Romans 7 reveals the internal battle between sin and righteousness that every believer faces. Paul compares this struggle to a swimmer caught in a riptide, highlighting the difficulty of overcoming sin. The law exposes our sinfulness, showing us the depth of our rebellion against God. Despite our desire to do good, we often fail, leading to frustration. However, our hope lies in Jesus Christ, who delivers us from sin's power. Embrace the struggle, depend on Christ, and remember there is no condemnation for those in Him.
It's All About Jesus
November 21, 2024 • Pastor Matt Keller • 2 Corinthians 11
False teachers are effective due to their charisma, feel-good messages, and so-called miraculous acts. Paul warns against them in his letters, emphasizing the need for true gospel ministry, which is a gift from God. True ministry focuses on proclaiming Christ, not oneself, and is open and honest. Believers must discern and stand against false teachings, recognizing the danger of spiritual blindness caused by Satan.
What's Law Got to Do With It
November 17, 2024 • Pastor Matt Keller • Romans 7:7–12
In this sermon, we explore Romans 7:7-12 to understand the relationship between the Law and salvation. Paul reveals how the Law highlights sin, showing us our need for God's grace, yet it also points us to the greater salvation found in Christ. Join us as we unpack the purpose of the Law, its role in revealing our sin, and how it ultimately leads us to the transformative power of God's redemptive plan.
Free From the Law, Bound to Christ
November 10, 2024 • Pastor Matt Keller • Romans 7
In Romans 7, Paul explains how Christians are freed from the law and bound to Christ, resulting in joyful obedience. Devotion to the law, as seen in the struggles of the Jews, cannot relieve guilt or produce joy because it demands perfection. Instead, salvation through Christ brings true freedom and relief from the law. Paul uses the analogy of marriage to illustrate that believers, like a widow released from the law of marriage, are now free to belong to Christ. This union with Christ empowers believers to serve in the new way of the Spirit, leading to a life that bears fruit for God. True freedom is found in being bound to Christ, not in escaping the law, and this freedom allows for joyful obedience and a deeper attachment to holiness.
A Tale of Two Masters
November 3, 2024 • Pastor Matt Keller • Romans 6
In Romans 6, Paul presents a stark choice: serve sin or serve righteousness. Sin, though enticing, leads to impurity, lawlessness, and ultimately death. It promises satisfaction but leaves you enslaved and unsatisfied. Conversely, serving God leads to sanctification, spiritual maturity, and eternal life. Paul stresses that obedience reveals your true master. The Roman believers were commended for their heartfelt obedience to God's teachings, not as a means to earn salvation, but as a response to God's grace. As you stand at this crossroads, consider whom you will serve. Reflect on your life and choose to present your body as a slave to righteousness, experiencing the true freedom and eternal life that comes from serving God.
Deposing Sin
October 27, 2024 • Pastor Matt Keller • Romans 6
Romans 6 reveals the profound freedom believers have from sin's dominion. Using the historical context of Romania's revolution, it illustrates how Christians often live as though sin still reigns over them. Paul commands believers to consider themselves dead to sin and alive to God, urging them to not let sin reign in their bodies, to offer themselves to God, and to live under grace. This chapter emphasizes the practical steps to live out our new identity in Christ, using our bodies for righteousness and relying on God's grace.
United in Christ
October 20, 2024 • Pastor Matt Keller • Romans 6:5–11
Romans 6:5-11 reveals the profound transformation that occurs when we place our faith in Jesus Christ. Without Christ, we are lost and condemned, but through faith, we are justified and born again as new creations. This new identity frees us from sin's power and penalty, allowing us to live righteously. Embracing and living in this new identity is crucial for reflecting Christ's life and righteousness in our daily lives.
The Purpose of Grace
October 13, 2024 • Pastor Matt Keller • Romans 6
Understanding the purpose of God's grace is crucial for living a life that honors Him. Paul, in Romans 6, explains that grace is not a license to sin but a call to live a transformed life. Justification through faith in Jesus Christ acquits us of sin, and grace empowers us to live righteously. Believers are encouraged to embrace their new identity in Christ, resist sin, and pursue righteousness, reflecting their new life in Him.
Two Men, Two Outcomes, One Hope
October 6, 2024 • Pastor Matt Keller • Romans 5:12–21
Romans 5:12-21 contrasts the devastating effects of Adam's sin with the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Adam's disobedience introduced sin and death into the world, affecting all of humanity. However, Jesus' sacrifice brings justification, life, and abundant grace. This passage highlights the transformative power of Jesus' redemptive work, restoring our relationship with God and offering eternal life. Understanding this truth should inspire us to live with hope, embrace our new identity in Christ, and share the good news with others.
The High Cost of Sin
September 29, 2024 • Pastor Matt Keller • Romans 5:12–14
Sin, as described in Romans 5:12-14, entered the world through Adam's disobedience, bringing death and destruction to all humanity. This passage highlights the universal impact of sin and its far-reaching consequences. Understanding the high cost of sin should lead us to appreciate God's grace and resist sin more fervently. Through Jesus Christ, we have the hope of life and reconciliation with God, urging us to share the gospel with others.
God's Justifying Work Part 3
September 22, 2024 • Pastor Matt Keller • Romans 5:11
In a world overwhelmed by bad news, Romans 5:1-11 offers a message of hope and reconciliation through justification by faith in Christ. This passage highlights the blessings of peace with God, access to grace, and hope in suffering. It emphasizes the importance of living by God's truth and the assurance of future salvation. Believers are encouraged to rejoice in these profound truths and let them transform their lives.
God's Justifying Work Part 2
September 1, 2024 • Pastor Matt Keller • Romans 5:1–11
In an insightful journey through Romans 5:1-11, we delve into the concept of justification by faith, which assures us of peace with God and continuous access to His grace. This peace is not simply the absence of conflict but signifies a profound relationship with our Creator. Suffering, often seen as negative, is reframed as a catalyst for developing endurance, character, and hope. The Apostle Paul reminds us of our former state of spiritual weakness, moral bankruptcy, and hostility towards God, which is radically altered by Christ's death for the ungodly.
God's Justifying Work
August 25, 2024 • Pastor Matt Keller • Romans 5:1–11
Exploring Romans 5:1-11, we uncover the transformative power of being justified by faith, which brings peace with God, access to His grace, and joy in hope. This passage also teaches us that suffering refines our character and strengthens our hope through the Holy Spirit's love. By preaching the gospel to ourselves, we can maintain a positive attitude and focus on God's truth in our lives.
Faith in God's Promise
August 18, 2024 • Pastor Matt Keller • Romans 4:13–25
In an in-depth look at Romans 4, we are reminded that God's promises are steadfast and rooted in His character, not in our ability to adhere to the law. Abraham's story illustrates that the promise of being the heir of the world was given through the righteousness of faith, not through the law, which brings wrath. Abraham's unwavering faith, despite his advanced age and Sarah's barrenness, serves as a testament to the righteousness that comes from faith. Ultimately, the promise of salvation is a gift of grace available to all through faith in Jesus Christ, just as Abraham believed God could bring life from death. We are challenged to trust God in every aspect of our lives and to take practical steps to grow in faith, reflecting on His promises and His unwavering faithfulness.
What Does the Scripture Say?
August 11, 2024 • Pastor Matt Keller • Romans 4
Discover the profound truth of justification by faith alone, a concept that challenges our natural inclination for self-exaltation. Learn how the examples of Abraham and David in the Romans 4 reveal that righteousness is not earned by works but is a gift from God, credited through faith. This understanding should transform our daily lives, reminding us of our identity in Christ and the freedom from sin that comes with God's gift of righteousness.
