But Now: Everything Changes

In one paragraph

This message came from Romans 3:21-25, one long sentence that Paul uses to pivot from weeks of teaching on sin and condemnation into the good news of the gospel. Pastor Larry walked the congregation through the three main clauses of that sentence, showing how Paul ties together the problem of universal sin and the specific mechanism by which God has dealt with it. The whole point, he argued, lands...

Read together

1. Romans 1:1-4 Paul quoted introducing himself as a bond servant of Christ Jesus and describing the gospel promised through the prophets concerning God's Son
2. Romans 1:16-17 Paul quoted declaring he is not ashamed of the gospel and that in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith
3. Romans 1:18-3:20 summarized repeatedly as the section establishing that all have sinned and are under condemnation
4. Romans 3:21-26 the single sentence worked through in detail covering justification, redemption, and propitiation
5. Romans 3:22-23 quoted directly: even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe, for there is no distinction, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
6. Philippians 2 referenced to support the faithfulness of Jesus Christ: he became obedient even to death, even the death of a cross
7. Exodus 21 two verses quoted about a bull with a habit of goring whose owner may redeem his life by payment, used to illustrate redemption
8. Psalm 84:10 alluded to in the pastoral prayer: a single day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere
9. 2 Corinthians 5:20 quoted at the close: we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making his appeal through us, we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God

Talk about it

1. The pastor opened by having the congregation share their 10-word gospel summaries. How would you summarize the gospel in 10 words or less, and what do you find hardest to leave out?
2. The pastor pointed out that 'all have sinned' is past tense while 'falling short of the glory of God' is a present participle, meaning it is ongoing and habitual. How does that distinction sit with you personally, and does it change how you think about your own sin?
3. The pastor raised the question of whether 'faith of Jesus Christ' in Romans 3 refers to our faith in Christ or to Christ's own faithfulness, and said both readings are true. He mentioned that for people who struggle with doubt, the faithfulness of Jesus as the foundation can feel more secure than their own faith. Which reading do you find more meaningful, and why?
4. The pastor described three churchy words, justification, redemption, and propitiation, as three different ways of understanding what God accomplished, dealing with guilt, enslavement, and wrath respectively. Which of those three resonates most with where you are right now, and which do you find hardest to grasp?
5. The pastor closed by saying our outlet for God's grace is forgiving others the same way God forgave us, not because they promised to do better or paid anything back, but freely. Is there a situation in your life right now where that kind of forgiveness feels impossible, and what would it look like to take a step toward it?