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Go Contribute to the Poor (Rom. 15:22-29) Chris Altrock, Ron Wade – April 30, 2017

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22 This is the reason why I have so often been hindered from coming to you. 23 But now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you, 24 I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while.

25 At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. 27 For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings. 28 When therefore I have completed this and have delivered to them what has been collected, I will leave for Spain by way of you. 29 I know that when I come to you I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ. (Romans 15:22-29 ESV)

 

For years Paul has been trying to get to Rome, as part of his effort to get to Spain. Paul’s work in the east has reached a tipping point and he’s ready to head west to Spain. But he wants to stop in Rome on the way. He wants to stop there for two reasons. First, to enjoy the company of the Christians in Rome. Second, to give them a chance to help him on his journey to Spain.Read More »Go Contribute to the Poor (Rom. 15:22-29) Chris Altrock, Ron Wade – April 30, 2017

Go China (Acts 13) Chris Altrock & Hunter Deng – November 20, 2016

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9 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. 22 The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, 24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. 25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians. (Acts 11:9-26 ESV)

            When suffering or pain knock on the front door of our lives, most of us just want to know two things: 1) “How long are you staying?” and 2) “What can I do to make your say shorter?” Simply put, we hate pain. But Luke, the author of this book called Acts, reminds us that sometimes positive things are born from pain.Read More »Go China (Acts 13) Chris Altrock & Hunter Deng – November 20, 2016

The Good News of Christmas – Part 2 (Luke 2:7) Chris Altrock

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A friend of mine has a nativity set which he displays each December in his home. Mary’s face is serene. Joseph’s is solemn. The sheep are meticulously shorn and mercifully silent. The wise men appear as if they stepped out of a first-world fashion shoot.

But one December the manger was mangled. My friend’s toddler grabbed some Sharpies in one hand, baby Jesus in the other and splashed lines of permanent color all over the scene. When his father stumbled upon the demolition he could hardly recognize the familiar display. Never had such saintly figures been so sadly soiled. A polished and perfect nativity became a mess in a matter of minutes.

In a way, that mangled manger is more true to life than most of our refined sets. Entering our world as an infant was risky for Jesus. It was no walk in the park. The manger was more mayhem than magnificence. More danger than delight. Nothing could be more perilous. Yet nothing created intimacy with us than Jesus’ infancy.Read More »The Good News of Christmas – Part 2 (Luke 2:7) Chris Altrock

The Truth About Life: A Case for Church (Rev. 1:12-20) Chris Altrock – 6/14/15

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I met Jerry on a Sunday afternoon in the oldest neighborhood in Fort Worth, TX. He and I had gathered with a small group for Sunday dinner at the home of Steve and

Lindsay. Steve preached at a nearby congregation. He and his family of five practiced a ministry of presence in this racially and economically diverse neighborhood. After

devouring Lindsay’s pot roast, we pushed back from their long wooden plank table

and shared stories.

Most of our tales had a common theme: church. Steve and I preached for

churches. A married couple at the table were training with Pioneer Bible Translators so

they could take the church and its Book to others. Jerry and his wife taught the junior-high students at their church.

We listened while Jerry discussed his desire to share Jesus with his patients and bring them to church. As a cancer doctor, he intersected the storylines of peoples’ lives

in some of their most challenging chapters. Jerry believed God had called him to not just treat their bodies, but their hearts and souls as well.

Still, he explained, he hadn’t been sure how to do this. He noticed another

doctor who modeled one approach. This physician aggressively evangelized patients,

sometimes explicitly telling them they didn’t have long on this earth and, unless they

changed, they didn’t have a shot at heaven. Not only was the method ineffective, it was unethical. A visit from members of the medical board ended his pugnacious

proselytizing.     Read More »The Truth About Life: A Case for Church (Rev. 1:12-20) Chris Altrock – 6/14/15