Romans 3:21-31

Dear Church Family,

I hope this post finds you well as you are reflecting on Sunday’s Sermon.

Sermon Summary

On Sunday, we explored Romans 3:21-31, focusing on the profound truth of God’s righteousness revealed through faith in Jesus Christ. We were reminded that:

• We all need God’s saving righteousness because we are unrighteous.
• Faith alone in Jesus is how God declares unrighteous people righteous.
• Our salvation is entirely a gift from God—not based on our own efforts or goodness.

Key Takeaways

✅ God justly justifies the unjust in Christ – Our debt has been paid in full through Jesus’ sacrifice, allowing us to approach God freely.
✅ Faith, trust, and belief are intertwined – Evidence of faith is seen in our trust in Christ, our beliefs, and our desire for spiritual growth through prayer and Scripture.
✅ There is no distinction in Christ – Salvation is available to all who believe, regardless of background or heritage.

As we step into this week, let’s remember that we have no reason to boast in ourselves, but every reason to celebrate what Christ has done for us. May we walk in the freedom and joy of knowing we are justified by faith alone in Christ alone.

Pastor Josh

 The Righteousness of God Through Faith

Key Takeaways:

1. God's righteousness is now accessible through faith alone in Christ alone, to all who believe.
2. All have sinned and fallen short of God's glory, but are justified by His grace as a gift through Christ's redemption.
3. Jesus was put forward as a propitiation (substitute) to cover our sins.
4. We are justified by faith apart from works of the law.
5. God is the God of all people, desiring them to come to faith in Christ.

Discussion Questions:

1. Pastor Josh mentioned that faith, trust, and belief are intermingled in this passage. How would you describe the relationship between these concepts in your own spiritual journey?
2. Reflect on the statement: "God justly justifies the unjust in Christ." What does this mean to you personally?
3. The sermon emphasized that salvation is a gift from God. How does this understanding impact your view of your relationship with God?
4. Discuss the concept of propitiation (Jesus as our substitute). How does this deepen your appreciation for Christ's sacrifice?
5. Pastor Josh stated, "We need to stop trying to be good and realize it's not about trying to be good." How does this challenge your approach to living out your faith?
6. How does the understanding that God is the God of all people, with no distinction, influence how we should approach evangelism and relationships with others?

Practical Applications:

1. Reflect on areas in your life where you might be relying on your own "goodness" rather than Christ's righteousness. Write these down and pray about them this week.
2. Practice explaining the concept of justification by faith to someone else in the group. This will help solidify your understanding and prepare you to share it with others.
3. Spend time this week meditating on Christ's blood sacrifice for you. Consider writing a prayer or journaling about what this means to you.
4. Identify one way you can demonstrate God's love to someone from a different background or belief system this week, remembering that God desires all to come to faith in Christ.
5. Review the "creed" mentioned at the beginning of the sermon. Consider incorporating it into your daily devotional time to reinforce these truths.

Closing Prayer: Lord, we thank you for the gift of your righteousness through faith in Christ. Help us to fully grasp and live in the reality of your grace. May we boast not in ourselves, but in the cross of Christ. Guide us to share this good news with others, remembering that you desire all people to come to faith. In Jesus' name, Amen.

1. How does understanding the concept of 'but now' in Romans 3:21 change our perspective on God's plan of salvation?
2. In what ways might we struggle with the idea that faith alone in Christ is sufficient for our salvation, without any works of our own?
3. How does the interplay between trust, belief, and faith impact our understanding of what it means to have a saving relationship with Christ?
4. What are some practical ways we can combat the temptation to try to earn our righteousness instead of relying on Christ's righteousness?
5. How does the idea of God 'justly justifying the unjust' challenge our human notions of justice and mercy?
6. In what ways might our cultural or religious background create barriers to fully embracing the concept of 'no distinction' in Christ?
7. How does understanding Jesus as our propitiation (substitute) deepen our appreciation for the gospel?
8. What are some potential dangers of downplaying or overlooking the significance of Christ's blood in our salvation?
9. How might regularly meditating on the truth that we are 'justified by faith apart from works of the law' impact our daily walk with God?
10. In light of this passage, how can we cultivate a proper balance between recognizing our sinfulness and celebrating our justification in Christ?