Draw Me Close: Podcast - A Ministry of Whitestone Christian Fellowship, with Pastor Bob Lawrenz

We open today with the first of the Messianic Psalms, Psalm 2. In twelve short verses it covers the history of God and His people. It is truly The Psalm of the King: His rejection; His establishment of His Kingdom; and finally, His reigning over the nations. It does not name Him, but it does describe His ability to bring the Will of God to pass. From the early chapters of the Bible and His promise...

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Passion Week for Christians. For the Jews, it marks a return to Jerusalem, particularly for the Feast of Passover. . .

Romans 13 is a call to responsible Christian living. It underscores the importance of respect for authority, adherence to the law, and love for others. Above all, it is a call to action, a call to wake from spiritual slumber, to live in the light, and to clothe ourselves with Christ. It is a reminder that we are on the brink of salvation and that every moment matters in our pursuit of Christlikene...

With Resurrection Sunday approaching, our hearts turn toward Jesus’ victory over sin and death. God has made a way for us; it’s a narrow path, not a wide road. Paul’s 13th chapter in his Epistle to the Romans reminds us of the righteous lifestyle that God’s children are to seek out and adopt in our daily lives. But before addressing these issues in Scripture, you may have noticed that I make refer...

Paul's letter to the Romans begins with teaching on doctrine and ends with teaching on how we should live because of what is true. Romans 1—11  focused intently on the doctrine of salvation by God's grace and through our faith in Jesus. Knowing those truths, how then should those saved by God's grace live today? How should we respond to the incredible mercy God has shown to us? Romans...

Romans 12 – The Apostle Paul has seen both sides of mankind, and he learned more about God and His desires for mankind than even he thought possible. He did not learn these things at the feet of his teachers in the ways of Judaism. He learned them during his wilderness experience with the Holy Spirit. The author of the Scriptures brings a greater depth of understanding...

Because Paul accepted the OT as God’s word, he had every reason to expect the restoration of his people already announced in the prophets. He addresses this matter most clearly in Romans 11. In this chapter he is clear that God has  not  rejected his people (11:1-2). That a remnant remains, as in times of Israel’s wider apostasy in the OT, indicates that he continues to work among his people (11:2...

Last week’s message from Paul’s letter to the Romans continues, with a warning to Gentiles who might be tempted to gloat that some Jews have been removed from their “Chosen” position with God to make room for new Gentile Believers. No one is being “made room for.” It’s not like God’s heavenly Kingdom has a maximum number that can fit! Can you imagine!? God does not operate on a quota system for he...

Having considered Israel’s past and God’s sovereign purpose in Romans 9, and then Israel’s present situation and God’s continued patience in chapter 10, one crucial question remains: Is God done with Israel? Has he rejected his people for good? This is what Paul begins to address in chapter 11 as he focuses on Israel’s future and God’s glorious design.  All music on recording is used by permission...

The dogma’s of today’s church are sometimes a bit bizarre. Among them today remains the heresy of “Replacement Theology,” where the Church replaces Israel in prophecy. I say bizarre because of the scriptural evidence against it. It’s therefore quite strange. God’s promise is that all Israel is to be saved, and all Israel in this case means all spiritual Israel as we covered last chapter. . .

In  Romans 10 , Paul continues his discussion on the righteousness that comes from God, emphasizing faith in Christ as the means to attain righteousness, not adherence to the Law. Paul continues to expound on the necessity of faith for salvation, the universal offer of the gospel, and the importance of proclaiming it. This chapter is crucial for understanding the dynamics of faith and confession i...

Today, Paul’s expose’ on righteousness, salvation, and justification takes us into the realm in which faith operates. 

Throughout  Romans 9 , Paul systematically shows that God’s sovereign election has been in force from the very beginning. Reviewing the history of Israel, Paul shows that God chose Isaac over Ishmael and Jacob over Esau. Just in case anyone thinks that God was choosing these individuals based on the faith or good works they would do in the future, he adds, “Though they [Jacob and Esau] were not ye...

Lately on the media’s world stage of politics, we are confronted with the idea of sovereign nations. The Ukraine, Israel, China, and even the United States. With it, we have also learned the modern term, “Foreign Influence.” The meaning behind sovereignty comes from the French word,  “souveraineté,”  as a government or an entity becomes the sole ruling authority over itself and all that it manages...

As we begin chapter 9 of Romans, Paul is heartbroken that his people, the Jews, have rejected Christ. He insists that God will keep His promises to Israel, but that not everyone born to Israel is truly Israel. God will show mercy to whomever He wishes, calling out His people from both the Jews and the Gentiles to faith in Christ.

The Apostle Paul’s conversion to Christianity was nothing less than astounding. From a persecutor of Christians, he became an evangelist to the lost. ..

The title for today’s teaching reflects the Apostle Paul’s heartache, from the time of His Damascus Road Conversion. Having lived on both sides of the fence, first as a Jewish believer, following The Law to perfection, and then as a Believer in Jesus, enjoying the freedom of His new-found faith...

This week we are finishing up chapter eight in the book of Romans.  We have learned that when God grips you by his grace, He will never let you go!  No one can snatch you from Him, and nothing can separate you from His love. Romans 8  is arguably the greatest chapter in the Bible. It begins with "No Condemnation," and ends with "No Separation." Romans 8:35-39  is the closing pa...

Today's look at the final third of  Romans 8 , brings us to one of the great promises of Jesus to every reader. Who would not want to have an assurance that everything will work out to benefit us, without the Lord’s backing it up. But this promise is spoken with two caveats: 1) that we love God, and 2) that we are the “called” of God, meaning we are His, called to do his will.

Romans 8:14-27 focuses on the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer, highlighting how the Spirit guides, empowers, and gives assurance of adoption as a child of God, even amidst suffering, because of the future glory to come; the key theme is that those led by the Spirit are truly children of God and can confidently anticipate their inheritance in Christ despite current struggles. 

Upon teaching the reader of the difference between a fleshly life, and a Spirit-Filled life, the Apostle Paul informed the readers of this Epistle,  “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, and walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit"  ( Romans 8:1 ). The curse of the Law is undone ...

We are in Romans 8, which is one of the most beautiful chapters in all of the Bible. Romans chapter 8 carries with it assurance of great victory found in the work of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

As we begin Chapter 8 of Romans, Paul tells us of the victory he has found: “No condemnation” for them that follow after the Spirit, in spite of the flesh demanding satisfaction. 

Paul has been spending some time in Romans 6 and 7 reminding us that sin has no authority over us any longer. For those of us who are in Jesus, sin does not have any authority over our lives, no power over our will, and it does not set up a home inside our hearts. Jesus is king over our lives now! Yet, in Romans 7:14-25 we read of battles that are taking place in the heart and life of the apostle...

Our faith is in the Lord Jesus Christ, of Who the scriptures say,  “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us of all unrighteousness.”  (1 John 1:9)