Chapel in the Hills: Recent Episodes
Pastor Todd Fletcher
The Mission at Chapel in the Hills is to live and to lead others into a Christ-Centered life. Join Pastor Todd as he walks through the Bible, allowing God's Word to speak into our lives, equipping you with the Word for your day.
What is the Word of Faith Paul refers to here? It is the one sermon Paul preached everywhere he traveled - the Gospel. In this passage, one will find the clearest gospel explanation in all of Scripture.
No one has ever been justified by the works of the Law (Rom. 3:20), but many still try to earn their own salvation. The Jews were not able to receive their Messiah because of their own pride. Today, we will look at how to be saved and the dangers of trying to save yourself.
God has called both the Jews and the Gentiles to become children of God and has redeemed humanity through His Son, Jesus Christ.
Paul makes clear that we are not worthy to question God's sovereign decisions, especially when it come to the matter of whom God's has elected for mercy or destruction. Nevertheless, we can behold God's amazing glory by standing amazed at the mercy He has for His children.
After stating God's choice to love Jacob and hate Esau, Paul turns his focus to answering a possible objection that one might have: Is there injustice with God? Another to discuss this topic is whether God is fair? In a culture that pushes equity, that all should have equal outcomes, this is certainly an objection the modern reader would have.
We have a hope as Christians that cannot be taken away from us, which is that our future glorification is secure in Christ. In fact, all of creation groans as it waits for the revealing of the sons of God. It is in this hope that we patiently wait.
One of the most amazing truths of Scripture is that in Christ we are adopted children of God, by which we can cry out to Him, Abba Father! In this study, we will look at the security we have in Christ and all that entails.
There are two mindsets the define every human who has ever existed. The first mindset is the mindset of the flesh, which proves to be death. The second mindset is the mindset of the Spirit, which proves to be life. If you have the Spirit of God dwelling in you, you will be characterized by the mindset of the Spirit, which leads to righteousness.
The apex of Paul's argument is found in Romans 8:1, with the statement, "There is therefore no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus!" Perhaps this statement alone provides the most comfort to the believer within the whole of Scripture? Nevertheless, this statement connects Paul's argument of the Law with its fulfillment in Christ and the believer's new relationship with the Law.
Paul recognizes that nothing good dwells in his flesh, but that he has a new nature and a new mind to do battle with the flesh. Thus, there are two laws or principles at work in his life. Ultimately, He cries out, "Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?" Only Christ Jesus can do provide this type of deliverance.
Paul, wrestling with the flesh, states, "For I do not understand my own actions..." Every believer in Christ Jesus can and should identify with this statement because we are in an "already but not yet" phase of existence. We have been born again, but we are in the body of sin and death. Thus, we battle against the flesh with our new natures.
Paul defends the fact that it was not the Law that is sinful, but rather it is the Law reveals sin. The Law acts as a mirror that reveals the brokenness of our hearts. Thus, the Law is good because it reflects the righteous character and requirements of God.
What is the believer's relationship to the Law of Moses after he or she is saved? For the believer, they are now dead to the Law because they have been buried with Christ. Nevertheless, Christians are called to produce the fruity of righteousness according to the Spirit of the Law.
All people are born as slaves of sin and are dead in their trespasses. However, Paul makes the case that for those who have been born again, they are now slaves of God and of righteousness. Therefore, Christians are now to live according to the fruit of righteousness. Thus, the end of sin is death, but the end of righteousness is eternal life.
No longer bound by sin, Christians are to be slaves of righteousness. However, many Christians still live lives characterized by sin, proving that sin is still their master. For those who have been born again, Paul teaches that they are to be obedient slaves to righteousness, thus demonstrating their new birth. The only two roads, then, is slavery to sin or righteousness.
Christians have been freed from the power of sin and are no longer to use their members as weapons of sin. It is unthinkable, therefore, for Paul to hear that some Christians believe that being freed from sin frees a Christian to live in sin. Christians are to use their freedom for Christ and not lawlessness. Therefore, let us live in a way that we are weapons for righteousness in this dark world.
