Worship Preparation - January 8, 2023
Sunday, January, 8, 2023
Read the sermon text: Romans 7:7-25
Read the sermon summary: Do you ever feel like you’re a Christian “loser”? Like you just can’t do anything right? In Romans 6 and part of chapter 7, Paul speaks boldly about our newfound freedom in Christ. We cannot go on sinning deliberately because we have died with Christ and risen with him. Having been set free from the law and sin, we no longer live as slaves to sin, but have become slaves of righteousness. We have been released from the law and now belong to our risen Savior, Jesus Christ. Having read this, we might begin to think that our experience is unique. That we have failed as Christians. However, in Romans 7, we get a glimpse into Paul’s experience as a Christian, which is much different than we might think. We see the normal Christian experience is one of frustration. We do not perfectly carry out the things we desire and we end up doing some of the very things we hate. We are simultaneously discouraged and encouraged by this! We are encouraged in this, because we realize we are not alone in our struggles. But we are discouraged by this because, like Paul, we yearn to be free from this body of death! By Paul’s example, we are directed to look once again to Jesus Christ, who has rescued us and who will rescue us once and for all on the last day.
Read the following song lyrics in relation to the sermon:
There Is One Gospel
There is one Gospel on which I stand
For all eternity
It is my story my Father's plan
The Son has rescued me
Oh what a Gospel oh what a peace
My highest joy and my deepest need
Now and forever He is my light
I stand in the Gospel of Jesus Christ
There is one Gospel to which I cling
All else I count as loss
For there where justice and mercy meet
He saved me on the cross
No more I boast in what I can bring
No more I carry the weight of sin
For He has brought me from death to life
I stand in the Gospel of Jesus Christ
There is one Gospel where hope is found
The empty tomb still speaks
For death could not keep my Saviour down
He lives and I am free
Now on my Saviour I fix my eyes
My life is His and His hope is mine
For he has promised I too will rise
I stand in the Gospel of Jesus Christ
And in this Gospel the church is one
We do not walk alone
We have His Spirit as we press on
To lead us safely home
And when in glory still I will sing
Of this old story that rescued me
Praise to my Saviour the King of life
I stand in the Gospel of Jesus Christ
And when in glory still I will sing
Of this old story that rescued me
Praise to my Saviour the King of life
I stand in the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Praise to my Saviour the King of life
I stand in the Gospel of Jesus Christ
I stand in the Gospel of Jesus Christ
CCLI Song # 7199817
Jonny Robinson | Rich Thompson
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CCLI License # 11078052
Preaching: Jim Upchurch
Leading Music: Seth Hubler