Advertise on podcast: Servants of Grace

The Righteous Shall Live by Faith, Romans 1:17 By Dave Jenkins Series: Romans: The Gospel That Changes Everything Our standing before God rests on the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ. In this sermon on Romans 1:17, Dave Jenkins explains how the gospel reveals the righteousness of God, why sinners are justified by faith alone, and how believers continue living by faith in Christ. Listen or Watch Romans 1:17: The Righteous Shall Live by Faith In Romans 1:16, Paul declares that the gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. Verse 17 explains why: in the gospel, the righteousness of God is revealed. God provides through Jesus Christ the righteousness that sinners cannot produce for themselves. Paul’s quotation of Habakkuk shows that justification by faith is rooted in God’s revelation. The gospel fulfills His saving promises, and those whom He declares righteous through faith in Christ continue to trust Him throughout the Christian life. What You Will Learn How the gospel reveals God’s righteousness and His righteous way of saving sinners. Why our acceptance before God rests on Christ’s righteousness. Why faith receives Christ without contributing merit of its own. How Paul’s quotation of Habakkuk connects the gospel to the Old Testament. What it means to live by faith through suffering, temptation, and weakness. Justification and Assurance in Christ Justification is God’s declaration that a sinner is righteous in His sight because of Jesus Christ. Christ’s righteousness is counted to those who trust in Him. Our assurance therefore rests on the perfection of our Savior rather than the changing strength of our performance or emotions. Holiness matters deeply, but it is the fruit of salvation rather than the foundation of justification. Faith looks away from self and rests in Christ and His finished work. Learning to Live by Faith Each Day The Christian life begins by faith and continues by faith. Believers trust Christ in sanctification, suffering, temptation, ministry, and death. Living by faith means resting in God’s character, believing His promises, and walking according to His Word. When your conscience reminds you of your failures, look to Christ. When pride tempts you to boast or weakness tempts you to despair, look to Christ. The righteousness you need is found in the Savior God has provided. For Reflection Where are you tempted to base your acceptance before God on your performance? How does Christ’s perfect righteousness strengthen your assurance? What present trial calls you to trust God’s promises and obey His Word? Continue studying Romans with Dave Jenkins through Romans: The Gospel That Changes Everything. Explore the series at Servants of Grace or watch on YouTube. Share this episode with someone who needs encouragement to rest in Christ.

Pursuing Peace and Unity Without Compromising Truth By Dave Jenkins Christians are called to pursue peace, love one another, and stand firmly on the truth of God’s Word. Ephesians 4 shows how those responsibilities belong together. Our unity is grounded in Christ and the gospel, and we are called to maintain it with humility, patience, and love. Listen or Watch Biblical Unity Is Grounded in Truth In Ephesians 4:1–6, Paul urges believers to walk in a manner worthy of their calling. He calls them to humility, gentleness, patience, and love, and to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. That unity has doctrinal content: one Lord, one faith, and one God and Father of all. In this episode of Anchored in the Word, Dave Jenkins considers how Christians can remain faithful to essential gospel truths while extending grace in secondary disagreements and matters of Christian liberty. He explains why compromise disguised as unity and divisiveness disguised as discernment both fail to reflect the character of Christ. Pursue Peace with Conviction and Love Christians need wisdom to know when to stand firm, when to extend liberty, and how to speak the truth in love. Our deepest unity comes through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, who reconciles sinners to God and makes his people one in himself. Scripture Discussed Ephesians 4:1–6, 15 Romans 12:18; 14:19 Jude 3 Anchored in the Word is a weekly segment of the Servants of Grace podcast. Share this episode with someone in your church, and send questions for future episodes through the contact page. For more from Anchored in the Word please visit here or at our YouTube.

