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Good morning!
We're so glad you decided to join us today!
Next Sunday is our joint church picnic with Taylorstown.
When we meet in person, we take time to share any joys or concerns from the past week. If you have any prayer requests you would like to share, please add them as a comment below this post. When you are ready, use the prayer below to get started.
Dear God, Bless all the fathers and father-figures with such love and faithfulness that children flourish and grow in uprightness and joy. Bless those who long to be fathers and those for whom this day is difficult. Amen
Today's lesson is on Romans 15:1-13.
The apostle Paul probably wrote his letter to the Romans while in the city of Corinth during his third missionary journey. That would have been about AD 58. Paul had not yet visited the church in Rome; others had started it years before.
The nature of the church in Rome was influenced by an edict issued by Emperor Claudius in about AD 49 that forced Jews living in the city to leave (Acts 18:2) This experience probably fostered a certain division within the Roman church between believers of Gentile and Jewish backgrounds. We can imagine each group contending that it had a better claim on salvation in Christ than the others. The expulsion of Jews from Rome resulted in Christians of Gentile backgrounds being in the majority in the church there, if they had not been the majority already. Their majority status seems to have continued even in the death of Claudius in AD 54, which allowed Jews to return to the imperial city. Paul thinks the attitude of the strong toward the weak in this verse is so important that it's a variation of what he has already said in Romans 14:1: “Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters.” Note the all-encompassing nature of this imperative: the two groups of strong and weak means that it applies to everyone. So far in this letter, there have been three issues dividing these two groups: what kind of food can be eaten, the value of certain days and the use of wine. These don't seem to be random examples of how to get along with fellow Christians: rather, it's much more likely that these were actual problems in the church of Rome. What needed to be addressed was the basis for these points of tension. Who were the “strong” and the “weak” and what made them that way? There is no shortage of opinions on these questions. But the most likely explanation is that the weak were Christians of Jewish background who maintained their devotion to the Law of Moses. The strong, therefore, would be primarily those Christians of Gentile background. We say “primary because Christians of Jewish background who realized they had been freed from that law could be numbered among the strong which Paul was one. Our challenge, whether stronger or weaker, is to build up each other so that all of us will please God in the Christian life. By helping one another, we accomplish the goal. We should please our neighbors. The idea here is that of pleasing a fellow believer rather than ourselves. Living that way will build the faith of one's fellow Christians. If God's love compels love for all around us, how much more does it compel love for our sisters and brothers in Christ! Paul quotes from Psalm 69, recounting the way the righteous is often blamed for the sins of the wicked, anticipated the work of Christ, who took the guilt of sinful humanity on himself on the cross. Christ's sacrifice is the supreme expression of God's love that overcomes division and boundaries. If anyone asks you what value there is in studying the Old Testament, now that we're in the New Testament era, the answer is in verse 4. Another passage that affirms this value is 1 Corinthians 10:11. As we note the Old Testament's limitation for application to today, we do not ignore it. If the church is to be unified in its diversity and diverse in its unity, it will only be so because of the good news of Jesus and the work of God the Father. God is characterized by endurance, his capacity to bear failure and rebellions of humanity while continuing to offer them forgiveness. God is characterized by encouragement, his constant provision of the tangible and intangible resources his people need as they navigate life's challenges. The supreme expression of God's patience and consolation is in Jesus, God's true king, who willingly gave his life for the unworthy. This is the God who calls his people to pursue unity in their diversity. Paul recognizes that it is not within the flesh's capacity to unite with one another. Thus, this verse requests God to give readers this ability. Because of who God is and what he is done in Christ, his people can remain faithful to him only if they have the same mind and heart, characterized by patience and encouragement for one another. That person might be different from me, but Christ died for that person, so I need to love that person just as God does. That like mindedness goes beyond being agreeable. As Paul says in Philippians 2, it will mean putting others' interest above our own. The story of God has always been one of patience and comfort. That story came to its pinnacle in Jesus. Now we continue that story as the church that pursues a shared life filled with patience and consolation fitting our Lord. The unified mind of God's people leads to unified praise of God. Paul gives us an image of a church gathered with members from every imaginable background and identity but with every voice raised in praise to God. But that expression of praise is not simply in corporate worship. It is vividly expressed in the concern for others more than oneself that each Christian demonstrates, the exercise of the unified mind in all the Christians relationship. To glorify God is to praise God for what he truly is and truly done. The true God is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who died and rose for unworthy humanity. That one is the ruler of all, the one to whom all God's people and ultimately all of humanity will bow. To bow to him as Lord can only mean that we surrender our rights, customs, privileges and desires to put others first. When we do, God is truly glorified, for in our actions the word sees what God has done. Paul ends this section with a pointed summary. What should I do with this person who prefers things I do not like, accepts things I reject and rejects things I accept? The answer is to respond to that person as Christ responded to us. Christ did not forgive us because we started pleasing him. No, he forgave us in our sins. In our gratitude we ought to please him, but first, he received us as we are. Of course, he continues to receive us, even in our ongoing failure. That is the supreme model of how God calls us to respond to one another. Paul now puts the work of Christ in the frame of the major division in the Roman church, between Jewish and Gentile Christians. He affirms that Christ's work fulfilled God's promises to Israel, that Christ was a servant of those who received circumcision as a sign of God's covenant and promise. The God of Israel was never content to be just the God of one tribe. He always pointed forward to the peoples of the world joining with that tribe to be God's people. The story of the Old Testament is peppered with God's repeated promises to make himself known to the nations of the world through Israel. God fulfilled those promises in Jesus, the true Israelite. Paul now cites several passages from Israel's sacred Scriptures. This reminds readers that God always intended his people to be diverse and inclusive. Paul's ministry was built around this divine intention. To believers in Jesus of different backgrounds, he repeatedly taught that Christ's church must express the promise of God to redeem all people as the church expresses love across lines of ethnicity, class and custom. Paul quotes from 2 Samuel 22:50 and Deuteronomy 32:43 and a third quotation from Psalm 117:1. These quotes from the Old Testament are about Gentiles praising God along with Israel. The last quotation comes from Isaiah 11:10 quote of the root of Jesse refers prophetically to Jesus, the descendant of David, the son of Jesse. Jesus is the root, is the one who fulfills God's promise of David's descendant who will rule over the nations without end. People of all nations will trust him as a good, wise and powerful ruler, just as he demonstrates in making the nations his people despite their rebellion against him. True submission to Jesus as king means that his people must pursue unity just as he pursues it . May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as your trust in him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. God's peace is not merely the absence of hostility. Rather it is positive, active goodwill toward others, living in active harmony and active services for one another. Likewise, God's joy is more than a pleasant state of mind. In joy, we respond to the experience of God's love, as we receive it from God and as we receive it through one another. The peace and joy will be in each of them shared among them as they express Christ's reign by living in harmony, deferring to one another in love. The hope of the future is grounded in the experience of the present. The Holy Spirit living in the Christian provides the proof of God's commitment to his people, assuring us that he will complete at Christ's return the salvation he began at our conversion. God's hope is not mere optimism. It is grounded in what God has done and is doing, expressing confidence in what God promises yet to do. Hope binds God's people together in the present. By Christians hope, we affirm that we will spend eternity together in the fullness of Christ's kingdom. If we will be unified in eternity, pursuing unity in the present is our only faithful, hopeful alternative. 
