How does a Christian stay faithful to Christ in a difficult political world? How does the Church respond to political persecution or political crisis? Paul has important words for us on this ever-relevant topic.
Paul has shared with us how to stay healthy within the walls of the church, but what about when we interact with the world? How do we handle persecution? How do we love our enemy? Paul shows what it really looks like to be a part of a culture that truly can change the world....and did!
Paul knows that the most important part of the Church is not their gifting, but their genuine love for one another. This love is what will keep the new Church together. He now explains what that genuine love looks like.
Paul shifts his focus from inner transformation to the community of the Church. The healthier the community, the deeper the transformation. In order to be a healthy Christian, being a part of a healthy church is vital.
Now that Paul has established the Church of Jesus Christ as the new Israel, how are these Jews and Gentiles meant to interact with one another? Paul goes back to the beginning. Before our actions can change, our heart must be transformed.
(Sunday Sermon) - In one of the most famous passages of Scripture, Jesus shows us two things: Who we truly worship, and who He truly is.
(Youth Camp Sermon) - We end our time in the 7 Churches of Revelation with the only 2 churches that Jesus does not correct. Philadelphia & Smyrna are in deep trouble with the world. Some of them are even about to die. But Jesus goes with them, even into death, and He will bring them out again.
(Youth Camp Sermon) - The Churches at Pergamum and Thyatira relate to our own day and age perfectly. While both churches are doing several things right, they struggle in 2 main areas: sexual immorality and idolatry of politics. The American Church has much to learn from these two groups.
(Youth Camp Sermon) - The 7 Churches of Revelation begin with Ephesus. They are a church that is doing many things right, but idolatry has crept in and hardened their heart. Could the same be true of us?
What should a Church stand on? What should a Christian build their life on? What did Jesus think about the Bible? Ryan walks us through the importance of God's Word.
Paul concludes this section of Romans reminding us of God's beautiful, incredible plan for the resurrection of Israel. Jew and Gentile alike, all who put their faith in Christ get to be a part of this breathtaking plan of God.
Paul continues to explain to the Jews that God has not abandoned them. In fact, He is showing grace to the Gentiles as part of an even bigger plan: to draw the Jewish people back and create a new, better, multiethnic people of God.
Israel has turned their back on God, but has God turned His back on Israel? By no means! Paul shows in these opening verses that God is dealing with New Israel the same way that He always has: through keeping a faithful remnant for Himself.
The encounter between Jacob and Esau is one of the most unexpected meetings in the entire Bible. Esau's forgiveness is so surprising to us. But as Christians, how surprised should we really be?
Paul spends the back half of Romans chapter 10 explaining to Jewish unbelievers that the problem is not with the Gospel, but with their rejection of this Good News.
What is the Gospel? How can someone who is sinful actually gain eternal life? Paul unpacks the very heart of the Good News as we begin Romans chapter 10.
We close this chapter of the Bible with the very heart of the Gospel itself. How do I get right with God? How can someone be declared Righteous before Him? Israel has failed to do this. But Paul has news about the end of Israel. And from this tragedy, comes the best news in the history of the world.
The Potter and the Clay. It is one of the most important texts in Romans chapter 9. This text is filled with the hope of God's sovereignty over and God's patience with stubborn clay.
If God is sovereign why should we evangelize?
Where does our "will" factor into salvation?
And what about Pharaoh's hard heart?
All this and more on a very important Thursday night in Romans chapter 9!
Is God just and fair in all that He does? Sometimes it does not seem like it. But what Paul shows us in this important passage is that God is in fact fairer and even more merciful than we can possibly imagine.
