3/27/2022 - Our Condemnation Is Crushed By God's Grace

SERIES THEME: CRUSHED

When someone is devastated or defeated or despondent we speak of him being "crushed." It could be due to some agonizing loss or unrealized dreams. It could be due to carrying a crushingly heavy load of guilt over some past mistake. In a broken world, it is simply a matter of time before we feel crushed. This is why we need Lent. The word Lent comes from an Old English word for Spring: "lengten," when the days grow longer. For 1400 years the Church has set aside the 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter as a time of repentance and renewal. Believers humbly acknowledge that sin is the ultimate source of all the crushing moments in life. Our sin even crushed Christ. Yet, on Easter Sunday, Jesus took up his life again. Our Savior crushed both death and the serpent's head. Yes, Lent is a solemn season. But it is also a season of great hope. With the psalmist we say, "The Lord saves those who are crushed in spirit."

March 6 - Our Temptation Is Crushed By Christ's Obedience

March 13 - Shortcuts Are Crushed By Determination

March 20 - False Security Is Crushed By Faithful Presence

March 27 - Our Condemnation Is Crushed By God's Grace

April 3 - Human Rejection Is Crushed By Divine Exaltation

Fourth Sunday In Lent

We assume people get what they deserve. We assume what goes around comes around. We assume God helps those who helps themselves. And all those assumptions must be crushed. Got does not operate on the principle of merit but of grace. Like gravity, grace is a constant force at work in how God deals with us and how he wants us to deal with others. No one is beyond the reach of God's grace. God never turns it off. When the weight of our sin makes us fearful of God's condemnation, he reveals his grace yet again.

God bless your worship.

Pastor Adam Mueller will preach on Romans 8:1–10 "Life's Guiding Principles"

View or download this week’s service folder here

Watch our Sunday worship here