…the king who had come to save them —the Jewish people— from the oppression of the Romans.
But, instead (fulfilling Old Testament prophecy), Jesus —just five days before what would be Good Friday— humbly entered Jerusalem, not on a white steed, but a gray donkey… symbolizing peace, not war.
Today on this Palm Sunday, Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Deacon David Teves examines a passage that most just see as a historical account of the path Jesus took to the cross. But is it more than that?
Today, Christmas Eve morning, on the Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao delves into the story that changed the course of humanity: God’s perfect creation and the entrance of sin into all that He had made.
This story is not just about the first sin, though, it’s a mirror reflecting our own struggles, hopes, and the profound need for redemption.
Because when all that Adam and Eve ought to have expected was God’s wrath, in the midst of Almighty’s curse was (and is) a promise of a Savior to come.
So even as sin entered the world, hope also entered with the promise of Jesus the Savior who would crush the head of the serpent once and for all.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Romans in which Paul addresses, in chapter 7, the very real internal struggle that Christian believers experience everyday: the battle between the desires of the flesh and the desires of the Spirit.
Yes we live in a Romans 7 world… but it is equally true that we live in a Romans 8 world where victory is certain.
But until then, life will be marked by battle and this battle will never lighten up… until we are called home or the Lord comes again.
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.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Romans and shows us how with Abraham, Paul provides a case study concerning faith.
Every circumstance in Abraham’s life defied the promises of God, and yet Abraham defied the circumstances… and believed God — and God credited him with righteousness.
While our story may not seem as grand, this is our story as well:
The promises of God, given; the circumstances of life attempt to defy; and yet, He is faithful. And… we believe God.
If there was ever any counterargument to the doctrine of Justification by Faith Alone, the Jews need only point to their forefather Abraham. After all, he was the first and great patriarch. He was even recognized as the “friend of God.” If anybody had a resume of “works” to gain justification, he did.
But, he didn’t.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Romans and shows us how Paul masterfully reminds the reader that the justification God provides has nothing to do with what what Abraham did, or what we do, for God. It’s about what GOD DID for Abraham… and what GOD DOES for us.
Abraham did not achieved justification by working to please God, but by believing God. It was God’s grace through Abraham’s faith that brought about his righteous state… and God purposely did all this, while Abraham was still [gasp!] uncircumcised.
Now that we’re beginning to understand the truth of justification, what do we do with it?? How does it apply to our lives?
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Romans in which the apostle Paul masterfully distills for us the implications of the doctrine of justification:
Avg Guy:When it comes to justification, I have so many questions!
SBC Host: Okay.
Avg Guy:Well, for starters, WHAT IS IT?? … Is it MORE than the removal of sin?… Are we simply pardoned by God? And if so, how can God be JUST if he gives the wicked a pass and declares them as righteous?! Surely THAT would be a travesty of justice!
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Romans and shows in our passage that not only does Paul address these questions, but throughout the rest of the book of Romans, he expands upon these truths.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Romans to share with us what some call the most important paragraph every written — words of the most important person and most important news.
It’s the crux of Christianity. For the central and most critical point of the Christian faith is contained in this concise and precise explanation by Paul: justification by faith alone.
Avg Guy: Here’s my take: Man is good… basically. But sometimes there are exceptions where — either because of circumstances or people — he becomes evil.
SBC Host: Interesting, but that’s NOT the Bible’s take.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Romans in which he shows us how the Bible paints a much bleaker picture regarding the human condition. It’s a picture of BAD NEWS:man’s inability to do anything righteous or good.
But the Bible also proclaims the contrasting GOOD NEWS of the Gospel of Jesus Christ… good news that overwhelms even the sorrowful picture of Romans chapter 3.
Avg Guy:Well, so far in Romans we’re learning — whether Jew or Gentile — God is impartial and judges us on the law in light of the revelation we’ve received.
SBC Host: That’s right.
Avg Guy:So then, is there any advantage to being numbered among the Jewish nation? Is the Jew still honored in some way?
