Chapter 13 of Romans begins with a statement that may be hard for us to swallow.  Most of us recognize the need for law and order and don’t have a problem with the idea that we should submit to proper authority, but what about the next part?  The end of verse 1 reads, “there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.”  How can that be?  How can a government that does evil things be established by God?  As governments go ours is pretty good, but we have some real problems.  Consider that Paul is writing as a citizen of Rome, hardly a model for a Godly nation.  We will read from Romans 13:1-7 and apply it to our world today.

<description>&lt;p&gt;Chapter 13 of Romans begins with a statement that may be hard for us to swallow.  Most of us recognize the need for law and order and don’t have a problem with the idea that we should submit to proper authority, but what about the next part?  The end of verse 1 reads, “there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.”  How can that be?  How can a government that does evil things be established by God?  As governments go ours is pretty good, but we have some real problems.  Consider that Paul is writing as a citizen of Rome, hardly a model for a Godly nation.  We will read from Romans 13:1-7 and apply it to our world today.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Chapter 13 of Romans begins with a statement that may be hard for us to swallow.  Most of us recognize the need for law and order and don’t have a problem with the idea that we should submit to proper authority, but what about the next part?  The end of 

Chapter 13 of Romans begins with a statement that may be hard for us to swallow.  Most of us recognize the need for law and order and don’t have a problem with the idea that we should submit to proper authority, but what about the next part?  The end of verse 1 reads, “there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.”  How can that be?  How can a government that does evil things be established by God?  As governments go ours is pretty good, but we have some real problems.  Consider that Paul is writing as a citizen of Rome, hardly a model for a Godly nation.  We will read from Romans 13:1-7 and apply it to our world today.

Message by Larry Thacker Jr from May 24: Government from God

This week's study takes us through Roman 12:14-21. Paul continues teaching us what a living sacrifice looks like. Now we've come to some of the harder parts, especially that stuff about blessing people who mistreat us and doing good to our enemies. But if we look to Jesus as our example, we see that these are the things He did. He called out sin, especially hypocrisy, but he also uttered these famous words at His crucifixion, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”



Verse 21 reads, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.". What does it mean to be overcome by evil. Sometimes it surely seems to prevail. Were the martyrs overcome by evil? Was Jesus overcome by evil when He died on that cross? Quite the opposite. In that sacrificial act He overcame evil with good forever. It isn't going quietly, but it must go. Until that day comes, we must contend with it. To be overcome by evil is to be drawn into it. Instead of standing against it and choosing good, we become participants in it.



This passage seems to be telling us how to approach relationships with all people, not just those in the church. It humanizes our enemies and reminds us that we all start from the same place. Jesus Himself warned us that our message would not be widely accepted, but it becomes real when accompanied by behavior like this, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”



What's with that last part? The imagery doesn't seem to match the spirit of the message. Paul is quoting from Proverbs 25:21-22. It is likely a reference to an Egyptian custom of carrying hot coals on one's head as a sign of contrition. The hope is that in doing good to our enemies, we draw them to a place of repentance. We invite them to become part of God's family.

<description>&lt;p&gt;This week's study takes us through Roman 12:14-21. Paul continues teaching us what a living sacrifice looks like. Now we've come to some of the harder parts, especially that stuff about blessing people who mistreat us and doing good to our enemies. But if we look to Jesus as our example, we see that these are the things He did. He called out sin, especially hypocrisy, but he also uttered these famous words at His crucifixion, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;Verse 21 reads, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.". What does it mean to be overcome by evil. Sometimes it surely seems to prevail. Were the martyrs overcome by evil? Was Jesus overcome by evil when He died on that cross? Quite the opposite. In that sacrificial act He overcame evil with good forever. It isn't going quietly, but it must go. Until that day comes, we must contend with it. To be overcome by evil is to be drawn into it. Instead of standing against it and choosing good, we become participants in it.&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;This passage seems to be telling us how to approach relationships with all people, not just those in the church. It humanizes our enemies and reminds us that we all start from the same place. Jesus Himself warned us that our message would not be widely accepted, but it becomes real when accompanied by behavior like this, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”&lt;/p&gt;



&lt;p&gt;What's with that last part? The imagery doesn't seem to match the spirit of the message. Paul is quoting from Proverbs 25:21-22. It is likely a reference to an Egyptian custom of carrying hot coals on one's head as a sign of contrition. The hope is that in doing good to our enemies, we draw them to a place of repentance. We invite them to become part of God's family.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

This weeks study takes us through Roman 12:14-21. Paul continues teaching us what a living sacrifice looks like. Now weve come to some of the harder parts, especially that stuff about blessing people who mistreat us and doing good to our enemies. But if 

This week's study takes us through Roman 12:14-21. Paul continues teaching us what a living sacrifice looks like. Now we've come to some of the harder parts, especially that stuff about blessing people who mistreat us and doing good to our enemies. But if we look to Jesus as our example, we see that these are the things He did. He called out sin, especially hypocrisy, but he also uttered these famous words at His crucifixion, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”



Verse 21 reads, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.". What does it mean to be overcome by evil. Sometimes it surely seems to prevail. Were the martyrs overcome by evil? Was Jesus overcome by evil when He died on that cross? Quite the opposite. In that sacrificial act He overcame evil with good forever. It isn't going quietly, but it must go. Until that day comes, we must contend with it. To be overcome by evil is to be drawn into it. Instead of standing against it and choosing good, we become participants in it.



