Sermon Video: Having grace in disputable matters, part 1 - Romans 14:1-9

Chapter 14 of Romans is Paul's full argument as to why Christians ought to treat each other with grace with respect to "disputable matters."  In this first part, we see two key truths: (1) The need for grace when Christians disagree, and (2) the reality that disputable matters do indeed exist, they are not a flaw but rather evidence of our freedom in Christ.

How can Christians be OK with disagreement?  Simple, it is the will of God.  To further explain, God made us in his image with the ability to discern what is the best path for us in our circumstances when the issues at hand are not questions of morality but rather preference, personality, style, or emphasis.  We absolutely must have agreement on the core beliefs of our faith (i.e. orthodoxy), but outside of these truths the rule of thumb is grace.

Sermon Video: "This is my prayer" - Philippians 1:9-11

 The prayer of the Apostle Paul for the church at Philippi is not the result of a specific need or request, but rather a general prayer for the future direction of this group of believers that Paul knows from experience have already embraced the need to love in word and in deed.  Paul utilizes a six step chain of cause and effect which lead from his hope that their "love may abound more and more" to the tool which will allow love to grow: knowledge and depth of insight.  The increase in knowledge (primarily of oneself and other people, the experience that leads to wisdom) will result for them in an increase in discernment which will allow the people of Philippi to choose what is best.  For Paul this isn't a question of knowing right from wrong, rather it is a question of learning how to love properly so that they might choose best over better and good.  Once the people have learned how to choose what is best, they will then be equipped to live in purity and free of blame, not only now, but until the day of Christ.  Such pure living will invariably result in the development of the fruit of righteousness, a process of character development made possible by the power of Jesus Christ working within those who follow him.  Lastly, Paul's chain of causation reaches its climax by proclaiming that such righteous living will bring forth praise and glory to God. 
In the end, Paul is praying that God will be praised because of the people of the church at Philippi, and he recognizes that the road to God's glory begins with the growth of love in his people.

To watch the video, click on the link below:
Sermon Video