"Sola Fide" (Romans 4:1-16)

Exactly 507 years ago this week, German monk Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of his local church in Wittenberg, Germany. This began what became known as the Protestant Reformation - and it is how, in God's Providence, we are worshiping Christ in 2024 at Ruggles. Central to the Protestant Reformation was recovering the biblical teaching from our passage this Sunday - that we are justified, or made righteous, before God not by our works, but by faith alone. We'll see this Sunday what revolutionized and reformed the Church, and why "sola fide" is such glorious good news for us today!

"More Than Forgiveness" (Romans 3:21-31)

This Sunday's passage is a detailed x-ray of how God saves us in the gospel. Significantly, we'll see that God's gift to us in the gospel is much more than forgiveness! Here the Apostle Paul paints a picture of our salvation with words like "righteousness," "grace," "justification," "law," "redemption," and "propitiation." Finally, we'll see why continuing to believe and boast only in the gospel is a crucial antidote to our pride, our anxiety, and our relationships with others.

"Guilty As Charged" (Romans 3:1-20)

So how bad is it really? This Sunday we come to the Apostle Paul's climactic conclusion about the depth and breadth of humanity's sin and rebellion against God. The truth is, all are sinners deserving the death penalty. We are guilty as charged by God, the only just judge. We'll see not only how bad it is but also the benefit to reading this sweeping judgment against us. 

"A Matter of the Heart" (Romans 2:17-29)

How do you know that you're a Christian? This is a simple but relevant question, because Scripture is clear that it's possible (even common) for people to be deceived about their relationship with God--particulaly "religious" people with a background in church. And this is who the Apostle Paul addresses in our passage this Sunday. We'll see the reality of false assurance and the defining factor of true salvatoin in Christ. It's a matter of the heart.

"The Perfect Judge" (Romans 2:1-16)

It's so easy to be judgmental of others' sins while overlooking our own. In our passage this Sunday, the Apostle Paul says the wrath of God is not only on "unreligious" sinners but it falls justly on hypocritical "religious" sinners, too! So how can we discern what is right, both for ourselves and others, without falling into judgmentalism? 

"God’s Wrath on Man’s Rebellion" (Romans 1:18-32)

We can’t rejoice in the good news until we face the reality of the bad news. What is God’s wrath? Why is he angry? What are its effects on our world? This Sunday we’ll study the depth of our need so we can rejoice even more in God’s grace.

"Unashamed of the Gospel" (Romans 1:16-17)

Have you ever been tempted to hide or downplay your faith in Christ? As we come to the main thesis of the book of Romans, the Apostle Paul declares why we should be confident—unashamed!—to preach and live out the gospel.

"The Heart of Gospel Ministry" (Romans 1:8-15)

What does the Christian life look like? Last week we began the book of Romans, and we saw the Apostle Paul's calling--and our calling--is to be set apart for Christ and his gospel. But what does that mean practically? We'll see in this week's passage that believing the gospel should motivate us to share this good news with others.

"A Gospel-Centered Life" (Romans 1:1-7)

What is your life centered on? Beginning this week, our sermon series in Romans will call us into a greater knowledge of and joy in the glorious good news of Jesus Christ.

"The Charge of the Church" (Matthew 28:16-20)

What is the church for? We'll remember and consider anew this Sunday Jesus' "Great Commission" for his church. What is our role in Christ's mission, both as individuals and as a church, and how do we accomplish this task we've been given?

"Worse, and Better, Than You Think" (Genesis 43:1-34)

How do you view yourself before God? How does God view you? In Sunday’s passage, as Joseph’s brothers reluctantly return to Egypt, we’ll see that like us, their need for mercy was greater than they could have possibly imagined.

"The Grace of a Guilty Conscience" (Genesis 42:1-38)

Can guilt be a good thing? The focus shifts in this Sunday's passage from Joseph to his 10 brothers, who have been covering up their guilt for decades. We'll see that guilt (and godly fear!) are essential steps along the path of repentance to receive the grace of God.

"Raised Up to Rescue" (Genesis 41:1-57)

No one likes to wait. In our passage this Sunday, we'll see that the Lord always works good! But not on our timeline—in his perfect timing. Indeed, we'll see how the Lord sent, prepared, and raised up Joseph at just the right time for his good, redemptive purpose.

"Faithful When Forgotten" (Genesis 40:1-23)

How do we respond during times when we feel forgotten, let down by others, or just all alone? This Sunday's passage from the story of Joseph is a picture of how we can faithfully follow the Lord even when it seems like we've been forgotten.

"The Secret to Success" (Genesis 39:1-23)

This Sunday, God's word takes us back into the story of Joseph. We'll consider the secret of success for the one following the Lord. What causes us to succeed? And what does success look like in our lives as we walk with the Lord?

*Source: Pastor Kevin DeYoung’s sermon on Genesis 39 at Christ Covenant Church

"From Shame to Salvation" (Genesis 38:1-30)

In this Sunday's passage the story of Joseph seems to be bizarrely interrupted by the sordid tale of Judah, Jacob's fourth son. It contains sexual immorality, deception, and injustice. Why is this account in the Bible? Ultimately it's a story of glorious hope for those caught up in shameful sin.

"When Dreams Become Nightmares" (Genesis 37:1-36)

"God has a wonderful plan for your life." Has someone ever told you that? Is it true? I guess it depends on how you define "wonderful." What happens when God's plan for us doesn't seem very wonderful? We'll consider these questions as we begin the account of Joseph's life this Sunday.

*Source: Pastor Kevin DeYoung’s sermon on Genesis 37 at Christ Covenant Church

"Two Ways to Live" (Genesis 36:1-43)

We begin our new spring/summer sermon series in the concluding portion of Genesis. We'll recap the overall message of Genesis as we prepare this season to hear and grow from God's word through the story of Joseph.

"Believing is Seeing" (John 20:11-18)

We celebrate the resurrection of Jesus by considering Mary Magdalen'e’s interaction as the first witness to the risen Lord.

"Authority Applied: Government" (Romans 13:1-7)

This Sunday is Palm Sunday! On the day when we celebrate Jesus riding into Jerusalem as King, it's worth considering...what are kings for anyway? Or, what is government for? We'll consider what kind of authority that God gives to governments and what our role should be in politics as Christ's church.

This series is based loosely on the book, Authority by Jonathan Leeman.