Justification and sanctification are two different realities, but they must never be separated and isolated one from the other. If they become totally separated, the logical end is license. If they become merged together, a “works” oriented salvation results. Paul is moving from freedom from the penalty of sin, (1:18-5:21) to freedom from the power…

Growing up, my folks put our house up for sale. My father had finished building our house the same year I was born. The Village was looking for a new Village Clerk, and to qualify for the position, Dad would need to reside in the village. Church and school would be the same, and my friends would be just outside the village. The house did not sell, …

As we finish Romans chapter 5, verses 12-21, Paul goes on to show us how one man offers the cure for the consequences of the sin that the first man introduced to the world with his first transgression. The main point of Paul’s argument is that Christ undid for humanity every horrible thing that Adam did by first sinning. This is why Adam is a “type…

Today’s text begins with the word, “Wherefore.” It is from the Old English usage, identifying that a summary is to follow. The word takes us back to Chapter 3, verse 19, where this theme began. At the end of that opening verse, we learn from verse 23 that “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”…

This week, we begin our study in Romans from chapter 5. Paul begins Romans by showing the fallen condition of mankind and the righteousness of God in revealing His wrath toward sin. He then shows how God, in righteousness, has provided for man’s salvation, through the person and work of Jesus Christ. It is as though Paul is now saying, almost liter…

Today, we learn what the Holy Spirit taught Paul by way of correction. When Paul was a “Pharisee of the Pharisees,” he lived under The Law of the Jewish faith. He believed in his faith, but missed the plain simple truth of what faith was according to God’s definition.

Paul has already written that there are none righteous. Our self-imagined goodness is already sin stained; therefore, we cannot earn our salvation through our works or religious observance. It wasn’t the law that gave Abraham the promise but the righteousness of faith. It is faith in the promise of God that has value not the law itself. Abraham is …

Holiday Message - Though Thanksgiving Day is behind us, this is still Thanksgiving weekend. Travelers are still traveling, and the Holiday Season has just begun. The hype of retailers getting the newest, most fashionable, and most fun items to the marketplace is at the forefront of their minds.

This chapter is perhaps one of the greatest chapters in the Bible on salvation by faith alone. Many religious groups claim to believe in salvation by faith, but not in salvation by faith alone. It is even common to find people in good churches who are not sure if they are saved or not because of something they may have done since they made their de…

The authority of our Court System seems to always be in question these days. Perhaps it is because there’s too many cooks in the kitchen. Or better stated, too many kitchens! We have local courts, City Courts, County Courts, State Courts, Federal Courts, and The Supreme Court. Each is overseen by a Judge, or by Judges. And if you don’t like the ver…

Paul introduces a righteousness from God that comes apart from the Law, though the Law and the Prophets testify to it (Romans 3:21). This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe, without distinction (Romans 3:22). All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God but are justified freely by His grace through the red…

We have all heard the term “righteousness” bandied about, both in Churches, and in God’s Word. We learn of a righteous life, not so much by witnessing it in others (even when it is there), but by reading of it in the scriptures, the Gospels in particular, covering the Life of Christ. The Four Evangelists tell us of it, each from different perspecti…

Paul declares that all people—both Jews and gentiles—are under the power of sin and cannot be justified through the Law. Romans 3:9–20 is the conclusion of a longer section of the letter that begins in 1:18. In this section, Paul argues that all people—both gentiles and Jews—have some awareness or knowledge of God, whether through experience of the…

After last week’s study in the beginning of Romans 3, Paul asks a rhetorical question of the Jews dwelling inn Rome: “Are we better than they?” Is God unrighteous because He takes vengeance?

The Bible is clear in declaring the truth about humanity: we are all sinners and held under the dominion of sin. There is nothing righteous in us to commend us to God. Yet it is only when we acknowledge this truth, and divine assessment of us that we can find God's purpose in revealing this to us, and the ultimate solution, salvation through Jesus …

As we ended Romans 2 last week, it was a blistering critique of Judaism, and how it evolved through the years since God gave the Law to Moses. Chapter 3 begins with the question: “What advantage then hath the Jew?” If there is no difference between Gentile behaviors and Jewish, then were the Jews chosen for naught?…

Throughout this section, Paul takes the self-righteous Jew to task. But this text applies to all self-righteous people. Many people think that by keeping the Ten Commandments, they can merit righteousness before God. The problem is that one must do so perfectly one hundred percent of the time. Scripture says, “whoever keeps the whole law but fails …

The message from last week continues, and becomes more personal, more intuitive in its approach to interpersonal behaviors. As Paul continues to address the Romans, we find his Epistle having much in common with the Gospel of Matthew...

