Unity and Purpose Through God's Righteousness in Christ
Summary
In our gathering today, we explored the profound themes found in Romans chapters 1 through 7, setting the stage for the pivotal chapter 8. We imagined ourselves in the early Roman church, eagerly awaiting a letter from the Apostle Paul, read aloud by Phoebe. This exercise helped us appreciate the communal and auditory nature of early Christian worship, where believers gathered to hear and discuss the teachings of Paul without the luxury of personal copies of the scriptures.
We delved into the feelings of isolation, inadequacy, and aimlessness that many of us experience, even within the church. These feelings are addressed in Romans, where Paul speaks to both Jews and Gentiles, emphasizing the unifying power of the gospel. The message is clear: through Jesus Christ, people from diverse backgrounds can find freedom and purpose. This unity is not just a theological concept but a lived reality that transforms our identity, relationships, and mission.
God's righteousness, distinct from His holiness, is His ability to set things right. He is both just and the justifier, faithful to His covenant, and through Jesus, He makes us righteous. This righteousness is not just for our benefit but is meant to be shared. As God sets us right, we are called to help others find their alignment with Him. This is a generative cycle of grace, where we become agents of God's righteousness in the world.
We are reminded that our allegiance to Jesus is what aligns us with God, not our works. This allegiance rescues the unworthy, reunites the divided, and restores our purpose. As we embrace our new identity in Christ, we are called to live as a family, setting things right in our communities and reflecting God's image to the world. This is our purpose: to be instruments of righteousness, actively participating in God's work of restoration.
As we prepare to dive into Romans chapter 8, let's hold onto the truth that God is faithful to His promises. He rescues, reunites, and restores, and through our faithfulness to Jesus, we are empowered to do the same in our world.
Key Takeaways:
1. Unity in Diversity: The gospel unites people from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and spiritual practices. Through Jesus, we find freedom and purpose, transcending our differences to become one family in Christ. This unity is a testament to the power of the gospel to transform lives and communities. [05:16]
2. God's Righteousness: God's righteousness is His ability to set things right, both in our lives and in the world. He is just and the justifier, faithful to His covenant, and through Jesus, He makes us righteous. This righteousness is not just for us but is meant to be shared with others. [09:48]
3. Allegiance to Jesus: Our alignment with God comes through our allegiance to Jesus, not our works. This allegiance rescues the unworthy, reunites the divided, and restores our purpose. It is through faith in Jesus that we are made right with God and empowered to live out our purpose. [15:10]
4. Agents of Restoration: As God sets us right, we are called to help others find their alignment with Him. This is a generative cycle of grace, where we become agents of God's righteousness in the world, actively participating in His work of restoration. [18:27]
5. Living as a Family: Embracing our new identity in Christ means living as a family, setting things right in our communities, and reflecting God's image to the world. This is our purpose: to be instruments of righteousness, actively participating in God's work of restoration. [18:27]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Introduction to Romans
- [02:15] - Early Church Experience
- [05:16] - Feelings of Isolation and Inadequacy
- [07:45] - God's Righteousness Explained
- [09:48] - Allegiance to Jesus
- [12:30] - Rescuing the Unworthy
- [15:10] - Reuniting the Divided
- [18:27] - Restoring Our Purpose
- [21:00] - Living as a Family
- [23:45] - Agents of Restoration
- [26:30] - Embracing Our New Identity
- [29:00] - Preparing for Romans Chapter 8
- [31:15] - Closing Thoughts and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Romans 1:16-17
2. Romans 3:21-26
3. Romans 5:1-2
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Observation Questions:
1. How does Paul describe the power of the gospel in Romans 1:16-17, and what does this reveal about the nature of salvation? [09:48]
2. In Romans 3:21-26, what does Paul say about God's righteousness and how it is revealed apart from the law? How does this passage define the role of faith in Jesus? [09:48]
3. According to Romans 5:1-2, what are the benefits of being justified by faith, and how do these benefits relate to our relationship with God? [18:27]
4. The sermon mentioned feelings of isolation and inadequacy. How does the message of Romans chapters 1 through 7 address these feelings? [05:16]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean for God's righteousness to be distinct from His holiness, as mentioned in the sermon? How does this distinction impact our understanding of God's character? [09:48]
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of allegiance to Jesus over works. How does this concept challenge or affirm your current understanding of faith and salvation? [15:10]
3. How does the idea of being "agents of restoration" align with the teachings in Romans 1-7? What practical implications does this have for believers today? [18:27]
