Our Death to the Law

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Romans 7:1-4

 1 Or do you not know, brothers—for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law is binding on a person only as long as he lives? 2 For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage. 3 Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she marries another man she is not an adulteress. 4 Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God.

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Our Death to the Law— Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 7:1-4
Sermon Series: Romans (44th sermon)
February 21, 2021

Inspect the Produce

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Romans 6:20-23

 20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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Inspect the Produce— Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 6:20-23
Sermon Series: Romans (43rd sermon)
February 14, 2021

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   How does this passage serve as a means of perseverance for the Christian?
2.   What is meant by the phrase, “free in regard to righteousness”?
3.   How does Paul describe the fruit of our old enslavement to sin? Why do we need to be reminded of it?
4.   How have you seen individual acts of sin bring shame and death?
5.   What is the fruit of our enslavement to God? Why is it so important for us to remember that our new slavery is to a person?
6.   How does v. 23 emphasize the grace of God and the centrality of Christ?
7.   How does Paul affirm the justice of hell in this passage?

References: Ephesians 5:11-12; 1 John 2:17; Ephesians 2:4; 2 Corinthians 5:4.

Life as a Slave

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Romans 6:15-19

 15 What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. 19 I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.

NOTE:  Allow 30-90 seconds after clicking the START-arrow or Download-button for playback to begin.

Life as a Slave— Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 6:15-19
Sermon Series: Romans (42nd sermon)
February 7, 2021

Deep Sheet: Sermon Study
1.   How much thought have you given to the fact that Christians are slaves? Why does this concept seem odd to us, and how does Paul address that tension at the beginning of v. 19?
2.   What is the question/objection that Paul addresses in this passage? How would you summarize his response?
3.   Why is continuing to practice sin both ludicrous and impossible for the Christian?
4.   How does Paul describe the transformation that takes place at conversion? Where do we see divine sovereignty as well as human agency?
5.   How does this passage highlight the importance of sound doctrine/theology?
6.   What does God call us to in v. 19, and how does this highlight the importance of daily moments and choices? Why should we be excited by the last phrase, “leading to sanctification”?

References: Romans 1:1; 1 Corinthians 6:20; Titus 2:14; Galatians 1:4; John 8:34; Matthew 6:24; 1 Samuel 15:22; Titus 3:5; Romans 1:5; 2:29.

Life After Death

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Romans 6:12-14

 12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. 13 Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. 14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.

NOTE:  Allow 30-90 seconds after clicking the START-arrow or Download-button for playback to begin.

Life After Death — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 6:12-14
Sermon Series: Romans (41st sermon)
January 31, 2021

Deep Sheet: Sermon Study Questions
1.   How does the first part of Romans 6 shape how you view yourself as a Christian? Why must we view ourselves truly in order to live rightly?
2.   How does Paul characterize our relationship to sin in v. 12? Why does it seem a little confusing in light of what he’s just written?
3.   What is the scene depicted in v. 13? How does Paul use warfare language?
4.   How does v. 13 simplify the Christian life for us? Where are you personally convicted to stop offering up your members to serve sin?
5.   What does it look like to offer our members to God as weapons for righteousness?
6.   How does v. 14 bring reassurance and confidence to the reader? How does its placement after v. 13 show that grace should not lessen our fight against sin but rather motivate its intensity?

References: Ephesians 2:1; Colossians 1:13-14; Romans 8:13; Galatians 5:16, 24; Colossians 3:5, 8, 9; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Peter 2:11; Romans 7:22-23; 1 Kings 10:8; Romans 13:14; 1 John 2:16-17; Psalm 145:5, 21; Romans 5:2.

The Living Dead

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Romans 6:6-11

 6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For one who has died has been set free from sin. 8Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

NOTE:  Allow 30-90 seconds after clicking the START-arrow or Download-button for playback to begin.

The Living Dead — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 6:6-11
Sermon Series: Romans (40th sermon)
January 24, 2021

Deep Sheet: Sermon Study Questions
1.   Why does the church constantly need to be called to holiness? How does this passage motivate you to pursue sanctification?
2.   How do we reconcile the fact that our old self has already died to sin / been crucified with Christ with the need to continually “put off [our] old self” (Eph. 4:22)?
3.   What does it mean that we are no longer enslaved to sin? How do we see this play out in the Christian life?
4.   What are the present and future implications of Christ’s resurrection? How is this imaged in baptism?
5.   What does Paul mean when he says that the resurrected Christ “lives to God”? What does this mean for us?

References: John 17:17; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; Ephesians 4:22-24; Galatians 5:24; Romans 8:3; Hebrews 7:27; 9:28; Matthew 1:21; 2 Corinthians 5:21.

Abounding Grace - What Now for Sin?

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Romans 6:1-5

 1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.

