Anchored Week 2: Fight Like You're Free

Scott Worthington

Anchored: A Journey Through Romans 8

Sermon Only Sermon Audio

Oct 19, 2025

Romans 8:12-17

In week 2 of Anchored: A Journey Through Romans 8, Pastor Scott Worthington preached from Romans 8:12–17. Paul makes it clear in this passage — we’re all on one of two roads: one ruled by the flesh or one led by the Spirit. As followers of Jesus, the Holy Spirit lives in us and leads us. But what does it mean to walk by the Spirit?

In this message, we learned two key truths:

1️⃣ Fight sin to the death.
 2️⃣ Embrace your identity and live free.

As Spirit-led people, we’re called to put sin to death daily and live in the freedom we have in Christ.

Watch this sermon to learn how to fight sin and walk in your identity in Christ!

Sermon Notes

Anchored: A Journey Through Romans 8
Fight Like You’re Free // Romans 8:12-17

“So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 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!’ The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 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.” Romans 8:12-17

“So then brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.” Romans 8:12

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1

What Does It Look Like to Walk by the Spirit?
1. We fight our sin to the death
“For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” Romans 8:13

John 15:5 – “‘…apart from me you can do nothing.’”
Philippians 2:13 – “For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
Zechariah 4:6 – “‘Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts.’”

“What must be remembered is that the Christian is not powerless against sin.” Martin-Lloyd Jones

“‘If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away.’” Matthew 5:29-30

“..abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.” 1 Peter 2:11

“Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” Colossians 3:15

Spirit-led people are sin-killing people.

“Be killing sin or it will be killing you.” John Owen

3 Ways to Fight Sin:
1. Satisfaction in the Savior (Enjoying God)

“…in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11

“Until sin be bitter, Christ will not be sweet.” Thomas Watson

3 Ways to Fight Sin:
2. Sword of the Spirit (Word of God)
“I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11

“This book will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from this book.” D.L. Moody

3 Ways to Fight Sin:
3. Safety of the Saints (People of God)

“Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgement.” Proverbs 18:1

What, specifically, do you need to put to death today?

What Does It Look Like to Walk by the Spirit?
2. We embrace our identity and live free

“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” Romans 8:14

“If you, by faith, belong to Christ, you are a son of God, and have his spirit. The three are inseparable.” Tim Keller

“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!’” Romans 8:15

“In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace…” Ephesians 1:5-6

“Paul now sets out, in Romans 8:15-17, breathtaking privileges that believers possess as adopted sons of God. Each is wonderful, and well worth pausing to meditate on and enjoy.” Tim Keller

Six Blessings of Being in the Family of God:
1. Security (v.15)
2. Authority (v.15)
3. Intimacy (v.15)
4. Assurance (v.16)
5. Inheritance (v.17)
6. Discipline/Suffering (v.17)

Sermon Notes

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