WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:20.800 Well, first let me say that it is my blessing and an answer to many years of prayer to be part 00:00:20.800 --> 00:00:22.000 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:38.140 And made a commitment years ago to begin looking for the man that we would call our senior pastor 00:00:38.140 --> 00:00:38.600 elect. 00:00:39.640 --> 00:00:43.620 And I am thankful that Pastor Scheer is among us. 00:00:44.480 --> 00:00:50.980 And I want you to know that it was not an accident that he was tasked with preaching for the first 00:00:50.980 --> 00:00:53.560 five weeks of his public ministry here. 00:00:53.560 --> 00:01:01.140 I do want you to know that he is not going to be sitting in the back office snacking on bonbons 00:01:01.140 --> 00:01:03.340 for the next 12 weeks as I preach. 00:01:04.579 --> 00:01:12.680 We are tasking him with the responsibility of going to Lafayette to Faith Baptist, actually 00:01:12.680 --> 00:01:13.859 Faith Ministries now. 00:01:14.500 --> 00:01:18.900 And he and his bride are going to be leaving at 4 o'clock in the morning. 00:01:19.320 --> 00:01:21.500 That's fairly early for an average person. 00:01:21.500 --> 00:01:26.780 And they're going to be driving there and spending pretty much from 9 o'clock in the morning 00:01:26.780 --> 00:01:33.760 till 9 o'clock at night in extensive and very, very demanding counseling training. 00:01:34.060 --> 00:01:35.140 There's a reason for that. 00:01:35.900 --> 00:01:42.480 We believe that the answers to our deepest needs are theological. 00:01:42.480 --> 00:01:51.460 And we are fully committed to investing our energy and our resources in preparing the man 00:01:51.460 --> 00:01:57.500 that will be the preacher and leader of this fellowship with the Word of God in a very careful 00:01:57.500 --> 00:01:59.820 and deliberate way for his future ministry here. 00:02:00.760 --> 00:02:05.659 He is going to spend essentially two and a half days in doing that task. 00:02:05.659 --> 00:02:12.479 Probably part of that time will just be in the practical matter of recovering from the arduous process 00:02:12.479 --> 00:02:15.180 and getting back in flow. 00:02:16.340 --> 00:02:19.759 So I want you to be in prayer for him every day 00:02:19.759 --> 00:02:27.919 and for the developing ministry that God is giving him here and that we share together. 00:02:27.919 --> 00:02:30.639 Now I come to something I like to say. 00:02:31.339 --> 00:02:32.239 Open your Bibles. 00:02:33.419 --> 00:02:36.579 Where are you going? 00:02:37.239 --> 00:02:38.879 Romans chapter 8 verse 1. 00:02:38.879 --> 00:02:46.340 It is hard for me to stand before the Lord's table and the elements 00:02:46.340 --> 00:02:49.099 and not be tempted to go to 1 Corinthians. 00:02:49.319 --> 00:02:55.740 You know, that's kind of almost a default button for our study in advance of the Lord's table. 00:02:55.900 --> 00:03:00.039 But I want us to look in a larger context this morning. 00:03:01.340 --> 00:03:04.300 Understand that what the Scriptures calls us to 00:03:04.300 --> 00:03:07.540 is that when we come to take these elements, 00:03:07.760 --> 00:03:13.180 we are not doing something that has salvific benefit. 00:03:13.300 --> 00:03:16.660 In other words, you don't get points in heaven for taking communion. 00:03:18.140 --> 00:03:21.480 If there's anything that we probably should ponder it, 00:03:21.520 --> 00:03:25.980 it is this, that you can take communion and cause yourself harm. 00:03:26.920 --> 00:03:32.920 And I will talk about that briefly before we come to the Lord's table later this morning. 00:03:32.919 --> 00:03:36.280 But what we do when we take the elements, 00:03:36.399 --> 00:03:37.780 when we take the bread and the cup, 00:03:38.179 --> 00:03:40.299 what we are doing is, first of all, 00:03:40.399 --> 00:03:43.339 we are obeying the explicit instructions of our Savior, 00:03:43.839 --> 00:03:45.319 He having said to us, 00:03:45.659 --> 00:03:47.939 do this in remembrance of me. 00:03:49.319 --> 00:03:50.939 So for one, we are obeying. 00:03:51.599 --> 00:03:52.719 And there's value in that. 00:03:53.279 --> 00:03:56.699 But secondly, what we are doing is we are taking the time 00:03:56.699 --> 00:04:03.219 to think carefully about what the Lord Jesus has done in saving us. 00:04:04.139 --> 00:04:05.119 And let me tell you, 00:04:05.199 --> 00:04:07.659 every single one of us that are here this morning 00:04:07.659 --> 00:04:10.139 that are sitting up and drawing breath 00:04:10.139 --> 00:04:12.259 are really in one of two camps. 00:04:14.759 --> 00:04:16.860 You are here as a person who, 00:04:17.060 --> 00:04:20.800 by the grace and ministry of the Word of God 00:04:20.800 --> 00:04:22.540 and by the power of the Spirit, 00:04:22.660 --> 00:04:26.120 have come to the place where you know the Lord Jesus Christ 00:04:26.120 --> 00:04:27.960 as your personal Savior. 00:04:29.639 --> 00:04:31.020 Or you are here, 00:04:32.060 --> 00:04:33.000 at this moment, 00:04:33.160 --> 00:04:34.879 still deceived by the enemy, 00:04:35.840 --> 00:04:38.780 not understanding the horrible, 00:04:39.759 --> 00:04:41.259 frightening reality 00:04:41.259 --> 00:04:43.460 of the depth of sin of your soul 00:04:43.459 --> 00:04:46.659 and still misdirected 00:04:46.659 --> 00:04:48.799 and believing that everything is okay. 00:04:50.399 --> 00:04:51.599 And I would plead with you 00:04:51.599 --> 00:04:53.500 that even as we open the Word of God 00:04:53.500 --> 00:04:55.699 and think about what the Scriptures have to say 00:04:55.699 --> 00:04:57.799 regarding the status 00:04:57.799 --> 00:05:00.659 or the position that I am in as a believer 00:05:00.659 --> 00:05:02.240 and you as a believer are in, 00:05:02.519 --> 00:05:03.560 that if you're here today 00:05:03.560 --> 00:05:05.120 and don't know Christ as your Savior, 00:05:05.639 --> 00:05:08.159 that the winsome appeal of the gospel 00:05:08.159 --> 00:05:10.159 would bring you to the point of believing 00:05:10.159 --> 00:05:12.339 that you have no hope apart 00:05:12.339 --> 00:05:14.639 from casting yourself 00:05:14.639 --> 00:05:16.719 upon the mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ 00:05:16.719 --> 00:05:18.379 who died in your place 00:05:18.379 --> 00:05:21.000 and offers salvation 00:05:21.000 --> 00:05:23.239 to all who come and repent and believe. 00:05:24.459 --> 00:05:26.519 We're looking at a passage this morning 00:05:26.519 --> 00:05:27.639 that gives to us 00:05:27.639 --> 00:05:31.079 a reminder of the benefit of our salvation. 00:05:31.279 --> 00:05:33.019 What is it that I receive 00:05:33.019 --> 00:05:34.939 as a matter of salvation? 00:05:35.319 --> 00:05:36.259 What happens? 