Summary After Christmas fades and decorations come down, many of us instinctively begin looking ahead to what’s next. In this sermon, Michael Easley reminds us that this longing is not accidental—it is eternal. God has placed eternity in our hearts, wiring us to anticipate His ultimate deliverance. Tracing Scripture from Genesis to Revelation, Dr. Easley explores the biblical theme of divine visitation—God personally stepping into history to accomplish redemption. From Joseph’s deathbed confidence in God’s future deliverance, to Zechariah’s Spirit-filled praise at the birth of John the Baptist, Scripture reveals a consistent hope: God will visit His people to save them. Luke’s Gospel declares that God has “visited us and accomplished redemption,” using a word that means more than appearing—it means showing up to act. In the New Testament, divine visitation demands a response. Some reject the Deliverer, while others recognize Him as the fulfillment of God’s promises. The sermon concludes by shifting our focus away from obsessing over end-times signs and toward eager expectation of Christ Himself. Our confidence does not rest in circumstances or experiences, but in God’s unchanging Word. Faithful living means trusting God’s promises, anticipating Christ’s return, and persevering with hope—knowing the Deliverer will come again. Takeaways God has placed eternity in our hearts, causing us to long for what lies beyond this world. Divine visitation in Scripture means God personally stepping in to accomplish deliverance. From Joseph to Zechariah, God’s people trusted His promises even when fulfillment seemed distant. The New Testament emphasizes our response to God’s visitation—rejection or faith-filled recognition. Scripture calls believers to watch for Christ Himself, not obsess over signs of His return. Our assurance and hope rest not in experience, but in the unchanging truth of God’s Word. To read the book of Luke, click here. Click here for other Michael Easley Sermons.

Summary As Christmas approaches, Dr. Michael Easley invites us to look beyond familiar traditions—food, travel, gifts, family rhythms—and consider a deeper anticipation: the divine visitation of God. Drawing from Genesis 50, Dr. Easley traces Joseph’s final words and the Hebrew term pachad, a rich word describing God “visiting” His people in judgment, blessing, discipline, or deliverance. Joseph, at 110 years old, stands as a man who endured betrayal, injustice, imprisonment, and loss, yet he dies full of hope—insisting his bones be carried to the Promised Land because God will keep His word. Dr. Easley contrasts God’s sovereign plan with human evil, reminding us that even the darkest chapters of Joseph’s life were woven into God’s purposes. He also emphasizes that death does not break God’s promises; Joseph died without seeing the deliverance he believed in, yet he trusted the God who brings the dead to life. As we prepare for Christmas, this sermon invites us to consider the greatest visitation of all—the arrival of the divine Deliverer—and to rest in the certainty that God keeps His promises, even when our circumstances say otherwise. Takeaways God’s sovereign plan operates even through the evil intentions and injustices of people. The Hebrew word pachad shows that God “visits” His people in discipline, blessing, and deliverance. Joseph believed God’s promises even though he never saw their fulfillment in his lifetime. Death does not—and cannot—break the promises of God. The anticipation we feel around birth reflects a deeper longing wired into our souls for God’s divine visitation. The birth of Christ is the ultimate visitation of God, bringing redemption exactly as He promised. To read the book of Genesis, click here. Click here for other Michael Easley Sermons.

Summary In this sermon from 1 Corinthians 10, Dr. Michael Easley unpacks the sobering contrast between God’s supernatural provisions for Israel and Israel’s repeated failures in the wilderness. He begins with a relatable observation: we often want the benefits of something without paying the cost. The Christian life, however, comes with a clear cost of discipleship—an intentional, obedient walk with Christ. Paul reminds the Corinthians of five divine provisions God gave Israel: supernatural guidance and protection through the cloud, supernatural deliverance through the Red Sea, identification with Moses through baptism, supernatural food from heaven, and supernatural water from the rock—ultimately pointing to Christ Himself. Yet despite these blessings, Israel fell into five destructive patterns: craving evil things, idolatry, immorality, testing God, and constant grumbling. Paul calls these events examples and instruction for believers today. We, too, are prone to drift even after receiving God’s grace. Dr. Easley presses five reflective questions: What are you craving? What idols have crept in? Are you living immorally? Are you trying God? What are you grumbling about? The passage assures believers that God always provides a way of escape from temptation—and calls us to stand firm, repent, and walk faithfully with the One who guides, provides, and sustains. Takeaways God provides supernatural guidance, protection, and sustenance, yet our hearts can still drift toward sin. Israel’s story is given as an example and instruction, warning believers not to repeat the same patterns. Craving anything more than Christ reveals a deeper spiritual problem beneath the surface. Idolatry arises whenever the “stuff” of life demands more of our time and devotion than our walk with God. God always provides a way of escape from temptation, but standing firm requires humility and vigilance. Honest self-examination before Christ transforms grumbling hearts into grateful, obedient disciples. To read the book of 1 Corinthians, click here. Click here for other Michael Easley Sermons.

