Category Archives: Salvation

Join Us as We Celebrate 27 Years at Christ Community Church — a Songs for Sunday post

Sunday’s coming, and I’m especially thankful this week.

Not only do we get to gather again as the people of God, but we also get to celebrate 27 years of God’s faithfulness to and through Christ Community Church. That’s no small thing. The local church is one of God’s greatest gifts to His people — where the gospel is proclaimed, disciples are made, and the love of Jesus is lived out in community.

I want to say how personally thankful I am that God has allowed me and my family to be a part of Christ Community. I’ve had the privilege of serving in churches for two decades, but this church has become the church home and faith family we had always hoped for. Candice, Keri, Xander, and I are genuinely grateful — not only to serve here, but to belong here. Christ Community is a gift, and we thank God for it.

That’s exactly the sentiment Paul had in Colossians 1:3-6 when he was opening his letter to the church at Colossae: sharing his gratitude for a gospel-shaped church.

Paul began in v. 3 by saying, “We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you.” He’s not flattering them but pointing to God as the source of their growth and faithfulness. Every local church that stands firm in Christ is a reason to give thanks.

In v. 4, he reflects on what he’s heard about them: their “faith in Jesus” and the love they have “for all the saints”. These aren’t vague religious concepts. Their faith was real, anchored in Jesus. Their love was visible, expressed toward one another. This kind of gospel life is evidence of Christ working.

But where does that kind of faith and love come from? The answer is in v. 5: “because of the hope laid up for you in heaven”. Their faith and love are rooted in something eternal — not wishful thinking, but a secure hope. Their faith and love are rooted in something objective, already laid up, already theirs. That’s our shared hope, too: an imperishable inheritance kept in heaven (1 Peter 1:4), secured not by our own goodness but in Jesus’s blood and resurrection (1 Peter 1:18-21).

Then in vv. 5-6, Paul shifts the spotlight to the gospel itself, “the Word of the truth…which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing…”. You see, the gospel isn’t merely information. It’s power. Wherever it goes — when it’s understood and received by grace through faith in Jesus — it grows, it bears fruit, it transforms lives. That’s what God has done at Christ Community for 27 years, and that’s what we’re asking Him to keep on doing until Jesus returns.

When we gather Sunday, we’ll celebrate that very gospel in song. We’ll sing “Holy Water” thanking God for washing away our sin in His grace and mercy. We’ll sing “Graves Into Gardens” proclaiming the power of Jesus to bring life where there was death. We’ll sing “In Christ Alone” declaring our firm hope rooted in Jesus’s death and resurrection. We’ll sing “Thank You Jesus for the Blood” remembering the precious price He paid to redeem us.

We’ll be reminded of that gospel in our Scripture readings, as in Titus 3:4-7 where we’ll clearly see that our salvation is not in our works but Jesus’s, not in our righteousness (which we don’t have) but His mercy.

We’ll be reminded of that gospel and the Savior it proclaims as John opens up the Word of God and shows us the King of kings, unpacking the value and depth of His sacrifice for sinners like us and the salvation that comes only by grace through faith in Jesus alone.

So, let’s gather together.

Let’s gather on the Lord’s day — on Sunday — not just to mark an anniversary but to lift high the name of Jesus, the One who saved us, who brought us together as a church family, and who is still working in and through us for His glory and our good.

The gospel has borne fruit here, and we pray it continues to do so for generations to come — until Jesus comes.

Won’t you gather with us?

Here are our Scriptures and songs:

4But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6whom He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7so that being justified by His grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

18…knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you 21who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

NT260 | Phase 2.1 — The Savior, His Church, and the Mission

This phase will have us reading about Jesus’s life in the gospel of Luke, the formation of the Church in Acts, and walk through the theology found in Paul’s letters that the Church needs to know about and live out the eternal life given by grace through faith in Jesus.

Below, you’ll find brief synopses of each book in this phase to help you understand the scope of the book and most importantly, how it fits into the full Story of the Bible.

