Introduction

Beloved in Christ, as we gather here today, we are reminded of the grace that blankets us, the mercy that mends us, and the love that lingers in our hearts, all courtesy of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We come together, not as perfect beings, but as people striving for perfection, understanding that we fall short, yet propelled by the hope that is found in the redemption offered to us through the cross.

In the wise words of A.W. Tozer, "The cross is the lightning rod of grace that short-circuits God's wrath to Christ so that only the light of His love remains for believers." How profound is this truth? The cross, an emblem of our faith, is not just a symbol, but a beacon of hope, a testament of love so grand, so vast, and so deep, that it takes our sins, our shortcomings, and our failures, and drowns them in the sea of God's everlasting forgiveness.

Recognizing our Righteousness Rundown

As we delve into the heart of our message today, let's remember the overarching theme that binds us together - the grace of God, the redemption through Christ, and the journey towards righteousness. We're not talking about a one-time event, but a continuous process, a journey that we're all on together. This isn't a special concept, but a fundamental truth rooted in the Gospel.

Now, let's take a closer look at the scripture from Romans. Paul, in his letter to the Romans, paints a picture of humanity that is far from flattering. He tells us that there is no one righteous, not even one. That's a hard pill to swallow. But it's not meant to discourage us. Instead, it's meant to make us realize our need for God's grace.

A. The first thing we need to understand is that our righteousness is not something we can achieve on our own. It's not about how good we are or how many good deeds we do. It's about God's grace. It's about Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. It's about faith. We are made righteous through faith in Jesus Christ. This is the first aspect of recognizing our righteousness rundown.

B. The second aspect is understanding that we all fall short. We all sin. We all make mistakes. But that doesn't mean we're beyond redemption. On the contrary, it means we are in need of redemption. And that redemption comes through Christ. Paul tells us that all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. That's a powerful statement. It means that no matter how far we've fallen, no matter how many mistakes we've made, we can be justified, we can be made right with God, through Jesus.

C. The third aspect is recognizing that this righteousness, this justification, is not just for a select few. It's for everyone. Paul makes it clear that there is no difference between Jew and Gentile. In other words, it doesn't matter who you are, where you come from, or what you've done. God's grace is available to you. His redemption is available to you. His righteousness is available to you. All you need to do is believe in Jesus.

D. The fourth and final aspect is understanding that this righteousness is a continuous process. It's a journey. And it's a journey that we're all on together. We're all striving for righteousness. We're all striving to be more like Jesus. And while we may stumble and fall along the way, we can take comfort in the fact that God's grace is sufficient for us. His power is made perfect in our weakness.

So, as we continue on this journey, let's remember these four aspects of recognizing our righteousness rundown. Let's remember that our righteousness comes from God, that we all fall short, that God's grace is available to everyone, and that this is a continuous journey. And as we remember these truths, let's strive to live them out in our daily lives. Let's strive to be more like Jesus. Let's strive to be the people God created us to be.

Revealing our Reliance on Redemption

As we turn our attention to the second part of our discussion, we find ourselves in the heart of the matter ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO