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In this lecture, Laying Down The Law, we will learn that God has given the law to man to keep him from attempting to save himself by his own efforts or works. We will find that God has given us the moral law to reveal His righteous character, reveal His standard of righteousness for man, to expose our sins, and lead sinners to Christ for salvation. Grab you Bible and join us as we continue our series in Christian Doctrine 101 and grow in our understanding of the basic teachings of Scripture.

At the end of this podcast is the answer to the question: What would John Owen say to the Theocast podcast, "Why I left Lordship" salvation." For John Owen, severing the Lordship of Christ from His saving work is a theological impossibility because saving faith receives the undivided Person of the God-Man, who simultaneously executes the offices of Prophet, Priest, and King. In Christologia and Meditations on the Glory of Christ (Volume 1), Owen demonstrates that Christ's Kingly office is not an optional addendum to salvation, but the very mechanism by which He bestows His Spirit, subdues the rebel heart, and delivers His people from the dominion of sin and Satan. True faith involves the voluntary subjection of the soul to Christ's scepter; therefore, a "salvation" that leaves a sinner in active rebellion against King Jesus claims a benefits-only fiction that departs entirely from the genuine gospel.

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 sermon explores the intrinsic link between wisdom and worship, arguing that true wisdom begins with recognizing God's sovereignty and approaching Him with reverence. Through the dedication prayer of King Solomon in 1 Kings 8, the text illustrates that wise worship involves confessing God's character, particularly His justice and mercy, and acknowledging the necessity of atonement for sin. The message emphasizes that worship is not merely a human activity but a divine initiative where God meets His people, leading to restored fellowship and joy. While the Old Testament temple pointed to a need for sacrifice, the sermon concludes that Jesus Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of this worship, serving as the final sacrifice and the only acceptable place for sinners to approach God.

This sermon examines the encounter between Jesus and the woman caught in adultery, highlighting the tension between divine justice and mercy. The preacher identifies the Pharisees' use of the law as a manipulative tactic to trap Jesus, contrasting their hypocrisy with Christ's genuine compassion. By challenging the accusers to cast the first stone, Jesus disarms their plot while upholding the seriousness of sin, demonstrating that only the sinless can judge. The central message emphasizes that Jesus satisfies the law's demands through his own sacrifice, allowing him to extend mercy without compromising God's holiness. The sermon concludes with an invitation for sinners to approach Christ, who meets them in their brokenness and calls them to a new life of holiness through the work of the Holy Spirit.

At this time we want to think more carefully about what a good and godly preacher should be like in our generation. I think that is very clear that the example of our Lord Jesus Christ is the best model for what a faithful preacher should be like. All preachers and all Christians should learn from their Master what a godly preacher and good preaching consists of. The preaching of Christ, as it is portrayed in this text, shows us 2 components of a godly ministry of preaching. They are, 1st – Preaching to see people turn from their sins. 2nd – Preaching to see people enter the kingdom of God and become useful citizens of that kingdom. Let us pray that God will help us to see the importance of this kind of preaching.

Are the miraculous gifts of healing and miracles still active in the church today? How can Christians distinguish genuine works of God from the claims of modern faith healers? In this sermon from 1 Corinthians 12:9–10, 28–30, Pastor Robb Brunansky examines the biblical evidence for miraculous healings and spiritual gifts by exploring the ministry of Jesus Christ, the works of the apostles in Acts, and the teaching of the New Testament letters. Through a careful study of Scripture, Pastor Robb identifies six defining characteristics of biblical miracles and healings: they were immediate, occurred both publicly and privately, involved individuals and groups, fulfilled Scripture, were unique in their power, and were certain in their results. This message challenges contemporary claims of miraculous healing, explains the unique role of signs and wonders in authenticating Jesus Christ and His apostles, and demonstrates why the miraculous gifts served a particular purpose in the establishment of the early church. Ultimately, the greatest miracle is not physical healing but the forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. The miracles of Scripture point us to the Savior who alone has the authority to forgive sins and reconcile sinners to God.

This sermon examines the contrasting responses of the two criminals crucified alongside Jesus, highlighting the theological significance of the middle cross where Christ serves as the perfect substitute for sinners. The preacher contrasts the unrepentant thief, who seeks only physical relief, with the awakened thief who recognizes his own guilt and Jesus' innocence, demonstrating that salvation is received by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. By analyzing the thief's confession and plea, the message emphasizes that no one is beyond the reach of God's mercy, regardless of their past sins or current circumstances. The central theme asserts that Jesus' death on the cross was a willing act of redemption, offering immediate access to paradise for those who trust in His finished work rather than their own efforts. The tone is pastoral and convicting, urging the audience to examine their own trust and ensure they are relying on Christ's sacrifice for eternal life.

SESSION 1 — THE CRY FOR FORGIVENESS. Psalm 51:1–13 KJV Psalm 51 shows the cry of a sinner who knows there is mercy with God. David stops making excuses and acknowledges his sin. He asks God to blot out his transgressions, wash him, cleanse him, and create in him a clean heart. True repentance is more than regretting consequences; it honestly agrees with God about sin and turns to Him for mercy. David also asks for restoration: "Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation." God's forgiveness does more than remove guilt. He can renew fellowship, restore joy, and make a forgiven person useful again. The beauty of forgiveness begins when excuses end and a broken heart discovers the mercy of God.

This sermon draws a parallel between Paul's urgent plea for Timothy to visit him before winter and the gospel invitation for sinners to come to Christ immediately. The central message emphasizes that salvation is simple, requiring only faith and repentance rather than prior moral reform, yet it demands decisive action and the prioritization of God above all other concerns. The preacher uses the imagery of the approaching winter and the fleeting nature of life to highlight the urgency of the hour, warning against the danger of procrastination and the assumption that future opportunities will always be available. By referencing the simplicity of the brazen serpent and the sincerity of Paul's loneliness, the message assures listeners that God's invitation is genuine and sufficient for their salvation. The tone is convicting yet comforting, urging the audience to seize the present moment to receive the peace and rest that Christ offers before the door of opportunity closes.

The sermon explores the healing of the paralytic in Mark 2 as an enacted parable that reveals the identity and authority of Jesus Christ. It argues that Jesus intentionally instigates controversy to demonstrate that He possesses the divine prerogative to forgive sins, a power reserved exclusively for God. The text connects the physical healing to the spiritual reality of sin, describing sin as both a source of uncleanness that alienates believers from God and a crippling force that breaks their spiritual capacity. Faith is presented as a stubborn, dependent trust that overcomes obstacles to reach Christ, while forgiveness is depicted as a complete, blood-bought pardon that removes guilt and transforms the believer's life into immediate obedience. The central message emphasizes that the Son of Man has the authority to restore the broken and forgive the sinner, calling for a response of wholehearted service and worship.

In Romans 9:1-5, the apostle Paul expresses his burden for the lost condition of most of his fellow Jews, and his intense desire for their salvation, to the extent that he would be willing to bear their punishment if they could be redeemed. Knowing that the Lord Jesus is the only sacrifice for sin, his heart for the Israelites forms a compassionate foundation for considering this question: "Why have only a few Jews received Jesus as their Messiah and have been saved from the penalty of sin?" Throughout chapters 9, 10 and 11, Paul addresses that question, explaining that salvation has never been a matter of family lineage or religious experience, but purely based on the mercy of God in drawing lost sinners to faith. He reaches a climax in chapter 11, proclaiming that God has not rejected His people, Israel, and that all His chosen remnant from among the Jews will be saved by grace through faith, the way it has always been. We Gentiles will join with them in praising God for His mercy!