Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Romans in which we are confronted with a startling truth:
When it comes to our spiritual needs, our world has conditioned us to search for complex solutions; when, in fact, the righteousness that leads to salvation is closer than we think.
For it’s not about lofty achievements or rigorous adherence to law: it’s about faith, belief, and confession — elements deeply woven into the fabric of our being.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Romans and invites us into a radical reimagining of what it means to be Right with God.
Because we live in a world where we often find ourselves measuring ourworth by our works.
But… it’s not about what we can DO, but about what has been DONE FOR US, through Jesus Christ.
So, how does this shift change the way we live, believe, and pursue God’s heart??
The answer?… rests in the beautiful gospel simplicity of finding righteousness through belief in Christ Alone.
…with the profound mysteries of God’s sovereignty and grace.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Romans in which begin a journey through Chapter 9.
For it is in this section of scripture that the Apostle Paul expresses his anguish and unyielding love for his Jewish brethren, set against the backdrop of the many spiritual advantages they have received as the descendants of those who received the great promises of God — culminating in Jesus, who is the Christ.
Questions.Questions that comfort… while at the same time challenge the depths of our faith, and the breadth of our understanding of God’s love.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Romans in which we explore a passage that demonstrates the unshakeable love of God in Christ Jesus — a love that transcends our trials, our fears, and even our weaknesses.
This is not just theology for the mind, though;
it’s a balm for the soul, especially in times when our faith is tested by the trials of life.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Romans and preaches that when you go at it on your own — apart from God — you are driven by the flesh. Consequently, your mind is set on the carnal, fleshly aspects of life.
…And lest you think it’s working out, the Bible instructs, it does not end well:
“For the mind set on the flesh is DEATH.…”
But when you live your life transformed by Christ, you can’t help but set your mind above, on the Spirit — which ends very well:
“…For the mind set on the Spirit is LIFE and PEACE.…”
Today on Scanida Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Romans and points out that with Paul describing his ongoing battle with sin in chapter 7 and the shortcomings he’s experienced because of it, we’d expect to see a judgement against it in chapter 8.
Instead, right at the beginning, what we see is one of the most triumphant announcements in all of Scripture:
“Therefore there is now no condemnation in Christ Jesus.”
How can there be some much hatred for the one Man who has never sinned?
This Easter Morning on the Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao focuses on HATE. And causes us to consider its polar opposite: LOVE.
For the trials and crucifixion of Jesus show us no greater example of the extreme chasm of these two words — these two actions — than the love of God and the hatred of men.
Jesus came to save sinners because of the great love of God.
As we look back on this day, it’s hard to imagine how one of His own disciples would betray Him. And how the crowds at His own trial would demand His crucifixion.
On one hand, we relate. For we have all experienced hate on some level.
…But, if we’re honest, when it comes to wrongdoing, we’re guilty.
Avg Guy: How can that be fair?! I mean, don’t you think the Jews had an inside edge with Moses and all those prophets directing them? What advantage did the Gentiles have??
SBC Host: That’s a fair question.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Romans in which find an answer to this question.
For in our passage we find the standard that God will hold man accountable to.
…And how God will account for those who have been given less.
Some of the greatest thinkers have ended their pondering by taking their own lives. Why??
Perhaps it is because they have realized the futility of all human labor. After all, what is the point???
Is mankind any better off, or happier? Are there fewer wars, violence, famines, droughts, or plagues?
And apart from God, what does a person believe happens after death? If nothing, then what is the point of life?
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao embarks upon our new study in Ecclesiastes — a book of the Bible that takes the reader down the horrifying spiral of life apart from God:
—life lived as if God wasn’t there;
—life lived as if there were no heaven, no eternity…
—and that everything that ever mattered (or will matter) is found “under the sun.”
Depending where you sit, it will either be the BEST NEWS Imaginable… or the worst news ever.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Hebrews in which we learn that Jesus’s return will “shake” the heavens and the earth.
And how you receive this news depends on whether you have been justified by His blood, adopted into God’s family, and thus are a citizen and heir of Christ’s kingdom.
To receive the King is to receive His kingdom.
To refuse the King is to provoke God’s wrath and learn the fullness of what it means that our God is a consuming fire!
That’s how Paul described all of his past accomplishments — his background, his accolades, even his religious fervor.
He counted it all rubbish.
Today on this Resurrection Sunday Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao opens the book of Philippians to show us how, when talking about himself, Paul now finds other things of surpassing value: namely, knowing Christ and the power of His resurrection. But…
What does it mean to know Christ?
What does it mean to know the power of His resurrection?
It’s an adjective that has become more and more popular in recent years when describing any number of activities either in the church or in the lives of God’s people. And while this descriptor is helpful and often a necessary reminder, we usually don’t give credit where credit is due for this perspective in the Christian life.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, on this Reformation Sunday, Pastor Monty Simao takes some time to reflect on this term, because it’s one that involves the Reformers.
