Right with God, Part 1

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Romans 3:21-26

 21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

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Right with God, Part 1 — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 3:21-26
Sermon Series: Romans (27th sermon)
October 04, 2020

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   Why has this passage been regarded as so significant by interpreters? What sort of heart-posture should we have as we approach it?
2.   How does the context heighten our excitement over the opening words, “But now”? How do these words inform our understanding of the relationship between the Old and New Testaments?
3.   How does the Old Testament “bear witness to” the righteousness of God that is revealed in the gospel?
4. How is justification distinct from pardon or forgiveness?
5.   What does it mean to have “faith in Jesus Christ”? How can we practically avoid a generic faith?
6.   In light of the final quote in the sermon from Thomas Chalmers, in what ways are you tempted to put your “confidence upon your own doings”?

References: Romans 15:11; 8:13; 2 Corinthians 13:5; Ephesians 2:4; Romans 1:17; 5:17; 2 Corinthians 5:20; Galatians 3:19-25; Romans 1:2; Matthew 5:17; Romans 5:12; 1:21; 2:23; John 20:31; 1 Corinthians 2:2; 1 Peter 1:3; James 2:19.

All Under Condemnation

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Romans 3:19-20

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All Under Condemnation — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 3:19-20
Sermon Series: Romans (26th sermon)
September 27, 2020

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions

References:

All Under Sin

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Romans 3:9-18

 9 What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, 10 as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; 11 no one understands; no one seeks for God. 12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” 13 “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.” 14 “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” 15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16 in their paths are ruin and misery, 17 and the way of peace they have not known.” 18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

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NOTE:  Allow 30-90 seconds after clicking the START-arrow or Download-button for playback to begin.

All Under Sin — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 3:9-18
Sermon Series: Romans (25th sermon)
September 6, 2020

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   What are some other passages in the Bible that speak of sin in language that is similar to this text?
2.   How does this passage serve as a conclusion to what Paul has already said?
3.   What does this string of quotations say about Paul’s view of the Old Testament writings?
4.   What does Paul mean when he says that human beings are “under sin”? What facets of sinfulness does he describe in vv. 10-12?
5.   How is Paul’s description of a person’s sin pervasive and comprehensive? What strikes you most about vv. 13-18?
6.   How does v. 18 serve as the root cause of all that is mentioned before? How does this help the Christian to battle the flesh?
7.   How does this passage raise our affections for Christ and our gratitude for the grace that he supplies?

References: Psalm 14:1-3; Romans 6:17; Isaiah 53:6; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Ephesians 4:18; Psalm 5:9; 140:3; 10:7; Proverbs 1:16; Isaiah 59:7-8; Psalm 36:1; James 3:5-6; Proverbs 9:10.