March 1, 2026 - Traditional Service 8:30am

Devotional

Day 1: Trusting God's Sovereignty in a Troubled World

In a world filled with conflict and fear, it is easy to become alarmed by the news and the state of our surroundings. Yet, we are reminded that these events are not a surprise to God, nor are they outside of His ultimate control. The scriptures call us not to be afraid, for the Lord remains enthroned over all creation. Our peace is found not in the absence of trouble, but in the presence of our sovereign God who holds all things in His hands. This truth allows us to face uncertain times with a steady heart. [04:20]

“You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.” (Matthew 24:6 ESV)

Reflection: When you watch the news or hear of global conflicts, what is your first emotional response? How might intentionally remembering God's sovereignty change the way you process and pray about these events this week?

Day 2: The Urgency of Sharing the Gospel

The brokenness of the world is a stark reminder of the profound need for the hope found in Jesus Christ. This hope is not meant to be kept to ourselves but is a message of life that we are compelled to share. The eternal destiny of those around us is at stake, and our love for them should move us to action. We are called to be messengers of grace, pointing others toward the salvation that God freely offers to all who believe. [07:13]

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 ESV)

Reflection: Is there a specific person in your life who comes to mind when you consider the urgency of the gospel? What is one simple, loving step you can take to share the hope you have with them?

Day 3: The Debt of Sin and the Repossession of Satan

Every person accumulates a debt of sin that they are utterly incapable of repaying on their own. This is a spiritual debt with eternal consequences, separating us from a holy God. The enemy actively seeks to claim what is owed, acting as a repossession agent for souls bound for condemnation. This is the grave reality from which we need to be rescued, a rescue we cannot accomplish through our own efforts or goodness. [33:13]

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23 ESV)

Reflection: In what ways have you previously tried to manage or pay down your own ‘sin debt’ through personal effort? How does recognizing your inability to settle this account yourself deepen your appreciation for God’s solution?

Day 4: The Gift of Righteousness Credited to Us

The beautiful truth of the gospel is that God Himself has provided the payment for our sin. Through faith in Jesus Christ, His perfect righteousness is credited to our account, just as it was for Abraham. This is not a loan we must repay but a gift we receive by grace. We stand before God declared “right” not because of our works, but because of what Christ has done on our behalf, a transaction settled fully on the cross. [34:31]

“And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.” (Romans 4:5 ESV)

Reflection: What does it mean to you personally that your right standing with God is a gift credited to you, rather than a wage you have earned?

Day 5: The Finished Work of Christ: "It Is Finished"

The final cry of Jesus from the cross was a declaration of complete and total victory. “It is finished” was a shout of accomplishment, meaning the debt of sin has been paid in full. This is the receipt that cancels our obligation forever, a truth that Satan himself must hear and acknowledge. The resurrection is the proof that the payment was accepted, securing our eternal redemption and giving us unshakable confidence for today and hope for tomorrow. [43:01]

“When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, ‘It is finished,’ and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.” (John 19:30 ESV)

Reflection: How does the certainty of Christ’s finished work free you from the fear of failure and empower you to live for Him today?

Sermon Summary

Matthew 24, John 3, and the story of Abraham frame a clear, urgent call: refuse fear, cling to faith, and proclaim the gospel. Matthew 24 lists wars, earthquakes, famines, false prophets, and growing lawlessness as signs that trouble will come but not the immediate end; these events function like birth pains and should not lead to panic. The future includes persecution and betrayal, yet endurance promises salvation, and the gospel must be declared to all nations as the decisive testimony before the end. John 3’s encounter with Nicodemus centers on rebirth by water and the Spirit and on God’s sending of the Son so that belief yields eternal life rather than condemnation.

The narrative of Abraham illustrates justification by faith. Abraham believed God, and God credited that belief as righteousness—an accounting that removes any human ability to earn standing before God. The world’s credit system offers a counterfeit: sin now, pay later; Satan acts as the repossession agent awaiting unpaid debts. In stark contrast, God’s economy pays the debt fully through Christ. Good Friday’s cry, Tetelestai—“it is finished”—serves as the theological receipt: Jesus declares the sin debt settled, and Easter confirms the victory.

The text moves from diagnosis to duty. The diagnosis: every human accrues sin debt and faces Satan’s claim. The duty: tell others the simple truth—God loves sinners, sent his Son, and offers forgiveness and new birth by faith. The practical outworking involves prayer for peace, comfort for grieving families, the regular confession of sin, reception of communion as assurance, and the expectation of Christ’s return. The exhortation presses believers off passivity; watching the world unravel cannot substitute for active witness. Ultimately, divine mercy provides full payment and right standing before God, and the church must live and speak in light of that settled account.