Conclusion. Doctrinal? Practical?
A teacher of an adult Bible Study class announced that when their current study of the book of Mark was concluded, the class would study a certain doctrine. This announcement resulted in an immediate objection from a participant who said that every church she had been part of had had divisions over doctrine. Her objection was along the lines of “ Give us something practical, not doctrinal!” Doctrine (what we believe ) is the basis of practice (how we behave) The doctrine of the church's global, multinational, multiethnic, inclusive, and diverse membership is grounded in the even more foundational doctrines of creation and redemption. God created all people of every nation, and Christ died and rose for all people of every nation. Those doctrinal foundations leave us with a practical question: Are we willing to surrender our privilege and defer to those unlike us to express our faith in and submit to the Creator God and the crucified Christ?
Prayer
Dear God, we celebrate your love that made us one body of Christ composed of many tribes and nations. Empower us to live according to your plan for your kingdom. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Questions for Discussion
Benediction
Next week's lesson will be on Hebrews 6:9-20.
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Good morning!
We're so glad you chose to join us today!
When we meet together, we take time to share any joys or concerns we have. If you have a prayer request, please add it as a comment on this post. When you are ready, use the prayer below to get started.
God, All peoples have their origin in you and it is your will to gather them as one family in yourself. Fill the hearts of people with your love and the desire to ensure justice for all their brothers and sisters. Amen
Today's lesson is on Romans 10:1-17.
Just how comprehensive is the good news of Jesus the Messiah? The entire book of Romans is concerned with this question. Romans 1-8 sets forth proof of the need and extent of God's mercy available to those who trust him with their lives. God has announced salvation for all who trust. The gospel of grace has come to light for all. The extension of God's offer of salvation to Gentiles does not exclude Jews. The depth of God's love extends to Israel as well as the Gentiles.
Romans 10 reflects on Paul's hope that the good news that Jesus is the Messiah and Lord will also come to his fellow Jews. God promised salvation to Israel, and God keeps promises at all times. Therefore, the promise of salvation must come to Israel. The hard division between Jews and Gentiles did not occur until several generations after Paul's lifetime. Paul himself never used the word “Christians” in his writings, though it had begun to circulate within the church. He likely did not anticipate the centuries of hostility between the two groups or the habit of those thinking themselves to be Christians of insulting and even persecuting Jews. The hard division that Paul's experience and wrote about was between Jews (whether Christs-followers or not) and Gentile (whether God fearing or not). The gospel of reconciliation and peace in Christ reaches all, allowing God both to keep the ancient promises of Israel and to add the Gentiles to the faithful community. Praying for God's salvation for the Israelites was probably habitual for Paul. His concern for his people – including his family and friends – was reason enough to pray for the nation. The Scriptures he long had studied modeled praying for deliverance for Israel from its various foes. And there was an expectation, found particularly in the prophets' writings, that the nation would be restored after suffering for their sins. Paul's prayers expanded to include that his people would turn to Christ and find eternal salvation in him. Paul does not suggest that his fellow Jews were all pursuing evil ends, because that was clearly not true. Jews who did not follow Jesus still desired to follow God, But, Paul asserts, they misunderstood the trajectory of God's work and how their own Scriptures pointed to Jesus as their Messiah. Paul does not dismiss zeal for God as insignificant; he knew from personal experience that misdirected zeal could be turned to God's purpose. Still, his people's zeal without knowledge of Christ prevented them from recognizing that God's long anticipated provision of deliverance of his people (and indeed to all people) had finally been revealed. Paul has argued the righteousness of God consists of extending salvation to all on the basis of trust in the work of Christ. Paul criticized the attempt to make Jews out of Gentiles. Attempts to come to God on the basis of anything other than Christ, and especially on the basis of any human achievement, fail. An approach to saving the Gentiles that tried to compel them to keep the Law of Moses neglected the deeper reality that the relationship with God always depends on faithful trust, not on the works themselves. The word translated culmination has the sense of “ultimate goal” in Greek. The coming of Christ and his activity in revealing God's salvation to all human beings was always the goal of the Law. And the Law of Moses itself pointed to the work of God, as opposed to the law existing for its own sake. Paul did not expect the abolition of Torah but the completion of God's promises. Those who trust God's work through Jesus have fulfilled the Torah's overarching objectives. Paul quotes Leviticus 18:5: "The person who does these things will live by them." Paul did not oppose Jews keeping the Law, and he accepted the idea that its instructions can guide a person to a wiser, more faithful life. In this way, Jews who kept the Torah in faith did live by them and could experience limited righteousness of striving to accomplish God's will. Paul next quotes Deuteronomy 30:12-13: "Do not say in your heart,..'Who will descend into heaven... Who will descend into the deep?'". These verses are part of God's promise that he would extend mercy to Israel after the nation experienced the consequences of breaking covenant and turned to him in repentance and faith. Paul adds to these quotations two comments, the first being that is to bring Christ down. Paul's point is that Christ's descent into the human world was God's work, not that of striving human