+ The Gospel According to Paul Bringing together the message of Romans

+ Big Words What is the biggest word you can think of? Language is fluid Meanings change over time Sometimes meanings get lost Christianity is no different

+ Romans: Learning the Language of God The Letter to the Romans is Paul’s most complete theological statement The only letter where Paul doesn’t really know the people he’s writing to Paul as pastor and theologian

+ Sin Why do people write songs about love? Sometimes you need other words to fill a big word with meaning Paul teaches us this with Sin Slavery, alienation (negative form of belonging), distance, destruction Man/God, Man/Man, Earth/God

+ Sin “Missing the Mark” Has everything to do with how you see God Not just rules that we break Why is God offended? How we ruin relationships Sin is the destruction of relationship through selfishness and self focus Love God, Love Neighbor

+ Gospel “Good News” Humanity has tried to deal with sin two ways: legalism and lawlessness The Gospel is the answer to the question Romans 1-3 (Gentiles and Jews) Justification, sanctification, wrath, grace, salvation (Romans 5-8)

+ Apocalyptic “Unveiling” The first Christians had a different view of time Linear not circular God is bringing His story to its apex Jews and Gentiles are welcomed into the family of God

+ Two Ages Old aeon (age) New aeon (age) Both are happening at the same time right now Old age marked sin and death started by the Old Adam New age marked by suffering love and the rule of the kingdom of God started by Jesus

+ I’m From the Future… Humanity as it is Jesus comes into reality as the representative of the New Humanity New Humanity

+ Community A word that has been used so much that its lost its meaning Paul encourages the Romans to do community through the lens of the Gospel and an Apocalyptic View of Time (Romans 12-15) Jesus gives up his freedoms for the sake of others, His followers do the same Strong and weak

+ Liturgy Call to Confession: If we are honest with ourselves, we must admit that we all make mistakes. There are things we do – and there are things we neglect to do – that separate us from God, from one another, from ourselves. So trusting in the infinite grace of God, let us confess our mistakes and our longing for God. (A Time of Personal Silent Prayer)

+ Liturgy (Read Underlined) God is Our Creator {1} O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever. {2} O give thanks to the God of gods, for his steadfast love endures forever. {3} O give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his steadfast love endures forever; {4} who alone does great wonders, for his steadfast love endures forever; {5} who by understanding made the heavens, for his steadfast love endures forever; {6} who spread out the earth on the waters, for his steadfast love endures forever; {7} who made the great lights, for his steadfast love endures forever; {8} the sun to rule over the day, for his steadfast love endures forever; {9} the moon and stars to rule over the night, for his steadfast love endures forever;

+ Liturgy (Read Underlined) God is Our Redeemer {10} who struck Egypt through their firstborn, for his steadfast love endures forever; {11} and brought Israel out from among them, for his steadfast love endures forever; {12} with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, for his steadfast love endures forever; {13} who divided the Red Sea in two, for his steadfast love endures forever; {14} and made Israel pass through the midst of it, for his steadfast love endures forever; {15} but overthrew Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea, for his steadfast love endures forever; {16} who led his people through the wilderness, for his steadfast love endures forever;

+ Liturgy (Read Underlined) {17} who struck down great kings, for his steadfast love endures forever; {18} and defeated famous kings, for his steadfast love endures forever; {19} Sihon, king of the Amorites, for his steadfast love endures forever; {20} and Og, king of Bashan, for his steadfast love endures forever; {21} and gave their land as a heritage, for his steadfast love endures forever; {22} a heritage to his servant Israel, for his steadfast love endures forever.

+ Liturgy (Read Underlined) God is Our Sustainer {23} It is he who remembered us in our low estate, for his steadfast love endures forever; {24} and rescued us from our foes, for his steadfast love endures forever; {25} who gives food to all flesh, for his steadfast love endures forever. {26} O give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever. (Psalm 136)

+ Liturgy (Read Underlined) Words of Assurance: Hear the good news! In Jesus Christ, we are made new and offered the chance to begin again. Believe the good news! We are forgiven. Amen.