Pastor John Lovell

How has God gifted you and why did He choose you for these unique gifts? The church is THE PLAN of God for a lost and dying world, and the spiritual gifts that you bring to the table are imperative in the growth of the body of Christ. Listen this week as Pastor John throws a curveball into the worldview of special gifts that we may possess. In Paul's letters to the Romans we learn that your G...

Spiritual growth for Christian believers can be dangerously sabotaged by gnosticism, an infusion of ancient ideas and religions that help create a delusional dualistic worldview. The true Word of God openly challenges today's worldly standards and its wildly out-of-touch culture, whose default position is clearly viewed as hostility toward God. The Apostle Paul provides his Roman audience som...

How does our sovereign, all-powerful God handle the Jewish nation of Israel's rejection of Jesus Christ? He allows their stumbling, sinful decisions to extend the gift of salvation to the Gentiles, fulfilling a biblical plan to provoke them to jealousy, so that some Jews may ultimately be saved. The Apostle Paul in Romans 11 reveals the mystery of this divine plan that emphasizes God's f...

The Apostle Paul opens up a bold indictment against the Jewish nation in Romans this week, as he speaks to the hard-nosed, stiff-necked elites of the religious sector. When your moral structure is built on the belief that man is basically good, you will completely miss opportunities to reconcile with God through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Contrary to worldly opinions, your fancy suits, your luxur...

Stumbling blocks are an ever present reality in this broken earth we all inhabit. God's Holy Word and the attributes of Jesus also have the potential to create a stumbling block for unbelievers, as they align their worldly logic with the ancient Pharisee mindset. In the Book of Romans this week, Pastor John unpacks incredibly rich theology, illuminating some new light onto the old stories of...

The conquering heroes of our ancient past continue to intrigue mankind and their stories of world-changing commands live on through the ages. For generations, their military prowess, strategic genius, and sheer determination have left a lasting impact on all of history. The most unstoppable force of nature is our hero, the Commander of the Lord's Army, King Jesus. He rose in power and might a...

All Christians can agree that God's ways are ultimately beyond human comprehension, especially on the subject of predestination and election. In Romans 8-9, the Apostle Paul reminds us that God's choice for our lives is a sovereign one and totally independent of any human's work or merit. While these doctrines have profound and practical implications for our Christian faith, they ca...

Believers in Jesus Christ, though redeemed spiritually, are still awaiting the full redemption of their earthly bodies along with the promise of eternal life. Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 8 that all of creation and all of mankind are groaning as God longs to be united with His children, longing to return us to an edenic state of the garden. As citizens of heaven, we are free from the weight of...

The law of the spirit of life in Christ has set believers free from the law of sin and death. The Apostle Paul contrasts these two mindsets ~flesh and spirit~ and highlights the hope and power of the Holy Spirit. Pastor John preaches an encouraging message this week of freedom from sin, starting with the biblical promise of "no condemnation" in Romans 8. He implores us to live according...

How many of us would benefit from a "great rewind opportunity" in our lives, for a chance to go back and get it right this time? The Apostle Paul reveals such an outline of possibilities in Romans 7, where he proclaims the controversial doctrinal truth that the unyielding trap of the Old Testament law has now been replaced with a spiritual return to that Edenic state through freedom in J...

Slavery is a hot topic both culturally and biblically. Contrary to the current belief systems that the history of slavery is exclusive to the USA, the building of ancient and modern empires upon the backs of slavery is evident throughout the span of all humanity. Pastor John's message this week takes us through some unpopular truths regarding modern-day human slavery, both physical and spirit...

The Apostle Paul offers the Romans a radical proposition of the gospel, to join Christ in His death so that you may join Him in a renewed and resurrected life. Christianity is an "ALL IN" spiritual transformation that encompasses our past, our present, and our future, reinventing and redefining the believers identity. Listen this week as Pastor John invites us to walk in the newness of l...

