Beers & Bible Podcast

In this episode, we dive into one of the most important sections of Paul’s letter to the Romans—his teaching on justification by faith alone. R.C. Sproul reminds us that this is the very heart of the gospel: God declares sinners righteous not because of anything in them, but because of the righteousness of Christ imputed to them and received by faith.Declared Just, Not Made Just – Why our righteousness must come from outside ourselves and what Luther meant by simul iustus et peccator (“at the same time righteous and sinner”).The “But Now” Moment – Paul’s announcement that God’s righteousness has been revealed apart from the law, rooted in both the Law and the Prophets.Faith as the Instrument – How the Reformers rejected baptism and penance as the instrumental cause of justification, insisting instead that faith alone links us to Christ.The Double Transfer – Our sins placed on Christ and His righteousness placed on us. This is the great exchange at the center of the gospel.Propitiation & Expiation – Why we cannot afford to lose these biblical terms, and how Christ both satisfies God’s wrath and removes our sin.The Just and the Justifier – How God remains perfectly just while also declaring sinners righteous in Christ.Justification is not cheap grace. It is free for us, but costly for Christ. At the cross, God satisfied His justice and extended His mercy—making Him both just and the justifier of those who believe.

No one naturally seeks God, speaks purely, or lives rightly. God’s law silences our self-defense and drives us to Christ, whose righteousness is received by faith alone.No Seekers (v.11) – Unbelievers chase God’s benefits, not God Himself. True seeking starts after God finds us (Matt 6:33).Unprofitable Good (v.12) – “Civic righteousness” exists, but God defines good by both action and God-ward motive (John 14:6).The Things We Say (vv.13–14) – Throat, tongue, lips, mouth: a biopsy of our speech—deceit, venom, cursing (Matt 23:27; James 3:6).The Things We Do (vv.15–18) – Swift to violence; we don’t know the way of peace because we don’t fear God (Prov 9:10).All the World Guilty (vv.19–20) – The law stops every mouth; by works no one will be justified.Justification Defined – A forensic (legal) declaration: God counts sinners righteous in Christ by faith alone.Key TakeawaysThere are no natural seekers; seeking God is evidence He has already sought you.Good deeds without a God-loving motive are not “good” before God.Your words reveal your heart; guard both input and output.The law is a mirror, not a ladder—it exposes sin; it doesn’t erase it.Hope rests in a verdict secured by Christ’s righteousness, not our record.

In this week’s Beers & Bible Podcast, we break down Romans 3:1–11 where Paul answers big questions about God’s Word, His faithfulness, and the universal problem of sin.The Oracles of God (vv.1–2): Israel’s advantage was receiving God’s Word—salvation is not in rituals but in Scripture.God’s Faithfulness (vv.3–4): Human unbelief never cancels God’s promises.A Just Judge (vv.5–6): God’s wrath flows from His righteousness—judgment is certain.A Just Condemnation (vv.7–8): Grace is no excuse for sin; true faith bears fruit.All Under Sin (vv.9–11): Jew and Gentile alike are crushed by sin—no one is righteous, no one seeks God.Romans 3 shows us the crushing weight of sin but points us toward Christ, our only hope.Highlights:

Romans 2: Hypocrisy, Judgment, and the Circumcision of the HeartPaul turns the camera around. After exposing pagan sin in Romans 1, he indicts the religious in Romans 2—people who condemn others while doing the same things. God’s judgment is according to truth, His kindness is meant to lead us to repentance, and there is no partiality with Him. Whether you’ve got the Law (Jews) or only a conscience (Gentiles), we all stand guilty—and we all need a righteousness not our own. True belonging to God is not an outward badge but an inward work of the Spirit: a circumcised heart.God’s impartial, truth-based judgment exposes religious hypocrisy and drives us to Christ, whose righteousness alone covers our guilt and renews our hearts by the Spirit.Shift of focus: from Gentile sin (Rom. 1) to Jewish hypocrisy (Rom. 2).“O man”—Paul directly confronts his own people.Problem: condemning others while practicing the same sins.Jesus already warned us: the plank vs. the speck (Matt. 7:3).God’s judgment is always according to truth—no spin, no loopholes.“Every mouth will be stopped” (Rom. 3:19).Don’t mistake God’s patience for permission; His kindness is meant to lead to repentance, not complacency.Every unrepentant sin “deposits” wrath for the day of judgment.God renders to each according to deeds:Eternal life for those who persevere in doing good, seeking His glory.Wrath for the self-seeking and disobedient.No partiality—Jew and Gentile are judged by the same standard.Jews with the Law perish by the Law; Gentiles without the Law perish without it—conscience bears witness.Universal guilt: everyone fails the light they’ve received.Final judgment will expose “the secrets of men”—through Christ Jesus.Only Christ’s righteousness can cover our shame and make us right.Israel boasted in the Law—guides, teachers, lights—but didn’t practice it.Result: God’s name is blasphemed among the nations.Today’s parallel: church folks who boast in the Bible but live contrary to it.The critique “the church is full of hypocrites” is real—but the church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints.Circumcision is an outward sign; without inward reality it’s meaningless.True circumcision is of the heart, by the Spirit, not merely by the letter.Modern parallels: baptism and membership are signs—not salvation.God judges impartially and truthfully; excuses won’t stand.God’s kindness is not approval of sin; it’s an invitation to repent.Religious performance can hide a hard heart—only the Spirit gives a new one.We don’t need a better mask; we need Christ’s righteousness.