Death no longer reigns over the believer, because in Christ the believer has conquered sin and death. Therefore, Christians today must reckon themselves as dead to sin and alive to Christ!
Paul's focus transitions from justification to sanctification, and he begins asking the question, "Shall we continue to sin?" Sadly, many pulpits today preach a message of cheap grace, whereby, preachers encourage their congregations not to worry about sin because they are already saved. Paul's argument, though, is that true believers will demonstrate righteousness in their lives as evidence of being born again.
As all humanity died in Adam, so all in Christ are made alive. God gave His only begotten Son to save humanity from sin and its resulting death. Christ's obedience gained the victory over sin and death and His righteousness is imputed (or accredited) to the believer's account. Thus, Christians are saved by grace through righteousness to eternal life.
In this section, Paul breaks down the differences between the First and Second Adam. The Second Adam, Jesus Christ, is a much better representative because in Christ one receives grace! God's gift, therefore, to humanity is Christ but it is a gift that must be received by faith. Will you receive Him?
Death is a reality for everyone, but it is a reality that most seek to avoid thinking about. Heb. 9:27, "And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment." Thus, all people die but the question is who do you die in? Adam or Jesus?
Paul provides four characteristics of those who are lost, separated from Christ. He then compares those four characteristics of the lost with the four fruits of being found in Christ. The verses present the classical Law/Gospel argument that Martin Luther presented in the Reformation.
After explaining the doctrine of justification, Paul moves on to explore the benefits of justification beginning in Chapter five. After a brief overview of justification, Paul moves to explain the first thing one can expect is trials. Thus, the Christian life is not full of prosperity as the health and wealth preachers say, but rather is a hard road that produces patience, character, and hope.
Concluding his argument from chapters 1-4, Paul moves to explain the benefits that flow from justification. For those how have been justified by faith in Christ Jesus, there is now peace with God, access to grace, and the hope of glory.
In this passage, Paul focuses on the importance of faith in the believer's life. From this section, we see the characteristics, the result, and the object of faith. Like with Abraham, faith is something that places trust in the impossible; relying on God to fulfill His promises to His people.
Everyone is focused on presenting a good outside picture of themselves to others, but the only thing that truly matters is the substance of someone's life. With religion, as with many others areas of life, people seem to only be concerned about presentation. However, God makes it clear that He is always after substance. Paul argues, therefore, that one should be concerned with their walk and not only with their appearance. He argues, then, that we should be marked by a faith like Abraham's.
Your good works or deeds cannot save you from God's judgment, but only faith in the perfect works of Jesus Christ. It has been said that we are not saved by our own work but by His. Salvation by faith alone is the main argument from Paul throughout the book of Romans and Abraham is a chief example of this fact. Thus, Paul quotes Gen. 15:6 to defend his argument on faith.
In this section of Romans, Paul sums up his argument on salvation not being earned but given by faith alone. Furthermore, Paul's arugment builds upon the truth that there is only one God and that He is God of both Jews and Gentiles. Given salvation is based up on the merits of Christ, and not upon the merits of the believer, there is no room for pride or boasting.
After explaining that righteousness is only available by grace through faith, Paul moves to explain why God's grace is available to the believer. The foundation of salvation is the price that was pain - Jesus' precious blood. God displayed His righteousness by crushing His Son on the cross for the penalty of sin. It was this public act that justified the justified for His grace.
After building an argument for two and a half chapters that none are righteous and none are good; Paul turns his attention to the only hope for those who otherwise have no hope - Christ. In Romans 3:21-26, Paul presents six important aspects of salvation that give the believer security in their salvation - faith in Christ.
After building the argument that both Jews and Gentiles are in the same boat when it comes to salvation, Paul drives home the point that one human being is righteous (whether Jew or Gentile). Here is the key starting point for the Gospel - all have sinned and deserve God's wrath. Until one accepts this fact, he or she will not be able to accept the salvation that is available in Christ alone.