00:05:38.419 --> 00:05:39.019 Interestingly, 00:05:39.519 --> 00:05:41.639 this last week, 00:05:42.339 --> 00:05:43.959 I had an opportunity 00:05:43.959 --> 00:05:45.839 on two different occasions 00:05:45.839 --> 00:05:48.239 to have lengthy conversation 00:05:48.239 --> 00:05:49.679 with a young man 00:05:49.679 --> 00:05:51.959 in regarding the matter of faith. 00:05:53.579 --> 00:05:55.779 It started out fairly innocuously 00:05:55.779 --> 00:05:56.679 on my lawn 00:05:56.679 --> 00:05:59.659 as the individual coming through 00:05:59.659 --> 00:06:01.379 and ended up in conversation 00:06:01.379 --> 00:06:03.839 and the subsequent statement, 00:06:04.559 --> 00:06:06.120 we were talking about faith 00:06:06.120 --> 00:06:07.799 and I made the statement to him 00:06:07.799 --> 00:06:08.879 that there are really only 00:06:08.879 --> 00:06:10.579 two religions in the world. 00:06:10.579 --> 00:06:13.019 And he said, 00:06:13.060 --> 00:06:14.000 I've never heard that before. 00:06:14.079 --> 00:06:14.500 I said, well, 00:06:14.560 --> 00:06:15.319 there's one religion 00:06:15.319 --> 00:06:16.159 that proposes 00:06:16.159 --> 00:06:19.099 that you can work your way 00:06:19.099 --> 00:06:20.479 towards improvement 00:06:20.479 --> 00:06:22.879 and ultimately come to the point 00:06:22.879 --> 00:06:24.479 where you are accepted by God 00:06:24.479 --> 00:06:25.099 on the basis 00:06:25.099 --> 00:06:26.419 of all the good things 00:06:26.419 --> 00:06:27.099 that you've done. 00:06:27.519 --> 00:06:28.360 And here we are 00:06:28.360 --> 00:06:30.699 standing on my little piece of grass 00:06:30.699 --> 00:06:31.779 and he says, 00:06:31.899 --> 00:06:32.519 that's right. 00:06:33.379 --> 00:06:34.060 I thought, 00:06:34.279 --> 00:06:34.519 wow, 00:06:34.959 --> 00:06:35.360 okay, 00:06:36.079 --> 00:06:37.799 golden opportunity. 00:06:37.800 --> 00:06:41.980 He says, 00:06:42.020 --> 00:06:42.400 you're right. 00:06:42.480 --> 00:06:42.600 Yeah, 00:06:42.720 --> 00:06:43.340 that's it. 00:06:44.280 --> 00:06:44.939 I said, 00:06:44.980 --> 00:06:45.120 well, 00:06:45.160 --> 00:06:47.240 there is another way 00:06:47.240 --> 00:06:49.100 and that is 00:06:49.100 --> 00:06:50.379 that God recognizing 00:06:50.379 --> 00:06:52.199 our absolute inability 00:06:52.199 --> 00:06:53.819 to save ourselves 00:06:53.819 --> 00:06:55.720 and our moral bankruptcy 00:06:55.720 --> 00:06:56.560 in the darkness. 00:06:56.800 --> 00:06:58.439 I really got kind of fired up 00:06:58.439 --> 00:06:58.980 at that point 00:06:58.980 --> 00:06:59.900 in case you're wondering. 00:07:00.500 --> 00:07:01.519 I wanted it to be clear 00:07:01.519 --> 00:07:02.259 to the poor guy 00:07:02.259 --> 00:07:04.639 that nobody can save themselves. 00:07:04.639 --> 00:07:07.180 And so we're kind of 00:07:07.180 --> 00:07:08.219 working our way into this 00:07:08.219 --> 00:07:08.579 and I said, 00:07:08.959 --> 00:07:09.139 you know, 00:07:09.259 --> 00:07:10.500 and God sent 00:07:10.500 --> 00:07:12.419 his son down 00:07:12.419 --> 00:07:14.120 to help us 00:07:14.120 --> 00:07:15.560 because we can't 00:07:15.560 --> 00:07:16.620 save ourselves. 00:07:17.979 --> 00:07:19.399 He got this quizzical look 00:07:19.399 --> 00:07:20.180 on his face like, 00:07:20.839 --> 00:07:21.139 what? 00:07:21.959 --> 00:07:22.539 Really? 00:07:23.459 --> 00:07:24.060 Anyway, 00:07:24.199 --> 00:07:26.079 we had opportunity then 00:07:26.079 --> 00:07:26.839 on Thursday 00:07:26.839 --> 00:07:28.120 to spend four hours 00:07:28.120 --> 00:07:29.899 after supper 00:07:29.899 --> 00:07:31.959 talking very carefully 00:07:31.959 --> 00:07:34.620 about the fact 00:07:34.620 --> 00:07:36.000 of salvation 00:07:36.000 --> 00:07:37.019 through the finished work 00:07:37.019 --> 00:07:37.560 of Christ 00:07:37.560 --> 00:07:39.259 and not through 00:07:39.259 --> 00:07:40.579 our own good efforts. 00:07:45.139 --> 00:07:46.399 At the heart 00:07:46.399 --> 00:07:48.879 of the mistaken view 00:07:48.879 --> 00:07:51.939 that we can save ourselves 00:07:51.939 --> 00:07:53.339 by our own works 00:07:53.339 --> 00:08:00.479 is a failed appreciation 00:08:00.479 --> 00:08:02.799 for what sin really is. 00:08:05.299 --> 00:08:06.879 Sin is far more 00:08:06.879 --> 00:08:08.299 terrible, 00:08:09.500 --> 00:08:11.299 far more devastating, 00:08:12.419 --> 00:08:15.839 far more absolutely destructive 00:08:15.839 --> 00:08:17.120 than we might imagine. 00:08:17.120 --> 00:08:17.180 salvation. 00:08:19.280 --> 00:08:20.800 And so when we take 00:08:20.800 --> 00:08:21.579 the passage 00:08:21.579 --> 00:08:22.780 there in Romans 00:08:22.780 --> 00:08:23.759 chapter 8 00:08:23.759 --> 00:08:24.780 verse 1 00:08:24.780 --> 00:08:27.699 and hold on to it 00:08:27.699 --> 00:08:28.920 this morning briefly, 00:08:29.160 --> 00:08:30.280 I want you to understand 00:08:30.280 --> 00:08:31.959 that what we are looking at 00:08:31.959 --> 00:08:34.740 is one of many statements 00:08:34.740 --> 00:08:36.279 that explain to us 00:08:36.279 --> 00:08:38.100 the incredible benefit 00:08:38.100 --> 00:08:38.940 that we have 00:08:38.940 --> 00:08:40.440 in salvation. 00:08:41.639 --> 00:08:42.639 And as you take 00:08:42.639 --> 00:08:43.259 these elements 00:08:43.259 --> 00:08:44.060 this morning, 00:08:44.560 --> 00:08:46.080 there are many different things 00:08:46.080 --> 00:08:47.000 that you could say 00:08:47.000 --> 00:08:47.660 to yourself 00:08:47.660 --> 00:08:48.920 and it would be appropriate. 00:08:49.060 --> 00:08:50.060 And I encourage you, 00:08:50.360 --> 00:08:51.600 don't just kind of sit, 00:08:51.800 --> 00:08:52.580 go through the motions. 00:08:52.940 --> 00:08:56.040 It is inappropriate 00:08:56.040 --> 00:08:58.020 to take the bread 00:08:58.020 --> 00:08:58.800 and take the cup 00:08:58.800 --> 00:09:00.220 and just do this 00:09:00.220 --> 00:09:01.060 as a routine. 00:09:01.280 --> 00:09:01.960 Do you follow that? 00:09:03.240 --> 00:09:04.040 It's something 00:09:04.040 --> 00:09:05.379 that when you do it 00:09:05.379 --> 00:09:06.300 you should consciously 00:09:06.300 --> 00:09:07.000 and deliberately 00:09:07.000 --> 00:09:08.240 think deeply 00:09:08.240 --> 00:09:09.080 and carefully 00:09:09.080 --> 00:09:10.460 about what Christ 00:09:10.460 --> 00:09:11.020 has done 00:09:11.020 --> 00:09:11.980 in saving you. 00:09:14.259 --> 00:09:15.240 And so one of the things 00:09:15.240 --> 00:09:16.899 that I would propose 00:09:16.899 --> 00:09:17.340 to you 00:09:17.340 --> 00:09:18.279 is that when you take 00:09:18.279 --> 00:09:18.659 the bread 00:09:18.659 --> 00:09:19.180 and when you take 00:09:19.180 --> 00:09:19.659 the cup 00:09:19.659 --> 00:09:20.940 that you may want 00:09:20.940 --> 00:09:21.700 to remind yourself 00:09:21.700 --> 00:09:22.700 there is now therefore 00:09:22.700 --> 00:09:23.799 no condemnation 00:09:23.799 --> 00:09:25.659 to them who are 00:09:25.659 --> 00:09:26.480 in Christ Jesus. 