Trinity for Norman

Theology Matters (Romans 3:27-31)

In Romans 3:21-26, Paul shared that justification by faith alone is received by us freely by God's grace alone, accomplished entirely on account of the redemption which is in Jesus Christ, as God set Jesus forth as a propitiation, God was vindicated: just and a justified, and worthy of our worship! In Romans 3:27-31, Paul follows the world's greatest paragraph by demonstrating how our theology matters to how we consider ourselves, others, and God and his law.

The Vindication of God (Romans 3:25-26)

In v25-26, Paul continues to explain what “justification” is.  Justification puts God in an awkward, apparent tension of being unjust in which God can only be vindicated if Jesus was, in fact, offered as a propitiation sacrifice. A vindicated God is a God who is worthy of our worship and our full devotion.

1. Justification is received by faith alone.
2. But this does not answer God’s personal anger/wrath against sin.
3. Unless Jesus functioned as a propitiatory sacrifice
4. Then God is both just and justifier of the one who has faith.

The Cost of Justification (Romans 3:24b)

Paul continues to explain what “justification” is, and what it costs, and what are the implications for believers in Jesus of living in freedom.

1. Justification is founded upon a redemption which is free for all believers.
2. Justification was paid for by the immeasurably valuable two halves of redemption:
   a.Jesus’ passive obedience
   b.Jesus’ active obedience
3. Justification and Freedom

Justified by God's Amazing Grace (Romans 3:24)

In Romans 3:24, Paul shares that justification by faith alone is by God's grace alone. It is not a cooperation of man with God's grace, but justification is an act whereby God declares sinners righteous and forgives their sin on account of Christ's redeeming work imputed to them.

'But Now'-The Most Wonderful Words (Romans 3:21-23)

In Romans 3:21-23, Paul begins to share the doctrine of justification by faith in Christ alone. We see that with the gospel comes the central event in human history where a new era begins to overlap with the old era.

An Accountable World (Romans 3:9-20)

We must make clear that by the works of the law, the world will not be justified, but will be held accountable:

1. Accountable for being under sin’s dominion (9-10a).
2. Accountable for practice of sin in thoughts/words/action (10b-18).
3. Accountable in knowing silence (19-20).

Thinking God's Thoughts after Him (Romans 3:1-8)

In Romans, after Paul has stated that all people need justification because they are under sin (Romans 1). He then explains that the Jews misunderstood justification because they wrongly believed that merely having Abraham as an ancestor, the scriptures from Moses, and Jewish religious rituals gave them an advantage regarding justification (Romans 2). In Romans 3, he handles potential misunderstandings. When one considers the gospel of justification by faith, one could misunderstand who God is, how He saves his people, and what He desires for his people. We’ll find clarity about those facts by walking through the objections that Paul anticipates from his readers.

Transformed! Resurrection Sunday Part II (1 Cor. 15)

Part 2 focuses upon the Resurrection of Creation. The New Testament applies the Resurrection of all creation (including our bodies) as following the pattern of Christ's Resurrection.

Resurrection of the Creator -- Resurrection Sermon 1 of 2 (Acts 3:11-17)

Main Idea: Through this inspired proclamation by Peter, we will see how salvation is by the resurrection of the creator/author of life.  

1.  The God of Genesis who created the universe and Israel must be resurrected- Creator united to creation to destroy the thing that He did not create: sin. 
2. The God of Daniel must be resurrected because as King of Kings his resurrection would complete the humiliation of Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, lions, Pilate, Caiaphas, death, etc.  
3. The God of the Song of Solomon must be resurrected in order to bring reconciliation from the alienation experienced by the Loving Son from His Loving Father in his descent into hell for sinners.                     

The Scariest Verses in the Bible (Romans 2:1-16)

Main Idea: Don’t rush to judge others for their sin, always consider God’s judgment.

1. Unintended Results & Unrighteousness of Our Making Judgments
   a. Condemns self in its condemnation of others.
   b. Hypocritical
   c. Misses key distinctions
2. Intended Results & Righteousness of God’s Making Judgments
   a. Condemns sinners.
   b. Without partiality
   c. According to works
3. The Relationship of Law & Gospel
   a. The Law: Knowing the Law is useless if it is not kept.
   b. The Gospel: God will judge all men by Christ Jesus