Love Worth Finding | Audio Program

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Romans 4:1

In Romans 1-3, Paul addressed the fate of heathens, hypocrites, and humanity. But Romans 4 is a passage for those who believe it’s time for some good news, which is grace.

Adrian Rogers says, “Grace is the unmerited favor and kindness of God shown to one who does not deserve it and can never earn it. You will be saved by grace, or you won’t be saved at all.”

This grace is the good news that Abraham discovered: “What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God” (Romans 4:1-2).

Abraham was the first of the Jewish race, the father of Israel. If anyone could behave himself into Heaven, it would be Abraham. But the Bible argues that Abraham himself knew that God’s grace is what saved him, not his works: “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness” (Romans 4:3).

Because Abraham believed God, he respected God’s glory and received God’s gift of righteousness.

This grace is also the good news that David described: “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin” (Romans 4:7-8).

If Abraham would be considered the greatest of saints, David would be the greatest of sinners. David had committed adultery and then murder as a means of covering up his sins. But God brought him to a place of repentance; David learned that through God’s grace, his iniquity was forgiven, his sins were covered, and God would not charge him for his sin.

Adrian Rogers says, “God does not overlook sin, God Himself pays the price of that sin; that’s what Jesus did on that cross.”

Finally, this grace is the good news that Paul disclosed.

What Abraham discovered and David described is what the Apostle Paul proclaimed to everyone, the Jews and the Gentiles. He confirmed that this grace doesn’t come by ritual; rather it is received by God alone, upon salvation, as we receive His Holy Spirit.

Apply it to your life

Have you experienced God’s amazing grace in your own life? Remember, Adrian Rogers says, “Faith believes God, not for what God has done, but for who God is.”

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Romans 3:9-10

In Romans 3, Paul writes as a prosecuting attorney, bringing the human race before judgment in a case we could call, “God vs. Humanity.”

Romans 3:9-10 says, “For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin, as it is written: ‘There is none righteous, no, not one’…”

We are sinners by birth, by nature, and by heritage, no matter our race or background.

Paul presents his evidence against humanity, first bringing up man’s corrupted wisdom: “There is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God” (Romans 3:11). Because our minds have been touched by sin, our wisdom is deceitful.

Adrian Rogers says, “The average man thinks he can go to Heaven without being born again. He’s absolutely ignorant of two things: he doesn’t know how sinful he is and he doesn’t know how holy God is.”

Our wills are also corrupted by sin, and our service is unprofitable. We cannot seek God; instead, we run from Him. But the good news is that God chases us, and He is faster than us. We can only love Him because He first loved us. (See 1 John 4:19.)

Sin also corrupts our words, because our words tell us what is in our hearts.

“Their throat is an open tomb; with their tongues they have practiced deceit...” (Romans 3:13).

Because of our wicked ways, we’ve turned this world into a madhouse. And because we do not revere God, our worship is depraved, as well.

So Paul presents the case against humanity, to God, who is the Judge and Jury. The verdict: “Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God” (Romans 3:19).

God’s holy law is given to show us we have come short of the standard. God is just, and He doesn’t owe us anything; yet He is full of mercy that we can only receive after we see we deserve judgment.

Because of God, by faith, unto all, through grace, in Jesus, with justice, we are justified, declared righteous in God’s sight.

Apply it to your life

We will not know mercy and forgiveness until we admit our sin; confess your sins to God today. Remember, Adrian Rogers says, “He doesn’t overlook our sin, He pardons it freely by His grace.”

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Romans 1:24

Scripture identifies marriage as the supreme commitment we make on this earth. Yet in a nation whose new virtue is called “tolerance”, our sense of moral responsibility has been lost. Sexual immorality is socially acceptable, despite the clear instruction in God’s Word to remain pure.

It seems our nation is on the last step on the way down, toward the society Paul warns about in the Book of Romans. In Romans 1:24, Paul warns, “Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves…”

We are called, now more than ever, to cultivate healthy marriages and God-honoring homes.

Adrian Rogers says, “It takes a home to raise a child, and it takes homes to make a village, and unless our homes are solid we can have no village.”

Adultery is a sin against one’s self. There is no other sin that will do you more damage spiritually, psychologically, and physically. It is a sin against the home. God established monogamous marriage to meet the deepest emotional, physical, and spiritual needs of the children in the home. The glue that holds the home together is sexual faithfulness.

