Podcasts about series: romans

Paul breaks forth in glorious worship as he comes to the end of this section where he examines and works through God’s dealings with Israel. He concludes his summary of the redemptive purposes of God among both Jews and Gentiles. Then, he worships. It is a picture of how deep God’s salvation had penetrated his soul. Prior to Christ, we picture Paul as a very constrained, narrow and unemotional man. Post-Christ, we find a man who has been stretched emotionally and breaks forth in joyful adoration and worship at the wonder and glory of God. This is the purpose of Bible study. The purpose of Bible study is not merely moral. The purpose of Bible study is not to simply to make you better. The purpose of Bible study is to bring you to a place of worship. You are meant to study and read so that you might truly know the God of all creation—the One who made you, who loves you, who saved you and who is coming again to reign. When you see Him as He is, your only response is to fall on your face in awe and cry, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty! Who is like the Lord our God?” True theology and Bible study should be followed by purity and morality but also by adoration and glory. As we have come to see in Romans again and again, the chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. I pray you will join us this weekend as we study one of the most profound and wonderful passages in all of Romans. My prayer is that all of us, both believer and non-believer, would see and taste the glory of God and the joy and peace and grace that can only be found in Him.

Series: Romans (2025)Service: Sunday Class - SCL - 10:00AMType: Bible ClassSpeaker: Shawn Highfill

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Series: Romans (2025)Service: Wednesday Evening Class - WCL - 7:00PMType: Bible ClassSpeaker: Shawn Highfill

Man has a natural inclination to believe (if they believe in God) that God is gracious on the basis of something in them. This is our native disposition, even if converted and born again: that God is gracious to me because of something in me. At that point, however, we deny the graciousness of God. We begin to make contracts with God. If I do (fill in the blank), then God will be more gracious to me. And God is not gracious to others because of something in them. Paul says (this is my paraphrase), “That is not grace!” And he uncovers for us what I believe to be the most humbling and most wonderful of all truths in Scripture. That the only way of salvation is by grace. There is no other way. No other way in the Old Testament or the New Testament. I pray you will join us this weekend. In Romans 11 Paul continues to address God’s purposes with the nation of Israel, but as he does, he will draw out principles that are relevant to all of us. Make plans today to be part of one of our weekend services as we worship the God who “abounds in riches for all who will call upon Him.” — Pastor Chad McDonald

Man has a natural inclination to believe (if they believe in God) that God is gracious on the basis of something in them. This is our native disposition, even if converted and born again: that God is gracious to me because of something in me. At that point, however, we deny the graciousness of God. We begin to make contracts with God. If I do (fill in the blank), then God will be more gracious to me. And God is not gracious to others because of something in them. Paul says (this is my paraphrase), “That is not grace!” And he uncovers for us what I believe to be the most humbling and most wonderful of all truths in Scripture. That the only way of salvation is by grace. There is no other way. No other way in the Old Testament or the New Testament. I pray you will join us this weekend. In Romans 11 Paul continues to address God’s purposes with the nation of Israel, but as he does, he will draw out principles that are relevant to all of us. Make plans today to be part of one of our weekend services as we worship the God who “abounds in riches for all who will call upon Him.” — Pastor Chad McDonald

A bishop who served at Princeton Seminary during the 19th century was preparing to send 500 missionaries into an African country where they would risk their lives for the cause of Christ. The Bishop was asked, “Why would you send these young people to this place?” The response of the bishop was clear and simple. “Unless they go, the gospel will not go there. Unless the messengers are sent the gospel will not be heard and unless the gospel is heard they will not call upon the Lord to be saved.” This is the normal means by which the gospel comes to us. The Gospel is God’s. It comes from God. God sends His messengers to preach the gospel. People hear the gospel; they believe the gospel and call upon the Lord to be saved. This is how the gospel comes to us, and we have no reason to believe that God is going to do it some other way. This is the reason for Paul’s urgency in Romans. Paul is clear: those outside of Christ stand in the wrath of God under the judgment of God, and apart from the gospel we have no hope that they can ever be saved. That is why it is so urgent for us to take the gospel to our neighbors, our co-workers, the person we meet in line at the store, and even to the ends of the earth. We have no foundation to believe that they can be saved any other way. I pray that you will join us this weekend as we revisit Paul’s evangelistic zeal and passion to take the gospel to those who have not heard, for the glory of Christ. Come with prayerful and expectant hearts that the gospel will go forth even this weekend, and, having heard, someone would call upon Christ for salvation. — Pastor Chad McDonald

