Freedom Road!

Romans 8:1 CSB

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus,

INTRO—

“FREEDOM!”

The cry of the Hebrew people in Egypt.

The cry of William Wallace in Scotland.

The cry of chattel slaves in America, Britain, & other countries.

The cry of our hearts… as St. Augustine wrote in his Confessions: “Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in thee.”

John 8:32 CSB

You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

John 8:36 CSB

So if the Son sets you free, you really will be free.

This “road now taken” is The Freedom Road! FREEDOM...

From CONDEMNATION (Romans 8.1-4)

We are free to live in Jesus’ presence now & forever!

Because Jesus’ was/is our sin offering.

Leviticus 5:6–7 CSB

He must bring his penalty for guilt for the sin he has committed to the Lord: a female lamb or goat from the flock as a sin offering. In this way the priest will make atonement on his behalf for his sin. “But if he cannot afford an animal from the flock, then he may bring to the Lord two turtledoves or two young pigeons as penalty for guilt for his sin—one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering.

1 John 1:7 CSB

If we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

2 Corinthians 5:17 CSB

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!

From THE FLESH (Romans 8.5-13)

We are free to live rightly, honoring God now & forever!

Contrast = living in the flesh.

Holman New Testament Commentary: Romans B. The New Way: Freedom from Control by the Power of Sin (8:5–14)

James Boice recounts a story from the life of the English abolitionist, William Wilberforce, that illustrates the vacuum of spiritual understanding manifested by those who are devoid of the Spirit. Wilberforce, a strong Christian, had tried unsuccessfully to get his friend, William Pitt the Younger, the prime minister of England, to go and hear the great British preacher Richard Cecil. Pitt was a nominal Christian only, a church member, and Wilberforce thought the preaching of Cecil might awaken saving faith in his friend’s heart.

Finally agreeing to go with Wilberforce, Pitt attended Cecil’s preaching service where the two sat under a powerful and wonderful presentation of the truths of God. Wilberforce was sure that his friend Pitt would sense the truth and embrace it wholeheartedly. But as they left the service, Pitt turned to Wilberforce and said, “You know, Wilberforce, I have not the slightest idea what that man has been talking about.” Boice concludes by saying, “Clearly, Pitt was as deaf to God as if he were a physically dead man” (Boice, 2:808–809).

Galatians 5:19–21 CSB

Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I am warning you about these things—as I warned you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Galatians 5:22–23 CSB

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things.

From ABANDONMENT (Romans 8.14-17)

We are free to live securely trusting our Heavenly Father now & forever!

Ephesians 1:5–6 CSB

He predestined us to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he lavished on us in the Beloved One.

Galatians 4:4–7 CSB

When the time came to completion, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba, Father!” So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then God has made you an heir.

Gaither…Family of God:

I'm so glad I'm a part Of the family of God I've been washed in the fountain Cleansed by His blood Joint heirs with Jesus As we travel this sod For I'm part of the family The family of God

CONCL—

REALLY FREE!

John 8:36 CSB

So if the Son sets you free, you really will be free.

Romans 8:17 CSB

and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.