ARCC Sermons

God will give His glory to no other. We close out our series on the 5 solas talking about why it is such good news that God is at the center of everything rather than us.

Jesus REALLY is the answer to the question and He REALLY is the solution to the problem. In this sermon we look at a broad picture of all that Jesus accomplished through His incarnation, life, death, and resurrection.

Faith alone has been called the material cause of the Reformation itself. Speaking of justification by faith alone, John Calvin writes, "It is therefore faith alone which justifies, and yet the faith which justifies is not alone." We are justified before God by faith alone. We are justified before men by works that proceed from that faith.

Real, Biblical grace is more difficult and uncomfortable than we would like for it to be. However, real, Biblical grace is the power to change us and set us free. God’s grace alone is sufficient to save us!

Scripture is God’s word. Its authority in your life is of utmost importance.

Holiness is played out in community. What’s more is that in Christ we are priests, which could potentially change everything we ever knew about “church”.

The pursuit of holiness will lead to true community.

Study Questions:

1. What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?

2. When was the last time someone proclaimed the truth of the gospel to you in order to combat a lie that you were believing and living from? If it has been a while why do you think this is so?

3. Do you love people or do you need people to love you?

Peter helps us see the practical context for holiness. As elect exiles we live holy (set apart) lives empowered by the gospel to display the glory of God’s grace to the world around us.

Study Questions:

1. What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?

2. What does holiness look like in your life right now? Would the world describe you as set a part? Why or why not?

3. Do you struggle to view God as Father…to believe the He loves you and is pleased by your presence? Is it possible that you are putting your faith and hope in your holy living rather than in God? How could the gospel change your view of God?

4. Read and meditate on 2 Corinthians 6:1-13. What would it look like for you to “not receive the grace of God in vain”?

In a world full of false narratives, Peter exhorts believers to be sober-minded and set our hope fully on the grace of God in Christ. This is a necessary prerequisite for us to be sanctified and grow in holiness.

Study Questions:

1. What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?

2. Why is it crucial that Peter reminds these believers that their salvation is fully a work of God as he transitions to calling them to sanctification?

3. What false narratives exist in our world today? How do you see being primarily emotionally-minded a problem in light of that?

4. In what ways do we tend to supersede THE truth with OUR truth? What overlaps and what doesn't?

In love, God helps us know whether our faith is real.

Study Questions:

1. What things stuck out to you from this text? Is there anything in this text that challenges you?

2. Do you often rejoice in your salvation? Why or why not?

3. How does this text change your understanding/view of trials and grief? Can you give testimony of how God has used those in your life to establish and confirm your faith?

4. Where does community come into play in all of this? In other words, how does our understanding of salvation effect our outlook on the need for community?