Sermon Central
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Road To Freedom
Contributed by Mark Opperman on Feb 8, 2011 (message contributor)
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1. Attitudinal Influence
Contributed on Feb 8, 2011
Our attitude determines our altitude as we seek to follow Jesus. Let’s look at Paul’s example so we can learn to respond in love to fellow believers, to those who don’t yet believe, and so we can evaluate our own attitude towards the gospel - the message
Attitudinal Influence Romans 1:8-17 Intro: Sometimes it’s easy to get so caught up in our own concerns and defending our own ideas sometimes that we don’t see the bigger picture of how our attitudes and actions might be affecting those around us. That could have been going on in ...read more
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2. Good News, Bad News
Contributed on Feb 28, 2011
Important truths from these verses that show us why this world needs the good news so badly.
Good News, Bad News Intro: Two 90-year-old women, Rose and Barb, had been friends all of their lives. When it was clear that Rose was dying, Barb visited her every day. One day Barb said, "Rose, we both loved playing softball all our lives, and we played all through High School. Please do me one ...read more
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3. Don’t Look At Me!
Contributed on Feb 28, 2011
We will look at some problems with projection (focusing on someone else's sin). My hope is that after looking at these problems, we will get real with God and allow His kindness to lead us to repentance and a changed life in the areas we may have tried to
Don’t Look at Me! Romans 2:1-5 1 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. 2 Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such ...read more
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4. Payday Is Coming!
Contributed on Feb 28, 2011
God will examine our hearts as well as our actions, and will judge us fairly based on how we lived this life. So let’s look at these verses in Romans 2 and see if we’re ready for Payday.
Payday Is Coming! Romans 2:6-16 Intro: A pastor of a small church once received the following letter signed by “A Faithful Member”: Dear Pastor: You often stress attendance at worship as being very important for a Christian, but I think a person has a right to miss Sunday ...read more
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5. People Of Praise
Contributed on Mar 7, 2011
God's people are those who trust Him for their righteousness and receive their praise from Him, not from man. The true Jew (from Judah- Praise) is one who is experiencing transformation from the inside out.
People of Praise Romans 2:17-29 Intro: One of the lessons I’m beginning to learn in my life and ministry is that less can often be more. Less exercise can become more health problems. Less food can become more quality of life. Less is also more when life becomes too complicated and we try ...read more
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6. God’s Faithfulness Wins!
Contributed on May 18, 2011
Being Jewish is a blessing, but we’ve all failed God and need a Savior. God wants us to know Him, He is completely fair, He can be trusted, and He is a holy God who requires holiness of us and is faithful to provide it.
God’s Faithfulness Wins! Intro: Well, it seems like we’ve taken a long break from our study in Romans. We took a month to go through the One-Month-to-Live series, then had Palm Sunday, Easter, heard from the Lead Pastor of the OMN, and celebrated Mother’s Day. Now, back to ...read more
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7. God’s Plan For Your Good
Contributed on May 23, 2011
A fresh look at God’s plan to fix us, picking up the broken pieces of our lives and making us whole again. Let’s look at God’s plan to make us right with Him.
God’s Plan for Your Good Romans 3:9-24 9 What shall we conclude then? Are we any better? Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin. 10 As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one; 11 there is no one who understands, no one ...read more
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8. Cross Purposes
Contributed on Jun 1, 2011
The cross was in view even before there was a single tree from which to make it. We can identify a few purposes or functions of the cross in these verses: The Cross demonstrates God's Justice and Mercy, and Gives Him all the credit!
Cross Purposes Romans 3:25-31 25 God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished-- 26 he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so ...read more
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9. Who Picked Up The Tab?
Contributed on Jun 7, 2011
Let’s look at a few thoughts that will help us understand how faith can make us right with God – nothing else can! Trusting God that what Jesus did on the cross was enough to take away our sins – that is the faith we all need today!
Who Picked Up the Tab? Romans 4:1-8 Intro: Back when we were young, dumb, and kid-free, we rode AmTrak all the way from Southeastern Nebraska to Baker City. At some point on our return trip (which started in Portland), we realized that we hadn’t planned very well and were short on food ...read more
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10. Friendship And Promises
Contributed on Jun 20, 2011
Some thoughts about trust and friendship as it relates to our relationship with God.
