January 29, 2023
Pastor Ricky Smith

Sermon Notes

Galatians 2:15-16
We ourselves are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners; yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.

I. Come One and All

Romans 3:23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

Romans 5:12
Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—

1 John 2:2
He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

Galatians 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

II. Christ Makes Us Right

Justification is the gracious act of God by which God declares a sinner righteous solely through faith in Jesus Christ.

Justification is a single act and not a process.

Romans 5:1
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:21
For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Faith is the response that says, “I believe!”

Next Steps

• I confess my sin and trust Jesus to be declared right before God.
• I commit to honoring my standing before God by pursuing holiness.
• I will celebrate being justified by responding in worship.

Deep Dive

1. Explain the doctrine of justification.
2. Why does it matter that justification is a one-time act and not a process?
3. Read Romans 5:1. What is the relationship between justification and peace with God?

Springboard

1. What does your routine of Bible reading and prayer look like?
2. Does your spiritual discipline and performance determine your relationship with God?
3. Read 2 Corinthians 5:21 and compare it with your previous answer.