At the heart of Romans 9 is Paul’s evangelistic zeal for his kinsmen according to the flesh, Israel. Israel had been given so much privilege. They were given the wonderful privileges of the Law, the promises, the glory, the covenants and temple service. How could they miss the One to whom all these privileges pointed, Jesus Christ? This was not merely some theoretical or theological issue for Paul. It was real and personal. His heart was breaking and the main question that had to be answered was, “Has the Word of God failed?” God promised to save, and Israel, by and large was not being saved. More than this, while Israel was not being saved, Gentiles were trusting in Christ by the droves.

What Paul so beautifully does in his response is hold together both the sovereignty of God in pursuing His saving purposes and the responsibility of man. Why is Israel not responding to the Gospel? Paul’s answer points both to God and to Israel. And the same is true in our lives.

My prayer this week is that someone, through our study of Romans 9, would come to faith in Christ. That somehow by God’s great grace and mercy through our study of this passage that shows God to be so sovereign and man so small, someone might begin to sense God stirring in their heart. God would, even in this passage, birth within someone a desire to know Christ and His salvation by faith. I pray that you will join us this weekend, and I pray that you would join with me in asking God to move and save lost sinners through our worship of Him in song and in His Word. To God be the glory!

— Pastor Chad McDonald

This week, we come to one of the most difficult and challenging sections in all of God’s Word. The text itself is not that hard to understand but is often hard for us to accept. Many come to these chapters looking for clarity and answers to some of their deepest theological questions. Some of you will come over the next few weeks to find out where I land on some of these issues regarding Israel and the sovereignty of God. However, if we simply come to this text with a desire for greater clarity on the theoretical and theological questions of our mind, we will have missed the point.

Having just finished a chapter on the greatness of the salvation, assurance and security that we have in Christ, Paul’s heart breaks for his lost kinsmen who do not have this same salvation. While Paul’s heart breaks for this loss, his heart is also filled with worship at the “riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!” In other words, if our study in these chapters does not develop a greater desire to see the lost saved and a deeper sense of love and worship for the God we serve, then I will have failed us, and we will have certainly missed the point.

I pray you will come prepared to worship this weekend. Make plans now. Begin to prepare your heart today. Read ahead. Study the text, prepare your heart and pray for the lost. As we gather for corporate worship, let’s expect God to move in response to the study of His Word and the worship of His people.

— Pastor Chad McDonald

This week, we come to one of the most difficult and challenging sections in all of God’s Word. The text itself is not that hard to understand but is often hard for us to accept. Many come to these chapters looking for clarity and answers to some of their deepest theological questions. Some of you will come over the next few weeks to find out where I land on some of these issues regarding Israel and the sovereignty of God. However, if we simply come to this text with a desire for greater clarity on the theoretical and theological questions of our mind, we will have missed the point.

Having just finished a chapter on the greatness of the salvation, assurance and security that we have in Christ, Paul’s heart breaks for his lost kinsmen who do not have this same salvation. While Paul’s heart breaks for this loss, his heart is also filled with worship at the “riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!” In other words, if our study in these chapters does not develop a greater desire to see the lost saved and a deeper sense of love and worship for the God we serve, then I will have failed us, and we will have certainly missed the point.

I pray you will come prepared to worship this weekend. Make plans now. Begin to prepare your heart today. Read ahead. Study the text, prepare your heart and pray for the lost. As we gather for corporate worship, let’s expect God to move in response to the study of His Word and the worship of His people.

— Pastor Chad McDonald

Romans 8 is the chapter of Christian assurance. The chapter begins with “no condemnation.” There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. No condemnation now or any time in the future. God’s verdict of acquittal in justification is a verdict that is irreversible. Then, at the end of the chapter, we find that there is “no separation.” There is no separation from the persisting love of God which is in Christ — no condemnation and no separation from the love of Christ.

Paul is clearly ministering to people who needed that kind of assurance. In light of the circumstances and situations of the Roman believers, there appears to have risen some questions about the sufficiency of God to handle such a threatening world. Paul responds with more than just general words of encouragement. He brings them to the height of Christian doctrine and truth in the love of God demonstrated in Christ.

Some of you are facing circumstances and situations that are leading you to a similar place of insecurity and fear. Is God totally sufficient for my needs and situations? When no one else seems to understand, how can I be certain that God loves me and that I can trust Him? I pray that you will join us this weekend as Paul seeks to plumb the depths of God’s love demonstrated towards us in Christ.

