Romans 15:5-11

"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..."

"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...."

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.

"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,..."

"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....."

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.

"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....."

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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

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.

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.