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Romans in which he reveals Paul’s response to this question… a response which just might surprise you.
SBC Host: Have you every questioned what happens to the poor native who never hears the gospel, never meets a Christian, or never reads the Bible?
Avg Guy:Yes! I’ve had that question for a long time. Will God judge that person??
SBC Host: You’re not alone in wondering this… Especially when we consider that there are many others who have repeatedly heard the gospel, been given the opportunity to repent, and yet continue to reject Christ.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Romans and shows us that the Bible provides the answer to our quandary… quite clearly.
Ask a number of different Christians this question, and you’re likely to hear a number of different answers. But how many people would say that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation?
Paul would.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Romans and shows us how Paul shares that the gospel is not just simply a message… but POWER.
And when the gospel is preached, the power of God is at work… not an aimless power but a directed power.
For the gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.
Apostle Paul:Tertius, my amanuensis, grab pen and ink… I must write to the church in Rome.
Tertius of Iconium:At the ready Paul.
Apostle Paul: [dictating] Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord…
Bible scholars agree: Of all his epistles, Paul’s letter to the Romans stands out.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao embarks upon a new study in the book of Romans— a letter that many not only credit as Paul’s magnum opus, but as the clearest articulation of the Gospel found anywhere in the Scriptures.
Apostle Paul: [dictating] …to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao reaches our LAST sermon for the book of Hebrews—
Avg Guy: —Imagine a discussion with God, it would always be God who got the final word, right?
SBC Host: Right. After all, who can argue with God?
Avg Guy:We would be like Job who exclaimed, “What can I reply to You? I lay my hand on my mouth. Once I have spoken, and I will not answer; even twice…
SBC Host:…and I will add nothing more.”
Avg Guy:But all our fret and worry over what God’s final word to us might be is needless.
SBC Host: For God’s final word to His people is always benediction and blessing for those who are in Jesus Christ.
SBC Host: “Weak and useless”… God’s description of the Levitical Priesthood.
The Levitical Priesthood had problems.
Avg Guy:Wait a minute! What was wrong?? Why couldn’t something be done to fix it?
SBC Host: There was. And He did.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Hebrews in which we see why a priesthood, that had once been ordained by God, was now needing to be replaced.
But then it all makes sense when viewed against the backdrop of the Gospel, where we see on display man’s great need and the perfect work of Christ.
Church:Mission Control, this is Church. Do you copy?
Mission Control:This is Mission Control. We’re reading you loud and clear, Church. Continue with transmission.
Church:Yeah… what are we supposed to do again??
______________
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study on The Church, looking this time at its mission… a topic which certainly opens up questions and, sometimes, confusion.
Questions like: Who defines the mission? Do churches come up with their own individual mission? Can the mission change to meet evolving cultural constructs from generation to generation?
With so many questions about the mission — coupled with the numerous contexts in which we use the word — it’s no wonder that some may question whether the church has a mission at all?
Description: The wrath of God — one of the least popular themes in the Bible.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Revelation and points out that though God’s judgement and wrath may not be subjects people flock to, the Bible mentions them very clearly… and often.
What does chapter 16 reveal about God’s wrath? …And how are we as Christians to think about it?
Description: The future of the non-believer unfolds in John’s vision.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Revelation in which three angels reveal to John the fate of the non-believer:
The first angel presents the Gospel in a call to repent;
The second, shows the Gospel’s rejection;
And the third, the outcome of judgment that comes to all who renounce the Gospel by refusing to repent and turn to Christ.
Description: After the Resurrection, the disciples had no idea what to do… so they went fishing.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, brother in Christ, David Teves fills in at the pulpit and explains that even after 3 years of living with Him, eating with Him, and listening to Him, the disciples still did not understand what Jesus was talking about.
In fact, it wasn’t until after His ascension that they finally knew what to do: Proclaim the gospel to all nations.
But has modern day Christianity faithfully followed suit? …Or has it fallen into a trap of deception — making the gospel into something it is not.
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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