Summary In this message from Romans 8, Dr. Michael Easley walks through Paul’s rich transition from talking about “putting to death the deeds of the flesh” to embracing our identity as sons and daughters of God. Building on the assurance that there is now no condemnation for those in Christ, Dr. Easley emphasizes that the Christian life is not self-powered moral improvement—it is life led, empowered, and sustained by the Holy Spirit. When we place our faith in Christ, the Spirit becomes our permanent resident, the One who enables us to resist sin and live in cooperation with God’s will. Paul’s shift to familial language—sons, daughters, children, heirs—reveals that believers are not merely forgiven; we are adopted. Dr. Easley unpacks Paul’s contrast between the “spirit of slavery” and the “spirit of adoption,” reminding us that adoption is rooted in God’s kindness, redemption through Christ’s blood, and His intentional choice of us. This adoption enables us to cry out, with profound emotion, “Abba, Father,” just as Christ did. Finally, Dr. Easley highlights the Spirit’s testimony within us: He confirms we are God’s children, assures us of our inheritance, strengthens us in present suffering, and anchors us in the future glory that outweighs every earthly hardship. Takeaways The Christian life is not powered by our will but by the indwelling Holy Spirit who leads and enables us. Believers are adopted into God’s family, moving from slavery and fear to sonship and intimacy. The Spirit Himself testifies within us that we are God’s beloved children. Adoption is rooted in God’s sovereign kindness and Christ’s redemptive work—not our merit. Our ability to call God Father reflects the deep emotional reality of belonging fully to God. As children and heirs, we share both in Christ’s sufferings now and His glory to come. To read the book of Romans, click here. Click here for other Michael Easley Sermons.

Summary Romans 8:12–13 sits at the center of Paul’s teaching on life in the Spirit, and in this sermon Dr. Michael Easley draws attention to the decisive shift that takes place when a person trusts Christ. Salvation is not merely forgiveness—it's a complete reorientation of our spiritual starting point. When the Spirit of God takes up residence in a believer, everything changes. We are no longer obligated to obey the flesh, no longer bound to its impulses, and no longer defined by its demands. Dr. Easley explains that many Christians continue living as though the flesh still holds authority, when Scripture says the opposite. The flesh is not neutral; it is hostile to God and must be confronted. Paul calls believers to put sin to death, but he also makes clear that this cannot be accomplished through willpower or personal resolve. It is the Spirit who enables us to kill the deeds of the body and to live in the freedom God intends. This passage invites believers to acknowledge sin honestly, take responsibility for their choices, and actively depend on the Spirit for transformation. Life in Christ begins—and continues—with the power of the Spirit making us alive, responsive, and obedient to God. Takeaways Trusting Christ moves your point of departure from the flesh to the indwelling Spirit. The believer does not have to follow the flesh—its pull is a lie, not an obligation. Only the Holy Spirit empowers us to put sin to death; the flesh cannot improve. Sin behaves like bamboo—relentless and invasive—requiring continual Spirit-empowered resistance. To mortify sin, believers must first acknowledge its true evil without minimizing or excusing it. Life in the Spirit is not passive; it is a daily, intentional dependence on the One who empowers obedience. To read the book of Romans, click here. Click here for other Michael Easley Sermons.

