Understand the Bible

Suffering is the hardest thing to cope with in life - especially long-term or chronic suffering. The only thing that keeps us going is hope - hope that one day things will change. In this passage, Paul shows us how God gives us hope through Jesus Christ, and how that changes the way that we suffer. ⛪CHURCH WITH UTB Because church doesn't need to be complicated -  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠check it out⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . 🖱️...

Last week we thought about how and why we struggle with sin. This week we are looking at the solution to those problems: the Holy Spirit. Christians now have an obligation - not to the flesh, to our sinful nature, but to the Spirit. ⛪CHURCH WITH UTB Because church doesn't need to be complicated -  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠check it out⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . 🖱️ WEBSITE Understand the Bible - teaching the Christian faith online....

Do you find yourself struggling with sin in your life? Why is it that we seem to struggle with sin so much? In this passage, Paul illustrates the teaching of the previous section of Romans with some autobiographical information. Paul also found sin to be a struggle - but there is a reason, and a solution. ⛪CHURCH WITH UTB Because church doesn't need to be complicated -  ⁠⁠⁠⁠check it out⁠⁠⁠⁠ ....

In this passage, Paul talks about how great the change is for those who are in Christ. We are no longer slaves to sin but slaves of righteousness; we died with Christ and are raised to serve him in a new way. ⛪CHURCH WITH UTB Because church doesn't need to be complicated -  ⁠⁠⁠check it out⁠⁠⁠ . 🖱️ WEBSITE Understand the Bible - teaching the Christian faith online. Lots more on the website, in...

In this passage, Paul starts to turn his attention to the Christian life. If we are forgiven by grace through faith, does that mean we can sin as much as we like? And if not, how do we live the Christian life? ⛪CHURCH WITH UTB Because church doesn't need to be complicated -  ⁠⁠check it out⁠⁠ . 🖱️ WEBSITE Understand the Bible - teaching the Christian faith online. Lots more on the website, inc...

In this sermon we think about how the worst thing that ever happened in human history led to the best thing that ever happened in human history. Christ is superior to Adam - but what does that mean for us? ⛪CHURCH WITH UTB Because church doesn't need to be complicated -  ⁠check it out⁠ . 🖱️ WEBSITE Understand the Bible - teaching the Christian faith online. Lots more on the website, including...

Paul turns from faith to hope. In this sermon we look at the importance of hope - how the gospel gives us hope. Plus, what it means for the Holy Spirit to have poured his love into our hearts. ⛪CHURCH WITH UTB Because church doesn't need to be complicated -  check it out . 🖱️ WEBSITE Understand the Bible - teaching the Christian faith online. Lots more on the website, including free courses: ...

Over the last few weeks we’ve come across the two different ways – “faith” vs “works”, as Paul puts it. But what does it mean to live by faith? In this passage, Paul turns to the example of Abraham to see how he lived by faith, and how he is the example for us to follow. What does that mean? ⛪CHURCH WITH UTB Because church doesn't need to be complicated -  check it out . 🖱️ WEBSITE Understand...

Boasting is one of the most unattractive characteristics someone can have. In this passage, Paul says that boasting is "excluded". But how does that work? How does the gospel exclude boasting, and what does that mean for how we live? ⛪CHURCH WITH UTB Because church doesn't need to be complicated -  check it out . 🖱️ WEBSITE Understand the Bible - teaching the Christian faith online....

Last week we saw that what God really cares about is the heart, rather than outward things - as the Jews of Paul's day were saying. In this sermon, Paul turns to answer an objection: what, then, is the value of being religious at all? What was the point of being Jewish? If all that matters is the heart, what's the point of any of our religious observance? ⛪CHURCH WITH UTB Because church d...

Unfortunately, Christians can be just as judgemental as anybody. In fact, Christians can even be worse than others! In this sermon we look at what we can learn from Paul's critique of the Jews of his day. They thought they were enlightened and perfectly moral because they had the law - but what was really the case? ⛪CHURCH WITH UTB Because church doesn't need to be complicated -  check it...

In this passage, Paul takes aim at judgemental moralists. Christians sometimes have a reputation for being judgemental and moralistic, although these days you can find that kind of attitude everywhere. What is the problem with being judgemental, and how can Christians be different? ⛪CHURCH WITH UTB Because church doesn't need to be complicated -  check it out . 🖱️ WEBSITE Understand the Bible...

What is the problem with the world today? In this sermon, we look at Paul's hard-hitting explanation of the root problem from Romans 1. The fundamental problem is 'men have forgotten God' - they turn away from him. God then gives us over to our sinful desires, which leads to the decay and degradation of society. The website I mention is Living Out - https://www.livingout.org/ ⛪CHURCH...

