I. Realization  v.1-4 – There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus    * Living according to your flesh always comes with condemnation    * Having experienced condemnation from when we weren’t in Christ our natural habit is to play the old tapes or let the enemy play them for us    * The Law of sin – Behavior to become – This law was weak because it could not… Continue reading

I. The Problem Identified  v.14 – This is usually taught as a battle of two natures warring against each other – But that is not what the passage is teaching – The author begins by identifying the spiritual and the flesh – This is where the conflict lies:         * The Law is spiritual        * I am of flesh – The belief that I can simply achieve spiritual… Continue reading

I. They Are Dedicated to the Lord – We pick up with the story of Elkanah, Hannah, and their son – 1 Samuel 1:27-28 – They had prayed for him – Their prayer was unselfish, because when they received him they dedicated him to the lord – Selfless prayers! – His dedication was for a lifetime, not just for a moment – The boy worshiped God – His parents influenced his relationship with the Lord… Continue reading

I. An Abiding Heart  Luke 2:15-20 – In this passage there were 2 different reactions to what the shepherds said   * All but Mary wondered – a feeling of surprise mingled with admiration, caused by something beautiful, unexpected, unfamiliar, or inexplicable.   * Mary pondered – think about (something) carefully, especially before making a decision or reaching a conclusion – They were moved by it, she engaged it – An abiding heart… Continue reading

I. The Law & Sin  v.7-8 – So, how are the law and sin related? – Since sin can be defined as breaking the law – Is the law sin? – May it never be -If not how does this work? – The law revealed our sinfulness – We didn’t know something was wrong until God defined it as wrong – Then our sin nature was drawn to it – So, Paul gives us… Continue reading

I. How Relationships Work  v.1-3 – Or do you now know – In other words the knowledge he is about to share with us will make a difference in our lives – He begins by talking to those who have knowledge of the law (those under it) – The law has jurisdiction over a person as long as they live  – This is significant – Then he paints the picture of marriage to explain his point:… Continue reading

I. Who is Your Authority?  v.15-16 – This passage addresses the question, does grace provide us with the opportunity to sin all we want?-No! Why?-He answers this question with a question    * Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience you are slaves of the one whom you obey -Sin resulting in death -(death) Miss out on what God has for us (life)-Obedience resulting in righteousness –… Continue reading

I. Just Say No  v.12 – So as a result of our freedom in Christ we have victory over sin, but to embrace that reality in our daily lives we must refuse to let sin reign in our mortal bodies –   This is the key for truth to become experience    * Reign-To have ongoing or constant authority over something-ie. kings    * Mortal Body – Flesh (not sin nature) – If you… Continue reading

I. You Are Free from Sin  v.1-7 – Is it ok for us to sin because we know God’s grace has taken care of it? Obviously not, but why? The case Paul makes here is not based on the wrongness of sin, but on who we are in Christ – Lets follow his argument – How can we who died to sin still live in it? -Not shouldn’t, it’s not possible    * (He explains) –… Continue reading

I. A Heavenly Picture (Isa 6:1-4)      – Here Isaiah who was the cup bearer to the king (exp) shares the vision of what        he saw in heaven – This is the Jesus who came for us        * Seated on a lofty and exalted throne in the Temple-No average throne, No average King        * The train of His robe filling the Temple – In ancient… Continue reading