beings. Salvation, therefore, comes from God and not from humans. The second comment, to bring Christ from the dead, connects the ancient text to the core Christian story of Jesus' resurrection. Paul links the confession of faith from one's mouth with the belief in one's heart and thus to the commitments of the whole person. To believe that God has raised Jesus from the dead also means to trust that God has overcome the power of death itself. Salvation involves both the present and the future. We can understand being saved as a shorthand for the entire relationship that the redeemed person enjoys with God. The effects begin in our Spirit-led lives now and will culminate in everlasting life in Heaven. Confession of Christ's lordship occurs daily, both in the face of opposition or hardship and in more peaceful times. It also involves witnesses, making a public commitment. The message of the gospel connects deeply to real lives, and those who hear it must internalize it and proclaim it. When the heart and the mouth align in acknowledging the saving work of Christ, it becomes possible to experience both righteousness and salvation. Paul quotes Isaiah 28:16, which is part of a promise that God would rebuild Zion after its destruction. The Bible often conceives of shame as a social condition, visible to all, rather an inner, more private emotion. Paul understands trust in God as the opposite of public humiliation. At the final judgment, those who trust in Jesus for deliverance from sins will never be put to shame because our hope of salvation will be fully realized. Paul then quotes from Joel, "For Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Both Joel and Paul understand God as one who answers the sincere cries of people longing for help. Because Jesus is “Lord of all” everyone may call on him. An important characteristic of Christian's preaching is the proclamation of peace between God and humanity. When one experiences reconciliation with the Lord, it becomes possible to reconcile to other people as well. Christian teaching and preaching should, therefore, be filled with joy about hope because of the good things God wants to accomplish in us and through us. Verse 16 & 17. But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. Paul quotes Isaiah 53:1 that is part of the prophetic reflection on the fact that people do not always listen to God's Word. In its immediate context continues the account of the Suffering Servant, noting the disbelief of many. In spite of that disbelief, Paul's job and the job of Christ followers, is to keep celebrating the good news and to live lives that reflect our faith in Jesus. After all, we might plant the seed and water it, but God makes it grow. Our responsibility is not the outcome but our faithfulness to report the good news. There is a contrast between the two verses. Verse 16 emphasizes the negative side of unbelief, while verse 17 understands the power of the message to be so great that it leads people to trust Christ. Paul was confident that both Jews and Gentiles would learn to trust God once they understood the nature of the gospel. 
Conclusion
The offer of salvation comes through the preaching of the Word as one of hope and expectation. God is for us and wishes to be with us. When we trust the reliability of that offer, we can enter into a life of joyful hope, which is the Bible salvation. That life begins now and extends into eternity. In Romans 10, Paul speaks of those who cry out to God, confess Jesus as Lord and so receive salvation. Like the prophets of Israel, who called on their people to turn from evil towards good, Paul makes a direct connection between the words that humans speak and God's willingness to save. The words must be sincerely uttered, but the key actor in this drama of salvation is God. Preaching connects closely to prayer as we seek to conform our desires to God's desires. It must be full of hope, inviting listeners to trust a gracious God. This readiness to hear comes from God's passionate love for the creation. In truth, God created the world originally out of love, and he sustains the creation out of the same love. In an environment of love, a needy humanity crying out for help receives a willing ear.
Prayer
O God who makes promises and keeps them over generations and long centuries, our prayer is for all the people near and far to come to know Jesus. Send us! In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
Questions for discussion
Benediction
Next week, we will be starting the summer quarter. If you have been reading the lessons, we would love for you to join us in person, at 10 am. The topic for the summer quarter is Hope in the Lord.
The lesson for next week will be on Colossians 1:24-2:3.
Good morning!
Happy birthday to the church!
When we meet in person, we share our joys and concerns with each other. If you have prayer requests to share, you can add them to the comments on this post. When you are ready, you may use the prayer below to get started:
Heavenly Father, I ask you to help me to continue to grow in You so I may find joy amid my suffering. Help me to know You can use my suffering to grow me and encourage others. In Your name I pray. Amen
Today's lesson is on Romans 5:1-11.
Romans 5 depends entirely on Paul's previous discussion of the human response to the gospel found in Romans 4. Paul has argued, based on the experience of Abraham, that the true basis for a relationship with God is trust in his promises, that is, faith.
Our text today makes an important argument about why followers of Jesus both build their lives based on trust in God's promises yet still experience hardship. Those suffering might wonder whether the new era of God's mercy had dawned or not. In the past, prophets had revealed certain hardships to be God's judgment on sin. Is a Christian's suffering also God's judgment? Elsewhere, Paul boasted about his own suffering as evidence of God's work in his life. Paul would go on to be executed in Rome in AD 67 or 68. In his estimation, this surely was another opportunity to imitate Christ. The transformation to be like Christ has several parts, including a new understanding of suffering, reconciliation, growing friendship with God, and ultimately rescue from the power of sin and death. Paul explores each dimension of these implications in today's text.
