WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.980 This morning's Bible study text is Romans chapter 8 verses 1 and 2, so please join us there as we turn our attention to the study of God's word. 00:00:09.279 --> 00:00:12.960 Before we study this text, I want to remind you of two things. 00:00:13.660 --> 00:00:19.960 First, our teaching on Sundays has been working in concord with CFC's Bible reading plan. 00:00:20.740 --> 00:00:22.719 And we're doing this for two reasons. 00:00:23.240 --> 00:00:27.300 First, we want you to see the connectivity of the text, right? 00:00:27.300 --> 00:00:37.620 We are believing that the beauty of the scripture will come alive to you across the year and that you will have a greater grasp of its narrative arc as we do this together. 00:00:38.399 --> 00:00:40.980 Secondly, we want you to read your Bible. 00:00:41.399 --> 00:00:48.679 We want this to promote Bible reading, to want to fill in the gaps in between the teaching you're receiving. 00:00:49.420 --> 00:00:55.900 I learned this week that only 3% of professing American Christians have ever read through the entire Bible. 00:00:55.899 --> 00:01:01.699 And we want to encourage us reading through the Bible as many times as we possibly can. 00:01:01.820 --> 00:01:06.379 Certainly a wonderful goal is reading through the entirety of it each and every year. 00:01:06.859 --> 00:01:10.980 And all you have to do to accomplish this is read three chapters a day. 00:01:11.239 --> 00:01:14.700 That's all it takes to read through the entire Bible in the year. 00:01:14.780 --> 00:01:19.259 And this takes no more than 10 to 15 minutes each day. 00:01:19.260 --> 00:01:26.840 The average college student, which I know fewer and fewer of us are college students, so this stat becomes less relevant. 00:01:27.060 --> 00:01:32.400 But the average college student spends two and a half hours a day on social media. 00:01:33.060 --> 00:01:36.200 I don't know what the average is for each one of us. 00:01:36.200 --> 00:01:43.820 But if you took two and a half hours a day and applied it to Bible reading, you could read the Bible eight and a half times a year. 00:01:44.079 --> 00:01:46.960 The entire Bible eight and a half times in a year. 00:01:47.079 --> 00:01:52.680 Which just shows that at the very least we could say college students have time to read the Bible. 00:01:53.159 --> 00:01:58.100 And if we just pared that down in some measure, we certainly could say the same for each of us. 00:01:58.099 --> 00:02:04.000 We have the time to read through the scripture and to do so in large amounts. 00:02:04.259 --> 00:02:08.659 And I would think you will find that your life would be extremely enriched by this practice. 00:02:08.919 --> 00:02:10.219 So we're hoping to promote that. 00:02:10.840 --> 00:02:18.199 Second thing I want to remind you of is that the teaching this morning will be brief by design so that you can take time with the discussion questions, 00:02:18.400 --> 00:02:22.019 whether you're by yourself or meeting together with a group. 00:02:22.180 --> 00:02:26.139 So Romans chapter eight, verse one and two. 00:02:26.139 --> 00:02:31.759 There's therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 00:02:32.399 --> 00:02:39.459 For the law of the spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 00:02:40.259 --> 00:02:48.639 Now, as I was looking to what text to teach on today and pulling from the scripture reading from this past week, 00:02:48.739 --> 00:02:54.060 I was a bit grieved that we covered all of the book of Romans in this past week's scripture reading. 00:02:54.060 --> 00:03:01.879 It was concluded today, which meant I only got to pick one teaching time from all of the book of Romans, 00:03:01.979 --> 00:03:05.759 which was not a terribly easy thing to do. 00:03:05.840 --> 00:03:13.460 But I settled on these two verses because these two verses have most ministered to me from the book of Romans. 00:03:13.539 --> 00:03:16.800 So I hope that they'll be of good benefit to you as well. 00:03:16.800 --> 00:03:20.480 And we're just going to simply look at them in the order that they were written. 