In Chapter 5 Paul is expanding his argument. Going back through and pulling in some “strings” that he has already talked about. He states that because of all these things we have talked about before we should boast in this hope. God has a plan and He will continue this plan forward of reconciliation. Amen!

The Gospel is simple. Paul is telling the church in Rome that Abraham was credited Righteousness through faith. Not through the symbol of the covenant but the covenant itself. So the question we are left with is who is in control of our lives?

Iowa District Assembly Ordination Service

Romans 3 Paul explains that both Gentiles and Jewish alike have not fulfilled the vocation. At one point we have all been far from the path. We do have a vocation we are still called to. Are we stepping into that call?

In Roman’s 2 Paul is telling the Jewish they have missed the point if they think the law is going to save them. They needed to understand where they stood in all of this. This larger plan of what God had. Paul sets up this argument that comes to in Romans Chapter 3.

Paul wrote an amazing letter to the church in Rome. He gives us this great framework of theology, how the Gospel is to be understood. Sometimes we narrow that down, but we shouldn’t. Let’s look at what Paul writes how he writes it and see this symphony that he orchestrates.

Elijah is one of my favorite characters in the Bible. He seems like a real life superhero! And there is a moment we witness where he seems so human. That is one of the reasons he is one of my favorites. We can learn some lessons from Elijah’s story.

Paul has an experience on the way to Damascus. He comes face-to-face with Jesus. It changes his whole outlook. He has a resurrection experience. May we also have face-to-face experiences and really see who God is.

Philips encounter with the Ethiopian Eunuch is Spirit led. We see the advancement of the Gospel to the “ends of the earth” through the encounter. May we always be just as Spirit led with the things we do!

Peter explains through a sermon what Pentecost means through a passage in Joel and a Psalm of David. Those around were cut to the heart and repented. There was a restoration that happened. There is always hope for restoration.

What happens in Acts 2 is an amazing story of transformation. The transformation that happens when a group of people allow the Holy Spirit to guide them in what they are doing. On this day of Pentecost we are reminded of the transformation that has happened in our lives. We are reminded of the promise God gave of transformation. Thank you Lord for the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Ezekiel 37 gives us this vision of resurrection. That God will bring a transformation of the heart. No longer do we have a heart of stone but a heart of flesh when there is that transformation. There is a difference in the Bible between a resurrection and a resuscitation. Resurrection means transformation. Lord help guide us in that transformation.

For such a time as this is a line Mordecai gives Esther in 4:14. It is something we can take to heart today as well. We aren’t here by chance. God has something specific for us and we just have to listen for direction for the Holy Spirit.

We have this image given to us in the Old Testament and New Testament of the Israelites being a royal priesthood and a holy nation. We are brought into that image as Gentiles. So how do we live this out?

In Ephesians we read a prayer that we be so rooted in God’s love that the overflowing of our life is holiness. If we are so rooted then we will understand that life isn’t a competition but our vocation is to cultivate and multiply.

Our church vision statement is: we come to renewed life: to be rooted, to invite others, and to nurture relationships. What does that looks like in our everyday lives? This week we are focusing in on what a renewed life looks like.

We have this moment in Matthew chapter 28 where the women come to the tomb and it is empty. He has risen, He has risen indeed. What does that mean for us? Find out with us today.

Zachariah gives us the picture of the Messiah coming in to usher in the coming Kingdom on a donkey. The symbols of war no longer have the power. This is the last Sunday before Resurrection Sunday! God guide our hearts!

Psalm 27 tells us that God is our refuge, the one place that we can find safety and security in. Even when the world is chaotic around us in God we find peace. Even if our parents forsake us God never will. May we always trust in God and give our life over entirely. May we go where God guides us.