Parker Ford Church's Podcast

As we transition into the summer months at PFC we're taking a Sunday to look at where we've been, where we are, and where we're headed. Utilizing the imagery of a healthy and thriving ecosystem, Pastor DJay will be highlighting Romans 5:1-11 to help recap the first 11 chapters of Romans and set up the PFC summer teaching and ministry schedule.

As we wrap up Romans Chapter 11, let’s respond in humble adoration, awe-filled wonder, gratefulness, and praise to our merciful and omniscient God! Let’s pour out our praise and give Him glory! 

This week we are looking at the middle of Romans, chapter 11. Paul is using a tree  metaphor to describe the Gentiles being grafted into God’s people. Paul also gives us a warning  about how believers should be conducting their lives. When Jesus is our Lord, the way we live should be different. 

Today we will see God’s grace showered on those who faithfully follow Jesus with open eyes and ears. The few are those who don’t bend the knee in worship of anything or anyone other than the Lord. The faithful are those who are spiritually sensitive toward God. Are you part of the few and the faithful? 

This week we are going to continue to look at Romans chapter 10. Paul is still answering the question: Why has Israel missed out on the righteousness of Christ while the Gentiles welcomed and received it? We will notice in these scriptures, we have a God who is in continual pursuit of his people, and those of us who are in the family of God, play an intricate role in building His Kingdom.  

If you've lived any amount of life you have likely been on the receiving end of a "non-apology apology." Someone says to you, "I'm sorry I hurt you...but." Or, "I'M SORRY! Are you happy now?!" I hate fake apologies. Unfortunately, I've probably given them before! If you've been on the receiving end of a classic non-apology from me...let me just say I'm sorry...but you probably deserved it. Ok, just kidding! Hopefully, you have also experienced the power of a true, heartfelt apology accompanied by a change in behavior. This is a good way to think about Biblical confession. To confess is to see Jesus for who He really is, to see our sin for what it is, and to change our behaviors in light of who Jesus is. As we continue in Romans 10, let's take some time to think a little deeper about what it means to confess with our mouths that "Jesus is Lord."

It's really this simple - put your faith in Jesus the Messiah! Yet, so many don't and miss it because of their various religious games, misplaced passion, "God-projects" and Jesus-knockoffs. Don't get tripped up by these things. This Sunday we'll find Jesus on the way, not in the way. 

We see God’s sovereignty and mercy on full display in Romans 9:14-29. One of the pictures that is used is that of a potter and a lump of clay. We’ll be reminded that our job as the lump of clay is to be grateful for our part in the beautiful story that God is writing. He is full of compassion and is faithful in keeping His promises.

We are staring a new section in Romans this week, Chapters 9-11. This section seems to be an abrupt stop in Paul's pastoral flow from Romans 8. Therefore,  we need to know and understand why this is happening. Have we been reading Romans 9-11 with the wrong contextual view? Have we missed Paul's heart and intention? Possibly. We will examine and explore the heart of Paul and what he is communicating in Romans 9:1-13. 

If you’re a Sixers fan, you just groaned when you read that phrase. I apologize. This Sunday we’ll be taking a closer look at a promise that is often misused and misunderstood. God wants us to become more and more like Jesus so He is constantly at work in our lives. The good, the bad, and the ugly – God is taking it all and using it for our good and to conform us to the image of His Son. Oftentimes we can’t see how this is “good” but we can trust His plan. This Sunday, we’ll discover how we can have hope in this present life because of the certainty of our future. 

Christ is risen! The empty tomb is such a sweet symbol of ultimate victory! 2,000 years ago, Jesus suffered and died, was buried, but rose again three days later … why? Because He loves you just that much! He is the ultimate champion who is for you and with you! And there is absolutely nothing in this broken world that can separate us from His love. On this Easter Sunday, bask in the victory that is ours through the sacrificial love and resurrection power of Jesus! 

Personal stories and testimonies are a big part of our culture here at PFC.  We believe it is important to share and receive what God is doing in the lives of those in our church, as well as those in our community and around the world.  This Sunday we will take a deeper dive into Romans 8:17-19 “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” by hearing a special testimony.  Join us this Sunday to be encouraged and spurred on in your faith!

Have you heard the kids use the phrase, “I’m just built different”? Basically, it’s a way of bragging that I, or someone else, is better at something than normal. For example, “Michael Jordan was built different.” But human competition is ultimately futile. Guess what happened to MJ? He got old. His 61 year old body wouldn’t make it 5 minutes in today’s NBA. Now Jesus…He is “built different.” And, through the Spirit of God, Jesus is building us differently. In fact, He is renewing all of creation to become something truly transformed. The creation is longing in eager expectation for the children of God to be “built different.” 

Living in the Spirit starts with understanding “WHOSE we are,”  which then leads to understanding “WHO we are” and where our identity should come from. Knowing our identity is the key to living in the Spirit. 

For those who belong in Christ Jesus, the curse of sin has been broken by the cross! This is our present reality – no condemnation… now! Oh but how we often live so conditioned to our failures, shortcomings, and mistakes. Join us as we look at this amazing truth in Romans Chapter 8. We’ll also see how this reality played out in Peter’s life as Jesus re-conditioned him with His grace.  

Sometimes, it's a little too easy to see the Law as the problem. As Paul continues his teaching in Romans 7, he wants to make it abundantly clear that the Law is not the enemy to overcome - sin is the problem. Unfortunately, sin is so pervasive and powerful, that it can even twist the Law (a gift given by God to Israel) into something evil. A hammer is good for pounding nails. A hammer used to pound someone's head is bad. So it goes with the Law. If we remember that the actual enemy is sin, we can recognize that it is the Spirit of Christ, not following the letter of the Law, that conquers the true enemy.

This week are continuing our study in Romans. Chapter 7 is a continuation of answering the question Paul states in chapter 6:15: “What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means!” He is telling us one of the ways we must live under God's grace is to walk by the Spirit and not the flesh. And being tied to the Law inhibits us to walk by the Spirit.