God deals with His people by covenant, and in Romans 5, Paul lays out the two possible covenant relationships men have with God: death in Adam or life in Christ.
God deals with His people by covenant, and in Romans 5, Paul lays out the two possible covenant relationships men have with God: death in Adam or life in Christ.
God's love is made manifest distinctly through the objects of his love (his elect) by the price paid for their salvation and through the assurance given to those who have been ransomed by Christ's blood.
The ordinance of Baptism is the sign of being in the New Covenant of Christ and therefore having been crucified with Him and raised with Him. This calls us to live out our Baptism as those who have been made new creatures.
Sin separates man from God. Jesus Christ, the High King of Heaven, came to earth to reconcile sinners to God. Reconciliation begins with the incarnation. This week's sermon explains how the perfectly righteous Jesus Christ lovingly condescended to save perfectly sinful man from God's wrath.
Suffering is not something that must be avoided at all costs but rather has vital benefits to Christians. Therefore, we must prepare for suffering and be ready to imitate Christ in how we handle it.
The Christian attitude during times of persecution should be one of rejoicing. However, Christians must first prepare to suffer persecution for the faith. This week's sermon exhorts believers to prepare for persecution.
This week's sermon explains the benefits of the believer's justification: peace with God, assurance of salvation, and the joyful hope of the glory of God.
Continuing with the example of Abraham, Paul points out that faith necessarily reveals itself in our lives in our obedience to God, and because faith is from God, it must endure to the end.
Paul makes clear in Romans 4 that any reliance on obedience to the law to make us right with God is hopeless. God's law increases our knowledge of sin and brings wrath. It is only through faith that one can be reconciled to God.
Do our works have anything to do with making us right with God? In Romans 4, Paul uses Abraham and his faith as an example to demonstrate that God saves His people by grace alone.