Which Path Will You Choose
Romans 2:5-11
We like to think that anything is possible in life. We tell one another that whatever you want to do is possible as long as you are willing to work hard and stay at it. That is the predominant idea that we hear so much about when we are kids. The truth of the matter [...]
Defending The Indefensible
Romans 2:1-4
This is our ninth study of Paul’s letter to the church in Rome. In the first chapter of Romans we learned that we are “without excuse.” Paul says that God has revealed His eternal power and divine nature to us through what He has made. We can see the magnitude, beauty, and intricate design of [...]
You Know Better Than That
Romans 1:28-32
Last week we took a look at an aspect of God’s wrath that most of us were totally unfamiliar with. As I mentioned last week, when we hear about God’s wrath we automatically think about images of an apocalyptic nature–hailstones as large as trucks falling from the heavens, scorpions as big as horses, and the [...]
You Don’t Really Want What You Think You Want
Romans 1:24-28
We are strange creatures. We think that we know everything when in fact we don’t know much of anything. We think we know the right path when in reality we so easily mislead ourselves. We think that God is trying to rob us of life, of really living it up, when in reality we rob [...]
Empty Thoughts and Darkened Hearts
Romans 1:21-23
As we continue our study of Paul’s letter to the church in Rome today we have to remember where we have been so far in our study. If you will remember, our last few studies have focused on our current situation, we are living life under the wrath of God. The wrath of God is [...]
No Excuses!
Romans 1:18-21
We actually began the study of this section of Scripture last week by taking a look at the wrath of God. If you will remember God’s anger, or His wrath, is not like our anger. Our anger is oftentimes impulsive and explosive. God’s wrath is purposeful. God’s wrath is an expression of His love. God’s [...]
God of Wrath? God of Love?
Romans 1:18
God is love. Yes He is. Those three little words, “God is love,” have come to mean something in our day that is far, far from the biblical understanding of God’s love. In our day “God’s love” has come to mean that God turns a blind eye to our sin, He pats us on the [...]
The Power of God
Romans 1:16-17
When we began our study of Paul’s letter to the church in Rome I told you that this letter has been used by God to transform countless lives and spark revivals across the globe. One of the revivals, or maybe I should say, “reformations,” that came about because of the letter to the Romans is [...]
I’m Not Ashamed
Romans 1:16
I have a declaration to make this morning. A statement that I just can’t keep to myself. I have been pondering the possible repercussions my announcement could bring about. I have been considering the potential consequences of my disclosure. I’ve weighed the benefits of keeping it to myself against the cost of letting the cat [...]
We Have An Obligation To Fulfill
Romans 1:8-15
Paul had the heart of a missionary. He had a love for people that he did not know, he had a desire to go to places where he had never visited, and all of this was rooted in a deep sense of obligation that he felt towards all people. When we think of the word, [...]
The Good News of God
Romans 1:1-7
This week, in our study of Paul’s letter to the church in Rome, we are going to take a look at Romans 1:1-7. These seven verses, in large part, summarize the entire message that Paul wanted to communicate to the brothers and sisters in Rome. It is the “gospel of God,” the good news of [...]
Paul’s Letter To The Church in Rome
Today we are beginning a study of Paul’s letter to the church in Rome. There are 66 books in the Bible and yet I would say that more revivals of the soul can be traced to the book of Romans than to any other single book in God’s Word. Throughout history people like St. Augustine, [...]
My Help!
Romans 8:24-27
What is the one thing that we all need, but that we are so reluctant to ask for? I’m sure you could come up with many answers to that question, but the first thing that comes to my mind is “help.” When we find ourselves in a quandary, we need to ask for help. When [...]
“And One Last Thing…”
Romans 16:17-20
Wow! It has been quite a journey, but today our study of Romans is coming to a close. If I have counted right this is our 79th study in Paul’s letter to the church in Rome. That is crazy isn’t it? In a day when church gurus are telling preachers to keep their sermon series [...]
The Blessing in the Struggle
Romans 15:20-33
I’ve been thinking about the Apostle Paul’s words written to the church in Rome. I’ve thought about his unparalleled teaching, his deep understanding of the things of God, and his ability to communicate God’s truth to others. God had given Paul an ability to think, comprehend, and communicate godly truths like few who have ever [...]
Again and Again and Again
Romans 15:14-21
David Livingstone was born on March 19, 1813 in Blantyre, Scotland. His family was extremely poor, but they were passionately dedicated to Jesus Christ. David’s father, Neil, was a traveling tea salesman and Sunday school teacher who passed out Bible tracts as he sold tea. Neil would read the Bible to his children as well [...]
Set Your Sights
Romans 15:14-21
We hear a lot of talk today about setting goals. Goals are important, but it is important that we set the right kind of goals and know what it is going to take to realize those goals. Most people want to achieve something, but they want to experience the thrill of accomplishing something without paying [...]
The Offering
Mother’s Day 2010
Today is Mother’s Day and I’ve got to take this opportunity to share with the moms who are with us today. Mom, you are a treasure. You are a priceless treasure, a gift from God. You probably don’t hear “thank you” nearly enough. The selfless acts of service you offer over and over again for [...]
“He Gives So That We Can…”
Romans 15:1-6
“I can’t do this.” Those are words that I often hear, words that I’ve spoken from time-to-time. They are words that can paralyze us, persuade us, and pummel us at the bedrock of our soul. “I can’t do this” means that we have decided that it is time to place a “period” at a prescribed [...]
Lifting Up The Body of Christ
Romans 15:1-6
Just last Sunday we celebrated the glorious resurrection of our Savior. Easter Sunday is always a highlight for me, as I’m sure it is for you as well. This morning I want us to return to our study of Paul’s letter to the church in Rome. As we head back to Romans and begin our [...]
There’s No “I” in Team!
Romans 14:13-23
Any person who has ever played a team sport has heard their coach say, “There is no ‘I’ in team.” We’ve heard the phrase so much that it has become a cliché, but the phrase is absolutely true. If you have a line-up filled with individuals who put the team before their own goals and [...]
Unity in Times of Disagreement
Romans 14:1-12
Things got a little rough over at the “First Church of the Wholly Sanctified and Exclusively Saved” last year. There had been rough times in the past; the church had split at least three times in the fifty years since it had been born from a split over at “Jesus’ True Followers Christian Church,” but [...]