Saved by Faith | An Exposition of Romans 1-5
Program Descriptions
Wednesday, November 6, 2013 0138
Why Romans Blesses Believers | Romans 1:1-7 | Part 1
This first message is called “Why Romans Blesses Believers,” which is true. Romans has many key theological points for us – but some of the most basic principles are found in the first 5 chapters. For example, you’ve heard these words, I’m sure: “…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” That’s Romans chapter 3, verse 23. Or how about: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” That’s Romans 5, verse 8. We have a great study to look forward to hearing in the coming broadcasts. So let’s get started. Today Dr. White is going to lay the foundation for this study by looking at the introductory verses in this important book of the faith.
Thursday, November 7, 2013 0139
Why Romans Blesses Believers | Romans 1:1-7 | Part 2
The Apostle Paul is a prime example of what it means to be a follower of Christ. First, it means to give yourself to Jesus as a slave. But THEN it also means to be “separated” from all you’ve known, to go in a NEW direction for a purpose that is not your own but God’s. When you came to faith, did your horizon change? Last time we began sharing this opening message from Dr. White in this series, in which he is laying out for us two important aspects regarding the Book of Romans: the author – that is, who is this person? whose words are these? – and the intent – for what purpose did he write down this foundational position statement, one filled with such great theological insight and instruction?
We know from the first word in Romans that this message comes from Paul, who “presents” himself as a “doulos” or SLAVE of Jesus Christ. He has laid his life down for his Lord and now HE, Jesus, is the Master of Paul’s life.
Friday, November 8, 2013 0140
The Passion of a Witness | Romans 1:8-17
Have you ever thought about what your testimony of faith might mean to the people who knew you back before your life was changed by Jesus? This is what it means to be a witness for Christ, something as simple as telling your story about being transformed by God’s love. Today we return to the first chapter of Romans for the start of a message called “The Passion of a Witness.” This witness could be you, someone with a deeply emotional spiritual experience that cannot be made up or faked, but it comes from the heart. When this witness shares about their faith in Jesus, others are encouraged. But you might say, “What, me? Share my testimony? There’s nothing exciting about my story.” And that’s just the point. The more you are like everybody else, the more others might think, “That could be MY story, too.” Whatever your testimony, God can use it.
Monday, November 11, 2013 0141
The Passion of a Witness | Romans 1:8-17 | Part 2
Do you feel a connection you can’t explain when you meet strangers who express their love for Jesus and share their faith story? Not everyone wants to hear those spiritual testimonies – but if you do, you probably share a “passion” for being a witness for Christ
Tuesday, November 12, 2013 0142
Gentile Guilt | Romans 1:18-23 | Part 1
This study we’re in lays a theological foundation for understanding this God who saves, who longs that we would turn to Him in surrender. Those who will have nothing to do with God, or who at very least are ambivalent toward Him, are going to learn some harsh truths about the spiritual choices they are making. So let’s just say this is a message with some important warnings for all of us to wake up and to take very seriously this huge God of creation, who knows us intimately -- and, even more than that, Whom we can know. Today, we’ll look at why we all have a need for salvation, beginning with the gentile, that is, the non-Jew. What is it that condemns the gentile to eternal punishment?
Wednesday, November 13, 2013 0143
Gentile Guilt | Romans 1:18-23 | Part 2
What is the starting point for understanding salvation? Well, first, the truth that there is a God, that He exists, He is REAL. And not only that, evidence that He exists can be seen all around us. Once you realize that, the really big question is: “What are you going to do about it?”
Thursday, November 14, 2013 0144
Gentile Guilt | Romans 1:24-32 | Part 3
There is a serious question before all of us today. How are we going to live? Are we for God? Or against Him? The Bible tells us that if we reject Him, God will “give us over” to our sinful desires. Laying a foundation for the Gospel, we heard that, first, God has revealed Himself so that we are without excuse, and that, second, the gentiles have not responded to that revelation to dig and find out what they need to do about this Living God. Instead, it has been easier to make up our own gods and to live with no regard for the true God. What are the consequences of turning our backs on the holiness of God? That’s our theme for today.
