November 17, 2024 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • Romans 13:8–10
Theme: Paying Our Debt of Love
Passage: Romans 13:8–10
Theme: Pay Your Debts
Characteristics of Debt:
o Owed to another
o Assumed because we don’t initially have
o Obligates us
1. Minimize and eliminate financial debts (8a).
2. Maintain one debt: The debt of love owed to one another (8b).
a. Perpetual
b. Transactional
Why must we love one another?
· Loving others encapsulates and undergirds all biblical commandments (9).
· Loving others keeps us from doing evil toward others (10a).
· Loving others fulfills the law’s requirements (8c, 10b).
Main Idea: A people transformed by God’s grace fulfill the law by loving one another.
Application Questions:
· Why do you suppose Paul used the negative concept of debt to describe the Christian’s relationship to fellow believers?
· How was the debt to love one another defined as transactional?
· Is it possible for one to be a Christian and not be loving toward other believers? What biblical proof can you offer to back up your answer (hint: see John 13:34–35; 1 John 3:10, 4:7–21)?
· What is meant by the dual statements in vv. 8 and 10 that loving one another fulfills the law? How does love fulfill the law?
· How are you continually paying your debt to love your Christian brothers and sisters? What steps do you need to take to live out this command over the next weeks?
November 10, 2024
November 10, 2024 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • Romans 13:5–7
Theme: Christian Submission to Government, Part 2
Passage: Romans 13:5–7
Theme: A people transformed by God’s grace submit to the governing authorities (13:1a)
Reasons from last week (13:1b–4):
Governing authorities are established by God (13:1b–2).
Governing authorities are to enact God’s justice (13:3–4).
Results from submitting (13:5–6):
You avoid government’s wrath.
You maintain a clear conscience.
You display a godly testimony.
Actions to do: Give the governing authorities what they are owed (7):
In finance
In disposition
Main Idea: A people transformed by God’s grace submit to governing authorities as a witness that Christians are citizens of Christ’s kingdom.
Application Questions:
In looking at the results found in vv. 5–6, how would you prioritize them in order of importance or precedent. Which should come first and why?
What is your conscience? Can conscience be wrong? How does the command to submit to governing authorities help you maintain a clear and calibrated conscience?
Could displaying a godly testimony result in wrath or punishment? Provide some biblical examples. How might this occur today, and what should the Christian do?
How can a Christian fail to submit to governing authorities in areas of finance? Are there any areas financially with which you struggle submitting?
Why is our disposition toward governing authorities important? How can we have a proper disposition in attitude and speech toward those with whom we politically disagree?
November 3, 2024
November 3, 2024 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • Romans 13:1–4
Theme: Christian Submission to Government
Passage: Romans 13:1–4
A people transformed by God’s grace submit to the governing authorities (13:1a).
Why?
Governing authorities are established by God (13:1b–2).
All authority derives from God (1b).
God institutes our leaders (1c).
Consequently,
Rebellion against government is against God (2a).
Rebellion against government will result in His judgment (2b).
Governing authorities are to enact God’s justice (13:3–4).
They are God’s servants for your good (4a).
Therefore, do what is right.
They are God’s servants, His agents of wrath, to punish wrongdoers (4c).
Therefore, be afraid if you practice evil.
Main Idea: A people transformed by God’s grace submit to governing authorities as an act of obedience to our God who has established them.
Obey God (Acts 5:29) and submit to governing authorities (John 19:10–11).
Pray for your leaders (1 Timothy 2:1–2).
Application Questions:
How are we to understand submission to governing authorities? What does rebellion mean in v. 2? What other passages or scenes in scripture inform our understanding of this text?
What is Paul’s primary basis for submission? To what other institutions or individuals does scripture call us to submit? How might this impact the way that we understand this command here in v. 1?
Are there caveats or exceptions to Paul’s straightforward command for us in v. 1 to submit to governing authorities? Why do you think Paul didn’t provide any here?
Why is it so important that Paul twice references governing authorities as God’s servants? How should this affect the way in which believers understand the role of government in God’s world?
How do we go about respecting this command and following its intention if our governing authorities do things that are immoral or even evil? Can you think of instances when it would be justified to obey God over human authority (Acts 5:29)?
How has this passage challenged you to act toward the governing authorities over your life?
October 27, 2024
October 27, 2024 • Pastor Josh Kee • Romans 12:17–21
Romans 12:17-21 Sermon Notes
Series: A People Transformed by God’s Grace
Title: “Overcome Evil by Doing Good”
A people transformed by God’s grace…
1. Do not compound evil with evil (17a)
_ To repay evil with evil makes us as guilty as the one who has committed evil against us
_ Evil begets evil, without end
_ Q: In light of the holiness of God, whose evil deeds are justified?
