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God declares sinners righteous by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. In this episode, Dave Jenkins explains the biblical doctrine of justification, the righteousness of Christ counted to believers, and the distinction between justification and sanctification. Working through Romans, Galatians, Ephesians, and James, Dave shows why good works are the fruit of saving faith and never the basis of our acceptance before God. Learn how sola fide protects the gospel, strengthens Christian assurance, and encourages a life of grateful obedience. For more from Contending for the Word, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-podcast/

This lesson examines the moral failure of the crowd and Pilate in condemning Jesus, illustrating how group pressure and pragmatic expediency can override individual conscience and divine law. It argues that there is no neutral position in the face of injustice, asserting that silence or passive compliance with evil constitutes a violation of the command to love one's neighbor. By citing Proverbs, Zechariah, and Isaiah, the message emphasizes God's demand for impartial justice, particularly toward the vulnerable, and rejects the notion that majority rule or civil statutes can legitimize wickedness. The teacher urges believers to recognize the duty to disobey unlawful decrees, drawing on examples from Daniel and Esther, and to resist the cultural trend of urging approval for evil under the guise of tolerance. Ultimately, the message calls for a steadfast commitment to God's Word over societal consensus, warning that prioritizing outcomes over righteousness opens the door to moral corruption.

The sermon explores the theological significance of Christ as the appointed heir of all things, arguing that this title refers to a specific event in time rather than an eternal state. It emphasizes the necessity of warning believers against distractions and false philosophies that divert attention from the fullness of wisdom found in Christ. By examining the temptation of Jesus and the subsequent exaltation following His resurrection, the message highlights that Christ's ownership of the world is contingent upon His suffering and victory. The preacher urges the congregation to pursue a radical devotion to Christ, allowing His glory to fill the mind and heart, thereby overcoming spiritual drift and apathy. This pursuit is presented as the key to experiencing the profound sweetness and intimacy described by historical Christian figures.

Dave Jenkins examines three enduring Reformation themes: objective truth, biblical worship, and the authority of Scripture. From John 17:17, John 4:24, and 2 Timothy 3:16–17, he explains why the church must receive truth from God, worship according to His Word, and submit to biblical correction. Christians are called to speak truth in love and demonstrate submission to Scripture through faithful obedience. For more from Contending for the Word, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-podcast/

Why would the apostle who calls marriage a living picture of Christ and the church also tell some people not to marry? In the final episode of our Christ and culture series, Dr. Marcus Mininger takes up 1 Corinthians 7 and a claim that rarely makes it into church life: good things can still be the wrong things to build your life around. He moves from Paul's logic to the questions it raises about discretionary income, a nicer car, a political donation, a well-drilling project, and the careers we steer our children toward. He also tells why he turned away from Special Forces, politics, and graduate philosophy to study what lasts the longest. Cultural life matters, but how much of your life should it get? Listen, then pass it to the pastor, elder, or friend who is wrestling with that question.

What is globalism? According to Alex: "In short, it's the idea that we should get rid of nations and all merge into a one-world system." On that note, this broadcast looks at people like John Foster Dulles, Alger Hiss, George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, Richard Haass, and more, as well as organizations like the Bohemian Grove, Skull and Bones, the Illuminati, and the Council on Foreign Relations. These are just some of the people and organizations that have been tied to the idea that global problems require global solutions. The problem with that philosophy is what lies just beneath the surface. It's the reality that in order to accomplish this you must establish global governance and that involves the abolishing of sovereign nations, family and private property. You'll hear that this is hardly a conspiracy theory. As Alex notes, the people pushing this today are talking about it more openly than ever and doing it through that which is central to all of this: the climate crisis and its related sustainable development goals.

Dave Jenkins explains why sola Scriptura remains essential for the church today. Examining religious authority, claims of new revelation, personal experience, and cultural pressure, he shows why every competing voice must be tested by God's Word. This episode also considers pastoral accountability, the differences between revelation and illumination, and faithful Christian decision making. Scripture alone is the only infallible and final authority for Christian faith and life. For more from Contending for the Word, please visit: https://servantsofgrace.org/contending-for-the-word-podcast/

Ordinary habits. Extraordinary growth. 🌱 You don't become a musician overnight—and growing in faith takes time, too! In this week's kids' message, Pastor Sam shares a lesson from his unsuccessful attempt to learn piano: don't skip the basics. Reading the Bible, hearing it preached, and learning together at home may seem ordinary, but God's Spirit uses God's Word to bring us to Jesus and help us grow. You may not notice a change after every Bible reading or sermon, but these ordinary moments matter. 📖 "Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." —Romans 10:17 Watch with your kids and ask: How can we make time to hear God's Word together this week?

This sermon examines Paul's encounter with the philosophers of Athens, highlighting the spiritual provocation he felt upon seeing a city saturated with idols and false ideologies. The central message contrasts the self-focused philosophies of the Epicureans and Stoics with the transcendent nature of the Creator God, who is not confined to temples or human imagination. Paul's appeal to the altar to the unknown God serves as a bridge to proclaim the true God who gives life and breath, urging listeners to recognize that their own cultural and personal idols must be rejected. The text emphasizes that while some mocked the message of the resurrection, others believed, illustrating the necessity of turning from idols to serve the living God. The sermon concludes by connecting this ancient call to repentance with the present-day practice of the Lord's Supper, which nourishes faith and reminds believers to die to their idols and live exclusively for Christ.

This lesson examines the trial and crucifixion of Jesus as a definitive illustration of the dangers of pragmatic and utilitarian ethics. It argues that the actions of the Sanhedrin, Pontius Pilate, King Herod, and the crowd represent a moral system where ends justify means, effectively dissolving God's law in favor of political expediency and group pressure. The teaching contrasts this with the sovereignty of God, who uses the wicked intentions of men to accomplish His redemptive purposes, as seen in the parallels between Joseph and Christ. The teacher emphasizes the importance of individual conscience over collective conformity, urging believers to stand firm in God's Word rather than succumbing to the subtle erosion of moral boundaries by societal pragmatism.

This sermon examines the inevitability of worldly hatred toward believers, rooted in the fact that Christians are chosen out of the world to belong to Jesus. It contrasts the secular worldview, described through Hegelian philosophy as driven by alienation and conflict, with the Gospel's offer of true recognition and peace through humility and faith. The message emphasizes that while persecution is a realistic expectation for those who follow Christ, believers are not left to endure it in their own strength. Instead, the Holy Spirit provides the necessary equipment, strength, and comfort in the moment of need, ensuring that those who suffer for Christ's sake are sustained by His presence. The sermon concludes with a call to trust completely in Jesus' care and to respond to the world's hostility with compassion and love, rather than retaliation.