Effects of Justification
Because God declares us accepted based on our faith in the Messiah, Jesus, this trust yields certain effects. Justification is not simply an accounting trick God makes. It begins a transformation of life. This includes Jews and Gentiles, with God showing no partiality to either. Because of God's work to keep the ancient promises to Abraham, everyone can have the kind of peace of which Paul speaks. In contrast to peace enforced at the point of the sword, God offers genuine reconciliation of all people to himself through Jesus' faithful obedience. Paul exhorts the Romans to have peace among themselves. Peace with God leads to (or should lead to) peace among followers of God when exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit. Access to God's grace does not derive from an accident of birth or even from doing good deeds. It comes by faith in God's gracious offer of mercy. We take confidence in God's promise, building our lives on it. Because Jesus trusted God, those who follow him may do so as well. The glory of God comes to light in the saving work of Jesus in his crucifixion and resurrection. God's glory is also evident in the life of the church and at the final judgment, when all things will become subject to God and open to his full presence (Romans 8:18) For this reason we boast in expectant hope that God has forgiven us and given us new life now and in Heaven. Paul opens the possibility that Christians might celebrate, not only while experiencing pleasant things but also in suffering. These words do not refer to mild annoyances or everyday problems but to devastating experiences. We think of tribulation that confronts the faithful who overcome it by the power of Christ's love and patience. Such hardship is an opportunity for God's grace to be revealed. Troubles and pain need not diminish our joy in Christ nor define our self-understanding. Suffering can nurture perseverance if we face the tribulation with the proper spiritual attitude. For Paul, growth occurred in the context of the mutual love between God and humankind. It does so because the suffering itself is part of God's movement in the present age to bring about the new era that commenced in Calvary and comes to full blossom at the Last Judgment. A willingness to endure hardship strengthens a person's character and makes it possible to hope in a better future. The overall idea is that of being tested to determine (or improve) one's mettle or your ability to continue despite difficulties. Character should be understood in the positive sense of a high level of integrity that has developed through difficulties. Those who have hope in God's saving work, even if they experience isolation or persecution, still have God's approval. God's love is the source of honor. The evidence of Paul's claim that suffering produces spiritual growth comes from the life of Christ himself. Christ suffered patiently and voluntarily in part because he knew what would be accomplished through his death. His followers may imitate his action, Christ did not die for righteous but the wicked. We were helpless to overcome death and evil before God's presence among humankind overcame those dangerous forces. God's mercy extends to those who need it most. Christ died for those who had done nothing for him and never could. The sustained human commitment to sin necessitated Christ's saving work. God shows love toward us by the radical nature of Jesus' death for strangers and enemies. God has overcome the power of sin and death. Since Jesus had already done the hard work of saving us from the power of sin and death, he can do much easier work of saving us from God's wrath against unrighteousness. Wrath in this context refers to the last judgment, in which the true distinctions between good and evil become unmistakable to all. In that moment of truth telling, the truth of God's mercy shown in Christ's death will win through. Those who trust God's promises to save through his Son will see their hope become a reality. Jesus' death paid the price we could never pay on our own. Rather, by entering the world of sin and death that humans experience, God in Christ overcame those great evils and ended the estrangement that separated humanity from our creator. The end of that alienation from God came about because of his actions, not ours. We can be at peace with God. We are new creatures, we wear a new name and we have a new destiny. 2 Corinthians 5: 17 The final two verses of this section build on the idea of salvation in two ways. First, Paul asserts that Christ's death has made possible our reconciliation to God. While Paul did consider humans as active participants in the process, here he emphasizes God's work rather than human responses. Paul's new thought is that humanity can be saved by Christ's life. We participate in the life he has brought about through his actions in Calvary. Those who trust God can anticipate rescue from the forces of evil. They will experience Christ's life in their own lives. Salvation has tangible results in one's attitude toward daily life. Verse 3 raised the possibility of celebrating even the worse parts of life as opportunities to experience God's mercy. But here, the rejoicing focuses on the mercy itself. Those who rejoice focuses on the mercy itself. Those who trust God celebrate the fact that God's mercy extends to all, not just to themselves. They see themselves as part of the grand story of redemption from the power of evil and share that joy with others. Most importantly, their joy comes through our Lord Jesus Christ. That is, he is the author, inspirer, and basis of their words of celebration. God's act of reconciliation involved not counting our sins against us. He refuses to let them define the relationship with us. 
Conclusion
All human groups believe certain actions are respectable and others unrespectable, with many gradations in between the two poles of honor and shame. Because they followed a crucified Messiah, early Christians had to rethink their cultures' understanding of honor and shame from the ground up. This rethinking allowed them to endure the suffering that families and governments impose on them for their faith. They concluded that human life was not a contest for a limited supply of honor and that the true fount of honor was God. The God who raised Jesus from the dead would raise them too. They endured suffering, not for its own sake, but because in suffering, they could imitate Jesus Christ. That radical hope allowed them to face public disgrace or private strife with generous hearts and confident minds. It still can today. The ability to endure suffering as Christ did shows that the new era is in the process of dawning and that God's promises to protect those who trust him are reliable.
Prayer
God of our Lord Jesus Christ and of all who follow him, we thank you for not allowing us to be shamed by our failures or even our sins. You have welcomed us into your household as honored members, and for that, we are grateful. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen Thought to remember: We have peace with God because Christ paid sin's price for us.
Question for discussion
Benediction
Next week's lesson will be on Romans 10:1-17.
Good morning!
We're so glad you chose to join us today!
Next Sunday is Pentecost! Remember to wear red!
When we meet in person, we share our joys and concerns with each other. If you have prayer requests to share, you can add them to the comments on this post. When you are ready, you may use the prayer below to get started:
In humility and thankfulness, we come to you, Lord God. We thank you for your grace and forgiveness, knowing that even “our best efforts are grease-stained rags,” but because of what Christ has done for us, you count us righteous by faith. And so we give you praise, in Christ’s name. Amen.
Today's lesson is on Romans 4:13-25.
