Calvary Baptist Church

The sermon centers on the imperative for believers to discern God's will through spiritual maturity, divine wisdom, and persistent prayer, grounded in Scripture and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It emphasizes that the church, though currently suffering and fragmented, is destined for ultimate triumph as the bride of Christ. This victory is assured, not by human strength but by God's sovereign plan. The triumph of the church will be fulfilled in the final defeat of evil. The true church's apparent weakness is deceptive, as the true nature of God's kingdom is spiritual and eternal. Christ's victory has already secured the church's victory through His resurrection and ongoing reign. Thus, we are called to patient endurance. The enemy's triumph—symbolized by the rider on the white horse—is ultimately self-destructive, while the true, conquering Christ will return in glory as the faithful and true King.

This sermon, based on Paul's obligation as an apostle to the Gentiles, centers on the universal outreach of the gospel beyond ethnic and cultural boundaries. It highlights the tension between Jewish reliance on the law and Gentile reception of salvation through faith alone. Righteousness does not come through legalistic obedience but by grace alone faith through in Christ, who is the fulfillment of the law. The message confronts the spiritual pride of Israel, whose failure to believe stemmed not from God's unfaithfulness but from their hardened hearts and rejection of divine revelation. Paul demonstrates God's sovereign grace in the calling Gentiles who had never sought Him at all. Romans 9–11 affirms that God's plan remains intact: there is remnant of faith, both Jew and Gentile, who are His true people. At the same time, salvation is available to all who call on the name of the Lord. Ultimately, the gospel is presented as a divine invitation that exposes human pride and calls for humble surrender, rooted in the mercy and sovereignty of God.

The sermon, rooted in Romans 9:30–10:13, explores the paradox of Gentiles attaining righteousness by faith while Israel, despite their diligent pursuit of the law, failed to obtain it. It emphasizes that God's sovereignty in election and human responsibility are not contradictory but harmonious, as salvation comes through faith in Christ, not human effort. The Gentiles, though not seeking righteousness, received it by hearing the gospel and believing, while Israel's self-reliance on the law—rooted in pride and ignorance—led them to stumble over Christ, the cornerstone.

The central message of this passage is that God's covenant promises are fulfilled not in national Israel as a collective entity, but in the spiritual descendants of Abraham—those who believe in Christ by faith. Paul dismantles the misconception that ethnic or ceremonial privileges alone secure divine favor, demonstrating through Scripture that God's election is based on His sovereign will, not human merit, as seen in the choices of Isaac over Ishmael and Jacob over Esau. He affirms God's justice by affirming His sovereignty, using the metaphor of the potter and clay to show that God's purposes in mercy and wrath are righteous and purposeful, ultimately revealing His glory through the salvation of a remnant from both Jews and Gentiles. The stumbling block for Israel was their pursuit of righteousness through the law rather than faith, causing them to reject Christ—the cornerstone whom God has exalted. In contrast, the Church, composed of both believing Jews and Gentiles, is the true people of God, built on Christ as the foundation, fulfilling the Old Testament promises and embodying the spiritual reality of God's redemptive plan.

This sermon centers on the theological integrity of God's sovereignty in salvation. Paul raises the issue of sovereignty in response to Israel's rejection of Christ. What does this rejection mean for God's plan? Paul responds that God's promises have not failed because true spiritual Israel is defined not by physical descent but by faith in Christ. A close examination of Romans 9 affirms the doctrine of election, demonstrating that God's choices are not based on human merit or foreseen faith, but on His sovereign will to fulfill His redemptive purpose. The passage confronts the human tendency to question God's justice, asserting that God's ways are beyond human comprehension and that His mercy is freely given, not earned. Ultimately, salvation is entirely by grace through faith, grounded in God's eternal decree. The believer's security rests not in his own will but in God's unchanging love and purpose in Christ.