00:09:29.060 --> 00:09:30.259 As you think about 00:09:30.259 --> 00:09:31.560 this passage 00:09:31.560 --> 00:09:32.419 let me kind of lay 00:09:32.419 --> 00:09:33.200 some background 00:09:33.200 --> 00:09:34.740 by helping you understand 00:09:34.740 --> 00:09:35.500 that because 00:09:35.500 --> 00:09:37.139 we are in Christ 00:09:37.139 --> 00:09:38.220 as believers 00:09:38.220 --> 00:09:39.899 there's a wide variety 00:09:39.899 --> 00:09:40.299 of things 00:09:40.299 --> 00:09:41.200 that we enjoy. 00:09:42.320 --> 00:09:43.000 For one, 00:09:43.080 --> 00:09:44.259 Ephesians chapter 1 00:09:44.259 --> 00:09:44.980 verse 6 00:09:44.980 --> 00:09:45.580 and I'm just going 00:09:45.580 --> 00:09:46.740 to make reference 00:09:46.740 --> 00:09:47.919 to several of these things 00:09:47.919 --> 00:09:48.980 and I would encourage you 00:09:48.980 --> 00:09:50.120 you may want to note 00:09:50.120 --> 00:09:50.939 these in your Bible 00:09:50.939 --> 00:09:52.059 and look at them later 00:09:52.059 --> 00:09:53.740 and I would plead with you 00:09:53.740 --> 00:09:54.659 think carefully 00:09:54.659 --> 00:09:56.299 think deeply 00:09:56.299 --> 00:09:57.700 about what you have received 00:09:57.700 --> 00:09:58.879 in your salvation. 00:09:59.039 --> 00:09:59.559 Don't just kind of 00:09:59.559 --> 00:10:00.519 alright, alright 00:10:00.519 --> 00:10:01.840 I've got another 40 minutes 00:10:01.840 --> 00:10:02.500 hold my breath 00:10:02.500 --> 00:10:03.620 I'll get to the other side here. 00:10:06.439 --> 00:10:07.620 We are accepted 00:10:07.620 --> 00:10:08.279 in the beloved. 00:10:10.220 --> 00:10:11.639 In 1 Peter chapter 2 00:10:11.639 --> 00:10:12.139 verse 9 00:10:12.139 --> 00:10:12.939 it says that we are 00:10:12.939 --> 00:10:14.240 delivered from darkness 00:10:14.240 --> 00:10:16.000 into his marvelous light. 00:10:18.039 --> 00:10:19.600 In Colossians chapter 2 00:10:19.600 --> 00:10:20.299 verse 14 00:10:20.299 --> 00:10:21.279 it says that he has 00:10:21.279 --> 00:10:22.779 canceled our sin 00:10:22.779 --> 00:10:25.360 and nailed that statement 00:10:25.360 --> 00:10:26.179 of debt 00:10:26.179 --> 00:10:27.299 to the cross. 00:10:28.100 --> 00:10:29.120 It is a public 00:10:29.120 --> 00:10:30.039 declaration 00:10:30.039 --> 00:10:31.220 that our debt 00:10:31.220 --> 00:10:32.340 has been satisfied 00:10:32.340 --> 00:10:34.139 by the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:10:35.980 --> 00:10:37.620 In John chapter 14 00:10:37.620 --> 00:10:38.080 verse 3 00:10:38.080 --> 00:10:39.019 it tells us 00:10:39.019 --> 00:10:40.220 that because of salvation 00:10:40.220 --> 00:10:41.720 he has made heaven 00:10:41.720 --> 00:10:42.779 our eternal home. 00:10:44.740 --> 00:10:46.120 2 Corinthians chapter 5 00:10:46.120 --> 00:10:46.639 verse 18 00:10:46.639 --> 00:10:47.220 says that 00:10:47.220 --> 00:10:48.840 he has reconciled us 00:10:48.840 --> 00:10:49.379 to God. 00:10:50.920 --> 00:10:52.480 Philippians chapter 1 00:10:52.480 --> 00:10:53.139 verse 6 00:10:53.139 --> 00:10:53.700 says that 00:10:53.700 --> 00:10:54.639 he has begun 00:10:54.639 --> 00:10:56.340 a good work in us 00:10:56.340 --> 00:10:58.279 and he will complete it. 00:10:59.440 --> 00:11:00.160 One of the things 00:11:00.160 --> 00:11:00.899 that I love 00:11:00.899 --> 00:11:02.040 saying to people 00:11:02.040 --> 00:11:03.259 who are believers 00:11:03.259 --> 00:11:04.000 professing 00:11:04.000 --> 00:11:04.720 is that 00:11:04.720 --> 00:11:05.580 you don't have to 00:11:05.580 --> 00:11:06.700 stay the way you are. 00:11:07.960 --> 00:11:08.639 And the reason 00:11:08.639 --> 00:11:09.519 I can say that 00:11:09.519 --> 00:11:10.559 without hesitation 00:11:10.559 --> 00:11:12.259 and with complete confidence 00:11:12.259 --> 00:11:13.779 is because of the 00:11:13.779 --> 00:11:15.179 clear instruction 00:11:15.179 --> 00:11:15.819 and teaching 00:11:15.819 --> 00:11:16.340 of scripture 00:11:16.340 --> 00:11:17.720 that when God 00:11:17.720 --> 00:11:18.620 starts a work 00:11:18.620 --> 00:11:19.199 when Christ 00:11:19.199 --> 00:11:20.139 begins a work 00:11:20.139 --> 00:11:20.559 in me 00:11:20.559 --> 00:11:23.100 I will change. 00:11:23.799 --> 00:11:24.659 Stop just for a moment 00:11:24.659 --> 00:11:25.539 and recognize this. 00:11:25.779 --> 00:11:26.639 If you're sitting here 00:11:26.639 --> 00:11:27.179 this morning 00:11:27.179 --> 00:11:28.399 and you're an individual 00:11:28.399 --> 00:11:29.319 that professes 00:11:29.319 --> 00:11:30.759 to know the Lord Jesus Christ 00:11:30.759 --> 00:11:31.980 you should be able 00:11:31.980 --> 00:11:33.319 to look in the rear view mirror 00:11:33.319 --> 00:11:34.860 and see indicators 00:11:34.860 --> 00:11:35.980 that you're not the same 00:11:35.980 --> 00:11:36.960 as you used to be. 00:11:36.960 --> 00:11:40.320 I would tell you this 00:11:40.320 --> 00:11:42.060 if you can't see 00:11:42.060 --> 00:11:42.660 that evidence 00:11:42.660 --> 00:11:43.580 it might not be 00:11:43.580 --> 00:11:44.040 inappropriate 00:11:44.040 --> 00:11:45.040 for you to stop 00:11:45.040 --> 00:11:45.840 and ask yourself 00:11:45.840 --> 00:11:47.060 a fair question 00:11:47.060 --> 00:11:48.019 is well 00:11:48.019 --> 00:11:50.180 am I really saved? 00:11:50.300 --> 00:11:50.960 Maybe I've learned 00:11:50.960 --> 00:11:51.500 the vocabulary 00:11:51.500 --> 00:11:52.660 I know the hymns 00:11:52.660 --> 00:11:53.660 I can recite 00:11:53.660 --> 00:11:54.320 some of the verses 00:11:54.320 --> 00:11:55.540 because I went to Awana 00:11:55.540 --> 00:11:57.060 but is there really 00:11:57.060 --> 00:11:57.720 the evidence 00:11:57.720 --> 00:11:58.840 of change? 00:12:02.080 --> 00:12:03.040 We're going to look 00:12:03.040 --> 00:12:04.000 carefully at 00:12:04.000 --> 00:12:04.879 Romans chapter 8 00:12:04.879 --> 00:12:05.519 verse 1 00:12:05.519 --> 00:12:08.039 and I want you 00:12:08.039 --> 00:12:08.659 to underline it 00:12:08.659 --> 00:12:09.120 in your Bible 00:12:09.120 --> 00:12:09.980 if it's not already 00:12:09.980 --> 00:12:10.419 underlined 00:12:10.419 --> 00:12:11.059 because it is 00:12:11.059 --> 00:12:12.460 a foundational verse 00:12:12.460 --> 00:12:15.139 in one sense 00:12:15.139 --> 00:12:15.740 you could say 00:12:15.740 --> 00:12:17.159 that Romans chapter 8 00:12:17.159 --> 00:12:17.679 verse 1 00:12:17.679 --> 00:12:19.439 is a summary verse 00:12:19.439 --> 00:12:22.000 of one of the most 00:12:22.000 --> 00:12:22.439 by the way 00:12:22.439 --> 00:12:22.919 you know that 00:12:22.919 --> 00:12:23.620 whatever passage 00:12:23.620 --> 00:12:24.120 I'm preaching 00:12:24.120 --> 00:12:24.620 happens to be 00:12:24.620 --> 00:12:25.220 the best one 00:12:25.220 --> 00:12:25.759 for the day 00:12:25.759 --> 00:12:26.340 right? 