Romans
Living in the light
August 7, 2022 • Pastor Chris Pappenfus • Romans 13
This last Sunday, Becca Gamboa led us through the ABCs of our Spiritual Transformation as outlined in Romans, Chapter 12. Transformation is Amazing as it Begins within, Continues Cooperatively, Demands our Devotion, and is subject to ongoing Examination. From here, the author of Romans (the Apostle Paul) wants the Jesus-followers in Rome to recognize that this transformation will have an effect on the way they live their lives. As difficult as it may be for us to imagine, there was no such thing as a casual/cultural Christian in Paul’s time. To be a Jesus-follower in the first century was counter-cultural, both within the broader Greco/Roman culture and the Jewish communities throughout the Mediterranean. Where all people of the Roman empire were expected to declare, “Caesar is lord,” Christians confessed, “Jesus is LORD.” While prevailing cultural norms favored a pantheon of religious rituals, Christians preached exclusive salvation in Christ Jesus alone, drawing opposition from both Jews and Gentiles alike. In the face of such a reality, no one would blame Christians for wanting to either blend into their surroundings or withdraw and try to “live off the grid.” Instead, Paul instructs them to put on the armor of light (Romans 13:12) and cloth themselves with Christ (Romans 13:14). In Chapters 12-15, Paul admonishes the believers in Rome to truly live transformed lives and provides them with specific examples of how to do this in their everyday lives. In preparation for this Sunday, reread Romans 12 and continue through Romans 13.
Transformations
July 31, 2022 • Becca Gardner • Romans 12
This Sunday, we will be spending time in one of the most beloved chapters in the letter to the Romans. A chapter that talks about transformation, the duty of Christians, and how living a life for Christ should look so different from the culture in which they live. Paul urged the Christians in Rome to stop copying what they saw others doing around them. Today, this continues to be relatable, as we tend to play the dangerous game of comparing ourselves to others, thinking that we must be okay if we are doing "better than so and so." Let us come ready for a fresh perspective on the words that the Apostle Paul penned in Romans 12 (or rather, his scribe, Tertius). Be prepared to feel challenged, as we recognize the continued call to not be like this world, but to love those in it well. In preparation for this Sunday’s message, read Romans 12.
Paul's Letter to the Church in Rome: Sufficiency of Christ in Defense of the Gospel
July 24, 2022 • Pastor Chris Pappenfus • Romans 10:16—11:36
This past Sunday morning I woke up early and was spending time in prayer and preparation as the sun rose and began to cut through the light fog drifting through my yard. Tracks of sunlight happened to illuminate one of the apple trees in my yard, bathing it in light as if a spotlight was directed upon it alone. I reflected on the life of that apple tree and how long before I ever moved in, someone had carefully grafted a branch onto the root of a hardy apple variant that could withstand our harsh Minnesota winters. This root became the source of nourishment and life for the branch as it grew, producing branches and fruit of a variety different from the natural fruit of the root. Horticulture provides a fascinating parallel to life in Christ Jesus. In Romans, Chapters 9-11, the Apostle Paul writes about the condition of God’s chosen people (Israel) in regards to Jesus the Messiah. Just as today, there were many Jews 2,000 years ago who did not believe Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah. This disagreement among Jews was so heated that it was the reason all Jews were kicked out of the capital city of Rome prior to Paul’s letter. For Jewish Christ-followers, this estrangement must have been a source of tremendous personal and familial grief. Perhaps you have experienced in your own life a child or a spouse who has turned away from the Christian faith and wants nothing to do with Jesus. You know what that pain feels like. At the same time, Jewish Christ-followers were finding that the Holy Spirit was bringing an increasing number of Gentiles eager to put their trust in Jesus. Truly, it appeared that God was doing something new and with it came hardship as well as joy. The Apostle Paul saw what was happening and found a perfect metaphor in the beautiful groves of olive trees that surrounded Rome. Paul recognized that the Master Gardener was hard at work. In preparation for this Sunday’s message,read Romans 10:16-11:36.
