the condemnation of sin. You have been completely liberated from the system you once belonged and you are now under an entirely new law. One that does not condemn you, but releases you from the clutches of sin and death. Through Jesus, we receive freedom from condemnation. The freedom Jesus gives isn’t just about escaping the guilt of sin, it’s about learning how to live differently. Real freedom starts to transform the way we think, the way we speak, and the way we see the world.

The freedom Paul describes transforms every aspect of our being, resulting in a renewed mind. He says, 

5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

What we see here is two mindsets: one set on a pattern of self-gratification and the other set on bringing glory to God. I think the word “pattern” is the key here. Because those who are “living according to the flesh” are not incapable of doing good. We see non-christians making good choices every single day. Being good parents, spouses, and even serving in their communities. And we also see Christians not loving others well, not serving in their communities, and not serving their spouse. 

We need to be careful not to misinterpret Paul here. He is not insinuating all non-Christians are evil, and he’s not saying all Christians are perfect. He’s describing a pattern within the lives of those who have been transformed by the Spirit. Both groups are on a journey, and one leads to life while the other leads to death. But it raises an important question, what pattern do you see within your own life? Because you can be at church, be “religious”, yet have no further evidence of the Spirit’s transformation. Are the fruits of the Spirit evident within your life? Do you see others the way God sees them? Are you serving your spouse in love? Are you loving those within God’s Church?

We can follow the same pattern as the Jewish law, adhering to all of the ‘right’ things, but those are just external They don’t change the heart. They don’t transform you, only the Spirit can. A Sunday morning sermon can reveal your need for Jesus, but being here doesn’t save you. That ability is reserved by Jesus alone! Living according to the Spirit is a pattern in your life as a result of the transformative work of the Spirit. What pattern do you see in yours? Because if the pattern isn’t life and peace, Paul actually says it is hostile to God. He says,

7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot.

This is a challenging passage, but I think to understand why Paul says it this way we need to understand who God is. God is a God of justice, peace and mercy. He does not tolerate injustice, hate or ruthlessness. It’s simply not in His character. So when the pattern of someone’s life is, as Paul says it, “the flesh” they are operating in opposition to what God stands for; justice, peace and mercy. The pattern of the flesh refuses to submit to the justice of God because it says, “my way” not “your way”. It is a life filled with self-service so centered around our own interpretation of the right way to live without giving a second thought as to what God says. But here’s the hope: Jesus doesn’t leave us in this pattern. The Spirit transforms us from hostility to life and peace.

Paul needs his audience to understand life without the Holy Spirit is the lowest place you could ever be because you are in opposition to God. But he says you don’t have to stay there! In fact, you don’t even have to fix yourself because Jesus can set you free from this opposition. He can restore your relationship with the Father through the transformative work of the Spirit. Through Jesus, we receive new life in the Spirit. Freedom from the pattern of hostility. A new pattern, a new mind, and a new peace.

Remember those fish in Nemo’s tank? They thought they were free when they rolled into the ocean in their little bags, but they were still trapped. They escaped the tank, but were still trapped. So close to freedom, but not truly free. That’s what life under sin or just following the law feels like. It’s like trying to swim toward something better, but still being constrained by patterns that don’t lead to life.

Here’s the difference Jesus makes: He doesn’t just get us out of the tank; He rips the bag open. He doesn’t just give us freedom from condemnation, He gives us a new identity. We’re not left flailing on our own. His Holy Spirit resides in us providing new life and guidance. This is what that life looks like in Romans 8:14-17, 

14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Sonship and inheritance were topics of importance for the original audience. Standard practice for an heir of inheritance would begin at the birth of the first-born son, but they would not receive their inheritance until the father died. Asking for the inheritance while the father lives would be seen as wishing death upon your father. Yet Paul does not describe those in God’s family as infants who must wait for their inheritance to be realized. We are full-fledged adults in the family of God the moment we receive His Spirit. Freed from the inheritance of death, and given the inheritance of life. The audience reading this letter would have been astounded by God’s instantaneous gift of His inheritance. 

Paul is communicating to them that everyone male, female, Jew and Gentile will take part in the inheritance of the Father. Paul, and Jesus does this too, takes a common cultural practice and does something entirely countercultural to illustrate the love of God. God’s love is so powerful that all of those who follow Him and receive His Spirit will be allowed to call Him Father. There is no hierarchy, the first-born son will not receive all the inheritance, and it is not reserved for males alone. All are able to call Him Father and be inheritors.

The Spirit is our witness to this newfound freedom. He testifies on our behalf and adopts us as members of God’s family. It is through this adoption we participate in the blessings of our Lord. To the Jews, Paul describes freedom from the law they once knew. The law that could only reveal the pattern of sin in their life, but could not save them. It could not transform their hearts. That power resides within the Holy Spirit who frees us from the bondage of sin.

Through the Holy Spirit, you are freed from inheriting death and given the inheritance of life. The freedom provided by God is not just an escape, it is a complete and total transformation. Only made possible through our Lord Jesus. The Spirit of adoption has set us free from the Spirit of slavery. When the Holy Spirit adopts us we are no longer bound to the law of death and sin. We no longer stand condemned in our rebellion against God. His justice is spared as the Holy Spirit indwells within us.

The freedom you have in Christ isn’t just about escaping sin. It’s about living as God’s inheritor, adhering to the pattern of life and peace. Ask yourself what pattern you’re following. Are you just trying to escape rather than receive true freedom? Are you like the fish who thought they had escaped their imprisonment only to realize they weren’t any closer to freedom than they were in the tank? Have you experienced the freedom Jesus has to offer?

What does this look like in your marriage? Is there a pattern of reacting out of frustration or selfishness rather than responding in love and patience? In your work, are you operating from fear, self-preservation, or ambition, or are you choosing integrity, service, and honesty as one led by the Spirit? With friends and family, do you operate from a pattern of insisting on your own way, holding grudges, or withdrawing, or are you practicing listening, forgiveness, and grace; the patterns of life and peace?

This week examine the patterns within your life. Is the freedom of Jesus evident? Are there areas you’re enslaved, trapped, or pursuing sin in? Where can Jesus set you free? Not just to avoid the consequences, but to completely transform you. Freeing you from condemnation and breathing new life into you. The freedom Jesus provides isn’t just an escape, it’s adoption into God’s family.

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