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Romans = GOD’S SALVATION: �How a righteous God makes sinners (unrighteous people) righteous without compromising His own righteousness.

And then, how God inevitably continues to transform forever those He has declared righteous. 

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  • Summary of 1:18-3:20: Our Desperate Need-- why we NEED the GOSPEL
  • Summary of 3:21-5:20: Rescued Thru Surrender-- the GOSPEL is received only in Christ. 
  • Summary of 6:1-8:39: Marked By Confidence -- the GOSPEL creates a new humanity.
  • Summary of 9:1-11:36: Everything is a Gift -- the GOSPEL is HISstory, and shows us how He is working through all of history.
  • Summary of 12-16. Living Sacrifice-- the GOSPEL is lived out in our stories and lives.

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  • Summary of 1:18-3:20: Our Desperate Need-- why we NEED the GOSPEL
    • The Wrath of God against Gentiles (1:18-1:32)
      • The absurd exchange (1:21-25)
      • Homosexual practice (1:26-27)
      • The absurd exchanges we make are limitless (1:28-32)

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  • Summary of 1:18-3:20: Our Desperate Need-- why we NEED the GOSPEL
    • The Wrath of God against Gentiles (1:18-1:32)

    • The Wrath of God against Jews (2:1-3:20)

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Romans 2:25-29

25 For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. 26 So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27 Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law. 28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.

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Big Idea: Paul continues his argument by exposing our desperate need for the gospel: religious symbols are powerless to save, forcing us to confront where we’ve mistaken the symbol for a genuine relationship with God.

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  • Religious symbols are valuable to the degree they reflect a transformed life.

  • A genuine relationship with God can exist even without the symbols.

  • Those with transformed hearts expose the emptiness of symbols alone.

  • A healthy relationship with God is…

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  • Religious symbols are valuable to the degree they reflect a transformed life.

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Romans 2:25-29

25 For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. 26 So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27 Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law. 28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.

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Romans 2:25-29

25 For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision26 So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision27 Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law. 28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.

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Genesis 12:1-3

1 Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” 

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Genesis 15:1-6

1 After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” 2 But Abram said, “O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 And Abram said, “Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.” 4 And behold, the word of the Lord came to him: “This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.” 5 And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 6 And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness. 

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Genesis 17:1-14

1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, 2 that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly.” 3 Then Abram fell on his face. And God said to him, 4 “Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. 5 No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. 6 I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings shall

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Genesis 17:1-14

come from you. 7 And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. 8 And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God.” 9 And God said to Abraham, “As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations. 10 This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you:

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Genesis 17:1-14

Every male among you shall be circumcised. 11 You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you. 12 He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised. Every male throughout your generations, whether born in your house or bought with your money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring, 13 both he who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money, shall surely be circumcised. So shall my covenant be in your flesh an everlasting covenant. 

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Genesis 17:1-14

14 Any uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin shall be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant.” 

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  • Religious symbols are valuable to the degree they reflect a transformed life.
    • The Purpose of Circumcision:

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  • Religious symbols are valuable to the degree they reflect a transformed life.
    • The Purpose of Circumcision:
      • To be an expression of obedience that flowed from faith.

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  • Religious symbols are valuable to the degree they reflect a transformed life.
    • The Purpose of Circumcision:
      • To be an expression of obedience that flowed from faith.
      • To be a constant reminder of their unique relationship with God through faith.

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  • Religious symbols are valuable to the degree they reflect a transformed life.
    • The Purpose of Circumcision:
      • To be an expression of obedience that flowed from faith.
      • To be a constant reminder of their unique relationship with God through faith.
      • To be an encouragement that God wanted the “unclean”//“sinful” parts of their life to be taken away and to continue to grow in their faith.

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Romans 2:25-29

25 For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. 26 So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27 Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law. 28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.

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Romans 2:25-29

25 For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. 26 So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27 Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law. 28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.

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Romans 2:25-29

25 For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. 26 So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27 Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law. 28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.

