Love Worth Finding | Audio Program

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Romans 14:19

The Book of Romans offers a sure word for an unsure age and calls for unity in a divided world. Jesus wants unity in His Church because togetherness is to our great advantage as believers and the thing our enemy dreads most.

When we are anointed by the Holy Spirit as one body, pursuing the things that make for peace among us, the Church is unstoppable.

Romans 14:19 says, “Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.”

Unity is a matter of lordship.

Earlier in Romans 14, Paul addresses disputes within the Roman church over diets and holy days. Paul urges believers not to divide over incidentals, but to devote themselves to one another. Paul tells them to receive their weaker brothers or sisters because their salvation is from God. Their service, security, and stewardship are found in Him alone. Rather than judging one another, Paul reminds them that we all answer to God, and only He is able to make us stand.

Unity is also a matter of liberty.

As Romans 14:17 says, “...for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Liberty has its rights, but it also bears its responsibilities.

Adrian Rogers says, “It is wrong for people in church to take their liberties and try to make such rights out of them that they wound the fellowship.” Many things we consider fundamental in church are in fact incidental. We must recognize them as such and choose to love each other over our own preferences.

Finally, unity is a matter of love.

Unity ignites love within the Church, and love will do many things for our fellowship. Love keeps our brothers from stumbling; it does not give reason for sorrow or separation. Love maintains unity in the Church and dispels reason for suspicion.

Romans 14:22 says, “Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.”

Love covers all offenses, and helps the fellowship grow in knowledge and grace together.

Apply it to your life

If you belong to a church, seek the things that make for peace; don’t divide over incidentals, opinions, or offenses. Exercise your rights in love, receiving one another and bearing your responsibility as a believer.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Romans 13:11-14

In Romans 13:11-14, the Apostle Paul sounds the alarm to let us know that the enemy is near.

As we see anarchy in this world, apostasy in the church and apathy in our pews, this wake-up call for the Church is as urgent today as it was when Paul first wrote it.

“And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light” (Romans 13:11-12).

It’s later in this age than we may think. We only have so many more days and hours yet to serve Jesus. There are unparalleled opportunities to preach the Gospel today that we will not get back. We cannot roll over and yawn in the face of God; it's time to wake up.

It’s also time to clean up. Romans 13:13 says, “Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy.”

This passage tells us to put off carousing, sexual immorality, shamelessness, and covetousness. In an un-blushable generation that boasts in its sin, we are called to a higher standard of clean living.

Finally, it’s time to dress up: “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts” (Romans 13:14).

Lord means Master: when we put Him on, He will give us direction in the way we should go.

Jesus means Savior: in this vile world, Jesus is the only one who can deliver us from evil.

Christ means King: He rules over us, and when we wear Him, He teaches us how to rule in this life.

In this world, we must wear Jesus like a robe of righteousness, making no provision for the flesh. If we let Him, He will cover our sorrows and tears, our failures and shame.

Apply it to your life

The hour is late; don’t pull the cover over your head and press snooze; it’s time to wake up, clean up, and dress up.

Adrian Rogers says, “Life is too short, eternity is too long, souls are too precious, and the Gospel is too wonderful for us to sleep through it all.”

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Romans 13:1-7

What does the Bible say about Christian citizenship? What are our responsibilities, duties, and rights? What are Christians to do, to think, and how are we instructed to behave?

Many Christian citizens shy away from political involvement for various reasons. Some are discouraged, and others are intimidated or annoyed. But Romans 13:1-7 encourages us first to look at the reasons for human government.

The Bible tells us that human government is ordained by God. Daniel 2:21 says, “He [the Lord] removes kings and raises up kings." God ordains human government for two reasons: to restrain evil and to reward good.

Romans 13 also outlines the requirements for human government. And in Matthew 22, Jesus tells the people, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21).

As Christians, our responsibility is, first and foremost, to God; but we do have a responsibility to human government. Adrian Rogers says, “Separation of church and state does not mean the separation of God and government.” The government is here to restrain evil. The church is here to preach the Gospel. The state is not the master of the church, and the church is not the master of the state. The church is the conscience of the state. We are here to hold up a standard of truth.

