Oceanside United Reformed Church

Summary: Jesus is Lord, and he keeps his people—not from tribulation, but in it and through it—because he's alive. The living Jesus has freed us, he's coming for us, and he walks among us. So look at him, and fear not. The Living Jesus Has Freed Us (vv. 4–6) The Living Jesus Is Coming for Us (vv. 7–8) The Living Jesus Walks Among Us (vv. 9–20

SUMMARY: where we're at in Romans & where we're going in this passage RELEVANCE: why does this matter to me? THEME: You cry "Abba! Father!" because you already are a child of God: led by the Spirit, adopted into the family, and never left to cry it alone. THE EVIDENCE: YOU ARE LED (V. 14) THE TESTIMONY: YOU CRY "ABBA! FATHER!" (v.15) THE SECOND WITNESS: THE SPIRIT SAYS IT WITH YOU (V. 16)

Summary: In this passage, Jesus teaches you that you shouldn't be troubled by his departure and absence from this world, because he's gone in order to prepare a place for you with the Father; and he is the way to the Father. Troubled Hearts A Place Prepared The Way to the Father

Summary: where we're at in Romans and where we're going in this passage. Relevance: why does this matter to me? Thesis: the Spirit who indwells you now is the Spirit who will raise you in the end. THE SPIRIT WHO DWELLS IN YOU (V. 9) THE SPIRIT WHO IS LIFE IN YOU (V. 10) THE SPIRIT WHO WILL RAISE YOU (V. 11)

Summary: Seek the Spirit of love, because the Spirit gives gifts to build up the body, but he forms the love without which those gifts are nothing and beyond which nothing lasts. Introduction: "Empathy Is a Sin" Without Love, the Spirit's Gifts Are Nothing (13:1–3) With Love, the Spirit Forms Christ in Us (13:4–7) Love Remains When the Gifts Pass Away (13:8–13; 14:1)

Summary: where we're at in Romans and where we're going in this passage. Relevance: why does this matter to me? Thesis: The mind of the flesh ends in death, is at war with God, and can't surrender to God. A MIND OF DEATH (V. 6A) A MIND AT WAR (V. 7A) A MIND IN CHAINS (VV. 7B–8)

Summary: Seek the Spirit of prayer, because the Spirit himself teaches us to pray under the Word, prevails for us in the battle, and carries our weakest groans to the Father. Introduction: "Thoughts and Prayers" Pray in the Spirit (v. 18a) Prevail in Prayer (v. 18b) Pray for Bold Preaching (vv. 19–20

Summary: where we're at in Romans and where we're going in this passage. Relevance: why does this matter to me? Thesis: Your identity is that you belong to the Holy Spirit as Spirit-filled and Spirit-led children of God. A DIFFERENT KIND OF PEOPLE A DIFFERENT KIND OF POWER A DIFFERENT KIND OF PASSION A DIFFERENT KIND OF PURPOSE

Summary: Jesus teaches you that as certainly as you will meet death and the tomb, so certainly will you meet resurrection and life if you trust in him. DEATH AND THE TOMB THE RESURRECTION AND LIFE THE CONFESSION OF FAITH

Thesis: What the law could not do, God has done: he set us free by his Spirit, he condemned our sin in his Son, and he did it all so that we might actually live. WHAT THE SPIRIT DID: HE SET US FREE (V. 2) WHAT THE SON DID: HE WAS CONDEMNED IN OUR PLACE (V. 3) WHAT GOD AIMED AT: THAT WE MIGHT ACTUALLY LIVE (V. 4)

Thesis: The law of God is good—- so good that it drives you to the end of yourself. Sin turns that good law into the very thing that condemns you. So stop looking to the law for what only Christ can give you: deliverance. THE SPIRITUAL LAW (V. 14A) A SEIZED MIND (V. 14B-20) A SAVING LORD (V. 24-25) Conclusion: The law is good. But a good law can't break sin's grip. Only a stronger power can 1. the law of God is good 2. you're weaker than you think 3. deliverance comes from outside you 4. the cry has already been answered

Summary: Seek the Spirit's indwelling because he makes his home in you, teaching you, and giving you a peace the world cannot give. THE SON PROMISES ANOTHER HELPER (VV. 16, 18; cf. 16:17 TH SPIRIT BRINGS THE FULL PRESENCE OF THE TRIUNE GOD (VV. 16-20, 23) THE SPIRIT TEACHES, REMINDS, AND GIVES PEACE (VV. 26-27)

