As we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior this Christmas season, we are reminded that Jesus is infinitely more than the baby born in a stable. Today's sermon focuses on the glory and majesty of Christ, the Savior from Colossians 1:15-23. There we will see this very Jesus from the Scriptures and know He is Our Living Hope. He is the greatest gift we can give for this holiday season...the gift of the Gospel.
As we enter the Christmas season we naturally begin to think about giving and receiving gifts. This is part one of a three-part series that will focus on offering worship to God. What is true worship? The Bible is full of example of worship that is not accepted by God. We must be careful to worship our King in a manner that He accepts.
John 4:21-24
As Gentile Christians, how are we to minister to Jews? In this text Paul provides us with some valuable instruction as well as some strong warnings. May we heed and apply God's instruction.
Rom 11:11-24
What does it look like to live a lifestyle of thanksgiving to God? That's what we will consider as we approach another Thanksgiving holiday season.
It would be tempting, after reading Romans chapters nine and ten, to conclude that God has washed His hands of physical Israelites. That could not be further from the truth. God has not rejected the Jews, rather He has always saved a remnant within Israel. Furthermore, there is coming a day in the future when God will save many Jews to the glory of His name.
Rom 11:1-10
The Word of God always requires a response. In this text Paul highlights a dual-accountability. To the non-Christian, the demand of the word of God is to believe upon Jesus Christ for salvation. At the same time, the demand given to Christians is to faithfully proclaim the Gospel to the lost so that they might hear and believe the Good News. Each of us must identify which camp we fall into and respond appropriately to the commands of the Gospel.
Rom 10:14-21
This text has one major truth that we must not miss. No one has the ability to meet the perfect righteous standard necessary to inherit eternity with God. Therefore, we must look to Christ Jesus by faith and be clothed in His righteousness. For indeed it is true, everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved!
Rom 10:5-13
In this text, Paul emphatically proclaims that there is only one way of being reconciled to our Creator. That one way is to possess the righteousness of Christ Jesus, by faith. There are many people who possess a form of religious zealousness, that are lost. The genuinely redeemed Christian must not use God's sovereignty as an excuse to not share the Gospel. Instead, we are to take the Gospel to all creation, calling them to repentance and faith in the finished work of Jesus. Paul's message is clear: Christ is the only way to righteousness!
Rom 10:1-4
John Kanter is a Messianic Jew who resides in the Dallas area. John is a ministry representative for Sojourner Ministries
Psalms 110
In this text Paul emphatically declares that the sovereign grace of God is saving a people from every tongue, tribe and nation. The Scripture has predicted that Christ would effectually save a multi-cultural people for His own purposes.
Rom 9:24-33
The Bible presents a healthy tension that we must learn to rest in. On one hand, the Bible presents the human responsibility to respond to the Gospel of grace by faith in order to be saved. On the other hand, Scripture clearly confirms that God is sovereign over everything, including our salvation. We will never be able to fully reconcile these truths, thus removing the tension. Therefore, we must join the Apostle Paul and others as we learn to live within this tension.
Rom 9:19-23
The accusation has been made, that the doctrine of election means that God is unjust. Paul deals with this issue by emphatically stating that there is absolutely no injustice with God. God will show mercy on whomever He wills. Likewise, He will harden whomever He wills. This, according to Paul, God will do according to His own purpose and desire. In the end, we understand Paul's point that sovereign election is indeed just!
Rom 9:14-18
As we continue to study the doctrine of election, there is a serious question that must be answered. Does election depend upon human responsibility or the sovereign will and decree of God? In this text, Paul answers this very important question, helping us understand that election is according to the will of God alone!
Rom 9:8-13
While the doctrine of election can be hard to understand, Paul starts by helping us grasp the truth that election is not based on our nationality, race or family ties. Many people, including in Paul's day, wrongly convince themselves that they are right with God because of their genealogy. In this text, Paul makes it clear that sovereign election is not inherited.