Paul's Letter to the Church in Rome: Believe and Be Saved
July 17, 2022 • Pastor Chris Pappenfus • Romans 9—11
Throughout the summer, the sermon series has focused on the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Christian Church in Rome. Thus far in Romans, Paul has insisted that faith, rightly placed in Jesus Christ, is all that is needed to be made righteous in God’s eyes. Sanctification is the result of God’s grace and not a prerequisite. The gift of God in Christ Jesus is not based on our righteousness, but on God’s mercy. Through his faithful obedience, Jesus has set right what sin had corrupted. Jesus is the “New Adam;” having restored what the first Adam destroyed. Therefore, we are no longer slaves to sin, but are instead, bound to Christ. The Roman church was a mixture of Jewish and Gentile believers who were coming into conflict concerning adherence to the Law of Moses. By the time Paul wrote this letter he had a reputation among all Christians as the “Apostle to the Gentiles.” So, it would be understandable that Jewish Christians might feel like Paul is insensitive to their convictions or even failing to present the true Jesus; who was, after all, a Jew! In Romans Chapters 9-11 Paul shares his love for his Jewish brethren and conviction that God has not abandoned Israel or forsaken His Covenant with them. Instead, Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promise that began with Abraham and included the Law of Moses and all the prophets. Just like the judges and prophets of the Old Testament, Paul recognizes where his own people have fallen short of the covenant and desperately desires all to put their trust in Jesus. Paul’s assertion is simple: God has not forgotten or abandoned the Jews, but he has instead welcomed all people through faith in His Son, Jesus. Paul writes, “There is no difference between Jew and Gentile - the same LORD is LORD of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.” (Romans 10:12-13). But this faith is not without consequence for those who believe. In fact, the Spirit of God compels us to proclaim the Gospel of Salvation in Christ Jesus to all people. Christians are not so heavenly-minded that they are of no earthly good. Instead, we recognize the necessity of Christ for all people and labor to see all people come to faith in Jesus. In preparation for this Sunday read Romans 9-10.
Paul's Letter to the Church in Rome: Assurance of Eternal Life
July 10, 2022 • Pastor Chris Pappenfus • Romans 8
This Sunday, we continue in our study of the book of Romans. Last Sunday, the analogy of two adjacent fields was used to illustrate God’s work of justification and sanctification. Paul begins to shift his emphasis to the third member of the Trinity - the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is who works in us to move us away from the temptations and ways of the flesh and deeper into the New Life we have in Christ Jesus. This Sunday, we will look at Romans, Chapter 8, and while not part of Martin Lloyd’s analogy, consider that there is, in fact, a third field - a field that stretches on for all eternity. The existence of this eternal home is a source of great hope for all Jesus' followers. The Spirit within us testifies to this hope, filling believers with a longing for something they have not yet seen. The Christian lives in a peculiar tension between what is now and what is yet to come. God’s promises are realized in our everyday lives and also awaiting future fulfillment. This “now and not yet” posture is essential for Christians both in times of great peace and prosperity - as well as in times of conflict and hardship. Read through Romans, Ch. 8 in preparation for this Sunday.
Romans 6-7
July 3, 2022 • Pastor Chris Pappenfus • Romans 6—7
This weekend is a celebration in our nation as we recognize our independence. Many will be celebrating this freedom in big bold red, white and blue fashion. As a citizen of this nation, I am incredibly grateful for the freedoms we have and confess I, too, often take them for granted. Within the Christian Church, we also talk about freedom. This freedom is under the recognition of our citizenship in heaven. When we read the Bible we naturally interpret it through our own cultural lens. This may be true when it comes to freedom. In Chapter 5, of his letter to the Christians in Rome, the Apostle Paul established that Jesus’ followers live in a condition of grace. The atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ has met all the requirements for justification and we are now righteous in relation to God because we are in Christ Jesus. Paul then returns to his opening observation, humanity has a sin problem. Does grace simply give us permission to keep on sinning? Romans 6-7 focus on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus, not a freedom to live unto ourselves, but liberation from one regime (sin) into a new regime (righteousness). God’s grace is much more than turning a blind eye to human wickedness, it is a power that will produce true life change in the hearts and minds of believers. What legalism, moralism, or “cheap grace” fail to produce, God’s gift in Christ Jesus and the resulting indwelling of the Holy Spirit, will render righteousness in those who believe. In preparation for this Sunday’s message, read Romans Chapters 6 and 7.
Romans - Hope of Future Glory
June 26, 2022 • Pastor Chris Pappenfus • Romans 5
Paul began his letter to the church in Rome, highlighting two basic principles. First, Mankind has a serious sin problem. Second, God has a plan to deal with it. The opening four chapters of the book bounce between these two principles. Our situation is that we were hopelessly locked up in sin and under the sentence of God’s righteous wrath because of it. But now, God has done a work of atonement in Jesus Christ by which we have been washed clean of our transgressions and invited back into a right relationship with the Almighty. This is accomplished in Christ Jesus, so we can’t boast about our own abilities or self-righteousness. Instead, we live under the blessing of being justified in Christ Jesus; and this not of our own ability but through faith in Jesus. As we move into Chapter 5, the Apostle turns his attention to what comes after we are justified by faith. What difference (if any) is this to make in our lives? This will be the focus of Paul’s writing for the next three chapters. Join us this Sunday, as we explore Romans 5.