Summary: where we're at in Romans and where we're going in this passage. Relevance: why does this matter to me? Thesis: The law is not sin; it is acquitted while sin is condemned, therefore, stop blaming God's good law for your own bad heart. The law didn't kill you. Sin used the law's own goodness as the weapon. THE LAW NAMES SIN (V.7) SIN HIJACKS THE LAW (V.12) SIN STANDS EXPOSED (V.13)

Summary: There are many who seek to climb into the sheepfold by another way, but Jesus teaches you that you must enter into his fold by him. Climbing in by Another Way (vv. 7–8) The Door the Sheep (vv. 9–10)

Summary: where we're at in Romans and where we're going in this passage. Relevance: why does this matter to me? Thesis: Because you died with Christ, you are no longer bound to the law as your husband but to Christ as your bridegroom, free to bear fruit for God. Grace didn't leave you a widow, it gave you a new marriage! YOU WERE BOUND BY THE LAW (V.1) YOU WERE BURIED WITH THE OLD HUSBAND (VV. 2-4A) YOU ARE MARRIED TO A NEW HUSBAND (V. 4B) YOU ARE BEARING FRUIT IN THE SPIRIT (VV. 5-6)

Seek the Spirit of Life | John 3:1–8; Romans 8:10, 11 Summer Series— Seek the Spirit Summary: Seek the Spirit of Life, because only he gives life where death reigns: new birth, life in Christ, and resurrection life on the last day. Introduction: The Spirit Gives New Birth (John 3) The Spirit Gives Ongoing New Life (Rom. 8:10) The Spirit Gives Ultimate Resurrection Life (Rom. 8:11)

I AM the Light of the World | John 8:12; Isaiah 9:2; 42:6–7; 49:5–6 Summer Series— The "I Am" Sayings of Jesus Summary: Jesus teaches us that he is the light of the world; and he promises you that when you follow him as savior, you will no longer walk in the darkness of this world, but you will have him as the light of life. Introduction: Light of the World Following the Light Light of Life

Relevance: why does this matter to me? Thesis: Because you live with the risen Christ, stop living as though sin still rules you. SIN REMAINS, BUT SIN NO LONGER REIGNS! TRUST THE LIFE CHRIST LIVES (VV. 8-10) COUNT YOURSELF ALIVE IN CHRIST (V.11) Theology: do we experience this "union with Christ" by baptism or faith? Theology: do we experience this "union with Christ" by baptism or faith? GIVE YOURSELF BACK TO GOD (VV.12-14)

Luke 3:15-22; 4:1–21; Romans 8:9; Galatians 4:6 Summary: Seek the Spirit of Christ: the Spirit who rested upon Jesus, empowered Jesus, unites us to Jesus, and teaches us to cry with Jesus, "Abba! Father" The Spirit Rests Upon the Son (Luke 3:15–17, 21–22) The Spirit Makes Us Belong to the Son (Rom. 8:9) The Spirit Brings Us into the Son's Cry to the Father (Gal. 4:6)

Thesis: super-abounding grace doesn't give you permission to continue in sin; it unites you to Christ , buries the old you REJECT SIN'S LIE (VV. 1-2A) REMEMBER YOUR FUNERAL (VV. 2B-4) Theology: do we experience this "union with Christ" by baptism or faith? WALK IN YOUR FREEDOM (VV. 4B-7)

Summary: where we're at in Romans and where we're going in this passage Relevance: why does this matter to me? Thesis: Through Christ's obedience, God makes you righteous before him, brings you under the reign of super-abundant grace, and leads you all the way to eternal life. REMEMBER YOUR RUIN IN ADAM (VV. 18A, 19A REST IN THE RIGHTEOUSNESS CHRIST GIVES YOU (VV. 18A, 19B) REVEL UNDER THE REIGN OF SUPER-ABUNDANT GRACE (VV. 20-21)

Summary: In our cultural church needs to pray more for the Father's all-sufficient and powerful gift of the Spirit of Christ. Introduction: many problems, many needs JESUS COMMANDS PERSISTENT PRAYER: ASK, SEEEK, KNOCK THROUGH PRAYER, THR FATHER GIVES GOOD THINGS (cf. Matt. 7:11) WHAT THE CHURCH NEEDS MOST: THE HOLY SPIRIT HIMSELF

Summary: Psalm 89 teaches us to trust God's faithfulness even when he seems to break his promises, because he's ultimately kept his covenant in the risen Son of David. SING THE PROMISE GOD SWORE BRING THE PROBLEM GOD ALLOWED TRUST THE KING GOD RAISED