00:12:27.259 --> 00:12:29.079 And Romans chapter 8 00:12:29.079 --> 00:12:29.620 verse 1 00:12:29.620 --> 00:12:31.000 is kind of the summary 00:12:31.000 --> 00:12:32.939 of the entire argument 00:12:32.939 --> 00:12:33.620 of Romans 00:12:33.620 --> 00:12:34.759 up to this point. 00:12:35.519 --> 00:12:37.220 Romans begins 00:12:37.220 --> 00:12:38.960 by making it clear 00:12:38.960 --> 00:12:40.079 that we stand 00:12:40.079 --> 00:12:41.000 justly condemned 00:12:41.000 --> 00:12:42.000 before a holy God. 00:12:43.299 --> 00:12:44.759 Romans also goes on 00:12:44.759 --> 00:12:45.340 to explain 00:12:45.340 --> 00:12:45.960 that salvation 00:12:45.960 --> 00:12:47.439 comes through faith 00:12:47.439 --> 00:12:48.179 in the Lord Jesus 00:12:48.179 --> 00:12:49.079 Christ alone. 00:12:51.259 --> 00:12:52.559 Romans also continues 00:12:52.559 --> 00:12:53.500 to explain 00:12:53.500 --> 00:12:54.460 the issue 00:12:54.460 --> 00:12:55.019 of our 00:12:55.019 --> 00:12:55.980 identification 00:12:55.980 --> 00:12:56.960 and our 00:12:56.960 --> 00:12:57.879 connection 00:12:57.879 --> 00:12:58.840 with the Lord Jesus 00:12:58.840 --> 00:12:59.379 Christ 00:12:59.379 --> 00:13:00.460 and the incredible 00:13:00.460 --> 00:13:01.039 blessings 00:13:01.039 --> 00:13:01.740 that we have 00:13:01.740 --> 00:13:02.220 in Him. 00:13:02.220 --> 00:13:04.460 and then 00:13:04.460 --> 00:13:06.279 before Paul 00:13:06.279 --> 00:13:06.840 eventually 00:13:06.840 --> 00:13:07.700 shifts over 00:13:07.700 --> 00:13:08.460 to address 00:13:08.460 --> 00:13:09.200 the issue 00:13:09.200 --> 00:13:09.899 of the sovereignty 00:13:09.899 --> 00:13:10.399 of God 00:13:10.399 --> 00:13:11.160 in chapter 9, 00:13:11.220 --> 00:13:11.800 10, and 11 00:13:11.800 --> 00:13:12.779 he takes 00:13:12.779 --> 00:13:13.480 chapter 8 00:13:13.480 --> 00:13:14.500 to press together 00:13:14.500 --> 00:13:15.600 the theological 00:13:15.600 --> 00:13:16.300 truth 00:13:16.300 --> 00:13:17.600 of our salvation 00:13:17.600 --> 00:13:18.720 and he puts it 00:13:18.720 --> 00:13:19.800 at the very beginning. 00:13:19.920 --> 00:13:20.500 How many of you know 00:13:20.500 --> 00:13:21.500 that when you're outlining 00:13:21.500 --> 00:13:22.660 you want to make 00:13:22.660 --> 00:13:23.420 your main point 00:13:23.420 --> 00:13:24.000 pretty clear? 00:13:24.100 --> 00:13:25.000 That's what Paul does 00:13:25.000 --> 00:13:26.139 in Romans 8, 1. 00:13:26.519 --> 00:13:27.660 There is now therefore 00:13:27.660 --> 00:13:29.279 no condemnation 00:13:29.279 --> 00:13:29.860 to them 00:13:29.860 --> 00:13:31.200 who are in Christ Jesus. 00:13:31.200 --> 00:13:35.620 So what do we enjoy? 00:13:37.340 --> 00:13:38.280 What is it 00:13:38.280 --> 00:13:39.920 that is our benefit 00:13:39.920 --> 00:13:40.460 and blessing 00:13:40.460 --> 00:13:41.180 in this statement 00:13:41.180 --> 00:13:42.540 there is now therefore 00:13:42.540 --> 00:13:43.660 no condemnation 00:13:43.660 --> 00:13:45.080 in Christ Jesus? 00:13:46.520 --> 00:13:47.759 The word now 00:13:47.759 --> 00:13:50.080 tells us 00:13:50.080 --> 00:13:50.440 that 00:13:50.440 --> 00:13:52.480 where we are today 00:13:52.480 --> 00:13:53.140 is different 00:13:53.140 --> 00:13:54.080 than where we were 00:13:54.080 --> 00:13:55.480 once in our past. 00:13:56.920 --> 00:13:58.680 That our present state 00:13:58.680 --> 00:13:59.560 is different 00:13:59.559 --> 00:14:02.259 than our background 00:14:02.259 --> 00:14:03.899 and where we used 00:14:03.899 --> 00:14:04.299 to be. 00:14:05.199 --> 00:14:06.479 We once stood 00:14:06.479 --> 00:14:07.039 condemned 00:14:07.039 --> 00:14:08.439 we are not 00:14:08.439 --> 00:14:09.079 condemned 00:14:09.079 --> 00:14:09.879 now. 00:14:12.459 --> 00:14:13.519 Several weeks ago 00:14:13.519 --> 00:14:14.239 I actually was 00:14:14.239 --> 00:14:15.439 watching a documentary 00:14:15.439 --> 00:14:17.039 about the Texas 00:14:17.039 --> 00:14:18.699 penal system 00:14:18.699 --> 00:14:19.979 and there 00:14:19.979 --> 00:14:20.739 how many of you 00:14:20.739 --> 00:14:21.339 knew that Texas 00:14:21.339 --> 00:14:22.259 executes about 00:14:22.259 --> 00:14:23.459 more than anybody 00:14:23.459 --> 00:14:24.000 else does? 00:14:24.059 --> 00:14:24.399 How's that 00:14:24.399 --> 00:14:24.939 for a statement? 00:14:25.479 --> 00:14:26.419 Texas kills 00:14:26.419 --> 00:14:27.359 lots of people 00:14:27.359 --> 00:14:28.699 for their own 00:14:28.699 --> 00:14:29.139 death row. 00:14:29.559 --> 00:14:30.399 And there was 00:14:30.399 --> 00:14:31.039 this documentary 00:14:31.039 --> 00:14:32.000 about what it was 00:14:32.000 --> 00:14:32.679 like to be on 00:14:32.679 --> 00:14:33.079 death row. 00:14:33.179 --> 00:14:33.659 One of the things 00:14:33.659 --> 00:14:34.259 that I was really 00:14:34.259 --> 00:14:34.859 struck by 00:14:34.859 --> 00:14:35.399 is A 00:14:35.399 --> 00:14:36.759 nobody on death 00:14:36.759 --> 00:14:37.239 row deserves 00:14:37.239 --> 00:14:37.699 to be there. 00:14:38.439 --> 00:14:40.039 I remember 00:14:40.039 --> 00:14:41.299 discipling a guy 00:14:41.299 --> 00:14:42.439 who was a dentist 00:14:42.439 --> 00:14:43.259 in the prison 00:14:43.259 --> 00:14:44.239 system here in Ohio 00:14:44.239 --> 00:14:45.899 and he told me 00:14:45.899 --> 00:14:46.419 that one of the 00:14:46.419 --> 00:14:47.319 interesting things 00:14:47.319 --> 00:14:47.939 he discovered 00:14:47.939 --> 00:14:48.519 is that 00:14:48.519 --> 00:14:49.579 every single 00:14:49.579 --> 00:14:50.279 one of the people 00:14:50.279 --> 00:14:50.919 he had ever 00:14:50.919 --> 00:14:51.479 worked on 00:14:51.479 --> 00:14:52.000 in prison 00:14:52.000 --> 00:14:53.199 didn't deserve 00:14:53.199 --> 00:14:53.759 to be there. 00:14:54.779 --> 00:14:55.899 They were innocent 00:14:55.899 --> 00:14:57.019 innocent and 00:14:57.019 --> 00:14:57.860 unjustly 00:14:57.860 --> 00:14:58.379 imprisoned. 00:14:59.539 --> 00:15:00.579 And here I 00:15:00.579 --> 00:15:01.360 have this 00:15:01.360 --> 00:15:02.120 opportunity to 00:15:02.120 --> 00:15:02.659 watch this 00:15:02.659 --> 00:15:03.340 and here are 00:15:03.340 --> 00:15:03.980 all these people 00:15:03.980 --> 00:15:04.419 and the first 00:15:04.419 --> 00:15:04.980 thing they said 00:15:04.980 --> 00:15:05.399 is I don't 00:15:05.399 --> 00:15:06.120 deserve to die. 00:15:06.240 --> 00:15:06.919 I don't deserve 00:15:06.919 --> 00:15:07.879 execution. 00:15:08.059 --> 00:15:08.639 I mean it is 00:15:08.639 --> 00:15:09.819 true that I 00:15:09.819 --> 00:15:10.639 beat my girlfriend 00:15:10.639 --> 00:15:11.579 and her little 00:15:11.579 --> 00:15:12.620 four year old baby 00:15:12.620 --> 00:15:13.179 to death 00:15:13.179 --> 00:15:14.059 with a baseball 00:15:14.059 --> 00:15:14.699 bat but that 00:15:14.699 --> 00:15:15.439 really wasn't 00:15:15.439 --> 00:15:15.740 me. 00:15:15.899 --> 00:15:16.819 That was someone 00:15:16.819 --> 00:15:17.620 else that was 00:15:17.620 --> 00:15:18.379 in my body 00:15:18.379 --> 00:15:19.019 at the moment. 