Lesson Context
Romans 4 is part of Paul’s argument in support of the well-known statement he makes in Romans 1:16-17: “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed — a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.’” The good news is that God’s will is that there be a way of reconciliation between God and humans. But there is an obstacle that prevents it — namely, the profound sinfulness of all human beings. Paul explores that obstacle in chapters 1 to 3. Then in chapter 4, Paul begins his discussion of the remedy to universal sin. Far from facing a hopeless situation, we human beings have model available to us of how to approach God — the life of Abraham. When God promised God would bless the world through Abraham, Abraham chose to respond in faith. Paul’s readers, especially his readers of Jewish heritage, would have agreed that Abraham’s legacy was important and valuable. The question in dispute is precisely what that legacy is. Paul argues that Abraham had a relationship with God because he placed his faith in God and trusted in God’s promises. Nothing else. In the New Testament, faith equals trust in God as the one who has promised to bless humanity. Jesus modeled that trust by submitting to his sacrificial death on a cross, being confident that God would work for good through Jesus’ shame and suffering. That trust is the basis for any relationship with the same merciful God.
True heirs of Abraham (verse 13)
Paul does not exclude the Jewish people from God’s concern or minimize the importance of the Law. But Paul builds on the insight that God’s promise to Abraham predates the Law because Abraham lived hundreds of years before Moses and the giving of the Law. Faith — which biblically might be defined as trust in God and God’s intention and ability to keep God’s promises — can characterize any person, not just those who were given the Law. Therefore, Paul argues, the relationship between God and humans rests on something deeper than the Law. That deeper reality is faith in Jesus Christ.
Supporting arguments (verses 14 to 25)
Nothing that we can do can save us. That radical confession has its roots in the Old Testament, which also affirms that human achievement does not deliver in the final analysis. The reality of earthly deliverance (such as in Psalm 44:3, and Hosea 11:7-11) is a precursor to the reality of eternal salvation (such as in Numbers 21:4-9 and John 3:14-15). Rather, the Law of Moses leads one to love God and his fellow human beings. Paul does not mean that Jews or Gentile converts who keep the Law cannot also trust God. Instead, he means that law-keeping cannot substitute for the primary requirement, which is faith. It is important to recognize that Paul does argue against Jews’ keeping the Law. He only argues against the insistence that Gentiles must do that as well. It’s an unfortunate irony that, after the Judaism and Christianity became separate religions, Christians persecuted Jews and used passages such as this to justify it. But that was never Paul’s position. In verse 15, Paul points out that the Law has limitations. It can point out sin and the effects it has, but it cannot save people. The Law of Moses emphasizes God’s sense of justice and God’s desire for people to live together in justice and righteousness — the appropriate response when we have a genuine love for God. Faith is what both Christians of Gentile and Jewish heritage have in common. Trusting in God’s promise, just as Abraham trusted God, is what makes us all children of Abraham and heirs of the promise that God made to him. Abraham was a very old man and his wife, Sarah, was beyond the age of reproduction. While Abraham recognized the reality of his and his wife’s physical states, he did not see that natural limit as the end of the possibilities available to God. Just as Abraham trusted God in spite of his seemingly hopeless situation, those who trust in Christ acknowledge they are hopelessly separated from God and can do nothing to remedy the situation. But, like Abraham, they trust God will be true to God’s promises and that God will respond by giving life and creating a new reality. It was because of that trust, Paul writes, that God counted Abraham as righteous. In the same way, when we trust in God’s son and in the promise of life that we believe Jesus’s death brings, God imputes his righteousness to us. 
Conclusion
God counts us righteous when we, like Abraham, trust the promises of redemption and live accordingly. We are not righteous because of the good we do or the evil we avoid, but because God acknowledges us as loyal to him, staking all our hopes on his promises. And his offer of salvation extends to all because sin has wrecked us all. We stand together in both our need and our hope. This unity of humanity may show itself in different ways. We might wallow together in our sin, growing increasingly hostile to each other and sacrificing our common humanity on the altar of greed, envy, pride and hatred. Or we might acknowledge our need, trust in God’s mercy, and so join in a community built on such a faith. The choice belongs to us. How do we build a community on such a basis? A church full of people who trust in God’s promises live generous, open-hearted, kind lives. They, like Abraham, show hospitality to strangers as though they were angels (Hebrews 13:2). Such a church values the whole trajectory of a person’s life of faith, emphasizing neither failures nor heroic successes but faithfulness in the face of adversity (James 1:2-3) and God’s seeming slowness to act (2 Peter 3:9). This community of believers knows itself to be saved, not because of its own merits but because of God’s mercy.
Prayer
God of Abraham and all who trust you, focus our minds not on our own limitations but on your great love for your creation. Thank you for Jesus’ sacrifice, which we accept in faith as reconciling us to you. In his name we pray. Amen.
Questions for discussion
Benediction
Next week's lesson will be on Romans 5:1-11.
Good morning!
We're so glad you chose to join us today!
Each week, we meet in person. We take some time to share joys and concerns, and have a little fellowship. If you have a prayer request, please add it as a comment to this post. When you are ready, use the prayer below (source) to get started.
Heavenly Father, thank You that I have been justified by faith, without deeds of the Law or works of the flesh. Thank You that I am accepted because of the Lord Jesus Christ. By faith in Him, I have been clothed in His righteousness and set free from the bondage of the Law. May I live my life by faith and not seek to gain Your approval through deeds of the Law or works of the flesh. Thank You that Christ has set me free so that I may live my life by faith in Him, Who loved me and gave Himself for me. In His name I pray, AMEN.
This week's lesson is on Romans 3:21-30.
