Faith Talk – May 4, 2025
Sunday: May 4, 2025
Series: Romans: The Righteousness of God
Sermon: The Gospel of God's Righteousness
Series: Romans: The Righteousness of God
Sermon: The Gospel of God's Righteousness
Scripture
Romans 1:16 – For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek.
Summary
This sermon begins a new series through the Book of Romans: The Righteousness of God. This sermon focused on how the gospel of Jesus Christ provides both the righteousness needed to enter heaven and the power to live righteously before we get there.
The message introduces Paul as the author—a man completely transformed from zealous Jewish persecutor to devoted servant of Christ and apostle to the Gentiles. Romans serves as Paul's theological masterpiece, written to believers in Rome to clarify the foundations of their faith, including salvation by faith alone, sanctification through the gospel's power, and unity between Jewish and Gentile believers.
The sermon emphasizes that the gospel is more than just initial salvation (justification); it's also the ongoing power for living righteously (sanctification) and our future perfection (glorification). Paul urges believers not to be ashamed of this gospel because it is God's power for salvation to everyone who believes.
Main Points:
The message introduces Paul as the author—a man completely transformed from zealous Jewish persecutor to devoted servant of Christ and apostle to the Gentiles. Romans serves as Paul's theological masterpiece, written to believers in Rome to clarify the foundations of their faith, including salvation by faith alone, sanctification through the gospel's power, and unity between Jewish and Gentile believers.
The sermon emphasizes that the gospel is more than just initial salvation (justification); it's also the ongoing power for living righteously (sanctification) and our future perfection (glorification). Paul urges believers not to be ashamed of this gospel because it is God's power for salvation to everyone who believes.
Main Points:
- The gospel transforms lives completely, as demonstrated by Paul's dramatic conversion.
- Jesus is both fully human (descended from David) and fully divine (Son of God).
- The righteousness of God in salvation and sanctification comes through faith alone, not human effort.
- Believers should never be ashamed of the gospel, which is God's power for salvation.
Home Discussion Questions
Homes with Adults
Homes with Students
Homes with Kids
- Paul experienced a dramatic transformation from persecutor to apostle. How has the gospel transformed specific areas of your life, and where might you still need transformation?
- The sermon distinguishes between justification (saved from sin's penalty), sanctification (saved from sin's power), and glorification (saved from sin's presence). Which of these aspects of salvation do you find most difficult to understand or experience?
- Paul states he was "not ashamed of the gospel." What situations in your daily life tempt you to downplay or remain silent about your faith?
Homes with Students
- Paul was extremely educated and respected in his culture but gave it all up for Christ. What social status or acceptance might you hesitate to risk for your faith?
- The sermon mentions that Paul wanted to preach the gospel even to those who were already believers. Why do you think Christians need to hear the gospel repeatedly?
- How would you explain to a friend the difference between trying to be a good person through your own efforts versus living righteously through faith?
Homes with Kids
- Paul used to hurt Christians before he met Jesus. How did meeting Jesus change him?
- The gospel is "good news" about Jesus. What part of Jesus' story do you think is the best news?
- Paul wasn't ashamed to tell others about Jesus. Who is someone you could tell about Jesus this week?
Pray Together
Heavenly Father, thank You for the powerful gospel of Jesus Christ that not only saves us from the penalty of sin but also continues to work in us daily to overcome sin's power in our lives. We are grateful for Paul's example of complete transformation and his willingness to teach others without shame. We ask for Your help to understand the depths of the gospel as we study Romans together and for courage to live unashamed of our faith in all circumstances. We commit to living by faith rather than relying on our own efforts, trusting that Your righteousness, working through us, is infinitely more powerful than any righteousness we could achieve on our own. Help us to be witnesses of this transforming gospel to everyone around us. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Family Activity
Gospel Transformation Timeline
Create a "Gospel Transformation Timeline" together. Take a large piece of paper and draw a timeline. Mark significant spiritual moments for your family members—when they first heard about Jesus, when they accepted Christ, important spiritual growth moments, etc. Include both happy moments and challenging times that strengthened faith. For younger children, use drawings or simple symbols.
Talk about how God has been working in your family over time.
Then, add a section for "Future Hopes" where each person can write or draw something they're praying for God to do in their lives or the lives of others. Display this in your home and periodically add to it, creating a visual testimony of God's ongoing work of transformation through the gospel in your family.
Talk about how God has been working in your family over time.
Then, add a section for "Future Hopes" where each person can write or draw something they're praying for God to do in their lives or the lives of others. Display this in your home and periodically add to it, creating a visual testimony of God's ongoing work of transformation through the gospel in your family.
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