Adultery is a sin against the church. When a member of a church lives in sexual immorality, he sins against the holy body of Christ.

Adultery is a sin that damages society. No matter how society tries to glamorize it, adultery has destroyed great nations in the past: Rome, Egypt and Babylon, to name a few. It may be the sin that destroys our nation, as well, because it is a sin against Almighty God.

We must make the decision; bring our failures and sins before Jesus Christ and depend on Him. We have a responsibility to exercise our devotion to Christ and to our families. Let our love develop, cultivate and grow over time, guarding our hearts. We must be disciplined and have control over who or what we let into our lives.

Remain determined. Make up your mind that you will not fall into temptation before it comes.

As Adrian Rogers says, “Revival is not going to come to this nation from the White House, the statehouse, or the schoolhouse; it’s going to come from the church house.”

Apply it to your life

Remember your decision to depend upon Him, remain devoted, and develop your love for your spouse; stay disciplined and determined.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Romans 1:18-31

In Romans 1:18-31, the Apostle Paul reveals that this fallen world is without excuse: “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness…” (Romans 1:18).

God is a God of love, but He is also righteous; He is the Chief Judge, holy in His wrath. This passage reveals three reasons why this lost world is to be judged.

Man’s Willful Self-Determination

“...what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them...” (Romans 1:19). God has created two witnesses to testify of His existence: creation and conscience. The inner subjective witness is conscience, and the outward witness is creation—both reveal the truth of His existence and His Word.

However, this passage also identifies the haunting human resistance to God’s truth; they didn’t want to know, so they were determined not to know.

Man’s Wicked Self-Deception

“...because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts...” (Romans 1:21).

Adrian Rogers says, “Truth is not given to satisfy your curiosity; truth is given to cause your worship and thankfulness.”

“Professing to be wise, they became fools…” (Romans 1:22).

What’s worse than refusing to see, is refusing and still believing we see perfectly clear—to believe we are wise in our foolishness.

Those Paul is describing, “…changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man…” (Romans 1:23). Their shameful idolatry magnified the worst parts of their flesh.

Man’s Woeful Self-Destruction

“Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator...” (Romans 1:24-25).

They were sexually, socially, and spiritually perverted, turning from God to indulge in their lusts, their hatred, and their spiritual indifference.

Ultimately, this passage should act as an urgent warning to us, living in wicked days, to repent of our ways and follow God

Apply it to your life

Romans 1:18-31 warns us three times: “God gave them up.”

Adrian Rogers reiterates, “The worst thing God could do for you would be to leave you alone in your sin.” If you have any sin in your life, any self-determination, deception, or destruction, repent of your ways and turn to God.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Romans 1:14-16

In Romans 1, the Apostle Paul describes the heart and mind of someone totally abandoned to the Gospel in three “I am” statements.

I am a debtor.

Paul said, “I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise” (Romans 1:14).

Paul was faithful to the obligations of the Gospel. He first recognized his debt to Jesus Christ, and to the past heroes of the faith. Both Old Testament prophets, and the first martyr of the New Testament, Stephen, led to Paul’s conviction and knowledge of Christ.

We owe those who served Christ before us, even in their suffering, that we might know Jesus today. Our faith is a result of their vision, blood, sweat, tears, and sacrifice.

Paul also felt indebted to share the Gospel with the lost. Likewise, we should be heavy with compassion and accept the responsibility to share Jesus with others.

I am ready.

“So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also” (Romans 1:15). Paul was flexible for the opportunities of the Gospel. He was so consumed by Jesus that he was in love with his life, yet not afraid to die. (See Philippians 1:21.)

As followers of Christ, we are to be ready for anything He calls us to—to go or stay, to live or die, whatever, whenever, wherever.

I am unashamed.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek” (Romans 1:16). Finally, Paul did not fear opposition to the Gospel. In a proud, imperial city such as Rome, Paul was unashamed of Jesus Christ, and boldly proclaimed the purpose and the power of the Gospel.

Adrian Rogers says, “The Gospel is not intended to save civilization from wreckage; the Gospel is intended to save people from the wreckage of civilization.”

Without the Gospel of Jesus Christ, there is no hope; the power of the Gospel is the only thing that can save us from this lost world and rescue our souls from the grave.

