St Andrew's Messages St. Andrew Lutheran Church

A single acorn has within it the power to create a huge oak tree which will then have the power to produce thousands of oak trees, each producing thousands more acorns. In other words, a single acorn has the power to cover the entire earth with wood. But that acorn's potential will never be released unless it goes into the ground and is buried. The Bible constantly talks about that. Unless you're broken of your self-sufficiency and humbled and go into the soil of suffering and weakness, you'll never be strong. Without death, there is no resurrection. You have the potential for greatness, joy, hope, and character; but first, suffering. That's the message of Romans 8. We’re glad you’re with us acorns in Christ today and invite you to come again. If we can answer any questions or serve you, please let us know via the Connection Card you received.

This weekend, we continue the powerful chapter of Romans 8. In verses 5-17, the apostle Paul emphasizes the dichotomy between the sinful nature and the Spirit. Which controls you? How? Why?

Have you heard the expression, "It's like putting lipstick on a pig”? It means the solution to the problem might look good, but it doesn't address the real issue. It's really no solution at all. Some people have the mistaken notion that being a Christian means doing the right things. The old campfire song, "They'll know we are Christians by our love," may be true, but we don't always act that way. That's the problem. Being told to "shape up" only makes it worse. It's like putting lipstick on a pig. God has a different solution. You can read it in Romans 8. Join me in a plan to read Romans 8 every day for a month . . . can't get enough of the real solution!

Are you a "glass half full" or a "glass half empty" kind of person? Most of us are a little of both. If you find yourself in a pickup basketball game with Caitlin Clark, you might be pessimistic about the outcome. But if you plan a night out at your favorite restaurant, you might be optimistic about how much you'll enjoy it. The apostle Paul, in Romans 7, was inspired by the Holy Spirit to paint a pessimistic picture about our human nature. And he was inspired to paint an optimistic picture. The key is moving from one to the other. Today, we ask the Spirit to use his means of grace, the gospel in Word and sacrament, to show us how to do that.

In Robert Louis Stevenson's famous novel by that name, the good Dr. Jekyll fights against an evil man who arises from within him, Mr. Hyde. The apostle Paul speaks for all of us when he writes, "that's our battle." But our battle is real. Although Dr. Jekyll lost his battle, Christ's resurrection is your guarantee that you'll win yours. Welcome to the gathering of sinners/saints to receive grace.

Romans 6 tells us about our response to Jesus' resurrection. It is freedom! But what do we do with our freedom from sin? Freedom from righteousness, that is, living in sin, only leads to death. But now, having been raised with Christ, we are free to be slaves to righteousness, and the result is eternal life.