No Excuses

Romans 8:38-39

Romans 8:38–39 KJV 1900

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Recap

No Condemnation

Romans 8:1-11

We spoke about how the Law could not save

We spoke about our inability to live the law

We spoke about letting go of the past and moving on

We spoke about why just because we cannot in ourselves live for God that we can’t just give up

Today we will speak a bit on why

Romans 8:12–13 NLT

Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live.

I used NLT here for clarity and understanding but NLT it does not always have the same weight of other translations

ESV & KJV use stronger language.

Romans 8:12–13 ESV

So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

We as Christians are in debt to live after the spirit.

1 Corinthians 6:19–20 “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.”

We are required but do not have the power in ourselves to do it

So again we may be tempted to say “I am only human”

and in one sense that is correct

But that is where Christ comes in and gives us the power to live after the spirit.

Romans 8:14 ESV

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

I think that we as Christians we forget our position in God

We (through Christ) are sons of God

We have an authority over our lives and flesh given to us by God

We all remember the parable of the Parodical Son

Luke 15:11–32 ESV

“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.” ’ And he arose and came to his father.

So many time we as Christians stop here mentally.

I have no right to call you father, just let me be as one of your servant's

But God as our true father does not accept that.

Luke 15:11–32 ESV

But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.

He forgave him and brought him back home

Note these things

1. In the fathers eyes the son was always the son even when he left

2. The father did not accept him back into the family he was always family

3. The father did not require some great proof of the change in his son’s heart he took him back

4. The father treated him as if he never left

Romans 8:15–17 NLT

So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.

Let me read that passage again

You are not slaves of God, trying to please him like a master

He is already pleased with you as his child

YOU! are a Child of God!

Some of you need to learn to act like it.

We fail many times because we do not live like who we really are

Hold your head up high - not in pride but in acceptance of who you are in God!

Don’t be afraid to succeed.

Coach Carter

2005 - Thomas Carter

Richmond High School

"Our Deepest Fear" by Marianne Williamson

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate,

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure

It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us

We ask ourselves who am I to be

Brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God

Your playing small does not serve the world.

There's nothing enlightened about shrinking

So that other people won't feel insecure around you

We are all meant to shine, as children do.

We were born to make manifest

the glory of God that is within us

It's not just in some of us it's in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine,

We unconsciously give other people permission

To do the same

As we are liberated from our own fear,

Our presence automatically

Liberates others.

So who will you be today?

I can’t be a child of God I have done X

I can’t live for God because of X weakness

I can’t be free because I can never forgive myself

I can’t succeed, you have no idea how many times I have failed

To God those are all just excuses

The alter is open and he is ready to forgive you and bring you home

God says “My grace is sufficient”, “Come to me and I will give you rest”

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

You have only failed if you stop trying