The Big Story
Stories are how we often make sense of ourselves and the world around us. We grow up hearing bedtime stories, watch and read movies and literature centered on stories. There are many stories but is there one central story of the world? The book of Romans tells us the Big Story about man’s origin, our tragic fall, the great redemption and final restoration. God’s story answers our greatest questions and gives us a stunning hope of all that is to come.
8.15.21 | The Community of the King | Romans 1:8-17
The Story of God isn’t simply that he’s rescuing individuals and giving them meaning, but that He’s calling together a disparate group from all nations to become the new people of God. God’s community is authentic, deeply encouraging and diverse. God’s people show a divided world, the wonder of God’s purifying grace.
8.22.21 | Sunday Worship Service: The Problem of Man and the Power of God | Romans 1:18-32
Our world is a very dark place filled with conflict and anger. Why is the world so broken? Romans shows us the explanatory power of sin which diagnoses our true problem. But Romans also shows us hope to overcome the greatest evil and give us a powerful hope.
8.29.21 | Romans 2 | Why Religious People Make the World Worse
Why is the world so broken? Earlier the Apostle Paul makes the case that the world is unhinged because we’ve worshipped God’s creation instead of the Creator. But Paul follows this up with the argument that religious people don’t do any better; in fact they make the world worse! Their judgmental spirit, hypocrisy and obsession with appearances make God’s name a laughingstock amongst non-believers. In contrast true Christianity is a faith of humility, truth and a life changed by the power of the Spirit.
9.5.21 | Romans | The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
We have a tendency to play down our faults and focus exclusively on the positive. But the Apostle Paul gives us a sober look at the brokenness of our world and every individual. Only by seeing the bad news can we be electrified by the stunning goodness of God. Sin cannot overshadow the grace of God that He offers to anyone who will receive it by faith.
Guest Speaker: Pastor Dan Anderson, Union Rescue Mission
9.12.21 | Matthew 8:1-4 | Being the Hands & Feet of Jesus
Jesus physically ascended into heaven and sent the Spirit to earth to indwell his people that we might be his representatives on planet earth.
What does it look like to BE the Hands & Feet of Jesus? Whatever that is… are we ready to DO it?
9.19.21 | Sunday Worship Service: Faith Alone | Romans 4
Many people think that the way to God from the Old Testament to now is faithful obedience to God’s laws. But Paul makes the argument that ever since the beginning, the way to God is through faith alone. All you need to get right with God is need. Faith simply looks away from our own goodness and relies absolutely on the goodness of God
9.26.21 | Sunday Worship Service: Peace With God | Romans 5:1-11
Many of us are filled with anxiety and uncertainty over our future and we doubt God’s love and provision. The letter to the Romans church fills us with great confidence that we can have peace with God based entirely on his finished work in Christ. We can now live a life of present peace, joy and profound hope in the glory of God that awaits us.
10.3.21 | Sunday Worship Service: United To Christ | Romans 5:12-21
Many of us might feel like we are independent and control our own destinies. But we’re all tied to our family history, our genetics and our upbringing in some way. Romans tells us that by birth we’re connected to Adam and his ruinous choices. But the Good News is that there is a Second Adam who has come to undo Adam’s work and bring genuine liberation and grace. By faith, we can be united to Christ and his better story of grace.
10.10.21 | Sunday Worship Service: Dying To Live | Romans 6
Many Christians exploit the seeming loophole of grace: If God forgives all my sin, why can’t I sin all I want? But this attitude betrays a misunderstanding of the nature of sin. Sin leads to addiction, shame and ultimately death. The Good News is that God can set us free from sin’s tyranny and brings a lifestyle of freedom and joy.
10.17.21 | Sunday Worship Service: The Freedom of the Spirit | Romans 7:7-8:7
Many religious people are driven to do good by fear and guilt. This way of life not only leads to burnout but is also ineffective in bringing about change. The Apostle Paul teaches us that we can be free from guilt and shame by taking hold of the gospel and by being led by the Spirit. Life in the Spirit is a life of power and peace.
10.24.21 | Sunday Worship Service: The Hope Of Glory | Romans 8:14-27
All of us are ultimately driven by hope. We can’t bear to live another day if we don’t have hope in the days ahead. Romans 8 tells us that we have the greatest hope as we’ll one day be revealed as children and heirs of God. This present suffering will give way to unspeakable glory.
10.31.21 | Sunday Worship Service: The Everlasting Love of God | Romans 8:28-39
All of us are ultimately driven by hope. We can’t bear to live another day if we don’t have hope in the days ahead. Romans 8 tells us that we have the greatest hope as we’ll one day be revealed as children and heirs of God. This present suffering will give way to unspeakable glory.