Sermon B-Sides - Coram Deo Church

How should stronger Christians relate to weaker ones in the church? In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten continue through Romans 15, showing how the stronger are called to bear with the failings of the weak — just as Christ did not please himself but bore our reproach. They discuss the goal of church maturity, the power of endurance and encouragement from God, Jew-Gentil...

What do you do when Christians in the same church disagree on secondary issues like food, drink, holy days, or personal convictions? In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten unpack Romans 14 — exploring the weaker and stronger brother, the call to welcome without quarreling, and why we must be fully convinced in our own minds while refusing to despise or judge one another. T...

What happens to Israel now that many have rejected their Messiah? In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten unpack Romans 11, exploring the remnant chosen by grace, the olive tree where believing Jews and grafted-in Gentiles become one, and why God’s hardening of Israel led to the gospel going to the nations. They tackle election, unity in the church, and why there’s only one...

If God elects whom He saves, why pray for the lost or preach the gospel? In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten explore Romans 10, unpacking Paul’s anguished prayer for Israel, the call to faith for all—Jew and Gentile—and why preaching is God’s chosen means for salvation. From zeal without knowledge to the inclusivity of “everyone who calls on the Lord,” they show how ele...

What about the Jews who rejected Christ—has God broken His promises? In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten unpack Romans 9, diving into the doctrine of election, the distinction between ethnic Israel and true Israel, and Paul’s anguished heart for his kinsmen. They tackle the potter and clay, Pharaoh’s hardening, and why God’s sovereign choice never undermines human respo...

What does it mean to live with no condemnation, hope in suffering, and a love nothing can sever? In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten unpack the soaring heights of Romans 8: freedom from guilt through Christ, life empowered by the Spirit, creation’s groaning turned to glory, and the golden chain that secures us forever. What does it mean that God declares us more than co...

Is Romans 7 Paul describing the normal Christian struggle with sin—or something else? In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten dive into the most debated chapter in Romans, unpacking the goodness of the law, the deadly power of sin, and the cry of “Wretched man that I am!” They explain that while there is truth, this is in some ways descriptive of believers’ ongoing battle w...

Paul asks the question every critic of grace loves to throw: If we’re saved by free grace and not by law-keeping, why not just keep sinning? In this final B-Sides of the year, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten dive into Romans 6 and show why the answer is a resounding “By no means!” Union with Christ’s death and resurrection, the end of slavery to sin, and the myth of neutrality all show that grace doe...

Why rejoice in trials when life hurts? In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten explore the fruits of justification by faith: peace with God, hope that endures, and a love poured out for the undeserving. They unpack how suffering builds character, federal headship in Adam and Christ, and why grace transforms pain into purpose.  We hope you enjoy, and as usual, if you have an...

How was Abraham justified before Christ came? What was Abraham promised? In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten unpack Romans 4, revealing one unchanging Gospel preached to Abraham—faith alone in Christ alone. They explore the true role of circumcision, the singular Offspring who inherits the world, and why God’s promise always pointed to a global kingdom. We hope you enjo...

How can sinners be righteous before a holy God? In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten tackle Romans 3, unpacking covenant signs, the universal condemnation under the law, and the glorious truth of justification by faith in Christ alone. They explore why covenant blessings don’t justify, how God remains faithful to his covenant, though there are apostates, and the various...

Why is the world spiraling into chaos? In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten unpack Romans 1:18-32, where Paul reveals God’s wrath against sin, the depth of human rebellion, and the unraveling of society. They tackle tough topics like homosexuality and evil’s universal grip, pointing to the hope of salvation. How can we respond to a world under judgment? We hope you enjoy...

What is the tabernacle without the priesthood? What is worship without the presence of God? In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten explore Exodus 39-40, where priestly garments point to new creation and God’s glory fills His dwelling place. They contrast the tabernacle with Babel’s pride, unpack the priest’s role as a shadow of Christ, and discuss why God’s presence is the...

There is a big difference between a blueprint and a home. In Exodus 35-38, the instructions that God gave Moses for the Tabernacle were built to spec by Spirit-filled construction workers. In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten delve into Exodus 35-38, examining the Sabbath’s priority over the tabernacle, the overwhelming generosity of the Israelites in providing materials...

How do you start over after breaking God’s law? In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten dive into Exodus 34, where Moses mediates for a rebellious Israel, God’s law guards freedom, and a radiant face reveals grace’s joy. They discuss how Moses foreshadows Christ’s ascension, how we escape the heart’s Pharaoh, and why looking to Christ transforms us. Those who look to him ar...

What’s worth more than a land of milk and honey? In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten explore Exodus 33, where Moses dares to seek God’s knowledge, presence, and glory above all else. They unpack the rock as a shadow of Christ and the weight of God’s presence. Are we chasing lesser things—or looking to God as our highest good?

Can destruction lead to hope? In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten explore the roller coaster of Amos 9, — where God crushes a serpent-like temple, shakes His people like wheat, and promises a wondrous restoration through the booth of David. They dig into Christ as the sieve, the grace of the remnant, and why Christians shouldn’t shy away from earthly joys. How does this...

How does a shepherd stand up to a priest and a king? In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten dive into Amos 7, where visions of judgment meet a blue-collar man’s courage. They unpack God’s plumb line, His covenant mercy, and what Amos’s ordinary boldness reveals about identity, mission, and faith. God still uses the lowly to shake the mighty today. We hope you enjoy, and as...

Who are the cows of Bashan? Why does God condemn his people's holy places and religious practices? Why is it that God sends hardships to his people? In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten take a look at each of these tough questions and look to Amos for the answers. We hope you enjoy it. As usual, if you have any questions about Sermon B-sides or anything else, email us at...

God's grace is a transforming grace. God's grace doesn't just forgive your sin. God's grace kills your sin. God calls his people to holiness. In this episode of Sermon B-Sides, Pastor Jon and Pastor Rusten discuss how God sends judgment and trials to his covenant people when they are walking contrary to his grace and how God purifies his church and purges them from pretenders and apostates. We hop...

Amos doesn't just have a message of judgment for the pagan nations around Israel; he also has a message of judgment for his covenant people. God's covenant people have often had the signs of the covenant but haven't had the faith and righteousness that those signs point to. When Amos confronts Judah and Israel, it is clear that they have, by varying degrees, become apostates. In this episode of Se...