Friday, November 15, 2013 0145
Gentile Guilt | Romans 1:24-32 | Part 4
It’s a politically-charged issue that shakes up our society today, the subject of homosexuality. And there is a full range of personal opinions on it, isn’t there? But the Book of Romans is clear, that it is the result of our being deceived, of being convinced that a lie is right and true. Today we’re going to see how we take God’s creation and distort it from what God intended, substituting the natural for the un-natural. It’s a subject for many public debates today, but we’re not going to look at those right now. Instead, we’ll going to examine what scripture says about it.
Monday, November 18, 2013 0146
How God Judges Those without Christ | Part 1
In this message, called “How God Judges Those Without Christ,” Dr. White will take us on a journey that brings us face to face with our real selves. Such a long, deep look at the person in the mirror could be the turning point for anyone who has not trusted in Jesus Christ for their salvation. It starts with getting beyond thinking of ourselves as a “basically good person” and coming to grips with how God sees us compared with His own holiness. It’s not an easy journey, but one well worth taking.
Tuesday, November 19, 2013 0147
How God Judges Those without Christ | Part 2
Last time, Dr. White began sharing SIX STANDARDS OF JUDGMENT for how God judges those who are without Christ. First, we who judge others also commit the things we are condemning, so we are without excuse. We are hypocrites for setting a standard we ourselves cannot live up to. Next, we heard that the judgment of God is according to TRUTH; it brings out the facts of the case and it points out our foolish logic that so easily rationalizes our thoughts, behaviors, attitudes and lifestyle as “not so bad.” Thirdly, we are judged by the “treasure of our wrath.” It stored up against us by our disregard for God’s son Jesus, and payday–the Day of Wrath–is coming. Let’s return to this message about our position, our standing with God, with the knowledge that you and I will never measure up to the perfection of God’s holiness. And after we die, there will be a review of our life and a judgment. But while we live we are privileged to have “time” to think about these things, and then to choose: to be judged on our own merits, or on the substituted merits of Jesus Christ, our sinless resurrected Savior
Wednesday, November 20, 2013 0148
Why Jews Need Salvation | Romans 2:17-29 | Part 1
The Apostle Paul commends the Jews for recording and preserving the Word of God, and for finding their strength and security in the Law, the Old Covenant. But then Paul also points out that the Jews are lacking something, now that the New Covenant has come. It is out of love for his fellow Jews, and his concern that they know the long-awaited Messiah, that Paul delivers these words of exhortation for the Jewish people in his letter to the Romans. This sermon is titled “Why Jews Need Salvation.”
Thursday, November 21, 2013 0149
Why Jews Need Salvation | Romans 2:17-29 | Part 2
We are in the second chapter of Romans, focusing on why the Jewish people need the salvation that comes only through Jesus Christ. You’ll remember that before Paul became an evangelist, he was a devout Jew named Saul who hunted down Christians, punished them and handed over to the Jewish authorities. If anyone knows the mind of the Jewish people, it’s Paul. He was the most earnest defender of the Law. But ever since his encounter with the Lord Jesus and his conversion as His apostle on the road to Damascus, Paul’s fire and passion has been to bring all people, including fellow Jews, to the Christian faith. And in the second chapter of Romans, he has laid out a foundation of affirmation of the history of the Jewish people, how they preserved the Word of God and have defended and trusted God’s Law under the Old Covenant. Now he is reaching out to them with a New Covenant, one not preserved on stone tablets but written on the hearts of the people of God by the Holy Spirit.
Friday, November 22, 2013 0150
Everyone is Guilty | Romans 3:1-18 | Part 1
Today we begin hearing a message titled “Everyone is Guilty.” And the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans has been pointing out the need of the Gentiles for salvation, and then the need of the Jews for salvation. And now, as we reach chapter 3, Paul lands the plane and just lays it out for us clearly: we ALL need salvation. Why? Because every one of us is guilty of disobeying, or dishonoring, or disregarding the holy God of creation. No one is innocent, perfect or sinless. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. That’s why this sermon is called, appropriately, “Everyone is Guilty.” And if that’s true, when the Day of Judgment comes, then what?
