No More, No More! #294

Romans 8:1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3 For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Probably no passage of scripture is any more concise than these first four verses of Romans 8 in describing the Gospel. Key words associated with the Gospel stand out in these scriptures.

First is the phrase, “Now no condemnation.” To be condemned means to be guilty, accountable, responsible and judged. The Bible declares the great truth of the Gospel that in Christ there is “NO CONDEMNTION.” That means that you are no longer guilty, no longer accountable, no longer judged or condemned, but the truth is that in Christ you have been set free. Other scriptures tell us we are free from all things. Here the specific freedom deals with the demands of the Law of Moses. The Spirit of Christ has set you free from the law of sin and death brought about by the demands of the Law of Moses.

How was that possible? It became reality when God sent Jesus, His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh as an offering for sin. Jesus paid for our sin nature on the cross. He condemned sin in the flesh, His own flesh, in order that the requirement of the Law of Moses would be fulfilled. No one ever was able to do that except Jesus.

Your walk is no longer a walk of condemnation for sins and your sin nature but a walk in the Spirit of God. God’s Holy Spirit within makes it possible for the requirements of the Law of Moses to be fulfilled in you by the Christ who is in you.   
 ___________________Today's personal note from Dennis

Greetings from Starbucks in beautiful Tempe, AZ

Often I have encouraged people to use the Spiritual Gifts that God has given them in service to the Lord and His Church and to a world of needful people. I believe when you do you receive great joy. The root word for both gift and grace is CHARA which is the Greek word for joy. When by God's grace you express your gift you receive joy. I was the recipient of such JOY this past Sunday. I got out of the hospital at noon on Saturday. My Jewish Doctor said as he dismissed me, "You can now preach at your church tomorrow." Nothing could have pleased me more. I did preach on Sunday. Joy flooded my soul as I shared the passage in Revelation 19:11-17. (listen to it on the Web at   http://fbctempe.sermons.io/speakers/dennis-wood

Joy is a great thing. It is a fruit of God's Spirit. 

Sandy and I are anticipating more guests in the next few weeks. Her brother's daughter, Meredith and husband, Brandon are coming to spend a few days. We so look forward to their visit. Also Don and Tommie Tuttleton are coming our way. It will be their first long distance RV experience. They are the couple who spent a month with us during my critical health issues in 2009. They are special folks. Sandy decided the guest bathroom needed a remodel. So out came the paint rollers. I was too sick to help much so she enlisted Burke who was on Spring Break to help. They had a Grammie and Grandson bonding time, while getting covered with paint. I must say they did a great job. 

We are planning for some camping with the family this summer. Arizona is a great place to visit in the winter, but a great place to leave in the summer. At least escaping to northern AZ is a good idea. 

Our grandson, Bennett, will be singing Saturday afternoon with the ALL STATE CHORUS at Gammage Auditorium on the campus of Arizona State University. He is a gifted vocalist. Of course it is true even if I am a bit prejudiced. 

Sandy continues to teach her Young Mom's Bible Study on the Book of Esther. We are both getting acquainted with not only the young moms but their husbands and children. What a JOY.

Every week I look forward to preaching in the INTERSECT SERVICE in the LOFT at First Baptist Church. The congregation is growing and is very responsive. Each week we have guests. We will continue in the Book of Revelation for another month or so. 

It has been a rich study. It has been a personal challenge for me. 

I do hope you are doing well. I so appreciate your prayers and concerns. Thanks for the emails. I am praying that you will have JOY!!  Blessings.  ~ DGW