Sermon Podcast

Ernest Stellingwerff of our Elder Team is Executive Director of RISE UP Recovery in Hastings. He brings us a special sermon on overcoming sin and addiction. Juxtaposing Col. 3:1-17 with James 1:14-15, Ernest specifies areas related to “The Battle of the Heart” and “The Battle of the Mind.” Every other worldview teaches that performance leads to the verdict; only Christianity teaches that the verdict (Christ paying for our sins) leads to performance (purity and good works flowing from our life in Christ). Our heart posture affects what we think, and what we think dictates our actions. Thoughts are the first step in any sin; replace those thoughts with the Word of God, the Bible. Run away from sin and toward God! Ernest’s closing admonition is to examine our hearts to see if there is anything we’ve put as more important than God (see Ps. 51).

Pastor Brent wraps up the penultimate chapter in the Book of Romans by describing the Apostle Paul’s “Present Ministry Priorities” (vv. 14-16); “Overall Ministry Approach” (vv. 17-22); and “Future Ministry Plans” (vv. 23-33). All of this applies to us today in the worldwide church of Jesus Christ generally and New Life EFC specifically through three ministry keys: 1) shepherd the found; 2) reach the lost; 3) have a ministry vision. We ought to approach ministry by supporting frontier missions, sharing the gospel in word and deed, and seeking spiritual growth through a cultivation mentality. All this happens through Scripture, prayer, and using suffering as an inspiration for others and an invitation to join in one another’s struggles.

Pastor Brent asserts that in these first 13 verses of Romans 15, the text turns on one imperative in v. 7: “accept” (or “welcome”). He then outlines the passage: “Self-Giving (vv. 1-6)” and “Invitational (vv. 7-13)”. How we handle disputable matters is integral to our witness in the world. It will either undermine or underline the gospel. Jesus was always inviting people to come and see. We extend that same invitation, that same welcome, that same offer of forgiveness and newness of life.

Romans 14 is extremely practical. The Church is a primary means by which a Christian is sanctified by the Lord. Pastor Brent offers insights into this chapter: “One Command (v. 1)”; Two Errors (vv. 2-21”); “Three Bits of Wisdom (vv. 22-23)”. The Bible is the self-revelation of God through human authors and human history intended to communicate truth, call people to salvation, and cultivate wisdom. Whereas faith involves what one believes to be the implications of salvation for one’s behavior, the weak struggle with rule-following tendencies. We need to stop passing judgment that destroys others and instead do what leads to peace and mutual edification. “To the strong: Don’t condemn yourself by what you approve (v. 22b). To the weak: Don’t condemn yourself by compromising your conscience (V. 23). Hold the center of what God has done in Christ, and still live in your convictions.”

One advantage of living and worshipping in a smaller town is the more natural (yet intentional and purposeful) connection among churches and the departments of police, fire and sheriff, so Pastor Brent opens with an anecdote about a recent First Responders’ Appreciation lunch hosted by Calvary Church in Hastings. He then opens the rest of Romans 13: “Problem: Desires of the Flesh (v. 14)”; “Remedy #1: Love (vv. 8-10)”; and “Remedy #2: Light (vv. 11-14)”. We were made to worship, but if we pursue a self-salvation project, we will be incapable of truly loving others and living in the light. Only in the free gift of the gospel of Jesus Christ can we be free from our own self-salvation project. Pastor Brent’s illustrations include Luke 15 (the equal dangers of license vs. legalism) and three ways (tenses) to speak of our salvation: we have been saved from the penalty of sin (past); we are being saved from the power of sin (present); we will be saved from the presence of sin (future).

