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Romans
“God matters most, but people matter to God”. This quote by Professor Michael Defazio sums up the main purpose of this final chapter of Romans. To read this chapter merely as a list of names is more than just a misreading of the final chapter, it is to miss the point of the whole letter. Throughout Romans Paul has called for unity within the church, founded upon God’s love. Romans 16 proves to us that Paul practices what he preaches.
In chapters 15 and 16 Paul brings his letter to the Romans to its completion. He urges the church to be unified so that together we can praise and serve the King of Kings. The unity Jesus calls for is one that crosses cultural and ethnic barriers, it is one that demands forgiveness, repentance, and grace. It requires relinquishing “rights” so as to pursue peace. It is not a journey for the faint of heart, and indeed, can only be accomplished by the power of the Holy Spirit, which Christ as our example.
Paul challenges the Roman church to address several issues specific to its effective ministry and representation of the Gospel. One commentator has described this section of scripture as “How to (not) hurt the church”. Join us as we learn more about being the people of God that Christ empowers us to become.
Paul courageously addresses a fractured church, struggling with both internal strife as well as opposition from the state authorities. In chapter 12 Paul presented an unpopular proclamation: as far as it is up to you, live in peace with everyone. In chapter 13 he will push that even further, including obedience to the ruling authorities of government. The reason for this humble position? Because we, as followers of Christ, are to be known by our love - love within the church, love expressed to those outside the church, and even love for our enemies.
We begin today our study on the “How to” section of Romans. Paul has spent the previous 11 chapters discussing the heady theology of the Gospel, but it is here in chapter 12 that he breaks down the pragmatics of what it all means. How do we, in fact, live as the Body of Christ? Spoiler alert: As with every human relationship, the key components are cooperation and forgiveness. Join us as we discover how it is that we are to live as Christ’s representatives here on earth.
Have you ever found yourself searching so earnestly for something that you failed to see when it was right in front of you? Paul tells us that is exactly what we do when we seek to win God’s acceptance by living the “perfect” life. Ultimately we end up failing to see his grace has been in front of us the whole time. Come and join us as we together we receive the hope and love of Christ he has freely offered to all.
NOTE: Due to a YouTube glitch, the date on the sermon shows as July 16, but this page links to the July 23 sermon.
Is our fate predetermined? Has God elected only some of us for salvation, leaving the rest to face hell and damnation? Romans 9 is a hard chapter to understand, especially if read separated from the rest of the letter of Romans and out of context from the whole of scripture. Come to the sermon today prepared to think deeply about a complex topic, and one that has divided the theologically minded people of God for quite some time - predestination vs. free will - which is it? (Spoiler - Pastor Tim thinks it’s both!)
God is for you. In all things, through all things, God is on your side. That truth is what Romans 8 is all about. Join us as we study this important passage of God’s Word.
Romans Chapter 7 ends with this powerful and famous passage of Paul’s: "Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.” In the sermon today, Paul picks up on this idea of how exactly God accomplishes this rescue. Join us as we discover what the first half of Roman’s 8 has to say about life transformation.