00:03:20.660 --> 00:03:23.420 So verse one and then verse two. 00:03:23.600 --> 00:03:25.960 So we see the very beginning of verse one. 00:03:26.660 --> 00:03:29.939 Paul writes, there is there for now. 00:03:30.520 --> 00:03:37.820 This is a direct reference back to Romans chapter seven, verses 21 through 25, where he wrote, 00:03:37.819 --> 00:03:43.039 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 00:03:43.519 --> 00:03:50.939 If I delight in the law of God in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind 00:03:50.939 --> 00:03:54.639 and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 00:03:55.299 --> 00:03:59.859 Wretched man that I am, who will deliver me from this body of death? 00:04:00.379 --> 00:04:03.560 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord. 00:04:03.560 --> 00:04:10.400 So then I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin. 00:04:10.659 --> 00:04:14.640 And then he immediately, remember the chapters are not inspired, says, 00:04:14.780 --> 00:04:19.740 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 00:04:19.819 --> 00:04:23.279 So it's a direct reference back to the end of chapter seven. 00:04:23.560 --> 00:04:28.959 But also, I believe, indirectly referencing back to the entire letter up to this point. 00:04:28.959 --> 00:04:35.139 So just a few reminders from Romans chapter one, verse 16 and 17. 00:04:35.339 --> 00:04:35.680 Paul said, 00:04:35.680 --> 00:05:00.639 So he begins really early building this case that we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. 00:05:00.639 --> 00:05:03.560 In chapter two, verses 12 and 13. 00:05:04.279 --> 00:05:08.259 For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law. 00:05:08.599 --> 00:05:12.000 And all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 00:05:12.339 --> 00:05:18.759 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. 00:05:18.759 --> 00:05:28.939 And then he works out in chapters three, four, and five, that the law is kept by faith in Jesus's perfect law keeping. 00:05:29.079 --> 00:05:34.939 So Jesus was perfectly righteous, and therefore by faith in him we have his righteousness. 00:05:35.819 --> 00:05:38.300 Chapter five and verse one. 00:05:38.899 --> 00:05:46.379 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:05:46.379 --> 00:05:46.980 Right? 00:05:47.079 --> 00:05:54.939 So because of the faith in Christ, having been justified by him, through him, we have peace with God. 00:05:55.259 --> 00:05:57.579 And then chapter six and verse six. 00:05:58.259 --> 00:06:05.139 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, 00:06:05.680 --> 00:06:09.659 so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 00:06:09.660 --> 00:06:18.439 So having been justified by faith and having peace with God, having the righteousness of Christ, we've been set free from sin. 00:06:18.500 --> 00:06:20.400 We're no longer enslaved to sin. 00:06:20.600 --> 00:06:22.960 It's not a master over us any longer. 00:06:22.960 --> 00:06:29.100 And yet, Paul tells us at the end of chapter seven that we still struggle with sin. 00:06:29.160 --> 00:06:35.940 That this is a normal part of the Christian life, that we are still battling against our flesh. 00:06:35.939 --> 00:06:45.879 But then he says at the beginning of chapter eight, there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 00:06:45.879 --> 00:06:46.120 Right? 00:06:46.180 --> 00:06:51.939 Even as we struggle in this state of the what is and what is yet to be. 00:06:52.100 --> 00:06:52.220 Right? 00:06:52.240 --> 00:06:56.860 We've been set free from sin, and yet we still sin. 00:06:57.199 --> 00:06:59.019 Wretched man that I am. 00:06:59.220 --> 00:06:59.360 Right? 00:06:59.420 --> 00:07:02.740 Why do I go on sinning even though I've been set free from sinning? 00:07:02.740 --> 00:07:05.759 Who will deliver me from this body of death? 00:07:06.100 --> 00:07:06.220 Right? 00:07:06.460 --> 00:07:12.379 And he comes along with this beautiful encouragement for us at the beginning of chapter eight. 00:07:12.759 --> 00:07:15.680 He says there's no condemnation. 00:07:15.980 --> 00:07:20.460 And the Greek word here used for no is oudes. 00:07:20.920 --> 00:07:24.680 And it's an emphatic negative adjective relating to time. 00:07:24.780 --> 00:07:28.420 It carries the idea of a complete end. 00:07:28.720 --> 00:07:28.800 Right? 