On Sunday, we were moved by Jack Barsky’s powerful sermon, sharing his incredible journey from an atheist KGB spy to a devoted Christian. His testimony highlighted the transformative power of faith and God’s unwavering love.

Jack spoke about discovering unconditional love through his daughter, a reflection of Jesus’ teachings, which sparked his spiritual awakening. Despite years of atheism, he was drawn to the Bible through a colleague’s influence, finding truth and wisdom in its pages. His story underscored the importance of purpose through faith, guided by Psalm 46:10: "Be still and know that I am God."

Pastor Bob’s sermon, "How Now Shall We Then Live: Love is a Verb," based on Romans 12:9-19, challenged us to move beyond seeing love as mere emotion and instead live it out through faith. He emphasized that true love is sincere, honors others, and is expressed through kindness and service. In a world of increasing isolation, we are called to embrace community, practice hospitality, and share in both joy and sorrow. By renewing our minds, we become living sacrifices, aligning with God’s will and focusing on who we are becoming in Christ.

Pastor Austin Medley explored Romans 12:3-8, in a message entitled How Now Shall We Then Live Part 2. He highlighted how we are one body in Christ, each with unique gifts to serve our community. Austin emphasized humility, recognizing and using our gifts with purpose, and embracing unity in diversity to strengthen our collective mission. Whether teaching, serving, giving, or leading, every role is vital to the church’s growth and God’s kingdom.

Pastor Bob’s sermon, "Romans 12:1-2: How Now Shall We Then Live Part 1," explored how to live out our faith in transformative ways.

He emphasized presenting ourselves as living sacrifices, making worship a daily commitment rather than just a Sunday act. He highlighted the joy in pursuing God’s will, not as a clear-cut answer but as a journey of growth. Lastly, he stressed renewing our minds through Scripture, allowing God’s Word to shape our thoughts and guide us in discerning His perfect will.

Pastor Bob's sermon, "Romans 11: What's Next for Israel Part 2," explored God's enduring covenant with Israel and its significance for believers. He highlighted God's promise of salvation for all Israel remains steadfast, the Jewish feasts prophetically reveal God's timeline, including the Rapture and Christ's return, and the Church's role is to live faithfully, anticipating Christ's return and sharing hope.

Continuing our study of Romans, Pastor Bob explored Romans 11 in "What's Next for Israel, Part 1," highlighting the significance of Israel in God's plan and its connection to His promises for us. He emphasized that God's faithfulness to Israel reinforces our trust in Him. We examined the mystery of Israel’s partial hardening and the future promise of its salvation, reminding us of God’s infinite wisdom. Pastor Bob also connected biblical prophecy to current events, encouraging us to view global conflicts through a spiritual lens and recognize God’s ongoing work in the world.

Pastor Austin Medley delivered a powerful sermon, This is Good News, based on Romans 10:9-15. He emphasized that salvation comes through declaring Jesus as Lord and believing in His resurrection, challenging us to live boldly in faith. While exclusive in its claim, the Good News is inclusive, welcoming all who call upon the Lord. Pastor Medley also stressed the necessity of sharing this message, urging us to be active messengers of hope. 

Sunday, Pastor Bob led us through an exploration of Romans 9:6-32, emphasizing God's sovereignty and our freedom within His divine plan. He reminded us that God's ways are higher than our own and that a personal, intimate relationship with Him is essential. The sermon powerfully underscored that we are chosen by God not by our works but through His grace and love, while also illustrating how free will and divine election coexist, urging us to live responsibly under His ultimate authority.

In "Loving the Lost Like Paul" (Romans 9:1-5), Pastor Bob highlighted Paul’s deep compassion and commitment to spreading the Gospel, challenging us to examine our own burden for the lost. He emphasized Paul’s willingness to sacrifice everything for his people’s salvation, urging us to seek a God-given burden that fuels impactful evangelism. Understanding cultural context is key, as seen in past revivals, to strategically share the Gospel today. Let’s pray for hearts like Paul’s—deeply moved for the lost and ready to share Christ’s love in our communities.

This past Sunday, Pastor Bob's sermon, "What You Can Be Certain of in 2025: God is For Us," based on Romans 8:31, reminded us of the profound assurance that if God is for us, no one can stand against us. He emphasized God’s unwavering support, encouraging us to confidently declare, “God is for me,” even amidst challenges. Through Jesus’ sacrifice, we are assured of God’s love and provision, empowering us to live boldly. With Christ as our advocate, interceding on our behalf, we can face life’s trials with confidence and certainty in our salvation.