In The Trenches

Desiring What Is Right

As we celebrate the freedom our country offers, Romans 7 points us to a deeper freedom, one from sin's grip on our hearts. Paul's own struggle, 'I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate,' is our struggle too. But Christ has already won the war. Pastor Jonathan explores the daily battle between the sinner and the saint within us, and the greater freedom found only in Jesus.

Bearing Fruit for God

True life and joy are found in a paradox: we must die to ourselves to live fully for God and others, moving past transactional relationships. While sin exploits God's law to stir a desire for what is forbidden—falsely convincing us that divine boundaries ruin our fun—believers have been freed from this spiritual tyranny through baptism. United with Christ, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to move beyond the cold letter of the law and embrace its life-giving spirit. By replacing vices with virtues like humility and diligence, we protect God's good gifts and bear meaningful fruit for Him.

Slaves to Righteousness

The gospel is absurdly good news, offering unmerited grace and complete forgiveness while humanity was still trapped in sin. However, this profound gift is not a license for continuous wrongdoing, as cheap grace disregards the immense sacrifice of the cross. Sin operates as a living death—an unnatural, corrupted state that leads to eternal separation from God. Believers are liberated from this spiritual graveyard to become willing servants of righteousness. True spiritual life demands daily surrender, formally dedicating every relationship, thought, and responsibility to divine authority. Empowered by the Holy Spirit and supported by community, believers walk in vibrant, authentic renewal.

Enemies Reconciled to God

This is a re-recording of Sunday's sermon, as the pastor forgot to wear his mic! 😅 God's love isn't fair — and that's exactly the point. This sermon on Romans 5:6–15 traces the scandalous logic of the Gospel: Christ died for sinners, enemies, and lost causes while they were still hostile to Him, which means grace is as widespread as death and no one is beyond its reach. And then it gets worse — because God now loves those same people through you.

Faith Counted as Righteousness

True righteousness is not achieved by human effort or adherence to the law, but is received solely as a gift through faith. While the divine Law is good and outlines the perfect design for creation, it lacks the power to save, serving instead to expose and condemn human sin. True restoration occurs when believers trust in the promises of God, who brings life from the dead. Like Abraham, who believed against hope, individuals are credited with righteousness through faith in Jesus. This unmerited grace reconciles humanity to the Creator, breaking the grip of despair and empowering a life of true purpose as divine heirs.