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Sermon transcripts, audio files and discussion questions can be accessed by clicking the appropriate icons. Sermon information will be posted by the end of the weekend it is delivered on assuming there are no technical difficulties. Scripture references can be read by clicking on the reference. This series of messages on the Book of Romans will take us through the end of 2012, and possibly into 2013. Paragraph by paragraph, and sometimes verse by verse we will work our way through this longest, most thorough and most powerful of Paul’s epistles. Paul’s topic? The Gospel: The Power of God for Salvation.   Date Preached by Description Read Listen mp3 Discuss Sept. 9, 2011 Pastor Cam In the opening paragraph of Paul’s epistle to the Romans (Romans 1:1-17), he introduces himself and his message. What was his message? How did Paul feel about it? And why is Pastor Cam excited about preaching this series of messages? Find out in this message entitled I Am Not Ashamed!   Sept. 16, 2011 Pastor Cam In Romans 1 and 2, Paul brings three groups of people before God’s court and argues their liability before God. In Romans 1:18-32, in a message entitled Who Needs the Gospel? Case Study #1 we take a look at the case against the first group whom Pastor Cam describes as “pagans”. What is the definition of a pagan? What potential defense might he make before the court? How does Paul argue against them? What does it all mean for the man living in the remotest part of the jungle? And what does it mean for us?   Sept. 23, 2011 Pastor Cam In Romans 2:1-16, Paul brings the second defendant before God’s court. To our surprise, he looks pretty good; like a next door neighbor or even the person sitting next to us in church. But how does God see him? When God looks below the surface, what does he see? We consider the argument for the prosecution and the defense in the case against the Moral Man in this message entitled: Who Needs the Gospel? Case Study #2.   Sept. 30, 2011 Pastor Cam In this message (Who Needs the Gospel? Case Study #3) Paul brings the third group before God’s court. Who is this group? What is their defense? How does Paul argue the case against them? Find out in this message from Romans 2:17-29.   Oct. 14, 2011 Pastor Cam After two and a half chapters of unremitting bad news, Paul turns a corner with the words “But now…”and the Good News of the Gospel breaks forth like a shaft of sunshine on a dark, stormy day. Still using the language of the courtroom, in Romans 3:21-31 Paul presents the most complete and comprehensive summary of the legal, logical and theological foundations of the Christian faith contained anywhere in Scripture.   Oct. 28, 2011 Pastor Cam Father Abraham Had Many Sons. That’s the title to an old song as well as the title of this sermon, taken from Romans 4. Who are Abraham’s sons? Why does it matter? And how does all this relate to the Gospel message and justification by faith? All of these questions are examined in this message.   Nov. 4, 2011 Pastor Cam Since we’ve been justified… After presenting the wonderful truth that we have been justified by faith, Paul begins to elaborate the many benefits that are included as a result. Romans 5:1-11 is so packed with spiritual truth that we will spend two weeks in this passage. In this first one, exploring verses 1-5, we look at four wonderful “gifts within the gift”.   Nov. 11, 2011 Pastor Cam It is The Greatest Love Story Ever Told! The whole Bible is a love story. But the truth of God’s love is condensed and focused with special power in Romans 5:6-11. Find out why it is the “greatest love story” and how God’s love for us is contrasted with every other love story you’ve ever heard.   Nov. 18, 2011 Pastor Cam Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones describes Romans 5:12-21 as both the most difficult and most important paragraph in the entire Book of Romans. What makes it difficult? What makes it important? This message addresses the question of how the human race got into the mess it’s in and also identifies the way out. It all started with the “first Adam” and the answer lies in the “last Adam”. If this doesn’t make any sense to you, then you need to listen to/read this sermon entitled Grace Abounds!   Dec. 2, 2011 Pastor Cam What Do You Reckon? It may sound like a line of dialogue out of and old cowboy movie, but in this message, Pastor Cam shows that the way we answer that question has profound implications for the way we live our lives. Learn why in this message from Romans 6:1-11.   Dec. 9, 2011 Pastor Cam A New Allegiance, a New Obedience. After 5 and a half chapters with no commands, we suddenly run across a “nest” of them in Romans 6:12-14. What are they? Why are they significant? What do they have to do with our new identity in Christ and the fact that we now belong to a new kingdom and we have a new King?   