We welcome you to Stone's Hill today!

A typical Stone's Hill service has:

* music (so feel free to sing out);

* some announcements (things that are upcoming that you can be a part of);

* a message out of the Bible (God speaks to us through his Word);

* and an opportunity for you to respond to the message (either immediately in the case of a decision that needs to be made OR in the future as you live out the message in your daily life.)

So relax and enjoy your morning! We're so glad you are here!

MESSAGE TEXT
Romans 8:1-4
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INTRODUCTION
Remember the flow of Romans. Paul is presenting the truth of justification by grace through faith in the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is a whole book dedicated to explaining the meaning of salvation by grace through faith. We have been told already in Romans that: we are all sinful – “There is none righteous, not even one” (3:10); we have – “no excuse” (2:1); “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (3:23); “the wages of sin is death” (6:23); our propensity to sin wraps around us like a rotting corpse (7:24). Then, in the last verse of chapter 7, we are faced with the reality that sin will continue to war against us in our flesh. It wouldn’t surprise us if the next verse read, “Therefore there is guaranteed condemnation to everyone, even those who claim to know Jesus Christ.” But Paul says “No condemnation.” Pastor Stephen Davey calls it “The Kings Pardon.”
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Recently, we’ve heard or read about a number of presidential pardons. Those who have committed criminal acts are set free and cannot be charged with those crimes. Some of these pardons are controversial, and we won’t go there. However, there is a pardon that the Book of Romans talks about that everyone needs and can personally receive. Christ provided the grounds for this pardon to take place. Romans chapters 1-7 lays all of this out. But Romans 8:1-2 state’s the conclusion. Chapter 8 of Romans begins with no condemnation and ends with no separation. Eugene Peterson (The Message) calls condemnation “a continuous, low-lying black cloud” which Paul says no longer hangs over us. I’ve come to Romans 8 again and again when I’ve been discouraged or depressed. I don’t see how you can read Romans 8 and remain down. If you struggle with guilt, read Romans 8. If you struggle with sin, read Romans 8. If you’re going through trials, read Romans 8. If you don’t know how to pray, read Romans 8. If you’re struggling with assurance of your salvation, read Romans 8.
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PROPOSITION
Romans 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus
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Let’s make a closer inspection of this verse by taking note of five key words or phrases that grant you eternal pardon. Sometimes a friend will ask “What’s the good word?” Well, there are five of them related to God’s pardon (with help from Stephen Davey).
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Word of summary
Word of safety
Word of certainty
Word which demands substitution
Word of security
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CONCLUSION
The Spirit comes into our life, shows us these two things, and applies them to our hearts.

The first thing we see is Jesus died for me; therefore, there’s something seriously wrong with me.

The second thing is Jesus died for me; therefore, I am more valuable than I ever imagined because of the incredible and profound and ultimately infinite price God paid for me.

The way you get into this special status of “in Christness” is to freely receive Him and His work on your behalf.

This makes us a debtor to him. So we live for him not to be saved but to express a gratitude for a salvation already provided if we will but accept and receive Him.

Lord Jesus, I completely surrender 2025 to you. All 365 days are yours. All 52 weeks are yours. All 12 months are yours. All 525,600 minutes are yours. All 31,536,000 seconds are yours. All my money is yours. All my devotion is yours. All my talents are yours. All my energy is yours. My social media is yours. My ministry is yours. My businesses are yours. I am yours. My heart is yours. My mind is yours. My strength is yours. Divinely guide me to help as many people as I can in 2025. Jesus I love you. Amen!