Not Ashamed of the Gospel, Romans 1:16 The gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. In this message from Romans 1:16, Dave Jenkins explains why Christians must never be ashamed of Christ and why our confidence in proclaiming the gospel rests in God’s saving power. Listen or Watch Confidence in the Gospel Paul was eager to preach in Rome because he knew the power of the message entrusted to him. Rome possessed wealth, military strength, and cultural influence, but none of those things could forgive sin or reconcile sinners to God. The gospel announces what God has accomplished through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Its saving power comes from God, giving Christians confidence to proclaim it faithfully. In This Message Christians must not be ashamed of the gospel. The gospel is the power of God. Humanity’s deepest need is salvation from sin. Salvation is received through faith in Christ alone. Jews and Gentiles are saved through the same gospel. Salvation Through Faith in Christ Alone Faith rests in Jesus Christ and His finished work. Our morality, ministry, religious knowledge, and good intentions cannot justify us before God. Christ alone is our righteousness and our hope. Paul’s words “to everyone who believes” also remind us that the gospel crosses cultural, ethnic, and social boundaries. Every kind of sinner needs the same Savior. Proclaim Christ Faithfully Christians face pressure to soften biblical truth or seek the world’s approval. Romans 1:16 calls us to speak with humility, patience, compassion, and conviction, trusting God to work through His Word. Believe the gospel. Treasure Christ. Teach this truth to your children, share it with your neighbors, and never be ashamed of the Savior. Scripture: Romans 1:16 Preacher: Dave Jenkins Series: Romans: The Gospel That Changes Everything Explore more biblical teaching at Servants of Grace, subscribe to the podcast, and share this message to encourage others to stand confidently in Christ. For more messages, visit Romans: The Gospel That Changes Everything or our YouTube channel.

Cling to What Is Good in a Confused World Anchored in the Word with Dave Jenkins Our culture often blurs the distinction between good and evil, but Christians are called to live by the unchanging standard of God’s character and Word.In this episode of Anchored in the Word, Dave Jenkins examines Romans 12:9 and explains what it means to abhor evil and cling to what is good. He considers the relationship between genuine love, biblical truth, holiness, and daily discernment while showing how Christ transforms His people to love what God loves. Listen or Watch God Defines What Is Good Good and evil are not determined by personal preference, cultural consensus, or changing public opinion. God alone determines what is good because He is perfectly holy, righteous, and wise. His Word reveals what honors Him and provides the trustworthy standard Christians need for faithful living. Genuine Love Rejects Evil Romans 12:9 declares, “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.” Biblical love is neither sentimental nor passive. It refuses to embrace what dishonors God while remaining firmly devoted to everything that reflects His character. Truth and Love Belong Together Christians do not have to choose between compassion and conviction. Scripture rejects both loveless truth and truthless love. The gospel produces believers who speak the truth in love, treat others with compassion, and remain committed to God’s revealed standard. Practicing Biblical Discernment Christians cling to what is good by filling their minds with Scripture, practicing discernment in their daily choices, and pursuing Christlike love. Spiritual maturity involves more than avoiding obvious evil. It requires the active pursuit of everything that honors the Lord. Christ Transforms His People Jesus Christ perfectly loved the Father, obeyed the will of God, hated evil, and delighted in righteousness. Through His sinless life, sacrificial death, and victorious resurrection, Christ redeems sinners and transforms them into His likeness. United to Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit, believers can increasingly love what God loves and live for His glory. Consider This Are you merely trying to avoid evil, or are you actively pursuing what God calls good? Ask the Lord to help you love what He loves, reject what He rejects, and reflect His character in every area of life. For more from Anchored in the Word please visit here or at our YouTube.

Romans 1:13–15: Gospel Ambition and Eager Proclamation Romans: The Gospel That Changes Everything In Romans 1:13–15, Paul explains his repeated desire to visit the Christians in Rome. His plans had been delayed, but his heart for gospel ministry had not diminished. Paul longed to see spiritual fruit among them, understood himself to be under obligation to proclaim the gospel to all kinds of people, and was eager to preach Christ. In this episode, Dave Jenkins shows how this passage calls Christians to make faithful plans while submitting them to God’s providence, seek fruit that only God can produce, and proclaim the gospel with confidence because every kind of sinner needs Jesus Christ. Listen or Watch In This Episode Gospel plans must be submitted to the providence of God. Gospel ministry seeks spiritual fruit that God alone produces. Gospel obligation flows from grace received. The gospel is for all kinds of people. Gospel confidence produces gospel eagerness. The Gospel Is for All Kinds of People Paul was under obligation to Greeks and barbarians, the wise and the foolish. The gospel does not belong to one class, ethnicity, education level, or social standing. All have sinned, all need righteousness, and all need the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Christ lived the righteous life sinners have failed to live, died the death sinners deserve, rose in victory over death, and saves all who come to Him in repentance and faith. This is why Paul was eager to preach the gospel, and why Christians should be eager to hear it, believe it, live in light of it, and proclaim it. Scripture References Romans 1:13–16; 1 Corinthians 3:6–7; James 4:13–15 Follow the full Romans: The Gospel That Changes Everything series for verse-by-verse teaching through Paul’s letter to the Romans.

