Opening Hymns:
Give Me the Faith Which can Remove: http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh650.sht
Give Me the Faith Which can Remove: http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh650.sht
Scripture Reading:
Romans 4:1-5, 13-17
4:1 What then are we to say was gained by Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh?
4:2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.
4:3 For what does the scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness."
4:4 Now to one who works, wages are not reckoned as a gift but as something due.
4:5 But to one who without works trusts him who justifies the ungodly, such faith is reckoned as righteousness.
4:13 For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith.
4:14 If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void.
4:15 For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation.
4:16 For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us,
4:17 as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations") -- in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.
Message:
In today’s scripture we are reminded that by grace we are forgiven and saved. It is our faith, and not our works that we are saved. One of my favorite verses is verse 4: “Now to one who works, wages are not reckoned as a gift but as something due” It perfectly paints a picture for us on how our energies would be if we thought salvation could be earned. There wouldn’t be too much gratitude if that were the case. Trying to follow the laws and rules that God laid out for us would then be a chore. If we instead see salvation as a gift blessed to us through our faith in God, then our actions would reflect that. We would try to follow God’s rules out of love, and not out of obligation.
Romans 4:1-5, 13-17
4:1 What then are we to say was gained by Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh?
4:2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.
4:3 For what does the scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness."
4:4 Now to one who works, wages are not reckoned as a gift but as something due.
4:5 But to one who without works trusts him who justifies the ungodly, such faith is reckoned as righteousness.
4:13 For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith.
4:14 If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void.
4:15 For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation.
4:16 For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us,
4:17 as it is written, "I have made you the father of many nations") -- in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.
Message:
In today’s scripture we are reminded that by grace we are forgiven and saved. It is our faith, and not our works that we are saved. One of my favorite verses is verse 4: “Now to one who works, wages are not reckoned as a gift but as something due” It perfectly paints a picture for us on how our energies would be if we thought salvation could be earned. There wouldn’t be too much gratitude if that were the case. Trying to follow the laws and rules that God laid out for us would then be a chore. If we instead see salvation as a gift blessed to us through our faith in God, then our actions would reflect that. We would try to follow God’s rules out of love, and not out of obligation.
This can be a hard concept for
us. Humans are used to earning things. We go to school and earn our grades, and
later our degree. We go to work and earn our wages. So why shouldn’t we be able
to be innocent and stay true enough to earn salvation? The one thing that
shouldn’t ever need to be “earned” is love. The love we have for our friends or
our families is a gift, as is the love they give us. So, it is with God, God
loves us and blesses us with this gift of salvation. It is through faith and
acceptance of that love that we are saved. We show God and our neighbors we
love them when we try to stay true to God’s commandments.
Time of Prayer
Lord, please let us remember that You love us. Bless our hearts, that we may go forth in our lives sharing that love with all those we meet. Thank you for the gift of life, forgiveness, and salvation. Let us remember to forgive others as You forgive us. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Closing Hymn
Faith of Our Fathers: http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh710.sht
Time of Prayer
Lord, please let us remember that You love us. Bless our hearts, that we may go forth in our lives sharing that love with all those we meet. Thank you for the gift of life, forgiveness, and salvation. Let us remember to forgive others as You forgive us. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Closing Hymn
Faith of Our Fathers: http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh710.sht
May the Lord bless you and keep you: May the Lord make His face shine upon you,
and be gracious unto you: May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and
give you peace." Amen.
Go in peace, serve the Lord
Thanks be to God
Go in peace, serve the Lord
Thanks be to God
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