When you click on each day’s link, you will find a link to audio, a summary of the chapter, a key verse from the chapter, and opportunities for reflection and outreach.

Luke

Luke is the first part of a two-volume story (with Acts) written to give believers confidence about Jesus and the good news (Luke 1:1–4; Acts 1:1–2). Early Christians understood the author to be Luke, a physician and coworker of Paul (Col. 4:14; 2 Tim. 4:11). He writes to Theophilus—and to a wider audience—to show that Jesus is the promised Savior for all people: Jews and Gentiles, the poor and the powerful, the outcast and the insider (Luke 2:10–11; 4:18–19; 19:10). Big themes include prayer, the Holy Spirit, costly discipleship, warnings about riches, and God’s grace that lifts the lowly (Luke 1:52–53; 3:21–22; 6:20–26; 11:1–4; 12:32–34).

As a Gospel, Luke reads like an ancient biography centered on Jesus’ public ministry, death, and resurrection. It moves from the temple in Jerusalem to Galilee and back again, with a long “journey to Jerusalem” where Jesus heads to the cross (Luke 9:51). Luke’s style is vivid and orderly, weaving in songs, parables unique to him (e.g., the Good Samaritan; the Prodigal Son), and many scenes of table fellowship that show who belongs in God’s family (Luke 7:36–50; 10:25–37; 15:1–32). Throughout, Jesus is the Spirit-anointed Son of Man who teaches, heals, forgives, and welcomes sinners (Luke 4:1, 14, 18; 5:20–32).

In the big story of the Bible, Luke shows God keeping his promises to Israel and opening salvation to the nations. Jesus fulfills the Scriptures, suffers, rises, and sends his followers out with the Spirit’s power (Luke 24:44–49; Acts 1:8). The kingdom has arrived in Jesus’ words and works, yet we still wait for its fullness—so we live awake, generous, prayerful, and bold in witness until he returns (Luke 11:2; 12:32–40; 21:34–36).

Acts

The book of Acts is Luke’s sequel to his Gospel, written to Theophilus and to a broader audience of early Christians (Acts 1:1; Luke 1:3). Tradition and internal evidence identify Luke, the beloved physician and companion of Paul (Col. 4:14; 2 Tim. 4:11; Philem. 24), as the author. He carefully investigated eyewitness testimony and recorded an orderly account of the risen Christ’s work through His apostles (Luke 1:2–3; Acts 1:21–22). Most likely written in the early 60s A.D., Acts gives believers certainty that the gospel is true and that Christianity is the fulfillment of God’s promises, not a new or dangerous sect (Luke 24:44–47; Acts 24:14–15).

At its heart, Acts shows how the ascended Jesus continues His mission by sending the Holy Spirit to empower His church. The book’s key verse, Acts 1:8, provides its outline: the gospel spreads from Jerusalem (Acts 2:1–47), into Judea and Samaria (Acts 8:4–25), and then outward to the ends of the earth, symbolized by Paul’s ministry in Rome (Acts 28:30–31). Along the way, Luke highlights miracles (Acts 3:1–10; 19:11–12), persecution (Acts 4:1–22; 7:54–60), and the unstoppable advance of God’s Word (Acts 12:24; 19:20). Through it all, Acts demonstrates that nothing—not prison, plots, or shipwrecks—can hinder the spread of the gospel (Acts 5:41–42; 27:23–25).

Acts emphasizes both continuity and fulfillment. Jesus’ death and resurrection fulfill the Scriptures (Acts 2:25–36; 13:32–33), and His exaltation confirms Him as both Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36). The Holy Spirit marks the arrival of the new age of salvation (Acts 2:16–21; Joel 2:28–32) and unites Jews and Gentiles into one people of God (Acts 10:44–48; 15:7–11). Like Jesus in Luke’s Gospel, His followers perform miracles, face opposition, and walk in obedience to God’s plan (Luke 4:18–19; Acts 3:6–8; 14:8–10; Luke 23:4; Acts 26:31–32). The church’s mission is shown to be both ancient—rooted in God’s promises to Israel (Acts 3:25–26)—and worldwide, extending to “all who are far off” (Acts 2:39).

