The Promise to Abraham

November 22, 2020 Administration

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.

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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

November 15, 2020 Administration

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.

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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

November 8, 2020 Administration

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.

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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?

November 1, 2020 Administration

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.

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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

October 11, 2020 Administration

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 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.

Identity Invalidated

August 16, 2020 Administration

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

Romans 2:25-29

25 For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. 26 So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27 Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law. 28 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.

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Identity Invalidated — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 2:25-29
Sermon Series: Romans (22nd sermon)
August 16, 2020

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   Where does Paul include little glimpses of gospel grace in 2:1-16? What do we learn from these passages about the Christian life?
2.   What did the Jews in Paul’s day think about circumcision? How does Paul refute their thinking in vv. 25-27, and why would this have been so appalling to the Jewish ear?
3.   How has Romans 2 affected the way you think about the Christian’s relationship to the law? How has it encouraged you towards a more fruitful life?
4.   What does it mean to have a circumcised heart, and where else do we see this concept in the Bible?
5.   Why do sinners love outward religion? How does the Christian’s mindset differ?

References: Romans 3:21-22; 2:7, 10, 14-16; 1 Corinthians 7:19; Genesis 2:16-17; 3:17; 6:22; 22:3; Romans 1:5; 8:4, 7; John 6:28-29; Matthew 5:17; Deuteronomy 10:16; Jeremiah 4:4; Colossians 2:11; Philippians 3:3; John 5:44; Matthew 23:5.

Safety Shattered

August 9, 2020 Administration

Romans 2:17-24
17 But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God 18 and know his 
  will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; 19 and if you 
  are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 
  20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of 
  knowledge and truth— 21 you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you 
  preach against stealing, do you steal? 22 You who say that one must not commit adultery, 
  do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who boast in the 
  law dishonor God by breaking the law. 24 For, as it is written, “The name of God is 
  blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”

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Safety Shattered — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 2:17-24
Sermon Series: Romans (21st sermon)
August 9, 2020

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   Why does Paul wait until v. 17 to explicitly address the Jews? How does this passage build on and reiterate Paul’s previous arguments?
2.   How do the Jews in Paul’s day see themselves? Were they right or wrong to think that way?
3.   What does it mean to rightly “boast in God”? Where had the Jews gone wrong?
4.   What does this passage communicate to the professing Christian? How has Romans 2 informed or impacted you personally?
5.   How does Paul connect Jewish hypocrisy back to Gentile idolatry, particularly in v. 23? How does this encourage us to consciously live for God’s glory?

References: Psalm 1; 119:105; Jeremiah 9:24; John 5:23, 39; 8:42; Isaiah 42:6; 49:6; Genesis 22:18; John 12:36; Matthew 5:14; 15:14; Titus 2:11-14; Deuteronomy 7:25; Matthew 5:28; Romans 1:5, 21; Ephesians 1:12; 2:7; 1 Corinthians 10:31.

Doers Not Hearers

August 2, 2020 Administration

Romans 2:12-16
12 For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. 14 For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them 16 on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.

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Doers Not Hearers — Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 2:12-16
Sermon Series: Romans (20th sermon)
August 2, 2020

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   What Jewish mindset with respect to the law is Paul refuting in this passage?
2.   Where else in Scripture do we see this emphasis on not being a mere hearer?
3.   How can exposure to God’s truth actually lead to false assurance? What does it mean to say that hearing without doing is storing?
4.   How does Paul’s language in vv. 14-15 suggest that he is talking about Gentile believers? What other passages support this interpretation? Read and discuss how these verses relate to vv. 7-10 and 26-29.
5.   What does it mean to say that a Christian does “what the law requires” (v. 14)? Read and discuss Romans 7:22 and 8:4.
6.   Why will our conflicting thoughts accuse and excuse us on the day of Judgment?
7.   How does this passage encourage you in the Christian life? How does it clarify the relationship between faith, works, law, and gospel?

References: Romans 9:4-5; Joshua 1:8; Ezra 7:10; Romans 3:9; 7:12; James 1:22; Matthew 7:24; Jeremiah 31:33; 2 Corinthians 3:3; Romans 2:26-29; Romans 7:22; 8:4; Ephesians 2:12-13; James 2:20-24; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 1 John 3:20.