In Matthew 16, Jesus takes his disciples on a trip to Caesarea Philippi. There he questions them, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” Pressing further, he asks, “Who do you say I am?” Peter replies with his now famous confession of faith, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” […]

As Pastor Alex points out, Romans chapter eight ends with a crescendo celebrating the loving faithfulness of God. It seems like a mic-drop moment, after which no more needs to be said. However, Paul is conscious that his teaching poses a serious question. If Jesus is both Israel’s Messiah and the savior of the world; […]

In the second half of chapter eight, Paul reminds us that God has adopted us into his family as his heirs. Our identity is not based on anything that we have done, but rather on what God has done and who he says we are in Him. Embracing this gift of grace means that we […]

We all have the desire to be truly free. However, as Paul has written in Romans thus far, we aren’t really free if we are living according to our sinful nature. If we want real freedom, then, as Christians, we pay attention to the Spirit who lives in us. We listen and let him lead. […]

In Romans chapter 7, Paul expands upon the failure of the Old Testament Law to produce righteousness in us, and our sinful natures. The Law helps us recognize sin and name it. Sadly, despite the Law’s inherent goodness, there is no human way to escape sin’s influence. However, Paul uses an example from marriage to […]

Paul uses the word slavery 15 times through 23 verses of chapter six, and most often he’s referring to sin. When he tells his readers that they are free from sin, the word he uses means “not a slave.” Literally. It seems like he’s trying to tell us all something: living in freedom is an […]

This message spotlights a problem that we all have in common. We sense it. Things just aren’t right, not everything anyway. And though we seem to enjoy small celebrations of goodness at times, most of us also suspect that those are the exceptions rather than the rule. We hold elections. We spend money. We change […]

Within the first couple of verse in chapter five, Paul outlines chapters 5-8. However, in verse three he turns quickly to the question of suffering. Human suffering presents us with one of life’s greatest challenges. Why does a good, loving, and all-powerful God allow suffering? Rather than offer an apology, Paul asserts that we should […]

Addressing a mixed community of Gentile and Jewish believers, Paul seeks to offer them clarity. Some of the churches in Rome leaned towards a Gospel of good works: be good and God will bless you. Others, leaned into tradition and religious ritual as a means to remain in right relationship with God. The Apostle offers […]