Recognizing and Resisting Subtle False Teaching False teaching is not always obvious. It can use Christian language, quote Scripture, and speak about Jesus while quietly distorting the truth of God’s Word. In this episode of Anchored in the Word, Dave Jenkins considers Acts 17:11 and the example of the Bereans. They eagerly received teaching, but they also searched the Scriptures to see whether what they heard was true. Their example calls every Christian to test sermons, books, podcasts, and spiritual claims by the authority of God’s Word. Listen or Watch Biblical Discernment Rooted in Scripture Biblical discernment is neither cynical nor gullible. It is the loving practice of comparing every teaching with the Word of God. Christians are called to love truth, test what they hear, and grow in confidence as their lives are anchored in Scripture. Dave explains why subtle false teaching is dangerous, why believers need the faithful ministry of the local church, and why the best defense against error is a growing knowledge of the true gospel of Jesus Christ. Scripture References Acts 17:11 1 John 4:1 2 Timothy 3:16–17 Titus 1:9 Romans 12:9 Every false gospel ultimately diminishes Christ or adds to His finished work. The biblical gospel points sinners to Christ alone, who lived without sin, died for sinners, rose again, and saves all who trust in Him by grace through faith. Stay rooted in the Word of God and anchored in Christ. For more from Anchored in the Word please visit our page at Servants of Grace or at our YouTube.

Thanksgiving, Prayer, and Mutual Encouragement in Christ Romans 1:8–12 In this episode of the Servants of Grace podcast, Dave Jenkins continues the Romans series by considering Paul’s thanksgiving for the believers in Rome, his continual prayers for them, his desire to strengthen them, and the mutual encouragement found in the body of Christ. Romans 1:8–12 teaches that gospel-shaped ministry is marked by thanksgiving, prayer, affection, strengthening, and mutual encouragement in the faith. Paul’s example reminds Christians that faith is a work of God’s grace, the church is sustained by prayer, and believers need one another as they grow in Christ. Listen or Watch Thanksgiving, Prayer, and Gospel Fellowship Paul thanks God for the faith of the Roman believers because genuine faith is the work of God’s grace. Their faith was known throughout the world, bearing visible witness to Christ in the heart of the Roman Empire. Paul also demonstrates that faithful gospel ministry depends on prayer. Though he had not yet visited the Roman church, he continually prayed for them and longed to see them strengthened in Christ. Finally, Paul’s desire for mutual encouragement reveals the beauty of the body of Christ. No Christian is above the need for encouragement, and every believer has a part to play in strengthening others through faith, prayer, hope, endurance, and faithful presence. As Christians, we should thank God for the evidence of His grace in others, pray for the people of God, seek to strengthen fellow believers, and refuse to isolate ourselves from Christ’s church.

Training Your Conscience by the Word of God Anchored in the Word with Dave Jenkins How should Christians train their conscience according to the Word of God? The conscience is a gift from God, but it is not the believer’s final authority. Scripture must shape, correct, and inform it. Listen or Watch In this episode of Anchored in the Word, Dave Jenkins explains why Christians must not blindly follow their feelings, cultural values, or personal convictions. The Bible teaches that the conscience can be good, weak, defiled, or seared. A trustworthy conscience is one that has been trained by the truth of God’s Word. Looking at 1 Timothy 1:5, 1 Timothy 4:2, Romans 2:15, 1 Corinthians 8, and Hebrews 9:14, this episode considers how believers can grow in discernment, respond to conviction with repentance, exercise humility in matters of Christian liberty, and live in the cleansing grace of Christ. Jesus Christ not only forgives the sins of His people; through His perfect life, sacrificial death, and victorious resurrection, He cleanses their consciences so that they may serve the living God. As believers submit to Scripture, their minds, hearts, and consciences are increasingly renewed by grace. Scripture References 1 Timothy 1:5 1 Timothy 4:2 Romans 2:15 1 Corinthians 8 Hebrews 9:14 For more episodes of Anchored in the Word, visit Servants of Grace and subscribe to the Servants of Grace YouTube channel.

