The Verdict

THE VERDICT

Text: Romans 3

YOU HAVE THE FATE OF YOUR LIFE IN YOUR HANDS

3 Things people are guilty of (3 of many):

1. Murder - Not the type that you and I normally think about.

If we think it’s wrong, why do we do it?

1st Degree Murder - Hurting with intention of killing

3rd Degree Murder - Hurting without the intention of killing

REGRETTING SOMETHING DOES NOT DECLARE YOU INNOCENT

BEING SORRY DOES NOT DECLARE YOU TO BE NOT GUILTY!

We murder peoples:

1. Self Esteem

2. Dreams

3. Goals

4. Fantasies

5. Heart

6. Parents

7. Friends

The more we show that we’re murderers, the less people will want to be like us...

ITS TIME WE SHOW A DIFFERENCE

JUDE: Build each other on your holy faith...we need to be as Pastor Ron talked about BODY BUILDERS of Christ..

ARE YOU GUILTY

2. Destruction Follows you

Everywhere you go, things don’t seem to go your way

You’re not putting your faith in everything BUT God

You’re spending time doing things you shouldn’t even be doing...

God wants the best to follow you:

Psalm 23 - Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life

Some contemplate suicide

Some contemplate other things

What do you see when you look over your shoulder? Do you see pain, agony, hurt, defeat...from the past or in the present? God wants to declare you free from that tonight!

Why are you looking back instead of forward?

Why are you putting hope and faith in everything but God?

Why are you running away from instead of to God?

ARE YOU GUILTY?

This next one will hit many of you hard. 3. NO caring of God’s Heart

Are you guilty of this tonight?

Psalm 119 says that I have hidden YOUR Word in my heart that I may not sin against you

God’s Word has become nothing more than a hassle that you have to do because you feel bad if you don’t...

God’s Services have become nothing more than a time for you to come somewhere so that you can feel better that you’ve gotten your daily dosage of church...

HAVE YOU HAD AN EXPERIENCE?

This is what this guilty person needs...

God’s heart is: TO KNOW HIM MORE

God’s heart is: TO BRING PEOPLE TO KNOW HIM MORE

God’s heart beats for: YOU

ARE YOU GUILTY OF THIS TONIGHT?

Transition:

Here’s our judge...let’s welcome him tonight...give it up...actually don’t...just watch...

JESUS CHRIST THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD

Here’s our judge...

John 3:17 - For THIS JUDGE has not come into the world to condemn it, but that through HIM, THIS JUDGE, the world might be saved.

This judge:

1. Takes our sin - The Bible says He washes it as white as snow...as far as the east is from the west...Psalm 103:12

2. Is fair and just - He’ll not punish you more or less than you deserve, He’ll take Your punishment for you

3. Is always there: Hebrews 13:5 - He’ll never leave you, and never forsake you...He’ll always be there, FOR YOU!

Some of you have the fate of your life in your own hands tonight...will you allow this judge to declare you free or condemned...it’s your choice...Why just survive when you can thrive?