Key Passage: Romans 8:19-25Genesis 3:17-18Genesis 3:15Isaiah 65:17Isaiah 35:1-2Acts 3:212 Peter 3:13Isaiah 11:6-7Revelation 22:1-5Colossians 3:1-4I. Creation itself hopes to be made newa. It was subjected to futility1. What does futility mean?2. There is a cruelty in creation of this futilityb. It was subjected in hope1. God, in His grace, gave hope even as He cursed creation2. New heavens and new...  Read More

Key Passage: Romans 12:3-8John 7:37-39John 5:19-20John 14:12Titus 3:5-6Jesus is our model — two waysSpiritual practices (disciplines) that tune our ear to the FatherSpiritual gifts that allow us to practically love and serve the people in front of usFIXED — Whose am I?• Adopted — Rom 8:15–16; Gal 4:4–7• Sealed — Eph 1:13–14; 4:30; 2 Cor 1:21–22FLOWING — How is he working through me today?Water / r...  Read More

Key Passage: Romans 8:18-25Hebrews 5:81 Peter 2:23I. The Good News: In Jesus Our New Identity Never Changesa. Let's look at what we are not when we are suffering.b. If we are led by His Spiritc. The Spirit of Adoption1. This Spirit of adoption is in direct contradiction to our previous spirit of slavery.Religion says, "I have messed up; don't tell my dad."The gospel says, "I messed up; let me talk...  Read More

Key Passage: Romans 12:3-8Acts 6:1-7Our aim is not ..Independence (you don’t need others)Or dependence (you don’t have anything to contribute)But Interdependence (we members of one another, with functions that differ)Love gifts make God’s love tangible in practical ways—people feel cared for through action, presence, and generosity.Word gifts clarify the nature, actions, and purposes of God so the...  Read More

Key Passage: Romans 8:12-17Romans 8:6Romans 7:21Colossians 2:23Philippians 4:6-7Romans 8: Crown Jewel of RomansIt is easy for us to forget we are in a warTwo common errors we make with this war:1. We minimize sin2. In our war against sin: Fight it in our strengthBy the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the flesh#1: Call Upon the Name of the Lord#2: Total Reset of Your Mind with Scripture#3: Put...  Read More

Key Passage: Romans 12:3-8Matthew 25:14-30Spiritual Gifts …Are gifts and not rewardsAre to be received and not earnedAre to be stewarded and not buried.χάρις (charis) — graceχάρισμα (charisma) — gift"A spiritual gift is any ability that is empowered by the Holy Spirit and used in any ministry of the church." — Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology"A spiritual gift is a God-given unique capacity which ...  Read More