Vs 21-22 → By the term “the righteousness of God,” Paul refers to the rightness of God in acting in redemption.

1. Sin is the CORE PROBLEM. vs. 23

2. Jesus is the SOLE SOLUTION. vs. 24-26

3. Faith is the EFFECTIVE RESPONSE. vs. 27-31

Application:

1. Understand that sin is indeed the core problem in our hearts and in our culture.
2. Stop trusting human attempts to solve the core problem.
3. Believe and proclaim that repentance from sin and faith in Jesus is necessary.

We are Barabbas in a lot of ways. Remember him? He’s the guy that Pilate, at the request of the Jewish crowd, released instead of Jesus. (Mark 15:6-15)

What Do We Know About Barabbas?

When we piece together all four gospel accounts, we get only a small glimpse of Barabbas.

1. His name in Aramaic meant “son of his father.” That was as basic a description as you can find. Simply put, he was a human man, the offspring of another human man. Nothing more about his life other than his humanity set him apart from others.

2. He was an insurrectionist. Barabbas was a rebel. Quite possibly he was among the ranks of a group of Zealots who wanted to overthrow Roman rule. Men like Barabbas stirred up trouble everywhere they went.

3. He was a murderer. Apparently, a recent uprising got so violent that in the process, Barabbas killed someone. The Romans incarcerated him, and he awaited trial on charges of murder and insurrection.

Not exactly a heroic figure, was he?

How Are We Like Barabbas

In more ways than we care to admit, we are Barabbas.

1. We are merely human. Even our best efforts at anything good come up woefully short. As Paul said in Romans 7:18, there is nothing good in us, humanly speaking. We are nothing more than a human child of a human father.

2. We are rebellious since we have rebelled against God and all He has for us. In Romans 3:10 & 23, Paul reminds us that we all are sinners who come short of God’s standard of righteousness. In no way can we claim ignorance because we know what God requires. We can only admit that we chose to do our thing instead of God’s thing.

3. We are murderers. “I’ve never taken the life of another human being,” you say. We did, however, cause the death of Jesus, God’s Son. The truth of Romans 5:8 gives us freedom. God demonstrated his love for us by giving His Son’s life for our sin.

4. Like Barabbas, we went free because Jesus went to the cross. We’re the ones who sinned, not Jesus. No fault was found in Him, but we are full of faults. Yet, He died for us, and He set us free.

What Happened to Barabbas?

The Bible does not mention anything else about Barabbas after Pilate released him? Did he return to his thieving, rebellious ways? Or did the import of what happened affect him so profoundly that his life changed? We really don’t know what happened to Barabbas.

But I know what happened to me. I found myself humbled when confronted with such sacrificial love. It amazes me that Jesus would willing take my place, because I know who and what I am. His love for me compels my devotion to Him. How could I turn away from such love? I am forever HIS.

As you meditate during this Easter season, put yourself in Barabbas’s place. You, too, are Barabbas. You should have died, but Jesus took your place. How does that truth affect your life today?

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Those of us who are unashamed followers of Jesus may be quick to exempt ourselves from that verse. Don’t be so quick to exonerate yourself. Notice that David observed that a fool says in his heart that God does not exist. The fool is not merely the one who dare proclaim with his tongue an arrogant disbelief in the existence of God. It is equally foolish – no, even more foolish – to allow our hearts to operate as though God doesn’t exist.

In the Biblical sense, the heart is “command central” of our lives. The heart represents our thoughts, affections, desires, emotions, and will. Our heart DETERMINES our behavior.

To “say in our heart” there is no God goes beyond a verbal assertion and involves the way we act. We say there is no God when we live even one moment without an awareness of God and submission to His plan for our lives. While we may never be so brash as to verbalize a disbelief in God’s existence, we all too often loudly proclaim our disbelief when we act contrary to His precepts for life.