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Abounding Grace - What Now for Sin? — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 6:1-5
Sermon Series: Romans (39th sermon)
January 17, 2021

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study
1.   How does the question about sin at the beginning of chapter 6 grow out of the celebration of grace at the end of chapter 5?
2.   How does Paul address both legalism and antinomianism in this passage?
3.   How have you seen antinomianism play out among Christians?
4.   How does v. 2 inform our understanding of what it means to be a Christian?
5.   How does Paul relate the believer to Christ? Why does he emphasize baptism?

References: Romans 3:7-8; Jude 4; Ephesians 1:19-20; Acts 2:38; Colossians 2:12; Galatians 2:20.

Adam and Christ Compared

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Romans 5:15-21

 15 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. 16 And the free gift is not like the result of that one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. 17 For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.
18 Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. 19 For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. 20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

NOTE:  Allow 30-90 seconds after clicking the START-arrow or Download-button for playback to begin.

Adam and Christ Compared — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 5:15-21
Sermon Series: Romans (38th sermon)
January 10, 2021

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study
1.   What is the one big similarity that Paul identifies between Adam and Christ?  How does 1 Corinthians 15:21-22 help us to interpret this larger passage?
2.   Why does Paul devote so much space to this comparison? How does he want it to affect his Christian readers?
3.   How does this passage depict the power or efficacy of God’s grace through Christ (see especially vv. 15, 20, and 21)? How does this elevate your worship, gratitude, and assurance?
4.   How does Paul describe the different results that derive from Adam and Christ?
5.   How does this passage inform your Christology (view of Christ)? Why are his righteousness and obedience so precious to us?

References: 1 Corinthians 15:21-22; Hebrews 4:16; Romans 6:4; John 10:10; Revelation 22:5; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Matthew 3:15; Galatians 4:4; John 4:34; 6:38; Matthew 26:39.

The First Adam

Romans 5:12-14

12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned— 13 for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. 14 Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come.

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The First Adam — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 5:12-14
Sermon Series: Romans (37th sermon)
December 27, 2020

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study
1.   What does it mean that Adam is a “type” of Christ? What are some other types in the Old Testament?
2.   How does biblical typology heighten our worship and reverence? How does it strengthen our confidence in the Scriptures?
3.   How does Adam’s typological role reinforce God’s sovereignty over the Fall?
4.   How did sin and death enter the world in Genesis 3? How are they described in that narrative?
5.   How does this passage support viewing Adam as a real historical figure rather than a metaphor or a myth?
6.   What does it mean to say that all sinned in Adam or that he is our federal head? Read v. 12 in light of vv. 18-19.

References: 1 Corinthians 15:21-22; Genesis 2:17; 3; Romans 6:23; Acts 17:26; Romans 3:23; Joshua 7.

The Love That Sustains Our Hope

Romans 5:6-11

6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

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The Love That Sustains Our Hope — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 5:6-11
Sermon Series: Romans (36th sermon)
December 20, 2020

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study
1.   Comparing v. 5 with vv. 6-8, what two aspects of God’s love does Paul describe?
2.   What is the human condition, and what makes God’s love so distinctive and marvelous in light of it?
3.   How does the statement that “Christmas is about a baby born to die for his enemies” provide greater depth to your celebration this year?
4.   What does this passage teach about God the Father?
5.   How does the content of vv. 6-8 relate to Paul’s argument in vv. 9-10? How does this text speak to assurance of salvation?
6.   Where does Paul leave the reader in v. 11? How does this help us to better understand the Christian life?

References: Romans 3:23-24; Ephesians 2:1, 4; Titus 3:3-5; Romans 1:18, 30; 8:1, 34; John 14:19.

The Results of Right Standing

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Romans 5:1-5

 1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

NOTE:  Allow 30-90 seconds after clicking the START-arrow or Download-button for playback to begin.

The Results of Right Standing — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 5:1-5
Sermon Series: Romans (35th sermon)
December 13, 2020

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study
1.   How should the Christocentric language of chapter 5 inform our understanding of salvation and the Christian life?
2.   What does it mean to have peace with God? How does this transcend our feelings at any given moment?
3.   How does Paul describe the access that we have to God? How does it encourage you to know that this is where you “stand”?
4.   What does Paul mean when he uses the word translated “rejoice”?
5.   How does suffering produce hope in the Christian life? How should this affect the way you process trials?
6.   How does Paul present the relationship between hope and love in v. 5? What does this tell us about assurance of salvation?
7.   How does this passage help us to rightly celebrate Christmas this year?

References: Romans 1:4; 5:10; Psalm 7:11-13; Ephesians 2:18; 3:12; Hebrews 4:16; Habakkuk 2:14; Mark 13:26; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 John 3:2; Romans 8:30; James 1:2-4; 1 Peter 1:6-7; Psalm 25:3.

Abraham Applied

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Romans 4:23-25

 23 But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, 24 but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, 25 who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.

