What laws should civil rulers govern by? Since every law of God is “holy . . . just and good” (Rom. 7:12), this must be their standard. And how should they apply them? Scripture gives us three divisions of the law: (1) ceremonial laws, which were fulfilled in Christ; (2) judicial laws, which were tied to Israel’s civil life and expired with the Old Covenant; and (3) the moral laws, summarized in the Ten Commandments, which abide forever. Civil magistrates are bound to uphold God’s moral laws in every decision they make. And even though the judicial laws of Israel expired in their original form, these laws still carry general equity—moral principles that apply across all ages and nations, which they should administer with careful wisdom.

Congregational singing is an act of love toward God, one another, the unbeliever, and our own soul. This is no accident, as God made our body as a musical instrument to express love—not through a lyre or trumpet, but through our voice and mouth. Singing together, as a congregation, harmonizes the church. It’s like a symphony with the blending of strings, percussion, and woodwinds. The church blends the different voices, personalities, and skill levels together into a shared sound, a shared confession, and a shared joy! We were created to sing—not just to worship God alone by ourselves, but to mingle our voices together in unity as we glorify Christ and build one another up in love.

Sermon: https://churchandfamilylife.com/sermons/64461ba3d4535ccc4488baad

Men! Are you killing your hours with games and mindless entertainment—or are you taking dominion? The truth is this: God did not make you to be passive spectators. He created men to build, protect, and rule under His authority. The Bible calls this the Dominion Mandate (Gen. 1:28). While wives are to help their husbands in this calling, men, being the stronger vessel, are to take the lead. And what makes up this mandate? “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; [and] have dominion . . .” (Gen. 1:28). So, men! Don’t play; it’s your duty to improve what God has given you—to lead with strength, build with clarity of purpose, rule with humility, and work with excellence.

Sermon: https://churchandfamilylife.com/sermons/65375de18e4f60d78e1d9b3d

What if the very trial you’re begging God to take away is the very trial He’s using to build greater character and hope in your spiritual walk? That’s actually what the Bible teaches—“we glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;  and perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Rom. 5:3-4). In God’s hands, tribulation is never wasted; it’s His workshop of “hope [that] does not disappoint” (v. 5a). How is this so? “because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit . . .” (v. 5b). So let’s learn how to glory in our tribulations—because they’re designed, through God’s love and His enabling Sprit, to produce hope.

Sermon:https://churchandfamilylife.com/sermons/659b903f04193b12ea375cbb

When it comes to our salvation, it’s easy to glory in how God saved us and forget that faith without works is dead. As Christians, we must go from believing to doing—to put our faith into practice. This is Paul’s message in Romans. After explaining the rich doctrine of salvation (chap. 1-11), he then shows believers how to live (chap. 12-16).

And what should our renewed lives look like? Love without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be diligent and patient in tribulation. Continue steadfastly in prayer. Give to others in need and be hospitable (Rom. 12:9-13). These are just a few of the fruits of the Gospel, which show overflow its banks, transforming the culture of our lives and our local church life.

Sermon: https://churchandfamilylife.com/sermons/6899879cd1e0ca448c28064e

In today’s world, dishonoring authorities is the normal thing. Mockery is entertainment. Wherever you look, authority is questioned and rejected, without shame. But God calls His people to create a culture of honor, even when parents, pastors, and civil authorities—whom we’re called to honor—are dishonorable. This doesn’t mean ignoring their sin or enabling abuse. But it does mean that we recognize their position, even when they fall short.

How do we wisely navigate this challenge? Honor the position, not the behavior. Don’t gossip. Establish guardrails when you spend time with dishonorable parents, so you don’t put your family in harm’s way. Choose forgiveness over bitterness. Express care, even when it’s undeserved. Learn how to live successfully under authorities who act dishonorably, and the blessings will flow, for God promises blessings when we honor them.

What do you have right now, as a Christian, that’s not dependent on your feelings or day-to-day life? You have peace with God because you’ve been justified by faith. This peace is not some kind of emotional high or spiritual calm that you experience. It’s solid and unchangeable. It’s an objective and unshakable peace—secured by Christ—that can’t be swept away, “Therefore having been justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ . . .” (Rom. 5:1). God has pronounced you righteous, and “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in” Him (Rom. 8:1). No matter how you “feel” on any given day, you have an unmovable peace with God that will never end.

Sermon: https://churchandfamilylife.com/sermons/659255a9db5b660593ffe4f6

There’s a kind of woman who foils the plans of the Devil. This kind of woman doesn’t need a stage, applause, or a social media platform. But when she rises in the morning, hell trembles because she knows who she is. She is, as Solomon said, “Fair as the moon, clear as the sun, [and] awesome as an army with banners” (Song of Sol. 6:10). She is hope at sunrise, bringing light to the darkness with a radiant, visible character that burns bright and warm. She wages war fiercely but quietly, carrying the banners of Christ as a devoted nurturer. She doesn’t need to fight like men—she fights by raising children, honoring her husband, teaching younger women, and reflecting Jesus Christ in everything she does. Let’s raise a generation of women like this—women who radiate beauty and terrify the darkness.