For as the Reformers returned to the authority of Scripture, they, also, began to see that Jesus, Himself, revealed Himself as the “scope” of all the Scriptures.
What this means is that the credit goes to Christ: for all of Scripture is “Christ-Centered” — it all points to Him, and therefore, Jesus is the target and the end of all revelation from God.
SBC Host:You heard Him. The finality and decisiveness of the sacrifice of Jesus for our sins is such that God declares that, in Christ, our sins are as good as forgotten.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Hebrews and explains that because of this, there will never be a need for another sin atoning sacrifice.
Christ has done it all! …His words spoken at the cross, proven true: “It is finished.”
SBC Host: Pretend you’re an Israelite, and I ask you to make a drawing of “the law,” what would you draw? …What image would best represent it?
Avg Guy:I have no idea.
SBC Host: Exactly.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Hebrews and explains that while we — being in possession of the New Testament — certainly have a richer, more complete idea of what the shadows of the law of the Old Testament pointed toward… we would struggle knowing what to draw too!
For even with this additional knowledge, we can’t fully grasp the expanse of the multiple facets of what the law actually entails — until we begin to see the lines of the sketch take shape: revealing an image of obedience and sacrifice that foreshadows the fullness of the reality of the law which we will one day completely see and experience in all of its glory.
Description: It’s a subject that most would rather ignore, but all agree is certain: DEATH. And inextricably linked to this inevitability is an even more avoided topic: JUDGEMENT.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Hebrews and reminds us how the Scriptures necessarily tie death and judgment together. After all, death comes as the consequence of sin.
But we need to understand, death is NOT the end… rather, it’s the BEGINNING of eternity — an eternity where we either enter into the fullness of joy in the presence of our Heavenly Father, or an eternity filled with condemnation when we are cast into the lake of fire.
Because you see, which eternity becomes your destiny, hinges on that very topic most of us would rather not ponder: JUDGEMENT.
“But, beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you, and things that accompany salvation….”
— Hebrews 6:9
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues our study in the book of Hebrews and shows us that amid the stern warning that the author of Hebrews has been giving to his readers, in our passage today, he points to a promise…a promise from God.
But what are the these “better things” that accompany salvation???
And how do they assure us of God’s good works and faithfulness in our lives — and ultimately provide us with, what the author describes as, “full assurance of hope until the end”?
* Unfortunately, our LIVE Stream had some internet instability in the beginning. As a result, the first 19 minutes of today’s service were not recorded. The sermon, however, is completely intact.
Avg Guy:Okay… I just read Hebrews chapter 5, versus 5-10, and I have questions.
SBC Host: Let’s hear them.
Avg Guy: All right…
If Jesus is God and knows all things then how can He learn obedience?
What does God require by which men can be saved and have fellowship with Him?
If Jesus is God and perfect, how can He be made perfect?
And… What qualifies Jesus to be our Savior, anyway?
SBC Host: These are daunting questions, to be sure.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Hebrews and reminds us that questions like these can leave our minds reeling if we have not acquired the theological framework to think through them.
How we answer these questions will say much about our understanding of Christ – the only Savior.
Description: What does it mean that Christ is our Great High Priest? And how is His priesthood different from the priesthood of, say, Aaron?
These and other questions must be answered in order for believers to have assurance of their acceptance before God.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Hebrews and reminds us that our assurance begins and ends in the person and work of Jesus Christ…
…And that His priesthood means that His completed work is being applied by our great Mediator and Savior resulting in our perseverance despite our weakness.
Description: We know that Jesus was tempted as we are tempted… and yet, He was without sin.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Hebrews and points out that Jesus’s temptation, and corresponding sinlessness, is supposedly mentioned in the book to help us draw near to Him, for He sympathizes.
The problem is that Jesus’ sinlessness makes us think Him unapproachable.
Description: Their wandering the desert floor for forty years not only provides us with a great WARNING, but a great PROMISE: the promise of rest.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues our study in the book of Hebrews and reminds us that even Joshua and Caleb — the two faithful spies of the Wilderness Generation who were able to enter Canaan — did not receive this “promised rest.”
For it would be the “Greater Joshua,” Jesus the Son of God, Who would be the Champion for His people and complete His work to enter into His rest; and we, if we are partakers of Him, of Christ — having received the Good News — enter, in faith, into this rest that only He alone deserves.
Sermon Archives
Given New Life
in SBC Classic Edition
We’re in the process of digging through the colossal SBC Sermon Archive Library to bring forth the rich and timeless Biblical Truths found within the hundreds and hundreds of sermon cassettes from yesteryear, in our Tape to Podcast Project.
Currently on the workbench:
The Jim Allen Gospel of John Study (1997-1998) is underway in our SBC Classic Edition collection!
Watch our Steeple Study grow! … Great for a listen-study through a book or series.
Our Find-A-Sermon resource page helps you find what you’re looking for.
With the increased release of sermons from our archives, SBC Classic Edition is now podcasting on its own dedicated feed, separate from our current Sunday sermons.
Sermon Notes
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Sermon Notes
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