Eternal City Church Sunday Sermons

Eternal City Church Sunday Sermons

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Eternal City Church Sunday Sermons episodes

  • Theology Applied #12

    In this episode, Pastor Chris Moran continues our current series on Soteriology and the "ordo salutis". Today we begin to define and explore sanctification in the Scriptures. From the moment of our justification to the moment of our glorification, the LORD is gradually, progressively growing us into the image of Jesus.

    46 min
  • Romans 4:16-25
    Hebrews 11:6 says "without faith it is impossible to please God." Faith is an essential element to our justification however faith must also be the means by which we continue in our Christian walk. We live the rest of our days on this side of eternity continually trusting in God's promises found in his word.
    Romans 4:16-25 (ESV)
    While Paul looked at the negative (promise does not come through the law) in v13, he now explores the positive (promise comes through faith) by diving deeper into the ideas of faith, grace, and hope while still using Abraham as a model.
    The structure and language of v16 are important to understand what Paul is conveying. In the phrase, “that is why,” the word “that” either points back to the inability of the law to secure the promise or, points forward to the phrase “that the promise may rest on grace.” The latter is the better choice in this instance. Paul is saying that the reason the promises of justification are by faith and not works are so that grace can be the foundation of the promise.
    If justification was based on our works, grace would be nullified, and without the grace of God, we would only be under wrath.
    Paul makes the connection again to the covenant with Abraham in v17 when he quotes Gen 17:5. By quoting Gen 17, Paul is validating that both Jews and Gentiles are included in the people of God. This provides us a picture of how our inclusion in the promise of salvation was not an afterthought or a secondary decision by God. He desired from the start to have both Jew and Gentile in His kingdom.
    In v18, Paul starts with a peculiar phrase “In hope he believed against hope.” The idea of this phrase is that Abraham’s faith was against (or not in) man-made hope defined by reason and common sense, but his faith was based on the hope of the promises of God.
    All human reasoning would have compelled Abraham to not believe God (v19), but He had faith that God was keeping His promises.
    This tells us that faith is not simply a blind “leap in the dark” based on some irrational thought, but faith is moving from our reason and common sense to rest in God’s promises found in Christ. While those promises are not always visible or evident, we know them to be true because a faithful God is the one making them, and all of the promises of God find their fulfillment in Jesus (2 Cor 1:20-21).
    The result of Abraham’s faith is that he became the father of many nations (v18), and Abraham’s faith grew even when all human reasoning would have said to not trust God, and with increased faith, Abraham brought glory to God.
    Abraham’s continued faith was grounded in the truth that God is able to do what He promises.
    In vs23-25, Paul moves to apply faith and the model of Abraham to all Christians highlighting that just as for Abraham, faith is the basis for our justification, and Jesus is the object of our faith.
    In v25, the word “for” is used twice with 2 slightly different intents. The first is saying that Jesus was delivered “because of” our trespasses (sins), and the second is that Jesus was raised “in order to secure” our justification. Both the cross and the empty tomb are vital to salvation.
    Questions:
    How do these truths of faith, grace, and hope compel you to love God more?
    Since we receive the promises of justification by grace through faith, how should the way we live be influenced by this? How should we view the good things that we do?
    What promises has God made you? What times in your life do you doubt the promises of God?
    0 min
  • Romans 4:9-15
    Continuing to unpack justification by faith alone Paul shows how from the life of Abraham, that his good works came after God had declared him to be right in his sight. The sign of his salvation and justification (circumcision) came after he was declared to be righteous.
    Romans 4:9-15 (ESV)
    Justification as Paul describes it in Rom 4 is God crediting righteousness to an individual not through the individual’s good works but through faith alone. Paul’s goal in his continued argument here is to show using Abraham as a model that faith alone is sufficient to be credited righteousness.
    The question before Paul now is whether or not the blessing of justification is available only for ethnic Jews (circumcised) or for all people (uncircumcised). Paul appeals to the OT and roots his position firmly on the authority of God’s Word.
    Looking back at OT texts, Paul quotes Gen 15:6 as evidence for Abraham being credited righteousness, but Abraham’s circumcision does not take place until 30 years later (Gen 17).
    Paul’s focus on this topic is most likely driven by a desire to undermine this idea of boasting (Rom 3:27-28) in good deeds. If the model of justification through faith (Abraham) had no basis for boasting due to circumcision, it would mean that no one has a basis for boasting in good works.
    In v11, Paul describes circumcision as a sign and a seal of righteousness. This is confirmation language, that is, circumcision (we could add any good work performed out of a desire to love God and love others) confirms the faith that is already present (“that he had by faith”).
    The end of v11 into v12 form a purpose clause to explain why Abraham was credited righteousness apart from circumcision. The result is that Abraham is the father to all people both Jews and Gentiles, and due to this, all people are credited righteousness through faith alone just as Abraham.
    This is important for 2 primary reasons. First, it allows Jewish Christians to properly enjoy their relationship with God through faith rather than relying on external things. Second, it places Gentile Christians in their proper place as being part of the covenant and plan of God.
    The word “for” in v13 is an explanatory conjunction. Paul is explaining why he intentionally neglected to include the law as part of the discussion in vs11-12 which would have been seen as a glaring omission to Jewish readers.
    Paul has been consistent to exclude the law from God’s covenant with Abraham. In Gal 3:15-17, Paul points out the chronology of events as the Abrahamic covenant came 430 before the law. Here in Rom 4, Paul takes things a step further with a conditional phrase in v14 comparing law and faith. If the law produces justification, the result would be an emptying of faith and a nullification of the promise made to Abraham. The promise is nullified because if it is dependent on adherence to the law, there would be no one righteous, which supports his argument in Rom 1-3.
    Questions:
    Rom 4:11 is considered an important verse in the debate around baptizing infants. The argument in favor of infant baptism is that
    Paul calls circumcision a sign and seal of faith which is similar spiritual language that is used in baptism. So, if circumcision was given to infants, baptism should be too.
    Discuss this topic in your group.
    Is this an accurate view of the text? Would you argue differently?
    This section is deep theologically. How does this further understanding of justification influence our thoughts toward God and to our lives?
    0 min
  • Theology Applied #11

