Grace and Justification: The Gift of Righteousness
Summary
In my sermon today, I explored the profound truths found in Romans chapter 3, particularly verses 21 through 26, which I believe to be one of the most significant passages in all of Scripture. I began by acknowledging the grim reality of our sinfulness and the dire consequences that come with it—a Christless eternity in hell. This bad news, however, is not where the story ends. I emphasized the good news that follows: the righteousness of God is made available to us through faith in Jesus Christ.
I spoke about the concept of justification, which is the act of being declared righteous in the sight of God. This justification is not something we can earn or deserve; it is a gift freely given by God's grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. I likened the gospel to a "help available" sign, highlighting that it is God who reaches out to us with His help, not the other way around.
Drawing from the parable of the prodigal son, I illustrated the nature of God's forgiveness and grace. Despite our rebellion and sin, God welcomes us back with open arms when we turn to Him, just as the father welcomed his lost son. This unconditional love and forgiveness is a reflection of the grace described in Romans 3:24.
I also addressed the role of the law and the prophets, which was to reveal our inability to achieve righteousness on our own and to point us towards the need for a savior. The law exposes our guilt and our universal failure to live up to God's standards, underscoring our need for divine intervention.
In the climax of my message, I explained how God demonstrates His justice and mercy through the sacrifice of Christ. Jesus serves as our mercy seat, the atonement for our sins, fulfilling the righteous requirements of the law and allowing us to be justified by faith. This incredible act of love and grace is the central theme of Easter and the reason we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ every Sunday.
Key Takeaways:
- The righteousness of God is not a status we can achieve on our own; it is a gift received through faith in Jesus Christ. This truth should humble us and fill us with gratitude, knowing that our salvation is not based on our merit but on God's unmerited favor. [48:09]
- The parable of the prodigal son is a powerful depiction of God's grace in action. It challenges us to reflect on our own lives and recognize that no matter how far we have strayed, God is always ready to receive us back with joy and forgiveness. This understanding should transform our relationship with God and with others. [49:46]
- The law and the prophets serve a critical purpose in leading us to Christ. They reveal our sinfulness and the impossibility of attaining righteousness through our efforts. This should drive us to a deeper appreciation of the gospel and the necessity of Christ's sacrifice for our redemption. [42:54]
- Understanding Jesus as our mercy seat brings to light the profound theological truth that God's holiness and justice were satisfied in Christ's sacrifice. This should inspire awe and worship as we contemplate the depth of God's love and the lengths He went to reconcile us to Himself. [52:49]
- The resurrection of Jesus is not just an event we celebrate annually on Easter; it is the cornerstone of our faith and the reason for our hope. As believers, we are called to live in the reality of the resurrection every day, allowing it to shape our identity and mission as followers of Christ. [37:03]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Romans 3:21-26
- Luke 15:11-32 (Parable of the Prodigal Son)
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Romans 3:21-26 say about the righteousness of God and how it is revealed? ([38:43])
2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of Jesus being described as the "mercy seat"? ([51:10])
3. How does the parable of the prodigal son illustrate God's grace and forgiveness? ([49:33])
4. What role do the law and the prophets play in leading us to Christ, as discussed in the sermon? ([42:28])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding that the righteousness of God is a gift through faith in Jesus Christ change our perspective on salvation? ([38:43])
2. In what ways does the parable of the prodigal son challenge us to reflect on our own lives and our relationship with God? ([49:33])
3. Why is it important to recognize our inability to achieve righteousness on our own, as highlighted by the law and the prophets? ([42:28])
4. How does the concept of Jesus as our "mercy seat" deepen our understanding of God's justice and mercy? ([51:10])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you tried to earn God's favor through your own efforts. How does the truth that righteousness is a gift through faith in Jesus Christ change your approach to your relationship with God? ([38:43])
2. The parable of the prodigal son shows God's readiness to forgive and welcome us back. Is there an area in your life where you need to seek God's forgiveness and return to Him? How can you take that step this week? ([49:33])
3. The law reveals our sinfulness and our need for a savior. How can this understanding lead you to a deeper appreciation of the gospel in your daily life? ([42:28])
4. Jesus' sacrifice as our mercy seat satisfies God's justice and extends His mercy. How can this profound truth inspire you to worship and live a life of gratitude? ([51:10])
5. The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of our faith. How can you live in the reality of the resurrection every day, allowing it to shape your identity and mission as a follower of Christ? ([37:03])
6. Think of someone in your life who needs to hear about God's grace and forgiveness. How can you share the message of the prodigal son with them this week? ([49:33])
7. How can you ensure that your actions and decisions reflect the understanding that salvation is not based on merit but on God's unmerited favor? ([38:43])
Devotional
Day 1: Gifted Righteousness Through Faith
The righteousness of God is a profound gift that cannot be earned by human effort but is received through faith in Jesus Christ. This divine righteousness is a testament to the grace of God, who offers salvation not as a reward for good deeds but as a free gift to those who believe. This gift should instill a sense of humility and gratitude in believers, as it underscores the fact that salvation is entirely dependent on God's grace and not on personal merit. The realization that one's standing before God is secured through faith in Christ alone can be both liberating and transformative, leading to a life of thankfulness and service in response to the unmerited favor received.
