In Deuteronomy 20, Moses prepares Israel for war—calling them not to fear because the Lord goes with them to fight. In this passage, we learn that our God is holy and just, that he uses war to judge the wicked and defend the righteous, and that biblical principles undergird what later theologians called just war theory. Above all, we are reminded that our primary battle is spiritual: not against flesh and blood but for the conversion of sinners through the…
In Romans 8 the apostle Paul piles up some of the richest promises in all of Scripture—no condemnation for those in Christ, the new birth by the Spirit, adoption as sons and heirs with Christ, a future glory that far outweighs present suffering, and the certainty that God works all things for the good of those who love him. Standing at the end of these cascading blessings, Paul asks the piercing question of verse 31: “What then shall we say…
In John 17:17, on the night before the cross, Jesus prays for his disciples—and for all who would believe through their word—asking the Father to “sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” This sermon explores what it means to be set apart from the world and sin, and set apart for God and his service, through the truth of Scripture. We will see how Christ’s effective intercession keeps us from falling, fills us with his joy, guards us…
In Galatians 2:20, Paul declares the heart of the Christian life: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” This sermon explores the believer’s union with Christ in his death and resurrection—how we died to the law’s curse and now live by faith in the Son of God who loved us and gave himself for us. From this foundational truth flow three freedoms: freedom from working to earn God’s…
