The Park Road Pres Podcast

What happens when believers in Jesus differ on what the rules are? Following the rules NEVER worked to make us right with God (all have sinned and fallen short of God's standard – the egg is smashed on the sidewalk) but NOW that believers in the same church ARE excepted because of Jesus Christ's obeying the rules… Are there NO rules? If so What ARE they? What if we disagree on the rules? Let's jum...

All other regimes and administrations are invalid and of no effect – they're rivals… "BUT WAIT!" says Paul, "Not so fast". The Way of Jesus and the plan of the ages actually has a place for these authorities. This passage both explains that plan and shows believers how to live AS: Children of Light Living at Night With One Eye on the Clock

Today, we want to look at the connective tissue that holds us in the Body…"Slaves Freed to Love". What does it mean to love other people in the Church – to love others as God loves US, without expectations of getting a return on our investment. Let's look at: The Mechanics of True LOVE An Excursus on Gracious Revenge The Power to Love Truly

Here, the essential paradox of the NT Church (now a catholic or international church) is the paradox of "One but Many". The Apostle sort of plays with these two apparently incongruous ideas and the image that illustrates the whole thing is that of a Body – ONE body with MANY parts or organs or limbs. So, what does that mean, practically speaking, to be so vitally connected to other people that we...

Today, we transition INTO the practical section of the Letter, and I hope to show that distinctively Christian morals grow in the soil of MERCY. To focus on God's mercy, the theory, the doctrine or philosophy of God's Sovereign Grace WILL LEAD US into a new kind of practical living. To bypass reflecting on God's mercy and grace and go right to the ethics is impossible. You HAVE TO muse, to contemp...

Sermon By: Rev. Dr Sansbury   Rev. Dr Sansbury is Prof. of Theology & Philosophy at Knox Theological Seminary in Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Guest Preacher, Rev. Brad Schmidt, Lead Pastor at City Church, Ft. Lauderdale, FL.

I have found, in my own thinking and beliefs, a need to undergo such a reorientation regarding the big ideas of God's justice, mercy, His omnipotence (i.e., almightiness or sovereignty) AND His salvation of sinful, guilty people. THIS chapter may have that affect on YOU. I urge you though, not to simply skip over it because the re-orientation COULD lead you to a much deeper appreciation of these i...

Today, with one, great, final push, as if Paul is saying, "Not only will what I'm about to say help you to love and forgive one another… to endure difficulties WITH (and let's face it) sometimes FROM one another – but if you get what this means, there's a level of security here so compelling that it can sustain you in ANY difficulty life throws your way – the power of extravagant security! So, let...

Romans CH 8 is a favorite chapter for many Bible-readers. It addresses a key topic, very significant in our age and all ages and that is – security. The word comes up a lot in our time and place – security system, security guard, internet security, Homeland Security, Social Security, food security, job security…We live in a world that's INsecure and vulnerable to terrorism and viruses, change and...

Sermon by: T.J. Campo Text: Romans 2 Peter 3:15-16; Romans 7:13-25

Sermon by: Jonathan Lacy Text: Romans 5:1-21

Sermon by: Jonathan Lacy Text: Romans 4:1-25

In this next section (and we only read the start and finish) it's NOT: Satisfied in God, Loving One Another and Doing Good in the World but THE reverse (FOUR points): Satisfied in Self Judging One Another and Doing Harm in the World (+appendix) I Show You a Still More Excellent Way ( 1 Cor. 12.31 )

Today Paul introduces the remedy. In some ways, the rest of the letter is ALL ABOUT what he says here. He says it, at first briefly and then spends the rest of his ink explaining the implications, answering the objections and unpacking the effects this solution has on our relationship to God, to the Church, to those outside the church and to ourselves. So today, an introduction to the answer: The...

This is the clearest teaching on homosexuality in the Bible… So what IS the teaching and how are we to apply it in the modern world? Those are two difficulties in this passage (so early in the book!). Today, we attempt to interpret this daunting section. I hope to do it in FOUR POINTS: As Plain as the Nose on Your Face Be Careful What You Wish For Give Me Liberty AND Give Me Death "L'chaim" (That'...

In today's introduction, Paul offers this elaborate greeting, and shares with these Roman Christians his desire to visit them. He hadn't started the church in the capital city; he's apparently never been to the church, but he evidently KNOWS a lot of their members (See CH 16!) and wants to see them. I want to look at this desire. Why? What does this desire in Paul say about Christianity and its im...

I want to try to put us into the scene to help us see what's happening and come away with what God has for us. IF you are already believing in Jesus and have thrown in with His organization, the church, I hope this will strengthen your belief. IF, on the other hand, you are NOT YET believing and have NOT joined with some local church that teaches the Good News, I hope you'll be at least intrigued...

Physical thirst is a big deal. If we don't drink, we die. If we drink the wrong liquids, it's harmful or even toxic. Today, the Son of God who made the waters thirsts FOR water. Let's look at: Universal Thirst Cosmic Thirst Satisfying YOUR Thirst

How IS it, for instance, that this One, whom Christians call "God incarnate" now complains TO God in this moment? Is God complaining against Himself? AND the Victim uses foreign language… WHY? AND There are apparently miraculous happenings… in nature… in the Temple and even in the tombs around Jerusalem. AND, at the end, the soldiers carrying out this execution regret what they'd done – "He was in...

Leading to this Word of Relationship we find this sort of behind the scenes bargaining between the religious leaders and the Roman Governor, the notorious Pontius Pilate. These frenzied negotiations (if we could call them that) stand in stark contrast with the apparent tenderness and composure of The Third Word. There's an unholy alliance between the Church and the State at the start and… at the f...

The two transgressors (Mark 15.28) are called simply "bad workers" in Luke's version while Mathew and Mark call them "thieves" (λῃστής) not likely petty thieves but likely repeat offenders, armed robbers or even revolutionaries against Rome who had stolen to support their cause. This morning, I want to look especially at ONE of these thieves and even though we only have very few words describing h...

Today I want to look at this oft-quoted prayer of Jesus Christ, "Father, forgive them, they don't know what they're doing" IN its wider context. I hope this look will get us into the series AND help us to think WITH God about the meaning, the reception and the practice of forgiveness. Let's look at: The Wider View The Word of Forgiveness and The Worry of Your Heart

What happens when YOU get it…and the people around you DON'T? What happens when the real core meaning of Jesus Christ's coming DAWNS on you and you see, feel, and embrace it…WHEN IT EMBRACES YOU…and the people around you don't? This scene is a gripping case-study in THAT. It's enthralling. Let's look at: The Combustible Moment It Only Takes a Spark Pouring Oil On the Fire