Sermons About Ritual
Justifying the Ungodly (Romans 4:1-12)
Paul argues and shows from scripture that we are justified only by faith in Jesus, not by anything we do. How can it be otherwise? After all, there is no boasting before God, and the only wages that our works could possibly earn for us is death. We see that Abraham was justified by faith and not by works, and furthermore that he was justified long before he was circumcised. Neither works nor rituals can save us; instead, we come to God as ungodly sinners, trusting only in him to receive justification as a free gift. Because of this, we can come to God today, now. And so the life we live is one of humility, recognizing our sin and guilt; but also grateful celebration, recognizing the magnitude of the gift God has given to us.
0 Amens
Analyzing Authenticity (Romans 2:17-29)
Paul challenges his readers not to base our confidence before God in our religious pedigree, family history, bible knowledge, Christian education, or any other experience or practice. There are many good things we ought to pursue, but there is a danger in craving man's approval rather than God's, and none of these things will secure our standing before God. Our only hope is the gospel, pleading for mercy rather than justice, and trusting in Christ's dying for sinners. Once we have trusted, we are freed to do good works rightly -- not so that we can be saved, but out of love and gratitude, as an overflow of our changed hearts. The essence of a true Christian is a changed heart.
0 Amens
