Easter 2026
CONDEMNED NO MORE!
The Weekend that Changed the World
Texts: Romans 8:1; Galatians 4:4-5
Romans 8:1 is “good news” that almost feels more like “positive news,” which makes us thankful and appreciative but does not overwhelm us with its magnitude. In other words, Romans 8:1 does not shake the foundations of our lives or cause us to respond with such joyful celebration that the world stops and wonders what just happened to us!
However, the good news in this verse raises important, though somewhat troubling, questions that we must answer. We need to decide whether Paul (and the God who inspired his writing) is trustworthy. Are we willing to accept the answers he gives, or will we argue against them?
Put differently: Do we trust God to tell us hard truths that lead to life-changing good news?
I. WHAT IS ________________?
II. ________________DOES GOD ________________PEOPLE?
- Is it true – does He really do this?
- Why does God impose such a severe penalty for one solitary sin?
- Is God just to impose this severe penalty on people not physically present when Adam sinned?
III. DOES THIS CONDEMNATION ________________________________?
Listen to the weight of Paul’s words: “As it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; 11 no one understands; no one seeks for God. 12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” 13 “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.” 14 “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” 15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16 in their paths are ruin and misery, 17 and the way of peace they have not known.” 18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” (Romans 3:10-18) And everyone is like this!
- I am a sinner by birth
- I am a sinner by nature
- I am a sinner by choice
And even a law system as holy and righteous and good as the one God gave to Moses can’t help us – all it can do is expose our sin, pronounce judgment against us, and call for the judge to condemn us to death for our crimes against humanity and even more, for our crime against God!
IV. IS THERE A ________________?
In Romans 4, Paul introduces a man guilty of adultery, murder, deceit, and giving false witness against his neighbor—all of which stemmed from his covetous desire to have that man’s wife. That man was King David. His story reminds us that no matter who we are or how high we rise in the kingdom, we must appear before God and give an account for our deeds!
In a remarkable turn of events, David not only received forgiveness but was also declared righteous by God Himself! He expressed this with the words: “Blessed are those whose lawless sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin!” (4:7-8) Nor was this limited to David. Many others like him have also been forgiven. Listen to Paul’s words – “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ! 5:1.”
V. HOW DID THIS ________________?
The sentence was death; the solution is a substitute!
- God designed a plan to deliver us from condemnation (Gal 4:4-5)
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. - Jesus executed that plan by dying in our place (Romans 5:6-10)
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for (in place of) the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (on our behalf as our substitute). 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
- Jesus suffered the unthinkable for the unworthy because we were truly guilty of unforgivable sins! And He took the penalty for those sins in our place to satisfy the justice of God so mercy could triumph over judgment!
VI. WHAT ________________TO THESE PEOPLE?
Galatians 4:5–6 God sent forth his son . . . to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!”
- Judicially, they are declared fully righteous (justified) because God has credited Christ’s righteousness to their account!
- Positionally, they have been given permanent citizenship in the kingdom of Grace and granted unrestricted access to the One sitting on the Throne of Grace!
- Relationally, they are not just forgiven servants but beloved sons and daughters who have been given the keys to God’s kingdom!
Conclusion: How do I join them?
The Pathway to Conversion:
- It isn’t enough to be impressed
- It isn’t enough to be impacted
- You must be truly converted – this word means “to turn.”
So how does that happen? It starts with deep conviction over sin that leads you to truly embrace five simple truths about your life:
- I must admit I really am a sinner
- I must agree that God is right to condemn me
- I must abandon my own efforts and my religious works
- I must accept Christ’s offer in the gospel by repenting of my sin and trusting Christ
- I must ask God to forgive me, save me, and make me His child
And the best part is that this is available to you NOW! (“Now” is the best news in the verse . . . there is therefore now no condemnation . . .)
So what about you?
Will this weekend be a time when the story of the resurrection is retold in ways that impress you or even move and impact you deeply, but you walk away without the amazing good news in the story changing your standing before God or affecting how you live your life?
Or will this be the weekend that changes your world because this is the weekend you are converted and truly born again?
Will the events of the weekend that changed the world change you?