Sermon Series Cris Escher Sermon Series Cris Escher

God's Greater Story [Romans] Sermon Series

Paul in Romans is not speaking of a belief that is only for himself, a personal theology or a record of his personal spiritual journey. Paul is speaking of God and God’s work among his people, a saving work that includes all nations and that extends throughout all time. Paul’s words of faith are not for himself alone but for all peoples. Paul tells the Romans and us God’s greater story.

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Paul in Romans is not speaking of a belief that is only for himself, a personal theology or a record of his personal spiritual journey. Paul is speaking of God and God’s work among his people, a saving work that includes all nations and that extends throughout all time. Paul’s words of faith are not for himself alone but for all peoples. Paul tells the Romans and us God’s greater story.

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[Sunday] Just a Taste - God's Greater Story - Romans 14
[Sunday] Just a Taste - God's Greater Story - Romans 14

We are getting just a taste of the love of God here at the end of Romans. While we all are worried about what people are tasting or not, we see that God’s love flows to each of us. Let go with God’s flow.

[Sunday] Under Roman Roads - God's Greater Story - Romans 13
[Sunday] Under Roman Roads - God's Greater Story - Romans 13

There they were, placing another Christian friend in the catacombs under the roads of Rome. They were facing persecution from all sides, and things looked bleak. They then looked at the new painting on the wall. It was Jesus the savant of all, encouraging them, too, to be servants of all.

[Sunday] Molded - God's Greater Story - Romans 12
[Sunday] Molded - God's Greater Story - Romans 12

The power of the world is chiseled in stone, but the power of God is molded in flesh and blood. Let us pray we don’t seek our hope in cold, chiseled stone, but may the Spirit guide and mold us to be servants of God’s creation.

[Sunday] Loving - God's Greater Story - Romans 11 + 12
[Sunday] Loving - God's Greater Story - Romans 11 + 12

Special Guest Victor Belton.
How Great and Wonderful is our God who takes our burden away so we can love those around us.

[Sunday] Grafted- God's Greater Story - Romans 11
[Sunday] Grafted- God's Greater Story - Romans 11

The story is backwards. Usually the stump is wild and the grafted branches are the good, fruit-bearing kind. But here, the wild branches (usually less fruitful) are the ones which have been grafted in. Paul is telling us, the wild ones, to be humble because we have been grafted into the original tree of promise.

[Sunday] Perspective - God's Greater Story - Romans 10
[Sunday] Perspective - God's Greater Story - Romans 10

Salvador Dali’s Christ of St. John of the Cross was almost completely destroyed when a man claimed it desecrated Christ and His image. What would enrage someone to destroy a work of art like that? Was it someone hostile to the faith? Nope, it was a matter of perspective.

[Sunday] Humble Servant - God's Greater Story - Romans 9
[Sunday] Humble Servant - God's Greater Story - Romans 9

Why are God’s original people, who are in the line of their father Israel, being left behind? This is an extremely hard question, and I think we find the answer, not in the search for power, but in being a humble servant.

[Sunday] Overwhelm - God's Greater Story - Romans 8:31-39
[Sunday] Overwhelm - God's Greater Story - Romans 8:31-39

The world just feels overwhelming. From the virus, politics, and loss of security it can feel like it is just too much. That right there is what the author Paul wants us to see, that no matter what, God's love is just as overwhelming, but in a good way.

[Sunday] Stuck in the Stone - God's Greater Story - Romans 8b
[Sunday] Stuck in the Stone - God's Greater Story - Romans 8b

Have you ever felt stuck? Stuck inside because of a virus? Stuck at a job? Stuck in a relationship? Many times we groan because we are yearning for freedom from the stone we are stuck in. What can we look to for true freedom?

