Happy Sunday!

The book of Romans was written by a man named Paul. Paul hated and persecuted Christians early in his life. That was before he met a living life changing Jesus. In this book we see Paul on a path known as the Roman Road. It lays out the need for our salvation and how God has met that need in Jesus.

The first stop on the Road to Hope is Power: There is a power capable of giving you hope. The Bible tells us that God has that power.

Romans chapter 1 verse 16 says "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes..."

The second stop on the Road to Hope is Change: The release of God's power results in change. The biblical word for change is repentance. This means allowing God to change the direction of our lives, agreeing with him that we need help with our sin. .

Romans chapter 2 verse 4 says "...God's kindness leads you toward repentance."

Why is change necessary. A universal problem the Bible calls sin makes change necessary for all of us. Sin means "missing the mark". It is failing to meet God's standard for how we ought to live.

Romans chapter 3 verse 23 says, "All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."

The third stop on the Road to Hope is God's Love: Even thought he is not pleased with us as we are, God loves us and wants to help us. But we are sinners and the punishment for sin is death. Romans chapter 6 verse 23 says "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of life is eternal life in Jesus Christ."

God is willing to forgive us by accepting Jesus his son as our substitute. His death on the cross paid the penalty of our sin. His resurrection from the dead provides our eternal life.

Romans cahpter 5 verse 8 says "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

The fourth stop on the Road to Hope is Your Commitment:

Romans chapter 10 verses 9 & 13 say, "That if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved...for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

God has bridged the gap between his holy and pure nature and our sin by offering his own son Jesus as a sacrifice to pay the penalty that you and I should have to pay, that is death and eternal separation from God. When Jesus returned to life three days after he was killed he defeated death for all who will believe in him. We don't have to be perfect before we come or anything like that he will accept us just as we are. All you need to do is simply ask Jesus to come into your life. It's that simple.