Eternal City Church Sunday Sermons

Eternal City Church Sunday Sermons

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Eternal City Church Sunday Sermons episodes

  • Romans 2:1-11
    God cares deeply about self-righteousness. He wants his children whom he's forgiven much to be thankful and humble. He doesn't want his children (or anyone else for that matter) looking down from lofty imaginary heights to belittle and judge. May God give us the gift of humility as we serve him by his own strenth.
    37 min
  • Romans 1:28-32
    Vice lists were not uncommon in the first century. Paul takes advantage of this phenomenon by observing and writing his own vice list of what man is like without the true and living God as his object of worship. As creatures created to worship we must worship, the question is not will we worship but WHAT will we worship.
    44 min
  • Romans 1:18-27
    God's attributes range from gracious, merciful, and loving to Holy, righteous, and wrathful. In these verses, we see why God is angry at his rebellious creatures. They've rejected him as their highest and greatest good (their most valuable treasure) and have gone after created things seeking for them to give satisfaction and deep meaning. However, God is so merciful he is willing to receive us, even in this state of being, to receive, forgive, wash, and restore us to himself.
    57 min
  • Theology Applied #4

    In this episode, Pastor Chris explores the mystery of God's will: the difference between His decretive (or secret) will and His preceptive (or revealed) will, and what Christians are actually responsible for knowing and fulfilling. He also addresses some of the big questions that plague many Christians (how can we know God's will for our lives; can we miss or mess up His will for our lives?), plus how we can experience freedom as we seek to please the LORD with decision-making for our lives.

    28 min
  • Romans 1:16-17
    The gospel is the power of God unto salvation. What are the dynamics surrounding the gospel of grace and what should we expect when we share it?
    53 min
  • Theology Applied #3

    In this episode, Pastor Chris Moran discusses Biblical Epistemology and presuppositions: how we know what we know (epistemology), and what underlying beliefs are at the foundation of our understanding of reality (presuppositions). Christians have the Bible as the ultimate authority that informs our worldview and from conversion through the rest of life, we are in a lifelong process of growing and renewing our minds in light of Scripture.

