Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for
those who are in Christ Jesus.
I am beginning to teach from Romans 8 this week, and I love this passage as much as any in scripture. As I began to write on the opening verses of this chapter on Monday I found myself musing on this theme of "No Condemnation". It's two very powerful words to hang on to.
Anyone who decides to follow Jesus is going to find themselves struggling at times. Sin is our perpetual struggle and it's much easier to see that sin when we are earnestly seeking to be a disciple of Jesus. But, we are not called to rules and following a recipe for goodness. No, we are called to a relationship, and like all relationships there are ups and downs. Try as we may we will never be perfect.
So, at the beginning of 2014, let's not make resolutions of grandeur that are destined for failure. Instead, let's rest in a gracious, loving relationship with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
On Sunday I'll share much more on this, but late in the message I'm going to take our fellowship back to this story Jesus tells that we call the "Prodigal Son"...but might be better called "the Great Father". This is the picture I'd like you to hang on to when you discover your own brokenness and failures...This is a New Year Promise I want to keep before me. This is worth a New Year Day's Celebration.
Luke 15:11-24,
11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons.
12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them.
13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living.
14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need.
15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs.
16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.
17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger!
18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.
19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’
20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.
21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.
23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate.
24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.
Peace
I am beginning to teach from Romans 8 this week, and I love this passage as much as any in scripture. As I began to write on the opening verses of this chapter on Monday I found myself musing on this theme of "No Condemnation". It's two very powerful words to hang on to.
Anyone who decides to follow Jesus is going to find themselves struggling at times. Sin is our perpetual struggle and it's much easier to see that sin when we are earnestly seeking to be a disciple of Jesus. But, we are not called to rules and following a recipe for goodness. No, we are called to a relationship, and like all relationships there are ups and downs. Try as we may we will never be perfect.
So, at the beginning of 2014, let's not make resolutions of grandeur that are destined for failure. Instead, let's rest in a gracious, loving relationship with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
On Sunday I'll share much more on this, but late in the message I'm going to take our fellowship back to this story Jesus tells that we call the "Prodigal Son"...but might be better called "the Great Father". This is the picture I'd like you to hang on to when you discover your own brokenness and failures...This is a New Year Promise I want to keep before me. This is worth a New Year Day's Celebration.
Luke 15:11-24,
11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons.
12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them.
13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living.
14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need.
15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs.
16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.
17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger!
18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.
19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’
20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.
21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.
23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate.
24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.
Peace
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