00:07:28.800 --> 00:07:33.980 So there's no condemnation absolutely, you could think in those terms. 00:07:34.319 --> 00:07:36.480 Not now and not ever. 00:07:37.139 --> 00:07:47.080 And the term katachryma, katachryma, condemnation, is only found in the book of Romans here and in chapter five, verses 16 and 18. 00:07:47.580 --> 00:07:50.439 And it relates to the sentencing of a crime. 00:07:50.660 --> 00:07:56.160 But focuses not on the verdict, but on the penalty the verdict demands. 00:07:56.160 --> 00:07:56.680 Right? 00:07:56.880 --> 00:08:00.400 So there's no penalty. 00:08:00.980 --> 00:08:01.160 Right? 00:08:01.240 --> 00:08:03.740 Even though we once were sinners. 00:08:04.220 --> 00:08:04.340 Right? 00:08:04.360 --> 00:08:06.060 We've been now declared righteous. 00:08:06.480 --> 00:08:11.340 And the penalty that the verdict demands has been dismissed. 00:08:12.040 --> 00:08:16.940 Paul wrote in Romans chapter six, verse 23, for the wages of sin is death. 00:08:17.000 --> 00:08:17.100 Right? 00:08:17.120 --> 00:08:19.140 There's the penalty for the verdict. 00:08:19.560 --> 00:08:24.180 But the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus, our Lord. 00:08:24.180 --> 00:08:37.440 Now, for those not in Christ, those who have not placed their faith in him, trusted in his righteousness to have peace with God, their condemnation presses down on them. 00:08:37.740 --> 00:08:40.139 If we are in Christ, we are free from condemnation. 00:08:40.320 --> 00:08:46.180 But if you're not in Christ, condemnation presses down on you. 00:08:46.179 --> 00:08:49.839 I'd like to read to you a fairly long quotation. 00:08:50.019 --> 00:08:51.419 I'll do my best to read it well. 00:08:51.959 --> 00:08:57.620 This is an excerpt from Jonathan Edwards' famous speech, speech, sermon. 00:08:57.779 --> 00:08:58.379 We'll call it a sermon. 00:08:58.979 --> 00:09:01.259 Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God. 00:09:01.879 --> 00:09:05.419 He delivered this sermon in 1741. 00:09:05.759 --> 00:09:10.799 Listen carefully to its words, particularly if you've not trusted in Christ. 00:09:10.799 --> 00:09:16.479 There is the dreadful pit of the glowing flames of the wrath of God. 00:09:16.639 --> 00:09:19.979 There is hell's wide, gaping mouth open. 00:09:20.299 --> 00:09:23.419 And you have nothing to stand upon, nor anything to take hold of. 00:09:23.620 --> 00:09:26.399 There is nothing between you and hell but the air. 00:09:26.759 --> 00:09:31.099 It is only the power and mere pleasure of God that holds you up. 00:09:31.799 --> 00:09:33.979 You probably are not sensible of this. 00:09:34.579 --> 00:09:38.819 You find you are kept out of hell, but you do not see the hand of God in it. 00:09:38.820 --> 00:09:42.879 But look at other things, at the good state of your bodily constitution, 00:09:43.440 --> 00:09:47.260 your care of your own life, and the means you use for your own preservation. 00:09:47.800 --> 00:09:49.920 But indeed, these things are nothing. 00:09:50.600 --> 00:09:54.600 If God should withdraw his hand, they would avail no more to keep you from falling 00:09:54.600 --> 00:09:58.500 than the thin air to hold up a person that is suspended in it. 00:09:59.140 --> 00:10:02.500 Your wickedness makes you, as it were, heavy as lead, 00:10:02.940 --> 00:10:06.760 and to tend downwards with great weight and pressure towards hell. 00:10:06.759 --> 00:10:11.559 And if God should let you go, you would immediately sink and swiftly descend 00:10:11.559 --> 00:10:13.679 and plunge into the bottomless gulf. 00:10:14.019 --> 00:10:19.139 And your healthy constitution and your own care and prudence and best contrivance 00:10:19.139 --> 00:10:23.139 and all your righteousness would have no more influence to hold you up 00:10:23.139 --> 00:10:28.480 and keep you out of hell than a spider's web would have to stop a falling rock. 00:10:29.200 --> 00:10:31.980 Were it not for the sovereign pleasure of God, 00:10:31.980 --> 00:10:36.480 the earth would not bear you one moment, for you are a burden to it. 00:10:36.779 --> 00:10:38.300 The creation groans with you. 00:10:38.740 --> 00:10:42.379 The creation is made subject to the bondage of your corruption. 00:10:43.159 --> 00:10:47.440 The sun does not willingly shine upon you to give you light to serve sin and Satan. 