In the Story of the Bible, Acts is the bridge between Christ’s finished work and the church’s Spirit-empowered witness. It records the first thirty years of gospel proclamation, showing how God’s plan of salvation moves from Jerusalem to Rome and beyond (Acts 1:8; 9:15; 13:47). Acts assures us that the risen Christ still reigns, His Spirit still empowers, and His mission still advances until the day He returns (Acts 2:33; 7:55–56; 28:28). The same Spirit who emboldened Peter, Stephen, and Paul continues to strengthen the church today to proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord to the ends of the earth (Acts 4:31; 20:24; 28:31).

Continue reading in our NT260 plan with the second part of Phase 2 — The Savior, His Church, and the Mission.

Songs for Sunday, September 7, 2025 @ Christ Community Church

Tomorrow is the Lord’s day, and I’m excited!

Every Sunday, our faith family at Christ Community gathers for one reason: to worship and glorify our resurrected King, Jesus Christ. We don’t meet out of routine or ritual or religion but in response to the good news that Jesus lived, died, rose again, and reigns forever!

This Sunday (like every Sunday), the songs we sing and Scriptures we read will walk us through the gospel story. Let’s take a look and prepare our hearts to gather and worship.

The Mind and Majesty of Jesus (Philippians 2:5-11)
Paul tells the Philippians — and us — to adopt the mindset of Jesus (v. 5). This isn’t some moral challenge but a call to reflect the heart of our Savior. Though He was truly God (v. 6), Jesus didn’t grasp at His heavenly privilege but rather chose the path of humility.

He made Himself nothing — not by ceasing to be God, but by becoming human and taking on the nature of a servant (v .7). God Himself put on flesh and stepped down into our broken world (John 1:14). He lived a perfect, sinless life, obeying the Father perfectly, even to the point of death — “even death on a cross” (v. 8). This crucifixion was not just excruciating; it was humiliating and degrading, the lowest form of execution reserved for criminals. But Jesus bore it willingly for us.

Because of His humility and obedience, “God has highly exalted Him and given Him the name that is above every name” (v. 9). One day, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess Him as Lord, all to the glory of God the Father (vv. 10-11). The One who stooped low to serve and to save now reigns on high as King of kings and Lord of lords.

But if we stop there, we might miss the full weight of what happened on the cross. That’s why Isaiah 53, written hundreds of years before God became flesh and dwelt among us, speaks so powerfully into what Jesus endured.

The Suffering Savior (Isaiah 53:3-6)
Isaiah paints a vivid picture of the Servant who would come — not with power and acclaim but with sorrow and rejection (v. 3). Jesus wouldn’t just brush up against human suffering but enter into it fully, yet while people dismissed Him, thinking He was being punished by God (v. 4), Isaiah prophesies an important truth for us to understand today: when Jesus was “pierced”, it was for “our transgressions” — when He was “crushed”, it was for “our iniquities” (v. 5).

Jesus didn’t suffer for His sins because He had none. He suffered for ours. And His “punishment…brought us peace”, and “His wounds” brought us healing (v. 5). The wrath of God fell on His spotless Son so that mercy could be poured out on us.

Just as we’ve read in Philippians 2:5-11, the cross wasn’t an accident. It wasn’t injustice. It was God’s plan to redeem sinners through the willing sacrifice of His Son. And that’s good news for sinners like us.

That’s why we can sing “King of Kings”, the story of Jesus’s humility, crucifixion, resurrection, and glory. It’s why we can sing “Man of Sorrows” and “Jesus Paid It All”, recognizing that Jesus endured sorrow, pain, and death to pay the price for our sin. It’s why we can sing “What a Beautiful Name” — because He is the One who has been given a name above all names and exalted above everything that is.

