Summary of this week's sermon
Every week we want to have a 5 day devotional recapping our previous sermon so we can grow deeper together.
This Sunday Pastor Scott began our new series on Romans.
Day 1: The Perfect Gospel
Devotional
Have you ever wondered why the book of Romans feels so foundational to our faith? Martin Luther called it "the chief part of the New Testament and the perfect gospel." There's something beautifully complete about Paul's letter to the Romans - it's not addressing a crisis or correcting specific problems like his other letters. Instead, it's a masterful presentation of God's redemptive plan. What makes Romans so special is that it gives us the full picture. Paul wrote to a church he had never visited, so he couldn't assume they knew the basics. He had to lay everything out clearly and completely. This means we get to see the gospel in its purest form - not as a response to problems, but as God's perfect plan revealed. John Calvin observed that when anyone understands Romans, "he has a passage open to him to the understanding of the whole scripture." Think about that for a moment. This one book can unlock your understanding of the entire Bible. That's because Romans doesn't just tell us about salvation - it shows us how God's character, His justice, His mercy, and His love all work together in perfect harmony. When you read Romans, you're not just learning theology; you're discovering the heart of God. You're seeing how every promise, every prophecy, and every story in Scripture points to the same beautiful truth: God loves you and has made a way for you to be with Him forever.
Bible Verse
"Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God" - Romans 1:1
Reflection Question
How does knowing that Romans presents the "perfect gospel" change the way you approach reading and understanding God's Word?
Quote
The Book of Romans is the chief part of the New Testament and the perfect gospel, the absolute epitome of the gospel.
Prayer
Father, thank You for giving us Your perfect gospel through Paul's letter to the Romans. Open my heart and mind to understand Your complete plan of redemption. Help me see how every part of Scripture points to Your love and grace. Amen.
Day 2: God's Story to Tell
Devotional
Imagine if someone accused you of making up an incredible story about your family's history. You'd probably reach for old documents, photos, or records to prove it was true, right? That's exactly what Paul does when he talks about the gospel. He makes it crystal clear that this isn't some first-century invention by desperate disciples trying to keep their movement alive. Paul emphasizes that the gospel was "promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures." This wasn't Plan B when everything else failed. This was always God's Plan A. From the very beginning, God was writing a story of redemption, and every prophet, every promise, and every prophecy was pointing toward Jesus. Remember when Jesus walked with the disciples on the road to Emmaus? He didn't just comfort them with nice words. He opened the Scriptures and showed them how everything - from Moses to all the prophets - was about Him. Can you imagine that Bible study? Jesus Himself explaining how every story, every law, every psalm was part of God's grand narrative leading to the cross and resurrection. This changes everything about how we read the Old Testament. Those aren't just ancient stories about ancient people. They're chapters in God's love story to you. Every promise God made, every rescue He provided, every covenant He established was building toward the moment when Jesus would say, "It is finished." God has always been in control of this story, and He's been writing your part in it since before time began.
Bible Verse
"the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures" - Romans 1:2
Reflection Question
How does it change your perspective to know that your salvation wasn't an afterthought, but part of God's plan from the very beginning?
Quote
The Gospel of Jesus was not designed by humans. It was the written plan of God.
Prayer
Lord, thank You that my salvation wasn't a backup plan, but Your perfect plan from the beginning. Help me see Your hand at work throughout all of Scripture, pointing to Jesus. Give me confidence in Your sovereignty over my life's story. Amen.
Day 3: Faith First, then Obedience
Devotional
We live in a world that says "earn it first, then you'll get it." Work hard, then get promoted. Study hard, then pass the test. Be good, then receive love. It's so ingrained in us that we naturally apply this same logic to our relationship with God. But Paul completely flips this script in the most beautiful way. For centuries, people tried to obey their way to God's approval. Follow the rules, keep the commandments, perform the rituals - maybe then God will accept you. But Paul reveals something revolutionary: faith has to come first. We don't obey to earn salvation; we obey because we already possess it through faith in Jesus. Think about it like this: when you truly believe someone loves you, it changes how you act toward them. You don't serve them to earn their love - you serve them because you're overwhelmed by the love they've already given you. That's exactly how our relationship with God works. When we truly grasp that Jesus has already paid for our sins, already secured our salvation, already declared us righteous - our obedience becomes an overflow of gratitude, not a desperate attempt to earn something. This understanding transforms everything. When you mess up, you don't have to wonder if God still loves you - His love isn't based on your performance. When you do good things, you're not trying to impress God - you're simply responding to the incredible grace He's already shown you. Faith first, then obedience. Grace first, then gratitude. Love first, then response.
