Romans 8:5-11
Getting Rid of Dead Leaves

Introduction
1. Righteousness…Imputed (chapter 4)…Implanted (chapter 6)…Imparted (chapter 8)
New Person…His Lordship In Me (7:25)…New Position…His Look In Me (8:1)…New
Power…His Life In Me (8:2)New Provision…His Leadership In Me (8:3)…New
Possibility…His Law In Me (8:4)
2. The righteousness of the law is fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
3. Fall is a time for raking leaves. Spring is a time of new life. In Marion, O. we had several Pin
Oak trees in our yard. Many leaves would hang there all winter. “Let’s pluck each one off.” In
the spring when the sap began to flow into the branches of the trees, the old leaves quite
naturally fell off.
4. How often we want to take a pole and strip off the dead things from our lives. Strip them.
Take them off. We stop this. We start that, removing the unsightly, unwanted, often hurtful
things of our lives. We still have a barren tree…dormant and fruitless!
5. How do we get rid of dead leaves?
6. Romans 8:5-11 By life, His life flowing through us:

How do we get rid of dead leaves?
I. OUR PRACTICE In Removing Dead Leaves 8:5-7
A. Our Motivation
There are only two when it comes to living: Look At The Insert…
1. After the Flesh
*Note the definition: A statement which characterizes the walk of a Christian or non-Christian. They are dominated by the Flesh (our strength, our resources, our will). For the Christian it means allowing sin to control or function as though he is separated from Christ. The person is operating in their own strength. The non-Christian has no choice, but to walk after the flesh.
*Christian note: vss. 4, 10, 12, 13 and all of chapter 7.
2.After the Spirit
*Note the definition: They are dominated by the Holy Spirit. This person functions under the control of the Holy Spirit, and is living a life of ‘Absolute Surrender.’
*This one is dominated by the Spirit side. “I will go where You want me to go. I will do what You want me to do. I will be what You want me to be. God, you can do with me whatever You want.”
B. Our Mentality 5-6
Do mind this is our mind set. Set their mind on…for the mind set (v. 6) For the mind set (7)
Notice there are two mindsets. The difference is what we set our mind upon. What do
you think on throughout the day? Do you have a viewpoint from the flesh…the world’s
view or God’s?
1.Mind of the Flesh Carnally minded (6a) The mind of the flesh is Self-centered.
2.Mind of the Spirit (6b)
*‘I know what that means!’ That means you forget about making money, having fun, finding fulfillment. You go around memorizing Scripture. The only thing you think about all day is God.” Even all of those listed can be run by the flesh!!
*It means that in the midst of making money, having fun, finding fulfillment you stop living for yourself. You live for God’s honor and glory. IN ALL THINGS HE MIGHT BE GLORIFIED!! This is based on Relationship and the Word.
*Note: After the Flesh…After the Spirit Circles.
C. Our Mistake 7
After the Flesh never produces what we desire. If your mindset is fame, fun and fulfillment
this is ‘death.’
1.The Condition
*Flesh: Death describes the results that come right now. (Fear, Guilt, Hostility, Emptiness, Worry, Anxiety, Timidity) Guilt: shame, self-hatred, self-righteousness, perfectionism. Emptiness: loneliness, depression, discouragement, despair, meaninglessness. Hostility: manifested in hate, resentment bitterness, revenge, cruelty.
*Spirit: Life It is the opposite of death. If death is fear. Life is trust, hope, confidence. If death is guilt. Life is feeling of acceptance, security and assurance. If death is hostility Life is love, kindness, reaching out to others. If death is emptiness Life is a sense of well-being,
fulfillment, vitality. Peace is an inner calm, quiet spirit, a remarkable sense of being able to
cope with life.
2. The Conflict
The conflict is with God. The mind of the flesh is enmity against God.
*It is the opposite of peace. It is why the set of the mind of the flesh is death.
*This is why those without Christ are looking for peace. God resists the proud…that’s
our problem. The Self-willed Christian who is self-determined, self-centered…your
battle is with the Lord. This results in no peace, no purpose, worry, frustration.
Death…the flesh has taken over!
3. The Cause For it (unredeemed flesh) is not subject to the law of God…neither indeed
can be. (7:14) the law is spiritual!
*Unredeemed flesh cannot possibly obey God’s demands.
*What a tragedy to endeavor to meet God’s demands in our strength and self-will! At the
end of myself is Himself. Chart of Spirit/Flesh.

How do we get rid of dead leaves?
II. OUR POSITION In Removing Dead Leaves 8:8,9
If you are habitually living after the flesh, and not in Spirit…you are lost!
There are only two positions: Note the circles: In the Flesh/ In the Spirit
A. In The Flesh
1.Cannot please God. (v. 8)
2.Has not the Spirit of Christ. (v. 9)
3.That person is none of His. (v. 9)
IF YOU HAVE NO DESIRE FOR SPIRITUAL THINGS, MAKE SURE YOU ARE SAVED!
B.In The Spirit
1.But you are not in the Flesh…you are acting out your character.
2.The Spirit of God dwells (is at home) in you. If you are a believer, saved, born from above a Person dwells (is at home) in you. In you Spirit…If the Spirit is not there you are not saved!

III. OUR PERFORMANCE In Removing Dead Leaves 8:10,11
The Spirit is called the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ.
A. A Person
If Christ be in you.
1.In verse 1 we were ‘in Christ.’ Her Christ is in you!
2.Comforter…Another Comforter (One like Me). The Spirit of Jesus Christ resides in each and every believer!
B.A Problem
The body is dead because of sin.
1. The body is unredeemed. The soul (thinker, feeler, chooser) is unredeemed.
2.This is the source of our trouble. Sin affects the body.
C.A Power
The Spirit of life because of righteousness
1.This power raised Jesus from the dead and this power is in us!
2.It is Spring time. It is time for His life to Spring Forth.
D.A Possibility
Give life to your mortal (not dead) bodies…by His Spirit that dwells in you.
1.That gets rid of the dead leaves!
2.A mortal body is not yet dead. In this chapter he is talking about what the Spirit does in us now!
3.There is a greater power. We have His strength at the time of temptation. My eyes, ears, feet mouth were made to serve.
4.Who sits on the throne of your life? Which circle would represent your life?


By absolutely surrendering moment by moment, it produces:
A LOVING RELATIONSHIP
A LIVING RELATIONSHIP
HIS LIFE FLOWS THROUGH ME!