Firstborn Son


056: Promises for Firstborn Sons (Romans Series #19: Rom. 8:26-39)

The end of Rom. 8 is often understood as unconditional promises for believers, following a description of “the process of salvation” in vs. 29-30, from God’s perspective. However, Pastor Hollandsworth points out that vs. 29-30 are a description of sanctification unto reward from God’s perspective. Thus, the promises in the broader text are conditional promises, for those who are on the pathway of becoming firstborn sons to glory.


055: Birth of a New Age (Romans Series #18: Rom. 8:19-25)

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.


054: The Revealing of God’s Glorified Sons (Romans Series #17: Rom. 8:12-19)

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.


019: Tantalizing Offers

The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. What was the purpose of this? Pastor Hollandsworth shares six truths conveyed by Christ’s temptation, explains the nature of each temptation, and emphasizes the believer’s escape from temptation by following Christ’s example.


005: No Guarantees

Most Christians believe we automatically become heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ at salvation. But is that what the Bible teaches? Pastor Hollandsworth explains Rom. 8:16-17 and distinguishes between the unconditional inheritance and the conditional inheritance, emphasizing the importance of qualifying for the conditional.