Several actions constitute such a non-verbal proclamation:

• We may blatantly disobey something God has clearly told us to do or not do

• We may selfishly desire something God doesn’t want us to have

• We may plan and plot without considering God’s wishes and His plans

• We may harbor ill feelings toward others and refuse to offer the same grace to them we have received from God

• We may seek our own fulfillment and self-gratification rather than finding our pleasure in Him

• We seek His favor by our own efforts rather than trusting the finished work of Christ

• We judge others by their efforts instead of Christ’s work

Be sure today that your heart is not playing an April Fool’s Joke on you. Examine your heart – your actions, affections, attitudes and see of your heart has ignored God. Repent and follow Him. He IS our wisdom.

It is from Him [God] that you are in Christ Jesus,
who became wisdom from God for us—
our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption — 1 Corinthians 1:30

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I ride around with my doors locked…always have. I suppose I have a bit of a phobia about being carjacked. Maybe that sounds a little crazy, but I’m not too keen on someone commandeering something that belongs to me and taking it for his own.

As I’ve been meditating this Easter season, I’ve found myself returning often to a passage of Scripture where Jesus’ disciples were, in a sense, carjackers. Of course, since they didn’t have cars back then, I guess we should call them donkey-jackers. Jesus needed a donkey to fulfill Old Testament prophecy concerning His entry into Jerusalem, so He told His disciples exactly where to go to “borrow” one.

“Now when they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples and said to them, ‘Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, “Why are you doing this?” say, “The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.”’” — Mark 11:1–3 (ESV)

What if the owners had refused? This man had likely invested time, care, and resources into that animal. He had plans for it. Yet he relinquished it because, as Jesus said, “The Lord has need of it.” Granted, as God, He ultimately needs nothing—He is completely self-sufficient. But in carrying out His plan of redemption, He chose to use this particular donkey, and the owner was willing to release it.

God used that simple creature to display the glory of His Son. Little is indeed much when God is in it—or, in this case, on it.

All of us have “donkeys” in our lives that God desires to use for His glory, yet He leaves the decision to make them available up to us. Can you think of something right now you would be hard-pressed to place in His hands?

Maybe your donkey is a possession—a house, a car, a family heirloom, clothing, financial resources, or even a favorite “toy.” As far as you’re concerned, it’s yours, and you will determine how, when, and where it is used. Perhaps your donkey is a position—you hold a measure of influence and use it to advance what you believe is right. Or maybe your donkey is your plans—you’ve mapped out your life, and you’re on course. Any detours, even God-ordained ones, feel like unwelcome interruptions.

Other donkeys might include your skills, your talents, or your time. The list is endless—different donkeys for different people. But the principle remains the same: we should not refuse God anything in our lives. After all, God can accomplish far more with our donkeys than we ever could on our own.

So let me ask you…are the doors of your heart locked, or are you willing to be donkey-jacked?

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It is a mistake to believe you are in good standing with God because you are not as bad as some other people. Here are 3 mistakes people make determining their standing before God. Please give a listen and consider carefully your heart.

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The legends of St. Patrick are that he used a shamrock to explain the Trinity and banished all snakes from Ireland. The true story of Patrick, however, survives not in his myths but in his work. Patrick was responsible for introducing the people of Ireland to Jesus Christ.

Patrick was born in Britain in the first half of the 5th century. At the age of 16 he was taken to Ireland by pirates and sold into slavery. His faith sustained him during his six years working as a herdsman. Eventually, Patrick escaped and returned to Britain. There he had a vision of the Irish begging him to return to Ireland to spread his faith. He recorded this call to his vocation in the Confessio, his spiritual autobiography.

After studying in continental monasteries, Patrick returned to Ireland as a missionary. Despite a constant threat to his life, Patrick traveled widely, baptizing, confirming, preaching, and building churches, schools, and monasteries. Patrick succeeded in converting almost the entire population of the island.

Patrick’s story encourages us to examine what kind of influence we are having on the world around us. If one man could be largely responsible for the conversion of almost an entire island, what could we do in our little corner of the world? I believe three words explain the influence Patrick had on Ireland – he saw, he felt, he acted.

