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.”
The Believer has experienced a change in relationship with the Law.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Romans in which we read, as Believers, how this change in our relationship with the Law of God came about.
And what it means concerning our obedience to the Law, now that we are found in Christ.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Romans and poses this question.
Because while it’s not uncommon for an unbeliever to see themselves as living in freedom while Christians submit themselves to bondage, the Bible paints a different picture.
For the one you serve is your master.
If you serve sin, you are enslaved to sin… and your path leads to death.
If you serve righteousness, you are freed from sin… and, instead, enslaved to God who gives eternal life.
It’s attractive because it stresses obedience to the law. It’s weak because the law is unable to help us in our plight.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Romans and shares how Paul had been accused of preaching a gospel that encouraged immoral living — for some lived as if sin still reigned in their lives.
But that was not what Paul was doing at all!
Rather than encouraging loose living, Paul preached the gospel of GRACE.
For grace is able to do what the law cannot:
Grace gives desire and will to obey…and power to the once powerless.
Avg Guy:I believe you could argue that sinning is ultimately good!
SBC Host: That’s a pretty big statement. What do you mean?
Avg Guy:Well, we are saved apart from our works, right?
SBC Host: Right.
Avg Guy:And since we know that “when sin increases grace abounds all the more”… It’s obvious the law is now obsolete.
SBC Host: I’m not sur—
Avg Guy: —It’s simple: More sin equals more grace! And who wouldn’t want more grace?? Ergo, sin is good. I rest my case.
SBC Host: Careful. Your line of thinking will not end well.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Romans and shows us that this twisted thinking challenged the Gospel.
Man was turning grace into a license to sin — distorting the God’s Word and corrupting many in the church.
In our passage, Paul responds to these challenges to show the impossibility of such a view — using our union with Christ to show how such an idea would be simply absurd.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Romans and invites us to ponder a question that has remained with church history for 2000 years:
Why is it that we are guilty, even before we have done anything wrong ourselves?
For our understanding of this exact question forms the basis of our understanding of, not only Original Sin but, the gospel itself.
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.
Date: 12/04/2022
Preacher: Monty Simao, pastor
Series: Ecclesiastes
Key Text: Ecclesiastes 11:7 – 12:8Description:
You’ve been given the opportunity to address today’s youth. What will your message be?
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Ecclesiastes and presses us to consider what we’d say if we had such an opportunity.
What words of wisdom would you give to a young person just starting out in life? Would you tell them about education? …Investments? Would you share insights about love and family?
As you consider what you’d say, you might want to consult our passage in Ecclesiastes, for Solomon had some timeless words of advice for them… advice that may surprise you.
Sometimes spiritual warfare doesn’t look like war and doesn’t seem very spiritual… and yet…
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Ecclesiastes and preaches that *and yet* in a world full of sorrow, one of our greatest defenses and triumphs against evil circumstances is to take our hearts to the Lord in gratitude and joy.
To work hard and to enjoy the Lord’s provision is the mark — not only of the wise man — but of the one who has learned to be content, and even happy, in a world full of bitterness and complaint.
SBC Host: WARNING… Do not be excessively righteous or too wise.
Avg Guy:Come again??
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Ecclesiastes and confirms that we too would likely be surprised by this warning in the Bible.
After all, if we are called to be like Christ, and He was PERFECTLY righteous, is it even possible to be TOO righteous?
SBC Host: She made us eat our veggies… when dessert was what we—
Boy:—REALLY WANTED!
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Ecclesiastes and reminds us that when we were young, Mom knew best. For she knew the things that we wanted were not always the things that we really needed.
In much the same way, God knows exactly what we really need, and He often gives it to us through times of sorrow — the very thing we don’t want.
For it is in these times of sorrow that God enables a harvest of spiritual wisdom to spring forth in our lives — wisdom that can only find root in fields plowed in adversity.
Avg Guy: Okay, riddle me this… If God is good and God is sovereign and rules over all things, then why do we find wickedness in surprising places? …such as places of law and worship? …Furthermore, as men, if we have to die like animals then what makes us any better??
SBC Host: Sounds like you’re ready for another sermon in Ecclesiastes.
Avg Guy:I thought you were going to say that.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Ecclesiastes and shows us that these objections were brought up by Solomon and have been raised by many men over the years…
…But the ANSWERS to these objections have only been found in ONE man: the God-Man, Jesus Christ.
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.”
What does faith look like when the promises of God collide with death?
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our Hall of Faith study in the book of Hebrews in which we examine the final moments of the patriarchs as they face death with their eyes toward the future…toward the horizon.
They know that death will not hinder the promises of God in any way and that the future will continue to unveil God’s perfect plan — which will be moving forward until that great day of consummation and resurrection.
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.
Description: The prophet Isaiah painted a picture of the rebellion in the nations: a place of idolatry, injustice, and insurrection; a place where God is ignored and His followers mocked, as man sits in his citadels of strength.
…That is, until God brings man’s city to ruin and his citadels to rubble.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao virtually delivers a Resurrection Sunday Service to our church body as we watch from the safety of our homes during the Coronavirus Pandemic of 2020 and reminds us that during these times when God brings people low, we rejoice.
We rejoice because God does it to rescue the afflicted and to vindicate His people. But there’s another reason we rejoice…a scandalous reason.
God brings people low to make the proud humble and remove the strength of the mighty and bring the ruthless to their knees.
And most shockingly, He redeems the ruthless so that they too worship Him.
Description: It’s not a comfortable topic…and yet the Bible speaks very directly, and often graphically, about it.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Revelation in which we delve into the topic of judgement, and in particular, the Great White Throne of Judgement.
Questions like: “Who sits on this throne?”… “Who is being judged?”… and “Are believers judged the same as unbelievers?” are all important and valid questions that we will seek answers.
For though this topic may come with questions and feelings of uneasiness, one thing is for certain: the sure judgment of God awaits every person.
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 now complete and 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
Posted by scandiabiblechurch 
Scandia Bible Church 