A bishop who served at Princeton Seminary during the 19th century was preparing to send 500 missionaries into an African country where they would risk their lives for the cause of Christ. The Bishop was asked, “Why would you send these young people to this place?” The response of the bishop was clear and simple. “Unless they go, the gospel will not go there. Unless the messengers are sent the gospel will not be heard and unless the gospel is heard they will not call upon the Lord to be saved.” This is the normal means by which the gospel comes to us. The Gospel is God’s. It comes from God. God sends His messengers to preach the gospel. People hear the gospel; they believe the gospel and call upon the Lord to be saved. This is how the gospel comes to us, and we have no reason to believe that God is going to do it some other way. This is the reason for Paul’s urgency in Romans. Paul is clear: those outside of Christ stand in the wrath of God under the judgment of God, and apart from the gospel we have no hope that they can ever be saved. That is why it is so urgent for us to take the gospel to our neighbors, our co-workers, the person we meet in line at the store, and even to the ends of the earth. We have no foundation to believe that they can be saved any other way. I pray that you will join us this weekend as we revisit Paul’s evangelistic zeal and passion to take the gospel to those who have not heard, for the glory of Christ. Come with prayerful and expectant hearts that the gospel will go forth even this weekend, and, having heard, someone would call upon Christ for salvation. — Pastor Chad McDonald

Have you ever shared the gospel with someone you loved and cared about and no matter how much you prayed and shared, they just wouldn’t accept Christ? It’s heartbreaking to see someone like this reject God, attempting to earn salvation when the salvation of Christ is extended before them as a gift of grace through faith. That was Paul’s heart for the Jewish people. Paul knew the gospel. Paul knew the Old Testament, and he was absolutely heartbroken for His people to find the same freedom that he found in Christ. More than this, to find the same righteousness that he had found, not through the Law of Moses but through faith in Jesus. Paul would not give up. He continued to pray and share, hoping in the power of the Spirit and the Word of God to open blind eyes. I pray you will make plans to join us this weekend as Paul gives us an example of an evangelistic heart while demonstrating the dramatic difference between a salvation based on works and salvation through faith in Christ. Invite a friend today. Join us this weekend as we worship King Jesus in song and the study of His Word. — Pastor Chad McDonald

Have you ever shared the gospel with someone you loved and cared about and no matter how much you prayed and shared, they just wouldn’t accept Christ? It’s heartbreaking to see someone like this reject God, attempting to earn salvation when the salvation of Christ is extended before them as a gift of grace through faith. That was Paul’s heart for the Jewish people. Paul knew the gospel. Paul knew the Old Testament, and he was absolutely heartbroken for His people to find the same freedom that he found in Christ. More than this, to find the same righteousness that he had found, not through the Law of Moses but through faith in Jesus. Paul would not give up. He continued to pray and share, hoping in the power of the Spirit and the Word of God to open blind eyes. I pray you will make plans to join us this weekend as Paul gives us an example of an evangelistic heart while demonstrating the dramatic difference between a salvation based on works and salvation through faith in Christ. Invite a friend today. Join us this weekend as we worship King Jesus in song and the study of His Word. — Pastor Chad McDonald

Series: Romans (2025)Service: Sunday Class - SCL - 10:00AMType: Bible ClassSpeaker: Shawn Highfill

At the heart of Romans 9 is Paul’s evangelistic zeal for his kinsmen according to the flesh, Israel. Israel had been given so much privilege. They were given the wonderful privileges of the Law, the promises, the glory, the covenants and temple service. How could they miss the One to whom all these privileges pointed, Jesus Christ? This was not merely some theoretical or theological issue for Paul. It was real and personal. His heart was breaking and the main question that had to be answered was, “Has the Word of God failed?” God promised to save, and Israel, by and large was not being saved. More than this, while Israel was not being saved, Gentiles were trusting in Christ by the droves. What Paul so beautifully does in his response is hold together both the sovereignty of God in pursuing His saving purposes and the responsibility of man. Why is Israel not responding to the Gospel? Paul’s answer points both to God and to Israel. And the same is true in our lives. My prayer this week is that someone, through our study of Romans 9, would come to faith in Christ. That somehow by God’s great grace and mercy through our study of this passage that shows God to be so sovereign and man so small, someone might begin to sense God stirring in their heart. God would, even in this passage, birth within someone a desire to know Christ and His salvation by faith. I pray that you will join us this weekend, and I pray that you would join with me in asking God to move and save lost sinners through our worship of Him in song and in His Word. To God be the glory! — Pastor Chad McDonald

At the heart of Romans 9 is Paul’s evangelistic zeal for his kinsmen according to the flesh, Israel. Israel had been given so much privilege. They were given the wonderful privileges of the Law, the promises, the glory, the covenants and temple service. How could they miss the One to whom all these privileges pointed, Jesus Christ? This was not merely some theoretical or theological issue for Paul. It was real and personal. His heart was breaking and the main question that had to be answered was, “Has the Word of God failed?” God promised to save, and Israel, by and large was not being saved. More than this, while Israel was not being saved, Gentiles were trusting in Christ by the droves. What Paul so beautifully does in his response is hold together both the sovereignty of God in pursuing His saving purposes and the responsibility of man. Why is Israel not responding to the Gospel? Paul’s answer points both to God and to Israel. And the same is true in our lives. My prayer this week is that someone, through our study of Romans 9, would come to faith in Christ. That somehow by God’s great grace and mercy through our study of this passage that shows God to be so sovereign and man so small, someone might begin to sense God stirring in their heart. God would, even in this passage, birth within someone a desire to know Christ and His salvation by faith. I pray that you will join us this weekend, and I pray that you would join with me in asking God to move and save lost sinners through our worship of Him in song and in His Word. To God be the glory! — Pastor Chad McDonald