NOTE:  Allow 30-90 seconds after clicking the START-arrow or Download-button for playback to begin.

Abraham Applied — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 4:23-25
Sermon Series: Romans (34th sermon)
December 6, 2020

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study
1.   How does this passage fit into Paul’s overall message in chapters 1-4?
2.   To use Hodge’s language, how is Abraham a “representative person”? Discuss how vv. 23-24 relate to passages like Romans 15:4 and 1 Corinthians 10:11.
3.   How is the content of our faith the same as Abraham’s? How does it differ?
4.   How does this passage contribute to your understanding of the gospel? What does it teach us about the role of the Father and of the Son in saving us?
5.   What does it mean that Christ “was raised for our justification”? How does this increase your gratitude for him?

References: Genesis 15:6; Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11; 2 Timothy 3:16; John 8:56; Romans 10:9; Genesis 22:1-19; Isaiah 53:6; 1 Corinthians 15:3; Romans 3:24-25.

The Faith of Abraham

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Romans 4:17-22

 17 as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. 19 In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead ( since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. 20 No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. 22 That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.”

NOTE:  Allow 30-90 seconds after clicking the START-arrow or Download-button for playback to begin.

The Faith of Abraham — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 4:17-22
Sermon Series: Romans (33rd sermon)
November 29, 2020

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study
1.   How does Paul describe the object of Abraham’s faith? Discuss the importance of Scripture in filling out the object of our faith.
2.   What does it mean to say that Abraham’s situation was a “perfect blend of impossibility”? How do “can” and “cannot” come together in this passage?
3.   Calvin describes it, how is Abraham’s condition similar to ours?
4.   What are some of the words used to characterize Abraham’s faith in this passage? How does this challenge you?
5.   How does Paul’s description line up with the depiction of Abraham in Genesis? How does Abraham’s weakness encourage us?

References: James 5:11; Deuteronomy 32:39; Jeremiah 32:17; Genesis 17:5; 15:5, 6; Hebrews 11:17-19.

The Promise to Abraham

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Romans 4:13-17

 13 For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. 14 For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. 15 For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression. 16 That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, 17 as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.

NOTE:  Allow 30-90 seconds after clicking the START-arrow or Download-button for playback to begin.

The Promise to Abraham — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 4:13-17
Sermon Series: Romans (32nd sermon)
November 22, 2020

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study 
 

Faith Not Works: Back to the Beginning, Part 2

Romans 4:1-12

1 'What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5 And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 6 just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: 7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; 8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.” 9 Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? For we say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. 10 How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. 11 He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, 12 and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

NOTE:  Allow 30-90 seconds after clicking the START-arrow or Download-button for playback to begin.

Faith Not Works: Back to the Beginning, Part 2 — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 4:1-12
Sermon Series: Romans (31st sermon)
November 15, 2020

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study 
 1.   How does Christianity compare with other religions on the question of human works? How does this contrast help in sharing the gospel?
2.   Why does Paul refer to Abraham and David in chapter 4? What role does each one serve in his overall argument?
3.   How would you paraphrase David’s quote from Psalm 32? How does each part of it point to Christ’s work?
4.   What is true happiness based on this text? How does the biblical concept of “blessedness” provide clarity in a culture focused on personal fulfillment?
5.   Why does Paul address circumcision at such length in vv. 9-12? What is his main point in these verses?
6.   As you reflect on God’s purpose in the events of Abraham’s life, how does this text encourage you to trust God’s sovereignty in your life?

References: Genesis 15:6; Psalm 32:1-2; Joshua 24:2; Genesis 17; Deuteronomy 10:16; Jeremiah 4:4; Romans 2:29; Galatians 3:7-9; Genesis 12:3.

Faith Not Works: Back to the Beginning, Part 1

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Romans 4:1-12

 1 'What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5 And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 6 just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: 7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; 8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.” 9 Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? For we say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. 10 How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. 11 He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, 12 and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

NOTE:  Allow 30-90 seconds after clicking the START-arrow or Download-button for playback to begin.

Faith Not Works: Back to the Beginning, Part 1 — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 4:1-12
Sermon Series: Romans (30th sermon)
November 8, 2020

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study   Faith Not Works: Back to the Beginning, Part 1   (Rom 4:1-12)
1.   Why should the doctrine of justification by faith humble us?
2.   Why do you think Paul chooses to use Abraham as an illustration? In general, how did the Jews view him?
3.   What does Genesis 15:6 say about Abraham’s righteousness?
4.   How does the text make clear that Abraham’s faith was not meritorious? Discuss why faith cannot be characterized as a work.
5.   What is so problematic about works-righteousness? What does this passage (particularly v. 5) teach us about the nature of saving/justifying faith?

