Oceanside United Reformed Church

We resume our "Opening up Romans" by turning again to 1:16, where God calls us to be a gospel church in an age of gimmicks. Amen? A GOSPEL CHURCH IS A PREACHING CHURCH Paul was "set apart for the gospel" (1:1) To do what? To "bring about the obedience of faith…among all the nations" (1:5-6) How? Look at verses 11:15: Objection: But ancient Rome was an audible culture; ours is visual. Look at what Paul says later in 10:13-17: A GOSPEL CHURCH IS A CONFIDENT CHURCH Why did Paul say "I am not ashamed of the gospel?" It is the power (Greek, dunamis) of God for salvation. Objection: How can words be so powerful? Look at 1 Cor. 1:18-25: A GOSPEL CHURCH IS A WELCOMING CHURCH "To everyone who believes, to the Jews first and also to the Greek"

Summary: The church is assembly of all believers, in all times, and in all places, that is intimately connected to salvation in Christ, and that is recognizable in this life. The Church is "Catholic" -All believers -All times -All places The Church is United -The connection between Christ & salvation -The obligation to be connected to Christ's church The Church is Recognizable -The pure preaching of the gospel -The pure administration of the sacraments -The exercise of church discipline

Summary: Jesus is the one Mediator who is all-loving, all-powerful, and always-heard because he presents himself before the heavenly throne of grace continually. The One Mediator He is All-Loving, All-Powerful, and Always-Heard What About the Saints?

Summary: Sanctification is God's gracious work of renewing us justified sinners into saints culminating in our glorification. Sanctification is God's Gracious Work Renewing us Justified Sinners into Saints Culminating in Our Glorification

Summary: We continue through Romans this morning and Paul's introduction to this vital letter of the New Testament. Beginning in verse 8, Paul offers a lengthy prayer in the form of a narration. We'll focus in on just verse 8. Introduction: Paul gives a model of grateful prayer for the power of the gospel. THE APOSTLE AT PRAYER ASTONISHMENT IN PRAYER The background Christianity's presence in Rome Where did the Christian's come from? ACCLAMATION IN PRAYER

Summary: In this passage, Paul teaches us the testimony of God: the message of the Cross (both content and style must be consistent). We should by faith rest on this peculiar testimony and not on the things that look interesting, fun, exciting, or "practical.". Introduction: Because the testimony of God is Christ and Him crucified, then our faith should rest only on the power of God. THE WISDOM OF MEN THE POWER OF GOD THE FAITH OF THE CHRISTIANS

Summary: We continue through Romans and Paul's introduction to this vital letter of the New Testament. In verses 6-7 Paul describes the blessings of being a Christian, which we're going to consider as engraving on our spiritual crown that awaits us. Introduction: Paul's greeting to the Romans reveals the titles written on he Christian's crown. BELONG TO CHRIST LOVED BY GOD CALLED TO BE SAINTS RECIPIENTS OF GRACE RECIPIENTS OF PEACE

Summary: We continue in our Sunday Seminary series as we've been learning about the knowability of our Triune God, our creation and sin, and God's mercy to bring us back to him through Jesus. Today we learn about "justification," in which we embrace Jesus in faith and he embraces us with his righteousness. THE HOLY SPIRIT CREATES FAITH FAITH EMBRACES CHRIST CHRIST EMBRACES US

Summary: Grounded on the fact that God has called us in Christ and the eschatological hope, Peter exhorts us to humbly trust God under difficult circumstances, being watchful and sober against the cruelty of the devil. Introduction: Because we are called by God through Jesus Christ, we should humble ourselves by... TRUSTING GOD'S CARE RESISTING THE DEVIL IN FAITH TRUSTING GOD'S POWER

We return to Romans and Paul's introduction to this vital letter of the New Testament. He's identified himself as "servant of Christ Jesus" who was "called to be an apostle." What message was he called to speak on behalf of Christ? "…the gospel of God." It's this gospel or "message of good news" that he explains in verses 2-4. Introduction: Paul proclaims God's gospel is his message to the world, promised ahead of time by prophets, about his Son. GOD'S MESSAGE TO THE WORLD PROMISED AHEAD OF TIME BY PROPHETS ABOUT HIS SON descended declared

Summary: We continue in our Sunday Seminary series as we've been learning about the knowability of our Triune God, our creation and sin, and our God's mercy to bring us back to him. Here we learn about "the great exchange," in which the Son was made man to be cured for us that we might be blessed with eternal life. THE SINLESS SON MADE SIN THE SINFUL MADE SONS

Summary: We continue in our Sunday Seminary series as we've been learning about the knowability of our Triune God as well as our own human creation and fall. Today we learn that our God merciful God sent his Son to become human, so that we might be brought back to God. ETERNALLY GOD TRULY HUMAN UNITY OF GOD AND MAN

#2 God (Trinity) & Humanity

Summary: We return to 1 Kings and the time after the division of God's people into Israel (North) and Judah (South). from chapters 17-22, we have the extended narrative o the wicked reign of King Ahab in Israel, during which the Lord raised up the prophet Elijah. Introduction: Even saintly prophets of old who performed mighty miracles felt depressed, and disillusioned when the Lord didn't seem to be granted success. In this we see a shadow of the Messiah, who would identify with us and be a man of sorrow so that we might experience the outpouring of God's grace. GRACE WHEN BIG HOPES COME CRASHING DOWN (19:1-3A) GRACE WHEN LIFE FEELS MEANINGLESS (19:3B-8) GRACE FOR A FRESH CALLING (19:9-18)