Series: Romans (2025)Service: Wednesday Evening Class - WCL - 7:00PMType: Bible ClassSpeaker: Shawn Highfill

This week, we come to one of the most difficult and challenging sections in all of God’s Word. The text itself is not that hard to understand but is often hard for us to accept. Many come to these chapters looking for clarity and answers to some of their deepest theological questions. Some of you will come over the next few weeks to find out where I land on some of these issues regarding Israel and the sovereignty of God. However, if we simply come to this text with a desire for greater clarity on the theoretical and theological questions of our mind, we will have missed the point. Having just finished a chapter on the greatness of the salvation, assurance and security that we have in Christ, Paul’s heart breaks for his lost kinsmen who do not have this same salvation. While Paul’s heart breaks for this loss, his heart is also filled with worship at the “riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!” In other words, if our study in these chapters does not develop a greater desire to see the lost saved and a deeper sense of love and worship for the God we serve, then I will have failed us, and we will have certainly missed the point. I pray you will come prepared to worship this weekend. Make plans now. Begin to prepare your heart today. Read ahead. Study the text, prepare your heart and pray for the lost. As we gather for corporate worship, let’s expect God to move in response to the study of His Word and the worship of His people. — Pastor Chad McDonald

This week, we come to one of the most difficult and challenging sections in all of God’s Word. The text itself is not that hard to understand but is often hard for us to accept. Many come to these chapters looking for clarity and answers to some of their deepest theological questions. Some of you will come over the next few weeks to find out where I land on some of these issues regarding Israel and the sovereignty of God. However, if we simply come to this text with a desire for greater clarity on the theoretical and theological questions of our mind, we will have missed the point. Having just finished a chapter on the greatness of the salvation, assurance and security that we have in Christ, Paul’s heart breaks for his lost kinsmen who do not have this same salvation. While Paul’s heart breaks for this loss, his heart is also filled with worship at the “riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!” In other words, if our study in these chapters does not develop a greater desire to see the lost saved and a deeper sense of love and worship for the God we serve, then I will have failed us, and we will have certainly missed the point. I pray you will come prepared to worship this weekend. Make plans now. Begin to prepare your heart today. Read ahead. Study the text, prepare your heart and pray for the lost. As we gather for corporate worship, let’s expect God to move in response to the study of His Word and the worship of His people. — Pastor Chad McDonald

Series: Romans (2025)Service: Wednesday Evening Class - WCL - 7:00PMType: Bible ClassSpeaker: Shawn Highfill

Romans 8 is the chapter of Christian assurance. The chapter begins with “no condemnation.” There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. No condemnation now or any time in the future. God’s verdict of acquittal in justification is a verdict that is irreversible. Then, at the end of the chapter, we find that there is “no separation.” There is no separation from the persisting love of God which is in Christ — no condemnation and no separation from the love of Christ. Paul is clearly ministering to people who needed that kind of assurance. In light of the circumstances and situations of the Roman believers, there appears to have risen some questions about the sufficiency of God to handle such a threatening world. Paul responds with more than just general words of encouragement. He brings them to the height of Christian doctrine and truth in the love of God demonstrated in Christ. Some of you are facing circumstances and situations that are leading you to a similar place of insecurity and fear. Is God totally sufficient for my needs and situations? When no one else seems to understand, how can I be certain that God loves me and that I can trust Him? I pray that you will join us this weekend as Paul seeks to plumb the depths of God’s love demonstrated towards us in Christ. — Pastor Chad McDonald

Romans 8 is the chapter of Christian assurance. The chapter begins with “no condemnation.” There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. No condemnation now or any time in the future. God’s verdict of acquittal in justification is a verdict that is irreversible. Then, at the end of the chapter, we find that there is “no separation.” There is no separation from the persisting love of God which is in Christ — no condemnation and no separation from the love of Christ. Paul is clearly ministering to people who needed that kind of assurance. In light of the circumstances and situations of the Roman believers, there appears to have risen some questions about the sufficiency of God to handle such a threatening world. Paul responds with more than just general words of encouragement. He brings them to the height of Christian doctrine and truth in the love of God demonstrated in Christ. Some of you are facing circumstances and situations that are leading you to a similar place of insecurity and fear. Is God totally sufficient for my needs and situations? When no one else seems to understand, how can I be certain that God loves me and that I can trust Him? I pray that you will join us this weekend as Paul seeks to plumb the depths of God’s love demonstrated towards us in Christ. — Pastor Chad McDonald