Romans 8:26–39 unfolds a triumphant theology of divine security, where believers, empowered by the Spirit, are assured of their eternal status as children and heirs of God, united with Christ in both suffering and glory. The passage reveals that the Spirit intercedes for believers in their weakness, enabling prayer and guaranteeing that all things—suffering included—work together for their ultimate good and God's glory, grounded in God's eternal purpose to conform them to Christ's image. This unshakable assurance is rooted in God's foreknowledge, predestination, and the finished work of Christ, which secures believers' justification and future glorification, rendering any accusation, condemnation, or separation from God's love impossible. The chapter culminates in a powerful declaration that nothing in creation—neither tribulation nor death, neither angels nor powers—can sever the believer's bond with the love of God in Christ Jesus, affirming that those who are in Him are more than conquerors through His enduring love.

Paul closes his discussion of the gospel by showing that believers now operate under a new law, "the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus" (8:2). This law frees them from the law of sin and death to enjoy and new freedom to walk in the Spirit. This walk is enabled and maintained by a new mindset on the things of the Spirit. This message investigates and explains this new mind set of the Spirit.

My Christmas message centers on Isaiah's prophecy. Students of Isaiah have identified 131 prophecies that relate to Messiah. This message surveys some of them as they relate to God's plan to restore all things in Christ.

Continuing with the subject of sanctification, Paul addresses the work of the Spirit in that process. Many wrongly seek to improve their spiritual life through self-effort. Paul cites his own struggle in the matter and arrives at the conclusion that sanctification is only possible through the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. Sanctification is only possible when we walk in the Spirit.

This section of Paul's discussion of Romans focuses on sanctification. The death of Christ accomplished the justification of believers. Christ's perfect life demonstrated in His resurrection provides the believers with perfect righteousness so that they can come into God's presence. The risen Savior also gave the Spirit of God to His own to change their earthly lives through holiness to match the righteousness of Christ through their obedience. This message also addresses the issue of the will.

Paul deals with sin's reign and how, through the gospel, God has ended that reign. The reign of sin began when Adam sinned, and all his descendants became sinners. We sin because we are sinners. We have Adam's sinful nature. God changed all than for believers by putting them in the Last Adam, Jesus Christ. Believers are no longer under sin's reign. Grace now reigns through righteousness leading to eternal life!

The issue over law and grace is really not about human effort. Sadly, many Christians believe that keeping rules pleases God. The Pharisees, of which Paul was one, believed that keeping the law made them right with God. Jesus came to show the way to truly obey God and please Him.

As Paul develops the gospel message of salvation, he deals with the issue of law and grace. Two questions are posed, "Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?" (6:1). The answer is No! His second question is "Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?"

This passage explains what it is to be saved in Christ. The desire of God to restore all things to righteousness and holiness required a last Adam who would obey God fully. His death justified sinners and enabled them to be reconciled to God. However, God desires more, full fellowship, which requires sanctification to holiness. Jesus' resurrection assures that process which will be completed when beleivers are resurrected on the Last Day.

In this message, we continue in the text of our last message, Romans 5:1-5. As stated in the last message, Paul now demonstrates how the gospel changes the lives of those saved by it. In this message, we dig a little deeper into what it means to have peace with God.

Romans 5 begins a new section in Paul's development of the gospel. He has proven by Scripture that the justification of ungodly sinners can be obtained only by grace through faith. Now he applies that truth to show how it changes the lives of those who are justified by faith.

With all the tension and turmoil in the world in recent days, I was burdened to prepare a message asking whether we may be in the time just before the return of the Lord, No one knows for sure, but we are commanded to know the times and keep alert, faithful, fearless, and true to Christ and will for us.

Paul's use of Abrham is to correct the Jews about their understanding of salvation, that it is not by works but solely of Grace. What did Abraham believe? This message focuses on that question. Our next message will deal with the question, when did he believe? This passage is also part of Paul's purpose to show that the gospel is not limited the Jews, but that Abraham was the father of many nations. The gospel for all believing sinners, Jew and Gentile alike.

