Our God is a God of both sovereign and surprising mercy. While it’s true that he is unchanging, reliable, and faithful to perform his word, he nevertheless tends to surprise us, especially in his displays of mercy and salvation. And one of the clearest examples of this is seen in the formation of true Israel […]
Responding to the objection of injustice regarding unconditional election (Rom. 9:14), Paul has explained that once we grasp who God is (that he is absolutely free) and what mercy is (that it is undeserved), then we will understand that God is righteous in his sovereign purposes. But a further objection is raised in Romans 9:19: […]
Paul has been explaining in Romans 9 how God’s purpose in election guarantees the fulfillment of all his promises. But he knows that this teaching will raise some very serious objections. Insisting that salvation is solely based on God’s initiative, his decision, his purpose, his choice will cause many to ask: “How is that fair?” […]
As Paul begins Romans 9, he is grieved because the large majority of his fellow Jews have failed to respond to the gospel with faith. But his ultimate concern is God’s faithfulness to his promises. If Israel is “accursed and cut off from Christ” (Rom. 9:3), then have God’s purposes for them been frustrated? Paul’s […]
After unpacking the righteousness of God revealed in the gospel (chs. 1-4) and the blessings of salvation provided by the gospel (chs. 5-8) Paul begins to explain the plan of God vindicated in the gospel in chapters 9-11. Here he aims to show how God’s plan for Israel and the nations reveals his saving righteousness, […]
In the second half of the crescendo that concludes Romans 8, the Apostle Paul focuses on the love of God in Christ that not only secures our vindication on the last day but also our glorious victory now and every day in between. And in this sermon, pastor Matt again shows how God’s everlasting love […]
“What then shall we say to these things?” With this question at the end of chapter 8, Paul famously brings the second major section of his letter to the Romans to a close. These verses are a glorious crescendo that celebrates the unrelenting, unchanging, and unending love of God in Christ. In this sermon, pastor […]
For some, a new year brings the promise of a brand new start; for others, it only means that more trials suffering are just ahead. What we all need is real hope for the future—one that is more than just wishful thinking, but a confident expectation based on truth. In this sermon, pastor Matt preaches […]
In Romans 5-8, Paul draws out the many implications for those who have been justified by faith. He shows how we now live united to Christ, under grace, as slaves of righteousness, and a life according to the Spirit. In this sermon, pastor Matt explained that this new life made possible by the Spirit of […]
