Righteousness is credited to our account by faith.

“The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming—not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. Otherwise, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins.   But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins.   It is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” Hebrews 10:1-4

Faith & The Law

1. A belief in God’s promises, v. 18

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

2. A belief that looks beyond our current circumstances, v. 17, 19-20

3. A belief that God has the ability to change my life, v. 21

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” 2 Corinthians 5:21

Life Truth: Worship is war because the only way to receive what we truly need is to give up what we think we want.

1) We must give up false self-perceptions. V23

2) We must give up control. You can have faith or you can have control. You cannot have both. VV21-22, 24-26

a. Luke 24:25-27 “He said to them, ‘How foolish you are, and how
slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken? Did not
the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter into His glory?’
And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to
them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.”

b. 2 Corinthians 5:21 “God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for
us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.”

3) We must give up the glory. VV27-28

"The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven."
Romans 1:18

I. The Diagnosis: all humanity has an incurable disease.

II. The Etiology: No fear of God.

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom."
Proverbs 9:10a

"A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of."
Luke 6:45

Two Prognosis:

1. Every mouth shall be silenced and all will be held accountable to God.

2. No one will be declared righteous.

"All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away."
Isaiah 64:6

1. The Law doesn’t save you, v. 17-24.

2. Outward signs do not guarantee you are saved, v. 25-27.

3. True religion is inner transformation by the Spirit, v. 28-29.

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.”
Ezekiel 36:26-27

1. ACCORDING TO TRUTH) vv.1-4

The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:7b (NIV)

2. ACCORDING TO WORKS and DEEDS) vv.5-11

I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds.
Acts 26:20b

3. ACCORDING TO THE GOSPEL) vv.12-16

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.” Psalm 19:1-2

1. Wrong belief about God.

2. Wrong action toward God.

3. Wrong actions toward others.

“Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40

Change your mind → belief
Change of heart → feelings
Change of action → behavior

1. The Gospel is mutually encouraging.

2. The Gospel is to be shared intentionally.

3. The Gospel is for all people.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also the Greek.”

The Role of Women in the Church

I. The Bible liberates and releases women to be ministers of the Gospel.

”God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” Genesis 1:27

At that time a Jew named Apollos came to Ephesus. He was an educated man from Alexandria. He knew the Scriptures very well. Apollos had been taught the way of the Lord. He spoke with great power. He taught the truth about Jesus. But he only knew about John’s baptism. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. Priscilla and Aquila heard him. So they invited him to their home. There they gave him a better understanding of the way of God.”
Acts 18:24-26 

I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea. I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been a great help to many people, including me" Romans 16:1-2

“Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea, and we went to stay at the home of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the Seven. He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.” Acts 21:8-9

“ No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband,   and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the Lord’s people, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.” 1 Timothy 5:9-10

II. The Bible not only liberates, but it also limits the role women play.

Women care more about caring.

A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. 
1 Timothy 2:11-14

1. Jesus is the head of the church.

“And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.” Ephesians 1:22-23

a. Holy Spirit

“But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.” John 16:7

b. The Bible
c. Pastors

2. The Church will last forever

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21

“… greet the church that is in their house.” Romans 16:5

3. There is one way in the capital C church.

“Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.” Acts 20:28

4. Specific activity marks a New Testament church.

a. gathers together

“Let us not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25

b. Preaching
c. ordinances
d. sing
e. pray
f. church discipline.

1. We are a church on mission.

We are a church not defined by our seating capacity but by our sending capacity.

2. We are a church that tells our story.

3. We are a church that engages ALL the world.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8