Archives: Sermons

From Troubled to Treasuring (Luke 1:26-2:19)

It's amazing to me how many people have no idea what Christmas is all about. They may celebrate it every year, but never know why. Perhaps they give no thought to its origins. Perhaps they're confused about its origins. Perhaps they're troubled by its origins. For us who know Christ, Christmas is deeply meaningful and spiritual. But for those outside the church, if Christmas is spiritual at all, it's some vague spirituality that has nothing to do with Christianity. In the opening chapters of Luke, we read about a person who was initially…continue reading →

God’s Loving Gift (Romans 8:38-39)

Gift giving is a beautiful reflection of the greatest gift ever given to us: Jesus Christ. Our giving is a dim reflection of God's giving, because our gifts can't compare with His. But I can imagine worse gift giving. What if we gave all of our gifts conditionally? This got me thinking. Is God's gift of salvation unconditional? Our immediate response is “Yes,” but I want us to put that gut response on trial just this morning while we hear from God's Word. “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither…continue reading →

More Than Conquerors (Romans 8:35-37)

What comes into your mind when you try to picture a conqueror? I picture someone strong. I picture someone able to endure any hardship they face. I picture someone who is able to come out of every trial not beaten down, but victorious. If this is what you think of as well, then it might surprise you that all Christians are conquerors. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we…continue reading →

How to be a True Disciple (John 8:30-32)

“Even as he spoke, many put their faith in him. To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, 'If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.' " (Joh 8:30-32) In verse 30 we are reminded of the authority of Christ and the importance of His message. It's no small thing that Christ could be heard audibly by those around Him. God can do whatever He wishes. He can still speak audibly today, if He chooses to.…continue reading →

Get a Good Lawyer (Romans 8:33-34)

“Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” (Rom 8:33-34) We find a rhetorical question at the beginning each verse (and v. 35 as well). These questions make reference back to the beginning verse of the chapter. The answer to each is obvious: no one. Once we are forgiven, we cannot be unforgiven. Once we are saved,…continue reading →

A Model for Discipleship (2 Timothy 2:2)

“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.” (2 Timothy 2:2) What “things” are Paul referring to (v. 2a)? We teach many things in the church. We teach about marriage. We teach about morality. We teach about being a good citizen. We may teach many things in the church, but we've got to be all about teaching the most important thing: that Jesus Christ suffered and died for our sin. Paul was referring to the…continue reading →

If God is For Us (Romans 8:30-32)

“And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Rom 8:30-32 NIV) If you know Jesus as Savior, you can be sure of two things from verse 30. Your salvation is an act of God. The text…continue reading →

God Works! (Romans 8:28-29)

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” (Rom 8:28-29) I want to take a quick look back at what leads up to this passage because verse 28 is a pivotal verse of this chapter. It states, “And we know that in all things...” What “all things” did Paul have in…continue reading →

So Walk in Him (Colossians 2:6-7)

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” (Col 2:6-7) As Baptists, we're well-versed in how people are to receive Jesus Christ as their Lord. We might refer to the ABCs of salvation, or to the Roman's Road. The simple truth is that we must trust Christ, rather than ourselves, to save us. The encouragement given here is that now that we trust in Christ, we are to…continue reading →

Waiting Patiently in Hope (Romans 8:24-27)

“For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints…continue reading →