Vista Community Church

Are you better than them? In Romans 2-3, Paul poses this difficult and irritating question and reminds us that while we may sin differently than them, we are not better than them, and our judgment of others puts us under the judgment of God.

Paul was a unique person who God used to accomplish amazing things. The rapid spread of the gospel and the early church can largely be traced back to Paul and his ministry. Although he endured a lot, he never seemed to tire of serving Jesus and the church. Paul preached and wrote with authority and confidence, but where does this come from? What allowed the Apostle Paul to keep pushing forward with the mission God gave him? What drove him in the face of many obstacles? I believe the first half of Romans chapter 1 gives us some keys to the Apostle Paul and what made him tick. We can learn a lot from Paul's life as we seek to live a life of service to Jesus.

Dabbling in issues of free will and sovereignty, in Romans 9-11 Paul offers a tour-de-force explanation of why Israel's rejection of Jesus does not mean God has been unfaithful to Israel. Yet despite all the complications involved, Paul's final diagnosis is simple: God has shut up all in sin in order to show mercy to all.

The Apostle Paul discusses how believers should respond to the government... specifically instructing those in the church to not pursue political zealotry, but rather seek to live as good citizens who respect authority and obey the laws.

What is forming you? Christ or culture? If you are being molded more everyday into the image of Christ, it is going to change the way you see and engage the world; it is going to change the way you view the Church, the Body of Christ, and participate in Christian community; and it will change the way you respond to those who oppose and mistreat you.

The Roman churches are divided between two groups: the weak and the strong. Who are they and why are they in conflict? Should our morality be more cautious and conservative, or more lenient and laissez faire?

Starting in chapter 16, we learn that all the complicated theological stuff Paul says in the first half of Romans builds to a simple goal that's revealed at the end of the book. Paul wants these 5 small Roman house churches to be the united and scandalously diverse family of God they've been called to be by learning to embrace one another in Christ, despite their differences.

Christians throughout history have believed that Jesus will return one day. Jesus himself said that he would return and it is spoken of by many New Testament writers. The second coming of Christ is an essential doctrine that the church continues to hold today. But what will Jesus do upon his return and what does that mean for us here and now?

Paul says that the gospel is of "first importance." The fact that Christ died for our sin, was buried and rose from the grave is the most important thing we can know because it's by his work that we are saved. Most Christians know, if even on a surface level, that Christ died for them. However, a greater understanding of exactly what Christ accomplished for us at the cross will lead to a greater appreciation of the gospel and a deeper love and devotion to Jesus.

Discussing Ephesians 1:18-23, we learn that besides Jesus, the Church is the greatest thing that's ever happened to the world, and despite all of her flaws, the Church makes God believable.

Humans are created in the image of God, and yet fallen and in need of redemption. Balancing our dignity and depravity is tricky, and the ancient practice of confession keeps us grounded in our belovedness yet humble and honest about our sinfulness.

What a church believes about scripture is extremely important. We desire to be a church that "rightly handles the word of truth" as the apostle Paul encourages Timothy (II Tim. 2:15). But what does it mean to "rightly handle the word of truth" and how do we do that?

We start off our series by exploring the essential beliefs and practices of Christianity so that our faith stays both faithful and fresh. Because we don't get to make Christianity up! So what do Christians believe about God, and what does prayer have to do with that?

Despite all that Joseph has done for his brothers, they still have a hard time accepting that he is good and genuinely loves them. They continue to doubt his mercy, grace, and forgiveness. Often this is the way we are with God. Joseph's life parallels that of Jesus in many ways. His story reminds us of the gospel where a good God demonstrated his love and forgiveness for sinners. When we learn to fully trust God's love and forgiveness then we will live life with much more joy and purpose.

Joseph finally reveals himself to his brothers in Gen. 45. It's one of the most beautiful expressions of forgiveness anywhere in the Bible. Joseph forgives his brothers completely and they are reconciled to their brother. As humans who sin against one another, forgiveness is one of the most difficult things we must learn. For believers in Jesus, it's not a mere suggestion... it's a command. As we explore Joseph's forgiveness toward his brothers, hopefully we can learn how to be people who practice forgiveness towards those who have hurt and wounded us.

As we continue to look at the life of Joseph, we see a transformation take place in his brother Judah. He goes from being someone who is completely selfish, hard-hearted, cruel, and far from God, to being someone who is willing to sacrifice himself for his brother and help heal his family. Like much of the Old Testament, this points us to Jesus (the Lion of the tribe of Judah) who will also sacrifice himself for those he loves.

Joseph's brothers come to Egypt to find food during the famine. Joseph recognizes them, but they don't recognize Joseph. Rather than getting even with them or revealing to them who he is, he decides to test them to determine if they have changed. By the end of the chapter, we see that they really haven't changed much. It begs the question for us... how much have we grown/changed in our own spiritual walk over time? Are we growing in Christlikeness? Are we more loving, humble, kind, forgiving, generous, etc... The apostle Paul says that God's will for us is our sanctification. So, how are we being sanctified?

In Gen. chapter 41 Joseph goes from prison to powerful. He ultimately ends up as the second most powerful man in all of Egypt. Joseph is a great example to us all of not letting our circumstances dictate our attitude in life. Joseph learned to grow where he was planted and despite many unfair situation that he was put in, he continued to serve God and the people around him.

Once he's sold as a slave, Joseph ends up in Egypt in the house of an important man named Potiphar. Joseph proves himself to be trustworthy and is put in charge of all of Potiphar's dealings. Not long after this Potiphar's wife tries to seduce Joseph. Joseph repeatedly refuses her advances and ultimately flees from her grasp. After being rejected she lies and accuses Joseph of assaulting her and Joseph is then thrown in prison. Sexual temptation is all around and we must learn to guard against it. Joseph is a great example to us of how to do that and honor God in the face of constant temptation.