Called to Belong to Jesus Christ Scripture: Romans 1:6–7 In Romans 1:6–7, Paul turns directly to the believers in Rome and reminds them of their identity in Christ. They are called to belong to Jesus Christ, loved by God, called to be saints, and recipients of grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Before Paul unfolds the universal guilt of sin, justification by faith, union with Christ, life in the Spirit, and gospel-shaped obedience, he grounds Christians in the saving grace of God. The gospel does not merely save nameless sinners in general. God calls sinners personally to belong to His Son. Listen or Watch   In This Episode The gospel includes God’s people from every nation. Christians are called to belong to Jesus Christ. Believers are loved by God in Christ. Every Christian is called to be a saint and pursue holiness. Grace and peace come from God the Father through the Lord Jesus Christ. If you are in Christ, your identity is not ultimately defined by your sin, shame, past, weakness, suffering, or performance. You belong to Jesus Christ. You are loved by God. You are set apart for God. In Christ, you have grace and peace with God. Key Takeaway To be saved by Jesus is to belong to Jesus. God calls His people by grace, loves them in Christ, sets them apart for holiness, and gives them lasting peace through the Lord Jesus Christ. Continue Studying Romans Follow the ongoing Romans: The Gospel That Changes Everything series from Servants of Grace, and subscribe to the Servants of Grace YouTube channel for faithful Bible teaching.

Renew Your Mind: Resisting Conformity to the World Every day, Christians are being shaped by voices, ideas, and values that compete for their minds. Romans 12:1–2 calls believers, in light of God’s mercy in Christ, not to be conformed to this world but to be transformed by the renewal of their minds. In this episode of Anchored in the Word, Dave Jenkins explains how the Holy Spirit uses the Word of God to renew believers from the inside out. As Christians submit their thoughts, desires, priorities, and decisions to Scripture, they grow in discernment, reject error, and increasingly reflect the character of Christ. Listen or Watch Renewed by the Mercy of God Romans 12 marks a turning point in Paul’s letter. After unfolding the gospel and the mercies of God in the first eleven chapters, Paul calls believers to offer their whole lives to God as living sacrifices. Christian obedience does not begin with self-improvement. It flows from what God has done for us in Christ. Paul warns believers not to be pressed into the pattern of the world. The world continually presents its own answers about truth, identity, morality, purpose, and success. Yet God transforms His people through the renewal of their minds by His Word. A Mind Shaped by Scripture A renewed mind is more than gaining biblical information. It is the lifelong work of God by which believers learn to think, love, and live according to His truth. As we read, meditate on, and obey Scripture, we are equipped to discern what is good, acceptable, and perfect according to the will of God. God’s Word calls Christians to set their minds on things above, delight in His law, and take every thought captive to obey Christ. Biblical discernment begins with a mind shaped by biblical truth. Faithful Living in Christ Christ has redeemed His people from the darkness of sin and set them free to know, love, and live according to the truth. The goal is not merely becoming better informed, but becoming more like Christ through the power of the gospel. What voices are shaping your thinking more than the Word of God? Ask the Lord to expose areas where culture has influenced your thinking and to renew your mind through His truth. Scripture references: Romans 12:1–2; Psalm 1:1–3; Colossians 3:1–2; 2 Corinthians 10:5. Anchored in the Word with Dave Jenkins Anchored in the Word provides biblical answers to help Christians grow in wisdom, discernment, and faithful obedience to Christ. Explore Anchored in the Word Watch the Playlist

