Justification and Righteousness by Grace, Faith, and Jesus Alone — January 16, 2022

Today, we gathered to seek the presence of Jesus Christ, setting aside distractions and even music, to focus on waiting upon God and letting Him speak to our hearts. We reflected on the story of Jesus raising Lazarus, noting that even when those around Him were full of unbelief, Jesus acted according to God’s purpose, not limited by human doubt. This reminds us that God’s ability to move in our lives is not dependent on the strength of our faith, but on His own sovereign will and mercy. Our role is to open the gates of our hearts through praise and humility, allowing Him to enter and address the dead places within us.

We explored the idea that justification—being made right with God—is not a matter of grace alone, faith alone, or any single element. Rather, it is a bundle, a package that includes repentance, obedience, humility, and the work of Christ. The phrases “justified by faith alone” or “grace alone” are not found in the words of Jesus; instead, He calls us to respond to the full message: repent, be baptized, bring forth the fruit of repentance, and follow Him. Justification is not about us proving ourselves to God, but about us justifying God—declaring Him righteous by obeying His message and seeing its fruit in our lives.

We contrasted the proud Pharisee, who trusted in his own righteousness and looked down on others, with the humble tax collector, who admitted his sin and sought mercy. The tax collector was justified because he humbled himself, confessed his wrong, and turned from it. This is the ongoing pattern for all believers: when we fall, we do not cast ourselves out, but humble ourselves, confess, and receive God’s mercy anew.

A significant warning was given about the power of our words. Jesus said we are justified or condemned by our words. The tongue, when used to bless or curse, has profound spiritual consequences. Many divisions in families, churches, and even our nation stem from the misuse of speech. We are called to bridle our tongues, repent when we speak wrongly, and seek reconciliation.

As we took communion, we remembered that it is the blood of Christ that gives us access to God, and that the new covenant is written on our hearts. We prayed for personal cleansing, for healing in our relationships, for our nation, and for the children who suffer from the mistakes of adults. We left encouraged that nothing is impossible for God, and that as we humble ourselves and obey His message, He will continue to work in us and through us.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s power is not limited by our unbelief; He acts according to His own purpose and mercy. Our responsibility is to open the gates of our hearts through praise and humility, allowing Him to address the dead and hidden places within us. Even when faith feels weak, God’s destiny for us is not thwarted by our doubts. [03:38]
• 2. Justification is not a matter of “faith alone” or “grace alone,” but a holistic response to God’s message: repentance, obedience, and following Christ. The call is to justify God—declare Him righteous—by obeying His word and seeing its fruit in our lives, rather than clinging to religious slogans or denominational traditions. [32:54]
• 3. True humility before God is the key to being made right with Him. Like the tax collector, we must be willing to admit our wrongs, confess our sins, and turn from them. This ongoing posture of repentance keeps us in right standing with God, no matter how many times we stumble. [52:06]
• 4. The words we speak carry spiritual weight; by our words we are justified or condemned. The misuse of the tongue—whether in families, churches, or society—brings division and harm. We are called to bridle our tongues, repent of harmful speech, and seek reconciliation, knowing that our words reveal the state of our hearts. [59:58]
• 5. Communion is a powerful reminder that our access to God is through the blood of Christ, not our own merit. Each time we humble ourselves, confess, and partake, we are renewed and justified. This practice is not just symbolic, but a spiritual reality that brings cleansing, healing, and restoration to our lives and relationships. [71:27]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:18] - Preparing for Communion at Home
• [00:37] - Entering God’s Presence Without Music
• [01:39] - Jesus Wept: The Power of Unbelief
• [03:38] - God’s Power Beyond Our Faith
• [05:26] - Worship and Thanksgiving
• [10:05] - The Presence of God Heals and Delivers
• [14:21] - The Nature of God’s Love
• [20:33] - Rolling Away the Stone: Letting God In
• [27:04] - Humility and Entering God’s Presence
• [28:02] - What Jesus Did Not Say About Justification
• [31:31] - Justifying God by Obeying His Message
• [43:05] - The Proud Pharisee and the Humble Tax Collector
• [52:06] - The Power of Repentance and Ongoing Justification
• [55:46] - Justified by Our Words
• [59:58] - The Tongue: Blessing or Cursing
• [63:46] - Communion: The Blood and the New Covenant
• [71:27] - Humbling Ourselves and Receiving Mercy
• [77:36] - Praying for Others and the Nation
• [82:28] - Closing Prayer and Encouragement
• [83:25] - Announcements and Dismissal

Bible Study Discussion Guide

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Bible Reading

1. Luke 7:29-35 (ESV)

> When all the people heard this, and the tax collectors too, they declared God just, having been baptized with the baptism of John, but the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the purpose of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him. “To what then shall I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like? They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.’ For John the Baptist has come eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by all her children.”

1. Luke 18:9-14 (ESV)

> He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

1. Matthew 12:36-37 (ESV)

> I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.

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Observation Questions

1. In Luke 7:29-35, what was the response of the tax collectors and the people to John’s message, and how did it differ from the Pharisees and lawyers?
2. According to the parable in Luke 18:9-14, what specific actions and attitudes set the tax collector apart from the Pharisee?
3. What does Jesus say in Matthew 12:36-37 about the significance of our words?
4. In the sermon, what does the pastor say is the “bundle” or “package” that makes up justification, rather than just “faith alone” or “grace alone”? ([28:02])

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Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Jesus emphasized the response of the tax collectors and “sinners” to John’s message as “justifying God”? What does it mean to “justify God” in this context? ([32:54])
2. How does the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector challenge our ideas about what it means to be “right with God”? What does this say about humility and repentance? ([52:06])
3. The sermon warns about the power of our words to justify or condemn us. Why do you think Jesus places so much weight on the words we speak? ([55:46])
4. The pastor said that God’s power is not limited by our unbelief, but our role is to “open the gates of our hearts through praise and humility.” What does this look like practically in our lives? ([03:38])

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Application Questions

1. The sermon described how Jesus raised Lazarus even when those around Him were full of unbelief. Is there an area in your life where you feel stuck or hopeless? How might you “roll away the stone” and invite Jesus into that situation, even if your faith feels weak? ([03:38])
2. The pastor said justification is a “bundle” that includes repentance, obedience, humility, and the work of Christ. Which of these do you find most challenging, and why? What is one step you could take this week to respond more fully to God’s message? ([28:02])
3. Think about the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. When was the last time you admitted you were wrong and asked God (or someone else) for forgiveness? What keeps you from doing this more often? ([52:06])
4. Jesus said we are justified or condemned by our words. Reflect on your speech this past week—was there a moment when your words brought harm or division? What would it look like to “bridle your tongue” and seek reconciliation? ([59:58])
5. During communion, the pastor reminded us that our access to God is through the blood of Christ, not our own merit. How does this truth affect the way you approach God, especially after you’ve failed or sinned? ([01:11:27])
6. The sermon called us to pray for healing in our relationships and for our nation. Is there a relationship in your life that needs healing? What is one practical step you can take this week to move toward reconciliation? ([01:17:36])
7. The pastor mentioned that children often suffer from the mistakes of adults. How can you be part of bringing God’s love and healing to children or others who are vulnerable in your community? ([01:20:02])

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