4. In what ways does the unity described in Romans chapters 1 through 7 serve as a testament to the transformative power of the gospel? [05:16]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt isolated or inadequate. How can the message of unity and purpose in Romans help you address these feelings in your current life? [05:16]
2. Consider your current relationships. How can you actively work towards reuniting the divided and restoring purpose in your community, as discussed in the sermon? [15:10]
3. The sermon highlighted the importance of living as a family in Christ. What steps can you take to foster a sense of family and unity within your church or small group? [18:27]
4. How can you become an "agent of restoration" in your daily life? Identify one specific area where you can help set things right in your community or personal relationships. [18:27]
5. The sermon mentioned God's faithfulness to His promises. How can you hold onto this truth in times of doubt or uncertainty? Share a personal experience where you witnessed God's faithfulness. [09:48]
6. Reflect on your allegiance to Jesus. Are there areas in your life where you rely more on works than faith? How can you shift your focus to deepen your relationship with Christ? [15:10]
7. Identify a person or group in your life who might feel unworthy or isolated. How can you extend grace and support to them, reflecting the message of Romans and the sermon? [05:16]
Devotional
Day 1: Unity in Diversity
The gospel of Jesus Christ has the power to unite people from all walks of life, transcending cultural, social, and spiritual differences. In the early Roman church, both Jews and Gentiles were brought together under the message of the gospel, finding freedom and purpose in their shared faith. This unity is not merely a theological idea but a transformative reality that reshapes our identity and relationships. As believers, we are called to embrace this unity, recognizing that our differences are not barriers but opportunities to reflect the diverse beauty of God's kingdom. [05:16]
"For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit." (1 Corinthians 12:12-13, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your community or church do you find it difficult to connect with due to differences? How can you take a step towards unity with them today?
Day 2: God's Righteousness
God's righteousness is His divine ability to set things right in our lives and the world. Unlike His holiness, which is about His purity and separateness, righteousness is about His justice and faithfulness to His covenant. Through Jesus Christ, God not only declares us righteous but also empowers us to live righteously. This righteousness is not for us to hoard but to share, as we become conduits of God's justice and grace in the world. As we align ourselves with God's righteousness, we are invited to participate in His redemptive work, helping others find their alignment with Him. [09:48]
"But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream." (Amos 5:24, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you actively participate in God's work of setting things right in your community this week?
Day 3: Allegiance to Jesus
Our relationship with God is not based on our works but on our allegiance to Jesus Christ. This allegiance is what rescues the unworthy, reunites the divided, and restores our purpose. Through faith in Jesus, we are made right with God and empowered to live out our divine calling. This allegiance calls us to a life of faithfulness, where we continually choose to follow Jesus and align our lives with His teachings. As we do so, we experience the transformative power of the gospel, which not only changes us but also impacts those around us. [15:10]
"And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'" (Luke 9:23, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from fully committing to Jesus? What steps can you take today to surrender this area to Him?
Day 4: Agents of Restoration
As recipients of God's grace and righteousness, we are called to be agents of restoration in the world. This means actively participating in God's work of setting things right, both in our personal lives and in our communities. It is a generative cycle of grace, where we receive God's righteousness and then extend it to others, helping them find their alignment with God. This calling challenges us to look beyond ourselves and engage in the redemptive work that God is doing in the world, becoming instruments of His peace and justice. [18:27]
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation." (2 Corinthians 5:17-18, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life needs to experience God's restoration? How can you be an agent of God's grace and reconciliation to them today?
Day 5: Living as a Family
Embracing our new identity in Christ means living as a family, where we set things right in our communities and reflect God's image to the world. This is our purpose: to be instruments of righteousness, actively participating in God's work of restoration. As a family of believers, we are called to support, encourage, and challenge one another, living out the gospel in tangible ways. This communal life is a powerful witness to the world of the transformative power of the gospel, as we embody the love, grace, and justice of God in our relationships and actions. [18:27]
"So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone." (Ephesians 2:19-20, ESV)
Reflection: How can you contribute to the sense of family and community within your church or small group this week? What specific actions can you take to support and encourage others?