Grace, Apostleship, and the Obedience of Faith | Romans 1:5 Romans 1:5 shows what flows from the risen Christ: grace, calling, gospel mission, the obedience of faith, and the glory of Christ among the nations. In this episode of Romans: The Gospel That Changes Everything, Dave Jenkins explains that Paul received grace and apostleship through Jesus Christ our Lord. Paul’s apostolic office was unique and foundational to the early church, but the grace that saved Paul also sent him into gospel ministry. This text helps us understand the obedience of faith. Christians are justified by faith alone in Christ alone, apart from works. Yet the faith that receives Christ produces a new direction of life marked by obedience, repentance, holiness, and joyful service to the Lord. Listen or Watch Grace Comes Through Jesus Christ Paul did not earn his calling, deserve mercy, or make himself acceptable before God. Christ confronted him, saved him, and called him. The same is true of every believer. Forgiveness, justification, adoption, eternal life, and perseverance all come by the grace of God through Jesus Christ alone. Grace leaves no room for boasting. It humbles sinners, produces worship, and moves Christians to tell others about the Savior who has shown them mercy. Grace Calls Christians to Serve Christ Paul’s apostleship was a unique office given by the risen Christ. Christians today do not possess that apostolic office. Still, the principle remains: grace does not leave God’s people idle. The grace that saves also calls believers to faithful service. We do not serve Christ in order to earn His acceptance. We serve because, in Christ, we have received His grace. Our homes, work, gifts, relationships, time, and resources belong to the Lord. The Gospel Brings About the Obedience of Faith The obedience of faith does not mean that sinners earn justification through obedience. We are justified by faith alone in Christ alone. But genuine faith receives Christ as Lord and begins bearing the fruit of obedience. Christ is the ground of our confidence and righteousness. As we look to Him, we fight sin, submit to Scripture, repent when we fail, and follow Him in the daily details of life. The Gospel Is for All the Nations The gospel is not limited to one people, language, nation, or culture. God is gathering a people for Himself from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation. Because Jesus Christ is Lord over all, the church must proclaim the gospel among all the nations. Some Christians go, others send, give, pray, and faithfully speak of Christ to the people God has placed around them. The gospel that saves us is the gospel we are called to carry to others. Everything Is for the Name of Christ Paul’s final purpose is clear: “for the sake of his name.” Grace, ministry, missions, faith, obedience, and salvation all exist for the glory of Jesus Christ. The goal of Christian ministry is not to make our name great. It is to proclaim the name above every name. If Christ is known and honored, He is enough. We have received grace so that we might live for the One who gave it. Key Scriptures Romans 1:5 Genesis 12:3 John 3:30 Romans 16:26 Continue the Romans Series Follow the verse-by-verse Romans: The Gospel That Changes Everything series at Servants of Grace, and subscribe to the Servants of Grace YouTube channel for biblical teaching and resources.

Renewing Your Mind Through the Word of God Christians are continually being influenced by the messages, values, and ideas surrounding them. Romans 12:1–2 calls believers not to be conformed to the world but to be transformed through the renewing of their minds. In this episode of Anchored in the Word, Dave Jenkins explains how the Word of God reshapes the believer’s thinking, desires, decisions, and conduct. He considers the difference between external behavior modification and the inward transformation produced by God through His truth. Dave also provides three practical ways Christians can pursue a renewed mind: consistently reading Scripture, evaluating their assumptions according to God’s Word, and meditating on biblical truth. Because believers are united to Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit is actively renewing them and conforming them to Christ through the Word of God. Listen or Watch   What You’ll Learn in This Episode What Romans 12:1–2 teaches about renewing the mind. The difference between conformity to the world and biblical transformation. Why Christian growth involves more than external behavior modification. How Scripture reshapes our beliefs, desires, priorities, and decisions. Why Christians must evaluate cultural ideas through the Word of God. Three practical ways to pursue a renewed mind. How the Holy Spirit uses biblical truth to conform believers to Christ. Key Scriptures Romans 12:1–2 Colossians 3:16 Psalm 119:11 2 Corinthians 10:5 Renewing Your Mind Through Scripture Every Christian is being shaped by something. The question is whether our thinking is being formed primarily by the values of the surrounding culture or by the truth of God’s Word. Biblical transformation takes place as believers submit their thinking to Scripture and learn to view every area of life through the lens of divine revelation. Renewing the mind requires intentional engagement with Scripture. Christians need to read God’s Word consistently, examine their beliefs and assumptions according to biblical truth, and meditate on Scripture so that it takes deep root in the heart. Ultimately, this transformation is grounded in the gospel. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, believers are forgiven, united to Christ, and progressively transformed by the Holy Spirit. As God’s Word shapes the mind, it also reshapes the believer’s desires, decisions, relationships, worship, and daily life. Listen to More Anchored in the Word Anchored in the Word with Dave Jenkins helps Christians understand Scripture, grow in sound doctrine, and apply biblical truth to everyday life. Anchored in the Word with Dave Jenkins | Biblical Q&A Podcast Anchored in the Word with Dave Jenkins - YouTube

