“We Belong to the Lord” Text: Romans 14:1-12 As we conclude our study in Romans, we look at what it means to live for the Lord and to die for the Lord. Paul’s concluding remarks help us to understand what it means to be the people of God, and how we are to live in…

“Overcoming Evil” Text: Romans 12:9-21 Paul begins to move toward practical teaching toward the conclusion of his letter. Here in Romans 12 he offers advice on how to relate to evil in the world around us. Recognizing that the Roman Christians were in conflict with their Empire, Paul tells them that they cannot overcome evil…

“Wild Olive Shoots” Text: Romans 11:1-6, 13-24 As we continue our journey through Romans, Paul writes about the unique relationship between Jews and Gentiles. We are reminded that we are “wild olive shoots,” grafted into the tree. Paul points out that the wild olive shoots can be cut off, and that the cultivated branches could…

“Children of the Promise” Text: Romans 9:1-8, 25-33 Paul helps us to understand how it is that gentiles can claim to be children of Abraham and heirs of the promise. We recognize that we obtain righteousness not by a pursuit of the law, but through faith. Pastor Jon reminds us that being children of the…

“The Spirit of Adoption” Text: Romans 8:12-25 What does it mean to call God “Abba, father”? Perhaps more importantly, what does it mean to recognize that we’ve been adopted–and that adoption comes with certain obligations and expectations? Pastor Jon continues our look at Paul’s letter to the Romans, considering the ways in which we may…

“An Easy Yoke” Text: Romans 7:12-25a Pastor Jon continues our journey through the book of Romans with a look at this often-misinterpreted text. While Paul is identifying the struggle of sin, he is not giving us permission to live in the struggle, nor is he suggesting that “wretchedness” is the normal condition of the Christian.…

“Alive in Christ” Text: Romans 5:20-6:11 In Romans 6, Paul calls us to be dead to ourselves, and to come alive in Christ. This truth shapes the way we live, the ways we relate to one another, the ways we utilize money, and even our wishes and dreams for our lives.  When we get Jesus…

“Pentecost: A Holy Interruption” Text: Numbers 11:24-30; Acts 2:1-21 Pastor Jon explores several of the ways in which God interrupts our lives: to call us from sin, to bring us back where we need to be, to interrupt our religious routines, and to put us to use in the Kingdom of God. As we celebrate…

Take Heart Text: I Peter 3:13-17; 4:12-19; John 16:33 As we hear stories of religious persecution around the world, we are reminded of some of the “famous last words” of Jesus – “In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world.”  Pastor Jon shares some modern stories of martyrs,…

“Taste and See” Text: I Peter 2:1-10 We continue our journey through the Easter Season with a closer look at I Peter 2:2-3. What does it mean to “taste and see that the Lord is good”? We crave pure spiritual milk. We grow up into our salvation. We help others discover where to find the…