_ For further study and reflection: see Prov 20:22; Matt 5:12, 39; 2 Cor 5:10
2. Give careful thought aimed at doing good to all (17b)
_ God’s mercy transforms how we think so we can test and discern what is good, acceptable, and perfect (Rom 12:2)
_ “pre-meditated consideration” of doing what adorns the gospel – not reactionary
_ Pay careful attention to what you meditate on because your thoughts precede your actions
_ For further study and reflection: see Matt 5:16; 2 Cor 8:21; Phil 4:4-5; Titus 2:6-3:8; 1 Pet 2:9-12
3. Make every effort to live peaceably among others (18)
_ Do what you can to make peace (Matt 5:9) – proactive; be ambitious for peace
_ Do not provoke unnecessarily, stir up strife, or fuel discord – instead, be reasonable (Phil 4:5)
4. Leave vengeance in the hands of God (19)
_ Our identity has changed – enemies turned to the “beloved” of God (Eph 2:1-5; 1 Jn 3:1-3)
_ God’s wrath is more terrifyingly exact and just than any vengeance we could execute
_ Do not take that which belongs only to God (Deut 32:35; Ps 94:1; Heb 10:30)
5. Live contrary to the flesh (20; see Romans 13:14)
_ Repetition of Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5:38-48; Luke 6:27)
_ Application of 12:14 – Christians actively “bless” (do good to) even their enemies
_ It is better to repay with kindness than vengeance (Prov 25:21-22)
Main Idea: (21)
Those who have been changed by God’s grace are not overcome (conquered) by evil, rather they overcome (conquer) evil by doing good (see Titus 3:1-11).
Application Questions:
1. Have you ever repaid evil with evil by taking revenge on someone? What was the effect on you? Did it satisfy? Did it make peace? Did it heal?
2. Linger over God’s holiness. Are you justifying any evil (sinful attitudes, actions, desires, etc.) in your life because of a wrong done against you?
3. Why do you think we’re reluctant to be merciful toward those who hurt us? What are we afraid will happen?
4. Do you desire exacting justice toward yourself as much as you desire it for others? Do you desire mercy for others as much as you desire it for yourself? Confess any area where you are withholding mercy. Ask God to meet you in the hurt and change your heart by his grace.
5. What would happen if God treated you with justice without mercy? Who in your life needs mercy from you? Spend some time with the Lord and ask him to transform your mind according to his mercy toward you.
6. Spend some time with Romans 8:5-9 and Galatians 5:16-25. What happens if we live to satisfy our flesh? How do we walk contrary to the flesh? Who’s power are you relying on?
7. Who do you need to bless and do good to in response to God’s Word this week?
October 20, 2024
October 20, 2024 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • Romans 12:14–16
Theme: Others over Self
Passage: Romans 12:14–16
Main Idea: A people transformed by God’s grace elevate others over self.
The one who elevates others over self ...
1. Responds to animosity with blessing (14).
a. Wish God’s blessing on your enemies.
b. Resist the natural desire to destroy them.
2. Enters the real-life experiences of others (15).
a. Rejoice with those rejoicing.
b. Weep with those grieving.
3. Focuses thinking on unity with fellow believers (16).
a. Minimize high thoughts of self.
b. Associate with the lowly.
c. Admit that your thoughts and opinions aren’t always right.
Application Questions:
· What differentiates Christian thinking from simply having an optimistic mindset toward the things of life? (look back to 12:1–3)
· Is it possible to truly elevate others over self in our thinking and approach to life? Why or why not? What obstacles prevent us from doing so?
· How can we go about blessing those who oppose us?
· What does rejoicing with those who are rejoicing look like for you? How about weeping with those grieving?
· In what ways are you challenged in your thoughts about yourself? What needs to be minimized in your self-thoughts? How can you go about addressing this?
September 29, 2024 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • Romans 12:6–8
Theme: Ministering with Your Gifts
Passage: Romans 12:6–8
Theological Truth of Passage: Spiritual gifts divinely differ (6a).
The Spirit’s gifting of you and your gifts are unique for this body.
God has graced you with salvation for this unique role.
As a result, opportunity for ministry abounds.
Challenge: Use your Spiritual gifts accordingly (6b–8):
If prophecy, then prophesy faithfully.
If serving, then serve by helping others.
If teaching, then teach accurately.
If encouraging, then encourage with comfort and warning.
