Sharon RP Church

We must rest in Christ's character alone, not on our performance, nor on cheap grace. We must beware of thinking that we are "good" in the sight of God, simply because we enjoy the blessing of external privileges, or even because we have God's Word. In this passage, Paul makes it clear that the Gospel that he preaches does not impugn God's covenant, His faithfulness, His justice, or His truth. We cannot minimize or excuse our sin simply because we have God's grace. Our only hope in life and death is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When the Gospel is at work in our lives, it will make us hate our sin, so that we turn away from it, and then turn to Christ. Because we love Him so much, we will then want to live like Him!

Are you trusting in religious markers of your own? What are you resting in to stand before the holy and righteous God? Religious priviliges can lead to religious pride. And Paul teaches nothing in this section that is different from Jesus' words directly to the Pharisees. We often like to act as if we have everything together in our lives, and rationalize our sins. It's easy to instruct others what to do – but not so much when it comes time to apply truth to our own lives. Where do we go from here? We are not one of God's chosen and beloved people if we are only that way outwardly. It's a new heart that we need in order to be one of His true covenant people. It's the Holy Spirit's transformation of our heart that matters. Give up your own righteousness. Drop the facade. Stand before the holy God and admit you are guilty, and then rest on the finished work of Jesus alone. He kept the whole law perfectly; and by faith in Him, His righteousness is reckoned to us. He is our only hope in life and death. Be honest about where your sin lies, and then find rest for your soul in Jesus alone.

A — About: This passage traces the genealogy of Caleb within the tribe of Judah, highlighting how God preserved a lineage through generations, including flawed individuals, to fulfill His covenant purposes. B — Best Verse: 1 Chronicles 2:51 — "Salma the father of Bethlehem…" (This points to Bethlehem, a significant place in God's redemptive plan.) C — Called to Do: Trust in God's covenant faithfulness, not personal heritage. Rest in being adopted into God's family and live faithfully as His children.

A – What is this about? This passage traces the genealogy of Judah, highlighting God's covenant faithfulness across generations, leading from Judah to David despite human sin and failure. B – Best verse 1 Chronicles 2:15 – "...Ozem the sixth, and David the seventh." C – What are we called to do? Trust in God's faithfulness, recognize His work through imperfect people, and place our hope in Jesus as the fulfillment of His promises.

Sometimes it's really easy to accuse others when we ourselves have the same problem. But we cannot avoid God's judgment by pointing our finger at someone else. How, then, do we escape His righteous wrath against our sins? We first have to be honest about our natural condition: we are under judgment, and the Lord will judge with equity. There's no way we can stand before the Omniscient Judge and say, "I'm righteous." So what hope do we have? Where do we run when the gavel is about to fall? We must run to the cross as fast as we can. Christ has taken away our sins and given us His righteousness. He was put to death for our sins, and He was raised again for our justification. What kind of person will you be? Will you say you haven't sinned and make God out to be a liar? Or will you confess your sins to the one who is faithful and just to forgive them? Stop pointing fingers at everyone else, confess that you are guilty, and then look to Jesus and rest in His finished work of redemption!

A – About: This passage traces the descendants of Abraham, showing how nations and kings emerged, especially highlighting the line that would eventually lead to a true and greater King. B – Best Verse: "Now these were the kings who reigned in the land of Edom before a king reigned over the children of Israel." (1 Chronicles 1:43) C – Calling: Trust in Jesus Christ as the promised King, recognizing that all history points to Him and choosing to follow His reign in your life.

A — About: This passage presents a genealogy from Adam to Abraham, showing the continuity of God's plan across generations and His faithfulness in preserving His covenant line. B — Best Verse: "Abram, who is Abraham." (1 Chronicles 1:27) C — Called to Do: Recognize God's faithfulness through history, value your place in His redemptive story, and live in obedience as part of His covenant family.

A – About: This passage concludes 1 Samuel with the سقوط of Saul. His disobedience, pride, and rejection of God lead to his death in battle, the loss of his sons, and national defeat. It reveals the failure of human leadership apart from God. B – Best Verse: 1 Samuel 31:4 — "Therefore Saul took a sword and fell on it." C – Called to Do: Place your trust not in human leaders or earthly power, but in the perfect King. Live in faithful obedience, humility, and reverence before God, looking to Him as your ultimate authority and hope.

A – About: David returns from victory over the Amalekites and ensures that both those who fought and those who stayed behind receive equal shares, establishing a principle of fairness, unity, and God-centered gratitude. B – Best Verse: 1 Samuel 30:23 — "But David said, 'My brethren, you shall not do so with what the Lord has given us, who has preserved us and delivered into our hand the troop that came against us.'" C – Called to Do: Recognize that all blessings come from God, treat others with fairness and compassion, and reject selfishness by valuing unity and shared grace over personal gain.

It is important that we call sin sin, but first we need to look in the mirror. When sinful humans suppress the truth and turn to idolatry, God's wrath is revealed on them by turning them over to do the things they love. Paul focuses in on all manner of sins here, leaving all people – without exception – under the scope of God's judgment. How many times do we find ourselves in these verses? Are we broken in our hearts for these sins in ourselves, just as much as we see them in others and call them out? Is there any hope for people who have been judged like this? Yes! Just as we were given up to our sinful desires, Jesus was given up for our justification. Now there is no condemnation for us, for our Savior is righteous and merciful to sinners like us!