Romans 1:4: Declared the Son of God in Power In Romans 1:4, Paul declares that Jesus Christ was “declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead.” This verse stands at the heart of the gospel. Jesus did not become the Son of God at His resurrection. He is the eternal Son of God, publicly vindicated as the risen and reigning Lord. In this episode of Romans: The Gospel That Changes Everything, Dave Jenkins explains why the resurrection is essential to the gospel, how it confirms Christ’s victory over sin and death, and why believers can rest in the risen Christ in every trial, temptation, and fear. Listen or Watch Jesus Christ, the Risen Lord Romans 1:4 moves from Christ’s humiliation in the flesh to His exaltation in resurrection power. The Son descended from David according to the flesh was declared to be the Son of God in power by His resurrection from the dead. The resurrection is not merely an Easter doctrine or a religious symbol. It is God’s public vindication of His Son. Christ has conquered sin, defeated death, and now reigns as Jesus Christ our Lord. Because Christ is risen, the Christian’s hope is secure. When sin accuses, suffering presses in, death draws near, or the world mocks the gospel, believers can remember this unshakable truth: Christ is risen. The risen Son gives new life by the Holy Spirit and calls His people to trust, worship, obey, and proclaim Him. Read along in Romans 1:4.

Romans 1:3: Concerning His Son What is the gospel ultimately about? Romans 1:3 gives us Paul’s answer with remarkable clarity: the gospel is “concerning his Son.” The gospel is not first about us. It is not centered on our experiences, our improvement, our religious performance, or our felt needs. The gospel is the good news of what God has done through His Son, Jesus Christ. “Concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh.” Romans 1:3 The Gospel Concerns God’s Son Paul has already told us that he was set apart for the gospel of God and that this gospel was promised beforehand through the prophets in the Holy Scriptures. Now he tells us who this gospel concerns: Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The gospel is not advice about how to improve ourselves. Advice tells us what we should do. The gospel announces what God has already done in and through Jesus Christ. We do not need another self-help plan, moral improvement program, or religious system. We need a Savior. The gospel points us away from ourselves and directs us to Christ. Jesus Is the Eternal Son of God Jesus is not merely a prophet, moral teacher, religious example, or spiritual guide. He is the eternal Son of God. The Son did not begin to exist in Bethlehem. He did not become divine at His baptism or after His resurrection. Jesus Christ is eternally the Son of God, sharing the same divine nature as the Father. This matters because only God can save. A created Savior cannot bear the full weight of divine judgment or provide the salvation sinners desperately need. Our confidence rests in the eternal Son of God who came into the world to save sinners. Jesus Is the Promised Son of David Paul also tells us that Jesus was descended from David according to the flesh. This connects the gospel directly to the promises God made throughout the Old Testament. God promised that a descendant of David would reign forever. Jesus is that promised King. He is the Messiah, the Son of David, and the rightful ruler whose kingdom will never end. The gospel therefore announces not only that a Savior has come, but that the King has come. Jesus is not merely useful or comforting. He is Lord. The Savior who gives mercy is also the King who reigns. Jesus Truly Became Man The eternal Son of God truly took on human flesh. He did not merely appear to be human or wear humanity like a costume. He took on a true human nature without ceasing to be truly God. Jesus experienced hunger, weakness, sorrow, rejection, temptation, suffering, and death, yet He remained completely without sin. This truth has been carefully defended throughout church history because it stands at the heart of the gospel. Jesus Christ is one person with two natures, truly God and truly man. If Jesus is not truly God, He cannot save. If Jesus is not truly man, He cannot stand in our place. As man, He obeyed where we have disobeyed and suffered in the place of sinners. As God, His saving work is fully sufficient and eternally powerful. The Gospel Is Centered on Jesus Christ Romans will teach us about sin, wrath, righteousness, justification, sanctification, the Holy Spirit, election, Israel, Christian living, church unity, and mission. But every one of these truths ultimately finds its center in Jesus Christ. Christ is not one doctrine among many. He is the center and substance of the gospel. Without Christ there is no justification, no peace with God, no adoption, no hope in suffering, no mercy, and no eternal life. Christianity cannot be reduced to a worldview, moral system, ministry platform, theological identity, or religious tradition. Christianity is centered on Christ because the gospel itself is concerning His Son. Look to Christ Romans 1:3 calls us to look again at the glory of Jesus Christ. Look to Christ. Trust Christ. Treasure Christ. Follow Christ. Obey Christ. Proclaim Christ. Rest in Christ. Do not move beyond Christ. Do not minimize Christ. Do not replace Christ with self-help, moralism, religious performance, or vague spirituality. Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, the promised Son of David, the incarnate Savior, the crucified and risen Lord, and the reigning King who saves all who repent of their sins and trust in Him. The world offers many messages. Religion offers many systems. Sin offers many promises. But God has given sinners one Savior. The gospel is concerning His Son. Continue Through Romans Continue studying Paul’s letter verse by verse in our series, Romans: The Gospel That Changes Everything. Explore the Romans: The Gospel That Changes Everything Series You can also subscribe to the Servants of Grace YouTube channel for biblical teaching, sermons, podcasts, theology, and resources designed to help Christians grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. Subscribe to Servants of Grace on YouTube

