Bent Oak Church

Destin Harrison shares his story of how God has revealed himself through a long series of "things not working out."

Paul finishes his letter to the Romans with a long list of names. They are people he knew and people he expressed deep gratitude for. It's amazing we still have these names. We know so little about them but they remind us of the central place of people in following Christ.

Paul longed to visit the believers in Rome and to continue on to Spain. Spain was still unreached and Paul's deepest passion was to take the gospel to unreached places. But Paul's dream would not come true. So many of our's don't either. Romans 15 offers a look into Paul's life and how he handled failed plains. 

Special thanks to Brad Lombardi for bringing us a word from Romans 15 on the abounding of peace through maturity in our fellowship together. 

Paul had a difficult problem to address. Apparently, arguments and disputes were threatening the unity of the church. Worse, the arguments were causing people to take sides and change their behavior not motivated by the gospel but by fear, anxiety, and social pressure. Paul needed to push the conversation deeper. It's an important lesson for all of us. 

It is election week, and as millions participate in voting for key government positions, we ask the question, what does Paul mean that Christians should submit to the governing authorities? How do we submit in 2020 when we are given the privilege of participating in those decisions?

Paul now transitions to the implications of the gospel for how Christians live. Paul argues that in light of the mercies of God, the most reasonable thing is for us to die to ourselves and to surrender our past, present, and future to Him as a living sacrifice. 

Paul looks towards the future and his hope for the nation of Israel. But he admits these things are a mystery. Our rightful response is not pride or arrogance but faith, worship, and fear of the Lord—fear that frees us from the anxieties of this world. 

Paul continues to explore the anguish he feels over his own people disbelieve. What does Paul make of Israel's refusal to acknowledge Christ. Romans 10 is an explanation of that question but it is also an expression of the hope and trust Paul has in God. As he quotes Isaiah, "I was found by those who did not seek me."

Paul anticipates that many may feel like God is abandoning his promises and history with Israel. Paul wrestles with the question and acknowledges that for him, this topic comes with great anguish of heart. Paul longs for all of Israel to receive Jesus as their messiah.  But Paul acknowledges that God's ways are above ours. Even reflecting on their own history, who could have predicted or plan...

Paul concludes Romans 8 with his strongest words of assurance. What can separate us from the love of God? Nothing. We explore the culmination of Paul's word of assurance for believers.

Paul continues to build his case for the assurance we have through the Spirit. Previously, Paul said that our ability to pray, "Abba, Father," was proof of the Spirit working in us. But now Paul adds that even when we don't know what to pray, the Spirit prays for us. 

Paul turns his attention to this new life in the Spirit and he connects the two images of a debtor and a child. It is a part of a bigger topic for Paul, how can we be assured of this new way? How can we be assured of our salvation?

Paul draws his discussion of the law to its final conclusion. "Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?" Paul explains how the law brings us to that final conclusion. We are in need of a savior.

Paul was willing to use any analogy he could to help clarify the relationship between Christ and the law. In Romans 7, Paul turns to the image of marriage. 

Slavery is a common way the Bible depicts sin. It does so with the knowledge of Israel's long history under Egyptian slavery. But Paul takes the image further. He explains how believers are now a slave to righteousness. What does he mean?

As we near the end of our psalms of ascent, the pilgrim's attention is turned to the community ahead—a nation worshiping together in Israel.  It can all seem like our accomplishment: our journey, our success, our worship. But Psalm 133 teaches us that community is never an achievement. Psalm 133 teaches us to receive.

Psalm 131 remembers the faithfulness of David through difficulty—suffering inflicted by others and his own personal failures. Still, David persevered on.  The Psalm also recounts the faithfulness of God. It teaches us the relationship between remembering and obeying, that faithfulness is always marked by a memory of God's faithfulness.

Psalm 131 is a maintenance psalm, a kind of soul pruning for our hearts and eyes. The psalm teaches us to have hope in God, a kind of hope that leads us to a deeper rest and contentment in him. It is a lesson many of us need to be reminded of. As the world seems to unravel, we focus our hearts and eyes on what matters most. Hope in the Lord, now and forever more.

Psalm 129 is about the reality of trials and suffering. God's people can always speak of their trials. It is a part of this journey. Even today, around the world, brothers and sisters of faith continue to face persecution and trials. But Psalm 129 interjects an equal reality. God is righteous. 

Psalm 128 describes what it is like to fear the Lord, but it's images are surprising. Fearing the Lord requires a recognizing of dependence, but with that recognition comes the opportunity to receive: food, family, and health. 

Brad Lombardi delivers a Father's Day sermon on Psalm 127.

Psalm 126 is about perspective. The Psalmist teaches us to look back on the amazing things God has done for his people, to realize God is good in the present, and to anticipate all that God has in store. The effect is gladness and joy.

God promises he will do good for his people. He promises not to let wickedness rule over his people as to tempt them to wickedness. The faithfulness of God's goodness motivates us to continue doing good.