Romans 3 & 4
June 19, 2022 • Pastor Chris Pappenfus • Romans 3, Romans 4
The Apostle Paul penned a significant and succinct letter of Christian theology to the Roman Church, a letter that continues to hold significance for believers to this day. In writing this letter, Paul intended to clarify the Gospel of Jesus, unify an ethnically diverse church, and prove God’s righteousness. These goals are not exclusive to one another. Rather, they are all brought together under the banner of Christ Jesus. Last Sunday, we explored Paul’s insistence that humanity is not divided into categories of righteous and condemned, but that we are all under the power of sin. To an ethnically divided congregation composed of Jewish and Gentile believers it would be easy for those who insist on following the Law of Moses and adhering to the sign of circumcision to consider themselves more righteous than those who do not practice these things. Paul invites the believers in Rome to first recognize that all humanity (both Jews and Gentiles), are under the power of sin. Having the law does not free people from sin, but rather points out what sin is. The opening chapters of Romans can be summarized by emphasizing three key verses; Romans 2:13, 3:9 and 3:20. This Sunday, we will turn our attention to Romans 3:21 - 4:25. In these passages the Apostle Paul introduces why faith is essential for our salvation. Specifically, faith in the crucified and risen Messiah - Jesus. We will explore Paul’s understanding of righteousness, justification, atonement and faith; four “churchy” words that while used with great frequency may not be fully understood. In preparation for this Sunday, read Romans chapters 3 & 4. This Sunday is also Father’s Day. We appreciate all of the dads who have sought to emulate the qualities of our Heavenly Father. Parenting is hard work, and none of us are perfect in this task, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t pause and give thanks for the fathers in our lives. This Sunday we will turn our attention to Romans 3:21-4:25. In these passages the Apostle Paul introduces why faith is essential for our salvation. Specifically, faith in the crucified and risen Messiah - Jesus. We will explore Paul’s understanding of righteousness, justification, atonement and faith; four “churchy” words that while used with great frequency may not be fully understood. In preparation for this Sunday read Romans chapters 3 & 4. Also, this Sunday is Father’s Day. We appreciate all of the dads who have sought to emulate the qualities of our Heavenly Father. Parenting is hard work, and none of us are perfect in this task, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t pause and give thanks for the fathers in our lives.
Romans 1 & 2
June 12, 2022 • Pastor Chris Pappenfus • Romans 1, Romans 2
The Epistle of Romans is largely regarded as the most essential book of Christian Theology in the New Testament. While all Scripture is useful for teaching, correcting, and rebuking; the book of Romans systematically explains God’s work of salvation in Christ Jesus like no other single book of the Bible. Paul’s intention in writing the letter is threefold: 1) Clarify the Gospel of Jesus. 2) Unify an ethnically diverse church. and 3) Prove God’s righteousness. Paul pointedly writes, For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” (Romans 1:16-17) The Gospel is good news. In fact, it is the best news for those who realize their sinful condition and the absolute depravity of the human soul. For the self-righteous (those who feel they are good enough) or the God-haters, the gospel of Jesus isn’t good news at all. In fact, it means nothing. But for the followers of Jesus, the power and righteousness of God are revealed in Jesus Christ. The gift of salvation through faith in Jesus is the most significant intervention of God in all of human history. But do you even recognize how badly you need it? In preparation for this Sunday, read Romans chapters 1-2.
Introduction to Romans
June 5, 2022 • Pastor Dan May • Romans 1:14–17
We gather together this Sunday for what is known as Pentecost Sunday -- a day that reminds us of the fulfillment of Jesus' promise that God would send the Holy Spirit. As the Apostle Paul was preparing to go to Jerusalem to celebrate Pentecost, he penned a letter to the Christian Church in Rome. In this letter, he is passionate about clarifying the Gospel, Unifying the Church, and proving God's Righteousness. John Calvin, a French theologian, said that "If you have an understanding of this letter to the Romans then you have a light and a window into all of the scriptures." We are excited to begin this summer journey with you through the book of Romans!