As Christians, we’re justified by faith (Rom. 1-11), but that faith should drive us to make our bodies a living sacrifice, resulting in a vibrant church (Rom. 12-16). That’s Paul’s case in the book of Romans, and in chapter 12, he gives a diagnostic checkup. In every phrase he describes what the people of God must do to create a superior culture of godliness in the local church. Whenever we’re wronged by others, it’s easy for us to e-mail them their faults, or worse, to launch a website and denounce them. But rather than repay evil for evil, we’re called by God to joyfully yield to His authority and demonstrate biblical love for one another. 

 Sermon:

A doxology is a “Song of Praise,” and Romans 11:33-36 gives us one the most thrilling doxologies in all of Scripture. In it Paul proclaims these powerful truths: (1) The riches of God’s wisdom are unfathomable; (2) His mind is beyond our comprehension; (3) His word is final; (4) His grace does not require our merit; and (5) whatever we do, He—not us—will get the glory. What must we do with this great knowledge? First, recognize there’s great comfort in knowing that God, not you, is in control of everything. And, second, walk your children through these precious truths, for if they truly understand God’s supremacy, it will bring them joy for the rest of their lives. 

Sermon: https://churchandfamilylife.com/sermons/67a99672dd0b6aed2f2d4bbf

The miracle of Christianity is that it involves an inward change of the heart. It results in new life, new thinking, and new behavior. Apart from Christ’s work to change your heart of stone to a heart of flesh, there’s no assurance of salvation. Your reputation, your lifestyle, your boasting in God, your knowledge, your approval of what is right, and the fact that you’re well instructed—none of these externals can ever save you. Christianity works from the inside out: so do you love God with all your heart? 

Sermon: https://churchandfamilylife.com/sermons/64d9e942262ff39658bae1ce

In Romans 11, the Apostle Paul reveals God’s Word as a thrilling symphony across the ages as he unveils God’s master plan to save both Jews and Gentiles. Like a master pianist, Paul goes from one end of Scripture to another, moving across the keys of history to expose the beauty of salvation. In so doing, he is following his Maker’s pattern, as Louis Gaussen states, “The Creator is glancing across the range of keys, stretching over three-score centuries, and then He makes it known to our fallen world.” 

https://churchandfamilylife.com/sermons/6784ac86239f2b3a92efceba

Antisemitism must have no place in our outlook as Christians. Take Paul’s case in Romans 11 to heart. In the Old Testament, the Jews were the centerpiece of God’s redemptive work. Yet when Christ came, they waged war against Him and his disciples and were, on the whole, rejected; and “Through their fall . . . salvation has come to the Gentiles” (Rom. 11:11). If you’re a Gentile Christian today, don’t pridefully despise the Jews, but be thankful God grafted you into the seed of Abraham. And know their rejection is not final, for “when the fulness of the Gentiles is come,” they will be gathered to Him again (Rom. 11:26-28). 

Sermon: https://churchandfamilylife.com/sermons/6784ac86239f2b3a92efceba

Paul declared preaching to be essential to salvation, but also stressed the need for sinners to carefully hear, for “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God” (Rom. 10:17). This is as important today as it was then, and as we raise our children, it’s critical we teach them to be attentive to the preacher. J.C. Ryle gives three helpful rules for listening to a sermon: (1) hear with faith, believing implicitly that every word of God is true and shall stand; (2) hear with reverence, remembering constantly that the Bible is the book of God; and (3) hear with prayer, praying for God’s blessing before the sermon is preached, and for His blessing again when the sermon is over. 

Sermon: https://churchandfamilylife.com/sermons/677b71f4de4544b5dc80f600

While sinners come to Christ in different ways, preaching is God’s primary means to bring about salvation. The Apostle Paul declares, “how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Rom. 10:14). And God, Paul attests, is persistent in crying out to sinners, and so we should be (Rom. 10:20). Often, it’s the cumulative proclamation of God’s word that breaks the stony heart. Every blow matters. So, keep preaching! As a father, keep striking the wedge. As a mother, keep hitting the rock, for “faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17). 

Sermon: https://churchandfamilylife.com/sermons/677b71f4de4544b5dc80f600

What drives churches into irrelevancy and compromises the family’s integrity at its core? It’s syncretism—mixing the things of God with the things of the world. And one of the greatest syncretizing tools in the world today are our phones. As Christians, we must ask ourselves, “Are these devices making me more or less holy in how I use them?” To avoid syncretism, we must, first, double down on the word of God by saturating our minds in Scripture daily. Second, we must double down on our family—don’t let the enemy kick down your home’s door anymore. And, third, we must double down on the church by faithfully devoting ourselves to its interests. 

Scripture Reference: Psalm 106:35-36; Deut. 18:9; Isaiah 2:6; Mark 7:8; Jeremiah 10:2; Romans 12:2

Sermon:https://churchandfamilylife.com/sermons/67037998177b921a763bb898

How can a sinner be saved? In Romans 10 Paul declares that we must, first, “confess with our mouth the Lord Jesus” (Rom. 10:9), which means to fully lay our lives under the authority of Christ’s Lordship. Second, we must “believe in [our] heart that God has raised Him from the dead” (Rom. 10:9). This is not mere intellectual assent, for the demons believe, and tremble (James 2:19). It requires truth faith which completely trusts in God. And, finally, we must “call on the name of the Lord” (Rom. 10:13), which is not simply a prayer in His name, but a prayer of sincere devotion to Him. 

Sermon: https://churchandfamilylife.com/sermons/6756880a4c4226b5b7dfea7b

All are seeking righteousness and fall in one of two camps: They either seek it through faith or through works. In Romans 9:30-33 we learn that the sand of human righteousness cannot save the soul, but only faith on the rock of Jesus Christ, faith that God implants in the heart of man. Faith is not salvation, to be clear; it is the vehicle that gets you there. It is the only channel through which God’s blessings of new life may be received. So do you have faith that saves? Or are you resting on your works which can never make you righteous? 

Scripture Reference: Romans 9:30-33

Sermon: https://churchandfamilylife.com/sermons/674d4da37306b796a738d88c