01 The Verdict Is In Series

A few weeks ago, I found myself in a courtroom. Not exactly how I planned to spend my morning.

It all started with something small. My birthday’s in February, which means a few of our vehicles have registration renewals due by the end of that month. You’d think that would help me remember.

One of our vehicles had an expired tag—just by a few days. It was March 3rd, to be exact—only three days past! But that little sticker caught the attention of a local police officer. And instead of a warning (I mean, come on, it was only 3 days) … but instead of warning, we got a court date. Let’s just say ... I wasn’t thrilled.

So, of course, the next day I go to the courthouse to get the registration renewed. While I was at the counter, the woman helping me looked up and said, “Would you like to go ahead and renew the one that expired back in August?” August! Are you kidding me?!

So much for being salty about “only 3 days”! Apparently, I’d been a rolling violation for over six months—and had no idea. I’m starting to think maybe I shouldn’t be the one in charge of registrations anymore.

So there we were—standing in a courtroom, owning a mistake I hadn’t even realized I made. And all we could do was present the proof that the issue had been resolved. I wasn’t exactly sure what would happen next. I mean, I knew I wasn’t going to jail, but would there be a fine, court costs, traffic school, community service hours?! The judge looked over the paperwork and said two simple words: “Case dismissed.” We were free to go.

But here’s what hit me in all of this: I had broken the law—even if it was unintentional. I was guilty. And I had to show up in court to answer for it. But once the issue was resolved and the debt was covered, the verdict changed. The guilt was gone. The case was closed. The weight was lifted.

And in a much deeper, much more eternally significant way—that’s exactly what we see in the opening verses of Romans chapter 8. We are all guilty. We have all broken God’s law; whether we realize it or not. And we have no defense. But then came Jesus.

Here’s the core truth I want us to take home today: Through Christ, our guilt is gone and our freedom has come. And this truth is just the beginning. It is just scratching the surface of this chapter.

Today we’re launching into a new series of messages that will take a deep dive into Romans chapter 8—arguably one of the most powerful, hope-filled chapters in all of Scripture. This entire chapter flows out of the bold declaration that opens it: “No condemnation.” That’s the heartbeat of this series.

In Christ, we are no longer bound by guilt or shame–we are set free. In Christ, we are led by the Spirit. Adopted as sons and daughters. Anchored in a hope that endures every trial. And nothing—absolutely nothing—can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

That’s where we’re headed over the next six weeks. And it all begins with a verdict that changes everything.

Let’s read these opening verses together: The verdict is in! Follow along with me. Romans chapter 8, beginning at verse 1 …

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

For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

The Apostle Paul begins this chapter with …

I. A Verdict Delivered (Romans 8:1-2)

Paul opens Romans 8 like a trumpet blast: “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” After all the struggle described in chapter 7—the weight of sin, the weakness of the flesh, the cry for rescue: “Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free …” (Romans 7:24)–he now announces that the verdict is in: No condemnation. Not less condemnation. Not temporary relief. Not "we'll revisit your case in six months." No condemnation—period.