Series: Romans (2025)Service: Wednesday Evening Class - WCL - 7:00PMType: Bible ClassSpeaker: Shawn Highfill

Series: Romans (2025)Service: Wednesday Evening Class - WCL - 7:00PMType: Bible ClassSpeaker: Shawn Highfill

Series: Romans (2025)Service: Wednesday Evening Class - WCL - 7:00PMType: Bible ClassSpeaker: Shawn Highfill

Every week, we receive numerous prayer concerns. As pastors, we seek to pray over all these prayer concerns. When you combine the full prayer list with our cares and hospitalization list, it can be overwhelming. Just this week, some of our fellow church members received discouraging cancer news. We also held funerals for two beloved church members. Earlier in the week, Pastor Kelly conferred with one of our missionaries in Thailand whose community and country have been affected by a horrible earthquake. Thousands have died, and the number continues to grow. The combination of all these situations is overwhelming. Then we come to our text in Romans 8:28. “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” When times are good, when we have steady jobs, when our families are doing well, when no one is sick, and there have been no recent deaths, it is easy to say that we know God will work all things together for good of those who love Him. But what about the other times? What about those listed above? In those times, we need to be sure that we know what we are professing when we quote Romans 8:28. — Pastor Chad McDonald

Every week, we receive numerous prayer concerns. As pastors, we seek to pray over all these prayer concerns. When you combine the full prayer list with our cares and hospitalization list, it can be overwhelming. Just this week, some of our fellow church members received discouraging cancer news. We also held funerals for two beloved church members. Earlier in the week, Pastor Kelly conferred with one of our missionaries in Thailand whose community and country have been affected by a horrible earthquake. Thousands have died, and the number continues to grow. The combination of all these situations is overwhelming. Then we come to our text in Romans 8:28. “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” When times are good, when we have steady jobs, when our families are doing well, when no one is sick, and there have been no recent deaths, it is easy to say that we know God will work all things together for good of those who love Him. But what about the other times? What about those listed above? In those times, we need to be sure that we know what we are professing when we quote Romans 8:28. — Pastor Chad McDonald

In 2 Chronicles 20:12, Jehoshaphat prays, “For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You.” I wonder if some in the crowd weren’t thinking to themselves, “You call that leadership? No power. We don’t know what to do.” Most of the time we are looking for people who will say, “I am very powerful and I know exactly what to do.” That is what our culture most often identifies as true leadership. The Scripture, however, speaks something very different into our lives. We are frail. We are not that smart, and when we come to the understanding of our weakness and frailty, then we are comforted with the knowledge that the Spirit of God helps us in our weakness. As Paul would say in 2 Corinthians 12, “His power is perfected in our weakness.” If you have it all figured out, you know everything, and you have all the strength you need to meet the circumstances of your life, you can probably skip this weekend’s message. But if, by chance, you are at a place where you don’t really know what to do, or if you have come to a place where the circumstances seem overwhelming and you feel powerless, I pray you will join us the weekend. In our passage this week, Paul will reinforce a powerful truth that is so critical for the effective Christian life: “the Spirit helps us in our weakness.” — Pastor Chad McDonald

In 2 Chronicles 20:12, Jehoshaphat prays, “For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You.” I wonder if some in the crowd weren’t thinking to themselves, “You call that leadership? No power. We don’t know what to do.” Most of the time we are looking for people who will say, “I am very powerful and I know exactly what to do.” That is what our culture most often identifies as true leadership. The Scripture, however, speaks something very different into our lives. We are frail. We are not that smart, and when we come to the understanding of our weakness and frailty, then we are comforted with the knowledge that the Spirit of God helps us in our weakness. As Paul would say in 2 Corinthians 12, “His power is perfected in our weakness.” If you have it all figured out, you know everything, and you have all the strength you need to meet the circumstances of your life, you can probably skip this weekend’s message. But if, by chance, you are at a place where you don’t really know what to do, or if you have come to a place where the circumstances seem overwhelming and you feel powerless, I pray you will join us the weekend. In our passage this week, Paul will reinforce a powerful truth that is so critical for the effective Christian life: “the Spirit helps us in our weakness.” — Pastor Chad McDonald

Imagine for a moment being someone with great financial troubles and difficulties—someone who has trouble making ends meet. For some of you, this may not be too difficult to imagine. It may be your present circumstances. But then imagine waking up one morning to discover that you are an heir to one of the wealthiest individuals in the world—someone who is infinitely and fabulously wealthy. One day you will enter into all the riches and immeasurable wealth of that person. If you multiply that truth by infinity, you will not even be at the edges of understanding what it means to be an heir of God and a co-heir with Christ. What a glorious truth! No matter how wonderful your conditions are today, for the believer in Christ, the best is always yet to come. I pray that you will join us for worship this weekend as we examine these wonderful truths of what it means to be “in Christ” and the application of these truths for our present lives. Remember, weekend worship is a Friday decision. Make plans today to join us for worship! — Pastor Chad McDonald