This passage seems to be telling us how to approach relationships with all people, not just those in the church. It humanizes our enemies and reminds us that we all start from the same place. Jesus Himself warned us that our message would not be widely accepted, but it becomes real when accompanied by behavior like this, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”



What's with that last part? The imagery doesn't seem to match the spirit of the message. Paul is quoting from Proverbs 25:21-22. It is likely a reference to an Egyptian custom of carrying hot coals on one's head as a sign of contrition. The hope is that in doing good to our enemies, we draw them to a place of repentance. We invite them to become part of God's family.

Message by Larry Thacker Jr from May 17: “Don’t Be Evil

In Romans 12:9-13, Paul is continuing his teaching about what a living sacrifice looks like. Verse 9 begins, “Let love be without hypocrisy—by…” I only found one version, the Legacy Standard Bible, that reads this way. I admit to not knowing Greek, but a bit of research suggests that this is how it should read. Now a series of loosely connected exhortations becomes connected to a purpose. Let your love be true. Doing these things will draw your heart to His, and you will “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (12:2)

<description>&lt;p&gt;In Romans 12:9-13, Paul is continuing his teaching about what a living sacrifice looks like. Verse 9 begins, “Let love be without hypocrisy—by…” I only found one version, the Legacy Standard Bible, that reads this way. I admit to not knowing Greek, but a bit of research suggests that this is how it should read. Now a series of loosely connected exhortations becomes connected to a purpose. Let your love be true. Doing these things will draw your heart to His, and you will “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (12:2)&lt;/p&gt;</description>

In Romans 12:9-13, Paul is continuing his teaching about what a living sacrifice looks like. Verse 9 begins, “Let love be without hypocrisy—by…” I only found one version, the Legacy Standard Bible, that reads this way. I admit to not knowing Greek, but a

In Romans 12:9-13, Paul is continuing his teaching about what a living sacrifice looks like. Verse 9 begins, “Let love be without hypocrisy—by…” I only found one version, the Legacy Standard Bible, that reads this way. I admit to not knowing Greek, but a bit of research suggests that this is how it should read. Now a series of loosely connected exhortations becomes connected to a purpose. Let your love be true. Doing these things will draw your heart to His, and you will “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (12:2)

Message by Larry Thacker Jr from May 10″ Let Your Love Be True

What does it mean to be a living sacrifice? How can we renew our minds and thus be transformed? These are the first two instructions we find as Paul moves from theology lesson to application (Romans 12:1-2.) In the last message we explored what they mean and how we might begin to follow them, but we really don't have to guess. Paul is going to tell us. The short version might be put this way. Get busy using your God-given gifts to the max, but remember where they came from and stay humble. Our text is from Romans 12:3-8.

<description>&lt;p&gt;What does it mean to be a living sacrifice? How can we renew our minds and thus be transformed? These are the first two instructions we find as Paul moves from theology lesson to application (Romans 12:1-2.) In the last message we explored what they mean and how we might begin to follow them, but we really don't have to guess. Paul is going to tell us. The short version might be put this way. Get busy using your God-given gifts to the max, but remember where they came from and stay humble. Our text is from Romans 12:3-8.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

What does it mean to be a living sacrifice? How can we renew our minds and thus be transformed? These are the first two instructions we find as Paul moves from theology lesson to application (Romans 12:1-2.) In the last message we explored what they mean

What does it mean to be a living sacrifice? How can we renew our minds and thus be transformed? These are the first two instructions we find as Paul moves from theology lesson to application (Romans 12:1-2.) In the last message we explored what they mean and how we might begin to follow them, but we really don't have to guess. Paul is going to tell us. The short version might be put this way. Get busy using your God-given gifts to the max, but remember where they came from and stay humble. Our text is from Romans 12:3-8.

Message by Larry Thacker Jr from May 3: Tools of Transformation 1

Priscilla urges us to trust the Lord regardless of circumstance

<description>&lt;p&gt;Priscilla urges us to trust the Lord regardless of circumstance&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Priscilla urges us to trust the Lord regardless of circumstance

Sunday Share by Priscilla Whitmore from April 26

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