Dec. 16, 2011 Pastor Cam “Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace?” Paul is still wrestling with the question of whether the doctrine of justification by faith encourages us to continue in a life of sin. In Romans 6:15-23, Paul uses the metaphor of slaves and slavery to call us to service to our new Master. Along the way he challenges us to Choose Your Master! and makes it clear that there are only two choices.   Jan. 6, 2012 Pastor Cam Imagine a devout, first century Jew who has been carefully observing the Old Testament laws and festivals and sacrifices; then he reads Paul’s words in Romans 3:21: But now a righteousness from God apart from law has been made known…What are some of the feelings or questions that he might have? This is the issue that Paul takes up in Romans chapter 7. This message (focusing on Romans 7:1-6) is the first of three messages on this chapter and topic.   Jan. 13, 2012 Pastor Cam What about the law? That is the question the Jews in Paul’s audience would have been asking. Is the law the problem? Is the law the solution? And if not What Is the Problem? Find out in this message from Romans 7:7-13.   Jan. 20, 2012 Pastor Cam Romans 7:14-25 contains one of the most famous sections of Paul’s letter to the Romans: “For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do…” But what part of his life experience is Paul describing with these verses? Is this his present reality, or is it a description of his pre-conversion life? Both positions present the interpreter with some difficulties. Find out what those difficulties are and then make up your own mind as you listen to this message, entitled What the Law Could Not Do.   Jan. 27, 2012 Pastor Cam In this sermon, we explore a single verse of Scripture (Romans 8:1). The court of heaven is assembled. The evidence has been presented. The arguments have been made. The defendant stands. The verdict is read: “We find the defendant…NOT GUILTY!” This is one of the most glorious and liberating verses in the entire Scripture. Find out what it means and who is included in this wonderful verdict. Above all, find out if you are one of them.   Feb. 3, 2012 Pastor Cam In this message from Romans 8:1-4, we pose the question: So, What’s Different? When you placed your faith in Jesus Christ as Savior, what changed? In this passage, Paul summarizes the great truths of our justification to set the stage for his transition to his discussion of our sanctification in the chapters to follow. We move from the consideration of the wonderful truth that we are “in Christ” to the life-changing implications of the truth that “Christ is in you.”   N/A N/A Mar. 2, 2012 Pastor Cam One of the fundamental differences between a believer in Jesus Christ and someone who has not trusted Christ is that the believer is indwelt by the Spirit of Christ. And that changes everything! We now live and walk in entirely new realm; the realm of the Spirit of God. In Romans 8:15-17, we explore the new realities of life for all who are now Walking According to the Spirit.   N/A N/A Mar. 9, 2012 Pastor Cam There is A Whole Lot of Groaning going on in Romans 8:18-27. In fact, the passage lists three different “groaners.” A closer look also reveals that there are three different kinds of groaning. In this message we identify the groaners and take a closer look at the kinds of groaning and find a rather comprehensive summary of the whole Christian experience.   Mar. 30, 2012 Pastor Cam Romans 8:28 contains one of the most wonderfully reassuring promises in all of Scripture, and makes the list of almost everyone’s selection of favorite verses. But wait a minute. Why can so many Christians quote this verse, and yet they don’t know the verses that follow it (verse 29-30)? In this message (God Has a Plan), Pastor Cam explores the context to find out to whom God makes this promise and what purpose God is desiring to fulfill in the lives of his children.   Apr. 6, 2012 Pastor Cam Does the Resurrection Really Matter? As Christians around the world gather on this special Good Friday/Easter weekend, we ask this question. What is the significance of the resurrection to us today, almost 2000 years later? Surveying the Book of Romans, we find over 10 specific references to the resurrection and the fact that Jesus rose from the dead. As we examine them, we find that the resurrection of Jesus has implications for our past, our present and our future.   Apr. 13, 2012 Pastor Cam The world is a dangerous place. There are many things that can create fear in our hearts. In this message entitled “You’re Safe!” taken from Romans 8:31-39, we find that our salvation and the Gospel of “justification by faith” is the ultimate answer to all our fears. Enemies and threats may abound, but nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of Christ.   Apr. 27, 2012 Pastor Cam Therefore…That is the title of this message. In the first of two concluding messages for our series on the first 8 chapters of Romans, we leap ahead to Romans 12:1, as Paul begins to draw conclusions and implications from the Gospel for our everyday lives and choices.   May 4, 2012 Pastor Cam A Sacred Obligation