Porter Podcast

Series:  Romans

The heart of Paul

Romans 1:8-17

In Chapter 1 Paul reveals his passion for the gospel and the people who trust Christ.  

the people of God                         Romans 1:8-13

Paul has not met the church at Rome, yet, he has deep gratitude for them. Paul modeled partnership and a kingdom mindset.

Meeting together was/is important for believers. When believers gather, there is mutualbenefit and mutual encouragement.  

the gospel message                     Romans 1:14-17

I am obligated...          Romans 1:14

The gospel is for every ethnic group, every social class, and every education level. 

So I am eager to preach...       Romans 1:15

The gospel is always delivered through language.

For I am not ashamed...          Romans 1:16

the “shame” campaign

·      The gospel declares mankind is sinful/wicked; the world says “most people are goodand this is hateful speech.”

·      The gospel reveals that man is helpless; the world believes this disincentivizes people. 

·      The gospel contends there is one way to God; the world rejects claims of absolute truth. 

Sometimes shame is external, sometimes it is internal.

confidence in the gospel

1.        The gospel is powerful.

2.        It provides a possibility of salvation.

3.        While it is exclusive in content, it is available to all.  

4.        The gospel reveals the righteousness of God.

changed lives =       demonstrated/transformative

righteousness

changed verdict = 

declared/forensic righteousness

God has designed the good news to be shared from person to person.  

Every person you encounter today needs the gospel. 

Series: Romans—Good News/Bad news

Set Apart for the Gospel

Romans 1:1-7

Why Study Romans? 

1)  The study of Romans has led to major transformation in individuals and communities. 

2)  Romans details the core of our faith: the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  

The Context of Romans

The book of Romans was written by Paul in 57/58 AD.  It was written to a young, influential,multicultural church in Rome. 

The Occasion of Romans

1)  Paul is trying to garner support for a mission trip to Spain.

2)  He is defending the gospel of salvation by grace through faith. 

3)  He is proposing how church unity can be accomplished around the gospel. 

A Changed Man 

Romans 1:1

A Gospel Message

Romans 1:2-5a

The gospel is not “obey and God will accept you;” it is “God accepts you through Jesus so you can obey.”  

An Apostolic Mission 

Apostle = One sent with a message

Why We share 

·      God desires trust.

·      God is worthy of the praise of all people.

·      People need the gospel.

Today’s Takeaways

1.  The good news:  Jesus makes a way for people to know God. 

2.  The good news is for all people who will trust in Christ.

3.  The gospel initiates and secures change in the way believers think and live. 

4.  Believers are to carry the gospel to the world that desperately needs Him. 

Series: God Among Us

Truly Wise Men

Matthew 2:1-2

Christians celebrate Christmas because at Jesus’ birth heaven intersects with earth and God inhabits human form.     

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. 

We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son

 from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:14

Matthew 2:1-12

“Wise Men” is from the Greek word, “magoi,” which is derived from a Persian word for priests.

This group is probably those King Darius placed under Daniel’s authority.                                                   Daniel 2:48

What was “his star in the East?”

1.  Halley’s comet

2.  a supernova

3.  a conjunction of planets

4.  a supernatural light

It is probable Daniel and other faithful exiles had shared the Jewish expectation of the Messiah while in Persia. 

Gifts for a King

·      Gold acknowledges His rule.

·      Frankincense represents His deity.

·      Myrrh pictures His suffering and death.

We Three Kings

Born a king on Bethlehem’s plain, Gold I bring to crown Him again

King forever, ceasing never, Over us all to reign.

Frankincense to offer have I, Incense owns a Deity nigh.

Prayer & praising, all men raising. Worship Him, God on high.

Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume Breathes a life of gathering gloom,

Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying Sealed in the stone-cold tomb.

Glorious now behold him arise, King and God and Sacrifice,

Alleluia, Alleluia Sound thru the earth and skies.

Today’s Takeaways

God is always at work around us; and like the people of Jesus’ day, we often fail to notice.

If the wise men can find Jesus, then so can you.

If God can reach pagan astrologers through a star, He can reach people through our telling the story.

If the wise men offered Jesus gifts fit for a king, then so should we.

Series: God Among Us

The God Who Took on Flesh

John 1:14-18

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:14 

Incarnation = to become flesh

Christians believe Jesus is both God and Man.   

It is easy to emphasize one nature and neglect the other. 

The early church believed Jesus was God and Man, but they struggled to understand how these truths related to each other. 

The church agreed that Jesus is 100% God and 100% Man.

Christians affirm that God can do the supernatural.    

Christians believe in the virgin birth of Jesus. 

Atheists believe in the virgin birth of the universe. 

You just have to Choose your miracle.  

Jesus did not come to earth so God could understand man; Jesus came to earth so man could understand God.  

This uniqueness of Jesus makes it impossible for Christianity to be a syncretistic religion.    

The God-Man, Jesus, enables us to understand the nature of God and the intended nature of man.

Today’s Takeaways

The Incarnation assures us God will always be with us.