— Pastor Chad McDonald

Romans 8 is the chapter of Christian assurance. The chapter begins with “no condemnation.” There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. No condemnation now or any time in the future. God’s verdict of acquittal in justification is a verdict that is irreversible. Then, at the end of the chapter, we find that there is “no separation.” There is no separation from the persisting love of God which is in Christ — no condemnation and no separation from the love of Christ.

Paul is clearly ministering to people who needed that kind of assurance. In light of the circumstances and situations of the Roman believers, there appears to have risen some questions about the sufficiency of God to handle such a threatening world. Paul responds with more than just general words of encouragement. He brings them to the height of Christian doctrine and truth in the love of God demonstrated in Christ.

Some of you are facing circumstances and situations that are leading you to a similar place of insecurity and fear. Is God totally sufficient for my needs and situations? When no one else seems to understand, how can I be certain that God loves me and that I can trust Him? I pray that you will join us this weekend as Paul seeks to plumb the depths of God’s love demonstrated towards us in Christ.

— Pastor Chad McDonald

Mel Gibson’s “Passion of the Christ” portrayed the death of Christ in one of the most accurate ways ever seen by man, except for those who saw it firsthand. I saw the movie once. I have never seen it again. It is one thing to imagine the death of Christ; it is altogether different to see it portrayed in such a realistic way.

In our Good Friday services, we will look at another portrayal of Christ’s suffering in Isaiah 53. Isaiah describes the suffering of Christ with detail and perfection, but unlike Mel Gibson, he pens his description over 700 years in advance of it actually happening. Only God can talk about future events as if they were yesterday’s news.

Then in our Easter Celebration services, we will turn our attention to another resurrection in Scripture. A resurrection that anticipates the resurrection of Christ and our own resurrection. A resurrection in which Christ’s claim is tested and gives us proof-positive that He is the resurrection and the life! Only in Christ can we find hope for the future and life for today. I pray that you will join us for all our Easter weekend activities. Make the decision now to attend and invite a friend. Join us as we serve and worship the Risen Savior, King Jesus!

— Pastor Chad McDonald

Mel Gibson’s “Passion of the Christ” portrayed the death of Christ in one of the most accurate ways ever seen by man, except for those who saw it firsthand. I saw the movie once. I have never seen it again. It is one thing to imagine the death of Christ; it is altogether different to see it portrayed in such a realistic way.

In our Good Friday services, we will look at another portrayal of Christ’s suffering in Isaiah 53. Isaiah describes the suffering of Christ with detail and perfection, but unlike Mel Gibson, he pens his description over 700 years in advance of it actually happening. Only God can talk about future events as if they were yesterday’s news.

Then in our Easter Celebration services, we will turn our attention to another resurrection in Scripture. A resurrection that anticipates the resurrection of Christ and our own resurrection. A resurrection in which Christ’s claim is tested and gives us proof-positive that He is the resurrection and the life! Only in Christ can we find hope for the future and life for today. I pray that you will join us for all our Easter weekend activities. Make the decision now to attend and invite a friend. Join us as we serve and worship the Risen Savior, King Jesus!

— Pastor Chad McDonald

A Church for all generations. Weekly Sermons from Lenexa Baptist Church.

A Church for all generations. Weekly Sermons from Lenexa Baptist Church.

Why did Christ leave the glory of heaven? Why did Christ come to earth? Why did Christ die on the cross for our sins? These are primary questions that we must understand. If we get the answers to these questions wrong, we will end up rejecting Christ just like many in the crowd on that first Palm Sunday. When Jesus arrived in Jerusalem on that Palm Sunday, the majority of the crowd was overwhelmed with excitement. Christ their King was entering Jerusalem to take His rightful place. Before the week is over, however, they will reject Him and put Him on a cross shouting, “Crucify Him!” Why? Because they didn’t understand who Christ was. They did not understand who they were, and they did not know why He came. For that reason, they rejected Him. Sadly, many are making the same mistake today.

This weekend as we look at Christ’s triumphal entry marking the beginning of the Passion Week of Christ, I pray that God will make clear to us through His Word and Spirit who we are, who Christ is, and why He came. And I pray that many will come to trust in Him as Savior and submit to Him as Lord. I pray you will join us!