Genesis Church Phoenix

Romans 1:24-25

One critique of God is, “How could God allow such terrible things to happen in the world?” The truth, however, is that God simply gave us what we wanted. We have chosen sin and the worship of ourselves and the things of this world over Him. Instead of forcing Himself upon us, He lovingly allowed us to simply choose what we wanted most. He gave us over to our hearts’ desires.

Romans 1:16-23

The good news of Jesus can’t be fully understood until we understand the bad news. Yes, the good news tells us how to be made right with God. But, we must first understand that, apart from it, we are not in a right relationship with God. Because of sin, our minds and hearts have become corrupt, leading us to worship the things of this world instead of our Creator. And, no one is exempt from the penalty for our rebellion.

Romans 1:8-15

Before Paul dives into some of the most challenging passages in all of Scripture, he spends a moment to share his heart behind all of it. Paul is known as an apostle, a preacher, and an evangelist. But, at his core, Paul is a pastor. He is a follower of Jesus who loves and leads the people God has put in his care. Paul’s motive for writing Romans is not out of spite or anger or his own ego—it is out of love. This posture is helpful in understanding that everything God speaks to us in Romans is from a place of love—not hatred or spite.

Romans 1:1-7

The book of Romans opens with a typical greeting and introduction from Paul. Paul very intentionally makes it clear who the entire book is about. It’s not about him. It’s not about the church in Rome. It’s not about Jews or Gentiles. It’s about Jesus. Every word Paul will share from chapter 1 to chapter 16 is about Jesus. From the very start, the book encourages anyone who reads it to keep this in view—all of life is about Jesus.

Pastor DJ Uithoven and Heather Gano-

One of the first things God does after He creates Adam is create Eve. In doing so, He resolves that is not good for any human to be alone. Only when Adam and Eve are connected to each other does He call it good. We, like them, were created for and need each other. To be fully alive requires us to seek out connection with others who love and follow Jesus.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 / 2 Corinthians 9:6-7,11

As some of the wealthiest people to ever walk the face of the earth, we have been called to not only enjoy what we have been given, but to be increasingly more generous. The good life is not found by hoarding our wealth, but by giving it back to God’s work in the church and to those who need it. To be fully alive requires us to prioritize generosity.

1 Peter 4:10 / John 13:14-17

The church and its mission to reach the world is sustained by the unselfish service of every person who follows Jesus. When we serve selflessly it not only brings hope to those around us but gives us a purpose bigger than ourselves. Only when we serve selflessly in the ways God has gifted us are we able to become fully alive in our faith.

Hebrews 10:24-25

Sunday has always been a big day in the life of the church. It has historically been the day when all the church gathers to worship, remember, and learn from God. It is, in many ways, the centerpiece of the Christian life. Everything flows from it. It is what keeps us grounded, connected, and faithful. And, it is what keep us fully alive as we step into our Monday.

In a world full of controversy and endless frustration, we look to the words of Jesus to remind us that our Love list is incomplete if our enemies aren't on it.

Pastor Jesse Bollinger joins us to continue in our Quotable series. This week we are talking about how Jesus urges us to stop living a life of deception, and instead pursue truth at every opportunity.