00:15:20.299 --> 00:15:20.939 Well let's 00:15:20.939 --> 00:15:21.799 execute the guy 00:15:21.799 --> 00:15:22.539 who did that. 00:15:22.639 --> 00:15:23.039 We'll let the 00:15:23.039 --> 00:15:23.659 other guy go 00:15:23.659 --> 00:15:23.939 free. 00:15:25.459 --> 00:15:26.419 And so here I 00:15:26.419 --> 00:15:26.980 am watching 00:15:26.980 --> 00:15:28.019 this extended 00:15:28.019 --> 00:15:30.399 conversation of 00:15:30.399 --> 00:15:31.759 what it's like 00:15:31.759 --> 00:15:32.240 to be on 00:15:32.240 --> 00:15:32.819 death row 00:15:32.819 --> 00:15:34.059 in Texas. 00:15:37.139 --> 00:15:37.860 And one of 00:15:37.860 --> 00:15:38.159 the things 00:15:38.159 --> 00:15:38.579 that I was 00:15:38.579 --> 00:15:39.199 struck by 00:15:39.199 --> 00:15:41.059 is that 00:15:41.059 --> 00:15:41.899 every single 00:15:41.899 --> 00:15:42.799 individual on 00:15:42.799 --> 00:15:43.360 death row 00:15:43.360 --> 00:15:46.360 keeps a 00:15:46.360 --> 00:15:46.939 running 00:15:46.939 --> 00:15:48.379 tab on 00:15:48.379 --> 00:15:48.839 how many 00:15:48.839 --> 00:15:49.679 days he has 00:15:49.679 --> 00:15:51.019 left to 00:15:51.019 --> 00:15:51.719 his execution. 00:15:51.720 --> 00:15:54.360 every single 00:15:54.360 --> 00:15:55.340 person. 00:15:57.899 --> 00:15:59.180 The reality 00:15:59.180 --> 00:16:01.899 of condemnation, 00:16:02.940 --> 00:16:04.160 the reality 00:16:04.160 --> 00:16:05.080 of eventual 00:16:05.080 --> 00:16:05.800 execution 00:16:05.800 --> 00:16:07.879 in the minds 00:16:07.879 --> 00:16:08.700 of those who 00:16:08.700 --> 00:16:10.259 stand condemned 00:16:10.259 --> 00:16:11.300 and judged 00:16:11.300 --> 00:16:13.000 at least in 00:16:13.000 --> 00:16:14.160 Texas was so 00:16:14.160 --> 00:16:15.560 significant that 00:16:15.560 --> 00:16:16.560 every man kept 00:16:16.560 --> 00:16:17.840 a tab in his 00:16:17.840 --> 00:16:18.800 room of I 00:16:18.800 --> 00:16:19.420 have X 00:16:19.420 --> 00:16:19.980 number of 00:16:19.980 --> 00:16:21.100 days left. 00:16:21.720 --> 00:16:23.940 Can I tell 00:16:23.940 --> 00:16:25.040 you that 00:16:25.040 --> 00:16:25.620 Satan has 00:16:25.620 --> 00:16:27.279 deceived the 00:16:27.279 --> 00:16:28.220 vast majority 00:16:28.220 --> 00:16:28.860 of people in 00:16:28.860 --> 00:16:29.899 this world that 00:16:29.899 --> 00:16:30.660 they have no 00:16:30.660 --> 00:16:31.519 thought of what 00:16:31.519 --> 00:16:32.060 their eventual 00:16:32.060 --> 00:16:33.040 state is like? 00:16:35.040 --> 00:16:35.639 None. 00:16:37.440 --> 00:16:38.320 And yet for 00:16:38.320 --> 00:16:39.000 us who are 00:16:39.000 --> 00:16:39.879 Christians who 00:16:39.879 --> 00:16:40.540 have come to 00:16:40.540 --> 00:16:41.580 faith, we 00:16:41.580 --> 00:16:42.600 first of all 00:16:42.600 --> 00:16:43.500 were convicted, 00:16:43.920 --> 00:16:44.600 listen to me 00:16:44.600 --> 00:16:45.600 carefully, we 00:16:45.600 --> 00:16:46.379 were convicted 00:16:46.379 --> 00:16:47.820 of the absolute 00:16:47.820 --> 00:16:49.100 darkness of our 00:16:49.100 --> 00:16:50.240 heart and the 00:16:50.240 --> 00:16:51.659 just penalty for 00:16:51.659 --> 00:16:52.960 our sins before 00:16:52.960 --> 00:16:54.220 a holy God and 00:16:54.220 --> 00:16:55.299 we were drawn to 00:16:55.299 --> 00:16:56.700 faith by the 00:16:56.700 --> 00:16:57.779 burden of the 00:16:57.779 --> 00:16:58.519 darkness of our 00:16:58.519 --> 00:16:58.720 heart. 00:16:58.740 --> 00:16:59.259 Isn't that right? 00:17:00.519 --> 00:17:01.560 There is no 00:17:01.560 --> 00:17:02.680 path to the 00:17:02.680 --> 00:17:04.039 cross that does 00:17:04.039 --> 00:17:04.740 not include, 00:17:04.900 --> 00:17:05.480 first of all, 00:17:05.720 --> 00:17:06.759 some conviction of 00:17:06.759 --> 00:17:07.519 the darkness of 00:17:07.519 --> 00:17:08.120 your soul. 00:17:10.700 --> 00:17:11.579 And as you look 00:17:11.579 --> 00:17:12.440 at this passage, 00:17:13.400 --> 00:17:14.799 we find that 00:17:14.799 --> 00:17:17.779 now we who know 00:17:17.779 --> 00:17:19.259 Christ are in a 00:17:19.259 --> 00:17:19.960 different condition. 00:17:20.460 --> 00:17:21.240 Why is that? 00:17:21.879 --> 00:17:22.839 Because we're not 00:17:22.839 --> 00:17:23.220 condemned. 00:17:24.279 --> 00:17:25.079 I want you to 00:17:25.079 --> 00:17:26.019 recognize that that 00:17:26.019 --> 00:17:27.220 word condemned is a 00:17:27.220 --> 00:17:28.019 word that is not 00:17:28.019 --> 00:17:29.039 just talking about, 00:17:29.279 --> 00:17:30.980 well, you know, 00:17:31.039 --> 00:17:32.279 there's a case built 00:17:32.279 --> 00:17:33.000 against you. 00:17:33.180 --> 00:17:34.000 It is actually 00:17:34.000 --> 00:17:35.220 talking about the 00:17:35.220 --> 00:17:36.299 information actually 00:17:36.299 --> 00:17:37.859 being heard and 00:17:37.859 --> 00:17:39.079 handled, judgment 00:17:39.079 --> 00:17:40.980 then being brought 00:17:40.980 --> 00:17:43.299 and practically all 00:17:43.299 --> 00:17:44.160 you're waiting for, 00:17:44.240 --> 00:17:44.980 the condemned man, 00:17:45.160 --> 00:17:46.259 is only waiting for 00:17:46.259 --> 00:17:46.839 execution. 00:17:50.720 --> 00:17:51.480 How many of you 00:17:51.480 --> 00:17:52.400 recognize that as 00:17:52.400 --> 00:17:53.299 believers we can't 00:17:53.299 --> 00:17:54.140 get away with what 00:17:54.140 --> 00:17:55.019 unbelievers can? 00:17:55.400 --> 00:17:56.339 Did everybody heard me 00:17:56.339 --> 00:17:56.779 say that? 00:17:57.099 --> 00:17:57.240 Okay. 00:17:57.700 --> 00:17:58.200 How many of you 00:17:58.200 --> 00:17:59.299 tried as believers to 00:17:59.299 --> 00:18:00.000 get away with what 00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:00.759 unbelievers can get 00:18:00.759 --> 00:18:01.099 away with? 00:18:01.160 --> 00:18:01.700 You ever tried that? 00:18:02.640 --> 00:18:03.879 The reason we can't 00:18:03.879 --> 00:18:04.660 get away with what 00:18:04.660 --> 00:18:05.539 unbelievers can get 00:18:05.539 --> 00:18:06.420 away with is because 00:18:06.420 --> 00:18:07.700 we are His children and 00:18:07.700 --> 00:18:09.160 He's very interested in 00:18:09.160 --> 00:18:10.019 our growing to be more 00:18:10.019 --> 00:18:10.559 like Him. 00:18:12.079 --> 00:18:13.299 Furthermore, in 00:18:13.299 --> 00:18:14.180 dealing with the 00:18:14.180 --> 00:18:15.539 unbeliever, God's 00:18:15.539 --> 00:18:18.700 incredible mercy is 00:18:18.700 --> 00:18:19.819 giving them time to 00:18:19.819 --> 00:18:20.220 repent. 