This message is a sort of preview of Romans chapter 4. There are seven principles the righteousness revealed that bridge the gap from wrath revealed and finally illustrated in Abraham.

The final section of Romans 3 sets forth the truth that righteousness is possible for those already judged unrighteous and liable for punishment. In this section, (vv. 21-31), Paul shows that God has manifested righteousness through faith in Christ. This is a gift to sinners by grace and not works. This manifest righteousness also vindicates God's past dealings, overlooking judgment due to old covenant offenders.

Our missionary to Mexico, Joshua Rose, preached a very encouraging message on why we need to stay faithful and persevere, even when it seems impossible to do so. Judah was about entering judgment in her exile to Babylon. Yet, God commanded the prophet to buy a field, something that seemed totally out of place. The lesson here is that we need to be faithful to the end with a song in our hearts.

This passage (Romans 3:21-31) forms the "golden bridge" that crosses the divide between the wrath of God and the grace of God. At this point, Paul begins to develop the positive aspects of salvation, such as justification, sanctification, ending in glorification.

The third chapter of Romans continues Paul's argument for the gospel. His wrath has been revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness. Now, who qualifies for that indictment? All do. However, the Jews did not believe that they were under God's wrath due to their privilege under God's covenant with Abraham. They were given the law, and they bore the mark of circumcision. The second chapter destroyed that claim. So, the objection was raised, "what advantage was there in being Jewish? Paul answered, "Much every way." They were made custodians of God's Word but were unfaithful to it. However, the unfaithfulness of Israel revealed the greatness of God's faithfulness l.

While Romans was written to the Gentile church in Rome, Paul seeks to correct the errors of the Jews regarding the Gospel of God. While the nation of Israel prayed a significant role in salvation history, they presumed that they alone were the objects of God's special attention. Thus, they assumed they did not need the gospel, nor were they concerned about God's wrath. Paul sought to address these errors in chapter 2 and demonstrate God's plan to save both Jews and Gentiles by and in Christ Jesus.

In this first chapter, as Paul sets forth the good news of salvation, he begins by revealing the bad news. All, both Jew and Gentile, are subject to the wrath of God due to their sinful rebellion. Sadly, the Jews drew false conclusions about their standing with God due to their descent from Abraham. The fact is, neither religion nor moral uprightness will secure anyone from that judgment. Only Jesus Christ through can save us from that day.

Paul opens his argument for the gospel by revealing the need for it. God is righteous and no descendant of Adam is, due to Adam's disobedience. Thus, Romans 1:18-32 demonstrates the total depravity of man summarized in Romans 3:10, "None is righteous, no, not one." The sad news is that when people reject God, He rejects them and allows their sinful tendencies to play out in three stages: (1) when people refuse the truth about God, He lets them worship false gods. (2) When they worship the creature, God lets them degrade the creature. (3) The degraded creature not only plunge into greater debauchery, but they also take pleasure in those who do what they do, knowing that it is wrong.

Paul opens his argument for the gospel of Christ by first explaining the need for that gospel. All of Adam's descendants are guilty of ungodliness and unrighteousness and are, thus subject to the wrath of God. None can claim ignorance of this wrath for God has already plainly revealed it to them in both conscience and nature. The focus of this message is to explain wrath in God. Our tendency is to project on God our own experience. Our anger and rage flow from our emotional response against what angers us. God, however, is holy and righteous. Wrath is His natural response to what is unholy and unrighteous. I would argue that it is not an emotional reaction. This message explains this.

The gospel is about Jesus Christ because He is the Salvation of God. Salvation is deliverance from both the guilt of sin and the power of sin. As Paul stated in verse 17 of chapter one, it was "the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, the Jew first and also to the Greek."

As noted last week, the theme of Romans is the gospel of God (v. 1). Paul had been set apart to that gospel, which was to be preached in all the world, calling both Jews and Gentiles to faith in Christ. This plan of God became a real problem to the Jews who regarded themselves as the sole people of God. Romans argues that there is no difference for "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."

