Free Justifying Grace through a Particular Redemption

[Romans Series: (Rm 3.24)]

In this message we examine the incomparable value of God’s justifying those who believe by grace through the redemption, the one that is in Christ Jesus. What a glorious Saviour and what a glorious salvation!

The Creation of Man (1)

[Basic Theology series]

In this lesson we begin to look at the characteristics of the creation of man.  We had a lot of discussion today and didn’t move very far in our outline, but we had a profitable time looking at the word today.

Walking in the Spirit

[Galatians Series: Gal 5.16-18]

We look at the contrast between two walks away from God (the walk of the flesh and the walk under the law) and contrast them with the walk towards God, the walk in the Spirit. We examine the concept of the walk of the Spirit from several Scriptural angles as we work through the end of the message.

~~~

Maranatha!
Don Johnson
Jer 33.3

Assurance for Constant Sinners

[Romans Series: (Rm 3.22c-23)]

One of the remarkable aspects of our salvation is that God grants us righteousness without law, even though we continually fall short of God’s glory. We are all saved sinners, and thank God for it, but amazingly, we are also sinning sinners who are still saved by ‘without-law’ righteousness.

The Bible and Origins (4)

[Basic Theology Series]

We continue our discussion of the origin of man with a look at arguments for and against a literal 6-day 24 hour per day creation. We conclude that it is impossible to hold to any other position if you accept the Bible as the only authority.

The second threat to Christian Liberty

[Galatians Series: (Gal 5.13-15)]

The first threat to Christian Liberty is any attempt to add religious ritual to the gospel in order to be saved. The second threat goes in an opposite direction, to use our liberty in Christ as a pretext for fleshly indulgence. Such excuses fail to appreciate the purpose of Christian liberty and the joys of the new life in Christ.

What does it mean to Believe? (Rm 3.22)

We are rejoicing in the concept of ‘without-law righteousness from God’, we know we can’t earn it, we know we don’t deserve it, we receive it by faith in Jesus Christ. But what does it mean to have faith in Jesus Christ? What does it mean to believe? This message attempts an answer of these questions.

The Bible and Origins (3)

This session covers the Gap Theory – the main arguments for the theory and the weaknesses of those arguments.

The first threat to Christian Liberty (Gal 5.2-12)

In this message we show exactly what was troubling the Galatians and why they may have been tempted by it. The issue is adding religious works to the gospel so that you must do the work in order to be saved. We show how such an addition to the gospel utterly destroys not only the gospel but also Christian Liberty as well.

Here are our sermon summaries. We had a great day in the Lord in our services today.

The Righteousness from God (Rm 3.21-22)

After almost a year of sermons on the ‘sin-section’ of Romans, today we don’t move very far in our exposition. We just want to bask with delight in the new concept of without-law righteousness from God revealed in the work of Christ. By faith we are made new in Him.

The Bible and Origins (2)

We continue our discussion of what the Bible says about human origin. Our lesson touches on the Gap Theory. We will discuss it in a bit more detail next week, but begin its discussion this week

Keep Separated from Uncleanness (Lev 15)

Our chapter for communion is the last of the cleanness legislation (Lev 11-15). These chapters are leading up to the great cleansing ritual, the Day of Atonement, but even that ritual is not what we want to deal with our uncleanness. The best the law can do is neutralize the burden. We are looking for One who can eliminate once for all the uncleanness that perpetually afflicts mankind.

But Now! (Rm 3.21)

The gospel revolutionizes everything. There is no defense against the charges of the law. Nothing can be said… but incredibly there is a defense! A defense hidden through the ages in type and symbol, but witnessed by Law and prophets of a ‘without-law’ righteousness, now fully manifested and in full effect. But now! Delivered from sin at last!

The Bible and Origins (1)

We turn to the subject of origins according to the One Source of Truth, the Bible. Our faith in the inerrancy of the Bible is the essential presupposition that guides our study, and those facts that may be certainly known are those the Bible reveals. We begin with the first principles of creation: it is the work of the One Creator God, the God of Genesis 1.

Perseverance in Christian Liberty (Gal 5.1)

Christian liberty is the purpose of Christ’s liberating work. The Lord did not save us that we should any longer be in bondage, he saved us to live the full liberty of Christian life, the life of a Christian citizen of the Kingdom of God. The imperative of this verse calls us to persevere in our liberty, never again being entangled in bondage.

The Knowledge of Sin (Rm 3.20)

The sin section of Romans comes to its conclusion with this verse, which gives the cause, or reason, why no man has any defense or anything to say before God. The law cannot justify, it can only reveal the depth of human need and human sinfulness. The deeds of the law only prove yet again how much we need righteousness not our own.

Evolution and Origins (2)

In preparation for discussing the theology of Man, we continue a brief overview of evolution and its challenges. In this session we outline four areas where evolution has problems: mutations, natural selection, time, and the fossil record. Each of these areas represent weaknesses in the theory.

The Concept of Christian Liberty (Gal 5.1)

We continue our look at Christian living as taught by Paul in Galatians. This message is an introductory message intended to aid understanding of the concept of liberty. Men without God are in bondage three ways, according to the scriptures: to sin, to the law, and to death. The work of Christ liberates us from bondage, making us free to live in the Spirit, no longer bound by the flesh but bound to Christ.

~~~

A good day today, several visitors, enough to mostly make up for our regulars who were away traveling or with sickness.

An excellent day today in our church. Here are the sermon links:

Every Mouth is Stopped (Rm 3.19)

The concluding verses of the ’sin section’ of Romans contains words reminiscent of a court-room setting. It as if the prosecution has completed its case. All eyes turn to the defence, but nothing can be said. Every mouth is stopped. The whole world is guilty before God.

Evolution and Origins (1) [Basic Theology]

We return to our survey of Ryrie’s Basic Theology with a look at the first part of his chapter on the doctrine of man. He begins the subject by dealing with the notion of evolution and some of the problems with the theory. Today we simply reviewed the definitions for the three possible alternatives: evolution, theistic evolution, and creationism.

Our Church, Your Lifestyle

What kind of life should Christians have? Our view is that Christians should pursue a simple Christian lifestyle that is conscious of the temporary nature of the world and eschews close association or familiarity with worldly things. Our church tries instead to encourage a biblically spiritual style of life.

~~~

We had several visitors today. One is a family that has begun attending recently. Three times in a row is encouraging! Another is a fellow who contacted me recently as a result of our Creation Seminar. It was great to see him in our services for the first time. And last, a fellow who has attended a couple of times in the last year and a half returned today. He told me that he has definitely repented of his sin and turned to Christ and would be back. He seemed to have a new light in his countenance, something that has never been there before. Praise the Lord!