Rom 9:1-7
In Romans chapter nine Paul discusses in great detail the doctrine of election. Before he does this however, Paul reveals his great concern for his lost Jewish brethren. We would do well to follow Paul's example of being burdened for lost souls and faithfully proclaiming the saving message of eternal life by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone.
Rom 9:1-3
In this text, the age old debate regarding the question of whether a Christian can lose their salvation is answered by the Apostle Paul. What can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord? Absolutely nothing!
Rom 8:31-39
In this text we discover the unbreakable work of sovereign grace. God is working all things together for good to those whom God has foreknown, predestined, called, justified and glorified. May the Church worship our King for His sovereign work of redemption!
Rom 8:28-30
The question we ask in this sermon is an important one. How has sin impacted the will of fallen men and women? Does the Bible teach that we are able to trust Jesus in and of ourselves? Let's discover what the Bible has to say in regards to the will of fallen mankind.
Rom 8:28-30
As we enter into a section of Scripture known as the Golden Chain of Redemption we encounter the rock solid truths concerning God's plan to redeem a people for Himself. Before we consider the actual chains of redemption we must first consider the state of the spiritually dead.
Rom 8:28-30
It is undeniable that this life is often very hard and full of troubles. However, Romans 8:28 contains one of the greatest promises made by God to His people. We can know, without a doubt, that for those that know Christ as Savior, God is working all things together for our good. This verse should cause us to rest in the sovereign goodness of our great God and King!
Rom 8:28
In the text this week, Paul describes three perspectives of anticipation for the consummation of the believers salvation: the groaning of creation, the groaning of believers, and the groaning of the Holy Spirit. Are we living in great anticipation for the fulfillment of our salvation? Paul is telling us we should be.
Rom 8:18-27
In this text Paul reveals some of the most amazing truths concerning the Christian faith. By the power of the Holy Spirit we are moved from being at enmity with God to peace with God. As a result, we are adopted children of our God and Creator. How radically our lives as Christians would changed if we realized all that is implied in our inheritance with Christ!
Rom 8:12-17
The Bible makes it clear that we are saved by faith alone. However, true saving faith is never alone. To those who are filled with the Holy Spirit, God intends to change our lives. In this text, Paul gives us some insight into the work of the Holy Spirit - radically transforming sinners to begin to think, act and speak like Jesus.
Rom 8:1-11
In this sermon, we consider the final step in our discipleship process - TRAINER. This step is designed to equip mature followers of Jesus to live the remainder of our lives on this earth investing in the lives of others. Disciples making disciples says it all. Christ has commissioned His Church to make disciples. It is to this end that we commit our lives until Jesus returns.
2 Tim 2:2
In this sermon, we consider the final step in our discipleship process - TRAINER. This step is designed to equip mature followers of Jesus to live the remainder of our lives on this earth investing in the lives of others. Disciples making disciples says it all. Christ has commissioned His Church to make disciples. It is to this end that we commit our lives until Jesus returns.
2 Tim 1
In this sermon, we consider the fourth step in our discipleship process - NEW LIFE. This step is designed to help the follower of Jesus understand the specific will of God - to live a radically different life. 1 Thessalonians 4:3 tells us directly that it is the will of God for our lives to experience the continual sanctifying work of God. Followers of Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit, being continually changed so that fruit is produced in our lives in the way we think, act, speak, serve and live, that looks like the life of Jesus. Christ is calling us to a new pattern of life in Christ!
I Cor 6:9-11
In this sermon, we consider the third step in our discipleship process - INVESTMENT. This step is designed to help a disciple of Jesus consider their own life. As a believer we have been purchased with the blood of Jesus. We no longer belong to ourselves. Everything we are and everything we have, truly belongs to Him. As a result, Jesus calls us to follow Him and invest our lives in the only work that has eternal value - the work of advancing the Kingdom of God. Disciples making Disciples. Come be an investor in the Kingdom of God!
