church bulletin and pastor's manuscript

These help keep our congregation informed about upcoming church events, exciting updates, and important information. Plus, it includes Sermon Notes that complement the message, making it easier for everyone to reflect and connect. Stay informed and inspired as we grow together in faith!

(Weekly Updates are complied and uploaded by Friday morning. Pastor's manauscript by Morning after the sermon.)

The Epistle to the Romans

Living Behind a Façade…

Romans 12:4-8

3.23.2025


Living Behind a Façade…


In Romans 12:4-8, the Apostle Paul uses the analogy of a body with many parts to illustrate that, despite our differences, Christians are all part of one body in Christ, united in Christ (cf. Eph 4:1-16), and each possesses unique and different gifts (grace) to serve and benefit the whole community (cf. 1 Cor 12:1-11). 


But when we consider Romans 12:1 and verses one through three, are we living a life of freedom in Christ as a living sacrifice open to the movement of God’s will? 


This passage provides an overview of spiritual gifts, highlighting the significance of serving and utilizing our gifts to strengthen the church and support one another. 


Note: "Cf." is short for the Latin word "confer" or "conferatur," both meaning "compare." 




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The Epistle to the Romans

Love in Action

Romans 12:9-21

3.30.2025


Love in Action...


Have you ever had one of those days, weeks, months..

Not everything is cut and dry.


Sometimes you feel like you're going the wrong way on a one-way track.

And it seems no one can help.

You're in too deep; there's no way out...

This time.

This time you have led yourself astray.


If you bought a ticket for a runaway train, there is hope.  There is a different direction...


It may not seem like it  or even read like it

The words of Romans 12:9-21 point the way...



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The Epistle to the Romans

Governing Authorities

Romans 13:1-7

4.6.2025


In the Queue...


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The Epistle to the Romans

Living Sacrifice

Romans 12:1-2

3.2.2025


Romans 12:1-2 (NASB), "I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your [b]spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."


This verse is like a stretch goal...


A "stretch goal" is essentially a goal that "stretches" your capabilities to achieve more than expected.

It is an objective that goes beyond what is normally considered achievable, designed to push individuals, teams, or organizations to strive for growth by reaching for something outside their comfort zones:

This is being intentional; unlike regular goals, stretch goals are meant to be challenging and require extra effort.


The Epistle to the Romans

Beyond Self

Romans 12:3

3.9.2025


First 3 verses of Romans 12:


Verse 1, Preparation: 

 "Reasonable" means "logical." It makes sense to let God direct our lives.


Verse 2, Worship:

God leads us in very natural ways when we make ourselves available to Him.


Verse 3 Service: Good comes from God.

When we read verse 3 of Romans 12, think of both 1 Corinthians 4:7, Ephesians 2:8,9


The essence of Romans 12, verse 3 lies not in placing ourselves above others in terms of importance or value; rather, it emphasizes the act of honoring fellow believers.


“The foundation of Christian practice must be laid in Christian knowledge and faith. We must first understand how we receive Christ Jesus the Lord, and then we shall know better how to walk in him.” ~Matthew Henry


The Epistle to the Romans

Engaging Worship

Romans 12:4

3.16.2025


Engaging Worship: One Body in the Spirit of Unity 


Apostle Paul urged Christians to live as sacrifices—to offer their everyday lives to God as an ongoing act of worship. Previous verses made clear that this would require transforming our minds and perspectives. By doing so, we can understand God's wants and be ready to help achieve His purposes.


As we live as an ongoing act of worship, we cannot help but notice the apparent prosperity of the wicked and the struggles of the righteous. Psalm 73 reminds us of the need to trust God's ultimate plan, even when earthly circumstances seem unfair. 


To understand a deeper life dedicated to worship, it is essential to consider three key elements and forms of worship. The three elements are found in the first part of Romans 12, while the forms of worship include physical, corporate, and ideal…


The picture chosen for this message is from a mural series by Charles Sprague Pearce in the Library of Congress's Thomas Jefferson Building (North Corridor, Great Hall) is titled "Religion.” These murals represent the phases of a well-ordered life, specifically the role and importance of worship within that framework.

The Epistle to the Romans

The Word of Faith Brings Salvation

Romans 10.1-10:21

2.9.2025


There is a significant difference between the righteousness of the law, which the unbelieving Jews were wedded to, and the righteousness of faith offered in the gospel, “the zeal of the Jews has been ineffectual, for they have sought righteousness in a false way.”

  • An end to the law (10:1-8)
  • Confession and belief are required (10:9-10)
  • God blesses everyoe who calls on Him (10:11-12) 
  • Call on the name of the Lord (10:13)
  • Why we go forth (10:14-15)
  • Faith comes from hearing (10:16-18)
  • God's grace is available to anyone (10:12-21)

Notice in the chronological order the pattern involved here:

  • Least of the apostles
  • Least of the saints
  • Worst of sinners

People cannot look to Jesus for eternal life if they don’t believe in him. They can’t believe in him unless they have heard about him, and they can’t hear about him unless someone tells them.


