Romans 8:1-8 (NKJV)

8 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live

Romans 8:1-8 (NKJV)

according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

FLIP THE SWITCH

Romans 8:1-8

Electrical Power Distribution4

Light Bulb Example5

Add: electric

al power source

Add: switch

1 Peter 2:5: 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2:5: 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

New Testament Christians have direct relationship with God through Christ

1 Peter 2:5: 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God

Children’s song

Relationship with God

God

Christian

Blessings

Prayers

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Jes

us

Relationship with God

What happens when sin enters the relationship? Similar to the light switch The path is broken

What does this mean? Sin separates us from God Sin (OT): to miss, lead astray,

an offense, a crime, a fault Sin (NT): to miss the mark,

offense, transgress, a fault This is a problem!

God

Christian

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World

Relationship with God

Ideally the switch would always be closed (i.e. perfection, no sin)

That is not possible Romans 3:23: 23 for all have sinned

and fall short of the glory of God, 1 John 1:8, 10: 8 If we say that we

have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

So we know we’re going to fall short Should this stop us from striving to

be sinless? (Romans 6:1-2)

God

Christian

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Jesus’ Sacrifice

Jesus lived a perfect life Destined to be sacrificed for our sins

We talk about the agony of crucifixion Beatings, pain, mocking and ridicule

He didn’t want to go through with it Matthew 26:39: 39 He went a little farther and fell

on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”

Was He worried about the pain and suffering?

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Jesus’ Sacrifice – the greater agony In God there can be no sin

1 John 1:5: 5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.

Yet Jesus (i.e. God (John 1:1)) became sin 2 Corinthians 5:21: 21 For He made Him who

knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Mark 15:34 Christ took on sin and was separated from

God

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Jesus’ Sacrifice – the greater agony Holiness and sin do not mix, they can

not coexist Like poles of a magnet that repel Physical suffering aside, I believe the agony

that Christ experienced was the separation that came with sin

We should view sin the way Christ did/does

We should be holy Ephesians 1:4: 4 just as He chose us in Him

before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,

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What is sin?

Dictionary: transgression of divine law, especially a willful or

deliberate violation of some religious or moral principle; great fault or offense:

Strong’s: Sin (OT): to miss, lead astray, an offense, a crime, a fault Sin (NT): to miss the mark, offense, transgress, a fault

James 4:17: 17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.

Sin is selfishness at the root We need to deny ourselves

Luke 9:23-27 We must be different from the world

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How to reconcile from sin

We’ve established: We can have a relationship with

God We should strive to be holy We all sin, and sin separates

What can we do? How are we reconciled? How can we ever get to heaven? We need to close the switch

somehow

God

Christian

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How to reconcile from sin

For the Christian: 1 John 1:5-10 Romans 8:1 If we are living a life acceptable

to God (i.e. according to Scripture), we are reconciled

For the non-Christian: HBRCBF Romans 6:3-4

God

Christian

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