Summary In this sermon, Dr. Michael Easley illustrates the power of sin with a vivid analogy: a commercial floor buffer so strong that no person—not even the strongest among us—can control it. Like that machine, sin isn’t something we manage, tame, or muscle through. Sin seeks to control us. Paul has already shown in Romans 6–7 that human effort cannot free us from sin’s grip. But God has given us something far greater—His own Spirit. Dr. Easley explains Paul’s sharp contrast: the mindset on the flesh is death; the mindset on the Spirit is life and peace. There is no neutral ground. The flesh is hostile toward God, unable to please Him, bent toward self, and spiritually dead. Before Christ, our minds were fixed on ourselves, our desires, and our autonomy, even if we didn’t realize it. But the good news is stunning. Those who belong to Christ have the very Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead dwelling in them. The Spirit empowers us to live differently, to resist sin’s control, and to pursue God’s desires instead of our own. Through the Spirit, believers move from death to life, from hostility to peace, and from self-rule to the power of God at work within them. Takeaways Sin is not something we manage — it is a power that seeks to control us. A mind set fixed on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace. There is no spiritual neutrality; the flesh is hostile toward God and cannot please Him. Before Christ, our minds are bent entirely toward ourselves and opposed to God’s will. The Holy Spirit indwells every believer with the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. Through the Spirit, believers move from death to life and are empowered to live in obedience. To read the book of Romans, click here. Click here for other Michael Easley Sermons.

Summary Every believer knows the sting of regret and the weight of guilt that can linger long after coming to Christ. In this powerful sermon on Romans 8:1–4, Dr. Michael Easley unpacks one of the most freeing truths in all of Scripture: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” We all live with memories of past failures, yet in Christ, those sins are not just forgiven—they’re washed away in Him.  Dr. Easley walks through Paul’s rich theological argument to show that our freedom from condemnation isn’t based on self-improvement or keeping the law. It’s entirely rooted in the work of Christ and the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. The same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead now empowers believers to overcome sin and live righteously. Because God did what the law could never do—He sent His Son to deal with sin once and for all—we can live free from shame and confident in His grace. This message invites listeners to walk not in guilt, but in gratitude, boldly declaring, “I am in Christ.” Takeaways Every believer wrestles with guilt and regret, but the gospel declares us free from condemnation. God’s righteousness demands perfection, yet Christ meets that standard on our behalf. Jesus condemned sin in His own flesh, taking our punishment once and for all. The Holy Spirit empowers believers to overcome the power of sin and live righteously. What the law could never accomplish, God accomplished through His Son. To be “in Christ” means to live with confidence, freedom, and no fear of condemnation. To read the book of Romans, click here.Click here for other Michael Easley Sermons.

Summary Romans 7 reveals one of the most honest confessions in Scripture: Paul’s ongoing struggle with sin even after trusting Christ. Dr. Michael Easley unpacks this tension between knowing what’s right and still doing what’s wrong—the spiritual “finger trap” every believer experiences. Paul’s transparency isn’t weakness; it’s maturity. The more we grow in Christ, the more aware we become of our sin and our desperate need for His grace.  Legalism, Dr. Easley warns, distorts this truth by pretending righteousness can be earned. Instead, Paul’s self-portrait mirrors that of every believer. We are sinners saved by grace, constantly at war with the flesh yet secure in Christ’s victory. Sanctification is not smooth progress but a lifelong conflict between the Spirit and sin’s lingering power. Our hope is not in moral perfection but in dependence on Jesus. “Wretched man that I am—who will deliver me?” Paul cries. And the answer is the heart of the gospel: “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Takeaways The law exposes sin but cannot save—it condemns, not redeems. Paul’s struggle in Romans 7 reflects every believer’s battle with sin. True maturity begins with admitting our sinful nature and need for grace. Sanctification is a lifelong conflict, not a straight line of progress. Evil still dwells within us, but sin no longer controls us. Our only deliverance from sin’s power is through Jesus Christ alone. To read the book of Romans, click here. Click here for other Michael Easley Sermons.

