Romans 4
For 1500 years, Israel had been under the heavy yoke of the law. This had been their rule of life since the time of their coming out of Egypt when God entered into covenant with them at Mt. Sinai. Paul was clear of one thing (himself being a Pharisee for many years), by the works of the law shall no man be justified in the sight of God! If any man was going to stand a chance of gaining right-standing with God, it was to be by faith alone that the reward might be of grace!
In this fourth chapter of Romans, Paul seeks to address this seismic shift in religious worldview by pointing out that such a concept of imputed righteousness on the grounds of faith is nothing new! Abraham, the father of the Jewish nation predated Moses by some nearly 1500 years, yet Abraham had this testimony before God, that he was counted righteous on the grounds of his faith and not by the works of law. Paul lays hold on this truth and expounds this great doctrine of justification by faith by demonstrating that righteousness must come by means of imputation alone and can never come by the works of the law!
Romans 3:19-31
Words such as expiation, propitiation and atonement are words that have generally lost their meaning in today’s society; yet, these words are key to understanding the great transaction that took place on the cross!! Theological concepts such as 'substitutionary atonement' has become repulsive to a Church that generally has no stomach for justice and righteousness. God is holy and as such He must punish the guilty. How can a holy God remain just and at the same time punish the guilty?
In this sermon, the glorious truth of justification by faith through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ on account of God’s grace toward us is brought out for all to see. Our being brought into right standing with God came at a great price. May we ever rejoice in this truth!!
Romans 3:1-18
When one surveys the Old Testament, the Law and the Prophets, one cannot escape the sheer volume of passages and verses that speak of a future blessing for Israel. They cry forth from every page...God has not cast off His covenanted people Israel!! In answer to the scathing indictment against him in chapter 2, the Jew sought to exploit this truth in an attempt to hold God to account by insisting that whatever wrong they did on their part, God would remain integral to His Word in keeping covenant with them.
In this fifth teaching part we see how Paul blasts this faulty reasoning out of the water bringing the Jews back to the fundamental truth of his argument, namely that both Jew and Gentile are fully deserving of the righteous judgment of God!!
The Papacy and Primacy of Peter Refuted
The Roman Catholic Church believes itself to be the only true Church instituted by Jesus Christ. It believes that its pope is the sole successor of Peter who the Church maintains is the Vicar of Christ appointed by Christ to exercise supreme and full authority over His Church. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the pope is not simply a spiritual leader, nor is he a pastor among equals or even ‘primus inter pares’ – first among equals. Rather, the Roman Catholic Church views the pope as chief, foremost and supreme among all the bishops. To understand the place to which Rome elevates the pope, we must first understand the place to which it elevates Peter, whom they maintain was the first Pope of the first Church.
In this third part of a teaching series looking at the core teachings of Roman Catholicism, we examine the claims of Rome to be the true Church of Jesus Christ and the place to which it elevates Peter.
Download teaching notes (pdf)
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Romans 2:17-29
Having mounted a case against the self-righteous man and having concluded that both Jew and Gentile stand condemned before a holy God, Paul now turns his attention in particular to the religious Jew who rested in the law though he kept it not! The Jew made his boast in his creed and pedigree, in the receiving of the law, in the external rite of circumcision. Paul would have none of it and seeks to pull the rug of religious pride from under his feet and to lay bare his hypocrisy. Say not we have Abraham to our father, say not we are they to whom the law came, say not we have the seal of God upon us through circumcision; does your life match up with the reality of what these things contain?
This sermon is a challenging message for search to be made as to the genuineness of our confession of religion that our lives might match our profession of faith!
The History and Structure of the Roman Catholic Church
If one was to consult a Catholic apologist as to what the origin of the Catholic Church was and when it was established; he would invariably respond by saying that it was the Church established by Jesus Christ; the Church born out of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection in approximately 30 AD. The Roman Catholic Church claims to trace its history to Jesus Christ and His apostles. It believes that its bishops are the actual successors of the apostles and its pope is the successor of Peter.
In this second part of a teaching series looking at the core teachings of Roman Catholicism, we look at the history of the Roman Catholic Church and its elaborate structure of Church governance.
Download teaching notes (pdf)
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bethesdashalom/2_Is_Roman_Catholicism_True_Christianity_Pt2.pdf
Introduction
The Roman Catholic Church views itself as the one and only true Church established by Jesus Christ. Many Evangelicals see no problem whatsoever in labelling Roman Catholicism Christian. What are we to make when “America’s Pastor” Rick Warren – best-selling author and Senior Pastor of Saddleback Church, the eight-largest evangelical Church in the U.S. – calls for evangelicals to unite with Roman Catholics? When Joel Osteen – the Senior Pastor of Lakewood Church the largest evangelical Church in the U.S. whose televised sermons are seen each month by over 20 million people in some 100 different countries – makes a special trip to the Vatican and praises Pope Francis for his efforts in trying to make the Church more inclusive and to take everybody in? Are the differences that separate Protestants, Catholics just minor matters of insignificance?
In this first part of a teaching series looking at the core teachings of Roman Catholicism, we give a concise but insightful insight into the teachings and beliefs of one of the largest religions on planet earth.
Download teaching notes (pdf)
http://traffic.libsyn.com/bethesdashalom/1_Is_Roman_Catholicism_True_Christianity_Pt1.pdf
2 Corinthians 13:5
Paul delivers a very simple but yet profound message on the need for us as Christians to remain in a close personal relationship with Jesus Christ. What does it mean to walk with Jesus? How do we as Christians walk with Jesus? Paul endeavours with the help of God to provide many thought provoking answers to these questions and more. May the Lord bless you as you listen/watch this rich sermon.
This sermon was preached at the 2016 Wolverhampton CMFI Fellowship Day.
2 Chronicles 18
Jim brings a very needful word about the absolute need to put ourselves in the place where we can hear from God. This is a very heart stirring message that places the responsibility firmly in our lap. What is the state and condition of our hearts? Are we in the place where we can hear from God?
This sermon was preached at the 2016 Wolverhampton CMFI Fellowship Day.
Romans 2:1-16
Jesus reserved some of His most chiding words for the religious hypocrites. Content to dwell in their self-righteousness, to sit in the seat of judgment against others yet failing to see that by that same judgment they themselves were condemned!! Against such, Paul lays down the case and when he’s finished getting done, the righteousness of the self-righteousness is reduced to dust and ashes!! To the Jew seeking to justify himself in the sight of God, he has been weighed and found wanting! To the Gentile he too has been tried by the law written on his heart and has been found wanting. Paul concludes all men under sin and announces the coming day of wrath when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ!!
This sermon is a very powerful exhortation to cast aside self-righteousness and to cast oneself upon the righteousness provided in Jesus Christ!!