Episode SummaryPaul’s argument moves with laser-sharp logic: God’s power saves (v.16) because God’s righteousness is revealed in the gospel (v.17). But that righteousness is necessary because God’s wrath is revealed against sin (v.18), a response we understand as we behold God’s glory in creation (vv.19–20). In this episode, we trace that flow, unpack the nature and objects of divine wrath, and follow the tragic yet honest downward spiral of human rebellion—idolatry, moral degradation, and social disorder—so we can see why the good news is truly good.The Logical Link to the Gospel (vv.16–20)Power → Righteousness → Wrath → GloryWhy the bad news is necessary for the good news to make senseThe Nature of God’s Wrath (v.18)Holy, personal, and just—not impulsive human angerGod is never morally neutralWho Faces God’s Wrath (vv.18–20)Against “godlessness” (irreverence toward God) and “wickedness” (injustice toward others)Suppressing the truth made plain in creation leaves everyone “without excuse”The Downward Spiral (vv.21–32)Idolatry: Knowing God but refusing to honor or thank HimSexual impurity: “Exchanges” that degrade the body (vv.24–25)Against nature (vv.26–27): Paul’s teaching on created order and sexual ethicsDepraved mind (vv.28–32): A cascade of vices, broken relationships, and approving of evilWrath defined: God’s wrath is His righteous, settled opposition to evil.General revelation: Creation clearly reveals God’s eternal power and divine nature—enough to render us accountable.Sin’s trajectory: Rejecting God leads to idolatry, moral confusion, and social decay.Heart of the matter: The essence of sin is knowing God yet refusing to glorify or thank Him.How does seeing God’s wrath make the gospel more compelling rather than less?Where do you notice “truth suppression” in our cultural moment—or in your own heart?In what everyday ways can gratitude to God push back against idolatry (v.21)?How should Christians hold together truth and compassion when discussing Romans 1:26–27?Which of the vices in vv.28–32 do you see most clearly in society—and which is God exposing in you?How does Romans 1 prepare us for Paul’s explanation of justification by faith that follows?Romans 1:16–17 — Power and righteousness of God in the gospelRomans 1:18–20 — Wrath revealed; truth in creation; “without excuse”Romans 1:21–25 — The “exchange”: glory for images; truth for a lieRomans 1:26–27 — Paul’s appeal to created orderRomans 1:28–32 — Depraved mind and the approval of evilWhat We CoverKey TakeawaysDiscussion QuestionsScripture Highlights

“The Gospel Is…” (Romans 1:16–17)In this episode we unpack Paul’s thesis for Romans: the gospel is God’s power to save because it reveals God’s righteousness. We trace how salvation is offered to everyone who believes, why “the righteousness of God” is good news (God’s character, God’s saving action, and God’s gift), and how the just live—now and forever—by faith.Romans 1:16–17; 3:22, 26 • Ephesians 2:5 • 1 Corinthians 1:18 • Romans 13:11 • Philippians 3:9 • Habakkuk 2:4 • Galatians 3:11The gospel is God’s powerful means of salvation because it reveals His righteous way of putting sinners right with Himself—received by faith alone. “The righteous (by faith) shall live.”Unashamed of the Gospel (v.16)Paul’s confidence despite opposition; the gospel is God’s power, not self-help.Goal: full salvation—justification, reconciliation, redemption, transformation—past, present, future.Scope: offered to everyone who believes; to the Jew first and also to the Gentile.Why the Gospel Saves (v.17)It reveals the righteousness of God—the thesis of Romans.Attribute: God is righteous and just; at the cross He is “just and the justifier.”Activity: God keeps covenant, rescues His people, defeats evil.Achievement/Gift: a righteous status from God, granted by grace through faith.Received by FaithHabakkuk 2:4 in context: trust God amid injustice.Paul’s application: the one declared righteous by faith truly lives.Structure of Romans: chs. 1–4 (faith → righteousness); chs. 5–8 (righteousness → life).The gospel doesn’t merely offer power; it is God’s power.Salvation is comprehensive: rescued from wrath and restored to God.God’s righteousness is not earned; it’s given.Faith is the empty hand that receives Christ—and then walks in new life.Where are you tempted to be “ashamed” of the gospel, and why?Which aspect of God’s righteousness (attribute, activity, gift) most encourages you today?How does “the righteous by faith shall live” shape your week practically?

