Dove Creek Bible Church's Podcast

In Romans 4:1-16, Paul illustrated the priority and pattern of Abraham’s faith. The author of Hebrews states by faith we are inwardly assured and outwardly certain that God will bring to reality the fulfillment of the promises that we hope for given in His Word that we cannot presently see. Abraham was commended for exactly this kind of faith . In Romans 4:17-25, Paul wants to address whether Abraham’s faith was reasonable in the first place and why.

In Romans 3, Paul says the only way we can be declared righteous by God is by grace through faith in Christ. Romans 3 gave us the principle. Romans 4:1-16 now gives us the pattern of Abraham who was justified by faith apart from observing the law.

Forgiveness

In Romans 1-3:20, Paul explains the problem of righteousness and the problem is we do not have any righteousness. What we do have, however, is condemnation because of sin. In the next section of Romans, Romans 3:21-5:21. Paul explains the provision of righteousness; justification which results in salvation. Paul didn’t start with the provision because no one seeks the provision until they’ve come to understand the problem. The provision is appreciated only when the problem is acknowledged. Romans 3:21-31 gives us six righteous facts about justification.

Paul makes the closing arguments of his case against mankind’s righteousness. His objective is to show that neither Jew nor Gentile merits God’s acceptance or approval; therefore, everyone needs the merit of the righteousness of Jesus Christ.

According to Paul there is a three-fold division of mankind when it comes to spiritual matters. In chapter 1, Paul addressed the defiant rebellious person who openly rejects and resists God. In the beginning of chapter 2, Paul addresses the decent respectable person who would readily admit that the defiant rebels of Chapter 1 may need grace and forgiveness, but they certainly are not in their company. The decent moral person is typically quick to judge others whose shortcomings are more obvious and gross. In today's text Paul says there is one more group of people who go even one step further. This person thinks "I'm not a defiant rebel and I’m more than simply a decent respectable person -- I'm a devoutly religious person." The devoutly religious often have a false sense of security about their eternal destiny. He uses the Jews as the example of the religious person because that was his own experience. However, the principles apply to any person who trust their religion to keep t

In his letter, Paul now anticipates that some people reading his description of the defiant rebels in Chapter 1 might be prone to think, "I am definitely not a defiant rebel like those described in Chapter 1. I'm more of a decent respectable morally responsible type person…so certainly, God would have no beef with me." I think most Americans would consider themselves to be in this category…even if they’re not particularly religious they think if there is a God they’re not particularly worried about being condemned because they are not like the depraved sinners described in Chapter 1. Paul will now point out that decent respectable morally responsible people are just as guilty, maybe even more so, than the obviously immoral person.

In Romans 1: 24-32, Paul describes three manifestations of God’s present wrath to various types of sinners. All three manifestations share three things in common. First, each group has received some revelation about God which is undeniable. Second, each group has rejected that revelation, replacing it with some perversion of that revelation which is inexcusable. Finally, each group is given over to some form of sin, which the sinner desires and deserves as a manifestation of God’s wrath, thereby becoming incorrigible and by which they are ultimately destroyed.

This week we discuss how God has revealed Himself to mankind and it is undeniable, yet mankind rejects this revelation and it is inexcusable. How has God plainly revealed Himself? We explore the undeniable proof of God's existence as we continue in the Book of Romans. Romans 1:18-23 Undeniable & Inexcusable.

The first seventeen verses in the book of Romans are Paul’s introduction of himself to the church at Rome. In that introduction he reveals a lot about himself. It reveals his primary sense of his identity, from whence he derives his fundamental understanding of his primary purpose. He also assesses how he is to carry out this primary purpose and what his source of personal motivation is in carrying it out. In light of what Paul says about his obligations and purpose, how should we view our own obligations and purpose?

Maintaining Heart!

Overcoming the heart of hypocrisy.

How do we overcome apathy? Is there any benefit in exposing ourselves to situations that create righteous discomfort? Let's get to the heart of the matter.

Perhaps the greatest sermon ever preached on Gog & Magog. In today's sermon we explore the Battle of Gog & Magog and consider where our security is really found.

Wrap up Jonah. Looking at the heart.

Jonah 2:1-10 Jonah's Prayer

Jonah 1: 1-17 God's mercy in his pursuit of Jonah.