But Now... The Diamond of the Gospel (Romans 3:21-31)

You know that moment when you've been sitting in a dark room for a while and someone finally turns on the light? That's what happens in Romans 3:21.

For five weeks, Paul has been making his case. And it's been heavy. He started with the people who look at a sunset and take the credit. Then he turned to the religious crowd, the ones with all the right answers, and told them they're no different. Then he locked every single one of us in the same room: no one is righteous. Not even one. Every mouth shut. Every defense gone.

If that's where the story ended, it would be devastating. A diagnosis with no cure. A sentence with no appeal.

But Paul doesn't stop there. Two words break through the silence like a courtroom door swinging open: "But now." And what follows is one of the most beautiful passages in all of Scripture. Paul holds up the Gospel like a diamond and slowly turns it so we can see three facets of what God accomplished through Jesus: Justified, Redeemed, and the Mercy Seat. One tells you where you stand before God. One tells you what you were rescued from. And one answers the question we hardly dare to ask: what did it cost?

This week, Pastor Steve McKenzie walks through Romans 3:21-31 in our continuing series through the book of Romans. Whether you've heard the Gospel a thousand times or you're just starting to explore what it's all about, this message will help you see the cross with fresh eyes.