Grace’s Latest Messages
Genuine Love (Romans 12:9-13)
A while back, someone gave me a Bible that I just love. The cover is made of super soft leather, the pages are thin but strong, and the print is nice and sharp. Inside the cover, there's a little stamp that says "genuine leather."
That word genuine stuck with me. It's not fake; it's the real deal.
This Week at Grace, we're continuing in Romans 12:9-13, where Paul talks about what genuine love looks like. Not just words or good intentions, but the kind of love that's real, honest, and shows up in how we live. The kind that makes a difference in how we treat each other, how we care for people, and how we reflect Jesus.
I'm excited to continue learning and growing as we offer ourselves to God together.
-Pastor Chris
Romans 12:9-13
9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
Use Your Gifts (Romans 12:3-8)
"Do you know your spiritual gifts?"
This question has been popular in evangelical Christianity throughout the past fifty years or so. And with good reason - the New Testament describes spiritual gifts as being one way that God provides for His people.
But how we talk about spiritual gifts in the church does not always match the beauty and fullness of what the New Testament describes. Too often they are reduced to an assessment inventory and a call to then join a ministry team ("Do you have the gift of mercy? Become a Children's Ministry volunteer! Actually, whatever gift you have, join Children's Ministry!")
There's nothing wrong with (most) spiritual gifts inventories or with matching our gifts to service, but there has to be something more spiritual about spiritual gifts, doesn't there?
This week at Grace, we're looking at Romans 12:3-8, one of the longest passages in the Bible about spiritual gifts. In this passage, Paul puts spiritual gifts in the context of what it means to be human - to have an accurate self-assessment of what is (and is not) possible for our lives, to need one another, and to offer something to each other.
When we look at spiritual gifts in a broad view of the message of Romans as a whole, I hope that we can find joy, peace, and delight in using our spiritual gifts for ministry.
In Christ,
Pastor Bob
Romans 12:3-8
3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
Understanding the Will of God (Romans 12:2)
Thank you to everyone who came out last Sunday for Grace at the Beach! We had close to 400 people come to the worship service, way more than we expected (which you probably noticed if you were one of the people standing in the back - sorry about that!).
This week we're back inside the building at Grace and we're covering Romans 12:2. (Yep, just one verse). Why such a short passage? Because it contains a myriad of corrections to our current moment and is so incredibly relevant to our lives 2,000 years after it was written.
Paul warns his readers that conforming to the world may be tempting, but it will never put us in line with the will of God. Interestingly, Paul from worldly conformity in the form of a metaphor - something pressing on us from the outside-in, a distortion of what we were truly made to be.
Conformity won't bring us in line with the will of God. Instead, Paul says that we need to experience the renewal of our minds. How does that transformation happen? Why is it described as a renewal? Why is the mind where this should happen?
Looking forward to talking about it this Sunday with you at Grace!
In Christ,
Pastor Bob
Romans 12:2
2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Baptism and the Christian Life (Romans 12:1-2)
This week at Grace... we're not at Grace!
This Sunday's only worship service will be at 10 am at Eisenhower Park in Seal Beach, the grassy area right next to the Pier and the beach on 8th and Ocean.
The reason we're having Grace at the Beach is to celebrate baptisms in the Pacific Ocean. Before we walk down to the coast, though, we will have a full worship service outside in our community, giving us a chance as a church to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ in word, song, and action.
As part of this open air worship service, we're continuing through Romans this Sunday with one of my favorite passages and one that is perfect for baptism - Romans 12:1-2. Paul exhorts his listeners to consider carefully how the mercy of God calls for a response, and that the only reasonable response is to offer our whole selves back to God as a living sacrifice.
That response is what baptism is all about. So whether you are being baptized or you have been a Christian for years, may this Sunday be a time of renewing your commitment to Jesus!
See you Sunday at Grace at the Beach!
In Christ,
Pastor Bob
PS. The weather forecast is very promising - a high of 75 degrees and minimal waves in the ocean. Also, we've rented chairs for the worship service, so no need to bring your own this year.
Romans 12:1-2
1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
The Mystery of Salvation (Romans 11:25-36)
If God told you everything you wanted to know about the future, what sort of person would you become?
This week at Grace, we're continuing in Romans 11 with a (very contested) passage that includes a peak behind the curtain of the future. Romans 11:26 provocatively claims that "All Israel will be saved."
We'll talk on Sunday about the various ways that Christians have understood Paul's claim here. (The only thing we need to figure out is what he means by "All," "Israel," and "Saved," not to mention when this "will be." Not exactly as easy as it sounds...)
But in addition to the debate, it's worth noticing what impact this theological insight has on Paul's soul - it moves him to humility (v. 33 - "How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!") and to worship (v. 36 - "For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.")