Do you believe in a coming day of judgment? The question has been asked many times, and the answers are usually the same. Some of course will answer, “Yes, of course I do.” Most others will answer like this: “I don’t believe a God of love will judge anybody” or “I’m not worried about it because I’m not as bad as others are, in fact I’m a good perso…

Paul’s second chapter of Romans brings home a point that God wants us to recognize, and have it lay in our hearts permanently...

This week, we are looking at verses 18-32 of Romans chapter 1. The title of this morning's message is, "The Road to Idolatry." Idolatry is worshipping something other than the True GOD in the True Way (Leviticus 19:4). Idolatry is the product of rebellion, not confusion. While hearts and minds darkened by sin can’t find God on their own apart from …

As we begin the Epistle of Paul to the Romans today, we must acknowledge that it is a letter to The Church in Rome. Written about 60 A.D., it is a Christian Church in its infant form during the Roman Empire. Later on, the church would grow in its influence and administration. Then 1,000 years after this letter, pride had entered into the Church, an…

When it comes to the most full, direct, comprehensive, and majestic explanation of the gospel, there is no other book in all of Scripture quite like Romans. While we believe all Scripture is breathed out by God; that the Bible is perfect, clear, and totally sufficient for life and godliness; and that every single page reveals the glories of Christ …

As we begin the Epistle of Paul to the Romans today, we must acknowledge that it is a letter to The Church in Rome. Written about 60 A.D., it is a Christian Church in its infant form during the Roman Empire.

The Book of Amos is about the Lord’s expectation of righteousness straight and true – His expectation of righteousness in our individual lives; His expectation of righteousness among the people who know His salvation; and His demand for righteousness and justice in our society at large. This morning, we are going to look at the end of the book, whi…

Think of God’s vantage point from His lofty Throne in Heaven. He sees everything in His Creation, including the several layers of “heavens” in the universe. This is the view God gave to Amos in Chapter 9: The "Long View" of God’s plan for all His creation.

This week our study begins in Amos chapter 8. Amos 8 is a solemn reminder of the consequences of turning away from God's commandments and embracing corruption, injustice, and false religious practices. While the judgment pronounced is severe, the underlying message is one of divine justice and a call to righteousness. It underscores the importance …

God’s Word to Amos comes as a lightning bolt. Israel was not prepared for it. It came suddenly and without warning. However, Amos’ previous 7 chapters should have been enough warning. They should have known that there would soon come a change in the weather. . .

This week our study begins in Amos chapter 7. The chapter opens with two symbolic visions received by Amos. In the first, a locust swarm threatens to devour the newly sprouted crops, symbolizing famine and devastation. In the second, a consuming fire engulfs the land, representing the potential destruction of Israel. In both instances, Amos interce…

The Prophet Ahijah appeared suddenly from Shilo with a message from God for King Jeroboam about 985 BC, 200 years prior to today’s passage in Amos 7, But in Amos 3:7, it says, “Surely the Lord will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret unto His servants the prophets.” The prophecy of which we speak in Amos 7, is found in our reading this morning,…

Amos 6 is a somber reminder that complacency, pride, and indifference towards the suffering of others are not traits of God's faithful people. As believers, we are called to live humbly, seek justice, and maintain a compassionate heart, keeping our focus on God and not on materialistic pleasures or self-glorification. These verses call out those wh…

Today we learn of those that lived in Zion, living “at ease.” But from a Biblical perspective, they might as well have “fallen out.” They were not living circumspectly, but for their own personal pleasures. The walls were either not watched, or the alarms went unheeded.

