Romans. The Life of Faith. The Power of Grace. Sermon Series Devotional. Fall 2017

Transcription

1 Romans The Life of Faith. The Power of Grace. Sermon Series Devotional 1 Fall 2017

2 Romans was written to pave the way for Paul s visit to a church he had never seen, but whose help he needed as he began to preach the gospel in the western Mediterranean world. This letter is one of the fullest statements of Paul s faith. He tries to show how Christianity is rooted in Judaism, but is a faith for all humanity. Romans is a book full of the power and grace of God and has been a source of inspiration and renewal in the church from earliest times to the present. As we focus our Sunday morning messages on the book of Romans during our 8-part series, we invite you and your family to use this booklet as a devotional tool to enrich your journey through Paul s letter. Contents Week I - August 6 - Romans 1 & Week II - August 13 - Romans 3 & Week III - August 20 - Romans 5 & Week IV - August 27 - Romans 7 & September 3 Worship - Exploring the Epistles Week V - September 10 - Romans 9, 10, Week VI - September 17 - Romans 12 & Week VII - September 24 - Romans Week 8 - October 1 - Romans 15 & Next Steps - Fall 2017 Opportunities

3 Readings: Romans 1 & 2 Music Reflections: Hail to the Lord s Anointed Week I Jesus Hail to the Lord's Anointed great David's greater Son! Hail in the time appointed his reign on earth begun! He comes to break oppression to set the captive free to take away transgression and rule in equity He comes with succor speedy to those who suffer wrong to help the poor and needy and bid the weak be strong to give them songs for sighing their darkness turn to light whose souls, condemned and dying are precious in his sight He shall come down like showers upon the fruitful earth love, joy, and hope, like flowers spring in his path to birth Before him on the mountains shall peace, the herald, go and righteousness, in fountains from hill to valley flow There is a truth older than the ages There is a promise of things yet to come There is one born for our salvation Jesus There is a light that overwhelms the darkness There is a kingdom that forever reigns There is freedom from the chains that bind us Jesus, Jesus Who walks on the waters Who speaks to the sea Who stands in the fire beside me He roars like a lion He bled as the lamb He carries my healing in His hands, Jesus 2016 Tomlin / Cash - S. D. G. Publishing, Sixsteps Songs, Worship Together Music, and Alletrop Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) CCLI License # United Methodist Hymnal 203 Public Domain - Montgomery / Gesangbuch der H.W.k. Hofkapelle 3

4 Questions: + + What is the gospel or good news Paul describes? + + How does the good news address the divisions in Rome which Paul highlights in 1:14-17? 4

5 + + In what ways is it risky or daring to be a Christian in our community today? + + From Romans 1:1-7, what are three-to-five things you could identify as important to believe about Jesus? 5

6 Week 1 Prayer: O God, you spoke your word and revealed your good news in Jesus, the Christ. Fill all creation with that work again, so that by proclaiming your joyful promises to all nations and singing of your glorious hope to all peoples, we may become one living body, your incarnate presence on the earth. Amen. 6

7 Week II Readings: Romans 3 & 4 Music Reflections: Sing Hallelujah to the Lord Sing hallelujah to the Lord Sing hallelujah, hallelujah, Sing hallelujah to the Lord Celebration Hymnal Stassen-Benjamin - New Song Ministries CCLI License # Let Us Plead for Faith Alone Let us plead for faith alone, faith which by our works is shown; God it is who justifies, only faith the grace applies. Active faith that lives within, conquers hell and death and sin, hallows whom it first made whole, forms the Savior in the soul. Let us for this faith contend, sure salvation is the end; heaven already is begun, everlasting life is won. Only let us persevere till we see our Lord appear, never from the Rock remove, saved by faith which works by love. United Methodist Hymnal 385 Public Domain - C. Wesley / Foundery Collection 7 Great Are You Lord You give life, You are love You bring light to the darkness You give hope, You restore Every heart that is broken Great are You, Lord It s Your breath in our lungs So we pour out our praise We pour out our praise It s Your breath in our lungs So we pour out our praise to You only And all the earth will shout Your praise Our hearts will cry, these bones will sing Great are You, Lord It s Your breath in our lungs So we pour out our praise We pour out our praise It s Your breath in our lungs So we pour out our praise to You only 2012 Jordan / Leonard - Open Hands Music, Integrity s Praise! Music, and Integrity s Alleluia! Music (Admin by EMI Christian Music Publishing (IMI) and Sony/ATV Sounds LLC) CCLI License #

