Most factors that influence our sense of identity are unreliable and cause us to struggle. Everyone struggles with the existential questions, ‘Who am I?” and “Who do I want my future self to be?” Nevertheless, the question that can provide clarity, stability, purpose, meaning and direction is, “Whose am I?” Today, we’ll discover the satisfaction of identity in Christ, and living for God.

Consider an employee benefit package. Many of us may not be aware of the benefits we are entitled to. Furthermore, if you have a great provider, you’d likely be more appreciative of the relationship if you had a better understanding of the benefits. Also, we would consider it to be ridiculous to expect the benefit package if you didn’t actually have a relationship with the company. Similarly, when you contemplate the benefits of salvation and a relationship with God, many of us may not know or appreciate the benefits; and some of us are expecting benefits when you don’t really have a relationship with God the provider. So, let’s discover, appropriate and appreciate the benefits of salvation.

Have you ever wondered how people got saved in the Old Testament? If Abraham is the father of the faith, how did he get right with God? Abraham was saved from God’s judgment, which in and of itself is an incredible blessing; but Abraham is called, “the friend of God.” Contemplate that idea. Consider that ideal. What can we learn from Abraham so that we too can be a friend of God?

Throughout history, Christians have made attempts to establish God’s law through legislation and conquest. While sometimes carried about by a sincere desire to see the world worship God, these experiments all failed and miscommunicated the heart of God. What does it mean for us as followers of Jesus to establish God’s law God’s way?
In his first letter to the church in Rome, Paul the apostle has been building a case for the judgement of God and man’s need for a Savior. At the start of Chapter 3, Paul is persuading his audience that no one can pass the judgement of God by doing any amount of good deeds. Let’s discover together how God desires us to fulfill and establish the law by placing our faith in the redemption of Jesus Christ.

Earning your way in life is usually seen as a positive value in the human condition. However, in the Kingdom of God, we see that there is no possible way to earn your way in. The foot of the cross is level and all humanity is equally in need of a Savior. Through this study, we will discover our need for Jesus to be our Savior.

In the first chapter, Paul established how Gentiles (non-Jews) had a responsibility to yield to God because God has been revealed to humanity. The Jew was also guilty before God, because although they received the Scriptures (Bible) they did not keep God’s commandments. Would their religion and rituals save them from God’s judgment, or do all people need a Savior – who is Christ the Lord? Today, we will learn the benefits and the limitations of religion and ritual, and the importance they can play in helping you to cultivate a satisfying relationship with Christ.

Some of the hardest people to share the gospel with are those who are truly trying to be a good person, live a moral life, and do good. Is it fair that God would judge a person who tried to be good? Why would God judge someone who tells the truth, is politically correct, gives to charity, help strangers, and walks to find a cure for cancer and save whales? If the moralist is guilty before God, where can anyone find hope?
It is not until you appreciate God’s promised judgment is perfect fair and right that you seek to receive and begin to appreciate the gift of salvation through faith in Christ. Judgment is part of the gospel message. You don’t appreciate the good news until you understand the bad –God’s judgment is deserved, but salvation is a gift of God through faith in Christ.

As people contemplate the news of their world, it is essentially impossible to avoid recognizing that there is something dreadfully wrong. In a post-modern, post-Christian, post-everything world, can people find real hope? Today, we learn what the problem is, and where you can discover hope.

The apostle Paul‘s life had been radically changed by the gospel- the good news
about Jesus Christ. His sense of identity had been altered, as he recognized he had been set apart for the gospel. How he lived was also radically changed, as he understood he was called to share the gospel with others. Finally, what he believed was forever transformed, as he experienced the power of the gospel at work in his life and the lives of those around him. Just as the gospel had a life-changing impact upon Paul, so it also does on everyone who believes it.

Jesus is a revolutionary! He is not an anarchist, but God’s kingdom is revolutionary, and is greater than any other earthly alternative. Every revolution is fueled by a distilled idea, the essence of which is so captivating, and compelling that people will forsake their desire for personal comfort for the hope of realizing the ideals of the revolution. The revolutionary idea behind Jesus kingdom is simply: love God supremely and love neighbors as you love yourself. Although it is a simple idea, it is remarkably profound, and powerful. Who is your neighbor, how should you love them, and what difference does it make?