00:10:47.940 --> 00:10:52.420 The earth does not willingly yield her increase to satisfy your lusts, 00:10:52.420 --> 00:10:55.700 nor is it willingly a stage for your wickedness to be acted upon. 00:10:55.700 --> 00:11:01.280 The earth does not willingly serve you for breath to maintain the flame of your life in your vitals, 00:11:01.500 --> 00:11:04.720 while you spend your life in the service of God's enemies. 00:11:05.280 --> 00:11:09.120 God's creatures are good and were made for men to serve God with, 00:11:09.580 --> 00:11:12.340 and do not willingly subserve to any other purpose, 00:11:12.800 --> 00:11:17.840 and grow when they are abused to purposes so directly contrary to their nature and end. 00:11:18.360 --> 00:11:20.860 And the world would spew you out, 00:11:20.980 --> 00:11:24.940 were it not for the sovereign hand of him who hath subjected it in hope. 00:11:24.940 --> 00:11:30.260 There are the black clouds of God's wrath now hanging directly over your heads, 00:11:30.720 --> 00:11:34.260 full of the dreadful storm and big with thunder. 00:11:34.740 --> 00:11:37.100 And were it not for the restraining hand of God, 00:11:37.160 --> 00:11:39.900 it would immediately burst forth upon you. 00:11:40.460 --> 00:11:41.020 End quote. 00:11:42.240 --> 00:11:48.180 But our text today says there is now no condemnation. 00:11:48.680 --> 00:11:50.560 No condemnation for who? 00:11:50.559 --> 00:11:54.379 For those who are in Christ Jesus. 00:11:54.879 --> 00:11:57.559 All that Edwards rightly says, 00:11:57.659 --> 00:12:01.859 the condemnation that is true and just for those not in Christ, 00:12:02.119 --> 00:12:06.059 is not ours because we are in Christ. 00:12:06.739 --> 00:12:10.500 John chapter 10, beginning in verse 27, 00:12:10.739 --> 00:12:11.339 Jesus says, 00:12:11.340 --> 00:12:34.639 Beloved, this is God's doing, right? 00:12:34.639 --> 00:12:38.199 Regardless of how you acted this week, 00:12:38.379 --> 00:12:39.919 if you are in Christ, 00:12:40.419 --> 00:12:43.340 God sees Jesus when he sees you, 00:12:43.460 --> 00:12:44.500 and you are safe, 00:12:44.620 --> 00:12:47.019 and you are secure in his hand. 00:12:47.179 --> 00:12:51.620 There is therefore now no condemnation. 00:12:52.139 --> 00:12:52.199 Right? 00:12:53.019 --> 00:12:54.120 Udais katakrima. 00:12:54.340 --> 00:12:56.220 No condemnation. 00:12:56.919 --> 00:12:58.360 If you are not in Christ, 00:12:58.460 --> 00:13:00.100 your condemnation is just. 00:13:00.740 --> 00:13:01.480 Repent and believe. 00:13:01.480 --> 00:13:03.920 If you are in Christ, 00:13:04.580 --> 00:13:07.340 you have been freed from condemnation. 00:13:07.879 --> 00:13:11.180 Live as a freed person. 00:13:11.800 --> 00:13:16.100 We have to preach this to ourselves again and again and again 00:13:16.100 --> 00:13:20.620 as we find ourselves failing to obey the commands of God 00:13:20.620 --> 00:13:21.840 to say to ourselves, 00:13:22.019 --> 00:13:24.740 there is therefore now no condemnation 00:13:24.740 --> 00:13:28.060 because I am in Christ. 00:13:28.240 --> 00:13:30.220 His righteousness is mine. 00:13:30.220 --> 00:13:33.399 He took the penalty for my sin. 00:13:33.500 --> 00:13:36.320 There is no condemnation for me. 00:13:37.100 --> 00:13:39.259 And this does not become a pass for sin, 00:13:39.340 --> 00:13:41.420 but it ought to move us in worship 00:13:41.420 --> 00:13:44.200 that we would become more holy 00:13:44.200 --> 00:13:45.899 by the power that he provides. 00:13:46.000 --> 00:13:46.120 Right? 00:13:46.160 --> 00:13:47.759 That we would want to please him 00:13:47.759 --> 00:13:50.920 because we have been freed in this way. 00:13:52.040 --> 00:13:53.240 Verse 2 says, 00:13:53.240 --> 00:13:55.440 For the law of the spirit of life 00:13:55.440 --> 00:13:58.060 has set you free in Christ Jesus 00:13:58.060 --> 00:14:00.399 from the law of sin and death. 00:14:01.120 --> 00:14:01.940 In Christ Jesus, 00:14:01.940 --> 00:14:04.519 we have been delivered from the law of sin and death 00:14:04.519 --> 00:14:08.379 to the law of the spirit of life. 00:14:09.159 --> 00:14:10.740 When Paul refers to the law here, 00:14:10.759 --> 00:14:12.980 I do not believe he's referring to the Mosaic law 00:14:12.980 --> 00:14:16.080 or to other divine commandments or requirements, 00:14:16.080 --> 00:14:19.820 but that he's referring to a principle of operation. 