Imagine for a moment being someone with great financial troubles and difficulties—someone who has trouble making ends meet. For some of you, this may not be too difficult to imagine. It may be your present circumstances. But then imagine waking up one morning to discover that you are an heir to one of the wealthiest individuals in the world—someone who is infinitely and fabulously wealthy. One day you will enter into all the riches and immeasurable wealth of that person. If you multiply that truth by infinity, you will not even be at the edges of understanding what it means to be an heir of God and a co-heir with Christ. What a glorious truth! No matter how wonderful your conditions are today, for the believer in Christ, the best is always yet to come. I pray that you will join us for worship this weekend as we examine these wonderful truths of what it means to be “in Christ” and the application of these truths for our present lives. Remember, weekend worship is a Friday decision. Make plans today to join us for worship! — Pastor Chad McDonald

As we have seen in previous weeks, genuine believers are no longer under God’s condemnation. We have been freed from the penalty and power of sin. But while sin no longer reigns, it does still remain. In our text this week, Paul expounds on the truth that not only are we not under condemnation, but we are also not under sin’s obligation. We can say no to our flesh every day. How? Through the pattern of saying yes to the Spirit, through the power supplied by the Spirit, and through the promise of an eternal inheritance reserved in heaven for us. As we look at verses 12-17 this weekend, we will examine three truths: the believer’s invitation, the believer’s indwelling and the believer’s inheritance. — Pastor Ryan McDaniel, Campus Pastor

As we have seen in previous weeks, genuine believers are no longer under God’s condemnation. We have been freed from the penalty and power of sin. But while sin no longer reigns, it does still remain. In our text this week, Paul expounds on the truth that not only are we not under condemnation, but we are also not under sin’s obligation. We can say no to our flesh every day. How? Through the pattern of saying yes to the Spirit, through the power supplied by the Spirit, and through the promise of an eternal inheritance reserved in heaven for us. As we look at verses 12-17 this weekend, we will examine three truths: the believer’s invitation, the believer’s indwelling and the believer’s inheritance. — Pastor Ryan McDaniel, Campus Pastor

We all long for security. We long for security in our relationships, our financial situation and when we sleep at night in our homes. If you have been the victim of identity theft, you know the value of a secure identity. Romans 8 is all about security. We have security with God because of what Christ has accomplished for us. The security of the believer, however, is not just some propositional truth or some future hope, it is a present reality that is evidenced in our changed lives. — Pastor Chad McDonald

We all long for security. We long for security in our relationships, our financial situation and when we sleep at night in our homes. If you have been the victim of identity theft, you know the value of a secure identity. Romans 8 is all about security. We have security with God because of what Christ has accomplished for us. The security of the believer, however, is not just some propositional truth or some future hope, it is a present reality that is evidenced in our changed lives. — Pastor Chad McDonald

This weekend we begin to study what many have referred to as the greatest chapter in all of God’s Word, Romans 8. It’s salvific and theological significance cannot be overstated. Few chapters in the Word rival Romans 8 in setting forth the Gospel and the plan of salvation. An old German commentator named Spener said that if the Bible was a ring and the book of Romans, a precious stone, chapter 8 would be “the sparkling point of the jewel.” Beyond this, few chapters of God’s Word rival its practical significance in the life of the believer. Many turn to Romans 8 when they are in sorrow to be encouraged that nothing can separate them from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus. It is the chapter that many turn to when they don’t know how to pray so that they might be encouraged by the Spirit’s intercession for them. Still others turn to this chapter when they are overwhelmed by the burden and guilt of sin to be reminded that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For these reasons and so many others, I pray that you will join us this weekend as we dive into the first few verses of Romans 8. Make the decision today to join us for worship this weekend. God has not just saved us from hell; He has saved us into a family, the Church. I pray that gathering with the body of Christ would be the highlight of your week as we enjoy the togetherness of the Gospel. We stand on God’s Word together. We pray together. We sing together. We encourage one another together. We invite sinners to repentance and belief in Christ together. And one day, we will enjoy heaven together. Let’s gather this weekend and get a little glimpse of heaven! — Pastor Chad McDonald

This weekend we begin to study what many have referred to as the greatest chapter in all of God’s Word, Romans 8. It’s salvific and theological significance cannot be overstated. Few chapters in the Word rival Romans 8 in setting forth the Gospel and the plan of salvation. An old German commentator named Spener said that if the Bible was a ring and the book of Romans, a precious stone, chapter 8 would be “the sparkling point of the jewel.” Beyond this, few chapters of God’s Word rival its practical significance in the life of the believer. Many turn to Romans 8 when they are in sorrow to be encouraged that nothing can separate them from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus. It is the chapter that many turn to when they don’t know how to pray so that they might be encouraged by the Spirit’s intercession for them. Still others turn to this chapter when they are overwhelmed by the burden and guilt of sin to be reminded that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For these reasons and so many others, I pray that you will join us this weekend as we dive into the first few verses of Romans 8. Make the decision today to join us for worship this weekend. God has not just saved us from hell; He has saved us into a family, the Church. I pray that gathering with the body of Christ would be the highlight of your week as we enjoy the togetherness of the Gospel. We stand on God’s Word together. We pray together. We sing together. We encourage one another together. We invite sinners to repentance and belief in Christ together. And one day, we will enjoy heaven together. Let’s gather this weekend and get a little glimpse of heaven! — Pastor Chad McDonald