There are six duties Christian citizens have concerning our government.

Pay our government: Jesus paid His taxes; we ought to do likewise.

Pray for our government: Adrian Rogers says, “The greatest responsibility in America is not in the White House but in the church house.”

Praise our government: We are to give honor to whom honor is due.

Preach to our country: Adrian Rogers says, “We dare not identify the Christian faith with the Democrat or the Republican Party. We need to be free to tell both parties to repent and get right with God.”

Participate in our government: Christians are to participate, not on the basis of parties, but principles. We are to be informed.

Persuade our government: Our hope for America is to change public opinion. The Great Commission remains the same: we are instructed to win souls for Jesus Christ.

Apply it to your life

Have you been a good steward of your Christian citizenship? Are you involved? Get informed and pray for our government.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: James 1:19

Adrian Rogers says, “We’re in the business of serving the Lord, and God has given to every one of us a ministry.”

As we mature in our faith, we are called to find our place of service. The days we’re living are desperate; it’s time we discover our individual ministry to serve the Body of Christ.

Romans 12 offers four principles to remember when discovering our ministry.

The first principle is lordship.

Romans 12:1 says, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.”

Before we ask God for answers about our ministry, we must present ourselves for His service. We must remember that He has shown tremendous mercy, that when we were rebels, God saved and secured us. We are required to present ourselves to Him as living sacrifices. As a result, we will be transformed. When we present ourselves as living sacrifices, our inner nature, which is Jesus, comes to the surface and people see Him through us. With our minds renewed to look like Christ’s, we are able to make assessments that we could never make before. We are able to think, not with human rationality, nor human intellect or intuition, but with divine guidance.

The second principle is membership.

“…so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another…” (Romans 12:5).

Many of us don’t know our ministry, because we’ve looked for it outside of the Body of Christ. We need each other, and to say otherwise is sheer pride and arrogance.

The third principle is stewardship.

“Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them…” (Romans 12:6).

We are stewards over the gifts God has given us; we must use them wherever and however God guides us.

The final principle is fellowship.

“Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another...” (Romans 12:10).

If we abide by these four principles, God will use us so deeply for one another to prove what is good and acceptable; we will be examples of the perfect will of God.

Apply it to your life

Have you discovered your ministry? Abide by the principles of lordship, membership, and stewardship; continue in fellowship with other believers.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Romans 11:36

Everything begins with God. He is the source of all things, and everything leads back to Him. Everywhere we look, we see that Jesus is the power, preserver, and purpose of creation. Romans 11:36 says, “For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.”

When we understand that prayer is a cycle—that, like everything else in this world, it revolves around Jesus—we will learn the secret of effectual prayer.

The origin of prayer is rooted in the purposes of God.

God has given us the privilege of working with Him. Prayer creates a special bond with our Creator, who designed us to depend upon Him.

Prayer is also God’s way of disciplining us; any prayer that is not rooted in God’s will does not come to fruition.

Adrian Rogers says, “Prayer does not bend God’s will to fit our will; prayer finds the will of God and gets in on it.”

The operation of prayer relies on the power of God.

God gives us the desire to pray; as sinful creatures, we have a natural inclination not to pray. Once we are saved, God puts His Spirit in our hearts which stirs up the desire to pray.

He also gives us direction in our prayers: guiding us in what we should ask for and leading us to know the will of God.

We can’t conjure up faith, or make ourselves believe by our own strength. The dynamic of faith comes by hearing the Word of God; when He speaks in our alone time with Him, our faith grows.

Finally, the objective of prayer is the praise of God.

The purpose of prayer is to glorify God. When we become interested in His glory over our own personal glory, we’ll see our prayers answered.

Adrian Rogers says, “Prayer goes into God’s presence to carry something away. Praise goes into God’s presence just to stay there forever and ever.”

