Putting God On Trial
Big Idea: We cannot justify ourselves by accusing God, but through Christ, God can justify us.
(1) Are God’s Blessings Worthless? (1-2)
(2) Are God’s Promises Unfaithful? (3-4)
(3) Are God’s Judgments Unjust? (5-8)
Preparing for Sunday
Come Ready to Worship
Each week, we provide the following resources to help you spiritually prepare for communal worship. Investing time in preparation will enable you to grow and worship God more deeply during the Sunday Service. Resources for the upcoming Sunday are available by Saturday morning.
Preparation Questions: Romans 3:1-8
1. Are you trusting in God's blessings rather than God Himself? How might biblical knowledge, church involvement, or religious practices become substitutes for genuine faith in Christ?
2. How do you respond when confronted with sin? Do you defend yourself, shift blame, or question God's fairness, or do you humbly confess your guilt as David did (Psalm 51)?
3. Do you ever use God's grace or sovereignty to excuse your sin? How might you justify disobedience because you know God will forgive you or can bring good out of your failures?
4. How does Christ's faithfulness and righteousness free us from trying to justify ourselves? How should this (1) change the way we respond to sin, and (2) give us confidence before God?
Sunday Songs
You can listen to our musical lineup for the Sunday Service using the YouTube links or the Spotify Playlist below.
Song Highlight: He Will Hold Me Fast
For many Christians, doubting our salvation can be a constant struggle. We may fall into sin and immediately think, “I sinned, I must no longer be saved” or “If I were truly saved, I wouldn’t have done that” or “God must be so mad at me, there’s no way He is pleased with me after all I’ve done.” These thoughts and whispers of doubt can creep in and can turn into guilt and sorrow which can create a heavy burden in our life. That is why this song is so beautiful.
The song, He Will Hold Me Fast by Ada Ruth Habershon & Matt Merker, reminds the Christian that all those whom Christ has saved cannot lose that great salvation. It reminds us of the great words of Jesus in John 10:27-30:
[27] My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. [28] I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. [29] My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. [30] I and the Father are one.” (ESV)
All those whom Christ died for cannot be lost. The debt cannot be reimposed to us after it has been paid by Christ. The blood that washed away our sins will never lose its power to cleanse and sanctify us. The righteous robes of Christ in which we are so gloriously adorned can never be stripped off. Those who God has called into His presence will never be cast out. Not because of how good and faithful we are, but because of how good and faithful Christ is!
So Christian, when you are going through a difficult time and feel like your faith is failing, remember it is Christ who saved you and who holds you. Your salvation is not a result of your own works. If salvation were dependent on us, we would certainly lose it. But because it is by grace through faith, we can never be lost because Christ promises that He will not lose even one of His sheep (John 6:39). When it seems sin and Satan have won and been victorious, remember the victory is already won in Christ. He has saved us, delights in us, and holds us for all eternity. We have been raised with Him to eternal life and will dwell in His glorious presence forever.