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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

No Reservations Required: A Tale of Two Cities (Matt. 8/ Is. 24-25) April 28, 2013 – Sunday Morning Message

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When I was eighteen I moved from the country to the city.  I left my mountain hometown of Cloudcroft, NM.  About 600 people lived there.  And I began college in the desert city of Las Cruces, NM.  About 60,000 people lived there.  I left a village with 3 restaurants, one high school, and a 90% white population.  I entered a city with 300 restaurants, multiple high schools, and a diverse population.   To put this into perspective, my hometown would basically fit on the main campus of my college (shaded area).Read More »No Reservations Required: A Tale of Two Cities (Matt. 8/ Is. 24-25) April 28, 2013 – Sunday Morning Message

No Reservations Required: Enough (Matt. 8/ Micah 3-4) April 21, 2013 – Sunday Morning Message

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In the early 1990s the World Bank interviewed people living in poverty.[1] They asked over 60,000 poor people from 60 countries a basic question: What is poverty?  Some of us might answer that question by describing poverty as simply the lack of financial resources.  The absence of certain possessions.  But when the poor described poverty, they described it also as the presence of something.  The presence of shame, powerlessness and fear. Read More »No Reservations Required: Enough (Matt. 8/ Micah 3-4) April 21, 2013 – Sunday Morning Message

No Reservations Required: God’s Other Love (Matt. 8/ Jer. 3) April 14, 2013 – Sunday Morning Message

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Kendra and I recently helped her parents–Ken and Nelda–celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.  Ken and Nelda met in the Midland/Odessa, TX area.  He was a fresh-faced and muscled Army man.  She was an attractive and confident office worker.  They dated four months.  Then Ken popped the question.  Nelda’s “Yes!” launched a world tour, as Ken’s army career took them from state to state and country to country.  Their love endured numerous moves, long separations due to war, and the challenges of cancer and multiple sclerosis.  Fifty years after their wedding day, their children, childhood friends, siblings, in-laws, neighbors, nephews and nieces crowded into the backyard of Ken and Nelda’s stucco home in sunny Phoenix.  Kendra’s brother smoked beef ribs, brisket, and pulled pork in a smoker the size of a swimming pool.  A cake fashioned in the shape of the earth was presented–a flag waving proudly from each place on that globe where Ken and Nelda had lived.  The back porch was filled with portable tables and folding chairs.  Family members shared stories and laughed.  Nelda cried for joy.  Ken smiled and shook hands.  My daughter Jordan and my brother’s son Joshua provided entertainment.  Before we ate, we held hands in a giant circle and thanked God for the blessing of this marriage and a love that had lasted fifty years.  What a joy it was to celebrate this love!Read More »No Reservations Required: God’s Other Love (Matt. 8/ Jer. 3) April 14, 2013 – Sunday Morning Message