Holiness Is Essential for Christian Living By Dave Jenkins Holiness is not a way for Christians to earn God’s acceptance. It is the fruit of belonging to Christ and being transformed by His grace. In this episode of Anchored in the Word, Dave Jenkins explains why holiness is essential for Christian living, what it means to be set apart for God, and why the pursuit of holiness flows from salvation rather than leading to salvation. Many Christians hear the word holiness and immediately think about rules, restrictions, or a list of things they should avoid. Scripture presents holiness much differently. God calls His people to reflect His character, grow in Christlikeness, and pursue faithful obedience through the transforming work of the Holy Spirit. Listen or Watch   Holiness Flows From Salvation First Peter 1:15–16 says: “But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’” Peter does not tell Christians to pursue holiness so that God will accept them. Instead, believers pursue holiness because God has already called and saved them. Christians are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, but the same grace that saves also transforms. Holiness is therefore not the basis of salvation. It is the fruit of genuine conversion and part of God’s work of conforming His people to the image of His Son. What Biblical Holiness Means At its heart, holiness means being set apart for God. God Himself is perfectly holy, completely separate from sin, and morally perfect in every way. Because Christians belong to Him, they are called to live lives that increasingly reflect His character. This does not mean Christians attain sinless perfection in this life. Rather, holiness describes the direction of the Christian life as believers grow in obedience, repentance, and likeness to Christ. Holiness Is Not Legalism Biblical holiness and legalism are not the same thing. Legalism attempts to earn God’s favor through human effort. Biblical holiness flows from God’s favor already given through Jesus Christ. Grace does not remove the need for holiness. Grace produces holiness. The gospel not only forgives sinners but also transforms them. Hebrews 12:14 calls Christians to “strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” Romans 12:1–2 calls believers to present themselves as living sacrifices and to be transformed by the renewing of their minds. Second Corinthians 7:1 likewise urges Christians to pursue holiness in the fear of God. How Christians Pursue Holiness Christians pursue holiness by remaining rooted in the gospel and dependent upon the grace of God. Begin with the gospel. No one can grow in true holiness apart from Jesus Christ. Spend consistent time in the Word of God. The Holy Spirit uses Scripture to shape, renew, and transform believers. Practice daily repentance. Growth in holiness does not mean never sinning. It means continually turning away from sin and toward Christ. Pursue faithful obedience. God uses ordinary, ongoing obedience as an important means of sanctification. Holiness Is Rooted in Union With Christ Ultimately, holiness is rooted in the believer’s union with Jesus Christ. Jesus lived the perfectly holy life sinners could never live, died for their sins, and rose again to secure their salvation. Those who are united to Christ by faith are not only forgiven. They are also being transformed. The same Savior who justifies His people is also sanctifying them. Holiness is not the way Christians earn God’s acceptance. It is evidence that they belong to Him. Listen to More Anchored in the Word Anchored in the Word is a weekly segment of the Servants of Grace podcast devoted to helping Christians stay rooted in Scripture, grow in sound doctrine, and live faithfully before Christ. Explore Anchored in the Word Listen to More Episodes