Salvation
065: All Israel Will Be Saved and So Will All Mankind (Romans Series #25: Rom. 11:16-36)
To illustrate that Israel’s “time-out” is merely temporary, not permanent, Paul uses the metaphor of wild olive branches (believing Gentiles) being grafted into a cultivated olive tree (Israel), whose branches have been broken off due to disobedience (in rejecting Messiah and His offer of kingdom inheritance). But Israel will repent and be re-grafted back into her national tree. Pastor Hollandsworth points out that “all Israel will be saved,” leading to all mankind being saved, for God’s objective is to commit all mankind to disobedience so He might have mercy on all.
064: Israel’s 2,000-Year Time-Out (Romans Series #24: Rom. 11:1-15)
Because Israel rejected Christ’s offer of kingdom inheritance and put Messiah to death, the nation has been set aside for a period of 2,000 years. In the present age the Holy Spirit is saving Gentiles and calling out sons to glory – faithful saints who will be chosen to rule with Christ in His Messianic kingdom. Pastor Hollandsworth emphasizes how Israel’s failure means “riches for the Gentiles” and “the reconciling of the world,” but her restoration will signal “life from the dead” for the entire world. These are glorious truths!
062: The Word of Faith Is Near You (Romans Series #23: Rom. 10)
The Romans Road method of witnessing typically culminates in Rom. 10:9, 13, with a plea to be saved by confessing the Lord Jesus and calling upon the name of the Lord. However, this is not how “salvation” is used in the book of Romans. Pastor Hollandsworth explains that salvation for national Israel is deliverance from God’s wrath and consequent destruction. For individual children of God – both Jews and Gentiles – it is deliverance from sinning and self-destruction. He also points out the meaning of “the word of faith” and in what sense it is “near you.”
056: Promises for Firstborn Sons (Romans Series #19: Rom. 8:26-39)
The end of Rom. 8 is often understood as unconditional promises for believers, following a description of “the process of salvation” in vs. 29-30, from God’s perspective. However, Pastor Hollandsworth points out that vs. 29-30 are a description of sanctification unto reward from God’s perspective. Thus, the promises in the broader text are conditional promises, for those who are on the pathway of becoming firstborn sons to glory.
052: “Cancel Culture” Within Christianity
After 22 years of broadcasting sermons on SermonAudio.com, Pastor Hollandsworth’s account was abruptly terminated, because they objected to his views on salvation. Hear their reasons, as Pastor Hollandsworth shares how the sermons will be hosted going forward. Also, in this brief episode, he laments over the question, “Why do Christians ‘cancel’ other Christians?”