Our Gospel is hope to the City - Romans 10

August 28, 2011 AM
Rooted in Romans #23
Dave Marttunen

Audio / Questions / Leaders

Canadian Marshall McLuhan made the famous statement, “The medium is the message.” We understand it to mean that we communicate with more than words. Followers of Jesus have known this for centuries. Francis of Assisi memorably said, “Go everywhere and preach the gospel; if necessary use words.” The gospel is embodied in changed lives who openly advertise their change agent; the message is always about Jesus. Today, in Romans chapter 10, we discover the hope for the nation of Israel and our world has always been Jesus. We learn that our God is the missionary God who patiently holds out hope to a stubbornly religious world which resists him.

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The Agony of Love Part 2 - Romans 9

August 21, 2011 AM
Rooted in Romans #22
David Dawson

Audio / Questions / Leaders

It can be very painful to see someone make bad choices and drift from the life God offers them. Paul experienced this anguish for his fellow Israelites and we feel this for our friends and family members. As we take a broad look at Romans 9 through 11, God offers us some encouragement to help us handle the agony of love.

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Revisioning Ministry - Mark 5

Aug 14, 2011 PM
Dave Marttunen

Audio

Mark 5:1-20 teaches us the unpredictable outcome of community ministry. Jesus spectacularly heals a demonized man, and is asked to leave. It doesn’t make sense on the surface. Tonight, Pastor Marttunen will explore the anticipated cost of serving God in our city.

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The Agony of Love

August 14, 2011 AM

Rooted in Romans Part 21

Dave Marttunen

Audio

Blessed are those who mourn... The bible teaches us that caring leads us to mourn. As we care about others we will feel their brokenness, share in their loss, and experience their hurt, all because we love them. Love leads to weeping and weeping to prayer and prayer to adjusting ourselves to the only hope there is for the world, the gospel. Today in Romans 9:1-5, we have insight into a caring Christian's soul. Paul stands shoulder to shoulder with other great leaders: Moses, Nehemiah, David, and Christ; men who wept, prayed and acted. If we believe God wants to win our city then we must be prepared to experience God's heart for our city and that will lead us to mourn for our city.

The Believer's Unbreakable Life

August 7, 2011 AM
Rooted in Romans #20
Dave Marttunen

Audio / Questions / Leaders

My faith is too small. Have you ever felt that way? My action doesn't change anything. Have you ever concluded that? What does it matter that a small person, in a small place is doing a small thing? Can a life like mine, or a church like ours really have influence, or make impact, or dare to think that it brings lasting change? Can, will, does the Gospel work in a city like ours.

When faced with overwhelming challenges, most of us, most of the time, retreat. Most of us, most of the time, when swamped by the weight of our reality, give up before we think, pray, and act to make a difference. We quit before we start because we believe in our hearts and minds that nothing we do will really matter. Paul writes and captures this thinking... "we are like sheep to be slaughtered." Then he leans in and whispers hope... "no, in all these things we are more than conquerors." Today, Pastor Marttunen leads us into our battle to bring hope to our city as he teaches from Romans 8:37-39.

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A New Sheriff in Town - Romans 8

July 31, 2011 AM
Rooted in Romans #19
Dave Marttunen

Audio / Questions / Leaders

Given the chaos of life, along with the reality that the Christian will suffer before God puts all things right, how can we possibly survive the experience? How can the follower of Jesus exist in environments that are broken and hostile? Where can we find the hope that Romans 8:24-25 promises as we live in environments that are so determinedly antagonistic to our faith and purpose? The answer is anchored in Romans 8:31-36. God’s authority, rooted in His character is the answer. The five unanswerable questions posed in this short section of the Bible form the reason that the Christian thrives in any environment.

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