His vision and compassion for the people of Ireland compelled him to proactively involve himself in their lives. He did not merely cast a glance; he saw their need and he felt the call of God to be His partner in bringing them to faith. He did not just pity them, he rolled up his sleeves and went out among them preaching, sharing, and living his faith.

God has probably not called you to change a whole island. But He has placed you in your own circle of influence. You and I can have that kind of impact in our circle if we will slow down long enough to see beyond the faces in the crowd around us and compassionately perceive the needs in the lives of those with whom we come in contact every day. Then we can let our vision and compassion compel us to proactively be involved meeting needs, being a friend, lending a hand, all the while telling the good news of Jesus.

And while we’re at it . . . can we work on those snakes?

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❑ In verses 24-32, three times Paul uses the phrase “God gave them up.” (24, 26, 28)

❑ The effects are evident in 3 areas of human life

1. Impure physical desires → vs 24
❑ the lusts of their hearts
❑ impurity
❑ dishonoring of their bodies

2. Perverted sense of truth → vs 25a
❑ exchanged the truth about God for the lie

❑ The devil’s playbook → Genesis 3:1-6
▻ question God’s Word → “did God really say...?”
▻ question God’s intentions → “you will not surely die.”
▻ question God’s purpose → “you will be like God.”

3. Misdirected Values → vs 25b
❑ worship → position of the heart/value; revere or hold in awe
❑ serve → action of the will; perform acts that demonstrate value

◈ The ulimate question: What are you believing about God?

A friend messaged me a question the other day that got me thinking: “Why don’t Baptists celebrate Lent in some form?” It’s a fair question, especially as Lent becomes more visible across evangelical circles.

First, Baptists began, in part, as a protest against both the Church of England and the Roman Catholic Church because of prescribed rituals that were not explicitly required by Scripture. Lent is certainly one of those. While self-denial and fasting are clearly biblical concepts, observing them as a ritual is neither prescribed as a mandate nor described as a common practice among the earliest followers of Jesus. At some point in church history, Lent became an established practice and, in some traditions, a necessary means of demonstrating one’s piety. For the most part, Baptists—especially THIS ONE—tend to push back against mandated outward expressions of religiosity.

Second, for many people Lent has largely become a forty-day feel-good exercise. They perform an act of “devotion” for forty days and then live as they please the rest of the year. To be fair, most people who observe Lent do not treat it that way. Still, rituals like Lent can create a false sense of holiness. Holiness is found in a daily relationship with Jesus, not in a seasonal religious observance. Being outwardly “good” for a short time is no substitute for walking with the Lord every day.

Finally, fasting, prayer, and self-denial are meant to be regular components of our spiritual disciplines, not practices confined to a particular season. Lent precedes our celebration of the most important event in history—the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ—but we are called to live in the power and reality of the Resurrection every single day.

There is nothing inherently wrong with observing Lent, and there is equally nothing wrong with not observing it. However, to assess someone’s devotion or piety based on participation in a ritual not commanded in Scripture is legalism. Paul encouraged the Colossian believers not to let anyone pass judgment on them regarding festivals, new moons, or Sabbaths (Colossians 2:16–23).

So what is a healthy approach during the Lenten season?

First, on a daily basis, cast off all sin and every other weight that hinders your walk with Christ (Hebrews 12:1).

Second, practice regular self-denial (Mark 8:34). Our desires constantly compete for the devotion that belongs to Jesus.

Third, pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly every day (Colossians 3:16).

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The Main Point: The good news means that what Jesus has done on the cross provides the way for us to be right with God.

1. What does it mean to be right with God? — “...the righteousness of God...”

❑ Two understandings

▻ Righteousness that is God’s in His essence and nature. He IS righteous.
▻ Righteousness that God demands of His creatures (because He is righteous)

❑ “of God” → God defines righteousness not us. It’s HIS standard

◈ To be right with God is to be in alignment with His will in our thoughts, actions, and affections.

