Sanctification
109: The Last Will and Testament of Jesus Christ (Hebrews Series #18: Heb. 9:16-10:18)
Jesus left a will, sealed with His blood, known as the New Testament. It names two categories of heirs. First, are the redeemed, children of God who will be resurrected to live in His coming Messianic kingdom. Second, are those He deems worthy of additional firstborn inheritance. The will is presently in probate, which will conclude with distributions at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Â
096: The Paradox of Rest (Hebrews Series #07: Heb. 4:1-11)
Hebrews warns believers not to follow the same example of unbelief and disobedience as Israel. Instead, they should obey, and enter God’s rest. Yet the passage says we should “be diligent (labor)” to enter that rest. Pastor Hollandsworth explains this paradox and encourages believers to yoke up with Christ, whose burden is light. In Him they will find rest for the soul that leads to millennial rest.
091: Hold Fast Your Hope (Hebrews Series #05: Heb. 3:1-6)
Many Christians have no interest in Christ’s coming kingdom. They rarely think or talk about it, for it is not their focus, and they certainly are not preparing to give an account to Jesus for their life. Pastor Hollandsworth explains that only those believers who hold onto a confident expectation of reward, living accordingly, will be rewarded by Jesus and included in His “house.”
062: The Word of Faith Is Near You (Romans Series #23: Rom. 10)
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 Jews and Gentiles – it is deliverance from sinning and self-destruction. He also points out the meaning of “the word of faith” and in what sense it is “near you.”
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.