Christianity is not advice, spin, or mere opinion. It is news - an announcement of news about the person of Jesus Christ. And this good news about Jesus and his resurrection changes everything. It reveals our deep need for forgiveness, demonstrates God’s extravagant and sacrificial love, and makes possible a peace and security for all those who belong to God through faith in Jesus.

We are guilty, but God is gracious. He has provided everything for our salvation through Christ and His sacrifice. The only thing we bring to salvation is our need and trust in Christ. Our sin levels us, but God’s grace lifts us up as saved sons and daughters of God - justified, redeemed, and completely righteous in His eyes. That’s GOOD NEWS: to believe, celebrate, and share with others!

Paul continues on! Romans 3 serves as his "closing remarks" - making his point that everyone is marred by sin and guilty before God. His words are clear, un-mincing and accurate. Everyone is sinful. Everyone is guilty. But thankfully there is good news: through Jesus Christ, grace is available to everyone.

Christians claim that the world is messed up because of sin. But sin is not only unrighteousness rebellion, but also self-righteous religion; sin is pervasive and multifaceted. Romans 1 and Romans 2 both chronicle life apart from Christ. Rebellion won't satisfy us. Religion won't save us.

One of the greatest obstacles for those considering Christianity is the hypocrisy of religious people. It’s not new. Paul addressed it in the first century too, and assures the Romans of judgment to come on moralizing hypocrites. God’s judgment is present & future; real, impartial, and because of His Grace, avoidable.

Faces are powerful images. Many of us can look upon a loved one's face and immediately know his or her emotion. In the Old Testament "faces" represent someone's presence. On this family Sunday, we explore God's repeated command in Scripture to "seek God's face". In Psalm 27 God calls David and his men to seek the Lord's presence in the midst of adversity.

We don’t go to a doctor unless we’re sick. We won’t get the right prescription unless we get a proper diagnosis. The Bible says we need a Great Physician. We are sick. We are condemned. In His wrath, God gives us over to our rebellion. But in His grace, He has also given us His Son - to rescue sinners like us and restore this broken world.

Christianity is not advice; it’s an announcement of news - news about the person of Jesus Christ. That is the apostle Paul’s main point as begins his letter to the Romans. And this good news about Jesus changes everything - our identity, our relationships, and our standing before God. Guilty sinners now stand righteous by God’s grace. That’s good news and good news to be shared!