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Richard Tow
Contributing sermons since Sep 23, 2003
Newest Sermons
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Authentic Versus Counterfeit Faith (Ii)
Contributed on May 27, 2024
This message examines the qualities of saving faith as revealed in Romans 4:18-22. In this chapter, Paul uses Abraham's example to teach the kind of faith response to God that ultimately leads to eternal salvation. Hint: It is not easy believism.
Intro A major theme in Romans 4 is faith. Paul is aggressively contending for justification by faith alone. The issue we are currently addressing is the kind of faith Paul has in mind when he uses the word. We know from James 2 that some forms of faith are dead and worthless. We know from Jesus’s ...read more
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Authentic Versus Counterfeit Faith (Part I)
Contributed on May 20, 2024
Justification is by faith alone. But we must be sure that the faith we are operating in is the biblical faith Paul is talking about in Romans 4. The authentic faith of Abraham is described in verses 16-22. This description is examined.
Intro Jesus made an alarming statement in the Sermon on the Mount: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out ...read more
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Assurance Explained
Contributed on May 13, 2024
This exposition of Romans 4:16 celebrates the assurance of salvation by grace while encouraging believers to continue in the faith.
Intro In Romans 4, Paul uses Abraham as a model for how to be saved. He makes this statement in verse 13: “For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.”i The promise of being heir of the world is ...read more
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Legalism Exposed
Contributed on May 6, 2024
This exposition of Romans 4:13-16 addresses the problem of trying to attain righteousness through good works. The law was given to expose our sinfulness and lead us to Christ for salvation. The deception of legalism is a problem that must be addressed.
Intro Our text today is Romans 4:13-16: “It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. 14 For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is ...read more
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Legitimate Use Of Rituals
Contributed on Apr 29, 2024
For a person to be declared righteous by God, rituals/sacraments are unnecessary. Justification is by faith alone. So, what is the value of rituals like water baptism and the Lord's Supper? Using Romans 4:11, this message seeks to answer that question.
Intro Last week we expounded Romans 4:9-12. There Paul used Abraham’s experience to prove circumcision is not a prerequisite for justification. In that study, we did not have time to talk about why God gave Abraham the rite of circumcision. If it is of no value for justification, then what is its ...read more
Newest Sermon Series
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Romans Chapters 4-5
Contributed on Apr 8, 2024
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Romans Chapters 1-3
Contributed on Apr 8, 2024
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Being Spiritual (Pnuemaktios)
Contributed on Dec 11, 2023
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Healthy Self-Awareness
Contributed on Sep 26, 2023
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Beatitudes: Attitudes For Revival
Contributed on Mar 6, 2023
Newest Sermon Illustrations
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Chinese Proverb About Peacemaking
Contributed on Apr 24, 2023
An old Chinese proverb says, “If there is righteousness in the heart, there will be beauty in the character. If there be beauty in the character, there will be harmony in the home. If there be harmony in the home, there will be order in the nation. When there is order in the nation, there will be ...read more
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Understanding Mercy
Contributed on Apr 4, 2023
There was a young soldier in Napoleon’s army who committed an offense worthy of death. The day before he was scheduled for the firing squad, the young man’s mother went to Napoleon and asked him to show mercy for her son. Napoleon harshly replied, “Woman, your son does not deserve mercy.” “I know,” ...read more
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Power Of An Encouraging Word
Contributed on Apr 4, 2023
Mark Eklund was a student in Sister Helen’s nineth grade math class at St. Mary’s School in Morris, Minnesota. He was much less talkative than he had been years earlier in her third-grade class. One Friday Sister Helen sensed the class’s frustration with trying to learn “ne math.” So, she asked ...read more
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Desiring More Of God
Contributed on Mar 27, 2023
A. W. Tozer prayed a prayer that I can identify with. Perhaps it resonates with you as well. Here is the first part of his prayer. “O God, I have tasted Thy goodness, and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more. I am painfully conscious of my need for further grace. I am ashamed of my ...read more
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Appetite Killers
Contributed on Mar 27, 2023
If we want our appetite for righteousness to grow, we must avoid appetite killers. This is true in the natural. Every parent knows that kids who eat too much candy will not have an appetite for the healthy food at dinner time. The same is true with our spiritual appetite. If we snack on the things ...read more