March 24, 2024 • Randy Hageman • Romans 8:31–39, Matthew 21:7–9, Matthew 7:21–23, Romans 5:5–9, Colossians 1:24
As the Apostle Paul wraps up Romans 8, in many ways, he wraps up chapters 5-8. Just as he began these chapters writing about love, now he returns to this love to help us understand how we can have assurance and be encouraged in our daily living. We all know we’re not perfect, but Paul wants us to understand that God is on our side and has provided Jesus Christ as the means and proof of God’s eternal love for us. And the amazing thing Paul tells us is that nothing in all creation can stop this love!
Glorified in Christ: Romans 8:12-30
March 17, 2024 • Randy Hageman • Romans 8:12–30, Psalm 2:8, Genesis 1:28, Genesis 3:17–18, Revelation 21:1–4
Today’s passage is, at times, complicated. And yet, Paul is calling each reader and listener to allow the Holy Spirit to increasingly transform them into the image and likeness of Jesus Christ, for the glory of God the Father. This passage offers us assurance, but it also shows how God often works in and through believers, even when we don’t know how or understand what God is doing. It is, in fact, incredible and encourages us to cooperate with the Spirit to experience and be the glory of Christ!
In the Spirit: Romans 8:1-17
March 10, 2024 • Randy Hageman • Isaiah 53:5, Romans 7:13, John 3:16–21, Romans 8:1–11, John 8:10–11
We return to Romans, after wading through Romans chapter 7 as it focuses us on sin and the Law. It’s not the most uplifting chapter, but for reasons we explore today, Paul turns to chapter 8 with one of the great affirmations of the Bible. There’s more depth in this passage than we’ll have time to dig up, but there’s still plenty here to teach and encourage us!