8 Questions: + + How would you answer if one of those seeking faith asked you, What does it mean to live by faith? What faith story would you tell them? Week 2 Prayer: All have sinned and fallen short of your glory, O God, and I am no exception. I praise you that I am justified by your grace as a gift, and not as the result of my own works. Amen. 8

9 Week III Readings: Romans 5 & 6 Music Reflections: Grace Greater than Our Sin Marvelous grace of our loving Lord, grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt! Yonder on Calvary s mount outpoured, there where the blood of the Lamb was spilt. Grace, grace, God s grace, grace that will pardon and cleanse within; grace, grace, God s grace, grace that is greater than all our sin! Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold, threaten the soul with infinite loss; grace that is greater, yes, grace untold, points to the refuge, the mighty cross. Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace, freely bestowed on all who believe! You that are longing to see his face, will you this moment his grace receive? United Methodist Hymnal 365 Public Domain - Johnston / Towner 9 Flawless There s got to be more Than going back and forth From doing right to doing wrong Cause we were taught that s who we are... Then like a hero who takes the stage when we re on the edge of our seats saying it s too late Well let me introduce you to amazing grace No matter the bumps, no matter the bruises, no matter the scars still the truth is the cross has made The cross has made you flawless No matter the hurt or how deep the wound is; no matter the pain still the truth is the cross has made The cross has made you flawless Could it possibly be that we simply can t believe that this unconditional kind of love would be enough to take a filthy wretch like this and wrap him up in righteousness but that s exactly what He did 2014 Graul / Millard / Glover / Garcia / Scheuchzer / Cochran / Shaffer / Olds - D Soul Music, Universal Music - Brentwood Benson Publishing, 9t One Songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing, Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc., Moon & Musky Music, Music Services, Inc.) CCLI License #

10 Questions: + + What does Paul mean when he says we are slaves? + + To be a slave, as Paul understands it, is to surrender your life to the control of another. What enslaves you? 10

11 Treasure Hunt: Look in the United Methodist Hymnal, page 365 (the blue hymnals in the backs of the Centrum chairs). From where did Julia Johnson find her inspiration for the words of this week s hymn Grace Greater Than Our Sin? Week 3 Prayer: Your free gift of eternal life is sometimes beyond my ability to understand, O God. Thank you. Amen. 11

12 Week IV Readings: Romans 7 & 8 Music Reflections: I Am Thine, O Lord I am thine, O Lord I have heard thy voice and it told thy love to me But I long to rise in the arms of faith and be closer drawn to thee Draw me nearer nearer, blessed Lord to the cross where thou hast died Draw me nearer nearer, nearer, blessed Lord to thy precious bleeding side Consecrate me now to thy service, Lord by the power of grace divine Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope and my will be lost in thine United Methodist Hymnal 419 Public Domain - Crosby / Doane Lord, I Need You Lord, I come, I confess Bowing here I find my rest Without You I fall apart You re the One that guides my heart Lord, I need You, oh, I need You Every hour I need You My one defense, my righteousness Oh God, how I need You Where sin runs deep Your grace is more Where grace is found is where You are And where You are, Lord, I am free Holiness is Christ in me Teach my song to rise to You When temptation comes my way And when I cannot stand I ll fall on You Jesus, you re my hope and stay 2011 Nockels / Carson / Reeves / Stanfill / Maher - sixsteps Music, Sweater Weather Music, Thankyou Music, Valley Of Songs Music, worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) CCLI License #

13 Questions: + + Is there some event in our life, some transgression, that you believe has separated you from God s love? + + Take time to let the Holy Spirit search your heart and intercede for you and with you. What is God s desire for your life? What is the cry of your heart? 13

14 Treasure Hunt: From the United Methodist Hymnal, page 887 (blue hymnal), what s interesting about the Affirmation as it pertains to our study? Week 4 Prayer: God of amazing love, thank you that I am never separated from your love and care. Amen. 14

