No Condemnation

Ro 8:1-4 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

We are no longer under the Law to keep it, but under grace to live holy in Christ! Paul made three statements about the Christian and the Law, all of these declare—“NO CONDEMNATION!":

The Law Cannot Claim You (v2)!

When we accepted Christ the Spirit imparted to us new life! That life being “Christ in you, the hope of glory!" (Colossians 1:27b). Paul wrote in Galatians 2:20—“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Now because I am “in Christ Jesus" the Spirit enables me to live free because sin and death no longer have dominion over me! We read in Hebrews 2:14-15—“Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” We must walk daily in our freedom and not voluntarily put ourselves in bondage to the flesh (Galatians 5:16). The Law no longer has any jurisdiction over my life because I am dead to the Law (Romans 7:4) and free from the Law (Romans 8:2)!

The Law Cannot Condemn You (v3)!

The Law was useful in that in showed us our transgression! The Law’s purpose is given to us in Galatians 3:24-25—“Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.” But when Christ came He suffered condemnation for us on the Cross! Galatians 3:13 tells us—“Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.” Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:21—“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” The Law could not save; it could only condemn. Galatians 3:10 says—“For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.” Christ came to do for us what no other man could do! (Romans. 5:8). He came from Heaven, took upon Him the robe of flesh and died on Calvary for all men! All this was done all according to God’s perfect will and plan (Galatians 4:4-5). In our judicial system we have a law of "double jeopardy". It states that a man cannot be tried for twice for the same crime. Since Jesus Christ paid the penalty for our sins and we are "in Christ", the Law cannot condemn us! Hebrews 10:12, 14 tells us—“But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God; For by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified.”

The Law Cannot Control You (v4)!

We live a holy life not in the power of the Law, but by the power of the Holy Spirit! We read in Galatians 5:24-25—“And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” The Law cannot produce holiness; It's purpose is to convict of sin. 1 Timothy 1:8-10 tells us—“But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine.” Hebrews 10:1 speaking of the Law says—“For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.” By the indwelling of the Holy Spirit we are enabled to walk in obedience to God's Will! Thus the righteousness that God demands in His Law is fulfilled in us by the working of God's Spirit! Paul said in Colossians 1:29—“Whereunto I also labor, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.” One who tries to live godly in the power of the flesh will fail! But we, who are Spirit-led believers, MUST ALLOW the Holy Spirit to do the work of sanctifying our lives daily! (Philippians 2:13).

Eternal Values

Mark 8:33-38

Mark 8:33 But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.

Do we live for time or for eternity? Many people live for time trying to get all they can and keep all they get with little thought of eternal values.
In this passage of scripture, Peter failed concerning the eternal. In verse 33, Jesus told him, ...thou savourest not the tings that be of God, but the things that be of man. What are the greatest things in life that we should dedicated ourselves to as we focus on eternity?

I. God wants us to be close to Him.

There are two important invitations from the Lord.
A. God's invitation to us is come unto me. This is Conversion.
Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
B. God's second invitation to us is come after me. This is Closeness.
Matthew 8:34 And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.
Many seek salvation but once they are saved, they are reluctant to get close to the Lord. We must be dedicated to getting close to Him.

II. God wants us to be changed.

A. The change requires that we must deny ourselves.
B. The child of God must never demand their rights, but rather delight in knowing and serving Him.
C. The child of God should have this attitude I must decrease but he must increase.
John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

III. God wants us to be conformed.

A. If we are to be conformed to the image of Christ, we must take us our cross and follow him.
Ro 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
B. When we do this, we will identify with the sufferings of Christ.
Mark 8:31 And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

IV. God wants us to be committed.

A. We must follow him.
B. As we follow the Lord, we must surrender self-will to the Holy Spirit's will.
Mark 8:35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.

It is not important what we want, but what He wants for our lives.

10 Reasons I Love the Church

Here are 10 reasons why I love God’s house:

1. I Love The Church Because It Is A Place That God Loves - Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.

2. I Love The Church Because It Is A Place Of Worship - Psalms 5:7 But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.

3. I Love The Church Because It Is A Place Of Preaching And Teach God’s Word - 1 Timothy 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

4. I Love The Church Because It Is A Place Where God’s People Gather - Psalms 55:14 We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.
(The greatest people on earth are there!)

5. I Love The Church Because It Is a Place Where Sinners Are Both Sought And Loved - Luke 14:23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.Matthew 9:10 And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.

6. I Love The Church Because It Is God’s Instrument For World Evangelism - 1 Thessalonians 1:6-8 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God–ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.

7. I Love The Church Because It Was There That I Heard The True Gospel Preached And Was Gloriously and Eternally Saved – Luke 18:10, 13-14 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican … And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

8. I Love The Church Because It Is A Place Of Comfort And Spiritual Joy - Psalms 122:1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.

9. I Love The Church Because It Is An Encouragement Filling Station - 2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

10. I Love The Church Because It Is Just A Little Bit Of Heaven On Earth - Psalms 84:1-12 How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts! My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah. Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them. Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools. They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God. O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah. Behold, O God our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed. For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.

More on Friends

ADVICE ON THE SELECTION OF FRIENDS

A. PEOPLE YOU DO NOT WANT AS FRIENDS...

1. Gossips - Pr 20:19
2. Short-tempered - Pr 22:24-25
3. Those given to drinking and gluttony - Pr 23:20-21
4. Those given to change - Pr 24:21-22
5. Liars, those untrustworthy, and those inconsiderate - Pr 25:18-20
6. Those given to violence - Pr 1:10-19

B. THE SORT OF FRIENDS YOU WANT...

1. Those who display wisdom themselves - Pr 13:20
2. For their counsel will help lead you in the right way - Pr 13:14

As Paul said, the wrong kind of friends can be a corrupting influence 1 Co 15:33; but a friend who is good and wise is one you want to hold on to!

A Friend

Bro Clarence Sexton preached a tremendous message on friends at Marion Avenue Baptist Church on Tuesday the 22nd. After hearing it I started doing some studying along that thought and this is the first outline that has come so far. I may post others as the Lord gives them to me.

Gen 18

Abraham is called “the friend of God” (James 2:23; 2 Chron 20:7; Isa. 41:8).
Genesis 18 is a picture of two friends having an intimate discussion.

Qualities that characterize this friendship in the chapter:

1. Friends enjoy companionship together (vs. 1-8). Fellowship Ge 18:1-8 And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day; And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground, And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant: Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree: And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said. And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth. And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetcht a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it. And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat.

2. Friends care for each other’s needs (v. 3). Serve each other.

3. Friends confide in each other (v. 17). Friends know each other (v. 19).

4. Friends are close (v. 22). They “draw near” to each other.

5. Friends are concerned for each other’s testimony (v. 25).

6. Friends concur with each other—are in agreement (vs. 23-32).

7. Friends are charitable with each other—Love is patient (v. 32).