2. How does one become right with God? — “the righteousness of God is revealed...”

❑ “Is revealed” is passive voice. Righteousness is OBTAINED not ATTAINED.

❑ Revealed in God’s WORD

▻ Garden of Eden → God told Adam and Eve the rules
▻ Abraham → covenant, sealed with circumcision
▻ Law/Moses → revealed the incapability of man to be right
▻ Prophets → repeated warnings to repent

❑ Accomplished through Christ’s WORK → 2 Corinthians 5:21

❑ Applied through our FAITH in Christ. “From faith to faith” → Ephesians 2:8-9

▻ Righteousness is both “imputed” and “enabled.”

◈ We cannot earn our way into righteousness. We receive by faith the righteousness of Christ. Our righteousness is like “filthy rags.” → Isaiah 64:6

3. What are the effects of being right with God? — “the just shall live by faith...”

❑ “shall live” can be understood in three tenses of time:

▻ PAST TENSE ➙ A redeemed life ➙ Galatians 3:11
▻ PRESENT TENSE ➙ A growing life
▻ FUTURE TENSE ➙ An eternal life ➙ Hebrews 10:38

◈ We are saved, sanctified, and glorified through our faith in what Jesus has done on the cross.

The CONTENT of the Gospel

▻ Creation
▻ Fall
▻ Redemption ▻ Restoration

The NATURE of the Gospel

▻ POWER → not advice, not a suggestion
▻ EFFECTIVE power → the capability to bring about a result
▻ DIVINE power → salvation is God’s work. There is no other way.

The WORK of the Gospel

▻ “...for (into) salvation...” → our greatest need ⇒ deliverance
▻ deliverance from and deliverance to
▻ failed substitutes: money, power, knowledge, possession, popularity, etc.

The EXTENT of the Gospel

▻ Specific in its effect → “to everyone who believes...”
▻ Universal in its application → “to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”
▻ The Kingdom of God is made up of all kinds of people.

🗝 APPLICATION:

❑ Recognize the need both personally and universally → SIN is the problem
❑ Believe in the only solution, Jesus
❑ Be thankful for your own salvation
❑ Lovingly live in and stand for the Gospel

When faced with unexpected life circumstances, we can trust the sovereignty of God.

1. Life is uncertain, face it prayerfully. vs 13-14 — (Philippians 4:6)

2. God has a plan, trust Him confidently. vs 15 — (Psalm 37:23)

3. With knowledge comes responsibility, live obediently. vs 16-17 — (James 1:22)

Pre-action is way better than re-action. Here are three disciplines that help us to be ready when (not if) unexpected circumstances come our way.

1. Feed your faith daily on God’s Word. (Romans 10:17 and 1 Peter 2:2)

2. Deploy your faith daily in prayer. (Ephesians 6:18)

3. Exercise your faith daily through obedience. (Philippians 2:12-13)

Romans 1:8-15

Transformation is both the goal of and evidence of the work of Jesus in our lives.

Outline:

Three Areas of Gospel Transformation

1. A Change of Identity. v 8

▻ The nature of their identity → “your faith…”

▻ The extent of their identity → “is proclaimed in all the world.”

⭐︎ As we are increasingly conformed to the image of Christ, others will take
notice.

2. A Change of Heart. vs 9-12

▻ Saul → persecuted and murdered Christians

▻ Paul → prayed for, longed for, blessed, and was blessed by Christians

⭐︎ As we take on the heart of Jesus, we begin to love others the way Jesus
does.

3. A Change of Purpose. Vs 13-14

▻ Saul served the purpose of the Pharisees

▻ Paul was under obligation to Romans, Greeks, Barbarians → everyone

▻ Paul was eager to preach the Gospel to the Romans

⭐︎ As we become more like Jesus, His mission becomes our mission.

Today’s Takeaway: Regularly, intentionally, and purposefully engage God’s Word and ask the Holy Spirit to use it to make you more like Jesus in these three areas.

