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.
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: 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.
The Bible says that no one — only God — knows when Christ will return. So, if that’s the case, what should we occupy ourselves with in the meantime?
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, brother in Christ, Josh Peglow fills in at the pulpit and shows that while the Bible doesn’t tell us when Christ will return… it does tell us what to do — what to do with excellence.
Description: In the first section of the book of Hebrews the author labors a point:
Christ is infinitely superior to the angels.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues our study in the book of Hebrews and explains that it’s a point which may make us wonder, because our thoughts of angels are not the same as the first readers of this book.
However, in a sense, their struggle is our struggle, not because we think too highly of angels… but, perhaps, too lowly of Christ.
Driver:Hey Grace… How do I get to Christian Living?
Grace GPS:Getting directions to Christian Living. … Starting from Salvation, with the grace of God, drive straight and continue on the narrow path for a lifetime with sobriety, righteousness, and godliness. Along the way, avoid ungodliness and worldly lusts, as you look for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Driver: Thank you.
Grace GPS:Happy to help!
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, brother in Christ, Josh Peglow fills in at the pulpit and takes us to the book of Titus where we are reminded that when we need direction, “Grace” is there!… the grace of God… for it instructs us how to live, points us toward our coming hope, and grounds us in the work of Christ.
Ultimately, what we find is that the grace of God transforms us.
“Shouldn’t this person and his conduct be confronted and dealt with?…You pass it off as a small thing, but it’s anything but that. Yeast, too, is a ‘small thing,’ but it works its way through a whole batch of bread dough pretty fast. So get rid of this ‘yeast.’ ”
[1 Cor 5:2, 6-7 MSG]
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues our study on Church Discipline and notes that Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, seems to instruct a very different and — dare I say — more drastic method for church discipline than what we learned from Jesus in the book of Matthew.
Why is this? …And why, in order to correctly view and apply church discipline, must the church exercise wisdom?
“If any man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go and search for the one that is straying?” [Matthew 18:12]
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues our series on the Church, and specifically church discipline, as we look at the teaching of Jesus in Matthew 18.
And what we find is that this is not an isolated text, but a theological treatise that not only instructs in the HOW of church discipline but the WHY, as well — and roots discipline in the Gospel of grace.
SBC Host:How does the word “discipline” strike you?
Avg Guy: Strike me? … Oh I get it! Striking happens with discipline. [laughs]… Hey you turned off my mic!
SBC Host:Yeah, I meant to do that.
When we hear the word discipline, most of us think of strikes from the rod, dunce hats while standing in the corner, public embarrassment, and frankly, nothing good.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues our series on The Church in which we learn that while the word discipline may conjure up negative images…it’s not negative at all.
In fact, it is actually something we need, ought to want, and is commanded — in the life of the church.
Description: ARMAGEDDON — a term well-known in both Christian circles and pop culture.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Revelation and points out that when most hear the term, what they picture is the final doom’s day battle — the war to end all wars — and indeed, it will be….
But as we read about this last battle, should this be the picture we are to walk away with?
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 third cycle of speeches is covered in this message. This includes the final speech from Eliphaz, Bildad, and Job (Zophar does not speak in the final round. Job wrestles with very difficult issues concerning the mystery of God’s wisdom and providence. But it is here that Job finds some conclusions as well. But the answers Job seeks will not be provided to him and will remain in question until the coming of Christ… Job’s Redeemer.
Description: In this sermon (part 2 of 2) we follow the man Job as he encounters calamity. We only look at the parts of the story that happened directly to Job. We see it from his perspective and skip the section of the happenings between God and Satan in the heavenly throne room (which we will cover in the next sermon).
We look at Job’s response and in it we see an example of a man who must look to a Redeemer in the midst of his trials.
We end by looking at Christ who in many ways is the anti-type of Job and is the greater sufferer and who accomplished the ultimate defeat of all of Job’s enemies. (Listen to Part 1)
Description: The Apostle John provides an argument for the pursuit of righteousness in the life of the Christian. He provides essentially eight reasons for the Christian’s life to be marked by righteousness and not by sin. This passage is commonly misquoted by those who teach Christian Perfectionism. We will discuss why this is not what it is teaching.
Description: In this morning’s passage, John responds to the second of three errors found in this section. All of these errors have to do with a false view of sin. The first error essentially taught that sin doesn’t matter, whereas the second error teaches that sin doesn’t exist. The seriousness of these errors is that it undermines the atonement and robs the Gospel of it’s Good News.
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 Lamentations Study (1998-1999) has joined our SBC Classic Edition.
The Jim Allen MARK Study (1999-2001) is (finally) complete! …as part of our SBC Classic Edition.
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 