Christ Church Bentonville

There Is No Third Way (Romans 5:12-21)

We are all either in Adam or in Christ.  There is no third way.

The Blessings of Justification (Romans 5:1-11)

Justification by faith alone is not simply a biblical doctrine to be theologically critiqued or debated.  Justification by faith alone has life-altering blessings to which we should cling. 

You've Got To Have Faith (Romans 4:12-25)

God is fulfilling His promise to bless father Abraham with many sons and daughters as people embrace the Gospel of Jesus Christ by faith alone.

Counted As Righteous (Romans 4:1-12)

Abraham was the prime example of justification by faith, righteousness being credited and not merited, and salvation being inclusive not exclusive.

But Now! (Romans 3:21-31)

There's no room for boasting in our salvation when the righteousness God offers is received by the faith God gives as a gift and the basis for the justification God declares.

The Prosecution Rests (Romans 3:9-20)

In his closing argument, Paul says the evidence, which includes the compelling testimony of Scripture, has shown beyond any reasonable doubt that no one is without excuse and is guilty before God due to sin and no one is justified by the works of the law.  No not one!
 

Cross Examination (Romans 3:1-8)

Paul pauses his case for the sinfulness of all mankind to address some objections. As we hear Paul’s refutation, may we join him in being not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

Heart Surgery (Romans 2:17-29)

Paul exposes both legalism and formalism for what they are, forms of self-righteousness and false hope in terms of our justification.

What the Lord Requires (Romans 2:12-16)

Having driven home the point that God’s judgement is going to be just, patient, certain, impartial, and appropriate, Paul moves on to identify the standard by which everyone will be judged. 

No Excuses, No Escape, No Exceptions (Romans 2:1-11)

The Jews were judging the Gentiles and not holding themselves to the same standard.  So Paul wanted them to know their only hope was the same hope as the Gentiles.  A righteousness not their own.

Without Excuse - Part 2 (Romans 1:24-32)

Are there sins more heinous than others?  Yes.  Do all sins deserve God’s wrath?  Absolutely.  But there is hope. God offers salvation from them all in Christ.

Without Excuse - Part 1 (Romans 1:18-25)

We can’t appreciate the good news unless we understand the bad news. Paul rightly diagnosed the bad news and we must apprehend the severity of it to appreciate the solution which is the Gospel.