[Sunday] Slave to Son- God's Greater Story - Romans 8
[Sunday] Slave to Son- God's Greater Story - Romans 8

Paul makes a curious point prior to chapter 8 here. He says we are no longer a slave to sin but a slave to Christ. But where is the freedom in that? It sounds like we have exchanged one slavery for another, but that was just a stopgap point. For Paul keeps moving forward and says we are not a slave to have been made into a child of God.

[Sunday] Deliverance- God's Greater Story - Romans 7
[Sunday] Deliverance- God's Greater Story - Romans 7

Life can be full of struggle. In the midst of such struggle we are trying to figure out how we should act that would be the best. But many times we end up doing and participating in the very things we hate. Who will deliver us from this struggle?

[Sunday] - Resurrection of Van Gogh- God's Greater Story - Romans 7
[Sunday] - Resurrection of Van Gogh- God's Greater Story - Romans 7

The famous artist is troubled. Stuck in an asylum for over a year, all he can do is paint what he can see. One day his brother sends him a picture from Rembrandt, of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Van Gogh sees life once again. 

[Sunday] - Reflection - God's Greater Story - Romans 6
[Sunday] - Reflection - God's Greater Story - Romans 6

When we are looking at participating in a greater story, we usually desire to neglect and hide our weaknesses. However, we see that we are baptized into Christ’s death and participate in his resurrection. Wait, what? Baptized into death? How is this the greater story?

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Sermon Series Cris Escher Sermon Series Cris Escher

The Jesus Experience Sermon Series.

Luke’s Story of Jesus  Luke wants to tell us a story; no, he wants to give us an experience. It’s about someone who is doing something new, someone who is bringing miracles, healings, and parties, someone who defies expectations, someone whom everyone has an opinion about, and who will save the world.

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Luke’s Story of Jesus  Luke wants to tell us a story; no, he wants to give us an experience. It’s about someone who is doing something new, someone who is bringing miracles, healings, and parties, someone who defies expectations, someone whom everyone has an opinion about, and who will save the world.

Featured
Recognize Jesus - The Jesus Experience - Luke 24
Recognize Jesus - The Jesus Experience - Luke 24

How will you recognize Jesus? Now really think about that question because no one recognized Jesus after He rises from the dead. It seems those who recognize him throughout Luke’s gospel are all doing the same thing: eating with Him.

The Art of Life - The Jesus Experience - Luke 24
The Art of Life - The Jesus Experience - Luke 24

You were created, but you were not just as a sack of unfeeling chemicals. You were created as a great work of art. But what if the world does not seem like a great work of art? What if I think my life is just a dark mess? I imagine that's what the women carrying embalming spices to Jesus’ grave thought. However, what they saw that morning changed how they saw the world and changed how they saw themselves. Christ is risen, they saw the Art of Life.

When To Weep - The Jesus Experience - Luke 19
When To Weep - The Jesus Experience - Luke 19

Everything is going great! Jesus is finally showing us who he truly is. He came riding into Jerusalem to so many people crying out “Hosanna” and “You are the King of Kings.” All Jesus has to do now is take his rightful place on the throne in Jerusalem and in our hearts. Jesus must feel amazing today, but why is he over there weeping while overlooking Jerusalem?

From Back to the Front - The Jesus Experience - Luke 18
From Back to the Front - The Jesus Experience - Luke 18

Jesus says that the man went away justified. But who is this man? What if he did not deserve to be justified? What if he had hurt me or had stolen something from me? What if he was a tax collector, or if he was too young, or blind or too short? Yes, Jesus said he went away justified. Well then if that man went away justified, then perhaps I could as well.

The Window - The Jesus Experience - Luke 17
The Window - The Jesus Experience - Luke 17

The stories we have been reading have left us breathless, and now Jesus is calling for us to live a humble life. But how, Jesus?

To Change or Not To Change - The Jesus Experience - Luke 16
To Change or Not To Change - The Jesus Experience - Luke 16

Have you thought about Kodak in the last 10 years? In the 70s they were one of the largest American companies. However now, they don’t exist. Luke 16 is asking us if we will change, if we will adjust our behavior and actually follow God’s way. But it asks a question at the end. What happens to us if we don’t actually change?