That’s why we sing. That’s why we gather. Jesus is God, and He is worthy. He bore our griefs, carried our sin, paid our debt with His life, rose from the grave, and now reigns forevermore, seated at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

This is the Jesus we gather to worship.

This is the gospel — the good news — we proclaim and rejoice in.

Won’t you join us?

Here are our Scriptures and songs:

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

3He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

4Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. 6All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Songs for Sunday, August 17, 2025 @ Christ Community Church

Sunday’s coming, and I’m excited!

Every week at Christ Community Church, we gather and lift our voices in worship of Jesus by reading Scripture together and singing to and about Him. The Scriptures we are reading this week remind us of who God is and what He has done. Psalm 103:8-13 is one of the most beautiful descriptions of the LORD’s mercy in the Bible, and when we look at it alongside the picture of redemption that is found in Christ in Colossians 1:13-14, it calls us to worship Him with grateful hearts.

Take a second and look at these passages and catch a glimpse of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ:
— Psalm 103:8 — “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” This echoes how God introduced Himself in Exodus 34:6, the foundational confession of His character. He is not quick to flare up in wrath but abounds in His deep covenant love for His people.
— Psalm 103:9 — “He will not always chide, nor will He keep His anger forever.” Like Psalm 30:5 and Micah 7:18, this shows that while God’s anger against sin is real, His mercy outlasts His anger for those who belong to Him. His justice is perfect but not greater than His grace.
— Psalm 103:10 — “He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.” If God gave us exactly what our sin deserved, none could stand (Ezra 9:13, Romans 6:23), but He shows mercy in judgment, forgiving sin, iniquity, and transgressions just as He promised in Exodus 34:7.
— Psalm 103:11 — “For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him….” The psalmist piles up comparisons here to show the depth and height of God’s kindness, as abundantly immeasurable as the heavens, decisively removing our sin, and enduring like a father’s compassion toward his children. God’s love is higher than we can measure and deeper than we can comprehend (Psalm 36:5).
— Psalm 103:12 — “…as far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us.” East and west never meet. That’s how completely God forgives in Christ — our sins are gone, removed to never return (Micah 7:18-20, 2 Corinthians 5:21).
— Psalm 103:13 — “As a father shows compassion to His children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear Him.” Unlike the gods of the nations who are apathetic and hostile, the LORD relates to His people as a true Father — compassionate, tender, and faithful. Jesus Himself taught us that we can approach God in this way (Matthew 6:9, Mark 14:36).

And how has this mercy been most clearly revealed to us? In Jesus!
— Colossians 1:13-14 — He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the Kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. — Just as God rescued Israel from Egypt (Exodus 6:6, 14:30), He has rescued us from a greater slavery: the domain of darkness, the power of Satan and sin (Acts 26:18, Ephesians 5:8). Through JESUS, we have been drawn out of the shadows and placed into the Kingdom of His beloved Son. That’s redemption — the ransom paid through His blood, freeing us from bondage to sin and granting us forgiveness once and for all (Ephesians 1:7, 1 Peter 1:18-19).

This is the gospel. The mercy described in Psalm 103 is fulfilled in Jesus. Our sin is removed. Our debt is cancelled. And we are safely in Him.

That’s why tomorrow we can lift our voices and read these Scriptures. It’s why we can lift our voices to our holy, holy, holy God and sing that His mercy is more and we have hope in Christ alone. Every verse and lyric will remind us of who God is and what He has done for us in Jesus. Every verse preached will point us to Him and give opportunity to see Him more clearly.

So come on out and gather with us tomorrow. Come with gratitude, come with hope, come ready to worship the God who shows compassion like a Father and saves by the blood of His Son.

Won’t you gather with us?

Here are our Scriptures and songs:

8The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. 9 He will not always chide, nor will He keep His anger forever. 10He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. 11For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him; 12as far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us. 13As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear Him.

13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

NT260 | Phase 1 — Jesus, the Promised King

This phase will have us reading Matthew, Luke, and Hebrews. These books were written for Jewish-background believers and help us see Jesus as the promised King and fulfillment of the Old Testament. Matthew presents Jesus as the Son of David. James gives wisdom for living out our faith. And Hebrews explains how Jesus completes the story of God’s covenant people.