Apply it to your life

When the Apostle Paul met Jesus, he asked two questions: “Who are You?” and “What would You have me to do?” Today, ask these two questions, so you may know who Jesus is and what He would have you “to do.”

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Romans 1:1

There has been no book that has ever influenced or impacted the world like the book of Romans. Some of the fathers of our faith and greatest minds have called it the Constitution of Christianity. Before we dive into the text itself, we should familiarize ourselves with the basics of the book that changed the world.

The Table of Contents

In sixteen chapters, we learn about the problem of sin and the answer of salvation. The book also explains the process of sanctification, God’s sovereignty, and our service to one another.

The Author: Paul

Paul, formerly known as Saul, was a Jewish man, a Roman citizen, a scholar, a Pharisee. When he changed his name to Paul (which means “little one”), he changed his identity. When this arrogant, bold man met Jesus and was saved, he discovered that he was small.

Adrian Rogers says, “One of the first things that true salvation does; it humbles us. You will never be too small for God to use you, but you may be too big.”

Romans 1:1 reveals that Paul was a surrendered and sent man: “a bondservant, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God.” He stood out among the crowd; likewise, we are called to be different. It is not what we do or don’t do that truly separates us, only the Gospel makes us like Jesus, and therefore, different from others.

The Hero: Jesus

Jesus is the promised one as Romans 1:2 says, “which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures…”

Jesus is also the provided descendant of David, the rightful heir to Israel’s throne. (See Romans 1:3.) He is “declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead” (Romans 1:4). Our hero is pure in His humanity, as well as in His deity—completely sinless.

The Subject: the Gospel

Finally, the subject of the Book of Romans is the Gospel, sourced and supplied by Jesus Christ, Himself. This is the Good News: poor, lost, ruined sinners such as we are saved, only through His grace.

Apply it to your life

As we begin to study the Book of Romans, do you have a relationship with Jesus Christ, the source of the Gospel, the supplier of grace?

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Hebrews 4:12

Adrian Rogers says, “The Bible is not like any other book: it breathes, sings, and weeps; it is alive in the power that it possesses.”

Whether penned by the Apostles, spoken by the mouth of Jesus, or recorded on scrolls by the Old Testament prophets, God calls these inspired utterances the Word of God.

The Word of God is absolute perfection; though the Scriptures were written by men, the words were inspired by God, declared completely infallible.

2 Peter 1:21 says, “...for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”

The Bible also speaks of God’s wonderful character. Jesus is called the Word of God in John 1:1-3; this comparison links together the character of Jesus and the character of the Bible.

Both Jesus Christ in His humanity and the Bible have come from God. They both live for eternity, absolutely unchanging lights for dark places. They bear elements of humanity and are given authority by God.

Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

The Word of God is quick, pulsating with life, because it presents a living person: Jesus.

The Bible is like a sword, dividing our innermost beings, between soul and spirit. The Bible discerns and criticizes; it searches us so that it may sanctify the saints. It works with sinners to convict and convert us; and if we do not adhere to its power, it can condemn us.

Adrian Rogers says, “The Gospel is a saver of life unto life or death unto death. If the Bible does not cut you to heal you, the Bible will cut you to kill you.”

The Bible works against Satan himself. When we face spiritual warfare, our only strategy should be pointing the enemy to Scripture. When we go to battle, we must not forget our sword: the Word of God.

Apply it to your life

When you read the Bible, does it divide, discern, search, and sanctify you? Let the Bible work on your life, revealing what you need to cut out or let go of in order to become more like Jesus.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Proverbs 23:23

In this day, it is not values that we desperately need, but virtue.

We must be able to differentiate truth and fact: we acquire facts but learn truth. Facts deal with knowledge, and knowledge can double, but truth never changes and is settled for eternity. We must make a habit of treasuring truth.

Proverbs 23:23 says, “Buy the truth, and do not sell it, also wisdom and instruction and understanding.”

We must prize the truth, for it is indispensable, absolute, and attainable through the Word of God. It is not enough just to know it; knowledge without transformation avails nothing. We must see the transforming power behind it, through the Holy Spirit.

We must also purchase the truth. Adrian Rogers says, “Salvation is free, but truth is costly; you pay a price to have truth.”

John 8:31-32 says, “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Believing in Jesus is the first step in attaining truth; we must also abide in His Word through discipleship. Discipleship is costly—it costs time, discipline, and obedience; but ignorance is far more costly. We must study the Bible for enlightenment. If we grow in knowledge but not in grace, we will be dangerous to ourselves and others.

