The Gospel of God - Message 23 - The Righteousness of God by Faith - Romans 3:21-22. "By the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight, BUT NOW! Coming to our text this morning we find what Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones calls "the great turning point" from God's revealed wrath to His manifest grace.

The sermon examines Abraham's deception in Genesis 20 to illustrate the dangers of compromising with sin and maintaining hidden areas in one's life. It contrasts Abraham's fear-driven half-truths with King Abimelech's eventual submission, highlighting how a pagan ruler recognized Abraham's prophetic authority and offered unrestricted access to his land. The central application challenges believers to remove spiritual boundaries and allow God's Word to address every aspect of their character without resistance. By adopting the posture of 'Behold, my land is before thee,' Christians are urged to invite full divine inspection and transformation rather than protecting specific 'roped-off' sins. This complete surrender enables the Holy Spirit to cultivate fruit in areas previously hardened by neglect or fear.

In Jonah 3, the prophet who once fled God's command receives a second chance after repenting in the belly of the fish, then boldly proclaims a stark message of impending judgment to the violent city of Nineveh; the people—from the king to the least—believe God, turn from their evil ways in genuine repentance, and cry out for mercy, prompting the Lord to relent from the disaster He had announced. This holy pattern of the Word proclaimed, sinners turning, and God showing compassion reveals the heart of a merciful God who still calls us today to hear His Word, repent unto life, rest in the mercy found only in Christ, and carry that same message of warning and grace to others.

The sermon examines the historical reality of Jonah as a prophet from Gath-hepher who predicted the restoration of Israel's borders under King Jeroboam. It explores Jonah's attempt to flee from God's presence by sailing to Tarshish, illustrating the theological doctrine of omnipresence through Jeremiah and Psalms. The narrative highlights how God used a storm and a great fish to bring Jonah to repentance before commanding him to preach to the wicked city of Nineveh. Upon seeing the Assyrians repent, Jonah becomes angry at God's mercy, leading to a lesson on divine compassion versus human judgment. The message concludes by affirming the reliability of Scripture through its honest portrayal of human flaws and God's sovereign grace.

This sermon examines Exodus 4 to illustrate God's sovereignty and the necessity of immediate obedience to His call. The preacher analyzes Moses' objections, highlighting how God provides miraculous signs like the serpent and leprosy to demonstrate His authority over fear, disease, and political power. The message emphasizes that human weakness does not disqualify one from service, as God equips those He chooses. It warns against using excuses to avoid responsibility, noting that disobedience leads to lost privileges and divine correction. Ultimately, the text points to Jesus Christ as the perfect fulfillment of God's redemptive plan, urging believers to surrender their ordinary resources to His extraordinary use.

The sermon urges believers to slow down and study the Bible deeply to uncover spiritual treasures rather than merely checking off reading plans. It interprets Jeremiah 30 as a prophetic timeline that shifts from Israel's historical captivity to future eschatological events, specifically the tribulation period. The preacher distinguishes between the Church, which will be raptured before this time of Jacob's trouble, and Israel, who will endure it but ultimately be restored. Key theological points include the breaking of the Antichrist's yoke by God and the eventual belief of Israel in Jesus Christ after the tribulation. The central message emphasizes that God's written word is reliable, unchangeable, and essential for understanding His sovereign plan for history and salvation.