Summary In this sermon from Romans 7:7–13, Dr. Michael Easley unpacks one of Scripture’s most complex questions: If God’s law is good, why does it seem to lead us into sin? Paul reminds us that the problem isn’t the law—it’s the sin within us. God’s law is holy, righteous, and good, but sin twists what is good into an opportunity for rebellion. Dr. Easley outlines seven functions of the law, revealing that while the law defines and exposes sin, it cannot save us from it. The law condemns, provokes, and reveals the depth of our sinfulness, pointing us instead to our desperate need for Christ. No set of rules or moral codes can make us good; only intimacy with Jesus transforms the heart.  When we seek fulfillment in Him rather than in the false promises of the world—whether through lust, greed, or pride—sin loses its grip. Dr. Easley reminds us that the Christian life isn’t about trying harder to stop sinning; it’s about walking more closely with Christ. Only when He becomes our “all in all” can we find the true freedom the law could never provide. Takeaways God’s law is holy, righteous, and good—but sin twists it into an opportunity for rebellion. The law reveals sin’s power but cannot save us from it. No number of rules can make us righteous; only Christ can transform the heart. Sin deceives and provokes, taking what is good and turning it against us. True freedom comes not from resisting sin but from pursuing intimacy with Jesus Christ. When Christ becomes our all in all, the world’s temptations lose their hold. To read the book of Romans, click here. Click here for other Michael Easley Sermons.

Summary In this sermon from Romans 7, Dr. Michael Easley explores what it means to die to the law and live in the Spirit through Jesus Christ. Using Paul’s illustration of marriage, Dr. Easley explains that the law only has authority over the living—once a person dies, they are free from its jurisdiction. Likewise, believers who have died with Christ are no longer bound to the law’s condemnation but are joined to Him to bear fruit for God. Dr. Easley takes time to address divorce and remarriage, acknowledging the pain, complexity, and lifelong consequences that often accompany them. While God hates divorce, it is not an unforgivable sin, and believers are called to respond with grace and mercy toward those who have suffered through it. Ultimately, he reminds listeners that reconciliation, humility, and forgiveness are essential for any marriage to thrive. The sermon concludes with a clear call: the law cannot save, but it can warn. Righteousness comes not through rules but through relationships—being joined to Christ in His death and resurrection. Freed from the condemnation of the law, believers are empowered by the Spirit to live in obedience and holiness that bear lasting fruit for God. Takeaways The law only has jurisdiction over the living; death in Christ frees believers from its condemnation. Romans 7 teaches that we are joined to Christ to bear fruit for God, not bound to the old law. Divorce grieves God but is not beyond His forgiveness or grace. The church must show mercy and compassion to those who have experienced brokenness. Obedience to God’s moral law, empowered by the Spirit, sanctifies believers, conforming them to Christ’s image. The same resurrection power that saves us empowers us to live holy, Spirit-filled lives. To read the book of Romans, click here. Click here for other Michael Easley Sermons.

Summary In this sermon, Dr. Michael Easley unpacks one of the most misunderstood truths in the Christian life: freedom in Christ does not mean freedom to sin. If salvation is truly a gift—something we did not earn and cannot lose—then why does how we live still matter? Paul’s answer in Romans 6 is both simple and profound: because we are no longer slaves to sin, we are now slaves to righteousness. Dr. Easley reminds us that everyone serves a master—either sin or God. Before Christ, we were bound to sin, chasing desires that only led to death. But in Christ, we’ve been set free—not to live as we please, but to live as His. This new kind of slavery is not oppressive; it’s liberating. To be “enslaved to righteousness” means willingly submitting our lives to the One who saved us. Obedience born from gratitude, not guilt, marks the heart of a true believer. As Dr. Easley explains, the wages of sin are still death—but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ. True freedom is not doing whatever we want—it’s wanting to obey the One who freed us. Takeaways True freedom in Christ means choosing to serve righteousness, not indulging in sin. Everyone serves a master—either sin that leads to death or Christ who gives life. Salvation frees us from sin’s power but binds us joyfully to obedience. Obedience from the heart reflects genuine transformation, not mere duty. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ. Living under grace means wanting to obey, not feeling forced to obey. To read the book of Romans, click here. Click here for other Michael Easley Sermons.

