In chapter 4, at the battle of Aphek and Ebenezer, Israel was twice defeated (by Yahweh) before the Philistines. As a result, the ark of the covenant was captured; the Glory departed from Israel. This is why the priest Eli’s daughter-in-law named her son Ichabod, “no glory.” And while Yahweh had gone into exile on […]
The Scriptures say that “everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved” (Rom. 10:13; Joel 2:32). But what must happen for sinners to actually do this? Since salvation is ultimately based on the sovereign mercy of God, what part do we play in bringing about the obedience of faith among all […]
In this sermon, pastor Keith looks at the paradoxical conclusion Paul reaches about the Gentiles and Jews in their pursuit of righteousness. He reminds us that Christ Jesus will either be a rock of offense to those seeking to obtain a righteousness based on their own performance, or the Rock of Ages cleft for those […]
When we face the inevitable suffering that the righteous will face (Ps. 34:19), when sorrows like sea billows roll, when it seems like all we know is the frowning and bitter providence of God, how should we respond? In this sermon, pastor Mitch looks at the responses of Naomi and Ruth to the devastating crisis […]
Romans 4 has been about the necessity and priority of Abraham’s faith. As Paul concludes his argument in this chapter, he shows the rationality, or reasonableness, of his faith. In this sermon, pastor Matt once again shows us how the promised blessing of belonging to the family of God is received by faith alone. Yet […]
When “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness” (Rom. 4:3), he had responded to God’s word of promise with faith. But what this promise exactly? It wasn’t just to receive the land of Canaan but ultimately the entire world as his inheritance! In this sermon, pastor Matt once again teaches that […]
Having explained that a person is made right with God by faith in Christ alone, justified apart from works of the law (Rom. 3:21-30), Paul turns our attention to Abraham to support his gospel. In this sermon, pastor Matt shows that the promised blessing of belonging to the family of God is received by faith […]
Now that God’s righteousness has been revealed apart from the law and justification is through faith in Jesus Christ, Paul says that all boasting is ruled out. But the question must be asked: what do we do with the perfect and good law of God? In this sermon, pastor Keith reminds us that one is […]
Having described the horrible and hopeless condition of humanity in Romans 1:18-3:20, Paul answers the all-important question: Since it is true that there is no one righteous, then how can anyone ever be right with God? How can anyone escape his holy wrath against sin, be liberated from the curse of the law, and delivered […]
