Sermons and Biblical Studies

ROMANS 5:15–17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ (Romans 5:17). Is death something that is built into nature? Is … Continue reading “WHERE DID DEATH COME FROM?”

ROMANS 5:12–14 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned (Romans 5:12). This is a crucial passage for Christian theology, and a difficult one, because it deals with the troublesome question of original sin. What do we … Continue reading “THE NATURE OF ORIGINAL SIN”

ROMANS 5:6–11 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ … Continue reading “CHRIST DIED FOR UNGODLY SINNERS”

ROMANS 5:1–5 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God (Romans 5:1–2). In our daily studies we now … Continue reading “JUSTIFICATION BRINGS US FROM EXILE TO
ACCESS”

MATTHEW 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well (Matthew 6:33). The phrase “the just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:17) can also be translated “the righteous shall live by trust.” We rarely speak in modern terminology about people being “just.” We don’t … Continue reading “THE PURSUIT OF RIGHTEOUSNESS”

HABAKKUK 2:1–14 See, he is puffed up; his desires are not upright—but the righteous will live by his faith (Habakkuk 2:4). This verse is quoted three times in the New Testament. It is the theme verse of the book of Romans (1:17), and it is also found in Galatians 3:11 and Hebrews 10:38. Today, let … Continue reading “THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH”

GENESIS 12:1–8; 15:1–6 After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward” (Genesis 15:1). Because of the prominence of faith in Romans 4, we will spend the next three days examining its nature in greater detail. Of primary … Continue reading “THE GOD WHO IS TRUSTWORTHY”

ROMANS 4:13–25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification (Romans 4:25). The first half of this verse repeats thoughts that we have become familiar with in Paul’s letter to the Romans. Our sins were judged when Jesus went to the cross and paid the penalty … Continue reading “HE WAS RAISED FOR OUR JUSTIFICATION”

ROMANS 4:4–12 Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation (Romans 4:4). Here we see the clear issue of merit and grace. If I really am righteous, then a just and holy God need not exercise grace to redeem me. If I am truly … Continue reading “GOOD WORKS DON’T COUNT FOR JUSTIFICATION”

JAMES 2:21 Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? (James 2:21). Paul says that Abraham was justified by faith, but James seems to be saying that Abraham was justified by works. James 2:24 says, “You see that a person is justified by … Continue reading “WHEN WAS ABRAHAM JUSTIFIED?”