Romans 7:13-25 has been described as one of the most difficult passages in Romans to interpret. The primary question that dominates most of the discussion is, “Who is this man who is speaking here?” Is this Paul as a believer or an unbeliever? Is this Paul as a mature believer, or Paul reflecting on his past before fully grasping God’s revelation in Christ? Certainly, there are aspects of what Paul says that would seem to be impossible statements for the believer and even contradictory to what Paul has previously said in Romans. How can I be freed from the dominion of sin in Christ while at the same time in bondage to sin in my flesh? What is the nature of the true Christian life? Is it possible to have a Christian life where there is no consciousness of your own deep sinfulness? I pray that you will join us this weekend as we look into God’s Word for answers to these questions. Answers that are critical to the successful Christian life. I look forward to seeing you this weekend! — Pastor Chad McDonald

Romans 7:13-25 has been described as one of the most difficult passages in Romans to interpret. The primary question that dominates most of the discussion is, “Who is this man who is speaking here?” Is this Paul as a believer or an unbeliever? Is this Paul as a mature believer, or Paul reflecting on his past before fully grasping God’s revelation in Christ? Certainly, there are aspects of what Paul says that would seem to be impossible statements for the believer and even contradictory to what Paul has previously said in Romans. How can I be freed from the dominion of sin in Christ while at the same time in bondage to sin in my flesh? What is the nature of the true Christian life? Is it possible to have a Christian life where there is no consciousness of your own deep sinfulness? I pray that you will join us this weekend as we look into God’s Word for answers to these questions. Answers that are critical to the successful Christian life. I look forward to seeing you this weekend! — Pastor Chad McDonald

In order to keep the law, we must die to the law. If we are under the bondage of the law, we are not free from the dominion of sin to live and serve the Lord with joy. These are shocking statements. They are the essence of what Paul says in Romans 6-7, and they were the foundation of the accusations that haunted Paul in writing his letter to the Romans. Paul’s opponents were fearful that his teaching concerning the Gospel and dying to the law would lead to lawlessness. You can almost hear them saying, “Paul, we don’t need less law. We need more law.” If you read Paul carefully in these verses, you can hear his response. The real issue is not less or more law, the real issue is that we need more Jesus. We need more of the Gospel. When you only have the law, you will only have an increase of sin and trespass. The law alone cannot change a heart. Only the gospel can change the human heart. But when the gospel changes the hearts of people, they will obey His commands from a joyful heart. What a glorious paradox. In order to truly live, we must die. To keep the law, we must die to the law. I pray that you will join us this weekend for one of our many worship services. Weekend worship is a Friday decision. Make the decision today to join us for worship. — Pastor Chad McDonald

In order to keep the law, we must die to the law. If we are under the bondage of the law, we are not free from the dominion of sin to live and serve the Lord with joy. These are shocking statements. They are the essence of what Paul says in Romans 6-7, and they were the foundation of the accusations that haunted Paul in writing his letter to the Romans. Paul’s opponents were fearful that his teaching concerning the Gospel and dying to the law would lead to lawlessness. You can almost hear them saying, “Paul, we don’t need less law. We need more law.” If you read Paul carefully in these verses, you can hear his response. The real issue is not less or more law, the real issue is that we need more Jesus. We need more of the Gospel. When you only have the law, you will only have an increase of sin and trespass. The law alone cannot change a heart. Only the gospel can change the human heart. But when the gospel changes the hearts of people, they will obey His commands from a joyful heart. What a glorious paradox. In order to truly live, we must die. To keep the law, we must die to the law. I pray that you will join us this weekend for one of our many worship services. Weekend worship is a Friday decision. Make the decision today to join us for worship. — Pastor Chad McDonald

If you have read ahead in Romans 7, you’ve probably asked the question, “How do marriage and death relate to sanctification?” Paul is a wonderful teacher in his use of illustrations. He has already helped to define sanctification as being “in Christ,” and last week he helped to define sanctification through the lens of the slave and master relationship. This week, as we turn our attention to Romans 7, Paul uses marriage to help define the believer’s relationship with the law. Far too many believers are attempting to go back and live under the law. You can often recognize them by their frustration and critique of those who don’t live up to their own set of convictions. Others use their freedom from the law as an excuse to ignore the law or even to break the law. Both of these reactions to the law are a gross misinterpretation of the gospel. The law of God is divinely inspired and relevant for our lives, but it was never intended to save us. We will spend the next few weeks walking through Romans as Paul masterfully paints a picture of our freedom in Christ and how uniting with Christ free’s us up to live in the beauty of God’s law. Make plans now to join us. Don’t wait until Sunday morning to decide. Make the decision now that worship this weekend will be a priority to you and your family. — Pastor Chad McDonald

Located in the heart of downtown Maryville, Coram Deo Baptist Church (formerly Pleasant Grove at College Street) was founded as a church plant of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in 2017.