In this passage, Paul reminds his readers that Jews had a distinct advantage over the Gentiles because they were entrusted with the oracles (or Word) of God. The problem, though, is that they did not keep the Word of God but rather sought to appear religious. Thus, God is righteous in judging His people according to His Word.
The world is often focused upon outward appearances, accomplishments, and credentials, but God is focused upon the heart. What is needed today is not better-looking people but hearts that belong to God. If our nation is to experience revival, then its people need to be better conformed to God's image. A circumcisede heart is what is most necessary today!
Whether Jew or Gentile, all fall short of God's standards for righteousness. The Jews not being able to measure up to the Law of Moses and the Gentiles not being able to measure up to the Law of Conscience, all fall short. Nevertheless, there is one who kept the whole Law perfectly, Jesus Christ!
Paul turns the tables on the moralistic Jews who believed they were exempt from God's wrath. However, they too are guilty of the same things they judged the gentiles. Thus, Paul demonstrates that moralism cannot save but only faith in the merit of Jesus Christ. We are not saved by our works but by His righteous works!
Woe to those who call good evil and evil good (cf. Is. 5:20). The final step of God's judgment against culture is when people begin to approve of evil. When people began to promote practices that are forbidden in Scripture, it leads to the downfall of society. What can we do to reverse the trend? Hear what Paul has to say.
very generation of Christians has a question that needs to be answered with the Word of God. Today's generation of Christians is being confronted with one predominant question: Is homosexuality a sin? The Bible is absolutely clear in its affirmation that homosexuality is a sin, and calls for believers to submit to its teachings in all that it affirms. As the London Baptist Confession states, "it is our only rule of faith and obedience." Thus, the Word must dictate our belief and not our surrounding culture.
What is happening to our world? The answer to that question is found in Romans 1:24-25. God is handing the world over to its own depravity by giving humanity over to their sin. Such a judgment is most clearly seen in the promotion of the LGBTQ movement, whereby people not only practice sexual immorality but also give approval to such practices.
Paul turns his focus from the righteousness of God that is revealed in the Gospel to the wrath of God that is revealed from heaven against humanity. Humans have openly rejected God and now worship creation rather than the Creator. Such brazen sin requires God's wrath, yet God provides His Son to drink His wrath and to provide salvation for those who deserve wrath.
Paul's thesis statement for the book of Romans centers on a phrase from Habakkuk 2:4, "...the righteous shall live by faith." In this section we see Paul speak of the Gospel's power, scope, and trustworthiness. Thus, we are called to proclaim such a Gospel in boldness.
Paul's entire life was oriented towards reaping a spiritual harvest. Not only did he give thanks for the harvest in Rome, but he also prayed for, and shared in the harvest alongside the Roman Christians. The primary harvest that Paul sought to reap among the Romans was peace between ethnic groups (Jews, Greeks, and Barbarians). The primary point of Romans was to proclaim the truth that the Gospel is for all people!
Romans 1:5-7 - What is your calling? Paul addresses three aspects of the Christian calling in his concluding thoughts in the introduction. As Christians we are called to obedience, to belong, and to be saints in Jesus Christ. May we all fulfill our callings as God's adopted children!
Paul teaches that the Gospel he preaches was foretold by the prophets long ago and that the Gospel centers on Jesus. Jesus, who is the sound of David (humanity) and the Son of God (divinity), proves his identity by the resurrection. Thus, Jesus proves to be the good news in a world full of bad news.
Paul introduces himself to a Roman church that has struggled to establish itself. Not only was there a conflict between the Jews and the Gentiles within the church, but there was also pending persecution under Nero that would effectively shake the church to its very foundation. Therefore, Paul, under the inspiration of the Spirit, wrote the church to help lay an apostolic foundation that would act as a bedrock for the church for millennia to come - the Book of Romans!
The introduction to Romans begins with the first word of the book, "Paul." Paul, otherwise known as Saul of Tarsus, was the most unlikely convert as he began as one of the chief opponents of the early church. However, after encountering Christ, Paul was saved and was called to preach the Gospel to the gentile world.