11am Service 15 November 2020
Hi Everyone, here is a brief outline of the sermon as well as some reflection questions for our Wednesday sermon discussion on Zoom.
- Dear GCBC Parents:Our message Sunday is from Jason Post on Romans 3:21-26. After several weeks discovering how bad we are and unable to make ourselves right with God, we now come to the good news that God makes us right with himself through Jesus’ sacrifice for our sin. The big word for this is “atonement.” The important thing for our children to understand is that they cannot make themselves right with God by doing good things or being a good person because no one is good enough compared to God’s holiness (perfection). We are only to believe that Jesus sacrificed himself for our sins. This is how God makes us right with himself. And that is a loving, self-less, generous, and merciful God!
God Bless,
Mandy
Sunday, 15th November Links:
Digging Deeper for Children (print the Digging Deeper worksheet or write out the following on your own piece of paper)
Full Scripture reading: Romans 3:21-26 (NLT)
Read through each Scripture passage and think through them to answer the questions that follow.
- The Bad News – Last week, the final verse we looked at was Romans 3:19, which states, “For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.” The Good News – This week, our first verses are from Romans 3:21-22, and state, “But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.” How are we made right with God? Why do we need to be made right? What is wrong with us (with everyone)?
- Romans 3:23 – “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” What is God’s glorious standard? (Hint: Jesus told us in Matthew 5:48, “But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.”) Why can’t we be perfect?
- Romans 3:24-25a – “Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood.” Underline “God” in the verses above. Who made the way possible for us to be right with God? What are we supposed to do to be made right with God (hint: it’s only one word!)?
- What is one thing Jason said in today’s sermon that stood out to you?
- Psalm 103:8-13 – “The LORD is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.” Let us thank God for making us right with himself so we don’t have to be perfect. Thank God for sending Jesus to be perfect and die for our sins. Pray asking the Holy Spirit to help us believe in Jesus and grow in our faith. Amen!
- Family Links –
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- Book for family reading – The Ology by Marty Machowski – definition of atone, page 240 – “[atonement] to cover; How the blood of Jesus shed on the cross covers our sin and restores our relationship with God so that it is brand new.” (Also see photos linked below from pages 88-91 in the book explaining sacrifice and atonement.)
- Bible Project video great for older children/teens on sacrifice and atonement – https://bibleproject.com/explore/sacrifice-atonement/#!
- “Covered by Christ” colouring pages – https://ministry-to-children.com/covered-by-christ-coloring-pages/
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