Our name | Mission | Vision | Leaders Ministries | Schedule | Directions | Contact Home   Gateway Church gathers for worship Sundays at 10:30 a.m. Location: 6425 Jefferson Rd. (Hwy. 129) in Athens, Georgia. For directions, click here. Ministry of the Word: Recent sermons Our quarterly e-magazine Gateway Today For the Gateway family Pastor Jerry's Weekly E-Mail A GATEWAY SERMON SUMMARY AUDIO No more condemnation (first in a series based on sermons by John Wesley) Jerry Varnado, pastor Gateway Church, Athens GA October 2, 2005 Main Scripture text: Romans 8:1-11. In his letter to the Romans, Paul writes about sin -- and about God's righteous judgment of it. But he also says there is a solution to sin and a protection against that judgment: our sins can be forgiven simply by putting our trust in what God has done for us in Jesus Christ. In addition, through Christ we can receive the power needed to overcome sin and live in holiness. "Therefore" -- he says at the beginning of our Romans 8 text -- "there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Condemnation is a legal term which means "to fix the punishment or destiny of one found to be guilty." In our context it refers to God's verdict and sentence rendered in the case of God vs. Humanity. Humanity has been charged with violating the law of God. The verdict: "guilty as charged." The sentence: death. For discussion purposes let's call this "ultimate condemnation." There is another level of condemnation that's temporal in nature. It comes primarily from three sources: 1) The devil; 2) other people; 3) ourselves. But Paul does not make any distinction concerning the source. He simply says, "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." No condemnation of any kind, from any source. So what does "in Christ Jesus" mean? If you've heard the gospel, turned from your sin, and asked Jesus to start running your life, those actions have put you "in Christ Jesus." You have received the Holy Spirit and are no longer under condemnation for your past sins. God has forgiven them and remembers them no more. But are you under condemnation for sins you've committed since you turned to Christ? Absolutely not! God has dealt not only with past sins, He has given us a solution for present sins as well: the blood of Jesus Christ continually cleanses us from all unrighteousness. Paul's term for this is living "according to the Spirit." The Apostle John calls it "walk[ing] in the light." Both terms mean that that we desire and endeavor to walk as Jesus walked. None of us measures up, but as long as our hearts are pure and we're trusting in God's love, mercy, and grace, He keeps us "in Christ Jesus" by continually cleansing us from all sin. It is here that we must learn to distinguish "condemnation" from "conviction." To "convict" means "to find or prove guilty of an offense." To "condemn" has to with issuing a sentence. The voice of conviction comes from God and it says, "Repent and be clean." The voice of condemnation is not from God. It says, "There is no hope. God couldn't love you and certainly can't use you." Here's the biblical truth: If you have turned to Christ, you are a child of God, loved by God, and called to be a saint, which you are by His grace. Listen to these words from our Methodist founder John Wesley: Be of good cheer! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind; he who has promised is faithful and He will do it.... Why should you fear? You have no need to have any "fear that has to do with punishment." Love him who loves you, and it is enough. More love produces more strength. When you love him with all your heart, you will be "mature and complete, lacking in nothing." Wait peacefully for that hour when the God of peace himself will sanctify you entirely; and your spirit and soul and body will be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Supporting texts: Revelation 12:10 | Romans 14:22 | 1 John 1:7- 2:2 | Philippians 1:6 A mp3 audio file of this sermon is here (32:00). (Download to a PC by right clicking on the link and choosing "Save Target As." Mac users: click, hold, and choose "Download Link to Disk." Depending on your connection speed, the file may take several minutes to download.) An audio tape of the sermon summarized above is available free of charge (U.S. requests only). Request a tape by calling or writing the Gateway Church office. Please specify tape number 051002a: No More Condemnation. © 2005 Gerald R. Varnado To the Gateway Church home page How to contact us