Lesson Context
Paul's letter to the Romans was written about AD 58, most likely from Corinth during his third missionary journey. The church in Rome had been influenced by an edict, issued by Emperor Claudius in about AD 49, that had forced Jews living in Rome to leave. The Roman history Suetonius says that Claudius, "banished from Rome all the Jews, who were continually making disturbances at the instigation of one Chrestus," probably referring to Christ. Our book says that this probably caused a divide within the Roman church between Gentile and Jewish believers, with each group contending that it had a better claim of salvation in Christ than the other. Because the Jews were expelled from Rome, the Gentile Christians were the majority in the church there. Their majority status seems to have continued after Jews were allowed to return in Rome, in about AD 54. Much of Paul's letter was directed specifically to the Gentile believers there. Most of the letter to the Romans is gospel. It is perhaps the closest thing in the Bible to a systematic exploration of Christian doctrine. Today's lesson cuts straight to the heart of the matter: what is required for salvation.
God's Righteousness (verses 21-24)
The verse previous to our passage says that, "no one will be declared righteous in God's sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin." For some, the law offers a surefire way to become righteous in God's eyes. All that is required is perfect obedience! Paul separates the law from righteousness. The purpose of the law was never to make a person righteous and thus justify that person. The law was intended to make people aware of their sin. It teaches what God is like, and acted as a guardian until Jesus came to reveal the righteousness of God. The righteousness of God is the gift believers receive. Faith is not just a collection of beliefs but is connected to the person of Jesus Christ. By faith in Jesus, we are eligible to and to receive the gift of being called righteous. This is being made right with God, despite our continued imperfect efforts. Paul makes an aside that everyone has sinned and fallen short. Everyone is lost in sin and living counter to God's will, so salvation for everyone must be attained in the same way. The glory of God can be defined as his presence with his people. God reveals himself through his glory so that people might experience him and honor him. It is a true and holy representation of God's character, in contrast to any idol or other falsehood. As his image-bearers, we were meant to reflect well on our creator by living lives that reflect his holy character, his glory. Sin prevents us from doing this. All who believe are justified. This means God considers that person righteous. It is important that Paul means justification by grace, freely given. This contrasts with a works-based salvation, where one hopes to work hard enough to earn God's pardon. We can never hope to work perfectly hard enough to achieve this.
Christ's Sacrifice (verses 25-26)
In Israel, sacrifices were offered throughout the year for various purposes. A sacrifice of atonement was required by God in order to forgive his people. The mercy seat of the ark of the covenant was the center of the sacrificial system. Only the head priest could go into the holy of holies, and only once each year on the Day of Atonement, to sprinkle blood on the mercy seat. This sacrifice was a mercy from God so that he would forgive their sins. The sacrificial system was a temporary solution. It was made obsolete by Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross. By faith, Jesus' blood accomplishes the atonement we require for the remission of sins. God's forbearance, his patience, was seen in his allowance for animal sacrifice to forgive sins. When Paul says, "at the present time," he is referring to the time since Christ's sacrifice, before the age to come. God desires both justice and mercy for sinners. He could not accurately be called just if he simply turned a blind eye to wrongdoing. Those who have faith in Jesus experience God's mercy and are justified when they are covered in Christ's blood and made new.
Human Boasting (verses 27-30)
Some Jewish people took great pride in their own success in following the law faithfully. If anyone could boast about his adherence to the law, it was Paul. Since salvation is not accomplished by anything a sinful person can achieve, no person has the right to boast. For this reason, even Paul counted all things, "garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him." The law that requires faith supersedes the prior laws and accomplishes what a law of works could not: salvation in Christ. Keeping the law does not accomplish righteousness; trying to keep the law makes us aware of our shortcomings. Justification only comes by faith. The works that result are evidence of faith; they are integral to a living faith, but they are not saving actions. Since there is only one God, he chose only one way to justify all people: by faith. There is only one way to the Father, no matter one's background: Jesus Christ himself. 
Conclusion
All human brokenness and sorrow can be traced back to sin. It is sad that we are all united in this, but fortunately, the cure is also something we all have in common. Our own efforts cannot heal us. We all need Jesus. He is the one person we can all have in common and in whom we can find unity outside of our sinfulness. He is the only one who can transform our effort from futility in sin and death to Spirit-led works of hope and life.
Prayer
Gracious Lord, thank you for your gift of salvation through faith in Jesus. Thank you that it is a gift offered to everyone. Forgive us when we think we have to earn this gift. In Jesus' name through whom we have our salvation. Amen.
Questions for Discussion
Benediction
Next week's lesson will be on Romans 4:13-25.
He is Risen!
Prelude: Ron Dobscha
Announcements: CALL TO WORSHIP: This is the day that the Lord has made! We will rejoice and be glad in it! The Lord is our strength and our song: He has become our victory! You are our God, and we will praise You; You are our God, and we will exalt You. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful loves endures forever! INVOCATION:
*Hymn: “Jesus Christ is Risen Today” #232
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION: Lord, though You should guide us, we inform ourselves; though You should rule us, we control ourselves; though You should fulfill us, we console ourselves. We think Your truth too high, Your will too hard, Your power too remote, Your love too free. But they are not! And without them, we are of all people most miserable. Now heal our confused minds with Your word, heal our divided wills with Your law, heal our troubled consciences with Your love, heal our anxious hearts with Your presence, all for the sake of Your Son, who loved us and gave Himself for us. Amen. *Time of Silent Prayer: *Assurance of Pardon *Response – Gloria Patri #581 Passing of the peace Children’s Chat Prayer of Illumination Scripture: Isaiah 25: 6-9 Kirkland Cipoletti SERMON TEXT: Romans 5: 12-21 *Hymn: “Crown Him with Many Crowns” # 268 *Apostles Creed (next to prayer list) Presentation of tithes and offering Offertory *Doxology *Prayer of dedication Concerns and Celebrations Prayers of the people The Lord’s Prayer *Hymn: “He Lives” Insert * Benediction Postlude
BIRTHDAYS:
April 5 Bobbie Clifford ANNIVERSARIES: None SYMPATHIES: The family of Dana Wilson Remember our food collection, and Jesus said, “ You give them something to eat”. Please let Betty Fisher know of anyone within the community that may be in need at this time. April 7th is our next covered dish dinner. Bring your favorite covered dish or dessert. All are welcome.