Let's be the same sort of people - learning God's Word not to be conceited or proud, but in order to be full of humility and worship.
In Christ,
Pastor Bob
Romans 11:25-36
25 Lest you be wise in your own sight, I do not want you to be unaware of this mystery, brothers: a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And in this way all Israel will be saved, as it is written,
“The Deliverer will come from Zion,
he will banish ungodliness from Jacob”;
27 “and this will be my covenant with them
when I take away their sins.”
28 As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake. But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. 29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30 For just as you were at one time disobedient to God but now have received mercy because of their disobedience, 31 so they too have now been disobedient in order that by the mercy shown to you they also may now receive mercy. 32 For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.
33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord,
or who has been his counselor?”
35 “Or who has given a gift to him
that he might be repaid?”
36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
Grafted In: The Story of Gentiles in the Church (Romans 11:11-24)
I love to travel.
Wherever we go, I want to find out the history of the people who lived there and experience life from their eyes. I've been lucky enough to get to spend time in Italy, Japan, Sierra Leone, France, and elsewhere that has enlarged my perspective on the world.
But when my family went to Sweden a couple of years ago, it was different. It was the first time I went to the homeland of my grandparents. These weren't other people's stories, food, and land; these were our stories, food, and land.
Well, most of us in the family, anyways. Becca was enthusiastic, but she's only a Swede by marriage. She has no memory of her grandmother serving pepparkaka or dressing up as Santa Lucia.
But now, these stories become hers because she has been brought into a people. (And vice versa - I enjoy learning about her family's participation in the Revolutionary War and eating Stack Cake, too).
This week at Grace, we're covering Romans 11:11-24. In this passage Paul explains why Gentiles can participate in the blessings of Israel - why their stories can be our stories, too. Additionally, Paul describes the blessings and warnings that both Gentiles and Israelites can be for one another.
By studying this passage together, I hope that it will help us better understand how to live in community together, and to delight in the faithfulness of God.
Look forward to seeing you Sunday at Grace!
In Christ,
Pastor Bob
11 So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather, through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. 12 Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusionmean!
13 Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry 14 in order somehow to make my fellow Jews jealous, and thus save some of them. 15 For if their rejection means the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance mean but life from the dead? 16 If the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, so is the whole lump, and if the root is holy, so are the branches.
17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root of the olive tree, 18 do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you.19 Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. 22 Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off. 23 And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God has the power to graft them in again. 24 For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree.
Romans 11:11-24
Where to Find Hope (Romans 11:1-6)
Have you ever felt like you were the only one?
Being a Christian can feel lonely sometimes. Maybe it's in your family, or in your workplace, or at school.
What do we do with such alienation?
This week at Grace, we're in Romans 11:1-10. Paul is continuing his response to the question, "If Jesus is really the Messiah of Israel, why didn't Israel embrace him more?" In this section, he's focused on the role of the remnant of Israel as a proof of God's faithfulness.
Paul's hope is that by re-focusing our attention away from who has rejected Christ and toward those who have responded to Him, we will grow in our faith and trust in the faithfulness of God.
Let's do that together this Sunday.
In Christ,
Pastor Bob
I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? 3 “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.” 4 But what is God's reply to him? “I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” 5 So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. 6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.
Romans 11:1-6
Why Missions (Romans 10:14-17)
"Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you." - John 20:21.
In this brief yet profound statement, Jesus commissioned His followers to continue His mission, a call that is still relevant to us today.
This week at Grace, we are honored to have Pastor Steve Williams continue our study of Romans. He will walk us through Romans 10:14-17, where the Apostle Paul emphasizes the crucial role of missions in spreading the Gospel.
As we prepare our hearts for worship, it's a great time to reflect on the missionaries we support as a church. These dedicated individuals and families have answered the call to go into the world, often in challenging and distant places, to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to those who have yet to hear it.
Let's come together this Sunday with a renewed commitment to Christ's mission!
-Pastor Chris
“14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”
Romans 10:14-17
Salvation: Yours in Christ Jesus (Romans 10:5-13)
Growing up I had a habit of tinkering with things. If our house phone wasn’t working, I’d grab a screwdriver and open it up. If a door or a piece of furniture seemed off, I might try to deconstruct it and figure out what was wrong.
This lead to many headaches for my parents growing up – and it wasn’t until I had tinkered around and messed something up for the umpteenth time that my aunt had affectionately and empathetically told me, “You have the Cardenas touch”. She was alluding to something that my family on my mom’s side had historically done… sought out to fix something and in return, we’d make it worse.
