Hosted by Pastors Jonathan Grellas and Stan Patterson · EN
Pastor Jonathan preaching from Romans 15:17-19a this morning: 17 Therefore I have reason to glory in Christ Jesus in the things which pertain to God. 18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient— 19 in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, ..." Today's passage teaches us that boasting is right as long as your boast is in the right place! Join us today as we learn what it means to boast in Christ Jesus and what great reasons the Apostle had for boasting in Him. Included in this message is important instruction about "signs and wonders" - what they are, their purpose, and if they are still in operation in the Church today. May the Lord bless you, Church, and cause you to boast in nothing but Him!
Text: Romans 15:14-16. 14 Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. 15 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written more boldly to you on some points, as reminding you, because of the grace given to me by God, 16 that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. There's a lot of confusion in churches today about what the church is and what her function is. Paul begins his closing remarks to the church at Rome by pointing out 3 marks of every healthy church: 1) a confident recognition of who the people of God are; 2) a constant reminding of the people of God about the Word of God and; 3) conscientious ministers who are mindful that their service is primarily to the LORD. It's in realizing who the Church is and what she is to do that the people of God are strengthened and fully prepared for the LORD's imminent return. Are you ready?
Text: Romans 15:10-12 10 And again he says: “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!” 11 And again: “Praise the LORD, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples!” 12 And again, Isaiah says: “There shall be a root of Jesse; And He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, In Him the Gentiles shall hope.” In quoting these Old Testament passages, the Apostle Paul shows us several reasons why the nations of the world (the Gentiles) GLORIFY GOD: 1) for Jesus Christ's work in us; 2) for our inclusion in the family of God; 3) for the wideness of our inclusion and; 4) for His amazing salvation in Christ. Join us today and test whether you are glorifying God in your spirit for the same reasons the Apostle identified in this text!
Text: Romans 15:7-10 7 Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God. 8 Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers, 9 and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written: “For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles, and sing to Your name.” 10 And again he says: “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!” In order for the Church to understand how to receive one another, we first need to understand how Christ received us. Paul expands our spiritual minds in today's text by teaching us that Christ's love is truly lavish. He is the Servant of all: 1) a Servant to the Jews; 2) a Servant to God and; 3) a Servant to the Gentiles.
Text: Romans 15:5-6 "Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." What are you passionate about? There is one passion that all the people of God share in common because the LORD puts it into our hearts: a passion for God's glory. The Apostle Paul demonstrates this passion by how he prays for the Church in today's text. He prays to the God who is the SOURCE and the MEANS and the GOAL of all things. Join us today as Pastor Jonathan shows what it means to be "like-minded toward one another" and how, specifically, we bring glory to God as we relate to one another in the Church.
Text: Romans 15:4b. In order for the Church to bear each other's burdens as the LORD commands, each of us must be instructed by the Scriptures. We must first learn patient endurance and then comfort, but we also need another key ingredient: hope. Do you have Gospel hope? Is your hope growing or languishing? What is it that can make your hope grow? Join us today as Pastor Jonathan explores this critical component of the glory of the Scriptures so that you are well-equipped to glorify God by pleasing your neighbor for his edification.
Text: Romans 15:4 "For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope." Nestled in his instruction on how we are to love one another in the Church by bearing one another's burdens, the Apostle Paul includes some vital instruction on the glory of the Scriptures. He reveals that all the Scriptures are ultimately for the benefit of the Church and they teach us patient endurance and offer us comfort. Join us today as Pastor Jonathan shows 1) the usefulness of the Scriptures and, 2) how they are instructive to the Church.
Text: Romans 15:1-3 We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. 3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.” The strong in the faith have a debt of love to pay toward the weaker in the faith: we are to bear them up! How do we do this? And why do we do this? Join us today as Pastor Jonathan shows us from the first three verses of Romans 15 with: 1) a word to the strong, 2) a word to all in the Church and, 3) the example for all to follow. May the Lord bless you all as you seek to do His will!
Text: Romans 14:20-23. As we close out Romans 14, the Apostle leaves the Church with some important instruction for how to thrive in the Kingdom of God. What does it mean to "destroy" the work of God? And, how can we avoid that? How can stronger Christians help weaker believers to come to the knowledge of the truth regarding all the "doubtful things" that we tend to argue about in the Church? The answers may surprise you. Pastor Jonathan preaching today.
There are two wonderful benefits that the Apostle Paul highlights which are true for everyone who serves Christ in His kingdom: 1) he is "acceptable" to God and, 2) he is "approved" by men. Both benefits, however, have a depth of understanding that goes far beyond a mere surface reading of the text. Join us today as Pastor Jonathan opens up more of the text so that your love and your worship of the King will abound more and more! Text: "For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men" (Romans 14:18).