    19 min
  • Romans 1:8-15
    God's sovereign purposes are often mysterious to us until we can look back from a distance with hindsight. Paul's being hindered from coming to Rome many times inspired him (in part, ultimately by the Holy Spirit) to write this letter. Our plans are often frustrated and without any seeming good reason. Christians can take comfort knowing that God's good plan and purpose (which includes our daily lives) is always succeeding.
    Romans 1:8-15 (ESV)
    Paul is using a normal pattern found in Greek letter writing where a section of thanks and petition follows an opening greeting.
    This is a reminder that Holy Spirit inspiration of Scripture was done through the regular writing practices of the time using the individual’s skills and talents for writing.
    “Through Jesus Christ” in v8 is the only place where Paul invokes Jesus’ name or title as the means through which Paul thanks God for someone. Paul is highlighting the access Jesus provides to God through prayer while also showing the common foundation of both Paul’s and the Romans’ faith.
    How should the phrase “in all the world” in v8 be understood? Is this hyperbole on Paul’s part? What can this say generally about faith? Consider Rom 1:5 and the phrase “obedience of faith.”
    Paul provides more details of his prayer in vv9-10. Usually, Paul’s prayers continue with concerns for the readers and spiritual growth, but here Paul makes known what his personal prayer is to see them.
    Paul mentions his service to God and calls God as his witness of service. In v9, how does Paul say that God witnesses his service?
    Unlike other Pauline writings, this section lacks a clear statement of Paul’s authority or Paul’s petition for the Romans to change. Why do you think that is the case? Consider Romans 15:20-22.
    Paul using the word “for” (or because) to introduce his three-fold purpose in visiting Rome: impart some spiritual gift (v11), reap some harvest (v13), and preach the gospel (v15).
    The phrase “spiritual gift” may refer to spiritual gifts mentioned in 1 Cor 12, but more likely, it is referring to a Spirit-given ability Paul has to gain insights into their situation and share what would be strengthening and encouraging to the Romans.
    Paul makes clear in v12 there is a mutual benefit, and the phrase “that is” suggests that Paul in a sense “corrects” the end of v11. While Paul desires their encouragement, he also desires his own.
    Does this at all diminish Paul’s words in v11? Is Paul being disingenuous?
    The phrase “in order that” is a common way for NT writers to express purpose or desired result. In this case, Paul is sharing that one of his purposes is to “reap a harvest” among them.
    What is the harvest Paul talks of, and what is the significance of the phrase “rest of the Gentiles”?
    The phrase “I am under obligation” literally means I am a debtor, and v15 provides the answer to the question “What is Paul’s debt?”
    Consider Rom 1:1,4-5,14. Usually, a debtor is a person who has received something and needs to pay it back. What is Paul a debtor to? Who is Paul a debtor to? How does this apply to us as well?
    A necessary clarification in case of any confusion: Grace does not make us debtors to God in the traditional sense. We are not given grace so now we owe God some repayment of that grace. That defeats the purpose of grace. Rather, when grace is given, we are now debtors to those who have not heard. We owe it to them to share the grace we have received because no one, including ourselves, is worthy of God’s grace. So, we share this grace as a debt to those who are lost.
    46 min
  • Romans 1:1-7
    The book of Romans has been called the greatest letter ever written. From a biblical perspective, that's not an overstatement. In these first seven verses, the Apostle Paul introduces himself and the gospel to which he is committed with all his being to spread.
    Romans 1:1-7 (ESV)
    Background and Historical Context
    Romans was written by Paul approximately 57 AD during his 3rd missionary journey (Acts 18:23-21:26) where he was collecting money from churches to give as a gift to the church of Jerusalem.
    The letter was written to the church of Rome as Paul sought to use Rome as a launching point to take the gospel to Spain.
    The tradition of the Catholic church is that Peter was the first bishop of Rome. However, there is little to no support that Peter was involved in establishing the Roman church. Church father Ambrosiaster writing in the 4th century says that the Romans, “have embraced the faith of Christ…without seeing any signs of mighty works or any of the apostles.” The most likely scenario is that Roman Jews were converted at Pentecost and took the gospel back to Rome.
    In AD 49, Roman Emperor Claudius expelled Jews and Christians from Rome due to “constant rioting at the instigation of Christos.” Most likely, there were disputes in the Jewish community about Jesus being the Messiah. Acts 18:2 describes this happening to Aquila and Priscilla.
    Details in the Text
    The phrase “servant of Christ Jesus” in v 1 is similar to how the OT used the phrase “servant of Yahweh” to describe Israel (Is 43:10), prophets (2 Kings 9:7), and outstanding figures such as Moses (2 Kings 18:12), Joshua (Joshua 24:29), Elijah (2 Kings 10:10), and David.
    The word “servant” is meant to convey total devotion and obedience to the master.
    By using the term “apostle” to describe himself in v 1, Paul is citing his authority on behalf of Christ to write this letter to a church he has never met.
    Verse 2 is a dependent clause pointing back to the gospel in v 1. So, the gospel was “promised beforehand” (redundant on Paul’s part for emphasis) pointing to major themes in Romans of promise and fulfillment. So, this gospel is not a new religion but one rooted in OT tradition where the God of the OT is the same God in the NT, and God’s salvation plan rests in His purpose and work.
    Paul turns in vs 3-4 to explain the content of the gospel: Jesus, the Son of God.
    The phrase “descended from David” can be translated “having come from the seed of David” and does not refer to simply being born. Rather, the phrase alludes to the preexistence of the Son who “changed” by taking on flesh and becoming a man (John 1:14; Phil 2:5-8).
    In v 4, “declared to be the Son of God” is not indicating that Jesus was not the Son of God until the resurrection happened (a theological heresy known as adoptionism). The key to this phrase is with the words “in power.” By virtue of His obedience to the Father through the cross and resurrection, Jesus transitions from Son as Messiah to Son as Messiah and powerful Lord who has full authority over sin, death, hell, and all things (Mt 28:18).