Bible Verse
"Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name's sake." - Romans 1:5
Reflection Question
In what areas of your life are you still trying to earn God's approval rather than responding to His grace that you already have?
Quote
Faith has to come first. Faith in the Gospel must come before obedience to the gospel.
Prayer
Jesus, forgive me for the times I've tried to earn what You've already freely given. Help me live from a place of gratitude rather than performance. Let my obedience flow from faith, not fear. Amen.
Day 4: The Only Power That Saves
Devotional
Have you ever tried to push a car that's run out of gas? You can push and strain and work up a sweat, but you're not going to get very far. The car needs the right kind of power - fuel in the engine - to actually move. In the same way, when it comes to salvation, there's only one power source that actually works: the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul is absolutely clear about this. There's no wiggle room, no partial credit, no "you do your part and God does His." The gospel of Jesus is the only power that can save lost souls. Period. It's not the gospel plus your good works, not the gospel plus your church attendance, not the gospel plus your sincere efforts. It's the gospel of Jesus or nothing. This might feel overwhelming at first. You might think, "But surely I have to contribute something!" But here's the beautiful truth: there is no shame in understanding that you can't do what Jesus did for you. In fact, recognizing your complete dependence on Christ is exactly where real freedom begins. When you stop trying to be your own savior, you can finally rest in the Savior who actually has the power to save. When you stop exhausting yourself trying to earn what can't be earned, you can start enjoying what's already been given. The power is in the gospel of Jesus - His death, burial, and resurrection. That's where your hope lies, and that's where your confidence can rest. You don't have to wonder if you're good enough, because Jesus is good enough for you.
Bible Verse
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile." - Romans 1:16
Reflection Question
What are some ways you've been trying to add your own power to the gospel, and how can you rest more fully in Christ's finished work?
Quote
The Gospel of Jesus is the only power that can save lost souls.
Prayer
God, I confess that sometimes I try to add my own efforts to what Jesus has already completed. Help me rest fully in the power of the gospel. Thank You that I don't have to be strong enough - Jesus is strong enough for me. Amen.
Day 5: Faith That Transforms Everything
Devotional
Picture a stone thrown into a still pond. The initial splash is just the beginning - ripples spread out in ever-widening circles, touching shores the stone never directly reached. That's what genuine faith in Jesus does in your life. It starts with believing in your heart, but the ripples of that faith touch every area of your existence. Paul shows us this beautiful progression: faith impacts behaviors, behaviors impact reputation, and reputation encourages others. When you truly believe that Jesus loves you unconditionally, it changes how you treat people. When you're secure in His acceptance, you become more accepting of others. When you're overwhelmed by His grace, you become more gracious. But here's what makes this so different from just trying to be a good person: the motivation changes everything. Many of the things we do because of our faith in Jesus can be done without faith in Jesus. You can be kind, generous, and helpful for lots of reasons. But when those actions flow from faith in Christ, they become acts of worship. They're not performed to earn God's love - they're expressions of the love you've already received. This is why Jesus could reject people in Matthew 7 who pointed to all their good works. They were doing the right things for the wrong reasons. They were trying to earn what can only be received as a gift. But when your faith is genuine, when it's rooted in the finished work of Christ, everything you do becomes an offering of gratitude. Your whole life becomes a thank-you note to the God who saved you.
Bible Verse
"For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: 'The righteous will live by faith.'" - Romans 1:17
Reflection Question
How can you tell the difference between actions motivated by trying to earn God's approval versus actions that flow from gratitude for His grace?
Quote
My faith impacts my behaviors, my behaviors impact my reputation, and my reputation can encourage others.
Prayer
Lord, let my faith in You transform every area of my life. Help my actions flow from gratitude rather than obligation. Use my life to encourage others to seek the same grace I've found in You. Amen.