05 Life Encounter: It's Freedom Series

In the middle of the Great Depression, New York City mayor, Fiorello LaGuardia, strived to live with the people. It was not unusual for him to ride with the firefighters, raid with the police, or take field trips with orphans. On a bitterly cold night in January of 1935, the mayor turned up at a night court that served the poorest ward of the city. LaGuardia dismissed the judge for the evening and took over the bench himself. Within a few minutes, a tattered old woman was brought before him, charged with stealing a loaf of bread. (8 cents/loaf) She told the mayor that her daughter’s husband had left, her daughter was sick, and her two grandchildren were starving.

However, the shopkeeper, from whom the bread was stolen, refused to drop the charges. "It’s a real bad neighborhood, your Honor," the man told the mayor. "She’s got to be punished to teach other people around here a lesson."

LaGuardia sighed. He turned to the woman and said, "I’ve got to punish you. The law makes no exceptions. Ten dollars or ten days in jail." Even as he pronounced sentence, the mayor was already reaching into his pocket. He extracted a bill and tossed it into his famous hat, saying, "Here is the ten dollar fine which I now remit; and furthermore I am going to fine everyone in this courtroom fifty cents for living in a town where a person has to steal bread so that her grandchildren can eat. Mr. Baliff, collect the fines and give them to the defendant."

The following day, New York City newspapers reported that $47.50 (Average Wadge = $30 wk) was turned over to a bewildered woman who had stolen a loaf of bread to feed her starving grandchildren. Fifty cents of that amount was contributed by the grocery store owner himself, while some seventy petty criminals, people with traffic violations, and New York City policemen, each of whom had just paid fifty cents for the privilege of doing so, gave the mayor a standing ovation.

Romans 8:34KJV

34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

v. 33 -“lay any thing to the charge” - To Accuse

v. 34 - “Condemneth” - to judge, to damn

Mk 16:18 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned (Same Word)

Romans 8:1KJV

1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. > John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God

❶. The Attorney’s Case

The accusing whisper comes —

1. “I have sinned against a great God.”

- “It is Christ that died.”

2. “I have robbed God of His glory.”

- “Christ has died,” and has brought the glory back

3. “I have sinned willfully!”

- Jesus willingly died for me, the willful sinner.

4. “I have sinned with delight.”

- My Lord delighted to come to be my Savior.

5. “I have refused Christ & trusted others.”

- Christ always would always have me.

❷. The Attorney’s Duty.

It is —

1. To study the prisoner’s case, and understand it thoroughly.

2. To be passionate for the accused

3. To stand and plead his cause.

4. To obtain his deliverance.

— Christ does all this.

❸ The Attorney’s Defense

Four Reasons Why I Cannot Be Condemned.

1. “It is Christ that died.”“

— “It is Christ that died.”

1. He died fulfilling Scripture

Luke 24:25-27KJV

25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: 26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? 27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

2. He Died to Pay Sin’s Penalty.

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

3. He died demonstrating God’s love to a lost world

Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

4. He Died To save sinners.

1 Cor 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

2. It Is Christ That Rose Again

— “Yea rather, that is risen again”

(1) Christ really did rise