If giving, give generously.
If leading, lead diligently.
If showing mercy, then show mercy cheerfully.
Main Idea: God has gifted you with your talents, passions, and abilities to this church so that we reflect Christ through our mutual ministering.
Discover your gifts through getting involved in areas of need within the body.
Pray for God to use you along with your fellow members so that we mirror Christ.
Application Questions:
Are spiritual gifts the same as your natural abilities and the tasks you are good at? Explain.
What are your spiritual gifts? Has the Spirit proven within a church body to bear fruit through you? If you don’t know your gifts, what should be done to help you discover them?
What hinders you from ministering with your spiritual gifts in this church body?
From this passage, how are you challenged to discover and use your gifts?
How should this passage affect your prayer for CCC?
September 22, 2024
September 22, 2024 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • Romans 12:3–5
Series: A People Transformed by God’s Grace
Theme: Your Thinking on Spiritual Gifts
Passage: Romans 12:3–5
As an offering sacrificed to God, we must heed Paul’s challenge concerning our thinking on spiritual gifts:
1. Be Humble: Don’t think more highly of yourself than you should (3a).
2. Be Realistic: Think with sober judgment (3b).
Why should we follow Paul’s advice?
a. God has distributed these to us as we grow in faith (3c).
b. This is how a body works (4–5).
i. Our many parts display one body—Jesus Christ.
ii. Our diverse functions are for the benefit of the whole—our fellow church members.
Main Idea: Holy Spirit transformation enables us to accomplish God’s will in community with other believers.
Application Questions:
· Why do we, even as Christians, struggle being humble? How do you personally battle pride and thinking more highly of yourself? How does this manifest itself in your life?
· How can we cultivate humility in our lives?
· What are the dangers if you aren’t realistic in your thinking about your own spiritual gifts? How can thinking realistically about your spiritual giftings benefit your own spiritual development and the growth of others?
· Are you using spiritual gifts for the benefit of your fellow believers here at CCC? If so, how? If not, what steps can you take to better understand your gifts and how they can be used within the church body?
September 15, 2024
September 15, 2024 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • Romans 12:1–2
Theme: Sacrificing Self
Passage: Romans 12:1–2
Main Idea: Based on what God has done for us through Jesus Christ, we need to respond with worship.
1. Confessional Worship (11:33–36)
2. Physical Worship (12:1–2): Offer your bodies as sacrifices to God.
a. What does that look like?
i. Living
ii. Holy
iii. Acceptable to God
iv. Reasonable worship
b. How are we to do this?
i. Negatively: Don’t conform to this world.
ii. Positively: Allow the Spirit to transform your thinking
c. Result: You will be doing God’s will for your life.
i. Good
ii. Acceptable to God
iii. Perfect/Complete
Main Idea Restated:
God’s Work > Our Worship > Works
Application Questions:
· From the rest of the book of Romans, what are the mercies of God in v. 1? Why is it so important to see the work of God as mercy?
· How does the imagery of sacrifice capture well both what God has done for us and our response in light of his actions? How do you struggle with the notion of sacrifice in your own life?
· How do you find yourself struggling to not conform to this age? What from this age appeals to you? How are you addressing this struggle in your own life? What steps can you take to obey this command to not conform?
· How does the Spirit bring about transformation and renewal of our minds? What role do we play in this?
· What has this passage challenged in your understanding of God’s will for your life?
September 8, 2024
September 8, 2024 • Pastor Phil Burggraff • Romans 11:33–36
Theme: To God Be the Glory
Passage: Romans 11:33–36
That God has chosen to do for us through Jesus Christ should cause us to ...
1. Exclaim at the depth of His Plan (33)
a. What Riches!
b. What Wisdom!
c. What Knowledge!
2. Recognize our Inability (34–35)
a. His mind and thinking are above us.
b. He doesn’t need our input or counsel.
c. He doesn’t owe us an explanation for his decisions.
d. He will never be in our debt.
3. Declare God’s centrality to all (36a)
Main Idea: All glory belongs to God forever! (36b)
Application Questions:
· Considering what Paul has taught in Romans up to this point, why should you personally exclaim at the depth of his plans for your life? How have you experienced his riches, wisdom, and knowledge?
· Which of the inabilities that we are to recognize do you struggle with the most? In which ways have you or are you questioning what God is doing in your life? How has this passage confronted that and convicted you?
· How do we make the move from simply declaring God’s glory with statements made back to God to lives being lived for Him? What does it look like to live for God’s glory?
· How have you declared God’s glory this past week? How can you declare God’s glory through your life going forward?
