How can it be that some of the Israelites received Jesus as their Messiah and others didn’t? This is the question that St. Paul wrestles with in Romans 9. That God chooses some and not others is a difficult concept to grasp, especially when we understand him to be just and loving. This week, Fr. Ben Williams continues our series through St. Paul’s epistle to the Romans. Join us as we join Paul in asking, “Is there injustice on God’s part?”

This life is full of fears and dangers. After St. Paul spends three chapters explaining the implications of Christ’s death and resurrection, he ends chapter eight by telling us that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. This week, Fr. Ben Williams preaches from Romans 8:35-39, where we see that through Christ we are more than conquerors. There really is nothing to be afraid of.

What is your destiny? This word may not be a part of our daily vocabulary but in Romans 8:26-34 St. Paul uses it to describe God’s will for all those who love him. In fact, he pre-destined, or predetermined that his children would be conformed to the image of Christ. Join us this week as Fr. Ben Williams explores one of the most controversial passages of the New Testament.

What good is our salvation when there is so much suffering in the world? What difference does the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ make when we experience hardship in this life? In Romans 8:18-25 St. Paul acknowledges these questions but says that our present sufferings do not compare to the glory that will be revealed in us. This week, Fr. Ben Williams explores Paul’s answer to these questions, which is (strangely) that the hope of all Creation is for the sons of God to be revealed.

What does it mean to be adopted into God’s family? Why does Paul say we are fellow heirs with Christ? This Sunday we continue our series in the Book of Romans. In 8:7-17 St. Paul tells us to put to death the deeds of the body. Join us as Fr. Ben Williams helps us understand how the indwelling of God’s Holy Spirit changes us to our very core.

If God’s grace is greater than our transgressions, should we keep sinning that his grace may abound all the more? This is a logical conclusion, but one that St. Paul adamantly refutes. This week, we continue our series in the Book of Romans to understand what we mean when we talk about the gospel. The good news is that, through our baptism, we have been so united to Christ that his death counts as ours. Not only this, but his resurrection also is ours. We have died to sin in baptism; there is no reason to continue in sin for those who have died to it. Join Fr. Ben Williams as we discover what it means to be baptized into Christ.

What does St. Paul mean when he says that through one man death and sin entered the world? Why does he say that Adam was a type of the one to come? This week, Fr. Ben Williams continues our series in the Book of Romans. In the latter half of chapter 5, Paul lays out an important building block of his gospel. We are all born into Adam and inherit sin and death. The good news of the gospel is that we can be reborn into Jesus Christ by receiving the free gift of grace, which has the power to overcome the many sins and offenses committed by human beings. Join us as we continue to explore what we mean when we talk about the gospel.

Paul tells us that we “rejoice in our sufferings.” This might make sense as we read through the Book of Romans, but when we encounter suffering in this world, how is it possible to rejoice? The answer, according to St. Paul, is that we have hope. This hope is not for a trouble-free life here and now, but a hope that is grounded in the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. This week, Fr. Ben Williams continues our series in the Book of Romans. Join us as we look at the implications of being reconciled to God.

Who was Abraham and why does Paul make such a big deal about him in Romans? This is a significant question when it comes to understanding the gospel. Paul points out that Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness. When we think of righteousness, we often think about obeying certain rules and adhering to a set of laws. Abraham was counted as righteous 430 years before God issued the Law to Moses. This week, Fr. Ben Williams continues our series in the Book of Romans with a sermon on 4:13-18. We are reminded of the good news that we do not earn God’s love; instead, it is a free gift of grace.

The life and ministry of any church should overflow from the gospel. But there is a growing lack of confidence in the faith once delivered to all the saints. Have we gotten it wrong through the years? Is the gospel really what we think it is? This summer, we will be spending time in the Book of Romans, which is St. Paul’s most extensive writing on the gospel. This week Fr. Ben Williams begins our series in 3:21-31, where we learn that we are justified by faith.