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Elements City Church

God Is For You - week 1 (God Freed You: Romans 8:1-4)

God Is For You - week 1 (God Freed You: Romans 8:1-4)

Our identity has an enormous impact on our life. A positive identity can be a source of optimism and strength, while a negative identity can be an equally powerful force holding us back. The good news of this series is that our truest identity is gifted to us, not built by us. It is an identity found—and never lost—in Christ. Romans 8 is regarded by some as the greatest chapter in the Bible. Its 39 verses contain the practical truths and amazing assurance that are foundational to the Christian life. These messages will deepen our understanding of what it means to be a follower of Christ and how God truly sees us and wants to relate with us. We'll explore what it means to walk in our new life in Christ, free from condemnation and separation because of what Jesus accomplished for us. ...You're invited to live with an unshakable hope that GOD IS FOR YOU.

Locations & Times

Elements City Church

1825 N Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ 85712, USA

Sunday 5:00 PM

Thanks for joining us...

Whether you're on-site or online, we are praying that tonight will be an encouragement to you! If you're new, we'd love to have you fill out our connection card.
https://connect-card.com/yr4Y0g8VLBSqzKXeubjb
"For" and "Against" is so much of our world…the tension around us.

Some even go so far to believe that God is against them...

Quote:
"The most insidious lie we can believe about God is that somehow he is against us.” --Mark Batterson

The gospel and entire story of Jesus shouts the opposite reality…
Martin Luther (500 years ago) called Romans chapter 8 the greatest chapter in the entire Bible...

The apostle Paul is resounding some foundational truths from the beginning to the very end of this incredible chapter…
Romans 8 - begins with no condemnation
Romans 8 - ends with no separation

Maybe the summary statement found in verse 31
What shall we say about such wonderful things as these?
If God is for us, who can ever be against us?
In Christ, we are no longer defined by what we’ve done wrong — we are now defined by what Jesus has done right on your behalf!

You’re now HIDDEN IN CHRIST to use another language cue from Apostle Paul in his letters. What is credited to Jesus - is now credited to YOU, because you are with Him and He is with you.
Katakrima == condemnation: to condemn or render a verdict of guilty. A legal decision of guilty in a verdict in a criminal case; with the ensuing punishment understood.

Romans 8:1
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,

NOW == this present moment - this is our present reality.
We no longer stand under God’s condemnation — we’ve been fully forgiven and accepted through what Jesus accomplished for us.

We’re not under God’s condemnation — even if we all still stand under consequences of our actions, choices and decisions.
V3 – sin offering = propitiation —

The cross of Christ was where God poured out his judgment upon humanity’s sins - YOUR sins - my sins. Believers’ sins were imputed to Jesus and God condemned them. That is why there is now no condemnation left for anyone who is in Christ, because the condemnation has already taken place on the cross.
In life we will face consequences, but we do not have to live under condemnation. Jesus has freed us through faith...

Your past can humble you, but God doesn't want your past to haunt you….
Court room scene:

Devil’s the plaintiff – spewing accusations and piling on the guilt until it becomes this encumbering weight of shame…

Jesus is the judge and he simply say’s: NOT GUILTY – FREED!

YOUR PAST DOES NOT DEFINE YOU ANY LONGER… it may humble you, but it doesn’t have ownership rights over you anymore…Jesus set you free.

Thank you to all our financial partners!

Thank you for enabling us to be the Church in our city! Your gifts help fuel the mission of Elements City Church, as well as our capacity to function as a church on a daily basis. You can give online at the link below or through the Elements app.
http://elementscitychurch.org/give
Thanks for worshipping with us tonight! We invite you back next week as our series going through Romans 8, showing us the truth that GOD IS FOR YOU.