Call To Worship
We confess the supremacy of God in Christ through both responsive reading and song.
Our Spoken Call to Worship
From Psalm 125:1-2
Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever.
As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people, from this time forth and forevermore.
Our Sung Call to Worship
Behold Our God
Confession
We confess our need for mercy through both responsive reading and song.
Our Spoken Confession
Father, you tell us that we are united with Christ by faith.
Yet we often walk in unbelief.
We believe; help our unbelief!
We believe that Christ lived a perfect life—and that you credit us with his righteousness by grace through faith.
Yet we often try to earn your favor with our own good works.
We believe; help our unbelief!
We believe that Christ’s death atoned for our sins—and that you forgive us by grace through faith.
Yet we often try to earn your pardon through self-justifying thoughts, words, and deeds.
We believe; help our unbelief!
We believe that Christ’s resurrection conquered the grave—and guarantees us new life both now and in the age to come.
Yet we often walk in fear of death and return to the sins that once enslaved us.
We believe; help our unbelief!
We believe that Christ ascended to the right hand of God, where he reigns with all authority over all powers, both earthly and spiritual.
Yet we often cower before humans and demons, believing their lies and fearing their power.
We believe; help our unbelief!
We believe that Christ poured out the Holy Spirit who dwells in us—and that this gift testifies that we are adopted as your children, heirs of grace.
Yet we often fear to approach you as Father, doubting your goodness, love, and faithfulness.
We believe; help our unbelief!
We believe that Christ will return and raise us from the dead to reign with him forever.
Yet we often cling to life in this present world, forgetting that we are strangers and sojourners who are waiting for new heavens and a new earth.
We believe; help our unbelief!
Our Sung Confession
Come Ye Sinners, Poor and Wretched
Assurance and Peace
We profess our assurance of salvation and peace in Christ through both responsive reading and song.
Our Spoken Profession of Assurance
Remember the Gospel
From Romans 3:21-28 CSB 17
But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, attested by the Law and the Prophets.
The righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe, since there is no distinction.
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
God presented him as an atoning sacrifice in his blood, received through faith, to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his restraint God passed over the sins previously committed.
God presented him to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so that he would be righteous and declare righteous the one who has faith in Jesus.
Where, then, is boasting?
It is excluded.
By what kind of law? By one of works?
No, on the contrary, by a law of faith. For we conclude that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.
Our Sung Profession of Assurance
Before the Throne of God Above
Thanksgiving and Petition
We Give Thanks in Prayer and Offer Petitions to God
We express our gratitude to God our Father for Christ’s work on the cross for us and bring our requests before him. In bringing our requests, we confess that we believe God truly is a good father, who cares about our needs and gives us what he knows is best.
We Give Thanks by Giving
We give financial offerings to support the work of the church because of our gratitude to God. By giving we confess we are trusting in God’s provision for us as well.
We Give Thanks in Song
By Faith
Scripture Reading
We hear the scripture text of the sermon read.
Romans 1:1-17
1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations,
6 including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, 7 To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you 10 always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. 11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— 12 that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. 13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles. 14 I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.
15 So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. 16 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 to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
Sermon
Romans 1:1-17 – Here We Stand: Sola Fide (Faith Alone) – Michael Felkins
The Lord’s Supper
Sunday morning we will be celebrating the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper.
If you have trusted Christ as your Lord and Savior, have been baptized and are a member in good standing of a local church we invite you to share in this covenant meal with us.
If you are not able to receive the Lord’s Supper with us, please use this time to meditate on one of the following prayers.
PRAYER FOR THOSE SEARCHING FOR THE TRUTH
Lord Jesus, You claim to be the Way, the Truth and the Life. If what You claim is true, please guide me, teach me and open me to the reality of who You are. Grant that I might be undaunted in my pursuit of knowing You. Give me an understanding of You that is coherent and convincing, and that leads me to the life in You. Amen.
PRAYER OF BELIEF
Lord Jesus I admit that I am weaker and more sinful than I ever dared admit, but through You I am more loved and accepted than I ever dared hope. I thank You for paying my debt on the cross, taking what I deserve in order to purchase my complete forgiveness. Knowing that You have been raised form the dead, I turn form my sins and receive You as My Savior and Lord. Amen.
PRAYER OF COMMITMENT
Lord Jesus, You have called us to follow You in baptism and in a life of committed discipleship in Your church. Grant that I may take the necessary steps to be the one with Your people, and live in the fullness of Your Spirit in a local community of Christ followers. Amen.
adapted from D. A. Carson, ed., Worship by the Book (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002)
Gluten Free Lord’s Supper: The elements of our Lord’s Supper are gluten free.
Sending
Having heard and confessed the Gospel, we are sent into the world on mission in Christ, which we express in both song and spoken word.
Sending Song
A Mighty Fortress is Our God
Blessing
Blessing from Luke 7:50
“Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”