Summary In this sermon, Dr. Michael Easley returns to the book of Romans and reminds us that Paul is calling for a mindset change. Too many people live as though they must do something to earn God’s favor, to get His attention, or to prove themselves worthy. But the gospel in Romans 6 tells us a different story. We don’t live in order to please God—we live because of what Christ has already done for us. Paul gives us three crucial verbs: know, consider, present. To know that our old self was crucified with Christ. To consider ourselves dead to sin. And to present ourselves as instruments of righteousness. These three truths frame the believer’s identity and equip us to stand against the power of sin. Sin is powerful, and temptation comes at us from every direction. But Paul is clear: don’t let sin reign in your mortal body. Don’t present your life as a weapon for unrighteousness. Instead, present yourself to God as one made alive in Christ. We are no longer under the law’s condemnation, but under grace. Grace transforms how we live and frees us to walk in the power of Christ. Takeaways Romans 6 teaches us to live because of Christ’s work, not to earn His approval. Our identity is rooted in who we are in Christ, not in what we do. Paul commands believers not to let sin reign like a king in their lives. Sin seeks to master us, but grace empowers us to resist and live differently. Believers must know, consider, and present themselves as alive in Christ. The power of the Holy Spirit is greater than sin’s pull, enabling true freedom. To read the book of Romans, click here. Click here for other Michael Easley Sermons.

Summary In this sermon, Dr. Michael Easley reminds us that the Christian life begins with a new identity. Just as cicadas emerge from the ground, shed their shells, and take flight, believers are transformed the moment they trust Christ. We are regenerated, made new, and indwelt by the Holy Spirit who is committed to changing us day by day. But many Christians wrestle with sanctification—trying to measure growth, compare progress, or put it in categories of “lordship” or “grace-only.” Paul gives us a better way in Romans 6. The Christian life is not an “in order to” relationship with God, as though we live to earn His approval. It is a “because of” relationship. Because of what Christ has already done, we live differently. Paul outlines three essentials: know that your old self was crucified with Christ, consider yourself dead to sin, and present your life as an instrument of righteousness. Christ’s death was once for all, and His resurrection means sin no longer has mastery over us. The call is simple but profound: stop living to please God as though you must earn His favor, and start living because of what He has already done for you in Christ. Takeaways The moment we trust Christ, we are regenerated and given a new identity. Sanctification is God’s ongoing work of transforming us into Christ’s likeness. Paul calls us to live “because of” what Christ has done, not “in order to” earn His approval. We are to know our old self is crucified, consider ourselves dead to sin, and present our lives to God. Christ’s death was once for all, and His resurrection ensures sin and death no longer rule. Living under grace means we walk in newness of life as instruments of righteousness. To read the book of Romans, click here. Click here for other Michael Easley Sermons.

Summary In this sermon, Dr. Michael Easley unpacks Romans 6, where Paul addresses a dangerous misunderstanding of grace: if God’s grace abounds where sin abounds, should we continue sinning so grace may increase? Paul’s emphatic answer is, “May it never be!” Believers are not free to sin, but free from sin. Through Christ’s death and resurrection, Christians are united with Him—baptized into His death, buried with Him, raised with Him, and called to walk in newness of life. Death in Scripture signifies separation, and for the believer, it means separation from sin’s controlling power. Though temptation remains, sin no longer rules our lives. Dr. Easley also explores baptism, clarifying that it is not a requirement for salvation but a faithful response of identification with Christ. Grace is never meant to be exploited as permission to sin. Instead, it should fuel our gratitude and obedience. Ultimately, Paul’s charge is clear: we are dead to sin but alive in Christ. Grace is not for sin-negotiation—it is the foundation for grateful living. Our lives should reflect not a return to the sewer of sin, but the newness of life Christ has secured for us. Takeaways Grace is not an excuse for sin but the reason believers live differently. Death in Scripture signifies separation—believers are separated from sin’s power. Baptism identifies believers with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Justification and reconciliation are God’s work alone; we cannot add to them. Sanctification is the lifelong process of becoming more like Christ and less like Adam. Walking in newness of life is better than trying not to sin—it is living gratefully in Christ. To read the book of Romans, click here. Click here for other Michael Easley Sermons.

