Embracing Grace: Worship, Sin, and Hope in Christ
Summary
In our gathering today, we focused on the essence of worship and the study of God's Word, as highlighted in Psalm 111. This Psalm calls us to praise the Lord wholeheartedly in the assembly, emphasizing the greatness of His works, which are studied by those who delight in them. This is the foundation of our community: to worship God and delve into His Word, allowing it to transform us so that we can fulfill His calling both individually and corporately.
We then transitioned to Romans chapter 3, where Paul addresses the universality of sin. He challenges both Jews and Gentiles, asserting that all are under sin and none are righteous on their own. This passage serves as a sobering reminder of our human condition and the futility of relying on the law or our own deeds for justification before God. Paul meticulously dismantles any notion of self-righteousness, emphasizing that both those who have rejected God and those who attempt to earn His favor through works are equally in need of the gospel.
The law, Paul explains, is not a means to salvation but a mirror reflecting our sinfulness, pointing us to our need for a Savior. This sets the stage for the good news of the gospel, which we will explore further in the coming weeks. Despite the bleakness of our condition, there is hope through Jesus Christ, who offers us righteousness apart from the law.
As we reflect on these truths, we are reminded of the importance of having a heart that is broken before the Lord, ready to receive His grace. Whether we are distracted by worldly pursuits or deceived by self-righteousness, the gospel calls us to a place of humility and surrender.
Key Takeaways:
1. Worship and Study as Foundations: Our community is built on the biblical principles of worshiping God and studying His Word. This dual focus helps us grow spiritually and equips us to fulfill God's calling in our lives. Worship and study are not just rituals but transformative practices that align us with God's will. [07:09]
2. The Universality of Sin: Romans 3 reminds us that all humanity is under sin, regardless of religious background or moral standing. This humbling truth calls us to recognize our need for God's grace and the futility of self-righteousness. It challenges us to examine our hearts and acknowledge our dependence on Christ for salvation. [44:09]
3. The Law as a Mirror: The law serves to reveal our sinfulness, not to save us. It acts as a tutor, guiding us to the realization of our need for a Savior. This understanding should lead us to embrace the gospel, which offers righteousness apart from the law. [46:29]
4. Hope in Christ: Despite the bleakness of our sinful condition, there is hope through Jesus Christ. He offers us righteousness and reconciliation with God, providing a way to be justified and made right before Him. This hope is the cornerstone of our faith and the message we are called to share with others. [51:00]
5. A Call to Humility and Surrender: The gospel calls us to a place of humility, where we acknowledge our brokenness and surrender to God's grace. Whether we are distracted by worldly pursuits or deceived by self-righteousness, we are invited to come to the fountain of life and be renewed by His Spirit. [01:33:38]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [07:09] - Call to Worship
- [33:36] - Introduction to Romans 3
- [40:02] - Community Announcements
- [44:09] - Reading Romans 3:9-20
- [46:29] - The Role of the Law
- [48:55] - The Practice of a Good Person
- [51:00] - The Universality of Sin
- [52:40] - The Penalty for All People
- [55:19] - Are We Better Than Others?
- [01:07:00] - Words and Works
- [01:16:40] - Mankind's Rebellion
- [01:21:33] - The Verdict of the Law
- [01:27:10] - Under God's Judgment
- [01:31:50] - Invitation to the Fountain
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Psalm 111
- Romans 3:9-20
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Psalm 111, what are the two main activities that the assembly of the upright engages in? How are these activities described? [07:09]
2. In Romans 3:9-20, what does Paul say about the universality of sin? How does he support his claim with Old Testament references? [44:09]
3. What role does the law play according to Romans 3:19-20, and how does it relate to the knowledge of sin? [46:29]
4. How does the sermon describe the condition of humanity as presented in Romans 3, and what is the ultimate verdict given by Paul? [55:19]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the call to worship in Psalm 111 reflect the purpose of gathering as a community? What does it mean to praise the Lord with one's whole heart? [07:09]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that both Jews and Gentiles are equally in need of the gospel, despite their different backgrounds? [51:00]
3. How does the sermon explain the function of the law as a mirror, and what implications does this have for understanding our need for a Savior? [46:29]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of having a heart that is broken before the Lord, and how does this relate to receiving God's grace? [48:55]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your personal worship and study habits. How can you ensure that these practices are not just rituals but transformative experiences that align you with God's will? [07:09]
2. Consider the universality of sin as discussed in Romans 3. How does acknowledging your own sinfulness change the way you view others and your need for God's grace? [44:09]
3. The sermon emphasizes the law as a mirror reflecting our sinfulness. How can this understanding help you in your daily walk with Christ, especially when you fall short? [46:29]
4. In what areas of your life might you be relying on self-righteousness or good deeds for justification before God? How can you shift your focus to the righteousness offered through Jesus Christ? [51:00]
5. The sermon calls for humility and surrender. Identify a specific area in your life where pride or self-reliance might be hindering your relationship with God. What steps can you take to surrender this to Him? [48:55]
6. How can you actively share the hope found in Christ with someone in your life who may be struggling with the weight of their sin? What practical steps can you take this week to reach out to them? [51:00]
7. Reflect on the concept of being "broken before the Lord." How can you cultivate a heart posture that is open to receiving God's grace and transformation? [48:55]
Devotional
Day 1: Worship and Study as Transformative Practices
Our community is built on the biblical principles of worshiping God and studying His Word. These practices are not mere rituals but are transformative, aligning us with God's will and equipping us to fulfill His calling in our lives. Worship involves a wholehearted devotion to God, acknowledging His greatness and works, as highlighted in Psalm 111. Studying God's Word allows us to delve deeper into His truths, enabling spiritual growth and transformation. As we engage in these practices, we are reminded of the importance of community, where we gather to praise the Lord and encourage one another in our faith journey. [07:09]
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." (Colossians 3:16, ESV)
Reflection: How can you intentionally incorporate both worship and study into your daily routine this week to deepen your relationship with God?
