QuadCity Podcast

Not everything is black and white when it comes to living out our faith. Paul makes it clear there are disputable matters. So how do you know what you can do and can’t? What should you do and shouldn’t? The answer is you do what honors your master. And what honors the master for one servant may not honor the master for another.

We have never been closer to the coming of Jesus than we are right now.  How would you live if you knew he was coming soon?  How would you treat people?  How important would obeying Jesus be?  Is there anything you are doing that you would stop?  Anything you aren’t doing that you would start?  Our salvation is nearer now than it has ever been.  It’s time to live like it.

Should we submit to God or Government?  And the answer is yes.  In a country that is divided most deeply by political ideology, the idea of submitting to government is an inflammatory one.  Paul invites us to see the government not as an enemy of God but as a weapon of God. And to live in rebellion against the governing authorities is almost always to live in rebellion against God.

What does loving people look like?  In this section, Paul rattles off many practical implications of loving people. From honoring others to showing hospitality to feeding your enemies.  In a world where everyone is looking out for themselves, one of the greatest acts of gospel proclamation is loving others more than ourselves.

What do we do now that we have come to faith in Christ?  Starting in Romans 12, Paul begins to give us application for the gospel in our lives.  It starts with worship…not simply singing…but offering our whole body to him and joining in our body to his body…the church. 

Easter 2023

All Israel will be saved?  Romans 11:25-36

Can God be trusted to keep his promises?  What about his promises to his people, the Israelites?  As we exit Romans 11, Paul finally answers these questions.  And his answer is summered up in two words, disobedience, and mercy.

When it comes to the family of God, there is only one family tree. And in this family tree, Some branches that once were a part, have been cut off. Other branches were not original, but have been grafted in. And Paul has some good news and bad news, those who have been cut off, can be grafted in again. And the bad news: those who have been grafted in can be cut off again.  

As a God follower, there will likely be times when you feel all alone, when it seems you are the only one still trying to be faithful. The reality, however, is that there has always been and always will be a remnant chosen by grace. We can rest assured that as followers of Jesus, we are never alone. 

No one comes to faith in Jesus without hearing the gospel of Jesus. No one can believe the good news that they haven’t heard. And we have been tasked with making sure those around us hear it. But we can’t make people respond in faith. As Paul teaches in this text, there will be some who hear it and reject it. But our job is still the same: Preach the word!