Continuing Prayer List
Chuck Dicks, Frank Huffman, Tom Westfall, Sandy Stone, Sarah Wilson, Carl Weber, Ricci Amos, Fred Wilkinson, Haley Diedier Bedillion, Donna West, Helen Provenzano, Marlene McFeely, Marley Smith, Suzy Smith, Carol Pierce, Chuck Harton, Johnny Yurko, Mike Durila, Betty Fisher, Tim Knabenshue, Jim King, Beckett, Grandson of Scott Shetter, Stella Crothers, Lori Patterson, Mary Stoey, Ron Poznick, Ron Westfall, Norma Jean Kelso 
Prelude: Ron Dobscha
CALL TO WORSHIP: Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing! Blessing and honor and glory and power be to the One seated on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever! You alone are holy! All the earth will come and worship before You, for Your righteous deeds have been revealed for all to see. He is Risen! Worship our risen King! INVOCATION
*Hymn: Jesus Christ is Risen Today” # 232
*PRAYER OF CONFESSION: Almighty Father, You are the source of every good and perfect gift. We praise Your name for the greatest and most perfect gift: Your son, our Lord Jesus Christ. But in lifting Him up, we humble ourselves before You. We confess to You, not only our sins of omission in failing to do what we know is right, but also our sins of commission in doing what You forbid. O Lord, we are weak and feeble, slow to confess our sins and prone to wander from the path of righteousness, do not deal with us as our sins deserve but wash us clean in the blood of the Lamb and empower us by Your Spirit to live to honor and serve our Savior King. We praise You that He was born like us that we might become like Him. In Jesus Name we pray. AMEN. *Time of Silent Prayer: *Assurance of Pardon *Response – Gloria Patri #581 Passing of the peace Scripture: Psalm 46 Kirkland Cipoletti SERMON TEXT: Romans 5: 12-21 *Hymn: “Good Christian All, Rejoice and Sing!” # 239 *Apostles Creed (next to prayer list) Presentation of tithes and offering Offertory *Doxology *Prayer of dedication Concerns and Celebrations Prayers of the people The Lord’s Prayer *Hymn: “Shine Jesus Shine” #192 * Benediction Postlude
Good morning!
We're so glad you decided to join us today!
When we meet each week, we take time to share any prayer requests we might have. If you have any to share, please add them as a comment to this post. When you are ready, use the prayer below (source) to get started.
Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Help us to learn and grow in our spiritual gifts that you uniquely give each of us. We ask that you help us to use our spiritual gifts for your glory. We pray that we may be bold in sharing the gospel, and that we would be faithful in serving you. We ask that you would help us to grow in our knowledge of you and that we would be obedient to your will. We praise you for your goodness and your faithfulness, and we ask that you continue to work in our lives. In Jesus name. Amen
This week's lesson is on Romans 12:3-8.
The book of Romans was written by Paul in about AD 58, Probably toward the end of his third missionary journey. At that point, Paul had not yet been to Rome, but greatly wished to visit. He would do so, but in chains as a prisoner.
He made it to Rome by about AD 61 but remained under house arrest, unable to move about the city as he might have wished. Paul wrote his letter to the church to introduce himself and his teaching prior to a personal visit there. The church was likely established not long after the day of Pentecost, some 30 years earlier. Some of the Jews who heard Peter's sermon that day were from Rome, and it's easy to imagine that they were the ones who started the church after returning home to Rome. There is little doubt that the Roman church had heard of Paul and looked forward to meeting him. The book of Romans falls into two major sections. The first part, Romans 1-11, features some of the most doctrinal heavy thoughts in all of Scripture. A shift comes with Romans 12-16, which addresses how Christians then live in light of the truth of those doctrines. The ability to discern the “what God's will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will” begins with the correct thought of ourselves. For a person to think soberly is to think rationally and appropriately. Paul introduced the common standard of measurement by which to evaluate oneself: it is the measure of faith. For just as each of us has one body with many members and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. It should be obvious that not all parts of the body perform the same function. A hand does not function as an ear and vice versa. Paul desired his readers to think in terms of one as a collective singular of many. As Christians cannot serve effectively apart from other Christians, so also one body cannot operate independently of the head, who is Christ.
Gifts- How to serve
Paul begins a list of seven different gifts. The gift of prophecy involves proclaiming information divinely revealed for the church's edification. We pause here for caution: as Paul begins his listing of such gifts according to this text and others. But to do so runs the risk of missing the bigger picture which is spiritual gifts serve as an example of a church that is united in it diversity Spiritual gifts are not given merely to bless the person receiving the gift but to build up the church as a whole. Most of all, these gifts are intended to be displays of love between believers. We move to the second gift in Paul's grouping of four: service. Service was the usual way to describe the work that Christians did on behalf of others. Christian ministry in general (Romans 15:25; Philemon 13) The ministry of Christ (Romans 15:8; Galatians 2:17) Specific Christian ministries (Romans 11:13; 2 Corinthians 9:12-13) Ministry of the office of deacon (Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3: 8-13) Ministry of a secular authority (Romans 13:4) Paul then focuses on the person who teaches rather than the gift of teaching. Teaching is distinct from prophesying. Prophesy is based on revealing the information that God has placed in the prophet's mouth; teaching involves communicating the truth of the gospel. Teaching was critical for the first-century church, where many people were not formally educated. They learned from auditory instructions instead of reading. Therefore, it was and is a primary task of the eldership. Fourth gift is encouragement. Primary ways Paul used this was to comfort, urge, or encourage. Paul is challenging those with this gift to use it in terms of being a bit stronger than merely “requesting” something of someone else but a bit less strong than “commanding” that person. If it is giving, then give generously. To give is to share with another or the church what one has. This is an expectation of all believers. There are no ulterior motives for our giving. If it is to lead, do it diligently. This includes church leadership, family leadership or household management and self-management. To be such a person is to be in control in a godly sense. If you show mercy, do it cheerfully. To show mercy requires both action and proper attitude. Showing mercy involves more than merely offering lip service sympathy or forgiveness. In the Beatitudes Jesus states, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” The mercy we ourselves have received from God is the basis for our own action of mercy, as Jesus' parable of the unmerciful servant makes clear. (Matthew 18:21-35) We see the cheerfulness aspect of showing mercy also reflected in giving (2 Corinthians 9:7), such giving being a specific kind of merciful act. At this point, this list of spiritual gifts ends. But the very next verse (Romans 12:9) relates love to spiritual gifts in much the same way as 1 Corinthians 12:14 does. Love is the touchstone for how any spiritual gift is used. 