15 Readings: Romans 9, 10, & 11 Music Reflections: Week V Blest Be the Dear Uniting Love Blest be the dear uniting love that will not let us part; our bodies may far off remove, we still are one in heart. Joined in one spirit to our Head, where he appoints we go, and still in Jesus footsteps tread, and do his work below. O may we ever walk in him, and nothing know beside, nothing desire, nothing esteem, but Jesus crucified! We all are one who him receive, and each with each agree, in him the One, the Truth, we live; blest point of unity! United Methodist Hymnal 566 Public Domain - C. Wesley / Havergal Lord, I Need You Lord, I come, I confess Bowing here I find my rest Without You I fall apart You re the One that guides my heart Lord, I need You, oh, I need You Every hour I need You My one defense, my righteousness Oh God, how I need You Where sin runs deep Your grace is more Where grace is found is where You are And where You are, Lord, I am free Holiness is Christ in me Teach my song to rise to You When temptation comes my way And when I cannot stand I ll fall on You Jesus, you re my hope and stay 2011 Nockels / Carson / Reeves / Stanfill / Maher - sixsteps Music, Sweater Weather Music, Thankyou Music, Valley Of Songs Music, worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing) CCLI License #

16 Question: + + What have been your best experiences of family? Your worst? Where is God in your family? + + What does it mean to you when you hear that God s ways are higher than ours? 16

17 Treasure Hunt: Michael Perry wrote the lyrics of hymn 649 in the United Methodist Hymnal - How Shall They Hear the Word of God (blue hymnal). What Scripture inspired him? Week 5 Prayer: For the fruit of all creation, thanks be to God. Gifts bestowed on every nation, thanks be to God. For the plowing, sowing, reaping, silent growth while we are sleeping, future needs in earth s safekeeping, thanks be to God. For the wonders that astound us, for the truths that still confound us, most of all the Love has found us, thanks be to God. Amen. 17

18 Week VI Readings: Romans 12 & 13 Music Reflections: They ll Know We Are Christians We are one in the spirit, we are one in the Lord And we pray that all unity may one day be restored And they ll know we are Christians by our love We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand, And together we ll spread the news that God is in our land We will work with each other, we will work side by side And we ll guard each one s dignity and save each one s pride All praise to the Father, from whom all things come and all praise to Christ Jesus, His only Son and all praise to the Spirit, who makes us one And they ll know we are Christians by our love With Every Act of Love Sitting at the stoplight, he can t be bothered by the heart cry written on the cardboard in her hand; but when she looks him in the eye his heart is broken open wide and he feels the hand of God reach out through him as Heaven touches earth Oh, we bring the Kingdom come Oh, with every act of love Jesus help us carry You - alive in us, Your light shines through; with every act of love we bring the Kingdom come God put a million, million doors in the world for his love to walk through One of those doors is you I said, God put a million, million doors in the world For his love to walk through One of those doors is you With every act of love, we bring the Kingdom come Celebration Hymnal Scholtes - F.E.L. Publications CCLI License # Gray / Ingram Centricity Music Publishing (Admin by Amplified Administration LLC and Sony/ATV Sounds LLC) CCLI License #

19 Question: + + What is distinctive about the community called the Church? What is the character of the community? + + What are the norms which guide and the practices that sustain the Church community? 19

20 Treasure Hunt: From the United Methodist Hymnal on page ix, what are some of the practices of the Church listed under The Community of Faith? Week 6 Prayer: May I do my part to make the church a place of hospitality for all. Amen. 20

21 Readings: Romans 14 Music Reflections: Week VII Let There Be Peace on Earth Salvation s Tide Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me let there be peace on earth the peace that was meant to be. With God our creator children all are we Let us walk with each other in perfect harmony. Let peace begin with me let this be the moment now With every step I take let this be my solemn vow: to take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally. Let there be peace on earth And let it begin with me. United Methodist Hymnal , 1983 Miller / Jackson CCLI License # There s no limit to your power There s no stopping what you plan You give us faith to move the mountains and hope to dream again We see the fires of revival The darkness giving way to light The glory of your grace advancing Let it burn up the night Let it burn up the night Let the walls come down in Jesus name Let the lost be found in Jesus name Let the church arise to shine your light to the world Shine your light Your house, forever, undivided All your sons and daughters one At the cross we are united Our hope is in the blood Our hope is in your blood Salvation s tide is rising As all your people seek your face Your life a river flowing To wash our sin and shame away Younker / Ingram / Stanfill / Maher - sixsteps Music, worshiptogether.com songs, Be Essential Songs I Am A Pilgrim Songs So Essential Tunes (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing, Essential Music Publishing LLC) CCLI License #

