God is LOVING...

God is GOOD...

God is PATIENT...

God is KIND...

God is MERCIFUL...

God has a plan for Israel and all people.  God did not randomly create us without purpose.  God has a calling and a unique purpose and plan for each and every one of us.

We have not replaced Israel. We have been grafted in and can experience everything the Lord desires for Israel.

Living a Christ - Centered life should demonstrate a life of love.

Today we celebrate Life Together with our Annual Chili Cook-off and Fellowship. Pastor Mark also brings a Life changing Word about the The Legacy we leave behind.

Romans 8:17 NLT

And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.

Romans 8:1 NLT

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.

Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God.For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.

Imagine that someone has been locked up and given a life sentence in prison. A prison guard unlocks the door and says "You are free to go. Someone else has taken on all your punishment..." This is what Jesus has done for you and me!

With the disobedience of Adam, sin entered into the spiritual DNA of all humanity. Sin brought death and destruction. When we choose Jesus, He gives life and restoration.

This morning we are going to pivot from going through the book of Romans. Instead, we are going to take a Sunday to worship together. Prepare your heart to join in.

It's impossible to have a relationship with God without faith. It's impossible to please God without faith. Faith and obedience are critical to an authentic relationship with the God. Let's all be people of great faith in God!

Righteousness has never come from works, rituals, or law. It has always come by faith in the God Who gives life and keeps His promises. The world operates on a performance-based system: "Earn it. Prove it. Perform for it," but God's system flips that on its head. Abraham wasn't made right with God by performance (what he did), but by faith (what he believed). Gen. 15:6 "And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith."

One of the most life impacting "F" words in our vocabulary is forgiveness. We need to understand that forgiveness is not just a word, it's a decision that is facilitated by our actions. We choose to give and receive forgiveness. God forgives us. Do we forgive ourself? Do we extend forgiveness to others?

Paul is giving basic and fundamental truths about how we develop, maintain, and model a personal, intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father... God is faithful, even when we are not.

The heart of our relationship with God is having an authentic relationship with Jesus.... Our relationship with our Heavenly Father and each other requires we spend time together. That is the target for 5th Sundays!

Paul is attempting to have the early church understand that our heart condition is more important than the law... It's our heart that connects us with the Lord, not the law. When our heart condition is right, we will keep the law!

Paul is giving basic and fundamental truths about how we develop, maintain and model a personal, intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father... This relationship is a dynamic relationship just like our earthly relationships. The choices we make have an impact in our relationships.

Paul is teaching on real life issues that had a significant impact on the early church... These issues are still impacting the church 2,000 years later.... Having a personal, intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father is the key!

Paul is mentoring these young believers... They are dealing with a number of issues they had never experienced before... The goal was for them and us to become healthy, mature believers!