God’s shocking grace

In Romans 10:20, as Paul recounts the revelation of the gospel to the Israelites, he notes that Isaiah is “very bold” when he writes what he does in Isaiah 65:1ff. The word “very bold” has the sense of words that are daring, astounding, and even shocking. What God says through Isaiah is unanticipated and unexpected. […]

Sermon: Why People Don’t Believe in Christ

Why People Don’t Believe in Christ (And the Shocking Grace of God) Romans 10:16-21 December 1, 2019 The turkey is (probably) finished. There might still be a little leftover cranberry sauce. I know the pecan pie has been gone for at least two days. Thanksgiving is over. I hope it was an encouraging and reflective […]

Sermon: The Believer’s Evangelistic Privilege

The Believer’s Evangelistic Privilege Romans 10:14-15 November 17, 2019 The apostle Paul was a remarkable man. He was a prolific writer (13 letters in the NT) and an astute linguist He was a careful theologian (e.g., Romans) He was an effective and wise church planter and pastor He was a bold apologist (Acts 17) and […]

If Jesus is Lord…

The Apostle Paul makes the lordship of Jesus Christ a central theme in his letter to the Romans. Forty three times Paul uses the word “Lord” in that letter, often with the pronoun, “our,” to indicate our fellowship with Him — Christ is not just any Lord, but He is the Lord who belongs to […]

Sermon: The Message of Faith, Pt. 2

The Message of Faith, Pt. 2 Romans 10:9-13 November 10, 2019 In Romans 10, Paul is making an appeal to his readers of the significance of the gospel and the importance and responsibility to believe the gospel. In verse 8, he says the word of the gospel has come near (in the person of Christ). […]

The gospel of forgiveness and transformation

Since the time of the early church, there has been a debate about the role of works in salvation. Are there works that should be done for our salvation? Should believers be circumcised for their salvation? (That was the question in Acts 15.) Or is there a kind of work that is necessary as an […]

Sermon: The Message of Faith

The Message of Faith Romans 10:9-10 November 3, 2019 This week there has been significant conversation on the internet and elsewhere about October 31. No, not chocolate and Halloween, but Reformation Day. The discussion about the Reformation has been a good reminder about the gospel and its significance. As someone has said, “The gospel is […]

The Help of God’s Eternal Nature

As far as life callings go, this one came late. He already had a significant career in public service when he went through his mid-life crisis at age 40. Some might have said that his experience at 40 was not a crisis, but a total breakdown. He was influential and well-known until his fortieth year, […]

Sermon: Saved for Good Works

Saved for Good Works Ephesians 2:10 October 27, 2019 Five hundred and two years ago this week, a lone monk posted 95 topics of debate for the church of that day (what we now know as the Roman Catholic church). He didn’t want to bring down that church; he simply wanted to reform it. His […]

Sermon: No Excuses

No Excuses: The Message of Faith Romans 10:5-8 October 20, 2019 According to a UPI news item, MetLife has received some unusual excuses for accidents from its automobile policyholders over the years. The following are just few: “An invisible car came out of nowhere, struck my car, and vanished.” “The other car collided with mine […]

Sermon: What Unbelievers Need

What Unbelievers Need to be Saved Romans 10:1-4 October 13, 2019 Unbelief is not unusual. Unbelief is — and always has been — far too typical and too common. Accounts of unbelief are well-known: French philosopher Voltaire is reputed to have said, “If a miracle occurred in the market place of Paris and in the […]

After the wedding…I’m thankful

“…in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thess. 5:18; NASB) As believers, we know that we are to give thanks always — in all circumstances, at all times, for all people. There are sometimes when that is easier than at other times. The past few weeks has […]

Sermon: God is Faithful

God is Faithful Romans 9 September 29, 2019 This morning we come to the table of communion. This table is rightly called a table of remembrance. It is designed to remind us of things that we must not forget, that we cannot forget, that we dare not forget: We dare not forget our need for […]

Sermon: “Disappointed with God?”

Disappointed with God? He is Faithful Romans 9:30-33 September 22, 2019 We live in a world where there are disappointments. Big disappointments and little disappointments — they all bring a measure of sadness and grief into our lives: You had plans for a vegetable garden, and it didn’t rain, and what did grow got eaten […]

Counseling Conference Audio is posted

Last weekend our counseling ministry, The Center for Biblical Counseling and Discipleship held the first weekend of our annual conference. This year, in addition to teaching the basic training sessions, which fulfill the preliminary requirements for certification with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors, we also taught two additional tracks — a track covering all […]