GOSPEL — Salvation is through faith

It is time to put in the work and be doers! But where do we start? Can you simply just hop in and start doing the good works of a disciple? Is that what makes you a follower of Jesus? This week, we will see that to grow as a disciple, you must first become a disciple. True disciples are doers and their faith shows through their works, but works are not what saves. Faith in Jesus saves and is only possible when we accept the grace of God and redemption through Jesus. Salvation is not something we could ever earn or do, but results in a life that is sold out to doing because it has been transformed by the power of the gospel.

SCRIPTURE

Matthew 3:8 | Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.

Romans 3:21-25 |  21 But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. 22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. 23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of Gods glorious standard. 24 Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. 25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past,

Romans 5:1-11 | 1 Therefore, since we have been made right in Gods sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. 2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing Gods glory. 3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. 6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. 7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 9 And since we have been made right in Gods sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from Gods condemnation. 10 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. 11 So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.

DISCUSSION

1. What makes us right in Gods sight? (According to Romans 3:22, 3:25, and 5:1)
2. According to Romans 5:6, what did/can we do to make salvation possible?
3. The term Lord is used in this passage and throughout the Bible when discussing Jesus and salvation. What is the difference in faith in Jesus as SAVIOR and faith in Jesus as LORD?
4. Do you ever struggle with feeling like you have to earn your salvation? What is wrong with this mindset? How does it differ from the gospel?
5. Do you ever struggle with feeling like it does not matter how much you mess up, as long as you ask God to forgive you? What is wrong with this mindset? How does it differ from the gospel?