Sunday Sermon Starter 3-4-13

The world has a false perception of Christianity.  Yes, I know.  That’s hard to believe.  This statement is true in many respects.  But one charge often leveled against Christianity is that it is too binding.  Now, I understand what people mean by that.  Christianity demands adherence to law and adherence to any law is “too binding” to some people.  However, that perception is ironic in that Christianity actually provides freedom.  It frees us from sin, from shame, from sorrow.  Our sin condemned us.  Christianity gives us liberty.  Sin had us in shackles.  Christianity holds the key to loosen our bonds.  However, in order to achieve freedom we must pursue freedom.  That is the very thing Paul discussed in Romans 8 and is the object of our sermon starter this week:

•  He Begins with a Conclusion – How might a writer begin with a conclusion?  That seems to be the polar opposite of standard writing procedure?  However, we have to take into consideration that the beginning of chapter eight is the conclusion of a larger point that began back in Romans 7.  In Romans 7:1-6 Paul discussed the fact that the cross had delivered the people from the law of Moses (not law in general) because the law of Moses had accomplished its purpose.  Then in Romans 7:7-12 he stated that the purpose of the law of Moses was to inform man of his sins, for without law there is no knowledge of sin (vs. 7).  But because the law of Moses couldn’t take away their sin the consequences of their guilt would remain before them.  And thats when Paul wrote in Romans 7:13-25 that sin ultimately enslaves us and will condemn us to everlasting death.   But then Paul stated his conclusion – Romans 8:1 – “There is therefore now…”  These words indicate a transitioning thought.  Everything previously mentioned was true, but can be avoided because now another opportunity exists.   That transition takes a soul from hopeless to hopeful.  So while Paul stated his concluding thought on the matter, that concluding thought is only the beginning in our pursuit of freedom.

• Then He Discusses Their Condemnation – Simply put, to those who had been convicted of their sins and sought the redemption available through Jesus’ blood, there is “…no condemnation.”  Imagine the inmate on death row facing their imminent death only to hear the words, “you’re free!”  That’s what Paul just got through telling them.  They were guilty, sentenced to death, but Jesus came and declared them innocent!  The sure condemnation they were facing was no more.  No more frightening picture is painted in the entire Bible than the picture of condemnation (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10; 21:8).  But as terrible as condemnation is because of what it includes, it is worse because of what it excludes – the presence of God, forever.  That was the sure condemnation they were facing for the consequences of their sins, but in their current state it was no more.

• But Then There is a Confirmation – What was the ultimate purpose of Jesus’ mission on earth?  To deliver redemption to the lost (Luke 19:10; Colossians 1:15-20).  Man would hence be delivered from bondage and sure eternal condemnation to life and freedom from sin.  That is the confirmation.  It is available “…to them which are in Christ Jesus…” (Romans 8:1).  This is an exclusionary statement.  This means that any that are not in Christ do not have this freedom confirmed in their life.  We only have confirmation of our freedom in Christ.  Thus we need to hold fast and be strong in Christ.

• He Then States the Final Condition – The need was present, the intention was there, the price had been paid.  God has done everything He is going to do (and needs to do) to save our souls, but yet there is something lacking, but it is lacking on our part.  “No condemnation” is only available to those “who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Romans 8:1).  Paul would later discuss the war between the flesh and the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-25).  But there has to be an underlying principle on which such a life is going to rest.  That principle is in Hebrews 11:6 – “…without faith it is impossible to please him…”  Earlier Jesus said that the deciding factor between freedom and condemnation is faith.  It is the foundation of God’s redemptive plan (John 5:23-24).  Faith instills respect, dispenses honor, and convicts to obedience.  Without that faith we have no hope (John 3:18).  Our lives must be built on faith as that underlying factor that drives us in pursuit of freedom.  It is our condition for redemption.