We are a forgetful people in a land of distractions. Our minds are easily captivated by trivial and temporary inducements. New things quickly become old. In our mind’s eye even glory tends to fade and warnings tend to wane. It is no wonder that we who are invisibly united to Christ and visibly in and not of this world live in constant need of renewal. And what is true for the Christian is true for the church. This is a series that seeks to renew the mind of the church. Not so much by reviewing what she is called to do as much as what she is called. As with the Christian so with church, her God-given identity defines her. We who are the church are a people for God and none other.
Before we return to the book of Romans, we will be looking at the what scripture says about the Church, in its nature, how she expresses herself in song, and how the church cares and equips for its members.
The messages from this series can be found here:
Manny Pereira - November 3, 2019
Heart of the Gospel
The arresting question that burns in a sin-sensitive soul is: How can I be right with God? Even a cursory survey of Romans 1:18–3:20 reveals that all people are under sin, and therefore all are condemned. It is a very sobering and rather troubling reality—and should be. While all people may have a right to their own opinions, God has the only right to declare our standing before Him. These truths are hard for people in our culture to absorb. Nevertheless, the hope of Romans 3:21-26 will make very little sense without first grasping this troubling reality. Agreeing on the problem is essential to agreeing on the solution. None are righteous, no not one. None can make themselves righteous, no not one. This is our fundamental problem. In this message, we consider more closely the heart of the gospel as revealed in Romans 3:21-26. It presents the only one possible way to be right with God. It focuses on the heart of the gospel as the glorious good news of justification by faith alone. This passage sounds the clarion of the Protestant Reformation, presenting the heart of the good news that rejoices every guilty soul awakened by God’s grace.
Scripture References: Romans 3:21-26