If you have read ahead in Romans 7, you’ve probably asked the question, “How do marriage and death relate to sanctification?” Paul is a wonderful teacher in his use of illustrations. He has already helped to define sanctification as being “in Christ,” and last week he helped to define sanctification through the lens of the slave and master relationship. This week, as we turn our attention to Romans 7, Paul uses marriage to help define the believer’s relationship with the law. Far too many believers are attempting to go back and live under the law. You can often recognize them by their frustration and critique of those who don’t live up to their own set of convictions. Others use their freedom from the law as an excuse to ignore the law or even to break the law. Both of these reactions to the law are a gross misinterpretation of the gospel. The law of God is divinely inspired and relevant for our lives, but it was never intended to save us. We will spend the next few weeks walking through Romans as Paul masterfully paints a picture of our freedom in Christ and how uniting with Christ free’s us up to live in the beauty of God’s law. Make plans now to join us. Don’t wait until Sunday morning to decide. Make the decision now that worship this weekend will be a priority to you and your family. — Pastor Chad McDonald

When the New Testament speaks of our salvation, it does so in the past tense. It speaks of believers as chosen, washed, justified and sanctified. At the moment of salvation, you were given to the Lordship of Christ. Yes, there is a process of growth, and you will continue to move forward and advance. Jim Elliot once said, “It takes the whole of your life to give the whole of your life to Christ.” I love that quote, and it is true. But at the same time, it is inconceivable to Paul and the New Testament writers that a person could come to faith in Christ as Savior without Christ also becoming Lord at that very same moment. You can never be a justified believer without also being a sanctified believer. This is what Paul has been rejoicing in through Romans 6. Now, as we begin to walk through the latter verses of the chapter, Paul digs even deeper into the means and motivation of the sanctifying work of Christ in our hearts. These are passages that we must know and understand. I pray that you will join us this weekend for worship. We will celebrate and rejoice with believers as they publicly confess Christ in baptism. We will pray for one another and fellowship. Most importantly, we will gather round the Word of God and sing praises to God that we might be changed more and more into the likeness of His glory. — Pastor Chad McDonald

When the New Testament speaks of our salvation, it does so in the past tense. It speaks of believers as chosen, washed, justified and sanctified. At the moment of salvation, you were given to the Lordship of Christ. Yes, there is a process of growth, and you will continue to move forward and advance. Jim Elliot once said, “It takes the whole of your life to give the whole of your life to Christ.” I love that quote, and it is true. But at the same time, it is inconceivable to Paul and the New Testament writers that a person could come to faith in Christ as Savior without Christ also becoming Lord at that very same moment. You can never be a justified believer without also being a sanctified believer. This is what Paul has been rejoicing in through Romans 6. Now, as we begin to walk through the latter verses of the chapter, Paul digs even deeper into the means and motivation of the sanctifying work of Christ in our hearts. These are passages that we must know and understand. I pray that you will join us this weekend for worship. We will celebrate and rejoice with believers as they publicly confess Christ in baptism. We will pray for one another and fellowship. Most importantly, we will gather round the Word of God and sing praises to God that we might be changed more and more into the likeness of His glory. — Pastor Chad McDonald

Up to this point in Romans, we have received no real commands from Paul. He has not given us something to do. He has told us what Christ has done and who we are in Him. This is the pattern of Paul. He starts with doctrine and then moves to daily living, because Paul knows that behavior always follows our beliefs. This week, we will be introduced to our first real commands from Paul as we move from justification to sanctification. We began this work last week. It is not easy to understand, but it is critical to a victorious walk with Christ. It is worthy of our work and effort to know this chapter and to study it deeply. I pray that you read ahead. Prepare your heart now for worship this weekend. Let us gather with expectant and excited hearts as we gather around His Word with His people and sing His praises. “I was glad when they said to me, let us go into the house of the Lord.” Psalm 122.1 — Pastor Chad McDonald

Up to this point in Romans, we have received no real commands from Paul. He has not given us something to do. He has told us what Christ has done and who we are in Him. This is the pattern of Paul. He starts with doctrine and then moves to daily living, because Paul knows that behavior always follows our beliefs. This week, we will be introduced to our first real commands from Paul as we move from justification to sanctification. We began this work last week. It is not easy to understand, but it is critical to a victorious walk with Christ. It is worthy of our work and effort to know this chapter and to study it deeply. I pray that you read ahead. Prepare your heart now for worship this weekend. Let us gather with expectant and excited hearts as we gather around His Word with His people and sing His praises. “I was glad when they said to me, let us go into the house of the Lord.” Psalm 122.1 — Pastor Chad McDonald