Summary In this sermon Dr. Michael Easley unpacks Romans 5 by showing six striking contrasts between Adam and Christ that reveal the depth of the gospel. Through Adam’s disobedience came sin, condemnation, and death for all. Through Christ’s obedience comes grace, justification, and life for those who believe. We are reminded that every person is either “in Adam” or “in Christ”—and our eternal identity rests on that reality. Adam’s one sin spread like a contagion, bringing death to all mankind. But in Christ, God gives the free gift of righteousness and eternal life. Where sin reigns, grace overflows in abundance. Dr. Easley stresses that justification is not earned—it is God’s declaration that the guilty are made righteous through Christ’s work on the cross. The law only magnifies our sin, but grace rescues us. Christ took our place, bore our condemnation, and offers life everlasting. Dr. Easley challenges listeners to consider their true identity: are we clinging to the brokenness of Adam, or have we trusted Christ, who brings forgiveness, freedom, and eternal life? The decision is clear, remain in Adam, or step into the grace and life found only in Christ. Takeaways Adam’s sin brought judgment and death, but Christ’s obedience brings justification and life. We are either “in Adam” or “in Christ”—our true identity is found in Him. Justification means we are guilty but declared righteous through Christ’s work, not our own. Death reigns through Adam, but life reigns through Jesus Christ. Where sin increases, God’s grace abounds all the more. The law exposes sin, but only Christ’s abundant grace saves and sustains us. To read the book of Romans, click here. Click here for other Michael Easley Sermons.

Summary In this sermon, Dr. Michael Easley teaches from Romans 5, unpacking the sobering truth that through Adam’s sin, death entered the world and spread to all humanity. Drawing from the historical use of primers and catechisms in early American education, Dr. Easley illustrates how generations once clearly taught the doctrine of original sin. Today, however, our culture resists the very concept of sin, preferring to redefine or dismiss it altogether. Yet Scripture is clear: sin is not simply a collection of bad choices but a condition that rules, spreads, and ultimately kills. Dr. Easley explains the imputation of sin and contrasts differing theological views, emphasizing that in Adam, all humanity fell, but in Christ, believers are given life. Sin’s pervasiveness demonstrates our desperate need for redemption. The either/or reality Paul presents is simple but profound: we are either in Adam, under the curse of sin and death, or in Christ, where His one act of righteousness secures eternal life. The good news is that through faith in Christ alone, we are no longer condemned but made right with God. Only in Christ can the guilt of sin be removed and the gift of eternal life received. Takeaways Through Adam’s sin, death entered the world and spread to all humanity. Our culture resists the concept of sin, but Scripture affirms its power and pervasiveness. Sin is not just an action—it is a condition that controls, spreads, and kills. Theological views may differ, but Romans 5 is clear: in Adam, all sinned. In Christ, believers receive the imputation of righteousness and the gift of eternal life. The gospel’s hope is simple: we are either in Adam under death, or in Christ under grace. To read the book of Romans, click here. Click here for other Michael Easley Sermons.

Summary In this sermon from Romans 5:9–11, Dr. Michael Easley explores the profound truth of reconciliation with God. Drawing from the story of Eric Lomax, a British POW who endured years of torture under Japanese captivity, Dr. Easley illustrates the unimaginable depth of forgiveness and reconciliation between bitter enemies. Lomax’s eventual reconciliation with his tormentor serves as a powerful picture of the greater reconciliation God offers to us. Paul reminds believers that through Christ’s death we are justified—declared righteous before God—and through His life we are reconciled, no longer enemies but friends of God. Dr. Easley explains the difference between justification, a legal declaration of righteousness, and reconciliation, a relational restoration to peace and friendship with God. Because Christ died for us while we were His enemies, we can be assured He will also save us as His friends. Dr. Easley challenges us to embrace the joyful confidence that comes from being reconciled to God. Our salvation is secure, not by our contributions but by Christ’s finished work. As reconciled enemies, we are called to live with humble confidence, rejoicing in the love and grace of God who declares us righteous and calls us His friends. Takeaways Through Christ’s death we are justified, declared righteous before God. Reconciliation goes beyond justification, restoring relationships between former enemies. Believers are assured they will escape God’s wrath through Christ. If God loved us enough to die for us as enemies, He surely saves us as His friends. Our salvation is secure in Christ’s finished work, not our own contributions. Reconciled enemies of God should live with joyful confidence and humble worship. To read the book of Romans, click here. Click here for other Michael Easley Sermons.