Monday, November 25, 2013 0151
Everyone is Guilty | Romans 3:1-18 | Part 2
Have you ever thought, ‘Hey, I’m not such a bad person, I’ll have no problem getting into heaven?’ The problem is you’re basing that on your standards of holiness, not God’s. Let’s face it – we can’t go a day without being unfaithful to God. But thanks be to God, He is NEVER unfaithful. He always remains true to Who He is – and what His Word says.
Tuesday, November 26, 2013 0152
Truth for All | Romans 3:19-30 | Part 1
The series is called “Saved By Faith – Romans 1 through 5.” So far we have established that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” – Gentiles, Jews, everyone. We all are guilty. And each of us must face judgment for our sins, either on our own merits… or the substituted merits of Jesus Christ. It all comes down to what is true. And today we will take a close look at the second half of chapter 3 in the Book of Romans, as we begin a message titled “Truth for All.”
Wednesday, November 27, 2013 0153
Truth for All | Romans 3:19-30 | Part 2
We’re returning to a message called “Truth for All.” Last time, Dr. White pointed out that for the Jewish people, the Law of God received through Moses was both a burden to fulfill and blessing of reassurance of what it takes to be pleasing unto God. But it is impossible to perfectly obey the Law. Why? Because all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. So those who are UNDER the Law, the Jews, cannot be justified by obedience of the Law because no one can perfectly obey it. Well, today, we turn our attention to those of us who are NOT under the Law, non-Jews, but fall into the trap of legalism to justify ourselves and our faith. The danger is in believing that our standing before God is dependent on us, our obedience, our service to our church, or the happy face we wear in public. Just as for the Jews, we cannot be justified by works or living up to the non-scriptural standards of a church or denomination, only by the free gift of grace from God. This really is good news about being set free from the weight of the Law – the Law of God or laws of our own making.
Thursday, November 28, 2013 0154
In Defense of Cheap Grace | Romans 3:31-4:12 | Part 1
Tell someone that they can be forgiven for their sins and all they have to do is believe on the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, and they’ll ask, ‘What’s the catch? That’s too simple. It can’t be true.’ But don’t some of us rewrite scripture just a little and add the cost of “doing good works” to make us “worthy” of receiving the free grace of God?
Friday, November 29, 2013 0155
In Defense of Cheap Grace | Romans 3:31-4:12 | Part 2
Today we return to a message called “In Defense of Cheap Grace.” On the face of it, this title seems counterintuitive to things you may have been taught. But as you might expect, Dr. White approaches this subject with a slight twist on his definition of the word “cheap” here. And it has to do with the salvation that is given to us, a forgiveness that comes from God offering His son as a sacrifice on the cross for us “while we were yet sinners.”
Monday, December 2, 2013 0156
Father Abraham | Romans 4:9-25 | Part 1
Over the next two broadcasts, Dr. White will explain why we know that salvation is offered not just to the Jew but to the non-Jew, to the Gentiles. It all hinges on the relationship with the Almighty of the man known as “Father Abraham,” who was promised by God to become the father of many nations – the physical father of peoples on the earth, certainly; but Abraham is also is the spiritual father for those who believe.
Tuesday, December 3, 2013 0157
Father Abraham | Romans 4:9-25 | Part 2
Romans chapter 4 tells us that the Law of God also brings with it the wrath the God for those who do not obey it perfectly. This is the reason that obedience of the Law is no longer the basis for righteousness. Faith is. And aren’t you glad about that?
Wednesday, December 4, 2013 0158
The Blessings of Justification | Romans 5:1-5 | Part 1
We arrive at Romans chapter 5 today, and the blessing of justification that comes only from God. Dr. White has been sharing with us that we can’t earn our salvation; we are justified by faith alone in the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. The gravity of this simple truth probably escapes us most of the time, because once we put our trust in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus and are justified, we still try to measure up in some way – to the expectations of others in church, or to the expectations we imagine God has for us to be “righteous enough” for Him to accept us.
Thursday, December 5, 2013 0159
The Blessings of Justification | Romans 5:1-5 | Part 2
Have you heard someone talk about praying to receive Christ as Savior on such-and-such date, as if recalling that date is proof of salvation? But no! God’s Word says you are forever saved if you have trusted in the finished work of His Son. We could never deserve justification in the first place, and we can’t earn the right to stay saved. Salvation is all about the God’s grace.