The benefits of justification

A sermon by Rod Benson Romans 5:1-11 God planned it. Abraham experienced it. David worshipped in the light of it. Jesus paid for it. The Holy Spirit applies it to us. And we enjoy its unique benefits. I’m talking about justification, the big word Paul uses for a central aspect of salvation, where God declares …

The richness of God’s grace

A sermon by Rod Benson Five hundred years ago – 500 years last Tuesday, to be precise – the Protestant Reformation began, and the world was changed. Baptists rightly praise the great Reformers, such as Martin Luther, John Calvin, Ulrich Zwingli and others, for their faith and courage, their zeal for truth and passion for …

The wideness of God’s mercy

A sermon by Rod Benson Grace and mercy are well known characteristics of God. They are distinctive characteristics of the God who is revealed in the Bible, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Grace is one of the ways in which God demonstrates his amazing love. When we talk about the grace …

The power of repentance

A sermon by Rod Benson Jonah 3:1-10 No sooner have Jonah’s wrinkled, fishy hands gripped the coarse sand of a Jewish beach, than he hears the now familiar voice of God once more. It is the same message, the same words – a message previously disregarded, presenting a challenge previously disobeyed: “Go to the great …

Salvation belongs to the Lord

A sermon by Rod Benson Jonah 2:1-10 Are you feeling tired this morning? Weary? Stretched? Are you carrying heavy burdens of responsibility, or injustice, or pain, or uncertainty? Is your soul in need of rest this morning? Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take …