Every human on earth has received the worst possible inheritance from Adam after his fall in the garden. This original sin is a spiritual infection that separates us from God, while highlighting man's desperate need for redemption. Listen as Pastor John contrasts the actions of Adam with the works of Jesus Christ, the Holy Son of God, who was sent to earth to unravel our vile sinful nature as...

Perfectly timed for the Christian's most joyous season, Pastor John helps us unravel a letter to the Romans where Paul brings a message of peace, hope, and rejoicing. Romans 5 gives us a radical perspective that reveals the wild love of God. As we are justified by our faith in Jesus Christ, we learn the joys and the gifts that are provided through our suffering, displaying the evidence of our...

The biblical laws of the Old Testament reveal humanity's inability to fully obey all of God's commands and ultimately point to the need for a Savior. On the cross, Jesus Christ provided the great exchange, His sacrifice for our salvation, fulfilling God's plan to offer His righteousness to the lost. Listen as Pastor John demonstrates the continuity of scripture between the Old Testa...

The deep theological concept of total depravity has been debated among Bible scholars for centuries. Every aspect of human nature is corrupted by sin (our will, our minds, and our bodies) and a divine intervention from God is required to regenerate and create our new hearts. This week, Pastor John guides us through Romans 3, reminding us that true righteousness comes not from ethnic identity or fo...

Pastor John explores the symbolism of circumcision within the Old Testament, illustrating its deeper spiritual meaning and connection to the New Testament. While circumcision served as an outward sign of the covenant with God, true identity as God's people comes from a circumcised heart— a heart transformed by faith in Jesus Christ. Reliance on legalistic practices cannot save, and only faith...

All of mankind is guilty of being judgemental, but is it always wrong to judge? Listen this week as Pastor John addresses the dangers of gossip and legalism within the church community and outlines biblical practices of righteous judgement that can lead to redemption and building stronger relationships with each other. Thanks for listening! Visit our website for more info: https://www.gracecityrom...

Best selling author, speaker, and founder of Fierce Marriage, Ryan Frederick, takes the pulpit this week to explore the biblical story of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3, where God displays the perfect design for the covenant of marriage. In a world where statistical data proves that modern marriages are in shambles, the Bible provides the key to flourishing relationships between husbands and wives. Tha...

This week, Pastor John addresses the controversial topic of homosexuality based on scripture in the book of Romans. Many people immediately shut down or react negatively upon hearing any viewpoint other than their own when it comes to homosexuality, but the Word of God is clear on the subject. Tune in to hear Pastor John respond to 4 false cultural objections with relevant, practical, Biblical cou...

While the intellectual and scientific community continue to argue their distorted views of God, Pastor John uses historical and spiritual truth to disclose numerous arguments in favor of the existence and sovereignty of The Creator. Heaven's perspective is clear on God's wrath against sinfulness, and prideful humans show typical patterns of suppressing the truth of their own ungodliness....

In this week's sermon, Pastor John begins by asking who our tribe is, highlighting the importance of deep connections with fellow believers. He reflects on his own experiences, revealing that his true tribe is formed through the bond of faith within the church community. He warns against the isolating curse of the digital age, emphasizing the importance of in-person community and involvement...

Marked with a reputation for in-depth theology and spiritual wisdom, the Book of Romans promises to provide Christians with some hard truths and challenging biblical concepts. Join us in a new series as Pastor John embarks on a journey through the Apostle Paul's letter to the ancient Romans, focusing on the servanthood component of our relationship with Jesus Christ. www.gracecityrome.com Tha...

Pastor John wraps up the book of Acts this week with a compelling message of living life with radical faith. Listen as he encourages believers to be content missionaries in whatever environment God places you. Fueled with holy ambition, we can run this race seeking the eternal reward of Jesus. www.gracecityrome.com Thanks for listening! Visit our website for more info: https://www.gracecityrome.co...

Pastor Carlos Fernandez from Crosspoint City Church brings a message from Colossians 4 this week encouraging each of us to understand the imperative nature of prayer in our Christian walk.  He challenged us through the Apostle Paul's actions, to increase our prayer life in order to unleash the power of God's heart onto this lost and dying world. Listen now as he provides some practical a...