Key Takeaways

1. Do not be alarmed Jesus frames wars, rumors, and natural disasters as the beginning of birth pains rather than the immediate end; the right response is steady faith, not panic. Fear fractures witness and corrodes patient endurance, while a calm conviction preserves the capacity to care for neighbors and to proclaim truth. Remaining sober-minded sustains obedience amid chaos and keeps evangelistic urgency intact. [04:01]
2. Proclaim the gospel to all The gospel’s global proclamation precedes the end; evangelism functions as the appointed testimony to every nation. Silence allows souls to drift toward final judgment; active witness aligns present life with eternal priorities and honors God’s command. Clear, simple declarations of God’s love and Christ’s atonement turn urgency into action. [06:53]
3. Righteousness credited through simple faith Abraham’s belief models justification: God credits faith as righteousness, not as a wage for works. This divine accounting removes human bargaining, abandons merit-based boasting, and roots security in God’s promise alone. Holding fast to credited righteousness transforms certainty of salvation and fuels humble obedience. [35:48]
4. Tetelestai: sin debt paid in full Jesus’ cry from the cross functions like a commercial receipt—everything is paid in full; Satan’s claim loses its force. That declaration answers the problem of unpaid moral debt and secures resurrection hope demonstrated on Easter. Understanding this payment empowers bold proclamation and quiet assurance before death and judgment. [42:32]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:48] - Open your Bible; Matthew reading
[04:01] - Signs, birth pains, and a calm faith
[06:53] - The urgency to proclaim the gospel
[11:37] - Confession and forgiveness
[20:16] - Nicodemus and being born again
[29:27] - Abraham: faith credited as righteousness
[42:32] - Tetelestai: paid in full
[44:20] - Call to personal evangelism
[50:35] - Communion: body and blood for forgiveness
[60:58] - Final prayers and blessing

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading: Matthew 24:4-14 (ESV)
And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”

Observation questions

What specific events does Jesus list as "the beginning of birth pains"?
What does Jesus say will be the result for those who "endure to the end"?
What must happen to the gospel before the end will come?
What is the simple, core message we are to tell others about God's love and action? [44:20]

Interpretation questions

Why do you think Jesus uses the imagery of "birth pains" to describe these troubling world events instead of calling them signs of the immediate end?
In what ways can fear and panic actually fracture a person's witness and corrode their ability to endure difficult times?
How does the concept of righteousness being "credited" to us, like a financial transaction, remove any possibility of human boasting or earning our standing before God?
What is the significance of Jesus's final cry, "Tetelestai" (It is finished), being a commercial term meaning "paid in full"? What does this declare about the sin debt we owe? [42:32]

Application questions

When you see troubling news about wars, disasters, or societal breakdown, what practical steps can you take to move from a place of fear to a place of "calm faith" and trust in God's control? [05:09]
Who is one person in your life that you know needs to hear the simple truth that "God loves you and sent his Son"? What is a natural way you could start that conversation with them this week? [44:20]
The world offers a deal to "sin now, pay later." In what specific area of your life are you most tempted to believe that lie, and how can remembering the receipt of "Tetelestai" free you from that thinking? [32:23]
How does regularly hearing the words of forgiveness in confession and receiving communion help to solidify the certainty of your salvation and strengthen you for active witness? [49:31]
If standing before God is based entirely on His credit of righteousness to us, and not our own works, how should that truth change the way you interact with other Christians and non-believers who are struggling with sin?
The sermon urges believers off passivity. What does "active witness" look like in your current season of life, surrounded by your specific neighbors, coworkers, and family?

Sermon Clips

It's a Greek word that doesn't mean anything to me except that means everything to me. Jesus literally is screaming out the word means everything is paid for in full. It's a commercial term. I have the receipt. I have paid everything. And Jesus screamed, I think, so that Satan could hear it very clearly. Go back to where you came from. These are my people. I love them, and I am going to save them and pay all of their debts. And he did. And if you want proof, Easter Sunday. I told you what I was gonna do. I did it. [00:42:45] (52 seconds) #PaidInFull

Satan is absolutely delighted when we do not accept god's free offer. He's the supreme repossession man from hell, and he easily finds those who are unrepentant. He he locates all of those who reject Jesus, and he recovers them in the end, body and soul for damnation. Sorry to be so blunt, but that is his job. He is the repo man, and he comes looking for everyone who rejects Christ. [00:37:26] (44 seconds) #RepoManFromHell

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March 1, 2026 - Traditional Service 8:30am - "How's Your Credit?