Sermon: The Timely Now of Sonship
Read ahead: Romans 3:9-23
“The bottom has dropped out of my world, as it were, more than once. What, exactly was going on? Where was I to turn? To God? Is He God or is He not? Does He love me or does He not? Am I adrift in chaos or is the Word true that tells me I am an individual created, called, loved, and purposefully placed in a cosmos, an ordered universe, the universe designed, created, and completely under the control of a loving God and Father?
It helps me, at such a time of bewilderment and sorrow, to go to some of the simplest words, such as ‘I am the good shepherd.’ My Lord chose that description of Himself, and He does not change. He was and is and always will be my shepherd. The word fits my need, for I am a sheep, helpless and bleating. He cannot forget one for whom He lays down His life. I bank everything on that.”—Elizabeth Elliot, A Path Through Suffering
Elizabeth Elliot has a way to pierce the mind and soul. Her words strike a chord, “… I am a sheep, helpless and bleating. He cannot forget one for whom He lays down His life.” Tomorrow we return the Bible’s teaching on being adopted as God’s child. Opening up Romans 3 will guide us in important, practical teaching of the Good News of God’s grace, truth, peace, and hope.