Summary: Paul's only purpose in his life is to gain Christ and be found in him, exhorting his brothers to rejoice for this truth, reminding them that he is pressing on only for its consummation in the resurrection. A Message of Rejoicing A Message of the Past A Message of the Present

Summary: where we're at in Romans and where we're going in this passage. Relevance: why does this matter to me? Thesis: Because Adam represented us, his sin brought death's reign over us; but Adam's failure points us to Christ, the better Representative who brings life. In Adam, death reigns. In Christ, grace reigns. YOU WERE BORN INTO ADAM'S STORY (V. 12A) YOU LIVE UNDER DEATH'S REIGN (V. 12B) YOU CAN'T MAKE SENSE OF DEATH WITHOUT SIN (VV. 13–14A)

Summary: When darkness feels like your only friend, pray to the Lord in faith and wait for the dawn in hope because Jesus has risen from the dead. The Darkness You Feel Is Real (vv. 3–9, 15–18) The Light You Seek Is in the Lord (vv. 1–2, 9, 13) The Place Your Darkness Turns to Light Is the Empty Tomb

Summary: We see the Church through God's eyes when we see that he loves her, gathers outsiders into her, and makes himself the fountain of her joy. God Sees His Church as the City He Loves (vv. 1–3) God Sees His Church as the Home of Former Outsiders (vv. 4–6) God Sees His Church as the People Whose Life Is in Him (v. 7)

Relevance: why does this matte to me? Thesis: When you doubt God's love, look to the cross: Christ died for you while you were still helpless, ungodly, and sinful. GOD'S LOVE FOUND US AT OUR WORST GOD'S LOVE SURPASSING HUMAN LOVE GOD'S LOVE IS PROVEN AT THE CROSS

Summary: When your heart is divided, pray to the Lord who alone can unite your heart to fear His name. Pray As the Lord's Needy Servant (vv. 1–4, 16–17) Pray According to the Lord's Good Character (vv. 5–6, 15) Pray to the Lord as the Only God (vv. 8–10, 12–13)

Summary: When your heart is divided, pray to the Lord who alone can unite your heart to fear His name. Pray As the Lord's Needy Servant (vv. 1–4, 16–17) Pray According to the Lord's Good Character (vv. 5–6, 15) Pray to the Lord as the Only God (vv. 8–10, 12–13)

Summary: where we're at in Romans and where we're going in this passage. Relevance: why does this matter to me? Thesis: Because God has justified us in Christ, we can rejoice even in suffering, knowing he uses it to deepen our hope and assure us of his love by the Holy Spirit. THE SURPRISE: WE REJOICE IN SUFFERING (V. 3A) THE PROCESS: SUFFERING PRODUCES HOPE (VV. 3B–4) THE ASSURANCE: HOPE WILL NOT SHAME US (V. 5)

Summary: Psalm 85 is all about praying for renewal in our relationship with God. I. Remember Rightly—God Has Restored Us in Christ (vv. 1–3) II. Plead Honestly—God Invites Us to Ask for Renewal (vv. 4–7) III. Expect Confidently—God Speaks Peace to His People (vv. 8–13)

Summary: where we're at in Romans and where we're going in this passage. Relevance: why does this matter to me? Thesis: If you're justified by faith in Christ, your past is settled, your present is secure, and your future is full of hope. I HAVE PEACE (V. 1) I HAVE ACCESS (V.2) I HAVE JOY (V.2)

Summary: Psalm 84 shows us that "going to church" is a big deal because God's dwelling place pictured in the temple is embodied in Christ and enjoyed by the church. I. It's God's Special Dwelling Place (vv. 1–4) II. It's a Place Pilgrims Receive Strength (vv. 5–8) III. It's a Place God Gives Grace (vv. 9–12)

Easter noon service 2026

Easter morning service 2026

Good Friday service 2026

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—sanctification. Introduction: when old habits keep tripping you Thesis: Because God brings His children into the light through Jesus Christ, we must live by ongoing repentance—not hiding in sin or despairing in sin, but confessing it and rising again in His mercy. GOD TEACHES PILGRIMS TO WALK IN THE LIGHT SIN TEACHES US TO HIDE; GRACE TEACHES US TO CONFESS CHRIST GIVES STUMBLING PILGRIMS PARDON AND A PATH FORWARD GOSPEL INVITATION: COME INTO THE LIGHT Conclusion: learn the gait by returning

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?