References: Romans 3:28; Matthew 1:2; Isaiah 51:1-2; Genesis 15:6; Galatians 3:6; Hebrews 11:8; Romans 4:16; Ephesians 2:3; Joshua 24:2-3; Romans 3:25.

Justified by Faith - So What?

Romans 3:27-31

27 Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. 31 Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.

NOTE:  Allow 30-90 seconds after clicking the START-arrow or Download-button for playback to begin.

Justified by Faith - So What? — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 3:27-31
Sermon Series: Romans (29th sermon)
November 1, 2020

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   What does the doctrine of justification by faith do to human boasting?
2.   How can we identify boasting in our lives? What’s the remedy?
3.   How does the doctrine of justification by faith show the oneness of God? How does Paul appeal to Jewish doctrine to make his point?
4.   What are some implications of monotheism for how we view and relate to others?
5.   How does the doctrine of justification by faith “uphold the law” (v. 31), and how does this refute antinomianism? What other passages in Romans help us to interpret Paul’s meaning?

References: Romans 1:30; 2:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 6:14; Philippians 3:3; 2:3; Deuteronomy 6:4; Genesis 12:3; 3:15; Romans 2:26-29; 8:3-4; 13:8-10.

Right with God, Part 2

Romans 3:21-26

21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

NOTE:  Allow 30-90 seconds after clicking the START-arrow or Download-button for playback to begin.

Right with God, Part 2 — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 3:21-26
Sermon Series: Romans (28th sermon)
October 11, 2020

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   What is grace, and how does it relate to faith?
2.   What is redemption, and how does Christ serve as a ransom? What does this aspect of salvation say about a person’s condition apart from Christ?
3.   What does it mean that Christ is a “propitiation”? How does v. 25 provide help in assurance of salvation?
4.   What do these verses teach about God the Father? How do they correct common misconceptions?
5.   What issue is Paul addressing in vv. 25b – 26? How does the Bible come at this topic from the exact opposite direction of the world?
6.   How do we practically live out the truth that salvation is ultimately not about us but about the glory of God?

References: Romans 5:15; Ephesians 3:7; John 3:16; Romans 6:17; John 8:34; Matthew 20:28; 1 Corinthians 6:20; 1 Peter 1:18-19; Hebrews 9:5; Acts 14:16; 17:30; Ephesians 1:12.

Right with God, Part 1

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Romans 3:21-26

 21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

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Right with God, Part 1 — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 3:21-26
Sermon Series: Romans (27th sermon)
October 04, 2020

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   Why has this passage been regarded as so significant by interpreters? What sort of heart-posture should we have as we approach it?
2.   How does the context heighten our excitement over the opening words, “But now”? How do these words inform our understanding of the relationship between the Old and New Testaments?
3.   How does the Old Testament “bear witness to” the righteousness of God that is revealed in the gospel?
4. How is justification distinct from pardon or forgiveness?
5.   What does it mean to have “faith in Jesus Christ”? How can we practically avoid a generic faith?
6.   In light of the final quote in the sermon from Thomas Chalmers, in what ways are you tempted to put your “confidence upon your own doings”?

References: Romans 15:11; 8:13; 2 Corinthians 13:5; Ephesians 2:4; Romans 1:17; 5:17; 2 Corinthians 5:20; Galatians 3:19-25; Romans 1:2; Matthew 5:17; Romans 5:12; 1:21; 2:23; John 20:31; 1 Corinthians 2:2; 1 Peter 1:3; James 2:19.

All Under Condemnation

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Romans 3:19-20

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All Under Condemnation — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 3:19-20
Sermon Series: Romans (26th sermon)
September 27, 2020

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions

References:

All Under Sin

FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Romans 3:9-18

 9 What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, 10 as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; 11 no one understands; no one seeks for God. 12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” 13 “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.” 14 “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” 15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16 in their paths are ruin and misery, 17 and the way of peace they have not known.” 18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

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All Under Sin — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 3:9-18
Sermon Series: Romans (25th sermon)
September 6, 2020

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   What are some other passages in the Bible that speak of sin in language that is similar to this text?
2.   How does this passage serve as a conclusion to what Paul has already said?
3.   What does this string of quotations say about Paul’s view of the Old Testament writings?
4.   What does Paul mean when he says that human beings are “under sin”? What facets of sinfulness does he describe in vv. 10-12?
5.   How is Paul’s description of a person’s sin pervasive and comprehensive? What strikes you most about vv. 13-18?
6.   How does v. 18 serve as the root cause of all that is mentioned before? How does this help the Christian to battle the flesh?
7.   How does this passage raise our affections for Christ and our gratitude for the grace that he supplies?

References: Psalm 14:1-3; Romans 6:17; Isaiah 53:6; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Ephesians 4:18; Psalm 5:9; 140:3; 10:7; Proverbs 1:16; Isaiah 59:7-8; Psalm 36:1; James 3:5-6; Proverbs 9:10.