[48:09]
Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."
Reflection: How does understanding salvation as a gift from God change the way you view your relationship with Him and with others?
Day 2: The Embrace of Grace
The parable of the prodigal son beautifully illustrates the boundless grace of God, who welcomes sinners back with open arms upon their return. This story serves as a powerful reminder that no matter how far one has strayed, God's forgiveness is always available. The unconditional love and acceptance that the father shows to his wayward son is a reflection of the grace that God extends to all who turn to Him. This understanding of God's grace should not only comfort and assure believers of their place in God's family but also challenge them to extend the same grace to others, fostering a community marked by forgiveness and reconciliation.
[49:46]
Hosea 14:4 - "I will heal their apostasy; I will love them freely, for my anger has turned from them."
Reflection: Can you identify someone you have been withholding forgiveness from and take a step towards reconciliation today?
Day 3: The Purpose of the Law
The law and the prophets play a crucial role in leading individuals to Christ by revealing the depth of human sinfulness and the futility of trying to achieve righteousness through one's own efforts. This revelation of our need for a savior is meant to drive us to Christ, who alone can redeem us. The law acts as a mirror, reflecting our imperfections and pointing us to the grace that is found in Jesus. By understanding the purpose of the law, believers can appreciate the gospel more deeply and recognize the necessity of Christ's sacrifice, which provides the only means for redemption and reconciliation with God.
[42:54]
Galatians 3:24 - "So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith."
Reflection: In what ways has your understanding of your need for Christ deepened as you've encountered the law and the prophets?
Day 4: The Mercy Seat of Christ
Understanding Jesus as our mercy seat reveals the profound theological truth of God's justice being satisfied through Christ's sacrifice. This concept, rooted in the Old Testament practice of atonement, demonstrates how God's holiness and justice were fulfilled in Jesus, who bore the punishment for our sins. This act of love and grace is at the heart of the Christian faith and should inspire awe and worship. As believers contemplate the depth of God's love and the lengths He went to reconcile us to Himself, they are called to respond with a life of devotion and gratitude, recognizing the incredible sacrifice that has been made on their behalf.
[52:49]
Hebrews 9:14 - "How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God."
Reflection: How does the understanding of Jesus as your mercy seat influence your daily walk with God?
Day 5: Living in Resurrection Reality
The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of the Christian faith and the source of our hope. It is not merely an event to be celebrated once a year on Easter but a reality that should shape every aspect of a believer's life. Living in the light of the resurrection means embracing an identity rooted in Christ's victory over death and allowing that truth to guide one's mission and purpose. As followers of Christ, believers are called to embody the hope of the resurrection, demonstrating its power through their actions, relationships, and witness to the world.
[37:03]
1 Peter 1:3 - "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."
Reflection: What is one way you can live out the reality of the resurrection in your interactions with others today?
Quotes
"The problem isn't just that we're flawed and imperfect, but that we have sinned against God. A holy, and perfect God. We've offended God. We've offended His righteousness. We're guilty as charged. We're dead to rights. And if nothing is done, and to be clear, there's nothing that you and I can do. If no pardon is received, then we'll experience the full weight of the verdict." [46:34]
"The law was given to state what God wanted. The prophets were given to point people back to his path and yet the people continued to reject it. They could not and they would not keep the law. The actual keeping of the law, that's really the most important part. For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. That means I've sinned and you have sinned and we are guilty because of our sin." [44:13]
"Thank God that Paul doesn't leave us there. The righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. They are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. The gospel's not a help wanted sign. It's a help available sign. It's not that we deserved help. But that God, because of His great love for us, brings us help through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ." [48:09]
"The son expects to be punished for the way he's wasted his life. But instead of condemnation, the son's met with the open arms and tears of joy of his father, who welcomes him back to his family. He welcomes him back with unconditional love and forgiveness. The story depicts God's grace as described in Romans 3.24, where despite all of our sin, God welcomes us back with open arms when we turn to Him." [49:46]
"Instead of delivering a verdict of condemnation, the righteous judge offers to pay the penalty himself. Justice is served because the penalty is paid. And mercy is received because we who couldn't pay it were freed. God demonstrates his justice by atoning sin through the sacrifice of Christ, while simultaneously displaying his mercy by forgiving sinners like us by putting Christ in our place." [56:16]
"God is holy and righteous, sin must be punished. That means you and I must be punished for our sins unless there's another way. But because of God's love and fullness of grace, God chooses to pay the penalty of sin for us in Jesus Christ. Jesus and the cross the mercy seat. Mercy seat is the tangible act of God, the expression of what propitiation means." [52:49]
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