An age of luxury and excess reigned, with commerce flourishing and riches overflowing. Both the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah lived in peace with the surrounding nations. Instead of fighting with their enemies, their wealth and energy were used to build and develop their kingdoms. Their cities expanded with their newf…

“Hypocrites!” Jesus called out. He called them whited seplkers, only half-heartedly living the Law; blind guides they were, unclean, and engaged in building great tombs to the prophets that their forefathers had killed, and they themselves garnishing the tombs of the righteous. Jesus described them as straining at a gnat yet swallowing a camel. He …

This week, our study begins in Amos chapter 5. Amos 5 is a timeless call for repentance and loving God, obedience, and authentic worship and personal holiness. To hate evil and love what is good. It admonishes against complacency in religious rituals, underscoring the need for a genuine and deep-rooted commitment to God's commandments and principle…

God’s admonishment towards all Israel continues as we go through Chapter 5 of Amos; and it comes with encouraging words and direction.

Amos 4 opens with a scathing address to the “cows of Bashan,” a metaphor for the arrogant and self-indulgent women who exploit the poor. Amos condemns their luxurious lifestyle built upon the suffering of others. He warns them that their wealth and comfort will be stripped away, and they will be carried off into exile. The focus then shifts to the …

The word “kine” in the Bible are the cows and heifers of God which graze on a thousand hills. And Baw-shawn is the region east and north of the Sea of Galilee. It brings to mind a pastoral scene of peace and tranquility. Today’s passage however brings a different image to mind from the peaceful country scene we might have imagined. While the cattle…

Amos 3 stands as a stark reminder of the responsibility that comes with being chosen by God. It calls us to consider the consequences of our actions, the importance of obedience to God's word, and the value of heeding prophetic warnings. Although it highlights divine judgment, it also underscores God's unwavering commitment to justice and righteous…

In John 15:15, we read the words of Jesus to His Apostles: “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his Lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” Amos 3 holds a surprise for us in verse 7 of today’s chapter. “… God will do nothing, but He reveal…

This week, we are in chapter 2 in the book of Amos. Amos chapter 2 continues the prophecies against the nations around God’s People, but God quickly turns His attention towards His own people who will not escape His wrath for their many horrific sins. Notice that the language from Amos 1 continues… the metaphor about “three transgressions… for four…

The judgments continue and come home to roost upon Judah in chapter 2 of Amos. But before we get there, the chapter begins with the three transgressions of Moab. . .

Amos is a shepherd and a fruit picker from the Judean village of Tekoa when God calls him, even though he lacks an education or a priestly background. Amos' mission is directed to his neighbor to the north, Israel. His messages of impending doom and captivity for the nation because of her sins are largely unpopular and unheeded, however, because no…

Amos’ prophecy is addressed to the Northern Tribes. In Israel’s west bank, we find a town named Balata, a suburb of Nablus in the disputed Palestinian territory. It is in Balata that we find the Well of Jacob. It has been a Holy Site since the days of Constantine, protected under the walls and ceiling of a Greek Orthodox Cathedral. Only Christians …

Joel 3⁠ begins with a promise of restoration and then proceeds to a legal scene in which God produces evidence against the nations which will result in their judgment. As you read, keep in mind that this climactic judgment scene describes events that will take place in the last days. The Messiah will reign from Mount Zion in Jerusalem. As someone h…

All of Joel is prophetic. Some have been fulfilled already, lending to God’s plans revealed through Joel’s writings. He is a true prophet. The parallels to current events are many, and Joel’s prophetic Word is fulfilled now. “Behold, I will raise them out of the place whither you have sold them, and will return your recompense upon your own head.” …

We all live in a world that is becoming more and more anti-God and it is ripe for judgement. If you haven't noticed you haven't been paying attention! Joel's message to Judah (and to us) is reaching its conclusion. For the past few weeks, we've been looking at the prophecies of Joel, and have examined the conditions of the 'day of the Lord' that ar…

With Israel’s ultimatum being laid out in last week’s text, Israel must decide FOR the Lord God Jehovah if they are to receive of God’s favor.

In the passage we are studying today (2:14-29), we see God reversing the pain and misery that he earlier brought upon the disobedient children of Israel, and warned would be worse if there were no repentance. Even in the midst of judgment, the opportunity to repent was given. If the people would demonstrate genuine repentance, the Lord stood ready …

As Joel warns of an invading enemy coming to conquer His people, God lays out an ultimatum for the Jews in the passage today: “Deliverance for obedience.” It is a call for them to return unto Him, if they are to survive and remain in good standing with God. His agape’ is not at risk; it’s because of His agape’ that He makes this offer to them.…