From Adam’s Fall to Enoch’s Walk
Romans 5:12 (NLT) 12 When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. Message Paul compares and contrasts Adam and Christ in Romans 5:12–17. In fact, Adam is the first man, while Christ is the last Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45). Why are both Adam and Christ […]
The Promise Is by Grace, Not Legal Performance
Romans 4:13–15 (NLT) 13 Clearly, God’s promise to give the whole earth to Abraham and his descendants was based not on his obedience to God’s law, but on a right relationship with God that comes by faith. 14 If God’s promise is only for those who obey the law, then faith is not necessary and the promise […]
Justified by Faith Alone: The End of Boasting and the Law’s True Fulfillment
Romans 3:27–31 (NLT) 27 Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law. It is based on faith. 28 So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law. 29 After all, is God the God of […]
Made Right With God—Apart from the Law and Available to All Who Believe
Romans 3:21–22 (NLT) 21 But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. 22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for […]
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 […]
No Excuse: God Revealed Through Creation
Romans 1:19-20 NLT 19 They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. 20 For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing […]
Through Christ: Our Apostolic Privilege, Authority, and Mission to bring Glory to God
Romans 1:5 (NLT) 5 Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name. Message See v5. 5 Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell […]
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 […]