00:14:19.820 --> 00:14:20.180 Right? 00:14:20.540 --> 00:14:23.120 To the thing that drives you. 00:14:23.400 --> 00:14:26.960 Are we driven by sin, death, 00:14:27.080 --> 00:14:30.060 or by the spirit of life? 00:14:30.800 --> 00:14:33.100 When Jesus explained the way of salvation 00:14:33.100 --> 00:14:35.879 to Dick and Ebus in John chapter 3, verse 5, 00:14:36.000 --> 00:14:36.480 he said, 00:14:36.480 --> 00:14:38.340 Truly, truly, I say to you, 00:14:38.399 --> 00:14:41.120 unless one is born of water and the spirit, 00:14:41.120 --> 00:14:43.980 he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 00:14:44.340 --> 00:14:47.420 Paul explains in Titus chapter 3, verses 5 and 6, 00:14:47.860 --> 00:14:48.860 God saved us, 00:14:49.000 --> 00:14:51.340 not because of works done by us in righteousness, 00:14:51.920 --> 00:14:54.120 but according to his own mercy, 00:14:54.440 --> 00:14:56.360 by the washing of regeneration 00:14:56.360 --> 00:14:58.300 and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 00:14:58.560 --> 00:15:00.600 whom he poured out on us richly 00:15:00.600 --> 00:15:03.120 through Jesus Christ, our Savior. 00:15:04.019 --> 00:15:06.120 It is the Holy Spirit who bestows, 00:15:06.480 --> 00:15:09.779 and energizes spiritual life. 00:15:10.420 --> 00:15:12.740 Paul clarifies this in the following verses 00:15:12.740 --> 00:15:15.659 in chapter 8, verse 6, 00:15:16.840 --> 00:15:18.820 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, 00:15:19.180 --> 00:15:21.039 but to set the mind on the spirit 00:15:21.039 --> 00:15:23.539 is life and peace. 00:15:23.980 --> 00:15:27.720 So the spirit of Christ leads us in the truth, 00:15:28.120 --> 00:15:31.539 namely by the word of Christ, the Bible. 00:15:32.039 --> 00:15:33.960 Verse 9 of chapter 8, 00:15:33.960 --> 00:15:36.600 You, however, are not in the flesh, 00:15:36.660 --> 00:15:37.400 but in the spirit, 00:15:37.460 --> 00:15:40.200 if in fact the spirit of God dwells in you. 00:15:40.780 --> 00:15:42.940 Anyone who does not have the spirit of Christ 00:15:42.940 --> 00:15:44.460 does not belong to him. 00:15:45.180 --> 00:15:45.920 And verse 10, 00:15:46.340 --> 00:15:47.820 But if Christ is in you, 00:15:47.900 --> 00:15:50.080 although the body is dead because of sin, 00:15:50.540 --> 00:15:52.180 the spirit is life 00:15:52.180 --> 00:15:53.680 because of righteousness. 00:15:53.679 --> 00:15:57.979 The Holy Spirit bestows and energizes 00:15:57.979 --> 00:16:00.319 our spiritual life. 00:16:01.279 --> 00:16:02.479 And does so 00:16:02.479 --> 00:16:07.379 because we are in Christ Jesus. 00:16:07.899 --> 00:16:11.559 And the Bible speaks both of Christ being in us. 00:16:12.199 --> 00:16:14.099 See chapters 8, 9, and 10. 00:16:14.239 --> 00:16:15.819 It's what I just read to you. 00:16:15.899 --> 00:16:17.199 The spirit, so Christ, 00:16:17.359 --> 00:16:18.599 is in us 00:16:18.600 --> 00:16:22.200 and of us being in Christ. 00:16:23.159 --> 00:16:26.220 Being in Christ makes us accepted before God. 00:16:26.960 --> 00:16:28.600 And Christ being in us 00:16:28.600 --> 00:16:30.480 empowers us for holiness. 00:16:31.240 --> 00:16:34.360 Both are profound realities 00:16:34.360 --> 00:16:36.120 for the Christian to understand 00:16:36.120 --> 00:16:37.519 and hold on to. 00:16:37.659 --> 00:16:39.980 Don't think of them as the same reality. 00:16:40.420 --> 00:16:43.620 Think of them as two concurrent realities, right? 00:16:44.060 --> 00:16:45.139 Christ is in us 00:16:45.139 --> 00:16:47.519 and we are in Christ. 00:16:47.519 --> 00:16:51.199 It's important to wrap our mind around the both. 00:16:52.059 --> 00:16:53.379 If we were not in Christ 00:16:53.379 --> 00:16:55.159 and if Christ was not in us, 00:16:55.539 --> 00:16:58.019 we would be unable to stand before God 00:16:58.019 --> 00:17:00.939 and we would be unable to live rightly. 00:17:01.539 --> 00:17:02.980 Because our text says, 00:17:03.379 --> 00:17:04.480 In Christ Jesus, 00:17:04.579 --> 00:17:06.639 I want to explore that idea a bit further 00:17:06.639 --> 00:17:08.599 by reading to you a list 00:17:08.599 --> 00:17:11.819 that was compiled by Pastor John Piper. 