Romans 15

"Dear Father, who welcomes all into your family, Help us to welcome one another, as Christ has welcomed us, for your glory. For you taught us that..."

"Dear Beloved, The apostle Paul is known as a great missionary. He is also the writer of many of the letters that you find in your New Testament...."

"Dear Beloved, Let me ask you several questions to get you started thinking about today's verses from Paul's letter to the Romans:What makes you..."

"Dear Father, I pray that I may be full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct others who want to know about your salvation...."

"Dear Father, God of steadfast love, May the strength you give us be used to bear with the failings of those who are weak, not to please ourselves,..."

"Dear Disciple, Paul is coming to the end of his letter to the Christians in Rome. We will look at the messages in the last part of his letter today....."

"Dear Father, God of Israel, Give us generous hearts toward the Jewish people throughout the world. "They are Israelites, and to them belong the..."

"Dear Beloved Disciple, Paul had many reasons to be on the road. He traveled extensively all over the regions bordering the northern and eastern..."

"Dear Father, giver of joy and refreshment, Help us strive together in our prayers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of the Spirit, for every..."

"May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus...."

"[Paul wrote,] For by God's grace, I am a special messenger from Christ Jesus to you Gentiles. I bring you the Good News so that I might present you as an..."

How could I feel at home so far away from home? Phil Ware looks at Romans 15:7 and shares an experience from Thailand about feeling accepted and connected to people very different from himself.

"Just think of all the Scriptures that will come true in what we do! For instance: Then I'll join outsiders in a hymn-sing; I'll sing to your name! And..."

"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you....."

"So, my dear friends, don't take my rather bold and blunt language as criticism. It's not criticism. I'm simply underlining how very much I need your help in..."

Why would you cheer against your own team? Rubel Shelly describes a better football game than the Super Bowl with the Arizona Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Steelers, and this was between two high school teams, Grapevine Faith Christian and Gainesville State.

Did you hear the one about the fellow who walked into First Suburban Church wearing an expensive suit and a baseball cap? If you value human contact and personal service, then take note of and appreciate it when you receive it.

David danced with all his might amid the reverence and honor given to God as the ark, the representation of God's power and presence, returned to his people. Phil Ware and Demetrius Collins lead us into worship in song and the Word to experience, proclaim and rejoice in the majesty, goodness, and grace of our God who is powerful and present among us.

Jesus wants to be united as one! Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in virtual worship through words and music using YouTube videos and invite us to see the power of the Holy Spirit to make us part of Jesus' one body.

How do you treat those that you don't have to be nice to? How we treat the folks we don't HAVE to be nice to reveals a whole lot about us.

"[The Gentile Christians] were pleased to [send financial support to Jewish Christians], and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the....."

"[The Gentiles] were convinced by the power of miraculous signs and wonders and by the power of God's Spirit. In this way, I [Paul] have fully presented the Good..."

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

"We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves."

"And again, Isaiah says, "The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him.""

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

"I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another."

"Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up."

"I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. "

"By God's will I may come to you with joy and together with you be refreshed. "

"For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope."

"Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God."

"I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me."

Inspirational illustration of Romans 15:7 -- Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

Inspirational illustration of Romans 15:2 -- Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

Inspirational illustration of Romans 15:1 -- 1We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.

Inspirational illustration of Romans 15:12 -- And again, Isaiah says, "The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him."

May the God of hope fill you will all joy and peace as you trust Him... - Romans 15:13

Inspirational illustration of Romans 15:32 -- 32so that by God's will I may come to you with joy and together with you be refreshed,

Inspirational illustration of Romans 15:14 -- I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another.

Inspirational illustration of Romans 15:30 -- I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity. - Romans 15:5

Inspirational illustration of Romans 15:4 -- For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Today's message is a reminder of something that God, throughout the Scriptures and in every age, has urged his people to do: Encourage someone! Demetrius Collins & Phil Ware lead through worship in song, the Lord's Supper with Rubel Shelly, a powerful message from God's word about encouraging each other

No words can adequately describe the love that brought God to earth in Jesus, but we can celebrate this gift of grace and live to bring God the glory that is due him! Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in a virtual, DIY, worship through words and music using YouTube videos to call us to recognize God's greatness and bring him glory and honor in all we say and do.

So how long will you work to see what you've worked to grow? Teresa Bell Kindred encourages us to endure and do the work necessary to grow strong roots in our children and compares it to growing strong roots to grow strong trees and tall bamboo plants.

Click! Click! Oops! When we only think about ourselves and our projects, we run the risk of trampling others and shattering the faith of those around us.

Paul insists that we serve under a new covenant, a covenant not based on law but on the life-giving Spirit of God. Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead through worship in song, the Lord's Supper, a powerful message from God's word, and a blessing to enable us to worship from home or with family and friends in a meaningful way.

Do you know peace in your life? Do you know peace in your life? Or, do you find your days filled with conflict? Are you often belligerent and contentious with those around you? Find real peace in Jesus.

Let's each pledge to use our spiritual gifts as different parts of Jesus' body and join together to live as Jesus in the world. Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in virtual worship through words and music using YouTube videos and invite us to live as Jesus' bodily presence in the world, today.