22 Question: + + What differences with others do you find you have a hard time overcoming? Treasure Hunt: Using the blue hymnals in the centrum chairs, turn to When We Are Living (UMH 356) and search for the words from Romans 14:7 & 8. Write those words below: 22

23 Week 7 Prayer: Source of Shalom, God of Peace: Grant peace to your people and let peace spread to all of your creatures. Let there be an end to hatred, jealousy, and competition between people. Let there be only great love and peace between us all, so that we can all gather together united as sisters and brothers in Christ speaking to each other and learning the truth from one another. Source of peace, God of Peace, Amen. 23

24 Week VIII Readings: Romans 15 & 16 Music Reflections: In Christ There Is No East or West In Christ there is no east or west, in him no south or north; but one great fellowship of love throughout the whole wide earth. In Christ shall true hearts everywhere their high communion find; his service is the golden cord close binding humankind. United Methodist Hymnal 548 Public Domain - Oxenham / Afro-American Spiritual All Hail the Power of Jesus Name All hail the power of Jesus name! Let angels prostrate fall bring forth the royal diadem and crown him Lord of all Bring forth the royal diadem and crown him Lord of all God Is On the Move Any time a heart turns from darkness to light Any time temptation comes and someone stands to fight Any time somebody lives to serve and not be served I know, I know, I know, I know: God is on the move, on the move Hallelujah! God is on the move In many mighty ways Any time in weakness someone falls upon their knees or dares to speak the truth that sets men free Any time the choice is made to stand upon the Word... Any time the gospel stirs a searching soul and someone says, Send me, here I go I know, I know, I know, I know: God is on the move, on the move Hallelujah! United Methodist Hymnal 154 Public Domain - Perronet / Rippon / Holden Williams / Eskelin / Howard / Wood - Wordspring Music, LLC, Aevinesaint Music, Love Journey Music, Moms Like Us Too, Promotion And Relegation Music, Tony Wood Songs (Admin. by Music Services, Inc., Word Music Group, Inc.) CCLI License #

25 Question: + + From Romans 15: 15, 16 Who does Paul speak of as those he was called to minister to? + + How might the Old Testament Scriptures Paul writes of in 15: 7-12 encourage him? + + What does it mean for us to welcome others as Christ has welcomed us? 25

26 Week 8 Prayer: O God, in mercy bless us; let your face beam with joy as you look down at us. Send us around the world with the news of your saving power and your eternal plan for all mankind. How everyone throughout the earth will praise the Lord! How glad the nations will be, singing for joy because you are their King and will give true justice to their people! Praise God, O world! May all the peoples of the earth give thanks to you. For the earth has yielded abundant harvests. God, even our own God, will bless us. And peoples from remotest lands will worship him. Amen. - Psalm 67 26

27 Reflections Devotional Resources: United Methodist Hymnal (1989) Celebration Hymnal (1997) Daily Feast: Meditations from Feasting on the Word (Bostrom) Romans - N.T. Wright for Everyone Bible Study Guides (Wright) NC Council of Churches 27

28 Next Steps Looking for ways to further your studies in the Word? Learn more about Fall Growth Groups for adults at fvumc.org/growthgroups2017. Want to find ways to serve and share the good news? Visit fvumc.org/missions2017. Want to encourage your children (birth- 5th grade) to deepen their trust in God? Visit fvumc.org/children2017. Hoping to get your youth (6th-12th grade) more involved at church? Visit fvumc.org/youth2017 for details on the many types of opportunities offered. Hear a call to share your musical gifts? We have a wide range of groups, styles, and ability levels. Visit fvumc.org/music