Grace Bible Church of Cedar Ridge

ORDER OF WORSHIPOpening Prayer of PraiseCall to Worship  He Is ExaltedWelcome & AnnouncementsCommunionMemory VerseIsaiah 55:1-2Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters; And you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And delight yourself in abundance.Worship in GivingWorship in Song  Great Is Thy Faithfulness (Hymn 43)  Holy Spirit, Living Breath of GodSermon Reading – Romans 3:21-26Sermon – Pastor Chris Bogstad  Is God Good to Forgive?  Romans 3:24-26Worship in Song  Grace Greater Than Our Sin (Hymn 201)Closing Prayer of Benediction

Psalm 121 reminds us that our theology shapes how we pray in times of danger and uncertainty. The ancient pilgrims sang this song as they journeyed to Jerusalem, leaving their families vulnerable and facing unknown threats along the way. Their question echoes through the ages: Where does our help come from? The answer transforms everything - our help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth. This isn't just poetic language; it's a declaration that the God who spoke the universe into existence in six literal days, who holds stars streaking at 1.5 million miles per hour, who controls nations and the hearts of kings, is personally invested in our journey. We're challenged to reject the small god of our own making and embrace the Creator who never sleeps, never misses a detail of our struggles, and is never surprised by our needs or our sins. When we lie awake at night consumed by worry, we can rest because He does not. When we face the scorching heat of life's trials, He provides shade. This isn't about prosperity or ease - it's about trusting that the God who sees everything, controls everything, and shields His children is worthy of our obedience even when the path ahead looks dangerous.

4 reasons you need the gospel for your wrong worship1. God’s wrath is already here (v18)2. God has revealed himself as judge (v19–20)3. You do not always thank God (v21a)4. You replace God with another (21b–23)

 We're confronted with the powerful truth that grace isn't simply God saying 'it's okay' when we mess up—it's His unilateral intervention in our most hopeless situations, actively changing us from the inside out. Drawing from Romans 1:5-7, we discover that our life's ultimate goal is the obedience of faith for the sake of Jesus' name. This isn't about legalistic rule-following or earning God's favor; it's about trust so deep that it produces action. The sermon wrestles with the tension between faith and works, showing us through passages like James 2 and Romans 4 that genuine faith breathes life into obedience the way breath signals a living body. We're reminded that our calling as beloved children of God—those who share in the Father's love for the Son—is more important than our nationality, our achievements, or our failures. The most liberating truth? Our peace comes from God through Jesus Christ, not from our success in obeying. This means when we stumble, we don't lose our standing; we return to obedience knowing Jesus has already secured our peace. The gospel frees us from both cheap grace that demands nothing and crushing legalism that demands everything, offering instead a delightful abundance found in trusting and following Christ.