While in some ways it is good that Christians use the cross as our symbol, in other ways it leads to a lack of shock at the horror of the cross. We have become comfortable […]
Tag: Romans
The Key to Understanding Romans
One of the things I try to get across to my Bible students is that the authors did not sit down to intentionally write the Bible. This is especially true when it comes to Paul’s letters. […]
Devotions: Romans
A devotion based on Romans 8:15. In this passage, Paul is describing the identity of the Christian. One of the things essential for the Christian is the Holy Spirit. But the Holy Spirit is not […]
Was Jesus Adopted as the Son of God?
Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God. But what does that mean? Does that mean that Jesus has always been the Son of God or that God really liked Jesus and adopted him […]
A Vision For a Healthy Church
This is my final sermon a pastor of First Baptist Church Meaford. Romans 15 Introduction The time has come for my last message to the church. I wanted to share something that would be helpful […]
How to Disagree
Romans 14 Introduction In John 17, Jesus prays a prayer for the future church, a prayer that is aimed at us. In his prayer, Jesus prays for something very specific. It is not for beautiful […]
I Can See Clearly Now
Romans 13 Introduction There are a number of moments in my life that were turning points. One of them was when I got my eyes checked for the first time. After being encouraged to get […]
The Power of Love
Romans 12 Introduction There are many things that people of different religions and philosophies disagree on but there is one thing that almost everyone agrees on: the importance of love. It doesn’t matter of you […]
Knowing Our Place
Romans 11 Introduction Know your place! Have you ever heard someone say such a thing? Such a concept could be terribly abused. In more innocent forms, it could be used by parents to try and […]
Preach the Gospel
Romans 10 Introduction Pastors are well aware that there are certain subjects that congregations do not like to hear sermons on. One of those topics is that of hell. The entire concept of hell is […]
Let God Be God
Romans 9 Introduction It is very interesting for me to see the change in perspective from being a son to being a father. This is especially true with regard to ideas of fairness. Now things […]
Romans 9 and the Jesus Myth
There are a number of different versions of the Jesus myth theory. However, for any of them to work, they need to deal with Paul. Many mythicists claim that Paul never speaks of the earthly […]
Abundance of Blessings
Romans 8 Introduction What is Christianity all about? Is Christianity all about bad news or about good news? I have seen descriptions of churches that were completely about what they were against and not at […]
Trapped
Romans 7 Introduction Look at your life. Is it the way you want it to be? I do not mean do you have the possessions you want or have you accomplished what you want. I […]
Being a Slave
Romans 6:15-23 Introduction How do you understand your relationship with God? Do you see yourself primarily as a worshipper? That would mean that your main role would be to praise God. Do you see yourself […]
Living in Grace Land
Romans 6:1-14 Introduction I believe that there is one question that is essential for all of us to ask: So what? You say you love your children? So, what does that look like in reality? […]
Two Men and a Sin Baby
Romans 5:12-21 Introduction Why do things happen to us? Why do we experience some good things and some bad things? In our society, we pride ourselves in personal autonomy. We want to believe that things […]
Peace and Joy
Romans 5:1-11 Introduction I like it when things make sense. I enjoy it when things are logical and reasonable. This is the challenge of being a parent. Amanda and I look at some of the […]
Father Abraham
Romans 4 Introduction I find family resemblances to be very fascinating. Physically, I do not look much like my dad. However, I am now at the age that my dad was when I have some […]
Now, the Good News
Romans 3:21-31 Introduction What do you want first? The good news or the bad news? Whenever I am asked that question, the answer is very easy. I want the bad news first. There are a […]
Faithfulness of God
Romans 3:1-8 Introduction Think about the people you know, your family and friends and acquaintances. What are the virtues that you value and admire most? There would be things like politeness and kindness and intelligence […]
Unmasking Religion
Romans 2:17-29 Introduction How do people feel about religion? My experience is that people are quick to dismiss “organized religion.” They don’t mind faith in God or even spirituality but they hate organized religion. There […]
The Problem With Judging
Romans 2:1-16 Introduction “Judge not, lest you also be judged.” These are very well known words, even by people who do not know Jesus spoke them or that they are found in the Bible. Well […]
A Bad Exchange Rate
Romans 1:18-32 Introduction Paul’s letter to the Romans is very much about being in right relationship with God. No matter what subject he is looking at, he connects it to our relationship with God and […]
A Gospel of Hope and Power
Romans 1:8-17 Introduction What is it that you are really passionate about? For many people, it would be family. We love our spouse, our children and grand children. Nothing makes us happier than to be […]
Miracle of the Incarnation
Romans 1:1-7 Introduction What is it that is essential for us to get right? Do we need to get the style of our worship music right? Do we need to get the balance of liturgy […]
Romans at Yale
I recently listened to a series of talks on the Book of Romans by Harold Attridge and David Bartlett from Yale Divinity School. I did not agree with everything they said, but that is good, […]
A Prayer For Unity
Romans 15:5-7 Introduction Who a person is affects how they pray. The mother of a sick child will pray a certain way. A student nervous about an exam will pray a certain way. An evangelist […]