Category Archives: Sermons Preached

Sermons I Have Preached at Riverview Baptist

Dead To The Law And Married To Christ

In Romans Chapter 7 the Lord through the Apostle Paul begins to explain to the Pharisees and Scribes among us why the Law of God does not change us. We know that this is the case because he says:

(for I speak to them that know the law,)

Word Study: The word translated “KNOW” is the Greek ginōskō, which means “to perceive, understand, have been intimately aware of”. The word is often used in the New Testament for the intimate relationship between married men and women, as in “Joseph did not KNOW (ginōskō) Mary until she brought forth her firstborn Son … Jesus” (Matthew 1:25). The Pharisees and Scribes knew the Law of Moses. They were intimately acquainted with it, as was the Apostle Paul. Before Paul was Paul, he was Saul, a Pharisee of the Pharisees (Acts 23:6; Philippians 3:5). Saul the Pharisee knew the Law intimately. And yet, the Law does not change a person.

Saul knew the Law, and helped murder Christians. Paul treasured life. No Law ever changes us. Whether the Law of God or the Law of Man, the Law is an external decree that people may choose to follow.

We think that – by passing more and more laws – we can cure the problems of society. The United States alone has more than 30,000 statutes, with Congress enacting from 200-600 statutes every two years. There are Federal Laws and State Laws and Local Laws. Laws do not correct the human condition.

Illustrate: On December 23rd, 2024, I read:

“MAGDEBURG, Germany, Dec 22 (Reuters) – A man suspected of ploughing {sic} a car through crowds at a German Christmas market in an attack that killed five people and injured scores (over 200) faces multiple charges of murder and attempted murder, police said on Sunday. Friday evening’s attack in the central city of Magdeburg shocked the country and stirred up tensions over the charged issue of immigration. The suspect, who was in custody… Continue reading

Posted in Romans, Sermons Preached | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

And It Came To Pass: A Christmas Sermon

Luke 2:1-5 (KJV) And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

I Love Those Words, “It Came To Pass”

“it came to pass”. The greatest event in human history begins with these four words, “it came to pass”. That phrase “it came to pass” is in the Bible (the King James Version) 2,204 times in 457 verses of the Holy Scriptures.

“it came to pass” is found in front of the most horrific things in the Bible. Mankind, created in the image of God, has the ability to design and make fantastic things. We have creative power, and free will to do with it as we will. God gave us dominion over the planet, granting to us what He did not give the angels nor the animals. In a perfect environment we were given all things, and forbidden the one thing that could hurt us. Continue reading

Posted in Christmas, General, Sermons Preached | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Faithful Witnesses Speak God’s Truth

God calls His children to be faithful witnesses. A faithful witness speaks the truth of God’s Word in love.

Word Study: Here God speaks of the tongue of the prideful being a ROD. What does He mean? In the ancient world the “ROD” was used for both self defense as well as punishment. In the 23rd Psalm David wrote:

Slide 3 ____________________

Psalm 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Word Study: The Shepherd carried a “STAFF” (Hebrew mašʿēnâ) with a crook in its end by which he could pull errant sheep out of the mud, out of ditches and briers. He also carried the “ROD” (Hebrew šēḇeṭ, pronounced shay’-bet) to strike at poisonous snakes and other creatures that might harm the sheep…. Continue reading

Posted in Proverbs, Sermons Preached | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Foolish vs Wise

Why did Solomon start out this chapter with the “wise woman” versus the “FOOLISH”. Though Proverbs was written by God through Solomon to give the child of God guidance, it was also written by the father Solomon to his son:

Proverbs 1:8 (KJV) My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:

As with most Scripture, the Book of Proverbs has a near application as well as a far application. In the near application, Solomon – who had 700 wives and three hundred concubines (1 Kings 11:3) – wanted his son to avoid the errors he made in his life. Though with this many wives and concubines (1000), we are certain that Solomon had many children, but only one son mentioned in the Scripture – Rehoboam. Rehoboam would assume the Throne of David on Solomon’s death, and Solomon knew that if he married the wrong woman, he would suffer the consequences. The Bible says of Solomon:… Continue reading

Posted in Proverbs, Sermons Preached | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Take Out The Trash, Son

Crucifixion was considered “the most cruel & hideous of tortures” (Cicero). Author Dr Alexander Metherell wrote, “The pain was absolutely unbearable. In fact, it was literally beyond words to describe it; they had to invent a new word: “excruciating”. Literally excruciating means ‘out of the Cross’”.