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  • Religious symbols are valuable to the degree they reflect a transformed life.
    • The Purpose of Circumcision:
    • How the Jews responded:

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  • Religious symbols are valuable to the degree they reflect a transformed life.
    • The Purpose of Circumcision:
    • How the Jews responded:
      • Trusted in their circumcision as a basis for their relationship with God. 

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  • Religious symbols are valuable to the degree they reflect a transformed life.
    • The Purpose of Circumcision:
    • How the Jews responded:
    • Our Temptation:

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  • Religious symbols are valuable to the degree they reflect a transformed life.
    • The Purpose of Circumcision:
    • How the Jews responded:
    • Our Temptation:
      • To trust in the possession or practice of our symbols as a basis for our relationship with God. 

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  • Religious symbols are valuable to the degree they reflect a transformed life.
  • A genuine relationship with God can exist even without the symbols.

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Romans 2:25-29

25 For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. 26 So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27 Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law. 28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.

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Romans 2:25-29

25 For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. 26 So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27 Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law. 28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.

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Romans 2:25-29

25 For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. 26 So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27 Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law. 28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.

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  • A genuine relationship with God can exist even without the symbols.
    • Paul is NOT saying:

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  • A genuine relationship with God can exist even without the symbols.
    • Paul is NOT saying:
      • Symbols don’t matter.

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  • A genuine relationship with God can exist even without the symbols.
    • Paul is NOT saying:
      • Symbols don’t matter.
      • Obedience saves.

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  • A genuine relationship with God can exist even without the symbols.
    • Paul is NOT saying:
      • Symbols don’t matter.
      • Obedience saves.
      • Community is optional.

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  • A genuine relationship with God can exist even without the symbols.
    • Paul is NOT saying:
      • Symbols don’t matter.
      • Obedience saves.
      • Community is optional.
      • God doesn’t care about expressed faith.

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  • A genuine relationship with God can exist even without the symbols.
    • Paul is NOT saying:
    • Paul is saying:

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  • A genuine relationship with God can exist even without the symbols.
    • Paul is NOT saying:
    • Paul is saying:
      • Symbols do not equal relationship

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  • A genuine relationship with God can exist even without the symbols.
    • Paul is NOT saying:
    • Paul is saying:
      • Symbols do not equal relationship
      • Obedience reveals relationship, even w/out symbols

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  • A genuine relationship with God can exist even without the symbols.
    • Paul is NOT saying:
    • Paul is saying:
      • Symbols do not equal relationship.
      • Obedience reveals relationship, even w/out symbols
      • God judges the heart.

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Symbols Given by Jesus:

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Symbols Given by Jesus:

  • Baptism

  • Communion

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  • Religious symbols are valuable to the degree they reflect a transformed life.
  • A genuine relationship with God can exist even without the symbols.
  • Those with transformed hearts expose the emptiness of symbols alone.

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Romans 2:25-29

25 For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. 26 So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27 Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law. 28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.

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Romans 2:25-29

25 For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. 26 So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27 Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law. 28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.

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  • Those with transformed hearts expose the emptiness of symbols alone.
    • Potential symbols we cling to:

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Potential Symbols:

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Potential Symbols:

  • Cross
  • Church attendance
  • Spiritual gifts (tongues)
  • Church membership
  • Specific Conversion Testimony
  • Authenticity of “being real”
  • Giving
  • Godly vocabulary
  • Dress
  • Ministry involvement
  • Quoting Scripture
  • Public prayer

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Potential Symbols:

  • Cross
  • Church attendance
  • Spiritual gifts (tongues)
  • Church membership
  • Specific Conversion Testimony
  • Authenticity of “being real”
  • Giving
  • Godly vocabulary
  • Dress
  • Ministry involvement
  • Quoting Scripture
  • Public prayer

What symbols of faith have particular significance for you?

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Rules without relationship results in rebellion.

- Josh McDowell

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  • Those with transformed hearts expose the emptiness of symbols alone.
    • Potential symbols we cling to:
    • Our obsession with the expression of “holiness” could diminish our ability to recognize the magnitude of our problem.