Romans is the gateway to the New Testament. It is the longest of Paul's letters, but its significance belongs to its being foundational to Christian doctrine. In this message, we introduce both its author and the book itself.

This message from Luke 23 focuses on the necessity of Jesus' death on the cross. The principle is that victory often comes through great suffering. In this case, kingdom realization required Jesus to suffer death as the wrath of God was released on Him to redeem those who would become citizens of the kingdom.

Jesus died according to the Divine plan (Acts 2:23). His death was carried out by wicked hands. Even though it was the plan of God, the evil of it brought both the Jews and the Romans under the judgment of God. This message documents that truth.

In the text of this sermon, the Jews, having tried Jesus by the Sanhedrin at the home of Caiaphas, the high priest, they too Him to the Roman Procurator, Pilate. They wanted Pilate to execute Him because the Jews were forbidden by the Romans to do so. There are many interesting details unnoticed by English readers that give this incident greater clarity. It was God's plan to have His divine Son offered as the Passover Lamb to redeem His people as stated in Acts 2:22-24.

In this forth section on the consummation of Jesus' earthly life and ministry, Luke documents how the disciples failed Him in the hours before His crucifixion. They fully expected Jesus to restore the kingdom to Israel (Acts 1:6). Thus, they were blind to Judas' betrayal and when Jesus was arrested, they fled to their own homes. Although Peter followed at a distance, He also failed, as Jesus informed him, denying that he knew the Lord. This would all change when Jesus was raised, and the Spirit was poured out upon them.

This third sermon in Luke's final details of Jesus' life cover chapter 22:20-38, in which Jesus prepares His followers for His inevitable arrest and death at the hands of wicked men. In these verses, Jesus warns, assures, informs, and promises that although they will fail Him soon, they will be restored and stand before Him and to sit with Him in the kingdom He was bring in.

What many Gentile readers do not realize is that Jesus' death, resurrection, and the outpouring of the Spirit fulfilled major old covenant Feasts of the Lord--Passover and Pentecost. Jesus, our Passover Lamb (1 Corinthains 5:7, 8) was crucified on the day of preparation to fulfill the type.

The elite ruling class of the Jews were determined to rid themselves of Jesus because He was not playing by their rules. The problem, however, was Jesus' popularity among the people. Satan, however, resolved the problem for them. He entered Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, and tempted him to confer with the rulers to betray Him to them in the absence of the people.

Jesus closed His Olivet Discourse by exhorting His followers that there was coming a day of the Lord when judgment would fall on all unbelievers. That day should not catch them distracted by the flesh or the cares of this life. Rather, they should watch and pray so that they might be worthy to stand before the Son of Man.

This message is our last message on Luke's version of the Olivet Discourse. In this message, Jesus clearly warns that generation of the days of vengeance that were coming to end the old covenant era with the destruction of Jerusalem and the Sancturary. Jesus would become the Savior and Judge from that day forward. This message focuses on the troubling statements concluding this chapter.

In this third part of Luke 21, Jesus gave a series of warnings to the disciples. The first was to be careful and not be deceived. There are many errors about the end times, and Jesus wants us to be careful not to be led into error. Then, He cautioned them to not be terrified about the tumult of the times. Finally, He warned those living in and around Jerusalem at the time of the Roman assault on the city and its destruction (a.d. 70). The days ahead, were days of vengeance, as forewarned in Malachi.

In this second part of the discussion of Luke 21, the Olivet Discourse, we see that the destruction of the temple and the city of Jerusalem are a preview of the coming "Day of the Lord" at the end of the age. One of the great problems of our day is the great variety of views on the issue of prophecy. This confusion is due to a great deal of deception. Jesus warned, "See that you are not led astray" (Luke 21:8). Prophecy can be very confusing. We must let the plain teaching guide our understanding of the difficult passages.