Below, you’ll find brief synopses of each book in this phase to help you understand the scope of the book and most importantly, how it fits into the full Story of the Bible.

When you click on each day’s link, you will find a link to audio, a summary of the chapter, a key verse from the chapter, and opportunities for reflection and outreach.

Matthew

The Gospel of Matthew is the first book in the New Testament and helps us see that Jesus is the promised Savior. Matthew, one of Jesus’ twelve disciples and a former tax collector, likely wrote this account to help his fellow Jews see that Jesus is the Messiah. He uses many Old Testament references to show how Jesus fulfilled God’s promises, and he points to Jesus as the Son of David and rightful King.

Matthew’s Gospel is filled with both what Jesus did and what He taught (Matthew 4:23). It includes well-known passages like the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7), the parables of the kingdom (Matthew 13), and the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18–20). As we read, we see Jesus healing, forgiving, teaching, and confronting the religious leaders. Though rejected by many, Jesus is shown to be the King who came to save—not just Israel, but the whole world.

This Gospel reminds us that Jesus is Immanuel—God with us—from beginning to end (Matthew 1:23, 28:20). It shows how Jesus brings God’s kingdom near and calls us to follow Him. Matthew connects the Old Testament to the New and invites us to believe in the One who died for our sins and rose again in victory. The story of Jesus is good news for all people, and His mission continues through us today.

James

The letter of James was written by James the Just, the half-brother of Jesus (Matt. 13:55) and a leader in the church at Jerusalem (Acts 15:13). Once an unbeliever (John 7:5), James came to faith after the risen Christ appeared to him (1 Cor. 15:7). Known for his wisdom and integrity, James wrote to Jewish Christians scattered outside Israel, likely due to persecution (Acts 11:19). This makes James one of the earliest New Testament writings, probably in the mid-40s AD—just a few years after Jesus’ resurrection. The letter is filled with strong, practical teaching for believers who were suffering trials, facing poverty, and struggling with division.

James’s main message is clear: real faith is shown by real obedience. He urges his readers not just to hear God’s Word but to do it (ch. 1:22–25). Like the wisdom books of the Old Testament—especially Proverbs—James is full of vivid pictures, direct commands, and memorable sayings. He addresses the power of the tongue (ch. 3:1–12), the danger of favoritism (ch. 2:1–7), the need for patient endurance (ch. 5:7–11), and the call to care for the poor (ch. 1:27; 2:14–17). Throughout, James points believers to seek “wisdom from above” (ch. 3:17), to pray with faith (ch. 5:13–18), and to live with humility before God (ch. 4:6–10).

In the story of the Bible, James calls God’s people to live out the new life they have received in Christ. His letter echoes the teaching of Jesus, especially the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5–7), and reminds the church that faith and works are not enemies but friends—true faith always produces the fruit of obedience (ch. 2:17, 26). James urges believers to endure trials with hope, resist the pull of the world, and show mercy, because the Judge is standing at the door (ch. 5:9). Until Christ returns, we are to live as wise, wholehearted disciples whose lives point others to the mercy and power of our Savior.

Hebrews

Hebrews is a Spirit-breathed sermon turned letter, written to weary believers to lift their eyes to Jesus. Its author remains unknown—Origen famously concluded, “only God knows.” What we do know is that the book’s majesty is unmistakable. As Wayne Grudem observes, “The majestic glory of Christ shines forth from the pages of the epistle to the Hebrews so brightly that no believer who reads it should ever want to question its place in the canon.” Indeed, there is no other book in Holy Scripture more clearly breathed out by God’s Spirit. The Spirit’s fingerprints are evident in every line as the writer draws deeply from the Old Testament to show that Jesus is the final and complete Word from God.

