Oceanside United Reformed Church

Easter morning service 2026

Good Friday service 2026

Introduction: God counts righteousness to sinners who believe, not to workers who earn. Summary: where we're at in Romans and where we're going in this passage. NOT BY WORKS (VV. 1–5) Question and answer 60 of our Heidelberg Catechism: "How are you righteous before God? Only by true faith in Jesus Christ...without any merit of my own, out of sheer grace, God grants and credits to me the perfect satisfaction, righteousness, and holiness of Christ, as if I had never sinned nor been a sinner, and had been as perfectly obedient as Christ was obedient for me—if only I accept this gift with a believing heart." BUT BY FAITH (V. 5) AND WITH FULL FORGIVENESS (VV. 6–8) Justification has two sides: • Negatively: he doesn't count your sin against you. He takes away your guilt. • Positively: he counts righteousness to you. He grants you righteousness. WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR US AS A CONGREGATION?

Introduction: "Do not go where it is all fine music and grand talk and beautiful architecture—those things will neither fill anybody's stomach, nor feed his soul. Go where the Gospel is preached, the Gospel that really feeds your soul, and go often!" The gospel of justification by faith humbles sinners, unites peoples, and establishes a life of grateful obedience. Summary: where we're at in Romans and where we're going in this passage. Relevance Bridge: What does this have to do with me? THE GOSPEL SILENCES BOASTING THE GOSPEL CREATES ONE PEOPLE THE GOSPEL ESTABLISHES OBEDIENCE

We continue our 2026 evening series on the Christian Life, with the theme that we're pilgrims (message #01) whose sure footing is belonging to Jesus (message #02) as we live before the smiling face of God (message #03). Tonight, we'll focus on the essential doctrine for the journey—justification. Introduction: The case that won't close Road Sign (Series Connection Line): Remember the Bible's pilgrim story: God has brought us out of Egypt (sin), he's leading us through the wilderness (this life), and he's bringing us home to the Promised Land—ultimately the New Heavens and Earth (Rev. 21–22). The wilderness can make you feel alone. The road is long. The enemies are real. You start to wonder if you truly belong. As pilgrims on the way, God's provision for you this week when you feel like a spiritual orphan is to remember the Father named you and replaced fear with filial confidence. Thesis: Because the Father adopted you through the Son and sealed you by the Spirit, live as a child who belongs—resting in His welcome and walking in His ways, not as an orphan earning a place. RECEPTION INTO GOD'S FAMILY RECEPTION OF A NEW NAME RECEPTION OF THE SON'S SPIRIT RECEPTION OF AN INHERITANCE GOSPEL BRIDGE: COME HOME TO THE FATHER THROUGH THE SON Conclusion: Live From the Name the Father Has Bestowed

Summary: where we're at in Romans and where we're going in this passage. Relevance Bridge: What does this have to do with me? God publicly presented Jesus as the sacrifice who satisfies his righteous wrath, so that God may remain just while justifying sinners who believe in Jesus. THE PROVISION: "GOD PUT FORWARD CHRIST" (V. 25A) THE PURPOSE: "TO SHOW GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS" (VV. 25B–26A) THE RESULT: "SO THAT HE MIGHT BE JUST AND THE JUSTIFIER" (V. 26B) Conclusion: God smiles upon you because he frowned upon his Son in your place

Summary We continue our 2026 evening series on the Christian Life, with the theme that we're pilgrims (message #01) whose sure footing is belonging to Jesus (message #02) as we live before the smiling face of God (message #03). Tonight, we'll focus on the essential doctrine for the journey—justification. Introduction: The case that won't close Road Sign (Series Connection Line): We've been brought out, we're being brought through, and we're being brought home as pilgrims. Pilgrims can't walk with a prosecutor on their heels. God gives a road sign: His settled verdict in Christ—the doorway of peace that steadies your stride for the next step. Thesis: Because God has justified us by faith in Christ, the pilgrim has peace with God and stands in grace on the road of life—so even suffering produces hope, because the Spirit pours God's love into our hearts. THE PARADOX (PS. 143) THE SETTLED VERDICT THE PILGRIM JOY Spurgeon: "Peace is the flowing of the brook, but joy is the dashing of the waterfall." GOSPEL BRIDGE Conclusion: Walk through the doorway and keep walking.