Conclusion: All gifts matter
We understand that all spiritual gifts are important. But at the same time, we know that not all such gifts are equal and that not all believers are equally gifted (Matthew 25:14-15) As a result, our natural tendency is to pay more attention to the gifts that are more visible, more “out front” to the public. The highly visible preacher of the church usually gets paid more that the less visible custodian who cleans the church. But here's where Paul's illustration of body members working together (unity in diversity) comes in per Romans 12: 4-5: I don't think you would want to go to a dirty and smelly church any more than you would want to go to church with a horrible preacher! The functions of one's hands are much more varied, useful and visible then are the functions of one's elbow. But a nonfunctioning elbow will severely limit how the hand can function. Pride is a danger to those having the more visible gifts. Also a danger is that those who have the less visible gifts won't use them, perhaps figuratively “burying” them. (Matthew 25:25) But just as no human body functions to its highest potential unless all of its parts are working together, so also the church- the body of Christ – does not function at full potential until all of its members use their spiritual gifts. The cure or preventative for both pride of gifts and nonuse of gifts is Luke 17:10. “So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, we are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.” Your gifts A popular tool that churches and ministries have turned to since at least the 1980's is a spiritual gifts assessment inventory (or tests) during my time as a student in Bible college and seminary. You can take these tests online and get your results. Most of the time, they told me what I suspected already: that teaching was one of my spiritual gifts. Occasionally, an inventory would indicate that I had a secondary gift that I didn't realize. One such result was that I had the gift of administration. I found that to be exceptionally funny, given the reality of the piles of books, articles and papers piled on my desk, floor and couch. This goes to show that these inventories aren't perfect – they can be misleading. An assumption behind those inventories is that helping people identify what their giftings are will mean that those who have been enlightened will automatically start using those gifts. But that is not always so. People will need encouragement to use and otherwise develop their spiritual gifts. Sometimes, people need the wisdom and insight of others to help discern which giftings are present. Another assumption is that such inventories are even needed for people to be able to identify their areas of spiritual giftedness. A more accurate indicator may be personal experience. What types of Christians service do your personal experiences tell you that you have been best at? Where have you fallen flat.
Prayer
Father, you have called all of your servants to serve. Help us to realize our gifts and give us the courage to develop and use them for your glory. Help us to remember that no matter what our gifts are all members of one body and that no one is unimportant to your church and to you. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen. Thought to remember: Know your spiritual gifts and use them with humility
Questions
Benediction
This week's benediction is from the King James Version. 
Next week's lesson will be on Isaiah 40:12-13, 25-31.
Good morning!
We're so glad you decided to join us today!
This is our first week meeting after the early worship service. If you haven't joined us for Sunday School before, we would really enjoy having you!
When we meet together in person, we take some time to share our joys and concerns. If you have any prayer requests, you can add them as a comment to this post. When you are ready, use the prayer below (source) to get started.
Heavenly Father, thank You that You are the source of life and the fountain-spring of love. Help me to carry out Your will for my life, and may I love as Christ loves. I pray that I would do no wrong, in thought, word, or deed, to my family, friends, or neighbors. And help me to show the love of Christ to all with whom I come in contact today. This I ask in Jesus' precious name and for His greater glory. AMEN.
Today's lesson is on Romans 13:8-10 and 1 Corinthians 13:8-13.
The actions and attitudes of Christian love improve our spiritual view in critical areas. First as we express that love, we begin to see more and more opportunities to express it. Second, this improved spiritual vision will cause us to see that to minister to others in love is to serve God. “Whoever loves God is known by God.” In Corinthians, Paul says “Let all that you do be done in love." In 1 John, chapter 4, we read, “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. We love because he first loved us." Proverbs says, “A friend loves at all times.” In the last verse of today’s text, Paul says, “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
Chris Tiegreen, writer and editor of a devotional magazine, says “Faith lasts only until it becomes sight, and hope lasts only until it’s fulfilled, but love lasts forever." 
Prayer
Father, we live in a time where love is perhaps more desperately sought after than ever before. Forgive us when we become callous to the needs around us. Help us to follow the example of Jesus and to see others as he sees them. In his name we pray. Amen.
Questions for Discussion
Benediction
Today's benediction is from the Revised Standard Version. 
Next week's lesson will be on Colossians 2:16-23.
Good morning!
We're so glad you decided to join us today!
Starting next week, our in person Sunday School class will be after the worship service.
Worship will start at 9:45 am. Sunday School will start at 11 am.
When we meet in person, we share our joys and concerns. Take some time to consider the past week, and any prayer requests you might have. When you are ready, use the prayer below to get started.
Loving God, Creator of dignity and all that lives. Help us be bridges. We must have your grace to endure and your wisdom to bring harmony where there is strife, transform us to peacemakers and bridgemakers. We are all God's children. Amen.
This week's lesson is on Acts 15:1-11.
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