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Dear Sir:

I am.

Sincerely Yours,

G. K. Chesterton

London Times, 1910.

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  • Those with transformed hearts expose the emptiness of symbols alone.
    • Potential symbols we cling to:
    • Our obsession with the expression of “holiness”, could diminish our ability to recognize the magnitude of our problem.

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  • Religious symbols are valuable to the degree they reflect a transformed life.
  • A genuine relationship with God can exist even without the symbols.
  • Those with transformed hearts expose the emptiness of symbols alone.
  • A healthy relationship with God is…

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Romans 2:25-29

25 For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. 26 So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27 Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law. 28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.

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Romans 2:25-29

25 For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. 26 So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27 Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law. 28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.

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Romans 2:25-29

25 For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. 26 So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27 Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law. 28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.

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Romans 2:25-29

25 For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. 26 So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27 Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law. 28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.

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Romans 2:25-29

25 For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. 26 So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27 Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law. 28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.

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  • A healthy relationship with God (an authentic Jew) is…

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  • A healthy relationship with God (an authentic Jew) is…
    • …not something outward and visible - inward and invisible.

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  • A healthy relationship with God (an authentic Jew) is…
    • …not something outward and visible - inward and invisible.
    • …not in the flesh - in the heart.

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  • A healthy relationship with God (an authentic Jew) is…
    • …not something outward and visible - inward and invisible.
    • …not in the flesh - in the heart.
    • …not by what is written - effected by the Holy Spirit.

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  • A healthy relationship with God (an authentic Jew) is…
    • …not something outward and visible - inward and invisible.
    • …not in the flesh - in the heart.
    • …not by what is written - effected by the Holy Spirit.
    • …not approved by human beings - approved by God.

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MONDAY MATTERS:

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MONDAY MATTERS:

  • Symbols are a good thing.

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MONDAY MATTERS:

  • Symbols are a good thing.
  • We can tend to read more into the symbols than is appropriate.

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MONDAY MATTERS:

  • Symbols are a good thing.
  • We can tend to read more into the symbols than is appropriate.
  • Recognize a tendency to use symbols to assess spiritual maturity.

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MONDAY MATTERS:

  • Symbols are a good thing.
  • We can tend to read more into the symbols than is appropriate.
  • Recognize a tendency to use symbols to assess spiritual maturity.
  • Satisfied with symbols, could be disinterest in deeper faith.

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MONDAY MATTERS:

  • Symbols are a good thing.
  • We can tend to read more into the symbols than is appropriate.
  • Recognize a tendency to use symbols to assess spiritual maturity.
  • Satisfied with symbols, could be disinterest in deeper faith.
  • Anger towards God when circumstances don't go as we would prefer, could reflect our symbols collapsing under suffering.

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MONDAY MATTERS:

  • Symbols are a good thing.
  • We can tend to read more into the symbols than is appropriate.
  • Recognize a tendency to use symbols to assess spiritual maturity.
  • Satisfied with symbols, could be disinterest in deeper faith.
  • Anger towards God when circumstances don't go as we would prefer, could reflect our symbols collapsing under suffering. Thinking there is a rule we must follow, a behavior we must produce, a symbol we must possess, to earn God’s love.

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MONDAY MATTERS:

  • Symbols are a good thing.
  • We can tend to read more into the symbols than is appropriate.
  • Recognize a tendency to use symbols to assess spiritual maturity.
  • Satisfied with symbols, could be disinterest in deeper faith.
  • Anger towards God when circumstances don't go as we would prefer, could reflect our symbols collapsing under suffering.
  • Thinking there is a rule we must follow, a behavior we must produce, a symbol we must possess, to earn God’s love.
  • No matter what symbols we find significant, they will do nothing to save us.  All of us have absolutely no hope of experiencing God's salvation apart from treasuring Jesus alone.
  • Look for conversations as EVERYDAY MISSIONARIES to express love for Jesus above the symbols-LIVING PROOF

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