In the first part of a new series on the book of Romans, we think about how the gospel is not simply advice but is the power of God. Paul is called as an apostle of that message, and demonstrates the message in his life. ⛪CHURCH WITH UTB Because church doesn't need to be complicated -  check it out . 🖱️ WEBSITE Understand the Bible - teaching the Christian faith online. Lots more on the websi...

Do you take Jesus seriously? In the final part of the sermon on the mount, we think about the perils of claiming to be a Christian without taking Jesus seriously. We look at Jesus' teaching about true and false disciples, as well as his famous parable of the wise and foolish builders. ⛪CHURCH WITH UTB Because church doesn't need to be complicated -  check it out . 🖱️ WEBSITE Understand th...

Jesus' famous words are all about prayer. But why is it that prayer so often does not feel like what he says - "ask and it shall be given"? Why do so many people find prayer such a struggle? Jesus' words are here to encourage us to pray. ⛪CHURCH WITH UTB Because church doesn't need to be complicated -  check it out . 🖱️ WEBSITE Understand the Bible - teaching the Christian f...

People often take the phrase 'do not judge' to mean that we shouldn't ever criticise anyone else. But that's not what Jesus intended us to understand. Instead, this is about how we relate to others and deal with sin - especially within the church. ⛪CHURCH WITH UTB Because church doesn't need to be complicated -  check it out . 📘GET THE BOOK Confused by Grace - Find out more:...

In this, one of Jesus' most famous teachings, he says that we should not worry. But what does that mean? How do we put this into practise in our lives? How do we trust God instead of worrying? ⛪CHURCH WITH UTB Because church doesn't need to be complicated -  check it out . 📘GET THE BOOK Confused by Grace - Find out more: https://understandthebible.uk/confused-by-grace/ 🖱️ WEBSITE Underst...

Jesus turns from authentic religion to how we should live in the rest of our lives. In this passage Jesus says that we should store up treasure in heaven, rather than treasure on earth. But what does that mean? ⛪CHURCH WITH UTB Because church doesn't need to be complicated -  check it out . 📘GET THE BOOK Confused by Grace - Find out more: https://understandthebible.uk/confused-by-grace/ 🖱️ W...

In the third and final example of authentic religion, Jesus talks about fasting. In this sermon we think about what fasting is and whether it should be a regular part of our lives as Christians. We also think about what, in summary, Jesus wants us to learn about authentic religion. ⛪CHURCH WITH UTB Because church doesn't need to be complicated -  check it out . 📘GET THE BOOK Confused by Grac...

Last week we started thinking about how Jesus wants us to be authentic in our religion - not like the hypocrites. This week, he talks about prayer. What does it mean to pray authentically, not like the hypocrites? ⛪CHURCH WITH UTB Because church doesn't need to be complicated -  check it out . 📘GET THE BOOK Confused by Grace - Find out more: https://understandthebible.uk/confused-by-grace/ 🖱...

In this chapter, Jesus turns to how we live out our devotion to God. We should live authentically as Christians who want to honour God, rather than as the hypocrites who only want praise from other people. ⛪CHURCH WITH UTB Because church doesn't need to be complicated -  check it out . 📘GET THE BOOK Confused by Grace - Find out more: https://understandthebible.uk/confused-by-grace/ 🖱️ WEBSIT...

This is Jesus' final set of examples and conclusion of his teaching about the law in the Sermon on the Mount. He talks about oaths, revenge, and how we should love even our enemies. This teaching really summarises what Jesus wants to say about the law. ⛪CHURCH WITH UTB Because church doesn't need to be complicated -  check it out . 📘GET THE BOOK Confused by Grace - Find out more: https:/...

How do we obey God in a world where sexual sin is not only tolerated but also in some circles actively promoted? How can we shine as lights in a world where Jesus seems to set the standard so high? ⛪CHURCH WITH UTB Because church doesn't need to be complicated -  check it out . 📘GET THE BOOK Confused by Grace - Find out more: https://understandthebible.uk/confused-by-grace/ 🖱️ WEBSITE Unders...

In this passage, Jesus says that he came to fulfil the law. What does that mean? Fortunately Jesus gives some examples, and the first one is murder. Is anger just as bad as murder - and how can we obey? ⛪CHURCH WITH UTB Because church doesn't need to be complicated -  check it out . 📘GET THE BOOK Confused by Grace - Find out more: https://understandthebible.uk/confused-by-grace/ 🖱️ WEBSITE U...