Luke 19:11-27
In this sermon, we consider the second step in our discipleship process - OWNERSHIP. This step is designed to help a new believer progress forward in their walk with Jesus by owning the mission and work that He has entrusted to His people. Members typically become consumers. Partners, on the other hand, link arms as owners of all that God has called us to accomplish in His name. Some characteristics of owners are: they are not distracted, they are not defeated, they are not deceived and finally they are not divided.
Mark 16:15
P.O.I.N.T is a simple structure designed to help Christians progress toward maturity in Christ with the express goal of being a disciple that is making disciples. The five stages should be seen as a tool to help us as a church assist others to move forward in their relationship and obedience to Jesus as Lord. The first step is partnership. Here we will understand that every person that is a new creation in Christ is linked to each other as partners. Rather than seeing ourselves simply as members of a church, the Bible wants us to see each other as partners linked together by one thing - our position in Christ!
Phil 1:1-6
This is the first sermon in a series designed to define and establish a culture within the Church of "Disciples Making Disciples". Jesus left His Church with a clearly defined mission - Make Disciples! May His people walk in obedience to this command. We aim to accomplish this by focusing on three areas of emphasis. Pointing people to Jesus, pointing people to the local church and pointing people to the mission field.
Matt 28:18-20
Up to this point in Paul's letter to the Roman Christians, Paul has revealed to all mankind that we are sinners. As sinners we are deserving of the righteous wrath of God. But while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. To those who are a new creation in Christ, we have been reconciled to God, we have access to God and now Paul reveals one of the greatest truths found in the Bible. To those who rest in Christ, by grace through faith, there is now no condemnation. Oh how we praise the magnificent name and salvation of Jesus!
Rom 8:1
In this text, Paul is honest and transparent concerning the Christian's daily battle with sin. If our goal is to all things to the glory of God, we must be honest and admit that we fail in that endeavor often. Three questions are key to consider: have you defined what you would like to be doing, are you being honest with yourself and are you allowing Christ to empower you? How are you doing in your wrestling against sin?
Rom 7:15-25
In this text Paul reveals how the Law of God works to reveal sin in us. At the same time the Law cannot help us experience victory over sin. Instead, left to ourselves we will progress in sin until finally the product of sin is realized - death and destruction. But oh how valuable the Law of God is to lost people as it reveals our guilt before God, preparing us to hear and respond to the Good News of the Gospel of grace!
Rom 7:7-14
In this text Paul describes the condemning power of the Law and the reality that only by death can the power of the Law be severed. To those that have died, been buried and risen to new live by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, the hold of the Law has been broken. As a result, for the first time as new creations in Christ we have the ability to resist sin and honor God as we have received new hearts, minds and souls - not by religious law keeping but by grace alone!
Rom 7:1-6
Paul continues to address the truth that when a person is a new creation in Christ everything changes. We move out of a relationship where sin is our master and into a slavery to Christ and righteousness. With Jesus as our Master, our hearts are changed bringing a desire and longing to be obedient to Jesus as Lord, resulting in a change of fruit that brings honor and glory to God as is edifying to others around us. May we long to experience the power of the grace of God, where every aspect of our life changes!
Rom 6:15-23
In this text, Paul shows us as Christians that the bondage to sin we were once under has been broken. We have been relocated from being in Adam to being in Christ. As a result, the power of sin has been severed. As Christians, Paul instructs us to begin to live as people that are dead to sin and alive to Christ!
Rom 6:1-14
In His conversation with Nicodemus, Jesus has revealed that the new birth is absolutely necessary to inherit the Kingdom of God. That work is completely and solely a work of God alone. There is a responsibility of sinners however. The command from God to sinful humans - believe! We must come to the end of ourselves, realizing there is nothing we can do to fix our predicament, and look to Jesus alone - His life, death and resurrection. Jesus' promise to all that believe - we will have eternal life in heaven.
