The Righteousness That Saves

We began a new sermon series this week focused on a truth that stands at the very heart of the gospel—and of everything we share as citizens of God’s Kingdom.

Over the summer, our congregation has been reminded again and again that the Kingdom is everything. We’ve studied the mission of Jesus. We’ve been called to live in full surrender. But that brings us to a crucial question:

What exactly are we offering people when we invite them into the Kingdom? We are proclaiming a message of righteousness—God’s righteousness—given by grace, received by faith, and revealed in the gospel.

Not Ashamed of the Gospel

In Romans 1:16–17, the apostle Paul declares:

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes… For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith.” (CSB)

Paul was writing to Christians in Rome—a city full of idols, political power, pride, and pressure. To many, the gospel looked weak. Foolish. Offensive. But Paul refused to back down. He had seen what the gospel could do. He had watched it change Pharisees and pagans, religious insiders and Gentile outsiders. And he knew:

The gospel is not a theory. It is not a suggestion. It is the power of God to save.

It brings salvation, rescue from sin, wrath, death, and condemnation. It’s available to everyone, but it must be received by faith.

The Righteousness of God Revealed

So why does the gospel have this power?

Because in it, Paul says, the righteousness of God is revealed. This is not a moral bar we must reach. It is not something we earn or maintain. It is something God reveals—and something we receive.

• It is God’s faithfulness to keep His promises and save the undeserving.
• It is the righteous status He gives to those who trust in Jesus.

We don’t clean ourselves up to come to God. We come as we are, trusting what He has done for us in Christ, and He makes us righteous. Justified. Alive.

The Righteous Will Live by Faith

Paul quotes Habakkuk 2:4 to drive the point home:

“The righteous will live by faith.”

That’s the heart of the message.
Not the righteous will behave.
Not the righteous will perform.

The righteous will live. And they will live by faith.

This is not about moral effort—it’s about spiritual resurrection.

True life, life with God, life now, and life forever, comes through trust, not works.
We begin by faith. We continue by faith. We live by faith.

Why This Matters

This isn’t just theology. It’s the most practical truth you could hold onto:

• If you’re tired of trying to be good enough—lay it down.
• If you’re discouraged by failure—look to Christ.
• If you’ve trusted in your religious background—let it go.

There is righteousness available today. But it’s not found in your efforts.

It’s found in the gospel.
And it’s received by faith.

What We’re Sharing

As we move through August, we’ll be exploring the righteousness of God in deeper ways—how it transforms us, satisfies our hunger, endures forever, and clothes us for eternity.

But it all starts here:

The righteous will live by faith.

That’s the message we believe.
That’s the message we live by.
And that’s the message we’re called to share with the world.

Those Serving
CALL TO WORSHIP/PRAYER
Eric Renegar
SONG LEADER
Drumand McLaughlin
LEAD LORD'S SUPPER
Greg Morrison
 ASSIST LORD’S SUPPER
Matthew Barnhart
RoyPyle
Paul Braden
Chris Terrian
SCRIPTURE READING
Nathan Armstrong
Romans 1:16-17
PREACHING
Matthew Allen
CLOSING PRAYER
John Key
CLOSING COMMENTS
Russ Robins
WELCOME CENTER
Judy Hickey // Jim Grushon
USHERS
Justin Spargo // Roger Robins
COMMUNION PREP
Kathy Downey
CLOSING THE BUILDING
Benjamin Baker