Romans 12:3

The Chapel Fort Wayne

Romans 12:3

By God's Grace

September 19, 2023 • Pastor Mike Fanning • Romans 12:3

Living into the freedom that Jesus saves us for means humbly serving others with the grace gift he has freely given you! Let me say that again: You are never more free than when you are in the trenches of ministry serving others, blessing others out of your spiritual gifts & passions! But beware! Both pride and insecurity can rob you of truly stepping into this privilege of serving. Why? Because both pride and insecurity will keep you focused on yourself and not on others. On your needs and not theirs. So, with all the faith you can muster, trust God and get involved serving others!

PASSAGE: Romans 12:3 - "For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned."

PAUSE: Paul encouraged the Roman Christians to have a humble attitude when it came to serving the body of Christ. We are saved by grace but we also serve by God’s grace. Pride as well as low self-esteem will stifle growth spurts.

PRAYER: Christ Jesus, thank you for the gift you have given me to serve the body of Christ. Help me to experience growth spurts as I help others grow.

Philippians 3:10-11

September 29, 2023 • Pastor Josh Lewis • Philippians 3:10–11

I think back to when I was a child experiencing a hurt or heartache, and there were a few things that were so comforting that it instantly provided relief. I knew when my mom would kiss my wound or my dad would pick me up that everything was going to be okay. And then we age, life grows harder, and the pain cuts deeper. But I want to encourage you not to lose sight the confident assurance that remains in the one thing that can bring us comfort no matter what storm we are facing. The Apostle Paul encouraged his readers by reminding them of the hope we have in Christ because of His resurrection. We will experience suffering in this life, but our hope in Christ is not just wishful thinking--it's a guaranteed comfort that He has proven through His resurrection and that He's promised to us. PASSAGE: Philippians 3:10-11 - "10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead." PAUSE: While in jail for sharing Christ, Paul encouraged the church in Philippi to truly know Christ in the midst of their suffering. Because of the resurrection, we not only have hope, but we have a hope that we can depend upon. PRAYER: Father, thank you for the resurrection. Release the power of the resurrection of Christ in my life. I want to know You better. Turn these stormy seasons into a pathway to grow in my faith!

Hebrews 12:1-2

September 28, 2023 • Pastor Josh Lewis • Hebrews 12:1–2

When we go through a tough situation, the enemy wants us to feel isolated. He wants us to think we're the only one dealing with a situation like this. I want you to know that no matter what you have gone through or you're going through right now, you are not alone. The writer of Hebrews encourages us to remain strong and to reflect on the faith of those who have gone before us. Even though these men and women made mistakes and were far from perfect, chapter 11 applauds those who demonstrated great faith through their trials and tribulations. Find encouragement from this great cloud of witnesses, find support from believers around you, and turn your eyes toward Jesus--the founder and perfecter of our faith! PASSAGE: Hebrews 12:1-2 - "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." PAUSE: The writer of Hebrews wrote to a church that was persecuted and suffered tremendously. He encouraged them to stay on course and to finish the race. He told them to fix their eyes on Jesus, who is the author and perfecter of our faith! Jesus wants our faith to grow as we experience storms. PRAYER: Father, forgive me for taking my eyes off Jesus. Just like those heroes of the faith, help me to put my faith in You, help me to look to You for strength.

Romans 8:18

September 27, 2023 • Pastor Josh Lewis • Romans 8:18

Often when we go through a tough time in our lives, it consumes our thoughts. Maybe a relationship struggle, a diagnosis, or a loss. We wake up thinking about it, it's on our minds all day, and we go to bed thinking about it. Every decision we make is affected by this cloud that's hanging over us. What hope can we have in those moments when everything around us seems dark? In the letter to the Romans, the Apostle Paul encouraged them to look beyond their present sufferings to greater days ahead—when we are in God’s presence. It’s important to note, Paul isn’t downplaying the suffering you’re going through. But he’s pointing out that when we experience the true glory of being with God, it will make any struggle you’ve faced seem so insignificant. So friends, while you go through stormy seasons, keep your eyes fixed not on the present sufferings, but on the glory to come! PASSAGE: Romans 8:18 - "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." PAUSE: Thankfully our sufferings are temporary. A better tomorrow is coming, a tomorrow that is filled with God’s glory. When we compare our present sufferings with eternal glory, it fills our hearts with hope. Whether you can see it or not, God is at work, both in this world as well as in you. PRAYER: Father, thank You for your glory. Help me not to focus on my suffering, but help me to place my hope in the better future that is coming!