John 3:13-21
In anticipation of celebrating Jesus' resurrection from the grave, we are reminded of the victory Christ provides over sin, death, the grave and hell. Next week we will consider the human side of salvation, that we are commanded to believe the Gospel. It is essential however to first consider the necessary supernatural work of God. In this text, Jesus highlights the truth that in order for anyone to inherit eternity in heaven, we are desperately in need of a birth from above.
John 3:1-12
Of all the human beings that have ever lived, two men have truly made a monumental impact. Through Adam came sin, death and destruction that has impacted every human being. Through Jesus came forgiveness, righteousness and eternal life to all who believe. Adam initiated death - Jesus conquered death. The question every person must answer is this: Are you in Adam or are you in Christ Jesus?
Romans 5:12-21
Here we encounter the beauty and ugliness of what Jesus accomplished on the cross. Paul focuses on the death of Christ, the gift of God to sinful humanity and the security of salvation to those who have been filled with the Holy Spirit.
Romans 5:5-11
Peace with God, leads to unhindered access to God and an unshakeable hope in God. God will be glorified as He works in and through His people, transforming our lives so that we look more and more like Jesus.
Romans 5:1-5
In the preceding verse, Paul revealed the amazing news that for the person who has been justified by grace through faith in Jesus, the war with God is over and the Christian is at peace with God. Now the news gets even better! Not only does the believer live at peace with God, but we have perfect unhindered access to God so that we can now draw near to our Creator. Through Jesus, the perfect Mediator, we experience communion and fellowship with God.
Romans 5:2
In Romans chapter 5, Paul focuses on the results of justification. The first truth that Paul mentions for those that have been redeemed by grace through faith is that we move from a status of being enemies of God to being at peace with God.
Romans 5:1
Paul has presented the case that as sinners, we are saved by a gracious gift from God that is received by faith alone. In this text, Paul is going to defend the truth that salvation is a supernatural work that only God can provide to the sinner through the person and work of Jesus Christ alone.
Romans 4:18-25
Does God intend for salvation and forgiveness of sins to be received by individuals that are willing to work for it - or by those that will receive salvation as a free and undeserved gift from God? In this text, Paul shows us that no one can satisfy the perfect standards of God. The promise of God is null and void if we depend upon our efforts, for they fall radically short of perfection. Those who are saved receive new life from God by grace alone through faith alone.
Romans 4:9-17
Paul has shown all humanity that we are sinners. He has proclaimed the glorious Gospel, that we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone in the work of Christ alone. Now Paul is going to put skin on his theology. Paul will use Abraham, the Jews picture of how to be right with God, and show them the Abraham was not reconciled to God by works but instead was justified by faith.
Romans 4:1-8
Paul has finished his preparatory work. He has shown every human being that we are sinners, deserving of the wrath of God. Now, Paul is ready to reveal the Good News of salvation by grace alone, through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone. In this text Paul reveals the amazing realities we possess when we look to Jesus by faith. Jesus is presented as the propitiation for sins, our Redeemer and the only source of justification. The result, we boast in Christ who alone can save a sinner.
Romans 3:21-31
In this text, we encounter the climax of human sinfulness. Paul has been building his case against all humanity, that we are all sinners, desperately in need of salvation. This final blow leaves every human guilty before God, preparing us to hear the Good News that God has accomplished and provided salvation in Christ alone. When we correctly see our guilt before God, we are ready to look to Jesus as our Savior.
Romans 3:9-20
One of the most common and dangerous mistakes made by human beings is false assumptions. First, we make false assumptions about the character and nature of God. Secondly, we make false assumptions about God's Word and will. The result is that these false assumptions lead to a life lived in contradiction to the intended will of God for our lives. In this text, Paul warns of the danger of false assumptions and calls us to rightly know God and His Word.
Romans 3:1-8
As we embark upon a New Year, it is timely for us to be reminded that this life is short. We must be good stewards of the time that God has entrusted to us. Good stewards do several things: they get rid of the "junk", they spend regular time in the Word, they are committed to prayer, they are constantly reminded of the essentials of the Gospel and who they are in Christ, and finally they are committed to taking the Gospel to others in need of salvation in Christ alone.