Pastor Brent comments on research that exhaustion is one of the most common health complaints nationwide. Much of this can be attributed to anger, even contempt, surrounding political divisiveness. If one views politics as a savior, then it is an idol. By contrast, Pastor Brent brings us biblical perspective from Rom. 13: “Posture Toward Government” (vv. 1-2); “Power Delegated to Government” (vv. 3-4a); and “Purpose of Government” (vv. 4b-7). Submission is willingly putting oneself under authority, not blind obedience to unjust laws. Whereas the Family has “the power of the rod” and the Church has “the power of the keys,” the State has “the power of the sword” and enacts boundaries for peaceful and orderly living in civil society. Government is our servant, not our savior. Pastor Brent ends with “Tools for Your Toolbox,” including this key: “There is a difference between right and wrong values and good and bad policies.” He admonishes us how to engage in politics and highly recommends the book How the Nations Rage by Jonathan Leeman.

After an opening film illustration about rejoicing with those who rejoice as dramatized in the 1993 sports film Rudy, Pastor Paul overviews about two dozen exhortations in the last 13 verses of Romans 12: “Love Authentically” (vv. 9-13); “Bless Unconditionally” (vv. 14-16); “Overcome Continually” (vv. 17-21). While so many commands in one passage can be overwhelming, Pastor Paul’s encouragement is to focus on one or two at a time and perhaps consider writing a Life Mission Statement as he did using the book Half Time by Bob Buford. He also admonishes grieving well with others through all manner of loss (see A Grace Disguised by Jerry Sittser) and asserts that the only possible way to bless our persecutors and love our enemies (let alone loving fellow believers) is by the power of Jesus’ righteousness and the Holy Spirit living in us. Pastor Paul’s closing illustration is a testimony of loving authentically and modeling the love of God for the long haul so that those watching our lives will come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Continuing in Romans 12, Pastor Brent opens with a quote commenting on the complex systems within a physical human body. This scientific perspective of “one body with many members” leads into his main points on the middle part of this chapter: “Proper Perspective on Ourselves” (v. 3); “Proper Perspective on the Church” (vv. 4-5); “Proper Perspective on Our Contribution” (vv. 6-8). These individual and corporate perspectives on the Body of Christ takes sober judgment, commitment, and relational discipline. Final challenge: “You’re not just here for you. Contribute to the whole.”

We’re back for the final section in our year-long sermon series in the beloved Book of Romans! Pastor Brent begins by reviewing the structure of this theological masterpiece by the Apostle Paul: chs. 1-4 reveals our sin and God’s righteousness; chs. 5-8 transforms us into a new humanity; chs. 9-11 fulfills the OT promises to Israel; and chs. 12-16 unifies the church under Christ. In the first two verses that head our final section, Pastor Brent outlines the “Purpose for Your Life” (v. 1); the “Battle for Your Mind” (v. 2a); and “Resulting Transformation” (v. 2b). Salvation is something God achieved for us, but it requires a response from us, including the rational response of worshiping and following the Person of Jesus. The world tempts us to conform; the Lord calls us to transform! Evidence of the renewal of our minds in Christ includes being empowered by God, directed by God, and glorifying to God. Pastor Brent uses an illustration from professional baseball about the need to develop tacit knowledge as we follow Christ through constant devotion and discipleship.

In this final sermon in our summer series and the second week directly addressing eternity, Pastor Brent opens with a question: “As a Christian, what are you saved for?” Yes, we’re saved FROM sin, self, Satan, and the corruption of the world, but we’re saved FOR Heaven and God! Our ultimate destiny as Christ-followers is to join God’s people, live in God’s place, and rest in God’s presence. Pastor Brent expounds on “Reunited Creation” (Rev. 21:1-8); “Rebuilt City” (Rev. 21:9-27); and “Renewed Garden” (Rev. 22:1-5). The dimensions and materials of the New Jerusalem symbolize a perfect creation inhabited by all of God’s people and the very presence of God. These symbols are always less, not more, than we can imagine! Living the Christian life merely to avoid judgment is no way to live. Live FOR Christ and the hope of glory! Redeemed relationships follow the ministry of reconciliation. One day soon, we will know God face-to-face!