Apply it to your life

The secret of effectual prayer is that it happens by God, through God, and to God. Spend some time in prayer today and ask God to direct your prayers, so that you may know His Will. Spend some time praising Him today, as well; stay in His presence and seek His glory.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Romans 11:1

Because Israel is God’s chosen nation, it is the center of prophecy, of the approaching storm, of peace and glory.

No matter how bleak it may seem for Israel in these gloriously dark days, God does not break His promises or alter His Word. He has not forgotten His covenant with Israel.

In Romans 11, Paul recognizes five reasons God is not through with the Jews.

First, there is coming a day when Israel will see Jesus as Paul did on His way to Damascus. As Paul became a witness to the nations of the world, so will the Jews.

Adrian Rogers says, “If you don’t think that Israel can come to Christ, you don’t understand the power of God. The same power that convicted the apostle Paul is the power that will bring the Jews to Jesus.”

Second, God always has a remnant according to His grace; He is the One who preserves Israel, nationally and personally. Because of God’s promises, the Jewish faith is indestructible.

Third, God has a magnificent plan to bring back Israel, which has fallen away. By providing their salvation and allowing them to live godly lives, God uses the Gentiles to show the Jews the joy, love, faith, and victory we have in Christ.

Romans 11:11 says, “I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles.”

Israel is not simply a reservoir into which God pours His blessings; Israel is His pipeline through which God dispersed His blessings.

Fourth, God will continue to keep His promises to Abraham, in whom the Jewish race is rooted. Romans 11:16 says, “For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches.”

Finally, God will consummate His purpose with the Jews in His time, through His Son, and according to His Word. His plan will be enacted by His grace, for His glory. Jews who trust in God are the true Israel and they will be saved.

Apply it to your life

These are exciting days, as God is dramatically appearing in the life of His beloved nation and land. His prophetic promises are becoming a reality. There’s never been a better time to trust in the Lord Jesus and pray for Israel as the days become gloriously dark.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Romans 10:17-21

Adrian Rogers says, “Faith makes God’s grace available and real to us. Grace is God’s ability, and faith is man’s responsibility.”

In the Kingdom of God, our faith is the measure of our victory and success. Our belief is our greatest spiritual asset and richest currency. Conversely, unbelief is our greatest stumbling block. This is why there is an immediate urgency to receive what grace provides through faith in God.

Romans 10 reveals the intricacies of faith, what it is, and how to have it.

First, we must consider the object of our faith in order for it to be real.

When we rely on the wrong things, it can be dangerous to our spiritual health. We do not rely on positive thinking, or even on faith itself. True biblical faith is placed in Jesus Christ, alone.

Adrian Rogers says, “If the object of your faith is God, then the ambition of your heart ought to be to know Him.”

Once we confirm the object of faith, we see it originates from the Word of God.

Romans 10:17 says, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

In order to grow spiritually, we must hear from God; we cannot know the will of God by guessing at it. Faith cannot be generated; it is given, as Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

When God speaks to us through His Word and Jesus Christ, we will see the result of our faith, which is the Will of God.

The objective of our faith is to get God’s will done on Earth as it is in Heaven.

God is sovereign; He remains in control at all times. What He says He will do, He will accomplish. We have the beautiful opportunity to take part in His Will, through faith.

Finally, we must know the operation of faith, which is the work of God.

We do not work for our salvation, but our obedience to Him is proof that we believe in Him.

Apply it to your life

True faith does more than merely believe; it translates into action. When you pray and ask God what to do, and how to accomplish His Will for your life today, trust and obey Him.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Romans 10:1-13

Some may think being saved is an old-fashioned concept, but salvation continues to be man’s greatest need. Romans 10 describes the necessity and timelessness of salvation.

First, this passage reveals the freeness of salvation.

“For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes” (Romans 10:2-4).

Adrian Rogers says, “Some people think salvation roots in the merit of man. They think salvation is a reward for the righteous, but really it is a gift for the guilty.”

Many remain unsaved, not because they think they’re sinners but because they think they've never sinned. The worst form of badness is human goodness if human goodness is what keeps you from salvation.

Second, in Romans 10:6, we see the nearness of salvation.

“But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, ‘Do not say in your heart, “Who will ascend into heaven?”’”