Eph 5:15-17
Too often we fail to live our daily lives with the reality that God is not far from us, uninterested or disengaged in our lives. On the contrary, the Bible teaches us that we should live moment by moment understanding the truth that God is with us. How would our lives change if we lived with this reality that God is with me every moment of everyday? That's what we consider in this sermon as we celebrate Christmas.
Matt 1:18-23
Jesus makes the bold claim that He alone is the way to reconciliation with God, forgiveness and eternal life in heaven. However, mankind throughout history has attempted to find safety, security and salvation in things that offer nothing more than artificial safety. Paul confronts our efforts to trust in things such as legacy, knowledge and ritual and instead calls us to faith in Christ alone.
Rom 2:17-29
As Paul continues the preparatory work of the Gospel, he directs the readers attention to the truth that the coming Judgment of God will be according to God's Law. Paul reveals the reality of universal human sinfulness, in that every person has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. The coming Judgment applies to both Jew and Gentile, no one is exempt. Paul's goal is to help ever person be honest in our predicament before God and look to Jesus as our only hope of salvation.
Rom 2:12-16
Paul continues in the task of preparing people to hear and embrace the Good News of the Gospel by revealing the truth that a day of judgment is coming. There will be no excuses to offer on behalf of ourselves at this judgment. Paul pleads with sinners to not abuse the patience of God, for those outside of Christ will be judge by the works and deeds their lives have produced. This judgment comes from an impartial, righteous and holy Judge. The Good News is that we can be ready for this day only by resting and trusting in the finished work of Jesus Christ.
Rom 2:1-11
Paul begins the necessary work of preparing people to hear the Good News of the Gospel. The first necessary step in that process is revealing to sinners that we are without excuse before a holy and righteous God. As the wrath of God is revealed, sinful humanity attempts to suppress the truth, resulting in an ever-increasing progression of sin. This truth must cause us to stop, evaluate our lives and look to Jesus alone for salvation.
Rom 1:18-32
Paul reveals to us that God has attached certain expectations in regards to how the Gospel is ministered to others. As Christians, we are called to embrace our obligation to take the Good News to all people, eager to speak the message of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. This requires us to be unashamed of the Gospel and to live by faith. May we be faithful to the Gospel's expectations.
Rom 1:14-17
Paul addresses the threefold motivation of Gospel ministry. First, Gospel ministry must be centered on God. Secondly, Gospel ministry requires total commitment from those who profess to be new creations in Christ. Finally, Gospel ministry requires community. God has designed the Church to function as a tightly knit body that is dependent upon one another for spiritual health, growth and effectiveness.
Rom 1:8-15
Once Paul establishes the standing of a Christian as a slave of Christ, called to proclaim the Gospel, he now is ready to reveal the intentions of the Gospel. The Gospel is a message of salvation for sinners that is not new, is focused on Jesus as Lord intended to call a particular people to faith in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.
Rom 1:1-7
As we begin our study through the book of Romans, Paul introduces himself as a slave of Christ. Paul views his life as purchased by the blood of Jesus. As a result, Paul seeks Christ's will in every aspect of his life and calls us to do the same.
Rom 1:1-7
Part three of a three part series considering the biblical foundation of the local church. The church must be willing to embrace the biblical model for church structure not the man-made methods.
2 Cor 3:8-15
Part two of a three part series considering the biblical foundation of the local church. The church must be willing to embrace the biblical model for church structure not the man-made methods.
1 Tim 3:14-15
Part one of a three part series considering the foundation of the local church. Jesus says He will build His church. We are commanded to build upon the solid foundation of the Gospel.
Matt 16:18
Jesus calls the leadership of the local church to be servants of others. The faithful servant of Christ will deliver God's Word accurately, allowing others to be transformed by the living Word of God.
I Cor 4:1-5
