Calvary Wolfeboro

There's something about human nature that doesn't like the fact that salvation cannot be earned. One of the most obvious evidences for this fact is that men and women will often try to "get their lives together" before they "come to Christ." But if there is nothing anyone can do to merit salvation, then there is no need to "get your life together." That idea is tied to the heresy that we must somehow and in some way work for our salvation: that we need to make ourselves at least a little bit worthy before we come to Jesus. The New Testament makes it clear that this is a lie. And Romans, in particular, makes it clear that it is impossible. We can never make ourselves even a little bit more worthy. Salvation is a gift.

In 2006 the film, "An Inconvenient Truth," set out to warn the world of an impending catastrophe due to climate change. The premise of the title was that in order for humanity to reverse the trend of global warming we would have to take immediate and inconvenient measures. As devastating as climate change could be for life on earth, there is actually a much more inconvenient truth for humanity. Sin. In Romans 3:10 we read, "None is righteous, no, not one." This means that every single person was born under the control of sin, with a sinful nature. It's this nature that has placed us at odds with God and under His judgment since the first sin of Adam and Eve. Something must be done. Enter God. Enter Israel. Enter the Law. Enter Paul's argument in Romans building to it's culmination with the only solution to the inconvenient truth that is sin.

Hypocrisy is one of the few sins that no-one is ever proud of. Even the most wicked people will claim to live consistently by some standard. Many will flaunt their sexual sins. Even more will applaud the thief who steals from the rich to give to the poor. The hypocrite is never the hero. But hypocrisy is a big problem with human nature. It's an even bigger problem in the church. Consider how we can cut hypocrisy out of our lives by listening to Paul's words in Romans 2 as they reveal not only the fruit of hypocrisy, but it's root.

Conscience. It's the faculty of our humanity that tells us we were made in the image of God. The more we understand about God's nature, the more we recognize that in our own hearts there is an onboard navigation system. But how sufficient is the conscience? What is it able to tell us and where does it fall short? These are the questions that Paul focuses on as he continues to develop his introduction of the gospel. And while his purview is humanity without law and without grace, the principles of conscience apply even more for the Christian. Conscience is critical.

"If I could see the hole in Jesus' hand and touch the scar on His side, I would believe too." So goes one version of the common argument against belief. This argument can be persuasive. Even for those of us who do believe, the legitimacy of our faith in God can often be challenged by the question, "how much evidence is enough?" Thankfully, we don't have to wonder. God has given us the answer in Romans 1. What makes it even better is that it's a two for one. Not only do we find the answer to the evidence question but we also find understanding for a related question. "What is the wrath of God during the age of grace?" Let's consider these two critical questions as we continue through the book of Romans with chapter 1 verses 18 through 32 in a message entitled, "The Wrath of God Under Grace."

At every turn the Gospel that Christianity is built upon is being attacked. These attacks, whether from pseudo science, postmodernism, or some form of identity politics seek to shame Christians into silence. Silencing the message of the Gospel is one of the Enemies most effective strategies. The apostle Paul knew the social pressure we feel to be ashamed of the Good News. He understood that the message of the Gospel was shameful to the world. Yet he was unashamed. As we consider the crux of the entire book of Romans, let’s consider how we, too, can be unashamed of the gospel in the midst of a culture seeking to shame us into silence.

Condemnation. No human being wants to experience it and yet we all do. So when we read the words, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus,” we should pay attention. What does this mean? How do I make sure that I’m “in Christ Jesus" so that I won’t experience condemnation? These are critical questions. These are questions that are answered as we consider the first few verses of Romans chapter 8 in a message by pastor Jim Davis of Great Bay Calvary in Portsmouth, NH.

When Christians talk about faith they will often describe it in terms of depth and width. For example a Believer may say, “Early in my walk with the Lord my faith was a mile wide but only an inch deep.” That same Christian then goes on to describe how their faith grew deeper over the years. This is the purpose of the gospel. God intends the “good news” to produce faith that first saves us and then sanctifies us. This is the message of the book of Romans. In this letter, considered by many to be Paul’s greatest work, there is a vivid description of the deep and wide impact of the gospel. In this first installment, the letter is introduced and the question presented for each one of us, “How can the book of Romans cause my faith to be both deep and wide?"

Instant Communication with the world and people around us has become the life-bread of our daily lives. The convenience of being able to get a hold of anyone anywhere at any time has made this world much smaller and more connected than ever before. Yet for most believers we take the quickest most important communication tool available to us for granted every singe day; Prayer. If we really believed that the creator of the Universe is offering his ear and attention to us 24/7/365, how much more would we be people of ceaseless prayer? In James 5:13-18, we see not only how important and amazing prayer is, but how important real open relationships with other believers united in prayer with us is as well.