New and Improved (Romans 8:1-17)
The Apostle Paul leads us from the struggles with sin to the amazing fact that in Christ we are forgiven and no longer condemned. In this new and improved reality we have all we need through the power of the Holy Spirit to be better; to be transformed. But we discover that we still need to cooperate with the Holy Spirit by tapping into the power He provides to overcome our human nature that is always there.WatchNotesDownloadDateTitle
- Apr 30, 2023New and Improved (Romans 8:1-17)
New and Improved (Romans 8:1-17)The Apostle Paul leads us from the struggles with sin to the amazing fact that in Christ we are forgiven and no longer condemned. In this new and improved reality we have all we need through the power of the Holy Spirit to be better; to be transformed. But we discover that we still need to cooperate with the Holy Spirit by tapping into the power He provides to overcome our human nature that is always there.
- Apr 23, 2023“The Great Struggle” (Romans 7:7-25)
“The Great Struggle” (Romans 7:7-25)
Paul reveals to his readers and to us that he understands how we each struggle to do what is right and we each feel guilty when we seem to wrestle with temptation. Sometimes we do give in and fail. How do we manage the battle in our hearts to be obedient to Christ? How do we reconcile our own failures? - Apr 16, 2023Extreme Spiritual Makeover (part 2 Romans 6:15-7:6)
Extreme Spiritual Makeover (part 2 Romans 6:15-7:6)
Paul uses imagery to reveal to his readers the freedom we have in Christ. We are free from the slave market of sin and free from the law and able to belong to Jesus. Sometimes we become complacent and think we can simply live life on our own terms and fix things with God later. This passage reminds us that we have amazing freedom to be all that God wants us to be in Jesus Christ. - Mar 26, 2023Extreme Spiritual Makeover (Part 1 – Romans 6:1-14)
Extreme Spiritual Makeover (Part 1 – Romans 6:1-14)
There is a misconception that since God is a God of grace it is ok to sin because God loves to forgive. The truth is that God's grace should be a motivating factor for each person that follows Jesus to change their lives. God is obviously not excited about our choosing sin, but he is excited about our desire to learn to be like Jesus. It takes a spiritual makeover to begin the journey of being like Jesus. - Mar 19, 2023A Tale of Two Men (Romans 5:12-21)
A Tale of Two Men (Romans 5:12-21)
Paul takes his readers through a compare and contrast scenario. He looks back at Genesis 3 and reveals that in Adam we were all subject to the ravages of sin that mars and destroys everything, and leads to death. But in contrast to Adam is Christ whose righteous act of dying on the cross has opened the door for all to receive God's grace and be declared righteous in God's sight. - Mar 12, 2023True Peace (Romans 5:1-11)
True Peace (Romans 5:1-11)
We all have different ideas when we think of the concept of peace. Often it accompanies the ideas of contentment or having all our material and relational needs met. In this passage, Paul outlines what it means to have peace with God. As we examine this passage may we each desire to have peace with God. We will discover it is the foundation of a purposeful daily life. - Mar 5, 2023No Earning Power (Romans 4:9-25)
No Earning Power (Romans 4:9-25)
Bridging the gap between Jew and Gentile, the Apostle Paul shows us that we cannot somehow earn our way into God's favor. He uses Abraham as his example who was put in an impossible situation and saw God come through in ways he could not have imagined. We have no earning power with God. We only have our faith. - Feb 19, 2023The Power of Siimple Belief (Romans 3:27-4:8)
The Power of Siimple Belief (Romans 3:27-4:8)
When God levels the playing field no one has the greater advantage. God is the God of all. He is not a God who plays favorites. We are introduced to the fact that the path to a relationship with God is found in believing God as he has revealed himself to us. There is power in simple belief. - Feb 12, 2023Only One Place To Turn (Romans 3.9-26)
Only One Place To Turn (Romans 3.9-26)
Paul reveals to his friends in Rome that in and of ourselves all of us, regardless of our heritage, backgound, good deeds, or religious rituals are not enough to earn God's righteousness. So God makes it possible for us. - Feb 5, 2023The Folly of Being Religious
The Folly of Being Religious
In this section, Paul continues his critique of the Jewish believers; the "spiritually privileged." He reveals to them, and to us, the fact that religious knowledge, rituals, and practices are empty if they are not turning our hearts to Christ. If my behaviors are not the result of deep heart change, then they are just empty actions. - Jan 29, 2023Fault Lines (Romans 2:1-16)
Fault Lines (Romans 2:1-16)
It is easy to point out the faults and failures of others. We see those very clearly. But it is more beneficial to consider our own faults. God is a God who holds us all to a high standard and he will call us all to a divine review of our lives. We are reminded that it is best to self evaluate and change as opposed to just pointing out the faults of those around us. - Jan 22, 2023No One Gets A Pass (Romans 1:18-32)
No One Gets A Pass (Romans 1:18-32)
The problem with sin is that it infects and destroys everyone and everything. In a very hard and disturbing section, Paul points out that humanity has constantly been moving away from God and his righteousness. While some may want to highlight specific verses, the fact is all are guilty of sin and there are no levels of importance to sin. Sin is sin, and God must deal with it. One way he chooses to deal with it is to sometimes allow humans to have what they think they want. - Jan 15, 2023We all need gospel all the time (Romans 1:1-17)
We all need gospel all the time (Romans 1:1-17)
Paul loved the Roman church and wanted to spend time with them. He wanted them to know how much we all need "gospel." Needing gospel is more than just the basic news of Jesus dying for our sins, it is the life after that initial belief. We all need to discover, daily, how to live out the faith that we claim to have as a result of the good news of Jesus. - Jan 8, 2023Beginning at the End (Romans 16)
Beginning at the End (Romans 16)
It seems odd to begin at the end. It is the stuff of “spoilers.” Ancient letters listed their greetings at the end of the letter. Following the advice of one New Testament scholar, we begin our study of Romans by looking at the people to whom the letter was written. Having descriptions of real people in mind will help us think about this letter in terms of a practical theology. So, in this sermon, we begin at the end