00:18:22.000 --> 00:18:23.220 But that doesn't 00:18:23.220 --> 00:18:25.859 eliminate the reality 00:18:25.859 --> 00:18:26.639 that they stand 00:18:26.639 --> 00:18:27.500 condemned before a 00:18:27.500 --> 00:18:28.059 holy God. 00:18:29.500 --> 00:18:31.180 And as it says here, 00:18:32.639 --> 00:18:34.399 that individual who is 00:18:34.399 --> 00:18:36.059 condemned is only 00:18:36.059 --> 00:18:37.460 practically waiting for 00:18:37.460 --> 00:18:38.619 the day of execution. 00:18:39.879 --> 00:18:40.799 That's a burden. 00:18:40.799 --> 00:18:44.659 That's a burden that in 00:18:44.659 --> 00:18:47.220 the Texas penitentiary 00:18:47.220 --> 00:18:48.259 weighs on the 00:18:48.259 --> 00:18:49.539 individual who's waiting 00:18:49.539 --> 00:18:50.359 for that day of 00:18:50.359 --> 00:18:50.700 judgment. 00:18:51.200 --> 00:18:51.919 And if you're sitting 00:18:51.919 --> 00:18:52.879 here this morning and 00:18:52.879 --> 00:18:53.659 you do not know 00:18:53.659 --> 00:18:55.059 Christ, I want you to 00:18:55.059 --> 00:18:56.299 know the reality of 00:18:56.299 --> 00:18:57.680 eternity is that the 00:18:57.680 --> 00:18:59.079 day of judgment is 00:18:59.079 --> 00:18:59.500 coming. 00:19:00.319 --> 00:19:01.059 What it says in 00:19:01.059 --> 00:19:02.159 Hebrews chapter 9 is 00:19:02.159 --> 00:19:03.240 this, it's appointed 00:19:03.240 --> 00:19:04.720 unto man once to die 00:19:04.720 --> 00:19:06.960 and then to get a do 00:19:06.960 --> 00:19:07.220 over. 00:19:07.379 --> 00:19:07.960 No, no, no, no. 00:19:07.960 --> 00:19:09.600 It's appointed unto man 00:19:09.600 --> 00:19:10.840 once to die and after 00:19:10.840 --> 00:19:12.440 that the judgment. 00:19:13.700 --> 00:19:14.579 The day of penalty is 00:19:14.579 --> 00:19:14.880 coming. 00:19:15.720 --> 00:19:16.640 The day of execution. 00:19:18.200 --> 00:19:19.240 And as we understand 00:19:19.240 --> 00:19:20.500 from the scriptures, the 00:19:20.500 --> 00:19:22.460 wages of sin are death. 00:19:24.460 --> 00:19:26.079 So I want you to mark 00:19:26.079 --> 00:19:27.059 something else in the 00:19:27.059 --> 00:19:27.420 passage. 00:19:27.620 --> 00:19:32.039 It says, now there is no 00:19:32.039 --> 00:19:33.319 condemnation. 00:19:33.319 --> 00:19:35.879 That little word no 00:19:35.879 --> 00:19:37.220 there actually means not 00:19:37.220 --> 00:19:38.259 one or not any. 00:19:38.399 --> 00:19:39.220 And the point that it is 00:19:39.220 --> 00:19:40.279 making is that there is 00:19:40.279 --> 00:19:42.779 not a single charge that 00:19:42.779 --> 00:19:44.319 remains against us. 00:19:45.819 --> 00:19:47.279 How good is that news? 00:19:48.539 --> 00:19:49.799 How good is that news? 00:19:50.839 --> 00:19:52.839 Just imagine the guy who 00:19:52.839 --> 00:19:54.740 is on death row in Texas 00:19:54.740 --> 00:19:57.500 marking on his calendar the 00:19:57.500 --> 00:19:59.379 number of days until he is 00:19:59.379 --> 00:20:01.259 going to be wheeled into a 00:20:01.259 --> 00:20:02.599 room strapped down on a 00:20:02.599 --> 00:20:04.039 gurney and have needles 00:20:04.039 --> 00:20:05.299 put in his arm and after 00:20:05.299 --> 00:20:06.559 that it's gone. 00:20:07.240 --> 00:20:08.220 That's what it is. 00:20:09.559 --> 00:20:10.960 And suddenly someone comes 00:20:10.960 --> 00:20:13.019 in and says, hey, there is 00:20:13.019 --> 00:20:13.940 now therefore no 00:20:13.940 --> 00:20:14.700 condemnation. 00:20:15.039 --> 00:20:15.759 It's over. 00:20:16.019 --> 00:20:17.079 You're forgiven. 00:20:17.859 --> 00:20:19.200 There's no judgment against 00:20:19.200 --> 00:20:19.460 you. 00:20:23.299 --> 00:20:26.839 It's appropriate for us to 00:20:26.839 --> 00:20:27.799 understand that what the 00:20:27.799 --> 00:20:29.480 Bible is telling us is that 00:20:29.480 --> 00:20:31.339 there is not a single charge 00:20:31.339 --> 00:20:32.700 that remains against the 00:20:32.700 --> 00:20:33.019 believer. 00:20:34.299 --> 00:20:35.420 I want you to stop and 00:20:35.420 --> 00:20:36.120 think about that. 00:20:36.599 --> 00:20:37.680 How many of you, if you 00:20:37.680 --> 00:20:39.000 would take a moment, can 00:20:39.000 --> 00:20:40.640 refresh your memory of some 00:20:40.640 --> 00:20:41.920 pretty nasty things you've 00:20:41.920 --> 00:20:42.200 done? 00:20:43.380 --> 00:20:43.480 Huh? 00:20:45.000 --> 00:20:46.480 How many of you, if you 00:20:46.480 --> 00:20:49.180 take a moment, can actually 00:20:49.180 --> 00:20:50.440 recognize that even though 00:20:50.440 --> 00:20:51.599 there are many, many things 00:20:51.599 --> 00:20:53.279 you haven't done, that you've 00:20:53.279 --> 00:20:54.480 thought the most despicable 00:20:54.480 --> 00:20:57.700 and absolutely unholy 00:20:57.700 --> 00:20:58.420 thoughts? 00:21:00.860 --> 00:21:02.440 A conversation that I had 00:21:02.440 --> 00:21:03.519 with the individual about 00:21:03.519 --> 00:21:04.599 the issue of working your 00:21:04.599 --> 00:21:07.180 way to heaven, the individual 00:21:07.180 --> 00:21:09.440 was explaining that because 00:21:09.440 --> 00:21:11.579 of his faith, whatever it 00:21:11.579 --> 00:21:14.559 was, he was in the process 00:21:14.559 --> 00:21:15.680 of just getting better and 00:21:15.680 --> 00:21:15.920 better. 00:21:17.519 --> 00:21:19.120 And I was pleasantly pleased 00:21:19.120 --> 00:21:20.279 to deal with a person that 00:21:20.279 --> 00:21:21.360 was just by his own 00:21:21.360 --> 00:21:22.720 initiative getting better and 00:21:22.720 --> 00:21:22.940 better. 00:21:23.799 --> 00:21:24.860 So as we were having this 00:21:24.860 --> 00:21:25.799 conversation, I said, well, 00:21:25.819 --> 00:21:26.759 let me ask you, since you've 00:21:26.759 --> 00:21:28.420 improved this much, do you 00:21:28.420 --> 00:21:29.559 ever still have those 00:21:29.559 --> 00:21:31.519 absolutely incredible black, 00:21:31.740 --> 00:21:34.380 dark, wicked, just vile 00:21:34.380 --> 00:21:35.180 thoughts? 00:21:36.880 --> 00:21:38.160 I said, you know, I'm almost 00:21:38.160 --> 00:21:40.480 68 and I'm still having some 00:21:40.480 --> 00:21:41.079 of those, you know? 00:21:41.160 --> 00:21:42.360 I was like, do you? 00:21:43.360 --> 00:21:45.160 There was this long pause and 00:21:45.160 --> 00:21:47.039 he said, well, yeah, I do. 00:21:47.039 --> 00:21:52.399 I want you to understand that 00:21:52.399 --> 00:21:54.339 if you are depending upon your 00:21:54.339 --> 00:21:56.839 own efforts to bring about 00:21:56.839 --> 00:21:59.019 your redemption, you're 00:21:59.019 --> 00:21:59.440 hopeless. 00:22:01.359 --> 00:22:03.200 But if you are relying on the 00:22:03.200 --> 00:22:04.359 finished work of Christ who 00:22:04.359 --> 00:22:06.420 died for your sins and in your 00:22:06.420 --> 00:22:07.980 place, the fact of the matter 00:22:07.980 --> 00:22:09.279 is Scripture says this, there 00:22:09.279 --> 00:22:10.339 is now therefore no 00:22:10.339 --> 00:22:11.119 condemnation. 00:22:11.879 --> 00:22:13.319 You are not condemned. 