The Grace Message

What does it mean to work out your salvation with fear and trembling? What is the discipline of the Lord? Is it the same as punishment? Does the Bible really tell Christians to “die to self”?

Do we need to pray daily for forgiveness? Is God punishing us with earthly consequences? Can women serve as elders? Should communion be closed? Should we try to die to self?

Where is the fine line between obedience and grace? If a Christian dies by suicide, do they lose their salvation?

Abraham and David are perfect examples of those who were credited with righteousness and had their sins covered. By faith, they were forgiven and made right before God. But we have something more than a credited righteousness and something better than a sin covering. Find out why you can celebrate God’s grace even more than Abraham or David in this eye-opening message on Romans 4. Questions for Romans 4:1-15 1. Read verse 3. In what way is our righteousness more than credited to us? 2. Read verse 5. Why do you think the idea of “not working” and simply believing is so controversial today? 3. Read verse 7. In what way is our forgiveness more than a covering? 4. Read verse 8. How does this respond to those who claim we need to keep short accounts with God? 5. Read verse 10. Why is Paul’s question and answer so important here? 6. Read verses 11-12. How is Abraham an example to both the Jews and the Gentiles? 7. Read verse 15. Does this mean Christian never commit sins? Why or why not?

Is it possible for someone to be saved but still try to follow the Law? If we don’t bear fruit as Christians, might God cast us into outer darkness? Sometimes I feel so free and then I lose that feeling. I wonder if there’s something I can do to consistently feel the freedom of being under grace?

Why is Romans 3-5 so important to understand? Does the New Testament encourage financial transparency in churches? Is Romans 1 really just describing pedophilia or child abuse? What does it mean to meditate on the Word day and night?

*Previously aired* Why does Paul say that deacons should be the husband of only one wife? What was the purpose of fasting? Are Christians required to fast today? How does being under grace help our struggle against sin? What does it mean that we’re saved from the wrath of God? Is that about the final judgment or something else?

*Previously aired* Why did Jesus say He did not come to destroy the Law but fulfill it? Why did Jesus tell people to ask for the Holy Spirit? Don’t Christians already have the Holy Spirit? I struggle with 40 years of difficult of challenging circumstances. I wonder why I don’t feel better now that I believe in God’s grace. Am I doing something wrong? Does John 6 support the idea of God’s individual selection of people for salvation? If not, what does it really mean?

Why did Paul tell us to do “what is acceptable” to God? Does God want everyone to be healed? How do we reconcile the love of God with the idea that He chose some to believe and left others with no opportunity? Is that idea true or false?

The Law only speaks to one group – unbelievers. And it shuts everyone up! But thankfully, apart from the Law we can enjoy being 100% right with God for free. And God’s need for justice has been fully satisfied: The wages of sin is death. Jesus died. Do the math and celebrate! Does this mean we bash the Law or hate the Law? No, it means the opposite: Those who opt for God’s grace are the only ones who truly respect the Law as both perfect and impossible! So, I hope this message on the second half of Romans 3 causes you to brag on Jesus like never before! Discussion Questions for Romans 3:19-31 1. Read verses 19-20. In review, who does the Law speak to and what does it say? 2. Read verses 21-22. What significance does “apart from the Law” hold? And in your own words, what is "righteousness"? 3. Read verse 24. How is "justification" more than just being forgiven? 4. Read verse 25. What is "propitiation"? What is God trying to tell us in using this word? 5. Read verse 26. How is God both “just” and “the justifier? (Hint: Consider the wages of sin.) 6. Read verses 27-28. Why doesn’t the Gospel lead us into arrogance? 7. Read verses 29-30. How does this speak to those who claim there’s one message for Jews and a different message for Gentiles today? 8. Read verse 31. What does “establish the Law” mean here? (Hint: It’s only those who opt for God’s grace instead that truly respect the perfect and impossible standard of the Law.)