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Matt Carter 8/3/25 Matt Carter 8/3/25

Living Sacrifices

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Speaker: Matt Carter
Scripture: Romans 12:1-2
August 3, 2025

Romans 12:1-2: I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Sermon Outline

The call to offer ourselves to God as living sacrifices finds its motivational force in the mercies of God.
- If the mercy God has shown you isn’t motivating you in the direction of offering yourself as a sacrifice, it’s likely that you’ve:
  - Been viewing your own sin as a small thing.
  - Lost sight of God’s holiness.
  - Or failed to recognize how much it cost God to pay for your sin.
Though on the outside, the concept of a living sacrifice may seem like a contradiction in terms, Paul has been making sense of it though out the book of Romans:

Romans 6 and Galatians 2 — We were identified with Christ, both his death and his resurrection though the waters of baptism.
1 Peter 1 — We’re owned by him because of the ransom paid.
Romans 8 — By the power of the Spirit we both put to death and are raised to new life.

The offering of our bodies reflects Christ’s sacrifices in two ways but is distinct from his in one very important way.
- Like Christ, we are the ones offering the sacrifice.
- Like Christ, we are offering ourselves.
- Unlike Christ, our offering is in no way an atonement.
  - It is a reasonable act of service in response to the atonement already made — worship.
  - Like Aaron the high priest, we are made holy to the Lord by a sacrifice made on our behalf.
If we are offering our bodies (of which our minds are a part) it is a forgone conclusion that our minds will be transformed.
A transformed mind can discern God’s perfect will because a transformed mind is the mind of Christ.

Matt Carter 10/15/23 Matt Carter 10/15/23

We Live by Surrendering

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Speaker: Matt Carter
Scripture: Romans 8:12-17
October 15, 2023

Romans 8:12-17: Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation — but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs — heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Sermon Outline

1. Which is easier: fight or surrender?

2. The deceitfulness of our sinful nature

Promises fulfillment, but doesn't deliver
Surrender to our sinful nature produces death

3. The life-giving leadership of the Holy Spirit

Those led by the Holy Spirit are children of God

4. Application

Tyler Estes 7/30/23 Tyler Estes 7/30/23

Suffering and Safety in Christ

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Speaker: Tyler Estes
Scripture: Romans 8:18-28
July 30, 2023

Romans 8:18-28: For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Sermon Outline

1. The primary theme of Romans 8 is that those who are in Christ are safe

2. The suffering of Christians is not something to treat lightly

Our sufferings are sometimes the result of our sin
But our sufferings are sometimes the result of another's sin
And our sufferings are sometimes the result of vanity in a fallen world
The Bible draws a connection between our sufferings and the glory that we receive with Christ

3. Our sufferings are insignificant compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us at Christ's Second Coming

4. We are sustained in our sufferings by the hope of our salvation

5. We are also sustained in our sufferings by the intercession of the Holy Spirit

6. Applications

Matt Carter 1/1/23 Matt Carter 1/1/23

Not in the Flesh, but in the Spirit

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Speaker: Matt Carter
Scripture: Romans 8:9-11
January 1, 2023

Romans 8:9-11: You, however, are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

Sermon Outline

1. Summary of last sermon (Romans 7:14-25)

2. If we are in the Spirit, we are not in the flesh

Our location identifies us
Being in Christ frees us from the need for self-importance
Whoever does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him

3. If we are in Christ, our bodies are dead, but our spirits are alive because of righteousness

Our bodies are dead because of sin
Our spirits are alive because of righteousness

4. The Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead will give life to your mortal body if He dwells in you

How much power does it take to raise the dead and why should the answer matter to us?
- The exact same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in us who live in Christ

5. Applications

We need to accept that our bodies (as discussed today) are dead
We need to believe that surrendering to the work of the Holy Spirit will turn out for our good

Benediction

And now, may the love of God the Father who sent Jesus Christ to the cross because he knew that the cross would turn out for both Jesus' vindication and ours; may the faith of Jesus Christ who surrendered himself to the cross because he believed that the Father was faithful and that the Spirit was powerful; and may the power and goodness of the Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead and who will raise us also, be with every true believer in this room. Amen

Matt Carter 10/23/22 Matt Carter 10/23/22

A Gift to Groaning and Growing Christians

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Speaker: Matt Carter
Scripture: Romans 7:14-25
October 23, 2022

Romans 7:14-25: For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.

