Dear Friends,

I am so hoping you can come and be present this Sunday. It will be a Lord’s Supper and a

Baptism in the river after the eleven A.M. service. We need these gatherings together for encouragement, remembrance, and reflection.

We live in a time where shame and condemnation come from without and within. It is hard to feel joy when you feel judged and condemned.

We know the world tries to condemn those who truly live for Christ. The devil is an accuser that continues to condemn.

We even tend to condemn ourselves with relentless and cruel criticism.

How can we rise above this?

Romans 8:11  But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

Romans 8:34  who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.

The Gospel shows us the way to rise above this constant condemning chorus and live joyfully in Christ.

Please, please come and be part of the answer to a life free of condemnation.

Blessings,

Joe

 

Please prepare by planning to come and praying for the services. Please prayerfully consider the following questions and scriptures. take time to discuss these questions with others if you can. Make at least one contact to invite someone to come.

Please answer the questions and look up the scripture.

 

What is the difference between condemnation and the conviction of the Holy Spirit?

 

In what settings do you feel most condemned?

 

How can religion add to condemnation?

 

Why is condemnation so destructive to our souls?

 

How has the Gospel helped you overcome self-condemnation?

Romans 8:1-2 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.

 

What does it mean to be in Christ?

2 Corinthians 5:17  Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

 

How does the death and resurrection of Jesus set us free from condemnation?

Romans 8:31-34 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32  He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? 33  Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; 34  who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us.

 

How do the world and the devil tempt us away from this fact?

Revelations 12:10  Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night.

 

How should faith in the gospel change your self-talk?