Romans 1:7–15“Loved, Called, and Sent”In this episode we walk through Paul’s warm greeting to the Christians in Rome and his pastoral heartbeat behind the letter (vv. 7–15). Paul names the church’s identity up front: they are loved by God, called to be saints, and recipients of grace and peace—not an elite class, but ordinary believers set apart by God and united to all the saints across time and place. From there, Paul models a shepherd’s posture: he thanks God for their worldwide testimony, prays for them constantly, and longs to visit—not to dazzle them with gifts, but to strengthen and be mutually encouraged in the faith.Paul also explains why he hasn’t arrived yet and clarifies his mission. He has been providentially hindered, but his aim remains a spiritual harvest in Rome as among other Gentiles. Because he’s been called by Christ, he considers himself a debtor to all—Greeks and non-Greeks, wise and foolish—and therefore he’s eager to preach the gospel in the very heart of the empire, whatever it costs.Identity markers of every Christian: loved by God, called as saints, graced and at peace (v. 7)Paul’s gratitude for Rome’s faith and the role of persistent prayer (vv. 8–10)A vision of two-way ministry: imparting strength and receiving encouragement (vv. 11–12)Providence, delay, and mission: why Paul hasn’t come yet—and why he must (vv. 13–15)Gospel identity precedes gospel activity. Before Paul asks anything of Rome, he reminds them who they are.Ministry is mutual. Even apostles need fellowship and encouragement.Calling creates obligation. To know Christ is to owe the world the gospel.Delays can be divine. God’s providence may slow our plans but not His purposes.Which identity—loved, called, graced/at peace—do you most need to remember this week?Where can you seek or offer mutual encouragement in your church?How does Paul’s sense of gospel “debt” reshape the way you view neighbors, coworkers, or the nations?

🎙️ New Episode Drop! 🎙️Dive into Paul’s powerful self-portrait in Romans 1:1–6 and discover:• 🤝 Slave of Christ – true freedom through total surrender• 📜 Apostolic Call – Christ’s authority, from Damascus road to your life• 🔥 Gospel of God – promised in Scripture, fulfilled in Jesus’ death & resurrection• 🌍 Global Mission – “obedience from faith” for Jew & Gentile alike✨ What part of Paul’s identity speaks most to you today? Share below! 👇#Paul #RomansPodcast #GospelTruth #FaithJourney #BibleTeaching #ChristianPodcast

✨ New Episode Alert! ✨ Dive into Paul’s Manifesto of Christian Freedom in Romans—more than just a letter, it’s a proclamation of life-changing liberty in Christ! 🌟🔹 Freedom From…• God’s Wrath (1:18–3:20)• Alienation ➡️ Reconciliation (5:10–11)• Legal Condemnation (8:1–4)• Sinful Ego & Death (7:24–25; 8:1–2)• Ethnic Barriers (9–11)🔹 Why It Matters• Loved by Luther, Calvin & Tyndale as “pure gospel”• Sparks unity: Jews & Gentiles equally guilty & justified• Reveals Law’s role: expose sin, but only the Spirit saves🔹 Paul’s Mission✉️ Writing from Corinth🙏 Seeks prayers for Jerusalem offering✈️ Plans Rome as launchpad to Spain🔹 TakeawayExpect Transformation—Romans changes lives!Approach with Humility—let the text speak for itself.💬 What verse speaks freedom to you today? Drop it below! 👇#Romans #BibleStudy #ChristianFreedom #Gospel #Paul #FaithJourney #DailyDevotion

In this episode, we conclude our journey through the book of Titus with a powerful reminder: salvation isn't just about being saved from something—it's about being saved for something. Titus 3 calls every believer to live a life that reflects the miracle of regeneration.We explore two major themes:Our New Birth Must Lead to a New Life – Paul highlights that good works are not the root of salvation but the fruit of it. We’ve been washed, renewed, and filled with the Spirit so that we might walk in obedience, humility, and purpose. From the mess of our past to the mercy of God, we’re reminded that the Christian life is marked by transformation, not stagnation.Discipleship and Discipline Go Hand in Hand – Healthy churches aren’t afraid to confront sin. Paul instructs Titus to avoid foolish controversies and deal directly with divisive people. Church discipline, done in love and truth, protects the body and promotes growth. At the same time, ministry continues with generosity and partnership—every believer is called to engage in good works and support the mission.Key Takeaways:Regeneration is God’s work, producing a radically new life.Good works are essential for gospel witness, not for earning salvation.Church discipline is necessary for maintaining purity and unity.Grace empowers us to live holy, faithful, and fruitful lives.This final chapter reminds us that doctrine must shape our discipleship, and that grace must fuel our good works. Regeneration is not just theology—it’s the beginning of a transformed, Christ-exalting life.