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

Introduction: "possibly the most important single paragraph ever written." 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? We've all fallen short of God's righteous standard—therefore God justifies freely, by grace, through Christ's redemption. THE UNIVERSAL PROBLEM (V. 23) THE FREE VERDICT (V. 24A) THE MEANING OF JUSTIFICATION: ACCEPTANCE YOU CAN'T EARN (V. 24A) THE GROUND OF THE GIFT (V. 24B) Gospel Bridge: Conclusion: You fall short—but in Christ, God justifies freely, by grace, as a gift

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.

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.

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 doesn't wait for guilty people to become righteous; in the gospel, he reveals and gives a righteousness from Himself—apart from the law—to all who believe in Jesus THE TURNING POINT: "BUT NOW..." (V.21A) THE SHOCK: "APART FROM THE LAW..." (V.21B) THE CONTINUITY: "WITNESSED BY THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS..." (V.21C) THE INSTRUMENT: "THROUGH FAITH...FOR ALL WHO BELIEVE" (V.22) Gospel Bridge: stop trusting yourself and trust Jesus!

A series through John Owen's "The Glory of Christ" at "Anchored," the men's ministry of the Oceanside United Reformed Church

Summary We continue our 2026 evening series on the Christian Life, with the theme that we're pilgrims (message #01) and our sure footing is belonging to Jesus (message #02). Tonight, we'll focus on living before the face of God while under the stars on our journey. Introduction: Whose face are you living for? EL ROI SEES YOU ON THE ROAD (GEN. 16:13–14) THE GOD WHO SEES ALSO SURROUNDS YOU (PS. 139:1–12) UNDER THE STARS, GOD GIVES SIGHT NOW AND PROMISES SIGHT FULLY THEN Conclusion: Seen, surrounded, and still moving

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's law silences our excuses, sentences our guilt, and strips away self-justification—so we'll flee to Jesus for the righteousness God's grace alone can give THE LAW SILENCES US (V. 19A) THE LAW SENTENCES US (V. 19B) THE LAW STRIPS US (V. 20) The problem isn't the law; the problem is you. The law requires what we as sinners cannot perform: personal, perfect, and perpetual obedience. Gospel Bridge: stop trusting yourself and trust Jesus!

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 CHARGE: EVERYONE IS UNDER SIN (VV. 9) THE SUMMARY PROOF: NO ONE IS RIGHTEOUS (VV. 10–12) THE ANATOMY OF SIN: EVERY ASPECT OF EVERYONE IS CORRUPTED (VV. 13–18) Gospel Bridge: Because we're this bad, the gospel of Jesus Christ is so good!

Summary: We continue "Opening up Romans" and Paul's response to Jewish objections that all humanity is under sin. We try to dodge God's verdict with self-justifying objections, but God overrules them to show he's faithful and just- and to bring us to Christ. Introduction: The diagnosis and the Denial Chapter 1: diagnosed the ungodly and unrighteousness world of Gentiles- the nations outside Israel. Chapter 2: diagnosed the hypocritical and self-righteous world of the Jews. Chapter 3: the Jews' objections What does this have to do with me? you might not relate to "circumcision" or "Israel"—but you will relate to the instinct underneath: we build a case for why we should be okay with God. OBJECTION 1: "WHAT'S THE ADVANTAGE OF BEING GOD's PEOPLE?" (VV.1-2) OBJECTION 2: "IS GOD UNFAITHFUL?" (VV. 3-4) OBJECTION 3: "IS GOD'S JUDGMENT FAIR?" (VV. 5-6) OBJECTION 4: "WHY NOT KEEP SINNING?" (VV. 7-8) Gospel Bridge: the mercy in Paul's severity

Introduction: Listen to Moses and the Prophets, who taught to repent and to believe, with implications of changing our ways, including being merciful toward others in our lives, before it's too late. If you're rich or just doing well, then be careful, it might take your whole attention and before you know it, it will be too late. We must repent and amend our lives before it's too late. Great Contrast Great Reversal Great Truth

The city of Nazareth did not benefit from Jesus because they thought too little of Him. JESUS REJECTED BECAUSE NAZARETH KNEW HIM JESUS REJECTED BECAUSE THEY DID NOT LIKE HIS PEDIGREE JESUS REJECTED BECAUSE OF UNBELIEF

Brief notes on John Owen's Preface to the Reader in his work "Meditations and Discourses on the Glory of Christ" at OURC's men's ministry "Anchored"

Jesus comforts his disciples in the midst of their worries with reminders of the Father's great love and care for them. CONSIDER THE CREATION CONSIDER THE CRISIS CONSIDER THE CHRIST

The sermon calls Christian to continually rediscover and courageously defend the gospel of salvation by grace alone through faith in Christ alone. Rooted in unison with Jesus, true gospel bravery resists adding to the gospel and faithfully lives out its implications in the church and the world. THE BEAUTY OF GOSPEL DISCOVERY THE IMPORTANCE OF GOSPEL RECOVERY THE NEEDY FOR GOSPEL BRAVERY