Adrian Rogers says, “Truth is to your spirit what good is to your body, what light is to your eyes, what melody is to your ears.”

We also study Scripture for our enjoyment; reading the Bible should not be perceived as a punishment but as a privilege. We read for our personal enrichment, to sharpen our minds and strengthen our wills. We read Scripture for our enablement, to grow in our faith and fellowship with others.

Finally, we must preserve the truth, guarding it against those who will deny, distort, dilute, and defile the Bible. We do this by proclaiming the Gospel truth: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Apply it to your life

Do you treasure truth—prize, purchase, preserve, and proclaim it? Do you read Scripture for your enlightenment, enjoyment, enrichment, and enablement?

Sermon Overview

Scripture Reference: Joshua 24:11-16

God’s plan for us is not just to have eternal life after death, but to have abundant life, here and now. He has given us daily victory; but it is our responsibility to walk in it.

Adrian Rogers says, “To lose your wealth is sad, to lose your health is worse, but to lose your walk with God after you’ve once known Him is pitifully tragic.”

Joshua 24:11-16 reveals to us how to maintain the life of victory.

If we want to maintain a life of victory, we must first practice careful reverence.

“Now therefore, fear the LORD, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the LORD!” (Joshua 24:14).

It is possible to get so casual and careless about our relationship with God that we dare lose respect and fear of Him. But it is crucial that we continue, not in a superstitious or slavish fear, but in a sanctified fear of Him.

Second, we must show courageous resolve, that no matter what others do, we will serve the Lord. (See Joshua 24:15.)

To serve God means to worship Him, first with sincerity, without blemish, as living sacrifices.

But our worship must also be scriptural; our sincerity should not contradict the truth of Scripture. And we must be steadfast in our worship, practicing daily dedication to Him—even when we stand alone.

Third, we must express continual repentance.

The gods and idols of old are constantly coming back with different names. The sins we’ve turned from will inevitably chase us down and demand our service once again. If we want to maintain our victory, we must continually repent of our sins, fully and forcefully. We can never make peace with any sin; instead, we deal with it with a holy ambition.

Finally, there must be complete reliance, inclining our hearts to God, who works in us and through us.

Rather than boasting in our flesh, we maintain our victory through total dependence on God.

Adrian Rogers says, “Victory is not your responsibility; it is your response to His ability.”

Apply it to your life

Are you maintaining your victory through reverence, resolve, repentance, and reliance on God? Walk on conquered ground—possess what is already in your possession.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Reference: Luke 2

Luke 2:11 says, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

Who is this child? He is “Christ the Lord.”

Jesus Christ is called “Lord” 747 times in the New Testament alone! The question is not if He is Lord…it is if you will submit to His unquestioned lordship.

The confession of His lordship secures our salvation. Salvation is our greatest need, and God sent Jesus Christ to give it to us. But we cannot receive the salvation that Jesus gives while refusing who He is. We must put away our pride and bow our hearts before Jesus.

The confession of His lordship simplifies our service. When we make Jesus the Lord of our lives, it is the last independent decision we will ever make. From then on, He is the only one ours hearts should ever serve.

Adrian Rogers says, “My life is to please Jesus. If I please Jesus, it doesn’t matter whom I displease. If I displease Jesus, it really doesn’t matter who I please. And the way to please Jesus is to obey the Lord Jesus Christ.” Whatever He tells you to do, do it.

And the confession of His lordship subdues Satan. When we know who Jesus is and submit to Him, we have nothing to be afraid of. No attack from the devil is a match for Jesus’s power. And when you submit to Jesus, that same power lives in us.

Adrian Rogers also says, “When you bring your life in alliance with His divine will, and (say) ‘I will follow Him, any time, any place, anywhere, any cost,’ then friend, you’re going to find out that Satan will cower before you—he trembles!”

The devil knows the authority we have over Him when we are under the lordship of Jesus, and he hopes we never find that out. But we can, by submitting to the lordship of Jesus Christ.

Apply it to your life

Is Jesus your Lord? You will confess Him as Lord one day very soon. Everyone will…even the devil himself will bow at the feet of Jesus. But is He the Lord of your life today?

Submit to His lordship. And whatever He tells you to do, do it.