Justified by Faith Alone: The End of Boasting and the Law’s True Fulfillment
Romans 3:27–31 (NLT) 27 Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law. It is based on faith. 28 So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law. 29 After all, is God the God of […]
God’s Justice Satisfied, His Grace Given Through Christ: The Greatest Love in Action That Restored Us
Romans 3:24b–25b (NLT) 24b He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. 25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. Message I. Made Right Through Christ: Grace Given, […]
Made Right With God—Apart from the Law and Available to All Who Believe
Romans 3:21–22 (NLT) 21 But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. 22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for […]
Repentance Before the Day of Anger
Romans 2:5 (NLT) 5 But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. Message I. God’s Kindness Rejected (5a) See verse 5a. 5a But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn […]
A Call to Repent, Not to Judge
Romans 2:2–4 (NLT) 2 And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. 3 Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things? 4 Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does […]
Do Not Judge Others — God Alone Is the Judge
Romans 2:1 (NLT) You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. Message I. Introduction and Context See verse 1. You […]
From God’s Redemptive Work to Tragic Exchange
Romans 1:26b (NLT) 26b Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. Jesus spoke the truth through paradoxes such as the greatest must be a servant (Matthew 20:26-27)’ and the Good Samaritan, where the despised outsider becomes the true example of love (Luke 10:25-37). Throughout […]
The Tragic Exchange: Truth for Lies, Christ for Barabbas
Romans 1:25 (NLT) 25 They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen. Message I. Exchanging the Creator for the Created (Romans 1:25 NLT) How did humanity trade the truth about God for idols and […]
What We Worship Shapes Us
Romans 1:24 (NLT) 24 So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. Message I. God Let Them Follow Their Choices (24a) When they worshiped not one true God but idols (Romans 1:21-23), God did not force them to obey […]
The Glory We Trade: A Call Back to God
Romans 1:23 (NLT) 23 And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles. Message God is love (1 John 4:8, 16), Spirit (John 4:24), and invisible (1 Timothy 1:17, 6:16, Colossians 1:15, Deuteronomy 4:15). God knew they were susceptible to idolatry. God […]