All three Synoptic Gospels deal with the Olivet Discourse. The major theme of this passage in Luke is the "days of vengeance" that would come upon the nation of Israel due to their rejection of their King. This message introduces this subject, with the question, did Jesus offer to restore the kingdom to Israel in His triumphal entry?

The final chapters of Luke record Jesus' rejection by the religious authorities in Jerusalem, a necessary Develpoment to insure His death on the cross. The text of this message describes the conflict with Jesus to trick Jesus into saying something they could use against Him but also turn the people against Him also. Jesus proved His authority over them by His ability to shut them down at every turn. What a great Savior!

As Jesus progressed in His final trip to Jerusalem, He gave the parable of the minas (Luke 19:11-27) to inform His followers that the kingdom of God was not to be fully realized at that time. The focus of parable was the duty of His servants during His absence. However, the parable also revealed that He had enemies who refused His authority over them (v. 14). After His Triumphal Entry and cleansing temple ((19:20-48), Jesus' authority was challenged by the Sadducees and the scribes of the Pharisees (20:1-8). In response, Jesus gave the parable of the wicked tenants (Luke 20:9-18). This message focuses on the backstory of their rejection of Him and His rejection of them.

This message is on the Parable of the Minas (pounds, KJV), which Jesus gave to the disciples because they assumed the kingdom would appear immediately (19:11). Jesus corrected them that His main mission as to seek and to save the lost (19:10). He was about to leave to receive the kingdom. His servants would remain to invest His minas for increase (spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth) in His absence. They were also warned that they would give account for their service when He returned.

Jesus entered Jericho and planned to spend the night with Zaccheaus before the difficult climb from the Jordan River to the heights of Zion and Jerusalem. Luke tells us that he encountered a blind man whom He healed there also. This message compares these two men and illustrates the closing verse, that the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.

On the final trip to Jerusalem, as Jesus and His followers approached Jericho, Jesus gave them, for the third time, the fact that He was going to be taken, abused, turned over to the Gentiles to be crucified. The disciples did not understand this due to their preconceived belief that Jesus was going to Jerusalem to establish the kingdom and the throne of David (see Luke 19:11). Jesus did not want them to understand the truth until after He ascended to the Father's right hand. When the Holy Spirit came upon them, it is amazing to see how their understanding was changed. Just read the book of Acts. On the other hand, the hardness and rebellion of the Jews kept them in the dark for judgment.

Jesus was approached by a wealthy young ruler as He was leaving a village in Galilee. The man asked Him about what good thing he need to do in order to inherit eternal (kingdom) life. Luke used this incident to address the disciples on the cost of discipleship. there were several things in their thinking that required adjustment. What are you trusting to gain eternal life. Listen and learn.

This portion of Luke closes his unique section. In this section, Jesus gives the parable of the Pharisee and a Publican (tax collector). The purpose of the parable was to demonstrate repentance the led to the tax collector's justification as opposed to the prideful self-righteousness of the Pharisee, whose condition place him in danger of eternal condemnation, although he supposed himself to be right with God.

Jesus continued to inform His followers that they must not expect a visible kingdom established by His overthrowing the Gentiles. The kingdom was spiritual and would be in them, as they lived out kingdom principles in the world. The days of this spiritual kingdom would be difficult, but they must not lose heart. To instruct them in this, Jesus told a parable about the persistent widow who won her case before an unrighteous judge.

The Pharisees and the disciples help the belief that Messiah/Christ would bring the kingdom of God back to Israel through military force. Thus, as Jesus neared the end of His public ministry, the Pharisees asked, with distain and derision, when He was going to act and set up the kingdom. Jesus replied to them that His kingdom was not visible but spiritual. This encounter, then, provided Him with the opportunity to address the disciples as to the nature of the kingdom. In this, He warned them that the days coming after His ascension would be difficult. Nevertheless, they were to persist in His will until the day He would return to judge the world.