October 23, 2022
Sermon Series: Believers Are To Sow The Gospel Seed
Sermon # 12
THE GUARANTEES OF GRACE
Romans 8:1-4; 38-39
Introduction: Every person who has ever lived has tried at some point to overcome some sin using his own strength. But every person has also failed. Success comes only when we see our mortal limits and call upon the One who can make a difference.
ILLUSTRATION:
One day at a local restaurant, four friends met around a table in the corner. Over the years they had developed a good friendship and met to share what was going on in their lives. On this occasion, Jim confessed to his friends that he was having a struggle with his thought-life. “You guys need to pray for me. You would not believe some of the things that are going through my mind.” Bill was the next one to confess a weakness. “I’ve put on 25 pounds in the last 3 months. I eat everything in sight. I just can’t walk away from food. I need help.” Fred was next. I’ve been tempted to go back to drinking. The pull to have a drink has at times been almost irresistible. I don’t know how much longer I can go before I give in. You guys are going to have to watch out for me.
At this point, every man had confessed a weakness and great need for help. Everyone, that is, except Andy, Jim, Bill, and Fred recognized their needs and their shortcomings and were asking God for help. They were at His mercy. Then all eyes fell upon Andy who was squirming in his seat. But Andy, although he had some problems, did not want to be freed from them. In fact, he took pleasure in his vices. Andy is typical of those who would rather surrender to sin than fight its power. He loves darkness rather than the light, because his deeds are evil.
There are many who know right from wrong but do not accept the consequences of continuing to live in sin. Jim, Bill, and Fred are going to make it. They have gone to the only One who can set them free from sin’s power, Jesus Christ. On the other hand, there will always be men like Andy who will search for their own way out of the maze of sin. They will look and fail, look and fail, finally surrendering and subjecting themselves to a life of sin.
Christian people are saved and free from the penalty of death because we have THE GUARANTEES OF GRACE! Let’s look at THE GUARANTEES OF GRACE!
I. GRACE GUARANTEES NO CONDEMNATION v. 1
“Condemnation” is used exclusively in judicial settings as the opposite of justification. It refers to a verdict of guilty and the penalty and that penalty that verdict demands. No sin a believer can commit---past, present, or future---can be held against him, since the penalty was paid by Christ and righteousness was imputed to the believer. And no sin will ever reverse this divine legal decision.
A. “There is therefore now no condemnation”
In the first seven chapters of Romans 8, Paul taught on justification. Since he taught on justification, “There is therefore now no condemnation.”
B. Jesus promised deliverance from condemnation (John 3:17-18)
1. “God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world”
2. “He that believeth on him is not condemned”
C. Rejection of Christ as Savior means continued condemnation (John 3:19)
1. Grace guarantees no condemnation
II. GRACE GUARANTEES NO LEGALIZATION v. 2-4
The Spirit, who was mentioned only once in chapters 1-7, is referred to nearly twenty times in chapter 8.
A. The Spirit frees us from sin and death v. 2-3
B. The Spirit enables us to fulfill God’s law v. 4
C. The Spirit changes our nature and grants us strength for victory over our unredeemed flesh v. 5-13
D. The Spirit has replaced the law that produced only sin and death
1. With a new simple law, that produces life v. 2
2. The law of faith
3. The law of the Spirit of life
E. We can neither be saved nor kept by observing the law
F. Consider the lost Pharisee and the saved publican
1. The Pharisee boasted of his law-keeping but was lost
2. The publican cast himself on God’s grace and was saved
G. The law was a schoolmaster (Tutor) to bring us to Christ (Gal. 3:24)
1. Grace guarantees no condemnation
2. Grace guarantees no legalization
III. GRACE GUARANTEES NO SEPARATION v. 35-39
A. Paul asks a question: “who shall separate us from the love of Christ?”
1. Consider the possibilities: tribulation, distress, persecution
2. There are yet more possibilities: famine, nakedness, peril, the sword
B. Nothing can separate us from the Savior’s love v. 37
C. He will be with us through time, and we with Him for eternity
Does grace abound in your life? Are you free?
ILLUSTRATION:
A preacher of the early 1900s said that when he was 12 years old, he had killed one of the family geese by throwing a stone and hitting it squarely on the head. Figuring his parents wouldn’t notice that one of the 24 birds was missing, he buried the dead fowl. But that evening his sister called him aside and said, “I saw what you did. If you don’t offer to do the dishes tonight, I’ll tell Mother.” The next morning, she gave him the same warning. All that day and the next the frightened boy left bound to do the dishes. The following morning, however, he surprised his sister by telling her it was her turn. When she quietly reminded him of what she could do, he replied, “I’ve already told Mother, and she has forgiven me. Now you do the dishes. I’m free!”
THE GUARANTEES OF GRACE:
1. Grace guarantees no condemnation
2. Grace guarantees no legalization
3. Grace guarantees no separation
Responsive Reading; Romans 8:28-39
Comments