Truth Over Traditions

What is to be the Christian’s response to God’s glorious attributes? We are to glorify Him in every aspect of our lives. Pastor Hollandsworth points out that those believers who live in this manner will be glorified when they meet Jesus. All other believers will be naked and ashamed. 

God’s glory and majesty are manifestations of His attributes, evidenced in the form of intense brightness and shining. Pastor Hollandsworth talks about where we can see God’s glory today and emphasizes the importance of glorifying God in all we do. 

World rulers come and go, but one King remains sovereign above them all: Almighty God. Pastor Hollandsworth provides the three elements that assure God’s sovereignty and shares five benefits when believers submit fully to Him as their sovereign.

When we consider the vastness of the universe, God seems so far away. Yet when we ponder the intricacies of the microscopic realm, He seems near. Pastor Hollandsworth explores the paradox of God being far, yet near, from a dimensional standpoint, and he explains how mere humans can have fellowship with a God who transcends our dimensions.

God is omniscient and all-wise, planning the redemption and future glorification of mankind before the foundation of the world. Pastor Hollandsworth explains five things God does in wisdom and encourages believers to seek His wisdom by believing Him for it.

God is omnipotent, and His might is seen in this world and in the Word of God. Pastor Hollandsworth shares five testimonies of the mighty power of Jehovah God and explains what a difference this makes for everyday Christian living.

In this final, triumphant chapter of Romans, Paul shares admonitions and words of encouragement, and even a promise: “The God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly.” Pastor Hollandsworth shares three paradoxes from this promise and demonstrates from the epistle of Ephesians how believers are to claim and apply the promise, thereby experiencing victory over the supernatural realm of Sat...

When Jewish and Gentile believers accept each other in Christ, they glorify the Lord in this present age, which is a beautiful picture of the unity of Jews and Gentiles under the Messianic reign of Jesus in the next age, when all will glorify the Lord. Pastor Hollandsworth makes application to twenty-first century believers and churches and revels in this glorious theme. 

The Jewish believers in the church at Rome were finding it difficult to let go of their Jewish identifiers – dietary restrictions and observance of sabbaths and feast days. Paul refers to them as “weaker” brethren. The Gentile believers, on the other hand, were not bound in this manner, but were free in Christ, so Paul refers to them as “stronger” brethren. Pastor Hollandsworth explains that they...

Christians are biblically obligated to obey the dictates of governing authorities, unless those dictates cause us to violate God’s laws. In those situations, we must obey God rather than men. Pastor Hollandsworth points out, however, that many American Christians misapply Rom. 13, because our form of government opens the door to challenge government. Paul calls for believers to truly obey all leve...

What would happen if Christian homes and churches were suddenly filled with love, joy, and peace? Pastor Hollandsworth shares fourteen God-given rules from Rom. 12 that, if obeyed by God’s grace, would revolutionize homes and churches.

When children of God are independent-spirited and self-focused, the church of Jesus Christ suffers from division and disunity. Paul urges the believers to think and act humbly, putting others before self and exercising spiritual gifts as members of the body of Christ. Pastor Hollandsworth describes the spiritual gifts and the glorious benefits when they are used properly.

Paul has transitioned to the practical application section of his epistle, and he challenges believers to offer themselves as a living sacrifice to God. Pastor Hollandsworth explains how we can stay on the altar, by not being conformed to the spirit of the age and experiencing metamorphosis (inner spiritual transformation) through mind renewal. Those believers who yield themselves to this inward c...

To illustrate that Israel’s “time-out” is merely temporary, not permanent, Paul uses the metaphor of wild olive branches (believing Gentiles) being grafted into a cultivated olive tree (Israel), whose branches have been broken off due to disobedience (in rejecting Messiah and His offer of kingdom inheritance). But Israel will repent and be re-grafted back into her national tree. Pastor Hollandswor...

Because Israel rejected Christ’s offer of kingdom inheritance and put Messiah to death, the nation has been set aside for a period of 2,000 years. In the present age the Holy Spirit is saving Gentiles and calling out sons to glory – faithful saints who will be chosen to rule with Christ in His Messianic kingdom. Pastor Hollandsworth emphasizes how Israel’s failure means “riches for the Gentiles” a...

Pharaoh decreed that all the Hebrew baby boys be killed. But three women defied the king’s orders and saved baby Moses. Their heroism changed a nation, for Moses was raised and educated in Pharaoh’s household, equipped to later lead the Israelite nation out of bondage. Pastor Hollandsworth praises the courageous efforts of these women and makes application to believers today.

The Romans Road method of witnessing typically culminates in Rom. 10:9, 13, with a plea to be saved by confessing the Lord Jesus and calling upon the name of the Lord. However, this is not how “salvation” is used in the book of Romans. Pastor Hollandsworth explains that salvation for national Israel is deliverance from God’s wrath and consequent destruction. For individual children of God – both J...

Pharaoh, who hardened his heart toward God and Israel, was a vessel of wrath prepared for destruction (ruin). In contrast, Moses and Israel were vessels of mercy. But now the tables are turned. Pastor Hollandsworth talks about how Israel is presently a vessel of wrath prepared for destruction, due to her unbelief, as God is showing mercy to the Gentiles, who were “prepared beforehand for glory.” H...

What sets Israel apart from other nations? Who are Israelites? How did God call Israel? What is Israel’s calling? What keeps Israel from fulfilling its calling? Pastor Hollandsworth answers each of these questions from the text and makes application to the Christian life. 

Martin Luther was heavily antisemitic, and his beliefs about Israel led to replacement theology. In contrast, Paul wishes himself to be accursed so that Israel will be saved and fulfill the prophecies. What is this “salvation,” and what does it mean to be “accursed?” Pastor Hollandsworth answers these questions, demonstrating that Israel’s salvation is critical to the salvation of all humanity. 

On the day of His resurrection, Jesus anonymously joins two travelers on the road to Emmaus, who are bemoaning the death of the man they assumed was going to be their Messiah. Jesus corrects their thinking, showing that Messiah must first suffer before being glorified as king, then He reveals Himself, and they rejoice that He is risen. Pastor Hollandsworth points out that believers must also suffe...

The crowds cheered Jesus on Palm Sunday as Messiah as He entered Jerusalem, shouting out, “Hosanna, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” Yet only days later the Jewish leadership chanted, “Crucify Him!” Pastor Hollandsworth focuses on the four stages of Christ’s suffering: 1) Scourging, 2) Mocking, 3) Via Dolorosa, and 4) Actual Crucifixion. A highly appropriate message to hear on Goo...

This text is undoubtedly the pinnacle of the book of Romans, in which Paul describes how to have victory over sinning – by walking in the Spirit rather than in the flesh. Pastor Hollandsworth emphasizes these marvelous truths and warns of the alternative prospect of Christians living in carnality and spiritual deadness – and how to avoid it!

All creation awaits the revealing of God's glorified sons. Who are these sons? Why are they glorified? What is their purpose? Pastor Hollandsworth delves into this oft-misunderstood passage, explaining that biblical adoption is not automatic at the point of salvation, but conditional at the Judgment Seat for those believers who live according to the Spirit and suffer with Jesus.

A new age is coming! Satan and his echelon will be deposed, and God's three firstborn sons will ascend to the throne in their stead. Pastor Hollandsworth identifies the firstborn sons, explores the birthing metaphor Paul uses to describe their ascension to power, and describes the glories of the new age.