The Picture - The Jesus Experience - Luke 15
The Picture - The Jesus Experience - Luke 15

Jesus gives us a picture of the kingdom of God here in Luke 15. The picture is of a celebration when the lost have been found. Look at how the woman celebrates when the coin is found, look at how the man celebrates when the sheep is found, and look at how the father celebrates when his lost son is found. But this leaves us with a question: will we join the party or complain on the outside.

The Christian Life - The Jesus Experence
The Christian Life - The Jesus Experence
Just Out Of Reach - The Jesus Experience
Just Out Of Reach - The Jesus Experience

The world is filled with struggle, and it leaves us wanting more. We’re struggling to get the things which are just out of our reach. But in this world of struggle, Jesus has us look to the creation, beckoning us to see how God takes care of the small things, how the birds are fed and beautiful  and how we loves us even more than them.

Hidden in Plain Sight - The Jesus Experience
Hidden in Plain Sight - The Jesus Experience

Lord, when will your kingdom be here on earth? I find myself asking this frequently when I see nothing but sin and distress all around me. However, Jesus wants us to see how we give gifts. He says that we are still sinful and yet we still give good gifts. How much more does God give good things? Just look for them; they may be hidden in plain sight.

Lambs Among Wolves - The Jesus Experience
Lambs Among Wolves - The Jesus Experience

Jesus gathers his followers together and sends out 70 (Or is it 72?) to go bring his kingdom to those who need it. But he says, “You will have struggle, for I am sending you as lambs among wolves.” The world is dangerous; however, he sends his sheep out to bring peace to the house.

We're Not in Kansas Anymore - The Jesus Experience
We're Not in Kansas Anymore - The Jesus Experience

Jesus asks the disciples “Who do people say I am?” They get it right and say he is the messiah. Jesus then goes to the top of the mountain, becoming bright and shiny. We’re not in Kansas anymore - this is literally a mountain-top experience. But when there are mountains, there are also valleys, with crosses, death, and suffering. We’re not in Kansas anymore.

You Have Enough - The Jesus Experience
You Have Enough - The Jesus Experience

Jesus sends out his disciples with enough to bring good news. Five thousand people have been listening to Jesus in the wilderness. They are getting hungry, and there are only 5 loaves and 2 fish. But Jesus says it is enough. We often feel like we don’t have enough, that we will be so much better if we just had more. However, Jesus says you have enough.

How's Your Soil - The Jesus Experience
How's Your Soil - The Jesus Experience

Chapter Eight of Luke talks about soil. The great sower throws seed down, and it falls on different kinds to soil. In bad soil the seed withers and dies, but in the good soil the fruit rises up from the ground. This parable leaves an important question, “What if I’m not good soil?”

Shock and Awe - The Jesus Experience
Shock and Awe - The Jesus Experience

Chapter seven is filled with shock and awe. An outsider shows great faith, a widow's son is raised, John the Baptist is not sure about Jesus, and a sinner is forgiven much. Many times when we encounter true faith, we are filled with shock and awe.

All Or Nothing - The Jesus Experience
All Or Nothing - The Jesus Experience

Jesus is giving us a picture of the kingdom of God: miracles, healings, and parties. However, some are very upset that Jesus is doing any of this and are threatening to kill him. Jesus just looks at them and says the way of God is all or nothing.

Something New - The Jesus Experience
Something New - The Jesus Experience

Jesus bursts onto the scene; he reads from Scripture and how God is doing something new, and he says that newness is Him. How do people respond? Will they be happy? How would you have responded?

Baptism of Jesus - The Jesus Experience
Baptism of Jesus - The Jesus Experience

John was a man from the wilderness who “prepared the way of the Lord.” But when he baptized Jesus, it was not the normal pattern of forgiveness. Rather, this time the heavens opened up, and God said “this is my son whom I love.”

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