Sermon Notes
To follow our Savior better in 2021, we must understand our calling, but we cannot understand our calling until we better understand ourselves.
When we don’t understand who we are we will never fulfill our calling.
Key Question:
What if you could reveal the hidden problem inside of you and at the
same time discover your true identity?
1. We are sinners – Roman 3:9-18
2. Our sin cannot be fixed by the law – Romans 3:19-20
The Law of the Old Testament (along with any other law) can diagnose sin, but it cannot cure sin. Only Jesus can do that.
3. Our sin is interrupted by God’s work – Romans 3:21-24
Key Term Justification:
This is an act of God by which we who are unrighteous in ourselves are nevertheless declared righteous before God. It is a judicial (legal) act of pronouncing one to be right in God’s sight.
Justification Means:
I am a messed up sinner cleaned up by a powerful God who sets me up to do incredible things.
Application:
Have you had a moment in your life when you have come to terms with who you really are? Have you received God’s grace?
Discussion Questions:
TALK IT OUT:
- Pastor Rusty says, “we cannot understand our calling until we better understand ourselves.” Do you think you understand yourself? Why or why not?
- Consider this quote from Augustine, “How can you draw close to God when you are far from yourself. Grant Lord, that I may know myself, that I may know Thee.” Augustine (Confessions, Fifth Century.) Pastor Rusty makes a similar point when he says, “When we don’t understand who we are we will never fulfill our calling.” With these statements in mind, how do you think you can better know yourself?
- The key question of Sunday’s sermon is, “What if you could reveal the hidden problem inside of you and at the same time discover your true identity?” What is the “hidden problem” inside of each of us?
- Why is it so important that we understand what Paul says in Romans 3:9-18; that we are at our very core sinners?
- How well can you relate to God’s description of our sinfulness? Why do we tend to resist being described this way?
- Pastor Rusty makes the point that the Old Testament law, or any other law for that matter, can identify our sin, but cannot fix it. Why is understanding that so significant?
- Romans 3:21-24 speaks of how we can be righteous through what God has done for us. Why is it so important to understand what God has done for us?
- Pastor Rusty says, justification means when we accept what Christ has done for us we can say, “I am a messed-up sinner cleaned up by a powerful God, Who sets me up to do incredible things.” How does this statement offer each of us hope?
LIVE IT OUT:
- Have you had a moment when you came to terms with who you really are? If not please reread this morning’s text and try to see yourself in verses 9-18.
- If you have not yet accepted God’s grace for your justification (see question 8), please pause to acknowledge your sin and ask God to forgive you, make you His child and use you in the future.
- Take a moment to thank God for sending His Son Jesus to die in your place.
- Ask God to use you to do incredible things in the future. Make a list of what you think God may want you to do moving forward.