November 4, 2017 - Church at Worship

Sermon: "Sola Gratia" Here We Stand (Part 3 of 5) by Randy Roberts

Pastoral Welcome: Roy Ice 

Children’s Feature: Shawna Campbell

Baptism: Evan Gurule

Scripture Reading: Romans 1:16-17, Romans 3:21-24, TNIV read by Melanie Jobe and Chris Jobe

Sermon Notes:

During a British conference on comparative religions, experts from around the world debated what, if any, belief was unique to the Christian faith. They began eliminating possibilities. Incarnation? Other religions had different versions of gods appearing in human form. Resurrection? Again, other religions had accounts of return from death. The debate went on for some time until C. S. Lewis wandered into the room. “What’s the rumpus about?” he asked, and heard in reply that his colleagues were discussing Christianity’s unique contribution among world religions. Lewis responded, “Oh, that’s easy. It’s grace.” After some discussion, the conferees had to agree. The notion of God’s love coming to us free of charge, no strings attached, seems to go against every instinct of humanity. The Buddhist eightfold path, the Hindu doctrine of Karma, the Jewish covenant, and the Muslim code of law — each offers a way to earn approval. Only Christianity dares to make God’s love unconditional (Philip Yancey, What’s So Amazing about Grace?). What is stunning is this: even though the faith I share with many of you offers us this absolutely free gift, many still set about trying to earn God’s favor. Such a reality is not new. From Adam’s sin to Malachi’s pen, human beings worked to earn the favor of God. And such efforts did not end when a Baby was born in Bethlehem. In fact, from the time that Baby wailed in that manger to the time the hammer blows struck the door of Wittenberg’s church, the effort to earn God’s favor only grew. But then… A monk rebels against the idea of indulgences. The Protestant Reformation is born! And a spotlight shines on the grace of God! It still shines. Don’t allow anything to cast a shadow over its importance. It’s a unique and wonderful gift! 

Randy Roberts

Senior Pastor