Fourth Baptist Church

Unto You I lift up my eyes, O You who dwell in the heavens. Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, until He has mercy on us. - Psalm 123:1-2

The Unity of Believers, part 2 Building Up One Another Without Offending

The Unity of Believers, part 1 Accepting One Another with Understanding

During a time of political turmoil and hatred for the state, Paul wrote to the Roman believers about God and government. Paul penned the clearest and most specific Bible teaching on the Christian's response to and responsibility toward civil authority.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is what gives believers hope for this life and the next. Because of the resurrection, we give praise to God.

Paul presents four proofs that Israel's rejection of Jesus Christ does not violate God's promised purpose and plan for the Jews, but rather affirms it.

Spiritual life is both positional life and practical living in the Holy Spirit.

Matthew's gospel was written to make the case that Jesus Christ was the prophesied Messiah and King. Toward that end, Matthew presented Jesus' genealogy and virgin birth to prove that He was rightfully eligible to be the King!

Some might say, "Since we are saved by grace, we are free from the Law to do as we please." That is the extreme of license or libertinism. Others might say, "We must live under the Law to please God." That is the extreme of legalism. In Romans 6, Paul answered the first. In Romans 7, he addresses the second.

The Christian life is described in terms of death and life. We were once dead in sins (Eph 2:1, 5; Col 2:13) but are now dead to sin (Rom 6:2; 1 Pet 2:24). In salvation, we are raised with and made alive in Jesus Christ (Eph 2:1, 5; Col 2:12-13; 1 Cor 15:22). Therefore, we should walk in newness of life!

The Old Testament priesthood informs us about both the importance and the activity of our New Testament priesthood.

Job asked the most important question that has ever been asked: "How can a man be righteous before God?" (Job 9:2). The answer is that the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ can be imputed to us through faith in Jesus Christ!

After destroying any false spiritual security that the Jews would claim from their heritage, their law, or their circumcision (2:17-29), Paul answers the obvious objections by affirming the goodness of God.

After demonstrating that everyone (Gentile or Jew, wicked or moral) will be brought before God's righteous judgment, Paul now turns his focus exclusively on the Jews and destroys any false sense of spiritual security they might have.