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 Distribution 4

Light Bulb Example 5 Add: electrical 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.  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 6 Jesus

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 7 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 8

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? 9

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 10

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, 11

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 12

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 13

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 14