Written to Christians—likely from a Jewish background—facing discouragement, pressure, and even persecution, Hebrews urges them to persevere (ch. 10:32-36). They were tempted to drift back toward familiar religious traditions (ch. 2:1, 3:12), but the writer shows them a better way. Jesus is better than angels (ch. 1:4), better than Moses (ch. 3:3), and the better High Priest (ch. 4:14-15). He mediates a better covenant through His once-for-all sacrifice (ch. 8:6, 9:11-14, 10:10). Through rich exposition, urgent warnings, and heartfelt encouragements, Hebrews calls the church to “hold fast” (ch. 10:19-22)and to draw near to God with confidence, because Jesus Himself is our anchor (ch. 6:19-20).

In the New Testament, Hebrews is a “word of exhortation” (Heb. 13:22)—what we might call a pastoral sermon—full of both deep theology and practical application. It moves in a rhythm: teaching about Christ’s supremacy, then urging believers to respond with endurance and faith (ch. 12:1-2). The letter’s structure reflects its purpose: to strengthen believers by fixing their hope firmly on Christ (ch. 3:6, 10:23) and calling them to live faithfully until the end (ch. 3:14, 12:28). Along the way, it uses powerful Old Testament imagery—priests, sacrifices, covenants, and the tabernacle—to show that all of Scripture points to Jesus (ch. 9:23-28).

In the Story of the Bible, Hebrews ties the threads together. God spoke through the prophets in many ways, but now He has spoken definitively through His Son (Heb. 1:1–2). Jesus is the final Word (ch. 1:3), the great High Priest (ch. 7:23-25), and the perfect Sacrifice who has opened the way into God’s presence (ch. 10:19-20). By His death and resurrection, we have a cleansed conscience (ch. 9:14), a new covenant (ch. 8:10-12), and a living hope (ch. 6:19). Hebrews calls us to run the race with endurance (ch. 12:1), to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus (ch. 12:2), and to encourage one another until He returns in glory (ch. 10:24-25).

Continue reading in our NT260 plan with Phase 2 — The Savior, His Church, and the Mission.

#RomansChallenge | July 31 – 16:17-27

Click here for Romans 16:17-27 audio:

Read it. Pray it. Share it. Live it.

As Paul closes his letter, he gives a sobering warning to watch out for those who cause division and promote teachings that go against sound doctrine (v. 17). These individuals, driven by selfish appetites, use smooth talk and flattery to deceive the naive (v. 18). But Paul urges the church to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil, confident that God will soon crush Satan under their feet (vv. 19–20; cf. Gen. 3:15).

A brief set of greetings from Paul’s companions (vv. 21–23), including Timothy and Tertius (Paul’s scribe), reminds us that Paul ministered within a community of believers. Finally, Paul ends with a beautiful doxology, praising the God who strengthens His people through the gospel, the mystery once hidden but now revealed to the nations through Scripture to bring about the obedience of faith (vv. 25–26). All glory belongs to the only wise God, forever through Jesus Christ (v. 27).

🎯 Theme: Be alert to division and deception, cling to the gospel, and glorify the God who saves through Christ.

🌀 Reflection: The gospel that began with God’s promise in Genesis ends here with a shout of praise. Are your eyes open to falsehood, and is your heart anchored in the glory of Christ?

💬 Mission Challenge: Ask God to show you someone who may be spiritually naive or wavering, and gently guide them back to the truth of the gospel (v. 18; Gal. 6:1). Boldly declare Romans 16:27 in your own words to someone today.

#RomansChallenge | July 30 – 16:1-16

Click here for Romans 16:1-16 audio:

Read it. Pray it. Share it. Live it.

Paul ends his letter by commending and greeting a diverse group of believers who have labored faithfully for the gospel. He introduces Phoebe, a servant of the church and a generous supporter of many, likely the one delivering this letter (vv. 1–2). He honors Priscilla and Aquila, who risked their lives for him, and acknowledges house churches, early converts like Epaenetus, hard workers like Mary and Persis, and fellow prisoners Andronicus and Junia, who were in Christ before Paul (vv. 3–13).

