grace advent 2022

The Hope of the Glory of God

December 23, 2022
Rob Cattalani
Rob Cattalani

Romans 5 contains a theologically rich paragraph in which we see the full glory of the Gospel. Every believer has been justified before God. He has credited Jesus’ righteousness to every person who puts their faith in Him.  

Coming out of this powerful truth, the Apostle Paul makes six bold assertions that apply to all whom God has justified: we have peace with God, we are standing in grace, we rejoice in hope, we rejoice in sufferings, we shall be saved through Christ.

The birth of Jesus is a cause for great joy. God has visited His people with the promised salvation. But His birth looks forward to His death and resurrection. We celebrate Christmas not simply because it’s a beautiful story, but because it points to a beautiful salvation. In Jesus we not only experience the forgiveness of sin, but a power and love that can transform our lives.

As you prepare to celebrate Christmas take some moments to think about the time and place you were saved. Recount the joy and then think about the changes that have taken place in your life since.

PRAYER

Holy Spirit make the Gospel more alive in me today. Help me to better know my salvation and better experience the love of God in my heart.

PRACTICE

Pick one of the bold assertions in this passage and write about why it is so important to you.

Photo by Greg Weaver on Unsplash

About The Author

Rob Cattalani
Rob Cattalani

Pastor Rob grew up in Rochester where he came to know Christ in his first year of college. After a couple years at the Xerox Corporation he decided to pursue a Masters of Theology at Dallas Theological Seminary. Pastor Rob was a pastor in Texas for nine years and then served as a missionary in Europe for a year. He answered the call to be Browncroft’s Senior Pastor in 2005, and his favorite part of his job is teaching and preaching God’s Word.

Further reading

The Season of Giving

Christmas is a season of giving. We remember God’s great gift to us in the birth of Jesus our Savior. We celebrate the coming of our Lord with our family and friends, and together as a church. Whether it be in your home or neighborhood, or by participating in the meaningful events and services on campus, our prayer is that you’d express and experience the hospitality and generosity of Christ throughout this season.
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See You at Christmas Jam!

If you are like me and are looking for ways that you can invite people to celebrate Christmas with you and your family, I want to encourage you to invite your friends, your neighbors, and anyone you can think of, really, to Christmas Jam here at Browncroft!
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Home for Christmas

At Christmas we are not simply celebrating the birth of Jesus, but the choice God made to be with us, to be one of us, forever. He made this world His home so we could be home with Him forever. This fundamental truth will be the focus of our December sermon series.
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