    The phrase “obedience of faith” is meant to highlight the inseparable nature of these ideas. Paul’s ministry was to bring people to faith (Jesus as Savior) and obedience (Jesus as Lord).
    50 min
  • Psalm 36
    God's love is active in its seeking, saving, reconciling, and sustaining movements. God's love is steadfast and expansive. This Psalm of David moves from what the "wicked" are like into what God is like, then he responds with prayer. Jesus is our hope of living in the steadfast love of God.
    Psalm 36 (ESV)
    Goal of the Psalm
    To contrast wisdom and wise living with ungodliness
    Details in the Psalm
    The Nature of the Wicked (vs 1-4)
    The theme of this section is that the ungodly live with no concern for the fear of God and deceive themselves into thinking that God either does not know or does not care about evil in the world. This thinking is the opposite of wisdom (Prov 1:7).
    In v 4, the phases “on his bed” and “in a way” are meant to represent the full day of the wicked, meaning that the wicked person is consumed from waking to sleeping with evil.
    Contrast this with God’s instructions to Deuteronomy 6:4-9
    The Wisdom of God (vs 5-6)
    David sets up a contrast between the ways of the foolish in vs 1-4 and the wisdom of God.
    While the foolish person is consumed with “trouble,” “deceit,” and “evil,” the wisdom of God has qualities of love, faithfulness, righteousness, and justice.
    God’s love and faithfulness are complementary, and so are His righteousness and justice. This is to say that God’s faithfulness guarantees His love for His people will not end, and God’s righteousness will bring justice as the wicked will be judged, but His people will find salvation.
    God’s wisdom affects everything in creation (v 6): heaven, mountains, the great deep. There is nothing that does not reflect God’s constant love, faithfulness, and justice (Rom 8:38-39; 11:33)
    The Joys of Wisdom (vs 7-9)
    The wisdom of God explained in the qualities above explain His goodness and concern for humans. This is made clear by the phrase “children of mankind.” God has a concern for all of His creation. David’s use of Elohim as a general reference for God points to God’s love as an expression of His role as Creator. – Elohim is the term used of God in the creation story of Gen 1.
    In v 8, David continues to speak on the joys of wisdom but narrows his focus to the godly. While all people exist as part of God’s goodness in creation, only the godly have the privileges of the feast, house, and delights of God and David’s descriptions highlight the blessing of God’s wisdom.
    Prayer and Protection from Evil (vs 10-12)
    In David’s prayer, he is bringing back to mind God’s covenant with His people that is rooted in the faithful love of God.
    Is God’s faithful love a difficult thing for you?
    When do you experience situations where you do not feel His love?
    What circumstances cause you to question His love?
    Christ in the Psalm
    In v 9, David refers to God as life and light. Consider the verses below related to Jesus:
    Life – John 1:1; 14:6; Light – John 8:12; 9:5)
    49 min
  • Psalm 73
    Asaph, seeking God's wisdom, ponders on and laments that the wicked are always increasing in their abundance while the people of God suffer. How can this be, Asaph asks? He does find an answer to this riddle but only after dwelling in God's presence in worship. We learn something profound and helpful from Psalm 73, simply that we gain perspective and insight as we linger in God's presence through prayer, reading of scripture, and corporate worship. God shows up and offers us himself, the fountainhead of all wisdom and insight.
    Psalm 73 (ESV)
    Goal of the Psalm
    To understand suffering in relation to God’s justice and goodness.
    Details in the Psalm
    Experience and belief (vs 1-3)
    The word “Truly” is a form of affirmation that sets the tone for the psalm. The writer knows that God is good even if his experiences detailed in vs 2-12 don’t seem to show that to be true.
    The phrase “But as for me” occurs 4 times in Hebrew and appears to be the way the author confesses some error (v 2, 22) or emphasizes how God sustains him (v 23, 28).
    When life is difficult, is it easy for you to compare yourself to other people and their situations? How can this lead to self-pity and resentment if left unchecked?
    The prosperity of the wicked (vs 4-12)
    From the author’s perspective (in self-pity, resentment), others have lives of ease with no struggles and no concern for God.
    Personal reaction (vs 13-17)
    The psalmist admits four things:
    First, he has stayed pure. Unlike the wicked who have committed violence (v6), oppressed others (v8), and disrespected God (vs9-11), the author’s heart and hands are clean.
    Second, he is in turmoil. The author understands and lives God’s justice but can’t see it in his own life. This observation is not questioning God but has the same spirit as Ecclesiastes.
    Third, he has a care for God’s people. If driven by his emotion, the writer would have spoken against God’s covenant people. While the writer may have thought about it, he does not act on removing Himself from the community as he understood the dangers of self-sufficiency.
    Fourth, he does not understand God’s ways, but he can still find peace in God’s presence. The writer has a renewed understanding that God is just, and the wicked will lose in the end.
    Affirming God’s justice (vs 18-20)
    God’s justice is the central point of the psalm. The wicked are doomed to fail, and the “when” is unimportant compared to the certainty that it will happen.
    Where do you see injustice in life that makes you hopeful for God’s justice to come?
    Evaluating the psalmist’s reaction
    Having seen the truth, the writer confesses to being irrational (like a beast) rather than wise.
    The desire of the Godly (vs 23-26)
    Being with God brings joy and a desire to know Him more.
    The words “may fail” in vs26 are actually just “fail” in Hebrew. There is no condition, the writer assumes that his body, heart, and mind will fail, but God will sustain.
    What role does unbelief play in preventing us from saying “but God” when facing suffering?
    What does it mean that God is your portion? How can we grow in our satisfaction in Christ?
    Experience and hope (vs 27-28)
    The psalmist contrasts his thoughts from earlier by praising God for His goodness. It is expressly because of his nearness to God that the psalmist is able to see clearly that God is good and worthy of his desires.
    50 min

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Eternal City Church Sunday Sermons