It reminds me of the old adage, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
This Sunday in Romans we’re going to be looking further into the way the Israelites tried to fix something that didn’t need help at all – our salvation in Christ! In our message we’ll spend time looking into how a works-based righteousness kept Paul’s listeners from seeing and savoring the beauty of the gospel message, namely that Christ is our RIGHTEOUSNESS!
Looking forward to being with you all this Sunday!
- Jason
5 For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. 6 But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Romans 10:5-13
By Faith Alone (Romans 9:30-10:4)
Do you remember the ad campaign, "There's no wrong way to eat a Resse's peanut butter cup"?
(I'm sorry if I just made you crave candy. Small price to pay for a sermon illustration).
The basic premise behind the ad was that all ways to eat the candy were equally valid. And that may be true when it comes to candy, but it's not when it comes to relationships with people and it's especially not true of our relationship with God.
This week at Grace we're continuing in the book of Romans with 9:30-10:4. In this passage, Paul provides a second answer to the question, "Why didn't Israel respond to their Messiah?" But now he shifts from focusing on God's responsibility (9:1-29) to human responsibility (the theme of chapter 10).
And in that human responsibility he identifies three key distinctions that make all the difference in our spiritual life:
- The Law without faith
- Zeal without knowledge
- Righteousness without Christ
These temptations were the stumbling block for many in Paul's day, and they could be for us today. I'm looking forward to talking about them with you this Sunday!
In Christ,
Pastor Bob
30 What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; 31 but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. 32 Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, 33 as it is written,
“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”
10:1 Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
- Romans 9:30 – 10:4
Questioning God (Romans 9:14-21)
"It's God's fault!"
When we are upset about something either happening or not happening, we tend to want to find someone to blame.
Should we ever blame God?
This week at Grace, we're in Romans 9:14-29, one of the most emotionally challenging paragraphs in the New Testament. It's not that it's tough to understand, but tough to accept.
The passage deals with objections Paul expects after describing the way that God calls people to salvation. Is it just that God does this? What does it say about how He will treat us in the future? How should we relate to Him?
Let's work through it together this Sunday at Grace!
In Christ,
Pastor Bob
14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means! 15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” 18 So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.
19 You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” 20 But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” 21 Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use?
- Romans 9:14-21
What Went Wrong? (Romans 9:1-13)
This week at Grace we're starting the next big section of our year-long series in Romans. Romans 9-11 raises some questions we might have, but be uncomfortable talking about, such as:
Why don't more people respond to the gospel?
Why doesn't God just save everyone?
Why did God invest so much into Israel throughout the whole Old Testament, only to have them reject the Messiah? What does that say about God?
What is our role in announcing the gospel to people who might not want to hear it?
What is the future for Israel?
I've got to be honest: these chapters don't match the soaring prose of Romans 8 or the direct personal application of Romans 12.
Perhaps because of that, they're often skipped over in sermon series or in personal Bible reading. Let's not do that! Everything in Scripture is useful for us, and while these questions might be uncomfortable, they are honest and important. I hope that as we wrestle with God's word together, it can shape our mind and hearts to love Jesus more.
In Christ,
Pastor Bob
I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. 4 They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. 5 To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.
6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, 7 and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. 9 For this is what the promise said: “About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son.” 10 And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, 11 though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls— 12 she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” 13 As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”
- Romans 9:1-13
God's Inseparable Love (Romans 8:35-39)
This week at Grace, we will conclude Romans 8 with some of the most comforting verses in the whole Bible. Paul assures everyone who is in Christ that nothing "will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
I've included three songs below that we sing here at Grace to prepare our hearts for this beautiful passage. Each song has a link if you'd like to listen, and I've included some relevant lyrics to meditate on.
Praying for you,
- Pastor Chris
In Christ Alone | Verse 4
No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand
He Will Hold Me Fast | Verse 3
For my life He bled and died
Christ will hold me fast
Justice has been satisfied
He will hold me fast
Raised with Him to endless life
He will hold me fast
'Til our faith is turned to sight
When He comes at last!
All Sufficient Merit | Verse 4
All sufficient merit, firm in life and death
The joy of my salvation shall be my final breath
When I stand accepted before the throne of God
I'll gaze upon my Jesus, and thank Him for the cross
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,
“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
If God is For Us (Romans 8:31-34)
"If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31b)
What a brilliant and memorable way to think about the Christian life!
(By the way, I feel like every week in Romans 8 I say some form of, "One of the most famous verses in the Bible." I don't know what to tell you - Romans 8 is an amazing chapter).
This week at Grace, we'll be continuing through Romans 8, looking at verses 31-34. It is a fitting crescendo on all that Paul has been describing about the gospel in the first eight chapters of Romans.
If God is for us (and everything we see in the gospel shows that He is), then our experiences of opposition, accusation and condemnation in this world are fleeting, at best.