Day 2: Recognizing Our Universal Need for Grace
Romans 3 reminds us that all humanity is under sin, regardless of religious background or moral standing. This humbling truth calls us to recognize our need for God's grace and the futility of self-righteousness. Paul emphasizes that no one is righteous on their own, and both Jews and Gentiles are equally in need of the gospel. This understanding challenges us to examine our hearts, acknowledging our dependence on Christ for salvation. It is a call to humility, recognizing that our deeds cannot justify us before God, and only through His grace can we be made right. [44:09]
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." (Romans 3:23-24, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways have you relied on your own efforts for righteousness, and how can you shift your focus to rely on God's grace instead?
Day 3: The Law as a Guide to Our Need for a Savior
The law serves to reveal our sinfulness, not to save us. It acts as a mirror, reflecting our shortcomings and guiding us to the realization of our need for a Savior. This understanding should lead us to embrace the gospel, which offers righteousness apart from the law. The law's purpose is to point us to Christ, who fulfills the law and offers us salvation through His sacrifice. As we reflect on this truth, we are reminded of the importance of humility and the need to rely on God's grace rather than our own efforts. [46:29]
"So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith." (Galatians 3:24, ESV)
Reflection: How does understanding the law as a mirror change your perspective on your own sinfulness and your need for Jesus?
Day 4: Hope and Righteousness Through Christ
Despite the bleakness of our sinful condition, there is hope through Jesus Christ. He offers us righteousness and reconciliation with God, providing a way to be justified and made right before Him. This hope is the cornerstone of our faith and the message we are called to share with others. Through Christ, we are offered a new identity and a restored relationship with God, free from the condemnation of sin. As we embrace this hope, we are encouraged to live out our faith, sharing the good news of the gospel with those around us. [51:00]
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear about the hope and righteousness found in Christ, and how can you share this message with them this week?
Day 5: Embracing Humility and Surrender
The gospel calls us to a place of humility, where we acknowledge our brokenness and surrender to God's grace. Whether we are distracted by worldly pursuits or deceived by self-righteousness, we are invited to come to the fountain of life and be renewed by His Spirit. This call to humility involves letting go of our pride and self-reliance, allowing God to work in and through us. As we surrender to His will, we experience the transformative power of His grace, leading us to live lives that reflect His love and truth. [01:33:38]
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:6-7, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Quotes
You, like first service, brave the cold. That's good. That's good. Glad that you're here. Let's stand. I want to read something to you because, you know, we are a bit of a one-trick pony here. We worship the Lord and we study His Word. Like, that's what we do day in and day out. [00:06:22]
In Psalm 111, this is what it says. And maybe this is a good call to worship. Here's what it says. Psalm 111, it says, praise the Lord. Then he says, I will praise the Lord with my whole heart in the assembly of the upright and in the congregation. So they're worshiping the Lord. [00:06:57]
And so they're worshiping the Lord, but then he's saying the works of the Lord are great, studied by all who have pleasure in them. And so that's what we do. We try to study God's Word and learn from it so that we grow in it and then go out, leave these four walls and go out and do whatever it is that God is calling us to do individually. [00:07:19]
And so, Lord, as we approach it, would you be our teacher? Would you give us your Holy Spirit? Would you fill us with your Spirit to teach us, Lord? To be our comforter, to be our instructor, our teacher, Lord? The one who would make things, uh, clear to us. And so, Father, we ask that you would eliminate distractions. [00:46:44]
And Paul told them, remember, consider you consider yourselves guides to the blind. You believe that you're light to those in darkness. He's telling them that they were instructed, and teachers, and yet, are you? Are you really those things? You may be physically doing those things, and yet not doing what was the most important thing. [00:48:55]
We've actually had three pretty difficult, including today's studies, because they've all been like bad news. Like it's who we are. Chapter 1 was ugly. Chapter 2 was bad as well. And Paul is setting up the gospel. And not that the gospel needs a stage, but what the gospel does require are hearts that are broken before the Lord. [00:49:58]
Those that were distracted, they were too busy changing the glory of the incorruptible God or our God as he displayed his power and who he was. They didn't want that. Instead, they traded it for images made like corruptible man. And remember then God gave them over to uncleanness and the lust and the vile passions of their lives. [00:51:00]
And then today, I subtitled our verses for today, the penalty for all people. What's the verdict? There's a penalty for all people. All are guilty before. God. And so that starts here in verse 9. Notice verse 9a, just that first section. He says, And we'll stop there because he's asking a question. [00:53:53]
But here's the thing that Lord knew that. He knows that we often try and stand on that which we do or whoever that we are, but that doesn't hold any water. You will find out if you've been like alive more than a day that our flesh is quick to jump on any advantage or any privilege that we might have to look better than others. [00:54:23]
And so we have two options. You want to say, well, I don't want to do anything with that. Okay, then when the judgment comes, because believe you me, it's coming. I don't want to be like a chicken little, right? The sky is falling, but there will come a day and when the Lord will say, okay, it's time for me to judge the world. [01:20:55]
And so if you decide to just reject him, you're going to, you want to bypass Jesus and you're going to have to stand on your own. But then Paul says here that every mouth should stand on his own. And so you're going to have to stand on your own. And you should be stopped, which means that every argument or disagreement will be silenced, period. [01:21:45]
And so to end our time, I want to leave you with a little teaser clip. Now, it's not an actual video clip, but if you've ever been to the movies, and it happens more now, but it ends, the credits start coming out, but you know not to leave. Why? Because there's a little clip at the very end. In a lot of movies, that happens. [01:29:44]
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