The Epistle to the Romans

Israel’s Rejection Not Total or Final,

Gentiles Grafted In.

Romans 11:1-24

2.16.2025


In the Old Testament, God is depicted as more legalistic and harsher, while the New Testament emphasizes the arrival of Christ and focuses on God's love and grace. How can we account for this contrast between the two? I know that the same God is present in both testaments, what are the reasons for this difference?


"The Remnant of Israel: I ask, then, has God rejected his people?" (Romans 11:1a)

  1. There are two distinct sides to God's moral nature.
  2. The two covenants and the two covenant peoples are not parallel to one another.
  3. In the Old Testament, God interacted with people mostly on the physical level. In the New Testament, God interacts mostly on the spiritual level.


The Epistle to the Romans

The Mystery of Israel’s Salvation

Romans 11:25-36

2.23.2025


This passage explains three things about Israel:



There is a partial hardening of Israel:

God has temporarily blinded a part of Israel to the truth of the Gospel to open the door for the Gentiles to come to faith. 

God's faithfulness to Israel:

Despite their current state of unbelief, God still loves and will ultimately restore Israel to Himself. 

Mystery of God's plan (sovereignty):

The full details of God's plan for Israel and the Gentiles are a mystery to humans, and we should not become arrogant in our understanding. This highlights that God is in control of this process, even though it may seem mysterious to us. 


Central Verse: Romans 11:26, “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’ (ESV).”




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The Epistle to the Romans

God’s Sovereign Choice

Romans 9:14-29

1.19.2025


Paul addresses the question of God's apparent unfairness by using the example of Jacob and Esau, arguing that God has the sovereign right to choose who receives mercy and who does not, even if it seems inexplicable to humans. 


God's sovereignty:


Not about human merit:


Mystery of election:


This reasoning shows that God's choice is based solely on His will, not human merit or actions, and highlights our response. Therefore, no one can question His justice regarding salvation.


The Epistle to the Romans

God Makes Man Responsible

Romans 9:30-33

1.26.2025


As we read the end of Romans 9, why is Israel in its present condition from our perspective?

 

What is the greatest obstacle to faith?

  • For those who trust Him:
  • But for those who don’t:

 

 

Do you think Jesus is this stone of stumbling and a rock of offense?

·     Read, 1 Peter 2:6-8, your thoughts:

 

 

“What A Friend We Have in Jesus,”

3rd Stanza




The Epistle to the Romans

Israel's Rejection Foretold

Romans 9:30-10:21

2.2.2025


The rejection of the gospel by Israel was foretold by the prophets. The Focus of this chapter turns to salvation. The salvation of people through faith in Jesus Christ, and how it's available to all people.


Confession and belief are required


Faith comes from hearing


Preaching is important


God's grace is available


Paul's prayer: Israel to be saved, but he notes that they are disobeying the gospel. Paul believes that God has not rejected Israel, and that He still offers salvation through faith in Christ. 

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Date: 12.29.2024

The Epistle to the Romans

Apostle Paul’s Heart for Israel 

Romans 9:1-5, Part 1

12.29.2024


In this chapter and the next two, Paul veered away from his central theme of justification by faith. He then returned to discuss its implications, addressed the topic of Israel, and eventually returned to his main subject in chapter 12. Before he presses on, he must address a few concerns from the earlier chapters. 

The Epistle to the Romans

Apostle Paul’s Heart for Israel 

Romans 9:1-5, Part 2

1.5.2025


Defining True Love...?

Who and what are prayer warriors?

What does True evangelism look like?

Emulating Paul, "Therefore I urge you to imitate me..."

...

Verse 1, Hermeneutics:

"I am speaking the truth in Christ..."

Correlating Verses: Rom 1:9; 2Co 1:23; 2Co 11:31; 2Co 12:19; Gal 1:20; Phl 1:8; 1Th 2:5; 1Ti 2:7; 1Ti 5:21

"my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit Correlating Verses: Rom 2:15; Rom 8:16; 2Co 1:12; 1Ti 1:5; 1Jo 3:19-21

The Epistle to the Romans

The Rejection of Israel

Romans 9:6-13

1.12.2025


Opening Scripture Reading:


Supporting Verses and Passages:  Isaiah 52:13–53:12, Hebrews 12:16, John 8:30, John 9:27, 1 Corinthians 1:9, 1 Corinthians 7:15, Galatians 3:29, Genesis 25:19-28:9, Malachi 1:1-2:7


What is the Promise?


Sovereign Authority:

Sermons currently in progress or pending development:

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