In the life of Jesus, we have an example of how to live and treat others.

Because of Jesus’ incarnation, we have hope of forgiveness.

Series: If I Only Had

grace in hardship

2 Corinthians 12:1-10

give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

I Thessalonians 5:18 

External efforts fail to deliver peace because contentment is an inside job.

 I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. 

Philippians 4:11 

It is difficult to be content when life is hard and there is no prospect of change.

For some contentment is a pursuit; for others contentment looks more like an escape.  

2 Corinthians 12

grace in hardship

Christ has promised He will be with us.  

Deuteronomy 31:8

Hardships bring the opportunity for God-honoring, personal ministry.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

God gives special provisions to those who are suffering.  

The hope of heaven becomes more real to those who suffer. 

            2 Corinthians 4:16-5:2

Today’s Takeaways

If you are not suffering, look for ways to help those who are.

If you are living with a thorn in the flesh, do not push away from grace, lean in.

Your hardship does not disqualify you from ministry, it has prepared you for it. 

Don’t lose sight of the temporary nature of struggles, there is coming a day when thorns will be no more. 

Series:  If I Only Had

“all things” contentment

Philippians 4:4-13

Discontent: not happy with who you are, what you have and/or how things are going in your life. 

Contentment begins in the heart.

Contentment is not automatic for the believer.   

There are natural enemies to contentment.

Contentment cannot be circumstantial.

Philippians 4:11-13

Contentment is something that can be learned.  

True contentment is hidden from most; it is only known by those who are in Christ.

Philippians 4:4-9

learning contentment 

Focus your mind on your knowledge of the Lord.     

Be kind and gentle to the people around you.   

Pray instead of stressing over your circumstances.

Look for the good, regardless of your situation. 

Today’s Takeaways

Contentment is a “now” thing, not a “wait until” thing.  

A change in your life does not guarantee contentment.   

Contentment is found in knowing/trusting Christ. 

We can and should learn from people who are living content lives.  

Series:  If I Only Had

The More Trap 

I Timothy 6:6-20

Discontent: not happy with who you are, what you have and/or how things are going in your life. 

Keep your life free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for he himself has said, I will never leave you or abandon you.

Hebrews 13:5  

I Timothy 6:6-19  

the danger of chasing “MORE”

·      We forget the temporary nature of money.

·      We can become ungrateful for what God has already  done. 

·      We may harm our soul.

·      We contradict our confession that Jesus is all we need. 

·      We can develop a false security.

avoid the “MORE” trap

ü Be generous.

ü Reorient your perspective.

Today’s Takeaways

More will not make you content.

More may cause you grief.

Christ gave his life so we could have eternal life, not chase temporary things.

Generosity loosens the grip of more. 

Focusing on Christ and heaven increases contentment. 

Series: If I Only Had           

Pursuing the Wind     

Ecclesiastes 4:4-8      Proverbs 14:30

give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

I Thessalonians 5:18

discontent: To be unhappy with what you have, with who you are and/or with how your life is going

Many people are discontent because they live in comparison mode.   This approach to life will lead people to question their value and doubt they are accepted or loved.  

...jealousy is rottenness to the bones.

Proverbs 14:30b 

Ecclesiastes 4

Lessons from Ecclesiastes 4  

The life of more and better is unattainable.

If you live in comparison mode, you will not enjoy what you have.

If you are not enjoying your life, people won’t enjoy you.

Discontent people are not living the way God designed.  

bad “fixes” for discontentment:

·      a constant pursuit of externals

·      belittling others

·      pretending you are better than you are

·      isolating yourself 

The real solution to discontentment is found in the heart. 

A tranquil heart is life to the body,

but jealousy is rottenness to the bones.

Proverbs 14:30b 

Today’s Takeaways

Living a life of comparison is not God’s design for you. 

True contentment begins with a relationship with Christ. 

Contentment can be learned.   

Finding contentment will come through centering your life around Christ and His will.

Series: The Church in History

The Church and Communion

Luke 22:14-22         I Corinthians 11:23-26

Protestant = Someone who protests when the church strays from “the faith once for all delivered to the saints.”

Reformation Takeaways

·      Scripture is the final authority in matters of faith and practice.

                                                         2 Timothy 3:16–17 

·      Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.

Ephesians 2:8–9 

·      Worship is to be understandable and attainable for all.

The Communion Controversy 

The Catholic church limited the cup to members of the clergy and leadership of the church. Protestants believed both elements should be available to all. 

The Catholic church taught participation in communion was a sacrament.  Protestants asserted grace comes through faith alone. 

The Catholic church taught transubstantiation—the body and blood of Jesus are physically present in communion.   Protestants viewed the elements as symbolic.  

A Memorial to our Savior 

  The Lord’s Supper is a time to remember the Cross.

  The Lord’s Supper should lead to self-evaluation.

  The Lord’s Supper reminds believers that they are forgiven because of Christ.

The Lord’s Supper is a tool for evangelism.

The Lord’s Supper is a promise of a secure future.