Friendship and Promises Romans 4:9-25 Intro: Last week we looked at Romans 4:1-8 and talked about the fact that We cannot cover our own tab! Justice requires payment for our sin, but we can no more pay for our own sins than our nation can pay off the national debt! We also considered the fact ...read more
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11. The Blessings Of Being Right With God
Contributed on Aug 29, 2011
Those who are right with God are at peace with Him (1-2a), find joy in the hope of seeing Him (2b), find joy in the journey (3-5a), and are filled with His love (5b).
The Blessings of Being Right with God Romans 5:1-5 1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. ...read more
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12. Love In The Nick Of Time
Contributed on Aug 29, 2011
As we look at the amazing love God has for us all, I hope that it brings a level of humility and grace that will help us as we interact and do life with other believers who may not see things the way we do.
Love in the Nick of Time Romans 5:6-11 6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: ...read more
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13. Adam’s Family Treasures
Contributed on Aug 29, 2011
There is an answer to our family problems of sin and death. What Adam messed up so badly, Jesus fixed for all who put their trust in Him! We don’t have to stay messed up! God wants to restore us to be the people He created us to be.
Adam’s Family Treasures Romans 5:12-21 Intro: Think for a moment about different people who have influenced your life. You might be thinking of parents or other family members. You might be thinking about a teacher, coach, friend, or someone else who had an impact on who you are ...read more
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14. Freed By Grace!
Contributed on Aug 29, 2011
Once we’ve been immersed in God’s grace, our spiritual DNA has been changed in such a way that sin becomes contrary to who we are in Christ and who Christ is in us! Our addiction to sin and self-centered living is broken and we are free to be who we were
Freed by Grace! Intro: The first 3 chapters of Romans show us how all people, Jews and Gentiles, are sinful and have failed to be who they were created to be. We’ve all sinned and we’ve all gone our own way. We are not capable of approaching God’s glory or coming close to Him. ...read more
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15. Wholehearted Living
Contributed on Aug 29, 2011
If Jesus is our Master, we cannot continue to do our own thing or indulge in a lifestyle of sin. It just doesn’t work! If Jesus is our Master, His values and His leadership will be evident in our lives. Christians can only serve one Master wholeheartedly
Wholehearted Living Intro: Previously, we looked at the first 14 verses of Romans 6 and talked about the fact that we’ve been freed by grace. The former person that I was before Christ found me and transformed me is dead and gone! I’m not the same and never will be by the grace of ...read more
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16. Belonging To Another
Contributed on Aug 29, 2011
We can try to live by a code of rules or we can live by a relationship. We could put it this way: True release comes from a relationship with Jesus, not from rules.
Belonging to Another Romans 7:1-6 1 Do you not know, brothers-- for I am speaking to men who know the law-- that the law has authority over a man only as long as he lives? 2 For example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is ...read more
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17. The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly
Contributed on Aug 29, 2011
God's law is good because He is good; Sin is bad and deceives us into rebelling against God; The effects of sin are ugly, but God wants to forgive and restore us to Himself!
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Romans 7:7-13 7 What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, "Do not covet." 8 But sin, seizing the ...read more
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18. Despicable Me And Amazing Grace
Contributed on Sep 7, 2011
Jesus came to free us from our despicable selves! My prayer for each of us is that through this message we will be able to see ourselves as we really are, and that we will ask God to remake us into who He wants us to be. He wants to give us a new heart, a
Despicable Me and Amazing Grace Romans 7:14-25 14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. ...read more
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19. No Condemnation
Contributed on Sep 19, 2011
Although we sometimes have feelings of condemnation, if our faith is in Jesus alone, there is no condemnation for us! Paul reassures Gentiles and Jews alike that even though we have all failed repeatedly, if we are in Christ, we are forgiven and free - no
No Condemnation! Romans 8:1-4 Intro: Michael Breissen was a new father, and he was not about to let his wife’s first Mother’s Day pass uncelebrated. But she was a nurse, and on that particular Sunday was working at the local hospital, and they weren’t able to celebrate ...read more
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20. The Reset Of Your Mindset
Contributed on Sep 26, 2011
God wants to change the way we think and the way we live! Our primary focus is on the mind today, since that is where our actions originate. Let’s take a look at our mindset and ask God to help us change where we need to change.