So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

Sermon Outline

1. Paul discusses the biggest barrier to our Christian growth

We believe God's standards are very good
We grieve as we recognize how far short we fall of those standards

2. Paul is talking about himself as a Christian in this passage

How Paul describes his pre-Christian life is different from how he describes himself here
Paul expresses genuine delight in God's law throughout this passage
Paul uses the present tense when describing his conflict with sin

3. The gift in the passage

Every Christian experiences conviction over their sin

4. The struggle with our sinful nature

We delight in the nourishment we get from scripture
As we grow in our relationship with Christ, we begin rejecting what he despises
As scripture reveals the depths of our sin, we grieve our revealed predicament
Christ's sacrifice on the cross is enough to atone for all our sins, not just the sins we're currently aware of
Through Christ's sacrifice, we are made righteous. Our sinful nature is now foreign to us

Benediction

And now, may the love of God the Father who sent his Son so that you could be made perfect in him. May the love of Jesus Christ, who's cross is sufficient to cover every failure: past, present, and future. And may the sweep presence of the Holy Spirit who takes these things and makes them fully yours be with you all. Amen

Steve Estes 7/24/22 Steve Estes 7/24/22

Help with Being Holy: Bad Slavery, Good Slavery

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Speaker: Steve Estes
Scripture: Romans 6:15-23
July 24, 2022

Sermon Outline

1. Everyone is a slave to either righteousness or sin

We tend to think, "I'm my own person"
Experience confirms we are slaves
Scripture teaches we are slaves

2. In your pre-Christian life, sin was a terrible slave master

Slavery to sin led to shame
Slavery to sin leads to death
Sin inevitably leads to more sin

3. Righteousness is a wonderful slave master

Noteworthy contrast between the two slaveries

4. Applications

If your life basically ignores God, why would you be confident of eternal life?
If righteousness feels like drudgery, you may not be a Christian
If you are a slave of God...

Benediction

Revelation 22:3: No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his slaves will serve him. They will see his face.

Revelation 22:21: he grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people. Amen.

Steve Estes 7/17/22 Steve Estes 7/17/22

Help with Being Holy: Death to Sin (Part B)

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Speaker: Steve Estes
Scripture: Romans 6:1-14
July 17, 2022

Sermon Outline

1. We died to sin

The Christian's death to sin relates to his baptism.
The Christian's death to sin is from being joined to Christ's death in particular

2. The death of Christ Himself was a "death to sin."

Christ's death was a death to the power of sin and death (hear Steve out on this)

3. We were buried with Christ through our baptism.

4. Your resurrection to new life is certain.

Since we are united with Christ in his death, we will certainly be united with him in His resurrection

5. Your death to sin affected your whole person, including your body.

Your death to sin affected your whole person
Your death to sin included your body

6. Your resurrection to new life is certain.

Christ cannot die again. Death no longer has mastery over him
Neither does spiritual death have mastery over you. You are a new creation

7. What do we do with all of this?

8. All this comes with a promise.

Benediction

1 Thessalonians 5:23: May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Steve Estes 7/3/22 Steve Estes 7/3/22

Help with Being Holy: Death to Sin (Part A)

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Speaker: Steve Estes
Scripture: Romans 6:1-11
July 3, 2022

Romans 6:1-11: What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin--because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.

Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he loves to God.

In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Sermon Outline

1. Paul's basic position

2. Paul is talking to Christians (i.e., people who have been baptized)

3. Overcoming sin starts with something we are to know

We must know that "We died"
We must know that "We died to sin"
We must know that "Our death to sin has to do with Christ's death"

4. Wrong views of death to sin

Death to sin as a psychological change
Death to sin as a death to sin's allure
Death to sin as a stimulus

Benediction

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood,... to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. — paraphrased from Revelation 1:5

Dr. Timothy Witmer 2/6/22 Dr. Timothy Witmer 2/6/22

Spiritual Certainty

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Speaker: Dr. Timothy Witmer
Scripture: Romans 8:28-30
February 6, 2022

Romans 8:28-30: And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Sermon Outline

1. The certainty of his promise

For whom is this promise intended?
How extensive is his promise?
What is the heart of the promise?
How certain can we be?

2. The certainty of his plan

Foreknew
Predestination
Called
Justified
Glorified

Dave Royes 12/12/21 Dave Royes 12/12/21

Always Through Faith

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Speaker: Dave Royes
Scripture: Romans 4:1-12
December 12, 2021

Romans 4:1-12: “What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, his wages are counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:

“Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.” (Psalm 32:1-2)

Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? For we say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.”

Sermon Outline

Paul’s teaching style is to anticipate the Q+A; for example, “What about Abraham?”
The Old Testament does not offer a different means of salvation; the entire Bible offers one single means of salvation: By grace through faith in Christ.
Paul looks at Abraham as a test case: “If Abraham was justified by works, then you could expect boasting and entitlement. This is problematic because God is indebted to nobody.”
Abraham was justified by trusting God, who owns everything. Abraham’s faith was counted as righteousness.