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The Protestant Reformation reminds the church of Scripture's authority and sufficiency and the truth that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Dave Jenkins explains why these truths remain essential today and encourages believers to guard the gospel, test teaching by God's Word, and stand firm in biblical conviction. For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

The gospel never changes, but every generation must guard against teachings that distort it. In this episode of Contending for the Word Q&A, Dave Jenkins explains why recovering the gospel was central to the Protestant Reformation and remains essential today. Drawing from Galatians 1 and Romans 1, Dave emphasizes salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, the danger of adding human merit to Christ's finished work, and the responsibility to faithfully pass the gospel to future generations. For more from Contending for the Word Q&A, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-qa/

The devotional emphasizes that the primary source of joy for believers should be the salvation of lost souls rather than material gains or worldly successes. It contrasts the lukewarm response of some congregations to new converts with the biblical mandate found in Acts 15:3, where believers rejoiced greatly as non-Jewish people turned to God. The text highlights that true Christian joy is revealed by a heart burdened for the lost, reflecting the heavenly celebration described in Luke 15 over one sinner repenting. It challenges the church to rekindle its passion for evangelism, noting that many conservative churches have lost the opportunity to present Christ to unbelievers. The central call is for believers to recognize that leading someone out of Satan's hand into Christ's is the most significant event in life, deserving of profound gratitude and active pursuit.

The sermon explores the pivotal moment in Acts 11 where the gospel expands from a Jewish context to the Gentile world, focusing on the dispersion of believers and the establishment of the church in Antioch. It examines the theological controversy surrounding the term 'Hellenists,' arguing that the context implies the initial evangelization of Gentiles rather than just Greek-speaking Jews. The teaching emphasizes the significance of the Holy Spirit's manifestation as proof of salvation prior to water baptism, challenging the doctrine of baptismal regeneration. Through the character of Barnabas, the sermon highlights the necessity of genuine Christian witness and distinctiveness from the world, contrasting the early church's grace with modern spiritual complacency. Finally, it reflects on the historical trajectory of the church, urging believers to recognize the weight of the opportunity extended to the Gentiles and the need for a faithful, distinct community.

This closing sermon distinguishes between intellectual belief and saving faith, arguing that knowledge of Christian facts without the experiential presence of the living Christ results in spiritual stagnation. Using the narrative of Blind Bartimaeus in Mark 10, the message illustrates how the awareness of Christ's immediate presence transforms impotent belief into active, personal faith that demands total surrender. The preacher emphasizes that true salvation is not merely a mental assent but a spiritual and moral resurrection that makes the believer autonomous in Christ's sufficiency. The address challenges the audience to move beyond being 'unsaved believers' by personally receiving Christ as Savior, thereby becoming vessels through whom the fragrance of God's knowledge is spread to the world.

The sermon presents a five-point framework for maintaining a solid grip on the Christian life, using the analogy of holding an object with all five fingers. It begins by emphasizing the theological significance of the blood of Jesus, which not only cleanses sin but also justifies believers as righteous before God, countering the accusations of Satan. The second point focuses on the necessity of living by every word of God, urging believers to read and store Scripture to receive divine guidance in daily decisions. The third point distinguishes between having the Holy Spirit and being filled with Him, illustrating that fullness requires yielding every area of life to His control. The fourth point addresses the daily discipline of dying to self, asserting that true resurrection life is manifested only through the continuous acceptance of the cross. Finally, the sermon calls for active participation in the local body of Christ, emphasizing that genuine love and function within the local fellowship are essential for a mature Christian walk.

This sermon examines the final chapter of Romans, highlighting Paul's extensive list of personal greetings to believers in Rome. The teaching explores the historical and theological context of key figures such as Phoebe, Priscilla, and Aquila, while addressing debated issues like the office of deaconess and the identity of Junia. It emphasizes the importance of close Christian fellowship, the structure of early house churches, and the vital role of women in ministry. The preacher contrasts the unity of the first-century church with modern divisions, urging believers to maintain doctrinal purity while fostering genuine love and community. The message concludes with a warning against false teachers who use smooth speech to cause division, encouraging the congregation to remain vigilant and grounded in sound doctrine.

This sermon examines the narrative of Saul's search for lost donkeys in 1 Samuel 9, illustrating how God's providence operates through ordinary and seemingly insignificant events. It contrasts Saul's impressive physical stature and social standing with his spiritual ignorance, highlighting the biblical principle that God looks at the heart rather than outward appearance. The text encourages believers to trust in God's sovereign guidance during times of disappointment or confusion, urging them to fulfill their daily duties and seek wise counsel rather than attempting to decode every circumstance. Ultimately, the passage serves as a reminder that while human vision is limited, God sees the full destination of our lives, pointing believers toward the true King, Jesus Christ, who came to save the lost.

Tonight we begin Judges 6. After everything God had done through Deborah… Barak… Jael… the storm… and the Kishon... after forty years of peace... Israel returned to evil. The tragedy of Judges… isn't that Israel had "too little evidence of God's faithfulness". They had generations of evidence. The tragedy is that… "remembered truth"… wasn't continually shaping their hearts. Peace… exposed… the same old heart! The crisis was gone… but so was the urgency. That's one of the recurring warnings of Judges. Hardship can drive us toward God… while comfort can quietly convince us… that we can manage life without Him. For us as Christians… this is deeply personal. We can seek God intensely in a hospital room… during a financial crisis… or when a family is falling apart. But then slowly loosen our grip… when life becomes normal again. "Be careful that you don't forget the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery." (Deuteronomy 6:12, HCSB) The danger isn't necessarily forgetting what God has done intellectually. It's living as though… what He has done… no longer matters.