We don’t have to go on a pilgrimage to find salvation, because Jesus Christ stepped out of Heaven to find us. He already paid the price with His life, already bore the weight of our sins on the cross, and rose to life to give us hope. We only need to be bold and unashamed as we confess Jesus as Savior and Lord.

Salvation is not an intellectual belief that we tack on along with other ideas; it is trusting and committing everything to Jesus, claiming Him as Savior and Lord.

Finally, we see the richness of salvation in Romans 10:12.

“For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him.”

Adrian Rogers says, “Nobody is so good they don’t need to be saved, and nobody is so bad that they cannot be saved.”

God wants everybody to be saved; anyone who calls upon Him will be saved. We may fail Him, but He has never failed us. Salvation is by grace through faith, trusting the Lord Jesus.

Apply it to your life

Are you sure and solid in your salvation? Consider the freeness, the nearness, and the richness of salvation today.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Romans 9

As followers of Jesus, our greatest mission in this life is the pursuit of lost souls. Adrian Rogers says, “We are to evangelize or we will fossilize.”

In the Book of Romans, the Apostle Paul expresses sincere, steadfast, and sacrificial concern for lost souls. In Romans 9:1-2, he says, “I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart.”

Are some predestined for Hell? Absolutely not! There are three things we need to know about the character and nature of God that will bring our theology into sharp focus.

We first need to recognize God’s sovereign choices. In this passage, Paul uses the Jewish nation to explain the concept of God’s sovereignty. Jews are God’s chosen people; they have been given a name of honor, adoption, glory, covenants, law, service, promises, and the coming Messiah. The purpose of God’s choice is not for salvation, but for service. His choice also deals with preference. God has preferences for nations, but He does not predestine individuals for Hell.

Second, we need to know God’s spotless character: “What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? Certainly not!” (Romans 9:14) Despite what we may feel about His sovereign choices, God answers to no one and He owes us nothing but judgment.

Yet, God pardons according to His sovereign will; He has decided to show us mercy when we don’t deserve it. It is not rooted in our merit but in His mercy. Punishment is according to man’s stubborn wickedness.

God has every right to punish sin because He is God. But God does not create people in order to destroy them. If we want mercy, God will give us mercy. But if we harden our hearts, God will further harden our hearts.

Finally, we need to be certain of God’s steadfast concern. He wants us to have salvation. If we want to be saved, He will save us, and keep us and present us spotless before His throne.

Apply it to your life

As you meditate on Romans 9 today, ask God to reveal His heart to you. Let the Holy Spirit affirm in your heart God’s sovereign choice, spotless character, and steadfast concern.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Romans 8:28-39

The Bible says there is no good person, not one. (See Romans 3:10.) Every good thing we have is due to the grace of God, in spite of our sins. Romans 8 explains why good things happen to bad people, to sinners like us.

First, we are graced by His purpose.

Romans 8:28-29 says, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” God’s eternal purpose is to make us more like Jesus, and we can rest assured that His purpose will be fulfilled. God will complete the work He begins.

Second, we are guided by His providence.

God does not will evil, but even when man does evil, God is still in control and will use it for good.

Third, we are guarded by His power.

Romans 8:31-35 shows that because God is for us, the enemy cannot intimidate us. And because God loved us so much that He sacrificed His own Son, He will not deprive us of anything we need.

Adrian Rogers says, “If He would give the great gift of Jesus while we were sinners, what’s He going to do for us now that we’re His children? If He gave the greatest gift when we didn’t even ask, what will He give for asking? If He gave Jesus, would He withhold anything else?”

The devil will try to incriminate and condemn us for our sins, but God has already paid our debt in full; now, we can never be separated from His love.

Finally, we are gladdened by His presence.

Romans 8:38-39 says, “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Because of God’s purposes, providence, power, and presence, good things can happen to bad people like us.

Apply it to your life

As you study Romans 8:28-39 today, remember: nothing can separate us from God’s love. Adrian Rogers says, “We don’t live by appearances or explanations; we live by promises.”