Sunday Words of Encouragement July 19, 2020

Our church celebrated Communion this morning after worshipping with Calvary Covers It All. Then pastor continued his sermon series, Resolute Road, with Romans 2.

Parents see the difference in the personalities of their children. Once they complete school how will they proceed in life? Have we prepared them?

We believe that opportunity is equal, but the outcome is different depending on whether we accept Christ or reject Him. God is resolute in showing us His love. Romans 2. God's kindness is to save you from your sin.

Romans 2 is a diatribe in the Hellenistic debate style. Paul debates with himself. Some people have a hard time accepting a loving God when they don't know a kind, loving father. But can we judge others when we do the same behaviors? All of us will be judged.

"But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed." Romans 2:5.

There will be trouble for those who do evil and wickedness.
Are we doing right?
Paul gives an “X” shaped argument.

First: God shows no favorites.
Second: God gives life to those who do good.
Third: There is death for those who do bad.
Fourth: Recap – Summary showing God’s Grace.

This is not to say that we can keep the law by our own efforts. Only through God’s grace and our faith is there salvation. God has to see us through the filter of His son -- Christ as our intermediary,  sacrifice and payment for our sin.
There is coming a day of anger. Do you remember (or have you ever seen) the 1972 film A Thief In the Night?

During a pandemic, if people are dying at a greater rate, shouldn't we be pursuing them for Christ at a greater rate? All people are equal before God. All will face judgment. A true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. We each need a Heart change.

The point: Heart change produced by the Holy Spirit makes us right with God.

How is it possible to come into the presence of God and stay the same?
Is your heart continually being changed?
God never said keep yourself safe. He sent His followers into a hostile world.
We need to be thankful for the challenge to go out.
Pray for your heart to be changed each day.

Today’s song is Change This Heart

Verses for Today:
Romans 2:13-15 and 28-29 (NIV)
13 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. 14 (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.)
28 A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. 29 No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.