“Saving Faith”
Join us for worship at Pender United Methodist Church on Sunday, August 9, 2026, the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost, as Pastor Bruce Johnson shares the message:
“Saving Faith”.
What does it mean to trust God when the winds are strong and the path ahead is uncertain? This week's worship service explores the power of faith that reaches beyond fear and calls us to step forward with confidence in Christ.
Drawing from Paul's message to the Romans and Matthew's account of Jesus walking on the water, Pastor Bruce will reflect on how saving faith is more than belief—it is a life of trusting, following, and calling on the name of the Lord, even in the midst of life's storms.
Scripture readings for the morning include:
📖 Romans 10:5–15
📖 Matthew 14:22–33
As Peter steps out of the boat and onto the water, we are reminded that Jesus meets us where faith and fear collide, extending His hand to lift us up and strengthen our trust.
Whether you are joining us in person or online, we invite you to worship with us as we grow in faith, encourage one another, and celebrate the steadfast love of Christ.
📍 Pender United Methodist Church
12401 Alder Woods Drive
Fairfax, VA 22033
Did you hear Pastor Bruce mention The Roman Road in this sermon? Maybe you were curious and even Googled it! If you haven’t had a chance to explore it yet, here’s a simple introduction to this helpful way of understanding and sharing the Gospel.
The Romans Road: A Simple Journey Through the Gospel
Every Christian should be familiar with the good news of Jesus Christ and ready to share the hope we have in Him. Yet sometimes we may wonder, Where do I begin? What Scriptures can I share?
The Romans Road offers a simple way to walk through the essential truths of the Gospel using several passages from the book of Romans. It can help us learn, remember, practice, and share the message of salvation with others.
As Scripture reminds us, we are called to be ready to explain the hope that is within us (1 Peter 3:15).
Think of the Romans Road as five stops along a journey of faith:
🚏 Stop 1 — We All Need God
Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
We begin by recognizing a truth that applies to every one of us: we are sinners. None of us lives perfectly according to God’s ways. Sin separates us from God and reminds us of our need for His grace.
🚏 Stop 2 — God Loves Us
Romans 5:8: “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
The Gospel is ultimately a story of God’s love. Even while we were separated from Him by sin, God reached out to us through Jesus Christ. Christ’s death on the cross demonstrates the depth of God's love and His desire to restore us.
🚏 Stop 3 — God Offers Us a Gift
Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Sin has consequences, but the story doesn't end there. God offers us something we could never earn on our own: the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ.
🚏 Stop 4 — There Is No Condemnation in Christ
Romans 8:1: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
What wonderful news! Through faith in Christ, we don't have to remain trapped in guilt and shame. In Jesus, we find forgiveness, freedom, grace, and new life.
🚏 Stop 5 — Respond in Faith
Romans 10:9: “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
The journey ultimately calls for a response. The Gospel isn't simply information to learn—it is good news to receive and a faith to live. We are invited to put our trust in Jesus Christ, confess Him as Lord, and believe in His resurrection.
A Road We Can Share
The Romans Road isn't about having the perfect words or giving a complicated presentation. It is a simple tool that can help us remember the central message of our faith and share it naturally when opportunities arise.
As we learn these Scriptures, may we also become more comfortable sharing the hope, grace, forgiveness, and new life we have found in Christ.
The road begins with our need, leads us to God's love, points us to Jesus, and invites us to respond in faith.
And perhaps the most important thing to remember is this: we don't walk the road alone. God is with us—and He can use our simple words and willing hearts to help someone else discover His love.