Where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more! This is a glorious statement and a wonderful reality of the gospel. For many living in Paul’s day, however, it was an incredibly dangerous statement. For them, it was a license to sin. If grace abounds more when I sin more, why not keep on sinning? To answer this question, Paul reminds us of what has really occurred in our hearts when we placed our faith in Christ. In fact, he responds by asking the question, “Do you not know what occurred to you when you trusted Christ?” The answer to this question is foundational to the Christian life. What occurs when we trust in Christ, and what difference does it make in our lives? I pray you will join us this weekend as we continue our study through Romans and address these critical questions that are essential to Christian life.

If you have read ahead in Romans 5 to the verses we will study this week, you probably noticed that there is a significant difference between verses 12-21 and verses 1-11. A few years back, the deacon body set out to memorize Romans 5. The first eleven verses were no problem. The last nine were incredibly difficult, not just to memorize, but also to understand. I even had the thought this week that I should have assigned these verses to Pastor Ryan, and then we could have just marched into Romans 6 this weekend. But, while these verses may be difficult to understand, their value cannot be understated. These verses are foundational to Christian thinking and Christian living. They help us to understand how God saves sinners and how what one man did on a cross has brought justification, life and salvation to a multitude of people. Understanding these verses will bring you into a greater appreciation of the magnitude of the salvation that is ours through faith in Christ.

In 1987, a little girl named Jessica McClure fell down an abandoned well shaft. The shaft was eight inches in diameter and twenty two feet deep. She was lost to her parents with no way to get her out. Her rescue became the focus of the little town of Midland, TX. For 15 hours, men dug and drilled. The limestone around the shaft made her rescue incredibly difficult and almost impossible. At the end of that fifteen hours, however, the world watched as a man who was able to get down into that shaft brought her to the top. The site was filled with folks who had been hoping and praying. The parents were crying, the rescuers were crying, and the newscasters were crying because this little girl, whom everyone thought was dead, was now alive. But in order to live, someone else had to save her. Little Jessica’s condition is very similar to our spiritual condition prior to Christ. In our sin, we had fallen into an abyss of death from which we could not escape. We were hopeless and helpless. If we had any hope of escape and life, someone from above had to come down to us. That is exactly what Jesus did. He saw you and me in the hole of sin and death. He saw our efforts to free ourselves and the futility of our attempts. He entered that hole of sin and death and offered salvation from above. He not only offered salvation but assurance. The Jesus who came to save also assures us of our salvation. Few texts of God’s Word describe this salvation more clearly than Romans 5:6-11. I pray that you will plan to join us this weekend as we worship the One who came and rescued us from our hopeless and helpless situation of sin and death.

Over the years, there have been some incredibly effective ad campaigns used to market products. One such campaign was run by the credit card company, American Express, from 1987-1996. Their slogan was “membership has its privileges.” It was widely recognized by people as a way to live an elite lifestyle, and it was very effective in helping to contribute to the debt of those who enjoyed living above their means. This weekend, we will discover that there is a membership available to us in Christ that has amazing privileges when it comes to being justified by faith. It is a membership that cannot be purchased with money. Your net worth has no effect on your acceptance. In fact, bankruptcy is a primary requirement. This membership is granted freely as a gift to those who place all their faith in Christ for salvation. Christ adds us to the family of faith, and our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. But what about the privileges? Those who are members of God’s family by faith are guaranteed peace, joy, grace and hope. I pray you will join us this weekend as we discover the amazing privileges that are granted to those who are justified by faith in Christ. Don’t forget Kansas City Christmas this weekend. One of the KC Christmas services will take the place of our Saturday evening service. Please visit our website (or scroll below) to see the details for this incredible time of worship and celebration of the coming of Christ. The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men! It is going to be a great weekend of worship. I look forward to seeing you! — Pastor Chad

After Faith and I got married, we lived in student housing on the campus of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. The small apartment was affordable, and Faith did a great job of making it home. The apartment had one downside. Just outside our apartment on the other side of a small fence was a set of train tracks with a crossing about a hundred yards away. Do you know how many times a train blows the horn? A lot! I hated that horn. It never failed to blow just as I was getting in my truck early in the morning. But that horn serves an important role. It is a warning to unaware drivers who are going about their everyday lives that death is coming down the tracks. If that train suddenly hits your vehicle, you will be dead before you know it. The word of God, in many ways, serves a similar role. It reminds us that death is coming down the tracks of life, and at any moment, you could be called to stand before God. When that day comes, what will your argument be? In Romans 4, Paul gives us the only answer that will stand before a holy God. I pray you will make plans to join us for worship this weekend as we look to the King of kings and the Lord of lords: our only hope and Savior, Jesus Christ. — Pastor Chad