Grace Family Fellowship

Grace Family

5.0 (3)
Christianity
Updated Biweekly

Grace Family | Pleasant Hill

May 25

The Supremacy of Love

Dr. Roger Smith examines Paul’s teachings in Romans 13, identifying agape love as the essential foundation of Christian life. Dr. Smith explains that love is a divine mandate that fulfills the moral law, urging believers to view it as a perpetual debt owed to others. This selfless love is perfectly modeled by Christ’s sacrificial work on the cross. Additionally, the text highlights a spiritual urgency regarding Christ’s return. Believers are called to "wake from sleep," rejecting worldly darkness to "put on the armor of light." By embodying biblical love—characterized by patience, kindness, and humility—Christians fulfill their highest calling. Ultimately, prioritizing love over self-interest allows believers to reflect God’s character and effectively pursue the mission of making disciples in a modern world.

45 min
May 18

Honor, Submission, and God's Will for Government

In this sermon, Dr. Roger L. Smith examines the Christian’s relationship with civil authority based on Romans 13. He asserts that all governing power is divinely instituted to maintain social order and execute justice. According to God’s design, governments serve as ministers to punish wrongdoing and protect fundamental rights, including life and property. Dr. Smith emphasizes that believers should be exemplary citizens—paying taxes and honoring leaders—even under flawed or secular regimes. However, he distinguishes between civic obedience and divine worship, noting that Christians must submit only as far as it does not violate their faith. Ultimately, Dr. Smith encourages the congregation to trust God’s sovereignty over history, eschew personal vengeance, and act as "salt and light" within their communities.

49 min
May 10

Trust God for Justice

In his teaching on Romans 12:17-21, Dr. Roger L. Smith expounds upon the Christian mandate to reject personal vengeance and embrace proactive love. Although humans naturally desire retaliation, Smith argues that genuine faith requires "breaking the cycle" of evil by responding with honor and kindness. This approach does not dismiss justice but entrusts it to God’s ultimate authority. By practicing self-control and serving enemies—metaphorically "heaping burning coals" to soften hearts—believers allow divine wrath to handle retribution while they focus on being "salt and light." Dr. Smith highlights that a renewed mind is essential for choosing peace in a hostile world. Ultimately, by trusting God to balance the scales of justice, Christians can reflect His beauty and transform society through non-reactive grace.

49 min
May 3

Love, Lived

This text defines genuine love—"without hypocrisy"—as the primary mark of a Christian and the core of a transformed life. Based on Romans 12:9-16, Dr. Smith emphasizes detesting evil while clinging to what is good. True love manifests as familial devotion, humility, and a commitment to honor others above oneself. Believers are encouraged to remain "spiritually on the boil," maintaining fervor through constant prayer and patience during tribulation. Practical expressions of faith include generosity toward genuine needs and empathy for others' joys and sorrows. Such unity within the church serves as a powerful testimony of Christ’s mission. By prioritizing humility and focusing on Jesus’ sacrificial example, believers fulfill the command to live in harmony and reflect God’s character through sincere, active love. This text defines genuine love—"without hypocrisy"—as the primary mark of a Christian and the core of a transformed life. Based on Romans 12:9-16, Dr. Smith emphasizes detesting evil while clinging to what is good. True love manifests as familial devotion, humility, and a commitment to honor others above oneself. Believers are encouraged to remain "spiritually on the boil," maintaining fervor through constant prayer and patience during tribulation. Practical expressions of faith include generosity toward genuine needs and empathy for others' joys and sorrows. Such unity within the church serves as a powerful testimony of Christ’s mission. By prioritizing humility and focusing on Jesus’ sacrificial example, believers fulfill the command to live in harmony and reflect God’s character through sincere, active love.

48 min
Apr 26

Humble Unity

Dr. Roger L. Smith explores spiritual transformation through Romans 12, emphasizing the "renewing of the mind" to align with God’s truth. Central to this process is humility, defined as understanding one’s identity through "sober judgment" and faith rather than worldly standards. Dr. Smith illustrates the church as a singular body comprising diverse members with unique, indispensable functions. These spiritual gifts—including teaching, service, and leadership—are apportioned by grace and must be exercised faithfully to avoid stagnation. True discipleship rejects selfish ambition and comparison, fostering unity of purpose without requiring uniformity of function. Ultimately, transformation is realized through active service, where believers use their specific giftings to glorify God, support the community, and fulfill their collective mission as the interconnected body of Christ.

46 min
Apr 19

Conformed or Transformed?

Dr. Roger L. Smith introduces a sermon series on Romans Chapters 12–15, titled "Arise in Transformation." Building on the foundational mercies of God detailed in Romans 1–11, Dr. Smith emphasizes the believer’s responsibility to live in light of grace. He calls for an active, collective commitment to God by presenting oneself as a "living sacrifice," which constitutes reasonable spiritual worship. Central to this life is the "renewal of the mind," a process of rejecting worldly conformity in favor of radical, Spirit-led transformation. By partnering with God and studying His Word, believers shift from the false reasoning of the current age to divine truth. Ultimately, this internal transformation is essential for discerning God’s perfect will and living an obedient, impactful life that represents His kingdom.

56 min
Apr 12

Preston Sanders

Guest speaker Preston Sanders explores God’s character using Exodus 34, highlighting the tension between divine mercy and justice. While God is gracious and slow to anger, He "will by no means clear the guilty." Sanders warns against being "stiff-necked" or presuming upon God's grace, using the generational legacy of Jonathan Edwards to illustrate the impact of a godly life. The sermon centers on Christ as the "mercy seat" through penal substitutionary atonement. By drinking the "cup" of God's righteous wrath, Jesus satisfied divine justice, allowing believers to receive mercy. Sanders concludes that true faith transcends intellectual knowledge; it requires a Holy Spirit-led heart transformation and the ongoing process of sanctification, where believers must "die to self" to become more like Christ.

48 min
Apr 5

The Mercy Seat

Dr. Roger L. Smith explores the profound significance of Jesus Christ’s resurrection, framing it as the fulfillment of Old Testament types and shadows. Dr. Smith draws detailed parallels between Christ and the Ark of the Covenant, identifying Jesus as the ultimate "mercy seat" (hilasterion). By comparing the Ark’s physical components—the manna, the law, and the budding staff—to Christ’s roles as the Bread of Life, the Word made flesh, and the risen High Priest, the message illustrates how ancient rituals transitioned into a living reality. Dr. Smith emphasizes that through the resurrection, God’s presence is no longer hidden or inaccessible. Ultimately, the document serves as a call to faith, asserting that eternal salvation is available to everyone through the grace and mediation of Jesus Christ.

39 min

5

out of 5

3 Ratings

Grace Family | Pleasant Hill

Creator

Grace Family
Years Active

2017 - 2026
Episodes

413
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© Copyright 2026
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Grace Family Fellowship