The Reset of Your Mindset Romans 8:5-11 I. Evaluate your Mindset – search me, O God II. Surrender your Mindset – you are controlled by the Spirit III. Redirect your Mindset – things above, transform, capture, God-thoughts IV. Encourage your Mindset – The Spirit can help you change! ...read more
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21. Living As Children Of God
Contributed on Dec 5, 2011
We have an obligation to live as children of God if indeed we are. Our "Papa" gives us all we need to stay connected with Him and live a life that honors Him.
Living as Children of God Romans 8:12-17 12 Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation-- but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, ...read more
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22. Longing For Something Better
Contributed on Dec 5, 2011
When our suffering life connects with our prayer life – it sends a cry out to the heavenly realms which God hears. Some thoughts about suffering and where it fits in to our temporary lives on this earth.
Longing for Something Better Romans 8:18-28 18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its ...read more
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23. God At Work In Us
Contributed on Dec 5, 2011
God is at work in you, helping you become all He wants you to be, as one of His people! God’s work in us is so much greater than our work in us could ever be!
God at Work in Us Romans 8:28-30 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many ...read more
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24. The God Who Is For Us!
Contributed on Dec 5, 2011
God is at work in you, helping you become all He wants you to be, as one of His people! God’s work in us is so much greater than our work in us could ever be!
The God Who Is for Us! Intro: 5-year-old Johnny was in the kitchen as his mother made supper. She asked him to go into the pantry and get her a can of tomato soup, but he didn’t want to go in alone: “It’s dark in there and I’m scared.” She asked again, and he gave ...read more
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25. Caring About Others
Contributed on Feb 7, 2012
I want us to look at how to share our faith without coming off like a jerk. We will make some observations about how our cultural context has changed in the last few decades, and then share five principles about how to share our faith in Jesus.
Caring about Others Romans 9:1-4a I speak the truth in Christ-- I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit-- 2 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of ...read more
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26. The God Who Can Be Trusted
Contributed on Feb 7, 2012
God’s Word will not and cannot fail but that leads to two crucial questions: 1) Is God free to do whatever he wants? 2) Is God fair in the way he treats people? Today's message will help us wrestle with these issues of God's sovereignty.
The God Who Can Be Trusted Romans 9:4-18 4 … Israel. Theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the law, the temple worship and the promises. 5 Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over ...read more
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27. In Good Hands!
Contributed on Feb 7, 2012
We will never answer every question regarding God’s calling and election and man’s free will, but how we respond to God is very important. As we grapple with these deep truths, we must remember the greatest response is to trust Him and surrender ourselves
In Good Hands! Romans 9:19-29 Romans 9 may have raised more questions than answers for you. You’re not alone in this. Even the Apostle Peter, when referring to inspired Scripture written by the Apostle Paul, recognized that his weighty words were sometimes difficult to comprehend in 2 ...read more
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28. Stumbling Onto Grace
Contributed on Feb 7, 2012
What we need is a true picture of Jesus, with nothing avoided and nothing exaggerated. We must be careful to not overemphasize one aspect of Christ’s character at the exclusion of the totality of His being. People will stumble over Him, but if they open t
Stumbling onto Grace Romans 9:30-33 -Do you know what a caricature is? One definition says that it’s “a representation, especially pictorial or literary, in which the subject’s distinctive features or peculiarities are deliberately exaggerated to produce a comic or ...read more
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29. The Accessible Savior
Contributed on Feb 7, 2012
Paul confronts some of the lies that were hindering so many of his fellow Jews from being saved. There were many truths that they embraced from God’s law, but they missed the free nature of grace and how accessible salvation is to all who call on the Lord
The Accessible Savior Romans 10:1-13 Intro: Perhaps you’ve heard of the game, 4 truths and a lie. It is often used as a mixer for people to get to know each other better. You write down 5 things about yourself, and they are all true but one. The other person tries to guess which one is ...read more
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30. The Best Plan To Save Man
Contributed on Feb 7, 2012
We need a real Savior! We need someone who can fix people! We need someone who can change hearts! We need someone who can give hope and encouragement that there is a better way to live and there is power to help us live that way. Jesus is the only plan th
The Best Plan to Save Man Romans 10:13 - 21 Intro: During this election year we have heard and will hear a lot of flowery words on how this person or that person has come up with an amazing plan to save our economy, to secure our borders, to fix our healthcare system, to reduce poverty and ...read more