What kind of person is truly worthy to live in the presence of God? No one. Unless… he is perfectly righteous.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao takes us to the fifteenth psalm in our Wisdom and Worship study, in which David asks this very question:
“O Lord, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy hill?”
The answer:
Only the one whose life is blameless…
whose heart is pure…
whose actions are flawless…
whose words are faithful…
and whose love is unwavering.
In other words — no one but Jesus.
This portrait of holiness stands not as a ladder for the proud to climb, but as a mirror for the humble to see their need.
Jesus Christ is the only Man who ever walked this earth with perfect integrity, perfect truth, and perfect love.
He alone is worthy to dwell on God’s holy hill.
But by His grace, His righteousness becomes ours—
and we too, amazingly, will one day dwell on the holy hill with the Lord God Almighty.
Because in the end, Psalm 15 is not about us meeting the standard… but about the One who already has.
It’s natural for us to want to help— to feel as though we must *do* something.
…The desire to share in a sense of accomplishment by adding to our salvation — even validating it — is real.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Deacon David Teves takes us to the book of Galatians,
where the Apostle Paul tells us not only that we don’t need to… but not to.
In fact, he issues some of the strongest warnings in all of Scripture:
The moment we add our work to His, the Gospel is corrupt.
And though false teachers may sound convincing, the truth remains clear — Salvation is not found in what we do… but in what Christ has done.
It’s a problem Christians have struggled with throughout the ages: The burden they feel when striving to live a life they can never attain.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Deacon David Teves brings us a new study from the book of Galatians —
where the Apostle Paul confronts the lies and false teachings burdening the believers in Galatia…
teachings that added requirements, where Christ had already finished the work.
For the only solution to this burden is not found in what you do —
…but in what’s already been done for you, on the cross.
We REJOICE because of our salvation! We REJOICE because His grace abounds and saves!
But, just why is it that we rejoice??
…Is it because we’ve escaped judgment? (Of course!) …But is there something more??
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Zechariah where we have seen from the vision that Joshua the high priest has been cleansed, filthy garments removed—he has been saved.
But now, God speaks:
He calls Joshua to obedience, gives him a promise, and points him to Someone greater — the coming Servant, the Branch, the Cornerstone.
For what we see through this vision is that His saving us through His grace, is just the beginning… because grace not only saves, it TRANSFORMS.
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 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.”
We have a great NEED — and, by His grace — a great SAVIOR.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Romans and points to this sobering and magnificent reality that Paul has written about.
For we know that Christ saves us “by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone,” but even so, we may not yet see some of the practical results of this justification by faith alone.
In our passage, the Apostle Paul masterfully connects our theology with practical living and shows us the path that God has laid out for Christian growth.
What we’ll find is that through correct doctrine, we have the proper lens in which to view the world, especially in the face of life’s difficulties.
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.
The false gospel of moralism. It’s a perennial problem within the church.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Romans and shows us this problem has less to do with the changing generations and more to do with the sin that plagues the human heart.
In our passage Paul cuts through the weeds of moralism to expose the coming judgment of God.
For God’s judgment brings reward to the believer… but ought to strike terror in those who are trusting in their own goodness.
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.
Avg Guy: I’m a pretty good person. I go to church, read my Bible, say nice things to people. I’m certainly not like HER. She’s the epitome of sex, drugs, and rockin’ roll!!
SBC Host: Careful.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, brother in Christ, David Teves fills in at the pulpit to continue his 5 Solas Series, in which, this time, we look at Grace — the GIFT (not anything of YOUR doing), but the gift of God from which we have been saved through faith… so that NO ONE may boast.
Because you see when we start comparing ourselves to our neighbor to estimate our standing in the Heavenly Court — the devil only laughs.
When you understand that the comparison has never been with your neighbor — but with the Almighty, Infinite God of the Universe — you indeed realize, that right from the beginning, you were DEAD.
Avg Guy: I’m confused. To be saved, Paul says I need faith…James says works. Who’s right??
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, brother in Christ, David Teves fills in at the pulpit to address this apparent contradiction surrounding the Biblical doctrine of justification as he continues his “5 Solas Series.”
And what we’ll find is that when it comes to reading scripture, “first glances,” as one blog author put it, “are not enough.”
Description: Spiritual warfare. It’s a phrase we use. But what does it really mean? …And what do we do about it?
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, brother in Christ, David Teves, fills in at the pulpit and digs into these questions by looking at a familiar text, but does so in a way that many churches fail to address — by looking at the context of the letter in which it was written.
Average Guy:If you want to get to heaven, you’d better have a good looking résumé, because the things you do while your here matter.
Average Gal:Total nonsense! Everyone knows that once you get a “Grace Card” from Jesus, works are meaningless.
[argument between the two]
Scandia Host: There is much confusion in the church today as to what good works are and why we need (or need not) do them.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, brother in Christ, David Teves, fills in at the pulpit to preach on a topic that greatly separates Christianity from other religions: GOOD WORKS.
Some say you need to do good works in order to get into heaven; others, we’re saved by grace and that good works don’t matter. …But what does the Bible say?
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
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Sermon Notes
Sermon Notes
Sermon Notes
Scandia Bible Church 