Summary In this sermon, Dr. Michael Easley teaches from Romans 5:6–8, reminding us that God has already proved His love in the most powerful way possible: through Christ’s death for sinners. Our experiences—pain, betrayal, loss, injustice—often whisper the lie that God does not love us. Yet Scripture tells us the opposite. Paul writes that while we were helpless, ungodly, and even enemies of God, Christ died for us. Dr. Easley contrasts God’s sacrificial love with human love, pointing out that while some may be willing to die for a good person, Christ died for the undeserving. This is love beyond comparison, a demonstration that cannot be undone by our circumstances or doubts. Dr. Easley reminds us that the cross is not only about physical suffering but about substitution—Jesus taking the full weight of God’s wrath in our place. The cross declares: “God loves you.” Regardless of how you feel or what you’ve endured, this truth stands firm. The only way to truly know God’s love is through trusting Christ—believing He lived, died, and rose again for you. Once for all, God has proved His love. Takeaways Our experiences often make us question God’s love, but Scripture assures us otherwise. Romans 5:6–8 shows that Christ died for us when we were helpless, ungodly, and sinful. Human love, even at its best, cannot compare to the sacrificial love of God. The cross demonstrates God’s love once for all, proving it beyond doubt. Jesus bore the wrath of God in our place—substitutionary atonement for sinners. The only way to know God’s love is by trusting Christ for salvation. To read the book of Romans, click here. Click here for other Michael Easley Sermons.

Summary In this sermon, Dr. Michael Easley teaches from Romans 5:1–5, highlighting three profound benefits of being justified by faith: peace with God, standing in grace, and hope in the glory of God. Before Christ, we were enemies of God—hostile and guilty. But through Jesus’ work, God not only forgives us, He declares us righteous and welcomes us into His presence. This peace is far more than the absence of conflict; it is a restored relationship with our Creator. We also stand in grace—a position we did not earn and cannot lose—offered solely through faith in Christ. Out of gratitude, our lives become a continual “thank You” to God, not an attempt to earn His favor. Finally, we boast in the hope of God’s glory. This hope sustains us through tribulation, producing perseverance, proven character, and deeper hope. Trials are not meaningless; they are God’s refining process, shaping us into what we could never become on our own. Because our hope is anchored in Him, it will never disappoint. Dr. Easley urges us to lift our eyes from life’s burdens to the eternal vistas God has promised—resting in the peace, grace, and hope only He provides. Takeaways: Justification by faith gives believers peace with God—a restored relationship, not just the absence of conflict. Before Christ, we were enemies of God, but through His work we are declared righteous and welcomed into His presence. Standing in grace means living in a permanent position of God’s favor, received through faith, not earned by works. Tribulations produce perseverance, which shapes proven character and strengthens our hope in God. God uses trials like a master craftsman tempers steel—refining us without breaking us. True hope in God will never disappoint because it is anchored in His glory, not our accomplishments. To read the book of Romans, click here. Click here for other Michael Easley Sermons.

Summary In this sermon, Dr. Michael Easley unpacks Romans 4, where Paul uses Abraham’s life to explain what it means to be justified by faith. Paul is resolute: we are justified by faith apart from works of the law. Looking at Abraham, Paul illustrates that true faith trusts God’s promises even when circumstances seem hopeless. Abraham faced the reality of his own limitations—his age, Sarah’s barrenness—yet believed in the God who gives life to the dead and calls into existence things that do not exist. This kind of faith glorifies God, not self, and rests fully on His promises rather than human effort. Dr. Easley challenges us to consider the nature of our faith. Are we trusting in our ability to believe, or in the object of our belief—Jesus Christ, who was delivered for our sins and raised for our justification? This passage calls us to turn from self-reliance and rest in the God who creates life from death and credits righteousness to all who believe in Him. Takeaways: We are justified by faith apart from works of the law, as seen in Abraham’s example. True faith trusts God’s promises even when circumstances seem impossible. God gives life to the dead and creates something out of nothing. Abraham’s faith glorified God, showing us that faith rests on God’s ability, not ours. Faith grows stronger as we understand the character and promises of God. Our justification rests on Christ’s death for our sins and His resurrection for our life. To read the book of Romans, click here. Click here for other Michael Easley Sermons.