    In this episode, Pastor Chris Moran continues our current series on Soteriology and the "ordo salutis". We explore adoption: the God of all creation grafting believers into His family as sons and daughters. He takes us from the family of Satan, and gifts us admission into His holy family, which comes with a new identity, gifts and privileges, and an inheritance...and should result in members of the local church relating to each other as a visible expression of that family.

    44 min
  • Theology Applied #10

    In this episode, Pastor Chris Moran continues our current series on Soteriology and the "ordo salutis". We explore the legal concept and doctrine of justification, or how someone can truly be declared "not guilty" before the just Judge of all the earth. Christians receive this status as a gift from God based solely on the person and work of Jesus in His life, death, burial and resurrection in our place.

    37 min
  • Romans 4:1-8
    Chapter four opens up with Paul bringing in two heroes of the Jewish people to support what he's just argued at the end of chapter three. Namely, "For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law." Paul digs into the Old Testament to prove his gospel is not something he made up but rather God has always declared men and women righteous based on their trust of him and his promises.
    0 min
  • Theology Applied #7

    In this episode, Pastor Chris Moran continues our series on Soteriology with a deep dive into "regeneration." Every Christian is regenerate or born again. Together, we explore what it actually means to be "born again"; what happens as a result of this new birth; and why Jesus said this Holy Spirit-worked transformation is non-negotiable for salvation and eternal life.

    30 min
  • Theology Applied #9

    In this episode, Pastor Chris Moran continues our current series on Soteriology and the ordo salutis with "repentance": a change in both attitude and action, that results in a turning away from the path of rebellion against God, and a turning toward both rest in His saving grace and receipt of forgiveness based on the person and work of Jesus Christ in our place. We'll explore what repentance is (and is not); how it works; and what we should practically do in light of true repentance.

    30 min
  • Homosexuality
    Homosexuality is portrayed in our culture as normal and in some Christian circles, same-sex relationships are God blessed relationships. What does the Bible actually teach about our sexual orientation and attractions. What are Christians to do if they feel attraction for those of the same sex? In this message Pastor Eddie Jones gives us great wisdom and insight from the scriptures on such a hot topic.
    0 min
  • Idolatry
    When we think of idolatry, we often think of modern eastern religions or ancient primitive peoples bowing down to statues, burning incense, and presenting offerings. The Bible, specifically the old testament, speaks of men "taken their idols into their hearts." Humans must worship; therefore, if we do not worship the true and living God, we will worship a created thing rather than the creator. Thankfully God by his Spirit reorients our hearts to worship him instead of lesser things.
    0 min

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Eternal City Church Sunday Sermons