Many names reflect a wide range of backgrounds—men and women, Jews and Gentiles, slaves and free—showcasing the unity of the church in Christ. Paul’s repeated affirmations (“beloved,” “fellow worker,” “approved in Christ”) highlight how gospel faithfulness is measured not by status but by service (vv. 8–12). He ends with a call to greet one another with a holy kiss and reminds them of the love of the wider church (vv. 16).🎯 Theme: Christian fellowship crosses every barrier—social, ethnic, and geographic. Gospel relationships are not merely friendships but partnerships in the mission of Christ.

🎯 Theme: Christian fellowship crosses every barrier—social, ethnic, and geographic. Gospel relationships are not merely friendships but partnerships in the mission of Christ.

🌀 Reflection: How are you investing in gospel friendships? Who in your life could you thank or encourage today for their partnership in the Lord?

💬 Mission Challenge: Choose one person from your church or community who has been faithfully serving behind the scenes. Write them a note of thanks for their service in Christ—and include a gospel tract or invite them to join you in reaching others with the good news.

#RomansChallenge | July 29 – 15:14-33

Click here for Romans 15:14-33 audio:

Read it. Pray it. Share it. Live it.

Paul closes the main body of his letter by affirming the Roman believers’ spiritual maturity—commending their goodness, knowledge, and ability to instruct one another (v. 14). Still, he reminds them boldly of their shared calling, especially his own unique role as a minister to the Gentiles (vv. 15–16). Describing his ministry in priestly terms, Paul presents the Gentiles as an offering made holy by the Spirit (v. 16). He boasts only in what Christ has accomplished through him—by word, deed, miraculous signs, and the Spirit’s power—as he preached from Jerusalem all the way to Illyricum (vv. 18–19).

Paul’s aim has always been to preach the gospel where Christ is not yet known (v. 20; cf. Isa. 52:15), which explains why he had not yet visited Rome (v. 22). Now, with his work in the east complete, he hopes to visit them on his way to Spain (vv. 23–24, 28). But first, he must carry a financial gift from the Gentile churches in Macedonia and Achaia to the poor believers in Jerusalem—an offering of unity and gratitude (vv. 25–27). Paul asks for prayer: for protection from hostile unbelievers, for the offering to be received well, and for the joy of finally visiting the Romans in the blessing of Christ (vv. 30–32). He ends with a word of peace (v. 33).

🎯 Theme: Gospel ministry requires partnership, boldness, and sacrifice—and the unity of believers across cultural and geographic lines is part of God’s plan for His glory.

🌀 Reflection: How might God use your life as an offering for His glory—set apart and sanctified for gospel purposes? What are you holding back that might be used for His mission?

💬 Mission Challenge: Identify a missionary or church planter who is actively reaching unreached people. This week, write them a note of encouragement, pray fervently for their work, and consider giving to support the advance of the gospel.

#RomansChallenge | July 28 – 15:1-13

Click here for Romans 15:1-13 audio:

Read it. Pray it. Share it. Live it.

Paul calls on the “strong” to bear with the “weak” (v. 1), urging believers to imitate Christ, who did not please Himself but bore our reproach for the glory of God (v. 3). Rather than demanding our own way, we are called to build up others (v. 2), to live in harmony (v. 5), and to welcome one another as Christ welcomed us (v. 7). The Scriptures were given to instruct us, and through them God brings endurance, encouragement, and hope (v. 4).

Christ came as a servant to the Jews to fulfill God’s promises and to bring salvation to the Gentiles, so that all people might glorify God (vv. 8–9). Paul strings together Old Testament passages (vv. 9–12) showing that this inclusion was always God’s plan. He ends with a prayer: that the God of hope would fill believers with joy, peace, and overflowing hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (v. 13).

🎯 Theme: Christ’s example calls us to selfless unity, mutual encouragement, and a shared hope in God.

🌀 Reflection: If Jesus bore reproach for us and welcomed us into God’s family, how can we withhold love or unity from fellow believers? True Christian strength shows itself in humility and a desire to build others up.

