Fourth Baptist Church

Matthew's gospel was written to make the case that Jesus Christ was the prophesied Messiah and King. Toward that end, Matthew presented Jesus' genealogy and virgin birth to prove that He was rightfully eligible to be the King!

Some might say, "Since we are saved by grace, we are free from the Law to do as we please." That is the extreme of license or libertinism. Others might say, "We must live under the Law to please God." That is the extreme of legalism. In Romans 6, Paul answered the first. In Romans 7, he addresses the second.

The Christian life is described in terms of death and life. We were once dead in sins (Eph 2:1, 5; Col 2:13) but are now dead to sin (Rom 6:2; 1 Pet 2:24). In salvation, we are raised with and made alive in Jesus Christ (Eph 2:1, 5; Col 2:12-13; 1 Cor 15:22). Therefore, we should walk in newness of life!

The Old Testament priesthood informs us about both the importance and the activity of our New Testament priesthood.

Job asked the most important question that has ever been asked: "How can a man be righteous before God?" (Job 9:2). The answer is that the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ can be imputed to us through faith in Jesus Christ!

After destroying any false spiritual security that the Jews would claim from their heritage, their law, or their circumcision (2:17-29), Paul answers the obvious objections by affirming the goodness of God.

After demonstrating that everyone (Gentile or Jew, wicked or moral) will be brought before God's righteous judgment, Paul now turns his focus exclusively on the Jews and destroys any false sense of spiritual security they might have.

People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care; therefore, it is as if Paul writes, "Before I show you my theology, I want to show you myself."

Paul used an ordinary situation to teach a most extraordinary theological truth: Jesus is proof that the promises of God are sure!

As part of His "Upper Room Discourse," Jesus taught His disciples that times of trouble are times for trust. When we are troubled, we can trust Jesus' person and promises in order to know His peace.

Proverbs 3:5-6 may be so familiar that its command no longer compels us and its promise is no longer precious to us.

If we were sure of God's promise to hear and answer our prayers, perhaps we would pray more often.

The presence of God comforts us when we are afraid!

God promises to give us wisdom if we ask Him!

God is faithful to us when we are faced with temptation and when we fail in that temptation!

Peter's words in 2 Peter 2:1-13 not only rebuke the scoffer for his question, but also reassure the believer in his doubt.

The traveler's declaration and the Lord's watchful, personal, ultimate protections

The security of our salvation is fixed; however, the assurance of our salvation is a feeling that sometimes leaves us forgetful of what God has done. It is then God's promises that keep us from stumbling!

A godly man is marked by what he flees from, follows after, fights for, and is faithful to. A godly man is motivated by the person of God Himself -- the power, promise, blessedness, sovereignty, immortality, and radiance of God.

The love of money does not bring true gain, is only a temporal matter, destroys contentment, sets a trap, results in ruin, and is a source of evil. The biblical use of money is to invest in eternity.

Specific statutes and persevering principles

Just as scientists study the pathology of physical disease in order to better address the disease, we must spiritually discern and diagnose deviations from truth, ie, diseases of doctrine.

What role do the Ten Commandments play in the lives of New Testament Christians today?

We sometimes think in terms of "secular" and "sacred"; however, for the believer, all work is a sacred service. Whether we eat, or drink, or whatever we do, we do it as to the Lord (1 Cor. 10:31; Col. 3:17).

1 Timothy 5 addresses the treatment of one another in the family of God: - older and younger men and women (vv 1-2)- widows who have need (vv 3-16) - church elders (vv 17-25)