“It is the will of God for the Spirit of God to use the Word of God
to make the child of God look like the Son of God.” — H.B. Charles, Jr.

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But it did.

Context

The Jacksonville Jaguars have never been considered a powerhouse franchise. In their 31 seasons, they’ve made the playoffs only eight times—four of those in their first five years of existence. After finishing 4–13 last season, they surged to a remarkable 13–4 record this year. Only once in team history have they won more games, posting a 14-win season back in 1999. That was the last millennium. So to say this year’s success was impressive is an understatement.

Adding to that, their leader this season was a first-time head coach, Liam Coen. The 40-year-old came over from their cross-state rivals, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That kind of turnaround is an accomplishment for any coach in his first year with a team—let alone his first year as a head coach at any level of football.

Their season ended in heartbreak with a first-round playoff loss to an equally impressive Buffalo Bills team, who scored a game-winning touchdown with just over a minute left. What had been an exhilarating season for the Jaguars ended on a deeply disappointing note.

Controversy

After a loss like that, second-guessing and “what ifs” from the press are to be expected. Sports journalists can be a brutal bunch. In those moments, coaches often find themselves explaining decisions and defending choices made under immense pressure. Most coaches, to their credit, handle those moments with grace and restraint.

But during the postgame press conference in Jacksonville, something unexpected—and refreshing—happened.

Lynn Jones-Turpin, an experienced journalist and Associate Editor of the Jacksonville Free Press, an African-American newspaper serving Duval County, used her brief moment at the microphone not to criticize, but to encourage. In about 20 seconds, she urged Coach Coen to hold his head high, be proud of what the team had accomplished, and come back even stronger next year. It was a breath of fresh air.

You can view the exchange here.

Since then, I’ve heard and read numerous journalists criticize Turpin for her remarks. Some argue it was neither the time nor the place. Others have labeled her comments unprofessional, claiming she violated journalistic standards.

I wasn’t aware those standards journalistic standards were still a thing.

It’s also worth noting the optics: an older African-American woman offering encouragement to a young Anglo man. The media often pushes a narrative that we are a country deeply divided by race, gender, and countless other lines. They’re very good at rage-baiting on social and racial issues. So perhaps it shouldn’t surprise us when someone dares to go against the grain and choose encouragement instead of outrage.

It often seems that an unwritten rule of modern journalism allows for spinning the truth—or abandoning it altogether—if it serves a preferred agenda. Apparently, ethics can be a flexible term, depending on one’s biases.

Considerations

When it comes to being an encourager, here are a few takeaways from this controversy that I’d like you to consider.

1. Encouragement is biblical.
Scripture repeatedly affirms the power and value of spoken encouragement. Here’s a small sample:

• Proverbs 12:25 – “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.”
  

• Hebrews 10:24–25 – “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works… encouraging one another.”
  

• Ephesians 4:29 – “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up… that it may give grace to those who hear.”
  

• Colossians 4:6 – “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt…”
  

2. Everyone can use encouragement.
Every person you encounter today would benefit from a word of encouragement. It costs nothing—but its value is immeasurable.

3. Encouraging others encourages you.
What goes around comes around. You reap what you sow. If you make it your aim to be known as an encourager, you’ll often find encouragement coming back to you right when you need it most.

4. Anyone can be an encourager.
You don’t need a degree, special training, or unique tools. Send a text or email each day with a Bible verse and a personal word of affirmation. Compliment and bless those who serve you in stores, restaurants, or offices.

I keep the following list on my desk to remind me of simple words I can use to encourage others. I don’t remember where I first found it, but I try to share at least one of these with someone every day:

“I am praying for you.”
“You can do it!”
“I love you.”
“It’s going to be OK.”
“I believe in you.”
“I am proud of you.”
“I’ve got your back.”

Let’s start a new kindness trend.
Maybe it’ll catch on.

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Romans 1:1-7