00:22:13.319 --> 00:22:17.399 It's appropriate for us in our 00:22:17.399 --> 00:22:19.579 daily walk not to go about 00:22:19.579 --> 00:22:20.939 sharing all the wickedness that 00:22:20.939 --> 00:22:22.220 we were engaged in our past. 00:22:22.319 --> 00:22:23.319 And the truth of the matter is 00:22:23.319 --> 00:22:24.899 there's not a single individual 00:22:24.899 --> 00:22:25.220 here. 00:22:25.319 --> 00:22:26.419 We tend to look at other people 00:22:26.419 --> 00:22:28.559 and think they've had a pretty 00:22:28.559 --> 00:22:30.559 unsullied and spotless life. 00:22:30.639 --> 00:22:31.740 But the truth of the matter is 00:22:31.740 --> 00:22:33.819 is every one of us in here are 00:22:33.819 --> 00:22:35.599 really wretched sinners that have 00:22:35.599 --> 00:22:37.720 been saved by grace and we don't 00:22:37.720 --> 00:22:39.159 need to tell the stories of our 00:22:39.159 --> 00:22:39.720 past. 00:22:39.720 --> 00:22:39.880 past. 00:22:41.299 --> 00:22:42.880 In fact, when people go around 00:22:42.880 --> 00:22:44.680 telling me about how incredibly 00:22:44.680 --> 00:22:46.440 wicked and nasty and angry and 00:22:46.440 --> 00:22:48.039 bitter and blah, blah, blah, I'm 00:22:48.039 --> 00:22:49.420 wondering who they think the hero 00:22:49.420 --> 00:22:50.600 in their story is. 00:22:51.779 --> 00:22:53.839 Now there's appropriate recognition 00:22:53.839 --> 00:22:54.940 of our own frailty. 00:22:56.279 --> 00:22:57.880 But I've got to tell you that the 00:22:57.880 --> 00:23:00.279 Scriptures encourage us not to make 00:23:00.279 --> 00:23:04.100 much of the ugliness of our pasts. 00:23:04.759 --> 00:23:06.799 The fact is that the body of Christ 00:23:06.799 --> 00:23:08.819 is made up of redeemed and 00:23:08.819 --> 00:23:09.740 transformed sinners. 00:23:10.059 --> 00:23:11.779 And I love the passage in 1 00:23:11.779 --> 00:23:12.939 Corinthians chapter 6. 00:23:12.980 --> 00:23:14.039 I want you to turn there just for 00:23:14.039 --> 00:23:14.419 a moment. 00:23:15.379 --> 00:23:17.419 Go to 1 Corinthians chapter 6 and 00:23:17.419 --> 00:23:19.039 look at verse 9 through 11. 00:23:22.460 --> 00:23:23.899 Here's Paul writing to the church 00:23:23.899 --> 00:23:24.279 in Corinth. 00:23:24.359 --> 00:23:25.879 By the way, just so you know, the 00:23:25.879 --> 00:23:27.519 church in Corinth was made up of 00:23:27.519 --> 00:23:29.679 people just like you and me. 00:23:29.680 --> 00:23:37.400 And Paul writes to the church and 00:23:37.400 --> 00:23:38.299 here's what he says. 00:23:39.140 --> 00:23:40.860 Do you not know, verse 9, 1 00:23:40.860 --> 00:23:42.940 Corinthians chapter 6, verse 9, do 00:23:42.940 --> 00:23:44.860 you not know that the unrighteous will 00:23:44.860 --> 00:23:46.759 not inherit the kingdom of God? 00:23:47.840 --> 00:23:52.680 There is something sadly wrong with 00:23:52.680 --> 00:23:56.560 preaching that avoids helping people 00:23:56.560 --> 00:23:59.580 understand that sin is profoundly 00:23:59.580 --> 00:24:03.539 offensive to God and that the truth 00:24:03.539 --> 00:24:07.019 of the gospel is that Christ came to 00:24:07.019 --> 00:24:10.980 pay the penalty for sin and those who 00:24:10.980 --> 00:24:13.580 come to faith in Christ are not only 00:24:13.580 --> 00:24:15.560 forgiven of their sins but also enabled 00:24:15.560 --> 00:24:17.240 to not live the way they used to live. 00:24:17.240 --> 00:24:20.960 And to teach people that sin is not a 00:24:20.960 --> 00:24:22.839 relevant issue and doesn't have 00:24:22.839 --> 00:24:24.779 significance in this life in eternity 00:24:24.779 --> 00:24:27.039 is to fail miserably at the truth of 00:24:27.039 --> 00:24:27.579 the gospel. 00:24:28.599 --> 00:24:30.099 The fact of the matter is, is here's 00:24:30.099 --> 00:24:31.740 Paul writing to the church at Corinth 00:24:31.740 --> 00:24:34.120 filled with people whose pasts were 00:24:34.120 --> 00:24:36.660 absolutely marked by their sin. 00:24:36.740 --> 00:24:40.480 He says, hey, don't get the idea that 00:24:40.480 --> 00:24:42.440 unrighteousness doesn't count because 00:24:42.440 --> 00:24:44.519 unrighteousness will not inherit the 00:24:44.519 --> 00:24:45.140 kingdom of God. 00:24:45.240 --> 00:24:45.900 Don't be deceived. 00:24:45.900 --> 00:24:50.580 Neither sexually immoral, nor idolaters, 00:24:50.740 --> 00:24:52.759 nor adulterers, nor men who practice 00:24:52.759 --> 00:24:56.519 homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the 00:24:56.519 --> 00:24:58.140 greedy, nor drunkards, nor revelers, 00:24:58.200 --> 00:25:00.120 nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom 00:25:00.120 --> 00:25:00.780 of God. 00:25:01.960 --> 00:25:03.019 Look at verse 11. 00:25:04.580 --> 00:25:08.600 And such were some of you. 00:25:09.940 --> 00:25:10.980 Don't you like that? 00:25:12.300 --> 00:25:13.640 Don't you like that fact? 00:25:13.640 --> 00:25:16.900 That the fact of the matter is, is the 00:25:16.900 --> 00:25:18.540 church is made up of all different 00:25:18.540 --> 00:25:19.500 kinds of people. 00:25:19.600 --> 00:25:21.680 All of us, redeemed by the grace of God, 00:25:21.820 --> 00:25:24.020 and every one of us with one kind of 00:25:24.020 --> 00:25:25.000 background or another. 00:25:25.340 --> 00:25:27.100 And here's what he says, but you are 00:25:27.100 --> 00:25:29.060 washed, you are sanctified, you were 00:25:29.060 --> 00:25:31.480 justified in the name of the Lord Jesus 00:25:31.480 --> 00:25:33.400 Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 00:25:34.480 --> 00:25:35.320 Isn't that encouraging? 00:25:35.319 --> 00:25:42.079 When you get to heaven, 00:25:43.439 --> 00:25:48.399 the one thing that is going to be your 00:25:48.399 --> 00:25:52.899 pleasure and your identification is your 00:25:52.899 --> 00:25:54.039 relationship in Christ. 00:25:54.039 --> 00:25:57.960 I will go to heaven because of my 00:25:57.960 --> 00:25:59.139 relationship with Christ. 00:26:00.099 --> 00:26:02.559 I will enjoy eternity because of my 00:26:02.559 --> 00:26:03.819 relationship with Christ. 00:26:04.799 --> 00:26:08.200 And my past, as ugly and as despicable 00:26:08.200 --> 00:26:11.180 as it is, is not the thing that will 00:26:11.180 --> 00:26:12.240 identify me in heaven. 00:26:13.339 --> 00:26:15.579 In fact, in the court of heaven today, 00:26:15.940 --> 00:26:17.159 what it says in the Scripture, 00:26:17.659 --> 00:26:20.559 there is now therefore no condemnation to 00:26:20.559 --> 00:26:22.319 them who are in Christ Jesus. 00:26:24.899 --> 00:26:27.240 I think about the song that Philip 00:26:27.240 --> 00:26:27.960 Bliss wrote. 