This is, of course, very different from how we experience the world on a day to day basis. We may organize our lives around avoiding opposition or criticism, and act as if the opinions of people around us matter more than God's opinion.
Do you recognize a need for more gospel-confidence in your life? Are you letting the critical voices of people in this world crowd out the approval of God through Christ?
Let's talk about it Sunday at Grace.
In Christ,
Pastor Bob
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.
- Romans 8:31-34
The Golden Chain (Romans 8:28-30)
Romans 8:28 is one of the best loved verses in the Bible: "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."
It's been referred to as a pillow for the head of the Christian, something we can rest on when we are weary and hurting.
The challenge, of course, is one of faith: How can we know that this amazing verse is true? It sure seems like there is a lot of senseless suffering in the world; why should we trust that God would truly work all things together for good?
This week at Grace, we're going to talk about the two verses that follow v. 28 that explain our reason for faith, and why we can rest our head on the pillow of verse 28. In verses 29-30 (what one Reformer called the "Golden Chain" of salvation), we find a sure and solid bedrock for our faith and assurance of God's work in our lives.
Look forward to seeing you Sunday at Grace!
In Christ,
Pastor Bob
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
- Romans 8:28-30
The Spirit at Work in Our Lives (Romans 8:26-28)
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you were either asked or felt lead to pray for someone else and you couldn’t think of the right words to say?
Or maybe you felt lead to pray for something that’s been troubling you in your life and have been at a loss for words.
One of the topics that we’ll be jumping into this weekend will bring us to the realization that we have the Holy Spirit actively involved in empathizing and even praying with us!
My hope is that this knowledge that we have in God will bring us encouragement in our everyday lives. However, I also want to preface this… our passage this week can be tremendously encouraging as we look into one of the more popular verses of the Bible (Romans 8:28). But, one of the challenges that we’ll find is that trusting in God to work things together for good requires us to know a couple of things: (1) who God is and (2) what makes us apt to trust Him when things don’t seem to be working out for “good”?
I am looking forward to getting into this passage with you all this Sunday!
See you soon!
Jason
26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
- Romans 8:26-28
What Are You Waiting For (Romans 8:18-25)
What's the best trade you ever made?
Maybe it's not Jack and the Beanstalk level, but most of us can remember coming out on the better side of a trade at some point.
At the core of a good trade is the recognition that you are giving up something less than that which you're receiving.
This week at Grace, we're going to talk about Romans 8:18-25. It's a passage about a trade - giving up something less weighty for something more weighty.
To our surprise, though, the "less weighty" thing is our experiences of suffering in this life. What could possibly be a good trade for suffering? Let's talk about it this Sunday.
In Christ,
Pastor Bob
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
- Romans 8:18-25
Heirs of God (Romans 8:12-17)
This week at Grace, we're talking about what it means to be adopted by God. For the great Anglican theologian, J.I. Packer (who led the translation of the ESV Bible we use in worship most Sundays), the doctrine of adoption is a mirror to our understanding of the gospel of Jesus:
If you want to judge how well a person understands Christianity, find out how much he makes of the thought of being God’s child, and having God as his Father. If this is not the thought that prompts and controls his worship and prayers and his whole outlook on life, it means that he does not understand Christianity very well at all... Our understanding of Christianity cannot be better than our grasp of adoption.”
In Romans 8:12-17, Paul describes the way that the Spirit speaks to us of our adoption as heirs of God, and co-heirs with Christ. It is a truly mind-boggling passage, and one worth reflecting on often.
Looking forward to listening to God's Word with you this Sunday at Grace!
In Christ,
Pastor Bob
12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
- Romans 8:12-17
Two Ways to Live (Romans 8:5-11)
Have you ever heard someone ask this question: "What kind of Christian are you?"
Sometimes they mean what denomination or type of church you attend. Other times they want to know how significant your faith is to you, and whether you are observant or merely culturally a Christian.
The truth is, the Bible doesn't make this sort of distinction. This week at Grace, we'll be in Romans 8:5-11. It describes two ways to live - in the flesh or in the Spirit.
I hope that this passage will help you to understand how to live your life in a distinctively Christian way.
Looking forward to seeing you at Grace this Sunday!
In Christ,
Pastor Bob
5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
- Romans 8:5-11
Surrender to Love (Luke 15:1-32)
The parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) is memorable because of the reckless living of the younger son and the obstinate nature of the older son, but especially because of the lavish love of the father.
If there’s no condemnation for us because of Christ - like we heard from Romans 8 last week - what then is left for us?
Love.
See you Sunday!
Pastor Tim
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”
3 So he told them this parable: 4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
8 “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.
17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.
25 “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”
- Luke 15:1-32