00:17:11.940 --> 00:17:13.700 And I posted this in Slack for you 00:17:13.700 --> 00:17:14.759 because it's a bit 00:17:14.759 --> 00:17:16.940 and I think you'll want to go back 00:17:16.940 --> 00:17:19.200 and re-reference it later on. 00:17:19.279 --> 00:17:20.860 So I'm just going to rattle these off. 00:17:21.000 --> 00:17:22.019 13 realities 00:17:22.019 --> 00:17:24.620 because you are in Christ. 00:17:24.680 --> 00:17:25.880 And I'll read the verses 00:17:25.880 --> 00:17:27.580 that accompany each one of them. 00:17:27.720 --> 00:17:29.660 I hope this is really good 00:17:29.660 --> 00:17:30.660 for your soul this morning. 00:17:31.660 --> 00:17:32.420 Number one, 00:17:32.539 --> 00:17:33.480 In Christ Jesus, 00:17:33.480 --> 00:17:35.080 you were given grace 00:17:35.080 --> 00:17:36.900 before the world was created. 00:17:37.360 --> 00:17:38.820 2 Timothy 1.9 says, 00:17:38.960 --> 00:17:41.100 He gave us grace in Christ Jesus 00:17:41.100 --> 00:17:43.279 before the ages began. 00:17:43.279 --> 00:17:44.700 Number two, 00:17:45.240 --> 00:17:46.039 In Christ Jesus, 00:17:46.139 --> 00:17:47.480 you were chosen by God 00:17:47.480 --> 00:17:48.819 before creation. 00:17:49.339 --> 00:17:51.000 Ephesians chapter 1 and verse 4 says, 00:17:51.139 --> 00:17:52.460 God chose us in Christ 00:17:52.460 --> 00:17:54.680 before the foundation of the world. 00:17:55.440 --> 00:17:56.299 Number three, 00:17:56.819 --> 00:17:57.579 In Christ Jesus, 00:17:57.700 --> 00:17:58.839 you are loved by God 00:17:58.839 --> 00:18:00.859 with an inseparable love. 00:18:01.240 --> 00:18:02.299 Romans chapter 8, 00:18:02.420 --> 00:18:03.879 verse 38 and 39. 00:18:03.880 --> 00:18:05.880 I am sure that neither death 00:18:05.880 --> 00:18:06.480 nor life 00:18:06.480 --> 00:18:07.280 nor angels 00:18:07.280 --> 00:18:07.880 nor rulers 00:18:07.880 --> 00:18:08.940 nor things present 00:18:08.940 --> 00:18:10.020 nor things to come 00:18:10.020 --> 00:18:11.100 nor powers 00:18:11.100 --> 00:18:11.740 nor height 00:18:11.740 --> 00:18:12.360 nor depth 00:18:12.360 --> 00:18:13.980 nor anything else 00:18:13.980 --> 00:18:15.420 in all creation. 00:18:15.620 --> 00:18:17.040 And you know I like to insert here, 00:18:17.120 --> 00:18:18.360 including myself 00:18:18.360 --> 00:18:20.360 will be able to separate us 00:18:20.360 --> 00:18:21.360 from the love of God 00:18:21.360 --> 00:18:22.380 in Christ Jesus, 00:18:22.960 --> 00:18:23.480 our Lord. 00:18:24.220 --> 00:18:24.960 Number four, 00:18:25.860 --> 00:18:26.520 In Christ Jesus, 00:18:26.640 --> 00:18:27.460 you were redeemed 00:18:27.460 --> 00:18:28.020 and forgiven 00:18:28.020 --> 00:18:29.080 for all your sins. 00:18:29.540 --> 00:18:31.140 Ephesians chapter 1 and verse 7, 00:18:31.140 --> 00:18:32.860 In Christ we have redemption 00:18:32.860 --> 00:18:33.880 through his blood, 00:18:34.300 --> 00:18:34.860 the forgiveness 00:18:34.860 --> 00:18:36.160 of our trespasses. 00:18:36.940 --> 00:18:37.580 Number five, 00:18:37.700 --> 00:18:38.300 In Christ Jesus, 00:18:38.420 --> 00:18:39.960 you are justified before God 00:18:39.960 --> 00:18:41.320 and the righteousness of God 00:18:41.320 --> 00:18:42.840 in Christ is imputed 00:18:42.840 --> 00:18:44.740 or given to you. 00:18:45.380 --> 00:18:46.620 2 Corinthians chapter 5, 00:18:46.660 --> 00:18:47.220 verse 21, 00:18:47.759 --> 00:18:48.400 For our sake, 00:18:48.500 --> 00:18:50.140 God made Christ to be sin 00:18:50.140 --> 00:18:51.540 who knew no sin 00:18:51.540 --> 00:18:53.220 so that in him 00:18:53.220 --> 00:18:54.220 we might become 00:18:54.220 --> 00:18:56.200 the righteousness of God. 00:18:56.720 --> 00:18:57.440 Number six, 00:18:57.680 --> 00:18:58.340 In Christ Jesus, 00:18:58.460 --> 00:18:58.960 you have become 00:18:58.960 --> 00:19:00.120 a new creation 00:19:00.119 --> 00:19:01.779 and a son of God. 00:19:02.099 --> 00:19:02.399 Ladies, 00:19:02.500 --> 00:19:03.359 you want to be sons 00:19:03.359 --> 00:19:04.339 for the inheritance 00:19:04.339 --> 00:19:06.000 that sons receive. 00:19:06.439 --> 00:19:07.659 2 Corinthians chapter 5 00:19:07.659 --> 00:19:08.679 and verse 17, 00:19:09.139 --> 00:19:10.399 If anyone is in Christ, 00:19:10.500 --> 00:19:11.439 he is a new creation. 