Evangelical Free Church Welcome to the Evangelical Free Church of Goodlow 15 April, 2018

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step Chinese Proverb

Kortney Clemens

U.S. Paralympics 2012; 2016

First Steps on the Road

New Living Translation First Steps On the Road New Living Translation Offensiveness of Sin – (Romans 1 & 2) Faithfulness of God - (Romans 3:1-8) Sinfulness of Man - (Romans 3:9-20) Fullness of the Father’s Love – (Romans 3:21-25a)

First Steps On the Road Offensiveness of Sin – (Romans 1 & 2)

19 They know the truth about God Romans 1 19 They know the truth about God because He has made it obvious to them.  20 For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky.

His eternal power and divine nature. Through everything God made, they can clearly see His invisible qualities— His eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

28 Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, He abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done. 

29 Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness…

5 But because you are stubborn and refuse Romans 2 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. 

6 He will judge everyone according to what they have done. 7 He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honour and immortality that God offers. 

8 But He will pour out His anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness.  9 There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on doing what is evil…

First Steps On the Road Offensiveness of Sin – (Romans 1 & 2) Faithfulness of God - (Romans 3:1-8)

the whole revelation of God. Romans 3 Then what’s the advantage of being a Jew? Is there any value in the ceremony of circumcision?  2 Yes, there are great benefits! First of all, the Jews were entrusted with the whole revelation of God.

3 True, some of them were unfaithful; but just because they were unfaithful, does that mean God will be unfaithful? 

Even if everyone else is a liar, God is true. 4 Of course not! Even if everyone else is a liar, God is true. As the Scriptures say about Him, “You will be proved right in what You say,     and You will win Your case in court.” [Psalm 51]

7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; Psalm 19 7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;

8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;

9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.

10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward.

God Is True!

“our sinfulness serves a good purpose, 5 “But,” some might say, “our sinfulness serves a good purpose, for it helps people see how righteous God is. Isn’t it unfair, then, for Him to punish us?” (This is merely a human point of view.) 

(…merely a human point of view.)

(…merely a human point of view.) I am not my brother’s keeper …build a tower to the heavens …a king like other nations …one God among many

(…merely a human point of view.) The body is evil and not spiritual, so it doesn’t matter what I do physically The Bible plus other writings… God does not know ALL things (Open Theism) Scripture is NOT inerrant

6 …If God were not entirely fair, how would He be qualified to judge the world? 7 “But,” someone might still argue, “how can God condemn me as a sinner if my dishonesty highlights His truthfulness and brings Him more glory?” 

8 And some people even slander us by claiming that we say, “The more we sin, the better it is!” Those who say such things deserve to be condemned.

First Steps On the Road Offensiveness of Sin – (Romans 1 & 2) Faithfulness of God - (Romans 3:1-8) Sinfulness of Man - (Romans 3:9-20)

9 Well then, should we conclude that we Jews are better than others? No, not at all, for we have already shown that all people, whether Jews or Gentiles,  are under the power of sin. 

All are sinners by nature by act by charge by inheritance All are under the power of sin

“No one is righteous—not even one. 10 As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous—not even one. 11 No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. 12 All have turned away; all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one.” [Ps. 14; 53]

13 “Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave. Their tongues are filled with lies.” “Snake [asp] venom drips from their lips.” 14“Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”

15 “They rush to commit murder. 16Destruction and misery always follow them. 17 They don’t know where to find peace.” 18“They have no fear of God at all.”

19 Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God. 

20 For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands.

8 God saved you by His grace when you believed. Ephesians 2 8 God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.  9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

20 For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.

First Steps On the Road Offensiveness of Sin – (Romans 1 & 2) Faithfulness of God - (Romans 3:1-8) Sinfulness of Man - (Romans 3:9-20) Fullness of the Father’s Love – (Romans 3:21-25a)

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 [through faith in] Jesus Christ. And this is true for [upon] everyone who believes, no matter who we are.

we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God, in His grace, freely makes us right in His sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when He freed [redeemed] 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.

Fullness of the Father’s Love What Next? Offensiveness of Sin Faithfulness of God Sinfulness of Man Fullness of the Father’s Love

when they believe that Jesus sacrificed His life, shedding His blood. What Next? 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.

What Next? 9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord Romans 10 9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

What Next? 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.

What Next? 14…I have a great sense of obligation Romans 1 14…I have a great sense of obligation to people in both the civilized world and the rest of the world,  to the educated and uneducated

What Next? 15 So I am eager to come to you in Rome, too, to preach [deliver] the Good News. Paul‘s perpetual passion for the people

What Next?

What Next? 1I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, Romans 9  1I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, 2 that I have great sorrow and continual grief [affliction] in my heart.

What Next? 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh,

“The world is dying! The graves are filling! What Next? “The world is dying! The graves are filling! Hell is boasting, and yet you have the gospel! Can it be that you do not care to win souls, do not care whether men are damned or saved?

What Next? The Lord wake us from this stony-hearted barbarity to our fellow men, and make us yearn over them, care about them, pray about them, and work for them till the Lord shall arise and send forth labourers into His harvest!” C.H. Spurgeon

A Passion for Souls

Give me a passion for souls, dear Lord, A passion to save the lost; O that Your love were by all adored, And welcomed at any cost.

Jesus, I long, I long to be winning Those who are lost, and constantly sinning; O may this hour be one of beginning The story of pardon to tell.

Though there are dangers untold and stern Confronting me in the way, Willingly still would I go, nor turn, But trust You for grace each day.

Jesus, I long, I long to be winning Those who are lost, and constantly sinning; O may this hour be one of beginning The story of pardon to tell.

How shall this passion for souls be mine How shall this passion for souls be mine? Lord, please make the answer clear; Help me to throw out the old life line To those who are struggling near.

Jesus, I long, I long to be winning Those who are lost, and constantly sinning; O may this hour be one of beginning The story of pardon to tell.

To God the Father, who loved us, and made us accepted in the Beloved: to God the Son who loved us, and loosed us from our sins by His own blood:

to God the Holy Spirit, who spreads the love of God abroad in our hearts: to the one true God be all love and all glory for time and for eternity.  Amen.