Saturday Morning: 16 Mar 2019 – Romans 3:21-31 ~ Acquitted!

Friday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Almighty God: to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid; cleanse the thoughts of my heart through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that I may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ my Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – Romans 3:21-31 (NLT)

Christ Took Our Punishment

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. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. 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. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he makes sinners right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.

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. So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law.

After all, is God the God of the Jews only? Isn’t he also the God of the Gentiles? Of course he is. There is only one God, and he makes people right with himself only by faith, whether they are Jews or Gentiles. Well then, if we emphasize faith, does this mean that we can forget about the law? Of course not! In fact, only when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law.
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Morning Reflection:

“For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.
Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight.
He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.”
– Romans 3:23-24

There it is – the very heart of the Good News of Jesus Christ – we’ve been redeemed, acquitted, made right with God through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ who took on himself the penalty for our sin, and that of the whole world.

In Christian theology, justification is God’s act of removing the guilt and penalty of sin while at the same time making a sinner righteous through Christ’s atoning sacrifice. (Wikiwand)

+ Justification is the act of declaring a sinner righteous and acquitting him/her of all charges and condemnation.

+ Justification is received by faith apart from works of any kind.

+ God justifies sinners by grace on the basis of the redeeming work of Jesus Christ.

+ God’s wrath against sinners has been totally satiated through Christ’s sacrifice.

+ In the act of justifying sinners God’s justice has in no way been compromised, for the total just payment for sin has been met in Christ.

Questions for consideration:

You have been acquitted, declared right with God. Have you ever thought that God might change his mind about you because of current sin in your life? Please explain.
You have been acquitted, declared right with God. Does this mean that you no longer have to be concerned about your lifestyle, about losing your life and following Jesus? Please explain.
You have been acquitted, declared right with God. How about your unbelieving family, friends and neighbors? How can you reach out to them with the Good News of Jesus Christ – that they can be made right with God too? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Gracious God: Thank you for sending your Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the penalty for my sin in order to make me right with you. Thank you for this free gift of grace through faith. Guide and direct my life through the power of your Word and Spirit within me that I may continue to be changed into his likeness and demonstrate that no sinner is beyond your saving mercy. I ask this through Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord. Amen.
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“Redeemed” – Big Daddy Weave

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Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Friday Morning: 15 Mar 2019 – Romans 3:9-20 ~ Guilty!

Friday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening (Collect for Purity)

Morning Reading – Romans 3:9-20 (NLT)

All People Are Sinners

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. As the Scriptures say,

“No one is righteous—not even one. No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. All have turned away; all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one.”

“Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave. Their tongues are filled with lies.”

“Snake venom drips from their lips.”

“Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”

“They rush to commit murder. Destruction and misery always follow them. They don’t know where to find peace.”

“They have no fear of God at all.”

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. 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.
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Morning Reflection:

The purpose of the law… “is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God.” – Romans 3:19

Total Depravity: John Calvin used terms like “total depravity” to mean that, despite the ability of people to outwardly uphold the law, there remained an inward distortion which makes all human actions displeasing to God, whether or not they are outwardly good or bad….

In essence, then, “our situation is hopeless as far as we are concerned. Our entire heart, mind, and will is enslaved to the power of sin and we stand under the just wrath of God.” (Greg Herrick)
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“We live in the period of the inauguration of [Christ’s] kingdom, but we must wait patiently for the consummation to come at his return. Thus our present experience, while rooted in deep joy, is not without sorrow, pain, and suffering. We must take up the cross as our master taught us (Luke 9:23).” (Greg Herrick)

Questions for consideration:

Do you believe that the entire world is in rebellion against God and in need of forgiveness? Why/why not? Please explain.
Do you believe that the entire world is under condemnation – subject to the wrath of God – without Christ? Please explain.
Do you believe that unbelievers are enslaved to the power of sin in heart, mind, and will? How about your unbelieving family members, friends and neighbors? Please explain.
Do you believe that even believers struggle with the residual effects of the power of sin in heart, mind and will? How about you? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Jesus said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.” – Luke 9:23

Heavenly Father: You made me in your image and declared me good. Nevertheless, I suffer the effects of ageless, compounded sin in my heart, mind and will. Thank you for saving me from myself through the sacrifice of your son, Jesus Christ, who was made sin that I might be made right with you. Continue the cleansing, transforming work of your Word and Spirit in my life; teach me to mistrust myself and rely solely on you, that I might lose myself, take up my cross and follow you. I ask this in Jesus’ name.
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“Take Up Your Cross” – Ray Boltz

https://youtu.be/ediEhCEK2Q8?rel=0
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Closing:

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Thursday Morning: 14 Mar 2019 – Romans 2:17-3:8 ~ Who is truly Jewish?

Thursday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening (Collect for Purity)

Morning Reading – Romans 2:17-3:8 (NLT)

The Jews and the Law

You who call yourselves Jews are relying on God’s law, and you boast about your special relationship with him. You know what he wants; you know what is right because you have been taught his law. You are convinced that you are a guide for the blind and a light for people who are lost in darkness. You think you can instruct the ignorant and teach children the ways of God. For you are certain that God’s law gives you complete knowledge and truth.

Well then, if you teach others, why don’t you teach yourself? You tell others not to steal, but do you steal? You say it is wrong to commit adultery, but do you commit adultery? You condemn idolatry, but do you use items stolen from pagan temples? You are so proud of knowing the law, but you dishonor God by breaking it. No wonder the Scriptures say,

“The Gentiles blaspheme the name of God because of you.”