Quotes
"You know, as we read Romans chapters 1 through 7, you know, read it all out, you're thinking, wow, that took a while, huh? Well, think about this. When the early churches were gathered in Rome, there's probably at least five different house churches, meaning this household, this household, this household, this household. They heard a story that Phoebe had got a letter that she was bringing from Paul, the Apostle Paul, you know, the Apostle Paul. We all know this guy, right? So she's going to come on Sunday, on the first day of the week, she's going to read this to our congregation. You guys ready? Oh man, a new fresh word from Paul. And you guys are like, I think I've read this before, you know? So it's different, it's different. But she would have come, and do you think she would have, they would have had any questions? You know, like, oh, I have a few questions." [00:00:05] (43 seconds)
"So this is just the way it went. They didn't have their own copies. Most of their screens weren't, it weren't projected like this, so they didn't have opportunity to read, you know, while those going, they were just listening and listening in. So I wanted to give you that experience. And then I want us to just delve into this, because I think we've all experienced these feelings of isolation and inadequacy, unworthiness, and aimlessness, even in a church." [00:00:48] (27 seconds)
"Like, what am I supposed to do? But yeah, but then what? But what am I supposed to do? And Romans 1 through 7 start to just tell this story. It's, he's telling the sharp edge of the gospel, not just on the Jewish people who grew up understanding this expectation of the Messiah, but on those who came from all sorts of other nations and all sorts of other spiritual practices and all sorts of things. He's like, I need you all together right here at the table. And there's good news that this is the way it's going to happen. That people from all sorts of diverse cultures, backgrounds, even spiritual practices, once they align themselves with the Father, the Creator, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, we start to find freedom." [00:01:15] (42 seconds)
"God's righteousness or God's ability to do the right things and to set people right. We saw he's the just and the justifier. He is the one who is right, but he also makes other people right. And so we see this. He's the just and the justifier. It's his faithfulness to his covenant. Great is thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me. Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus. I'm learning to take him at his word. When he says, thus saith the Lord, I can count on it because he's faithful to his promises, right? He can, I believe that. And so it's his faithfulness to the covenant that makes him right and righteous as well because he said it and he's going to do it. And that means he's righteous." [00:04:23] (51 seconds)
"When God makes you right, when he sets you up, his job for you, his goal for you is that you would set other people up too. You know, your own oxygen mask first kind of situation. But like, okay, so now you're a righteous person and you're a righteous making person and you're a person who's not only aligned with God, but then helps other people get aligned with God as well. So it's this generative cycle of God's investment in you that pours out through us." [00:06:20] (26 seconds)
"So when the Father sets us right in Christ, because that's it, it's allegiance to Jesus. If you'd missed, if you missed that, it's only through allegiance to Jesus that we are then made right with the creator God. So by our allegiance, our faith and trust in Christ, he then rescues the unworthy. This is what he does. And then he reunites the divided and he restores our purpose." [00:07:43] (20 seconds)
"So when we're feeling isolated, inadequate, aimless, we've got a message that goes right to our heart that says, okay, your identity is new, your relationships are new, your mission is new. And as a church, as a family, trying to figure out what it looks like to live as a family in a city for a city, we've got to be thinking in terms of being the people who help set things right." [00:08:42] (24 seconds)
"Faithfulness to Jesus the Messiah, to all those who are faithful. But God sets them right as a gift of His grace through the freedom from sin that comes in Jesus the Messiah. Amen? It's our freedom. God gave Him as a purifying sacrifice. And when we're faithful, we are purified from sin by His blood. This shows God's justice. God was patient with sin for a long time and now He's revealed His solution for sin. God is just. And He is the one who sets right those who are faithful to Jesus." [00:09:48] (40 seconds)
"Now you get to be part of the setting right people. This is so good. This is so good. We're dead to sin. We're just wrecking it. Realize it. Just look at the ledger book again and realize I've died to sin. How can I live in it any longer? I am now alive to God, and I'm free from sin, and free to God. And I'm available to God. I can become an instrument of his righteousness, whatever he wants to do. Because there's a way to be an instrument of wickedness. Just rewind the clock a little bit on your last week or last month, right? There's a way to be instruments. Offer the members of your body to wickedness. But remember, you died to sin, and so now we're just going to offer it up to Christ. To say, I'm an empty vessel. Just do what you want to do. Fill me with your spirit and send me into your world." [00:19:21] (46 seconds)
"So he has provided everything we need. And you have to believe this in your trust, in your sweet trust of Jesus. You have to believe that he's given you everything necessary to accomplish that next thing in front of you. If you don't believe that, that he's given you everything that you need to accomplish that next right action, that next obedient step, then you'll never trust him. But if you start to believe that actually everything I need, all I have needed, God has provided, and I can take a next step in faithfulness to him, if you believe that, then you can start to trust him and lean on the family, okay?" [00:22:03] (34 seconds)
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