Often times the greatest teachers for us are people who have “been there.” People who have gone before us and proven themselves to be experts at what they are teaching. It is a whole new level of teaching when it comes from the Greatest Of All Time at any given activity. If we want to learn about home decor and lifestyle, we will listen carefully if the teaching comes from Joanna Gains! If we want to learn how to play golf, we will listen to Tiger Woods! In Romans 4, Paul introduces the G.O.A.T. of Old Testament faith to teach us about justification by faith alone in Christ alone. Romans 4 uses Abraham as our example of a faith-filled person.

Notice I did not say Paul uses Abraham as a perfect person - he was not. Paul did not use Abraham as an example of one who has earned his righteousness - he did not. Paul will point out that Abraham’s works, circumcision, and obedience to the law did not earn his justification. In fact, these things that Jews relied on did nothing toward earning Abraham’s standing before God. God used Abraham to show His glory. God worked through Abraham to illustrate faith to us. It is very specific in Romans 4 that Abraham believed God, and God then declared Abraham righteous.

This Sunday we will look carefully at what God did in Abraham’s life. It is the same thing God does in our lives when we believe Him. We are saved by our faith just like Abraham was saved by faith. Let’s learn from the G.O.A.T. this Sunday.

“For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.’” Romans 4:3


- Pastor Curt

Please take note of ways to gather for Sunday Service at The Rock:

1) We are meeting outside at Manhattan Beach Pre-School for our Sunday Service at 4:30 pm. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and Bibles!

2) We will also be live on Facebook Live. If you don’t feel comfortable joining us in person, are feeling sick, or have been exposed to someone who is sick stay connected through this live-stream - CLICK HERE at 4:30 Sunday afternoon.

3) Finally we will provide a video link to the sermon on our website.

Theological Word of The Week:

Justification

An instantaneous legal act of God in which he (1) thinks of our sins as forgiven and Christ’s righteousness as belonging to us, and (2) declares us to be righteous in his sight.

Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology

Upcoming Events

Children's Ministry

Children can join Cameron every Sunday for Bible time during the service. They will go through the Bible story by story.

Sermon Topic - August 28

Romans: The Gospel Changes Perspectives

Romans 4:1-15

“Schooled by the G.O.A.T.”

A21-M22 Fiscal YTD