Before Jesus was removed from the Cross for burial a Roman guard, well versed in crucifixion, ensured that Christ was dead. The Bible says:

John 19:34 (ESV) … one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water.

This was a clear forensic sign that our Lord had passed into glory. Jesus’ body was embalmed by washing and wrapping Him in myrrh and aloe – about 75 pounds in weight… Continue reading

Posted in General, Romans, Sermons Preached | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Plain Truth About Righteousness

Proverbs 13:22 (KJV) A GOOD man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the SINNER is laid up for the just.

Leave Your Children A Godly Example

The Bible uses the word “GOOD” in a relative way. When humans are compared in the eyes of God, there are:

“Children of God” (Matthew 5:9) or
“Children of the Devil” (John 8:44)

Fruit bearing “Wheat” or
Poison bearing “Tares” (Matthew 13:24-30)

“Children of the Kingdom” or
“Children of the Wicked One” (Matthew 13:38)

“Children of Light” or
“Children of Darkness” (1 Thessalonians 5:5)

“Sinners” or
“Righteous” (Luke 5:32)

“Good” or
“Evil” (Matthew 5:45)

Jesus told us “there are NONE GOOD but God” (Matthew 19:17). In relation to God, none of us are truly “good”. But among mankind there are “GOOD” people, those saved… Continue reading

Posted in Proverbs, Sermons Preached | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Doctrine of Baptisms

… If you are Christ’s possession, if you have given yourself to Him as Lord and Savior, neither sin nor death has any hold over you. Praise God! Heaven is the destination of the believer in Christ. Heaven in glory, and Heaven on this earth walking with Jesus.

Do you know Him? Oh Beloved, if you do not, may the Holy Spirit touch your hearts, and bring you from death to life this very day. Do not leave this place without Jesus. May God so secure your souls. Call upon the name of Jesus, surrendering to Him, and you shall be saved. Continue reading

Posted in General, Romans, Sermons Preached | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Doctrine Of Original Sin

When we receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, resting fully on Him, God imputes righteousness, HIS righteousness, to our spiritual account. Abraham – the Father of Faith – met the pre-incarnate Jesus in Ur of the Chaldees (John 8:58), and the Bible tells us:

Romans 4:20-25 (NKJV) {Abraham} did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. 22 And therefore “it was accounted {imputed} to him for righteousness.” 23 Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, 24 but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, 25 who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.

When we believe the Father sent the Son to die to pay the penalty for our sins, and raised Jesus from the dead to lead and justify us, then God IMPUTES righteousness to us. This is fully a work of God. God looks at you differently once you receive Jesus as Lord and Savior because of Imputation. … Continue reading

Posted in General, Romans, Sermons Preached | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Losing Your Soul

“DESIRE” is not a bad thing. The word translated “DESIRE” is the Hebrew ta’ăvâ which means “desires, wishes, longing for that which you do not have”. When used in a negative way, it can mean “lust or covetousness”.

God made humans with the ability to desire, to want something outside of ourselves.

When God made man and woman, the Bible says that God said “Let Us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let THEM have DOMINION over the earth” (Genesis 1:26). God gave man and woman the whole world and everything in it. Adam and Eve lacked nothing, but were told to dominate all creatures. God told them:

Genesis 1:28-29 (ESV) Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” 29 And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.

Adam and Eve were to desire three things… Continue reading

Posted in Proverbs, Sermons Preached | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Doctrine Of Imputation

Romans 5:1-5 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: (2) By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (3) And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; (4) And patience, experience; and experience, hope: (5) And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

The Doctrine Of Imputation

I want to talk to you today about The Doctrine of Imputation. Unless you understand this Biblical truth, you will NEVER understand your salvation. We are able to “STAND in GRACE” (verse 2) before God because of imputation. The pattern for our salvation is Abraham, as we saw in the previous chapter. We are told in:

James 2:23 (KJV) … the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was IMPUTED {Greek logizomai} unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

Word Study: Because Abraham believed God – following God where He led – God IMPUTED righteousness to him. The word translated “IMPUTED” is the Greek logizomai, which means “to reckon, to compute, to calculate, to make an account of, to number among”. The Bible tells us that God is … Continue reading

Posted in General, Romans, Sermons Preached | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment