2018 October Sermons

• 10/07/18
• 10/14/18
• 10/21/18
• 10/28/18

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Heart
Romans 2:17-29

I. Intro
Big Idea: Christian is as Christian does.

II. The Law
A. The Law is good, but legalism is bad.
B. We can’t even uphold our own standards. Matthew 5:28; Romans 2:17-23

III. Blaspheme
A. We often settle for the superficial standards of Christianity. Romans 2:24
B. We’re all guilty of hypocrisy. Romans 2:24

IV. What Matters
A. Our traditions have value. Romans 2:25
B. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. Romans 2:26; Galatians 5:6
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V. Change
A. Do the right things, for the right reason. Romans 2:28-29
B. Share your Master’s happiness. Matthew 25:23; Romans 2:29; Ephesians 2:8-10

​The Next Step Life Group Follow-Up

• If you could turn any activity into an Olympic sport, what would you have a good chance at winning a medal for?
• What’s something from Sunday’s message you found interesting, important, or confusing?
• What’s something you’ve been legalistic about in the past? Why did you change your view?
• What’s a way Christians compromise their faith?
• What Christian practices or traditions have helped you grow in your faith?
• How do you check or test your motives?
• How have you shared in your Master’s happiness lately?
• What’s something over which you’d like God to change your heart? Pray for one another.

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True
Romans 3:1-8

I. Intro
Big Idea: Because God is true, we can truly live.

II. Advantages
A. We want Christ to be our foundation. Romans 3:1
B. We have the specific revelation of God. Matthew 6:33; Romans 3:2

III. Faithfulness
A. We lie. Romans 3:3-4
B. God can’t lie. Romans 3:4

IV. Clear
A. No one deserves God’s mercy. Romans 3:5-6; Galatians 6:7
B. Justifying sin slanders God’s grace. Romans 2:14; 3:7-8

V. Conviction
A. Go to the cross. John 3:36
B. Take up your cross. Luke 9:23; 1 John 4:4-6

The Next Step Life Group Follow-Up

• Finish this sentence: I feel happy when…
• What’s something from Sunday’s message you hope we talk about as a group?
• How old were you the first time someone shared the gospel with you?
• When was the last time the Bible convicted you or caused you to change your thinking, attitude or actions? What happened?
• How can the gospel help us to be more honest with Him and others? Any examples?
• How can our honesty with God and each other bring glory to Him in the world?
• How has God been challenging you to face the truth or take up your cross lately? Pray for one another.

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Boasting
Romans 3:9-31
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I. Intro
Big Idea: Being made right with God leads to being right with each other.

II. No One Righteous
A. Sin is in our DNA. Psalm 51:4-5; Romans 3:9
B. Not fearing God leads to foolishness, but fearing God leads to wisdom. Psalm 14:1; 111:10; Romans 3:10-18

III. Silence
A. Someday all self-justification will cease. Romans 3:19
B. The Law is meant to bring conviction and hope. Nehemiah 8:8-10; Romans 3:20

IV. Christianity
A. God desires to restore us. Romans 3:21-23
B. Our salvation is all about God’s glory. Romans 3:24-26

V. Faith
A. We’re to live by the Law of faith. Romans 3:27
B. Because of Christ we can obey in love. Romans 3:28-31; 13:8-10

The Next Step Life Group Follow-Up

• What’s something you’re sometimes (or often) tempted to boast about?
• If you were to give an abbreviated version of Sunday’s message on Romans 3:9-31 what would you make sure to focus on?
• Why do people view fearing God as a negative thing?
• How do you know if you’re living in fear of God, or not?
• What comes to mind when you hear the word “justification”?
• How can conviction over sin lead to disunity?
• How does living for God’s glory (in light of His justification) lead to lasting satisfaction and joy? Any examples?
• What’s a way God is challenging you to live by?

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Credited 
Romans 4:1-12

I. Intro
Big Idea: God’s gift of justification opens the doors of heaven.

II. Nothing New
A. Justification is the way people have been made right with God from the beginning. Romans 4:1-2
B. It wasn’t Abraham’s achievements that made him great. Genesis 11:1-3; 15:8; Romans 4:3

III. Forgiveness
A. We can never merit what God credits. Romans 4:4-5
B. God’s forgiveness is complete. Psalm 32:1-2; Romans 4:6-8; 1 John 1:9

IV. Before
A. God has a plan to justify us before we believed. Romans 4:9-10; Ephesians 1:3-4
B. If our righteousness justifies us, why would Christ need to die for us? Romans 1:17; 5:6-8

V. Receive
A. “A saving faith is a vital faith.” Martin Luther Romans 4:11; James 2:17-24
B. Rest in the reality that our justification is about God from first to last. Romans 4:11-12

The Next Step Life Group Follow-Up

• Finish this sentence: The time I felt closest to God was…
• Why do you think Paul spent so much time writing about justification in Romans?
• Why is it important for Christians to think Biblically and carefully about doctrine?
• How has the doctrine of justification shaped your life? Can you relate to Martin Luther, at all?
• Is it possible to overemphasize justification? If so, how? If not, why not?
• What’s something that helps you rest in God’s salvation?
• If you were to share about justification with someone who is not a believer, how would you explain it to him or her? Where would you even start?
• How can you respond in a specific way to Romans 4:1-12? Pray for one another.

september
2018
​sermons

november
2018
sermons