00:19:11.979 --> 00:19:13.379 The old has passed away. 00:19:13.500 --> 00:19:13.939 Behold, 00:19:14.159 --> 00:19:15.259 the new has come. 00:19:15.599 --> 00:19:16.819 In Galatians chapter 3 00:19:16.819 --> 00:19:17.859 and verse 26, 00:19:18.059 --> 00:19:18.979 In Christ Jesus, 00:19:19.099 --> 00:19:20.579 you are all sons of God 00:19:20.579 --> 00:19:21.459 through faith. 00:19:22.359 --> 00:19:23.159 Number seven, 00:19:23.959 --> 00:19:24.979 In Christ Jesus, 00:19:25.119 --> 00:19:25.779 you have been seated 00:19:25.779 --> 00:19:26.939 in the heavenly places 00:19:26.939 --> 00:19:28.699 even while he lived 00:19:28.699 --> 00:19:29.439 on earth. 00:19:29.440 --> 00:19:31.340 Ephesians chapter 2 00:19:31.340 --> 00:19:32.100 and verse 6, 00:19:32.279 --> 00:19:33.259 God raised us up 00:19:33.259 --> 00:19:34.120 with Christ 00:19:34.120 --> 00:19:35.200 and seated us 00:19:35.200 --> 00:19:35.720 with him 00:19:35.720 --> 00:19:36.680 in the heavenly places 00:19:36.680 --> 00:19:38.320 in Christ Jesus. 00:19:39.420 --> 00:19:39.980 Number eight, 00:19:40.720 --> 00:19:41.340 In Christ Jesus, 00:19:41.559 --> 00:19:43.080 all the promises of God 00:19:43.080 --> 00:19:44.820 are yes for you. 00:19:45.100 --> 00:19:46.259 2 Corinthians chapter 1 00:19:46.259 --> 00:19:47.019 and verse 20, 00:19:47.559 --> 00:19:49.019 All the promises of God 00:19:49.019 --> 00:19:50.400 find their yes 00:19:50.400 --> 00:19:51.900 in Christ. 00:19:52.720 --> 00:19:53.640 Number nine, 00:19:53.980 --> 00:19:54.700 In Christ Jesus, 00:19:54.759 --> 00:19:55.860 you are being sanctified 00:19:55.860 --> 00:19:56.900 and made holy. 00:19:56.900 --> 00:19:58.560 1 Corinthians chapter 1 00:19:58.560 --> 00:19:59.259 and verse 2, 00:19:59.680 --> 00:20:00.580 To the church of God 00:20:00.580 --> 00:20:01.740 that is in Corinth 00:20:01.740 --> 00:20:03.640 to those who are sanctified 00:20:03.640 --> 00:20:05.340 in Christ Jesus. 00:20:06.140 --> 00:20:06.700 Number ten, 00:20:07.720 --> 00:20:08.480 In Christ Jesus, 00:20:08.660 --> 00:20:10.360 everything you really need 00:20:10.360 --> 00:20:11.240 will be supplied. 00:20:11.800 --> 00:20:12.860 Philippians chapter 4 00:20:12.860 --> 00:20:13.720 and verse 19, 00:20:14.320 --> 00:20:15.340 My God will supply 00:20:15.340 --> 00:20:16.480 every need of yours 00:20:16.480 --> 00:20:17.840 according to his riches 00:20:17.840 --> 00:20:18.620 in glory 00:20:18.620 --> 00:20:20.280 in Christ Jesus. 00:20:20.960 --> 00:20:21.880 Number eleven, 00:20:21.880 --> 00:20:23.220 In Christ Jesus, 00:20:23.300 --> 00:20:24.100 the peace of God 00:20:24.100 --> 00:20:25.140 will guard your heart 00:20:25.140 --> 00:20:25.900 and mind. 00:20:26.400 --> 00:20:27.200 Philippians 4 00:20:27.200 --> 00:20:28.040 and verse 7, 00:20:28.660 --> 00:20:29.600 The peace of God 00:20:29.600 --> 00:20:30.380 which surpasses 00:20:30.380 --> 00:20:31.480 all understanding 00:20:31.480 --> 00:20:32.640 will guard your hearts 00:20:32.640 --> 00:20:33.500 and your minds 00:20:33.500 --> 00:20:34.780 in Christ Jesus. 00:20:35.640 --> 00:20:36.520 Number twelve, 00:20:37.640 --> 00:20:38.360 In Christ Jesus, 00:20:38.480 --> 00:20:40.040 you have eternal life. 00:20:40.400 --> 00:20:41.080 Romans 6 00:20:41.080 --> 00:20:41.920 and verse 23, 00:20:42.440 --> 00:20:43.200 For the wages of sin 00:20:43.200 --> 00:20:43.660 is death, 00:20:43.880 --> 00:20:45.000 but the free gift of God 00:20:45.000 --> 00:20:45.920 is eternal life 00:20:45.920 --> 00:20:47.060 in Christ Jesus, 00:20:47.420 --> 00:20:47.960 our Lord. 00:20:48.900 --> 00:20:49.820 And number thirteen, 00:20:49.819 --> 00:20:51.419 And in Christ Jesus 00:20:51.419 --> 00:20:52.179 you will be raised 00:20:52.179 --> 00:20:52.720 from the dead 00:20:52.720 --> 00:20:54.359 at the coming of the Lord. 00:20:54.359 --> 00:20:56.099 First Corinthians chapter 15 00:20:56.099 --> 00:20:57.299 and verse 22, 00:20:57.759 --> 00:20:59.139 For is as in Adam 00:20:59.139 --> 00:20:59.960 all died, 00:21:00.259 --> 00:21:01.579 so also in Christ 00:21:01.579 --> 00:21:03.359 shall all be made alive. 00:21:03.819 --> 00:21:05.679 All those united to Adam 00:21:05.679 --> 00:21:07.159 in the first humanity 00:21:07.159 --> 00:21:07.799 die. 00:21:08.339 --> 00:21:10.119 All those united to Christ 00:21:10.119 --> 00:21:11.399 in the new humanity 00:21:11.399 --> 00:21:13.679 rise to live again. 