Romans 7:1-6

Because of Christ we are free of the condemnation that we deserve from the law, we have died to the law.  We live now according to the Spirit instead of the flesh, instead of our sinful nature.  We died to the law so that we might bear fruit for God.

The next step is not just trying harder.  The next step is not just developing more expertise.  The next step is not just reading a book.  The next step is being led and empowered by the Spirit of God.  Like the pilot of an airplane that goes into a stall, you must let go of the controls rather than pulling back on them.  The wind of God will lift you and uphold you but you must first trust him and turn over the controls of your life.

Romans 8:1-4, Galatians 5:22-25

Romans 6:15-23

“Here I am, send me.”  This is at the heart of what it is to follow Christ.  We can either be slaves to sin or we can be slaves to God.  Something will always be our master, even if it is selfishness and pride.  Sin always escalates and it leads to ever increasing wickedness and idolatry.  Our thinking must change from our idols to God if we are to be saved, as Romans 12:1 says, “In view of God’s mercy we must offer ourselves as living sacrifices.”  He is the only one worthy of our worship and honor.  Steward the time you have been given and give your time to Him.

2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 12:1,9-13

Romans 6:11-14

Something is lord of your life … is it God? … is it yourself?  Do not let your body be an instrument of sin, offer it to God instead.  Let it be a weapon of righteousness.  How do we do battle with evil, wickedness and worldliness?  Present ourselves to God.  Take account of what we have to give such as our skills, possessions, relationships and our work.  Offer to go.  To take action.

Matthew 7:12-14, 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, Romans 12:1, Isaiah 6:1-8

Romans 6:1-11

Have you stopped sinning yet?  Your baptism doesn’t mean you can’t sin anymore, but it does mean you don’t have to.  The reality of your baptism is that you have been joined with Christ.  We are joined in death to sin but we are joined in life to God.

Reckon yourselves dead to sin.  If you know little, you will believe little.  If you believe little, you will live little.  But if you know it, then you will live it.

John 20:24-29

He arose from the dead and triumphed over sin!  If we believe this and accept His gift of forgiveness and follow Him we will be saved.  Thomas would not believe until he had seen Jesus for himself.  He was not only dealing with the “intellectual doubt” he was also mired in the disappointment and broken heart he had experienced when his messiah was crucified.  Fear can rob us of joy and hope but if we accept God’s gift our future is taken care of.  We can live resurrection life right now!

John 10:10, Ephesians 2:8-10, John 20:30-31, John 11:25-26

Romans 5:12-21

We are all in Adam and we all have sinned.  At the fall sin and death entered the world and the law simply confirmed man’s sinfulness.  The solution instead is found in Christ, as God made a way for us and allowed us to become a new creation in Him.  Our past is in Adam but our future is overwhelmed with the reality of Christ’s redemption.

Easter is a great opportunity for us to reaffirm our trust and faith in Christ.  He is the deepest truth in our lives.  His love is never wasted.

2 Corinthians 5:17, John 1:12

Isaiah 43:1-3

The faith of Israel was established in exile.  Through the trials and tribulations some stayed faithful and reached the promised land.  Our God is the God who provides and who restores.  He proclaims good news for the poor.  He binds up the brokenhearted.  He proclaims freedom for the captives.  He bestows a crown of beauty instead of ashes, joy instead of morning, praise instead of despair.

We are meant to accompany each other on the path.  To hold on to God’s promises and to have faith that is rooted deeply in the gift of Christ.

Isaiah 61:1-4, Romans 12:15, 1 Peter 1:7, Matthew 6:19-21

Romans 5:9-11

How good is that guarantee when it comes to the latest product or promotion?  God’s guarantees are not like our human examples.  Faith in Jesus assures us of past and future salvation.

How have we been justified in Christ?  Our sin created a debt between us and God.  The perfect righteous payment for sin was made by Christ and is completely undeserved.  God not only wants to justify us, He has also reconciled us to Him and to relationship with Him.  Our future is secured through Him as well.  God’s wrath is real but if we have been reconciled to Him we can be saved from His wrath.

We should take pride in the love that God has for us and what He has done for us … and then share it with others.  We can only imagine what He has in store for us.

Romans 5:1-8

We have hope because “while we were yet sinners” Christ died for us.  We know His love is not based on performance or loveliness, it is not deserved or earned, it is freely given.  With that confidence we can live life differently.  We can rejoice in our affliction as we persevere, build character, and grow in hope.  We can step outside of our comfort zone with courage, faith and confidence.

God can bring life out of death as we give our cares and our sorrows over to Him.

James 1:2-4, 1 Peter 1:6-7, Luke 8:12-15

Romans 5:1-2

What are you afraid of?  Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.  The reality is that we can be reconciled and at peace with God as we are justified by faith.  Peace with God is now possible.

We can become a sacred instrument, consecrated by God for a purpose.  We must first acknowledge our own lives are sacred.  If we are to be used by God we must recommit and devote ourselves to God and come before His throne in humility.

There’s hope, there’s joy, there’s purpose … because he lives I can face tomorrow.

Matthew 10:28, Ephesians 2:1-5, 2 Timothy 2:20-21