United with Christ in His Death and New Life
Romans 6:1-4 NLT 1 Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? 2 Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? 3 Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, […]
Refined by Trials, Secured by the Spirit
Romans 5:3–5 (NLT) 3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he […]
Repentance Before the Day of Anger
Romans 2:5 (NLT) 5 But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. Message I. God’s Kindness Rejected (5a) See verse 5a. 5a But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn […]
A Call to Repent, Not to Judge
Romans 2:2–4 (NLT) 2 And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. 3 Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things? 4 Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does […]
Do Not Judge Others — God Alone Is the Judge
Romans 2:1 (NLT) You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. Message I. Introduction and Context See verse 1. You […]
From God’s Redemptive Work to Tragic Exchange
Romans 1:26b (NLT) 26b Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. Jesus spoke the truth through paradoxes such as the greatest must be a servant (Matthew 20:26-27)’ and the Good Samaritan, where the despised outsider becomes the true example of love (Luke 10:25-37). Throughout […]
The Tragic Exchange: Truth for Lies, Christ for Barabbas
Romans 1:25 (NLT) 25 They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen. Message I. Exchanging the Creator for the Created (Romans 1:25 NLT) How did humanity trade the truth about God for idols and […]
What We Worship Shapes Us
Romans 1:24 (NLT) 24 So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. Message I. God Let Them Follow Their Choices (24a) When they worshiped not one true God but idols (Romans 1:21-23), God did not force them to obey […]
Peter’s Restoration and Ultimate Devotion to Christ
John 21:18–19 (NKJV) 18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.” 19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify […]
Peter’s Restoration by Love and Commission
John 21:15–17 (NKJV) Christ Speaks to Peter 15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” 16 He said to him again a second […]