💬 Mission Challenge: Reach out this week to someone outside your cultural, racial, or generational circle—share a meal, a prayer, or your testimony—and demonstrate the unifying hope of the gospel.

Songs for Sunday, July 27, 2025 @ Christ Community Church

Sunday’s coming, and I’m excited!

It’s been a month since I’ve been able to write one of these, and my heart is full looking forward to gathering with my faith family this Sunday. The Scriptures we will read and the songs we will sing declare what the weary world — and our own weary hearts — need to hear: GOD is with us.

I know it’s not Christmas (and it’s hard to even think about it in the midst of a Mississippi summer), but I am reminded of what the prophet Isaiah said about Jesus’s coming — He would come and be the Light that would pierce the darkness:

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light…. For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given….” (Isaiah 9:2,6)

Jesus is that Son, the promised Emmanuel (which means God with us). He isn’t distant or disinterested. No, Jesus is the God who stepped into our world, entered our pain, and walked among sinners. He bore the weight of our sin and carried our sorrows. But even more than being with us, Jesus is also for us.

Look at 1 John 2:1-2:

“But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.”

That word advocate means someone who speaks on your behalf, who stands beside you when you have no defense of your own. One day, we’ll stand before the Holy God of the universe to answer for our works — for our sin. It’s hard to imagine the crushing weight of the volume of our sin or how we could ever bear it (Psalm 38:4, Romans 3:23). But before we can be under that crushing weight, our advocate steps up. When our Judge asks how we plead, our advocate speaks up, but He doesn’t just plead for us — He points to His own finished work on the cross (John 19:30, Hebrews 10:12-14) — to His blood that covers and blots out our sin (Isaiah 1:18, Colossians 2:13-14, Revelation 1:5). He doesn’t speak up to ask God to forgive or overlook; He says He’s already paid for our sin — paid in full (Romans 8:1, 33-34; 2 Corinthians 5:21).

Those who are saved know that Jesus is our righteousness. He is our covering. And He is our confidence before the Father. As we’ll read in Colossians 2:13-15 this Sunday, we’ll find that the very same God who is our advocate and defends us is the same God who died for us.

The One who stands in heaven interceding for us (Romans 8:34, Hebrews 7:25) is the One who once hung on the cross we deserve, bearing our sin against the wrath of God, to save us (Isaiah 53:4-6, 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 Peter 2:24).

The cross is where our debt was cancelled (Colossians 2:13-14), and Jesus’s resurrection is where death was defeated (1 Corinthians 15:54-57, Romans 6:9).

That’s why we can sing “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” — because we need Him and can know He’s returning just as He’s already come to us. We can sing “Great I Am” because Jesus is not merely the babe in the manger but God Almighty come to us. We can sing “Jesus Paid It All (O Praise the One)” because our sins, not in part but the whole, were nailed to the cross and the debt of our sin paid in full. And we can sing “Thank You Jesus for the Blood” because His blood wasn’t a mere payment for sin committed but the means by which we are brought near to God.

So, this Sunday come with hope. Come with need. Come with thanksgiving. And come ready to worship the One who is God with us, our Advocate, and our Savior. We will read from God’s Word together (1 Timothy 4:13) and lift our voices to proclaim the gospel to one another as we offer praise to God (Colossians 3:16). We will sit under the teaching of God’s Word as John points us to Jesus (John 20:31). We will have the opportunity for a few hours to get a brief glimpse into the glory that awaits when we find our faith becoming sight (1 Peter 1:8-9, 2 Corinthians 4:17-18) when we come at last to be with Jesus for eternity (Revelation 21:3-4).

Won’t you come and gather with us?

Here are our Scriptures and songs:

2The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone. 3You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. 4For the yoke of His burden, and the staff for His shoulder, the rod of His oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. 5For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. 6For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7Of the increase of His government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over His Kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

13And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This He set aside, nailing it to the cross. 15He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in Him.