Book of Romans: Sacrifice of Atonement

Bob Schwahn | Lead Pastor | March 17, 2024

Exodus 34:6-7 (NIV)
And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; …”

Romans 3:25-26 (NIV)
God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

Hebrews 10:10-14 (NIV)

“The man who has faith is the man who is no longer looking at himself, and no longer looking to himself. He no longer looks at anything he once was. He does not look at what he is now. He does not look at what he hopes to be … He looks entirely to the Lord Jesus Christ and his finished work, and he rests on that alone.”
— Martyn Lloyd-Jones

1 John 4:16-19 (NIV)
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
We love because he first loved us.

Reflection Questions:

What was something that stuck out to you from the sermon?

Do you tend to view God as more loving/compassionate or more just/wrathful? Explain. Why do you think that is?

How does the cross of Jesus show us the fullness of God’s LOVE and the fullness of His JUSTICE?

We receive justification by faith. How do you define faith? How can faith actually become a “work” of righteousness to us?

How would you paraphrase the quote(above) by Martyn Lloyd-Jones?

It is the OBJECT of our faith and not the AMOUNT of our faith that save us. Agree or disagree? Explain.

If we are justified freely (without cost or cause) what is our motivation to obey and follow Jesus?

Why is fear of punishment or judgment not the motivation Jesus wants from us?

Read 1 John 4:16-19 (above). Christianity is not at it’s core message a religion. It is a gospel (good news). It is not what we DO for God but what God has DONE for us. Good news is meant to be shared. What motivates you to share the good news with people in your world? What hinders you from sharing the good news with others? How can you overcome these barriers?

Who will you invite to be part of our Easter gatherings where we celebrate the good news of Jesus?

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Notes Page: https://journeybozeman.com/sermons/notes/2024.03.17.pdf