The Jewish ceremony of circumcision has value only if you obey God’s law. But if you don’t obey God’s law, you are no better off than an uncircumcised Gentile. And if the Gentiles obey God’s law, won’t God declare them to be his own people? In fact, uncircumcised Gentiles who keep God’s law will condemn you Jews who are circumcised and possess God’s law but don’t obey it.

For you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or because you have gone through the ceremony of circumcision. No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by the Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people.

God Remains Faithful

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

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

“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.) Of course not! If God were not entirely fair, how would he be qualified to judge the world? “But,” someone might still argue, “how can God condemn me as a sinner if my dishonesty highlights his truthfulness and brings him more glory?” 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.
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Morning Reflection:

Who is truly Jewish?

In today’s reading, Paul addresses the Jewish belief that they have a special relationship with God by birth-right. They are the custodians of God’s Law and, as such, are the arbiters of truth and righteousness.

The Problem: Hypocrisy – They don’t practice what they preach, and are more concerned with external appearances than sincere obedience.

The Solution: Inner Transformation – A change of heart produced by the Spirit of God. Hearts like those described in Ezekiel 36:26 –

I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.

The Result: Truly Jewish People

+ Those whose hearts are right with God
+ Those who obey the Law in spirit and truth
+ Those who seek praise from God, not from people

“Reality with God is not a matter of outward conformity to religious rituals,
but rather of obedience that results from God changing your heart.” – Steven Cole

Questions for Consideration:

Do you consider yourself a Christian? Please explain how you arrived at your conclusion?
Have you experienced a God-given change of heart – from stony stubborn to tender responsive? Please explain.
Re: hypocrisy – Can you think of an area in your life where you don’t do what you know is right; you don’t “practice what you preach?” Please explain.
Re: approval – Can you think of an area in your life where you are more concerned about what others think, than about what God thinks? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer: Psalm 51:10-12

“Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.”

I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen
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“Fix You – Ezekiel 36:26” – Coldplay

When you try your best, but you don’t succeed
When you get what you want, but not what you need
When you feel so tired, but you can’t sleep
Stuck in reverse

https://youtu.be/I6r8zZ472PI?rel=0

And the tears come streaming down your face
When you lose something you can’t replace
When you love someone, but it goes to waste
Could it be worse?

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you

And high up above or down below
When you’re too in love to let it go
But if you never try, you’ll never know
Just what you’re worth

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you

Tears stream down your face
When you lose something you cannot replace
Tears stream down your face
And I

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you
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Closing:

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Wednesday Morning: 13 Mar 2019 – Romans 2:1-16 ~ God will judge everyone’s secret life

Wednesday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening (Collect for Purity)

Morning Reading – Romans 2:1-16 (NLT)

God’s Judgment of Sin

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. And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things? Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?

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. He will judge everyone according to what they have done. He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. 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. There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on doing what is evil—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism.

When the Gentiles sin, they will be destroyed, even though they never had God’s written law. And the Jews, who do have God’s law, will be judged by that law when they fail to obey it. For merely listening to the law doesn’t make us right with God. It is obeying the law that makes us right in his sight. Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it. They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right. And this is the message I proclaim—that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life.
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Morning Reflection:

Well that ought to slow us down; Paul is talking about us – we too are without excuse! Nevertheless, God is “wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient” with us. Why?

Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?
– Romans 2:4c

God’s kindness and patience is intended to lead us to repentance.

The Protestant reformer John Calvin wrote that repentance “may be justly defined to be a true conversion of our life to God, proceeding from a serious fear of God, and consisting in the mortification of the flesh and of the old man (crucified with Christ), and in the vivification of the Spirit (raised with Christ) – a newness of life, which corresponds with the righteousness of God.”

Questions for consideration:

And this is the message I proclaim—that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life. – Romans 2:16

How has God changed your life? What aspects of your life have been truly given to God? Please explain.
What aspects of your life are you still holding on to? What needs further conversion? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Heavenly Father: Thank you for your kindness, tolerance, and patience. Hear my prayers and forgive the sins of my secret life for the sake of your son, Jesus Christ. Fill me with your Spirit, and continue the process of conversion in me – from death to life – with you in Word and Spirit. And give me a healthy fear of the coming judgement, that I might delight in your will and walk in your ways to the glory of your name. Amen.
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“In the Day of Judgement” – Bryann Trejo

(Turn on Closed Caption)
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Closing:

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Tuesday Morning: 12 Mar 2019 – Romans 1:18-32 ~ What makes God angry?

Tuesday Morning

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening (Collect for Purity)

Morning Reading – Romans 1:18-32 (NLT)

God’s Anger at Sin

But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. 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.

Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles.

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. 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. That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved.

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. Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy. They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too.
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Morning Reflection:

What makes God angry – not impulsively, but measured – a settled indignation?

God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness…. Yes, they knew God (through creation), but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. – Romans 1:18, 21

So how has God responded?

God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. – Romans 1:24

And how has this worked out?

Please read the following two paragraphs slowly in light of what you are seeing on the news, in your community, in your workplace, in your family, and in your own life. It’s not pretty.

As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. 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. That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved. – Romans 1:24b-27

Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy. – Romans 1:28-31

And we are without excuse –

They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too. – Romans 1:32

Questions for consideration:

If you were to read these paragraphs aloud in public, would they be considered hate speech in your community? Please explain.
Which of the sins listed above has become the “new normal” in your community, in your family, in your life? Please explain.
Which of the sins listed above do you struggle with personally? Is there something else not listed? Please explain.
Why should you attend to your own sins first? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me – a sinner.

If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. – 1 John 1:8-9
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“In Christ Alone” – Mercy Me