When Scripture speaks

The Apostle Paul is fond of quoting from the Old Testament — particularly in the book of Romans. In that theological treatise, the apostle quotes the Old Testament directly over 60 times. And over half those quotations appear in three chapters — Romans 9-11. As Paul lays the foundation for God’s sovereignty in salvation in […]

How God chooses men for salvation

Romans 9 is the beginning of an extended section in Romans about the sovereignty of God in salvation — how does God bring about salvation in those who were hated by Him and who hated Him? That God is not only the author of salvation in that He accomplishes it, but He is also the […]

Sermon: God’s Sovereign Mercy, Pt 3

God’s Sovereign Mercy, Pt. 3 Romans 9:6-13 June 30, 2019 Starting at the end of July, we are going to spend a few weeks reflecting on God’s glory and grace to us as a church body, as we think about 40 years of ministry at GBC. We will think about a variety of ways that […]

Sermon: Gospel Longings

Gospel Longings Romans 9:1-5 May 26, 2019 What makes you sad? What makes your heart ache? What are your greatest sorrows? We likely have similar kinds of lists of sad things: Illness of a loved family member Cancer and terminal diseases in children (I was often profoundly sad walking halls of Cooks Hosp) Broken and […]

God’s salvation is great because…

We are quick to attribute to too many things that really aren’t great. A home run while perhaps being timely for your favorite baseball team, is not really great. A snow cone on an August afternoon in Texas will be refreshing, but given its short lifespan, should not be put in the category of great. […]

Sermon: God’s Great Gospel

God’s Great Gospel Romans 1-8 May 19, 2019 Today we close the book on Romans 8. That means we are halfway through this great letter. It means that we are transitioning to the fourth major section in the book — the sovereignty of God (chs. 9-11). It means that we are leaving one of the […]

Sermon: Suffering and the love of Christ

Suffering and the Love of Christ Romans 8:35-39 April 28, 2019 We have questions about love. We want to know what love will do. When we are in love (or think we are in love), we will ask questions like: Will the person I love return that love to me? Will the person I love […]

Sermon: Since Christ is Resurrected…

Since Christ is Resurrected… Romans 8:33-34 April 21, 2019 Sometimes, when you are given a good gift, you don’t realize just how good that gift is: The first time someone gave us fresh eggs, I thought, “that’s nice…I like eggs…” And then I tasted them. Wow…the difference was remarkable! When I transferred seminaries in […]

Sermon: All Things for Good

All Things for Good: Trusting God and Sanctification Romans 8:28-29 March 10, 2019 In his book Rise and Shine, Chuck Swindoll recounts a significant event from the past century: When the Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations was opened by Queen Victoria in 1851, people flocked to Hyde Park to behold […]

Sermon: He Prays for You

He Prays for You Romans 8:26-27 December 16, 2018 I saw another article on the topic this week. We are lonely. The Wall Street Journal article even called baby boomers, “The Loneliest Generation,” saying, Baby boomers are aging alone more than any generation in U.S. history, and the resulting loneliness is a looming public health […]

Sermon: The Believer’s Great Longing

The Believer’s Great Longing Romans 8:22-25 December 9, 2018 Life is difficult. But you don’t need me to tell you that to know that it is true, do you? And suffering has always been the way of living in this world — especially for believers. One historian says this about the early church: Every Christian […]

Sermon: What in the World is Going on with the World?

What in the World is Going on with the World? Romans 8:19-21 November 25, 2018 It’s quite a world in which we live, isn’t it? Everywhere you look, there seem to be problems. I’m not talking about the problems from people who sin against us, or the problems that come from corrupt and ungodly legislation […]

Sermon: Today’s Sufferings, Tomorrow’s Joys

Today’s Sufferings, Tomorrow’s Joys Romans 8:17-18 November 18, 2018 This coming week we will celebrate Thanksgiving. But those who are suffering often find it difficult to be thankful in the midst of their suffering. There may be turkey, dressing, and pecan pie on the table, but there is resentment, anger, hostility, and ingratitude in the […]

How great the Father’s love

In what almost seems to be a passing comment at first, Paul tells the Romans that if they are mortifying sins by the power of the Spirit of God (Rom. 8:13), it indicates that they are being led (controlled and indwelt) by the Spirit and since the Spirit only indwells believers, then they “are sons […]

Sermon: Sons of God

Sons of God Romans 8:14-17 October 28, 2018 Many children, if not all children, at some point will ask their parents, “Am I adopted?” They want to know their place in the family. They want to know if there is a biological connection between their parents and them. They ask the question out of a […]