God has you in a position to see his great work and make your life an enduring testimony of faithfulness in the face of struggle and victory in the face of defeat. James Nored and Phil Ware remind us that God's great stories of deliverance, like the Exodus with Moses leading God's people to victory over Egypt and Pharaoh, are reminders of Jesus' greater deliverance and God's faithfulness.

God has you in a great position to see his deliverance and make your life an enduring testimony when you face trials with endurance and faithfulness. James Nored and Phil Ware remind us that God's great stories of deliverance, like the Exodus with Moses leading God's people to victory over Egypt and Pharaoh, are reminders of Jesus' greater deliverance and God's faithfulness.

"Dear Beloved, Part of the challenge of being in a multi-cultural fellowship, is that people who are different from you are... different! Their..."

To see the despair without the grace is suicidal. To see the grace without the despair is upper room futility But to see them both is conversion. Max Lucado reminds us that God's grace shows up for us daily in the nail-scarred hands that Jesus uses to rescue us and work with us through his presence in our lives.

Can hope really survive in such a tough time? There is great power of child-like hope when empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Can we really pursue obedience and have a deep passion for holiness and still welcome people who practice their faith differently than we do? Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in a virtual, DIY, worship through words and music using YouTube videos to call us to recognize God's greatness and to living a life of holiness that refuses to judge others in Christ over non-essential practices.

We know Jesus is God's greatest Word, but can we trust the Scriptures that lead us to him? James Nored and Phil Ware share in video and word messages that help us understand that we are part of God's great story of Jesus and that we have a story to share as well.

We are ToGather: People from around the world, gathered virtually, to honor God as we are reshaped by his Spirit to do the work of Jesus in our broken world. Phil Ware and Demetrius Collins invite us to worship God and celebrate the work of the Holy Spirit as we are transformed to be more like our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

We are still a family gathered to remember Jesus, even when we gather virtually! Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in virtual worship through words and music using YouTube videos to challenge us to explore deeper biblical messages in the Lord's Supper than we often allow ourselves to consider.

Luke's account of Jesus' baptism and the Father's response provides our focus for today: They remind us of how powerful loving affirmation can be! ToGather.church for March 22, 2020

Where are you going to find real peace? Paul Faulkner talks about finding real peace by living simply!

How open are our arms? Rick Brown challenges us to be welcoming to those who are outsiders and those we do not know.

How long would you have to be gone before someone noticed? Larry died and no one missed him and was not discovered until 18 months after his death.

Where do you see the light? Rubel Shelly talks about when we can see the dawn and tells a rabbinic story about when we see the light in someone else's eyes and welcome them, even if they are a stranger.

This is one miracle we can all see happen in our lives! Ron Rose talks about trust issues and reveals that it is a God-thing, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

What are we really promising people in our churches? Phil Ware shares an experience where a small town was way over hyped and didn't live up to its advertising and compares it to what happens in our churches and encourages us to build God's community.

We want to tell you how thankful we are for you with words that are greater than our ability to express! heartlight.org, verseoftheday.com, ayearwithjesus.com all want to say thank you in the words of Scripture for your prayers, love, support, and encouragement.

Religious but not in church: you bet, that's a lot of folks! Larry Davies talks about why a lot of folks have trouble with going to church and reminds us that we are part of the problem when we don't go back to the basics.

What's the big deal with our worries? Bill Sherrill describes the problem with worry and how we often replace prayer with worry, but reminds us that peace isn't about circumstances or logic, but trust in God.

I was very comfortable right where I was. Jordan Harrell speaks to women about something she was told by another woman teacher that revolutionized her relationship with her husband.

Nostalgia isn't what it used to be Don't dwell on the past. Don't despair about the present. Look to the future and know that God is going to do wonderful things. And let that fill you with hope.

When's the last time you welcomed someone in? We have been brought into the circle of God's grace and we must graciously bring others in as well.

Why does Jesus' ministry begin with John? Phil Ware continues his series on The Story and reminds us that we can all be John the Baptist, the baptizer, to people around us.

How can I share in community when I am limited in how I can get out with other people? Phil Ware talks about how we can help provide and be community to those who cannot get away from home or care facilities and he asks for our input on how we can help them do this.

Many feel as if they are caught in some kind of auto-repeating Groundhog Day experience with COVID-19. Phil Ware and James Nored speak to the isolation pandemic accompanying COVID-19 and share ways and invite us to share ways to find joy and hope on the mountain with Immanuel.

Follow up to the continuing discussion Phil Ware continues his discussion on serving those who are homebound in our church communities.

Hope is an olive leaf — evidence of dry land after a flood. Max Lucado reminds us that the God of hope gives us fresh starts just as he did to Noah with the olive leaf and the dove.

What are you doing to empower God's word? Prayer empowers God's people and God's message.

God's holiness and grace call us to live our lives to bless others with what we do and what we say. Demetrius Collins and Phil Ware lead us in a virtual, DIY, worship through words and music using YouTube videos to praise God for his holiness and grace and call each other to use our lives, our speech, and our actions to bless others.

How are we doing with our connection with those who are not one of us and are interested in us? Greg Anderson shares the third in a series of articles from Interim Ministry Partners on greeting guests and welcoming others into our midst.

Interested in church planting? Four diferent approaches to church planting.