00:21:14.240 --> 00:21:16.200 If you are in Christ 00:21:16.200 --> 00:21:16.899 this morning, 00:21:17.159 --> 00:21:19.679 you have such reason 00:21:19.680 --> 00:21:21.039 to praise God 00:21:21.039 --> 00:21:22.200 and to pursue 00:21:22.200 --> 00:21:23.440 holy living. 00:21:23.960 --> 00:21:24.080 Right? 00:21:24.759 --> 00:21:26.320 Our holiness hinges 00:21:26.320 --> 00:21:28.220 on being found in Christ, 00:21:28.360 --> 00:21:30.060 being declared holy, 00:21:30.400 --> 00:21:32.140 and then praising Him rightly 00:21:32.140 --> 00:21:34.620 for who we are 00:21:34.620 --> 00:21:36.019 in Him. 00:21:36.660 --> 00:21:37.539 It's important for us 00:21:37.539 --> 00:21:38.440 to recognize that 00:21:38.440 --> 00:21:40.060 as we are being sanctified, 00:21:40.420 --> 00:21:42.140 we are merely becoming 00:21:42.140 --> 00:21:44.039 more who we've been 00:21:44.039 --> 00:21:45.740 declared to be. 00:21:45.740 --> 00:21:48.200 God has declared us 00:21:48.200 --> 00:21:50.120 righteous in Christ. 00:21:50.480 --> 00:21:51.220 God has said 00:21:51.220 --> 00:21:52.120 there is no 00:21:52.120 --> 00:21:53.319 condemnation. 00:21:53.640 --> 00:21:53.740 Right? 00:21:54.120 --> 00:21:55.720 We're bringing our lives 00:21:55.720 --> 00:21:57.059 into conformity 00:21:57.059 --> 00:21:58.620 with that reality 00:21:58.620 --> 00:22:00.500 as we pursue 00:22:00.500 --> 00:22:01.559 holiness. 00:22:01.799 --> 00:22:01.940 Right? 00:22:02.059 --> 00:22:03.160 We know this will take 00:22:03.160 --> 00:22:03.720 a lifetime. 00:22:04.099 --> 00:22:05.599 All of us will join 00:22:05.599 --> 00:22:06.180 with Paul 00:22:06.180 --> 00:22:06.859 at the end 00:22:06.859 --> 00:22:08.120 of chapter 7. 00:22:08.279 --> 00:22:09.779 We will all feel 00:22:09.779 --> 00:22:11.240 the anguish 00:22:11.240 --> 00:22:12.500 of that tearing 00:22:12.500 --> 00:22:13.599 between us. 00:22:13.980 --> 00:22:14.039 Right? 00:22:14.220 --> 00:22:14.980 Wretched man 00:22:14.980 --> 00:22:16.140 that I am. 00:22:16.759 --> 00:22:18.299 I hope at the same time 00:22:18.299 --> 00:22:19.720 we can all say, 00:22:20.059 --> 00:22:21.240 but there is no 00:22:21.240 --> 00:22:22.319 condemnation 00:22:22.319 --> 00:22:23.339 for me 00:22:23.339 --> 00:22:24.240 because I am 00:22:24.240 --> 00:22:25.500 in Christ. 00:22:25.859 --> 00:22:26.819 And because of that 00:22:26.819 --> 00:22:28.019 we will be motivated 00:22:28.019 --> 00:22:28.960 to once again 00:22:28.960 --> 00:22:30.240 pick ourselves up. 00:22:30.339 --> 00:22:30.519 Right? 00:22:30.660 --> 00:22:32.220 To run hard 00:22:32.220 --> 00:22:33.400 after the way 00:22:33.400 --> 00:22:34.359 of Jesus. 00:22:35.059 --> 00:22:35.579 Beloved, 00:22:35.700 --> 00:22:37.440 you have been set free 00:22:37.440 --> 00:22:38.660 from the law 00:22:38.660 --> 00:22:39.400 of sin 00:22:39.400 --> 00:22:40.320 and death. 00:22:40.720 --> 00:22:41.660 You do not 00:22:41.660 --> 00:22:42.680 have to do it 00:22:42.680 --> 00:22:43.820 any longer. 00:22:44.100 --> 00:22:45.080 You have been 00:22:45.080 --> 00:22:45.960 empowered 00:22:45.960 --> 00:22:47.279 in Christ 00:22:47.279 --> 00:22:48.360 to pursue 00:22:48.360 --> 00:22:49.380 him. 00:22:50.300 --> 00:22:51.160 I hope you're 00:22:51.160 --> 00:22:52.140 reminded this morning 00:22:52.140 --> 00:22:53.100 as you struggle 00:22:53.100 --> 00:22:53.620 with sin, 00:22:53.940 --> 00:22:55.240 as you struggle 00:22:55.240 --> 00:22:56.380 against your flesh, 00:22:57.060 --> 00:22:57.420 that there is 00:22:57.420 --> 00:22:57.980 therefore now 00:22:57.980 --> 00:22:58.960 no condemnation 00:22:58.960 --> 00:22:59.620 for those 00:22:59.620 --> 00:23:00.540 who are in Christ 00:23:00.540 --> 00:23:00.960 Jesus. 00:23:01.440 --> 00:23:02.320 For the law 00:23:02.320 --> 00:23:02.900 of the spirit 00:23:02.900 --> 00:23:03.320 of life 00:23:03.320 --> 00:23:04.060 has set you 00:23:04.060 --> 00:23:04.460 free 00:23:04.460 --> 00:23:05.220 in Christ 00:23:05.220 --> 00:23:05.660 Jesus 00:23:05.660 --> 00:23:07.140 from the law 00:23:07.140 --> 00:23:08.019 of sin 00:23:08.019 --> 00:23:08.440 and death.