00:26:28.059 --> 00:26:28.539 He said this, 00:26:28.619 --> 00:26:31.339 My sin, O the bliss of this glorious 00:26:31.339 --> 00:26:34.079 thought, my sin not in part but the whole, 00:26:34.379 --> 00:26:36.960 is nailed to the cross and I bear it no 00:26:36.960 --> 00:26:37.319 more. 00:26:40.519 --> 00:26:41.539 I like that. 00:26:42.679 --> 00:26:43.659 I like that. 00:26:47.319 --> 00:26:48.500 I wonder if you do. 00:26:50.559 --> 00:26:53.099 I wonder if this morning as you get ready 00:26:53.099 --> 00:26:55.299 to come to these elements, you recognize 00:26:55.299 --> 00:26:58.740 that what these elements represent is what 00:26:58.740 --> 00:27:02.539 Jesus Christ did to take away all the guilt 00:27:02.539 --> 00:27:05.319 and all the shame of your sin. 00:27:09.399 --> 00:27:10.519 Can I tell you something? 00:27:13.019 --> 00:27:16.399 The remedy for the great discouragements and 00:27:16.399 --> 00:27:20.500 depressions of our soul is theological. 00:27:20.559 --> 00:27:27.039 It is the fact that in Christ Jesus, 00:27:27.339 --> 00:27:30.779 we who have come to faith in his finished work on 00:27:30.779 --> 00:27:34.559 the cross now can say without hesitation, 00:27:35.200 --> 00:27:38.559 there is now therefore no condemnation. 00:27:38.559 --> 00:27:49.079 I want you to recognize that you and I stood in the place of 00:27:49.079 --> 00:27:55.839 judgment waiting for our execution and the grace of God found us in that 00:27:55.839 --> 00:28:01.539 miserable state and brought us to first of all recognize the darkness and 00:28:01.539 --> 00:28:07.139 bankruptcy of our wickedness and then by his grace gave to us complete forgiveness. 00:28:09.720 --> 00:28:11.039 Does it get better than that? 00:28:12.619 --> 00:28:12.980 No. 00:28:12.980 --> 00:28:22.799 I don't know what bearing it has, but I will tell you as I told my wife this 00:28:22.799 --> 00:28:26.380 morning that I was going to preach on this verse, I said it's my favorite verse. 00:28:26.460 --> 00:28:27.360 She said, no, it's not. 00:28:27.620 --> 00:28:28.259 It's mine. 00:28:28.259 --> 00:28:34.220 And she said, we were sitting there on the porch. 00:28:35.119 --> 00:28:37.779 She said, it's going to be on my tombstone. 00:28:38.879 --> 00:28:40.400 Well, I suppose it'll be on mine too. 00:28:40.400 --> 00:28:47.900 That's a summary. 00:28:48.940 --> 00:28:49.700 Do you understand that? 00:28:50.700 --> 00:28:55.019 There is now therefore no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus. 00:28:57.259 --> 00:29:06.320 So what business does Satan have dragging up all the darkness and bitterness of our past? 00:29:07.259 --> 00:29:07.780 None. 00:29:07.779 --> 00:29:08.339 None. 00:29:09.240 --> 00:29:10.500 Don't entertain that. 00:29:10.639 --> 00:29:11.480 It's not of God. 00:29:13.240 --> 00:29:18.859 So let's think just for a moment and I will tell you that I am going to deal with this issue 00:29:18.859 --> 00:29:23.299 of being in Christ in greater detail at another point. 00:29:24.740 --> 00:29:30.899 Sinclair Ferguson said that it is a truth that most believers don't believe. 00:29:32.200 --> 00:29:33.440 Interesting way of putting it. 00:29:35.359 --> 00:29:36.599 Why are we not condemned? 00:29:37.779 --> 00:29:44.339 Simply, as you look at this passage in Romans, it says, there is now therefore no condemnation 00:29:44.339 --> 00:29:48.000 to them who are in Christ Jesus. 00:29:49.339 --> 00:29:50.180 Hey, listen to me. 00:29:50.980 --> 00:29:54.119 You're either here out or you're in. 00:29:55.319 --> 00:29:56.240 That's the way it is. 00:29:56.240 --> 00:30:05.160 You are either here in a personal relationship with the Lord of glory, the Savior of all mankind, 00:30:05.480 --> 00:30:06.519 or you're not. 00:30:06.519 --> 00:30:20.039 And Paul, as he is addressing this profound theological truth of the issue of our condemnation before a holy God, 00:30:20.039 --> 00:30:30.480 he summarizes the status and the place that we are in with this simple statement of the fact that there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. 00:30:30.480 --> 00:30:33.559 We're not condemned because we're in Christ. 00:30:34.960 --> 00:30:44.940 It's amazing how often Paul uses this phrase, in Christ, in the Lord, in Him, over 160 times. 00:30:44.940 --> 00:30:49.299 And I'm going to refer again to Sinclair Ferguson. 00:30:49.460 --> 00:30:56.120 He said that it may be because Paul recognized this issue of relationship, 00:30:56.700 --> 00:31:06.000 and it was driven home in particular when, as an unbeliever, you remember when Stephen preached to the Sanhedrin, 00:31:06.000 --> 00:31:11.619 the outcome of Stephen's winsome sermon was, what did they do? 00:31:12.059 --> 00:31:13.059 They stoned him. 00:31:14.019 --> 00:31:15.579 And who held the coats? 00:31:17.400 --> 00:31:18.000 Paul. 00:31:19.059 --> 00:31:19.579 Saul. 00:31:20.519 --> 00:31:28.599 Later, as he is on the road to Damascus, and he's kind of trudging along with all kinds of intention of putting the hurt on the early church, 00:31:28.980 --> 00:31:30.880 along comes Jesus and says, what? 00:31:32.019 --> 00:31:34.440 Why are you persecuting me? 00:31:36.000 --> 00:31:38.000 What? 00:31:40.000 --> 00:31:47.339 The link between Stephen and Jesus was hammered home. 00:31:49.039 --> 00:31:56.759 What Paul had done to Stephen had been done actually to Christ. 00:31:58.259 --> 00:31:59.740 Why is that? 00:31:59.740 --> 00:32:06.519 Because Stephen and Christ in communion and relationship. 00:32:08.140 --> 00:32:12.680 And so when you think about this business of being in Christ, what does it really reference? 00:32:13.120 --> 00:32:18.440 It is talking about the fact that those who are believers are in a relationship and a union. 00:32:18.440 --> 00:32:23.279 I wonder whether that just overwhelms you. 00:32:25.220 --> 00:32:28.740 I am in personal relationship with the Lord. 00:32:28.960 --> 00:32:31.740 He is in me and I am in him. 00:32:31.740 --> 00:32:36.920 We are going to get into that in greater detail later. 00:32:37.160 --> 00:32:43.059 But I want you to stop just for a moment this morning and ponder the sweetness of this fact. 00:32:43.620 --> 00:32:54.180 The most precious truth is you, by virtue of your salvation, are in communion and relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:32:54.180 --> 00:32:54.420 Christ. 00:32:55.320 --> 00:32:56.820 It doesn't get better than that. 00:32:58.120 --> 00:32:59.660 It doesn't get better than that. 00:33:01.120 --> 00:33:09.420 And so this morning, I'm going to ask the men to come at this time as we come to the table and we will take these elements, the bread and the cup. 00:33:09.420 --> 00:33:13.039 I want you to think about this verse and I want you to hang on to it. 00:33:13.380 --> 00:33:16.840 And I want it to be something that affects the way you think. 00:33:18.779 --> 00:33:31.100 There is now therefore no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus because of what he did on the cross. 00:33:33.940 --> 00:33:35.080 You're not condemned. 00:33:35.079 --> 00:33:45.960 And what he did on the cross, we remind ourselves of with the bread and the cup.