Whispering Pines Church Pastor Nate Roschen

One interesting thing to note as we make our way through the parables of Jesus, is that some of His parables will trouble us more than others. You and I may be troubled by different parables. This week we turn to a parable that may be troubling for some – may raise issues that need to be addressed. The Parable of the Sower is one of Jesus’ more well-known parables, but I’m not convinced that it is always well-understood.

This story gets into the messy idea of human beings receiving the gospel – as seeds fall upon various types of soil. But what is the point of this parable? What instruction do we gain from it? Join us as we explore the original intention of this parable, and what instruction it has for us today.

-Pastor Nate Roschen

“And who is my neighbor?” What does that question mean to you? It’s a question about limits. “How far outside of my bubble must I venture?” “How far am I required to go?” Jesus responds with one of His most famous parables. It’s a parable so-well known that it is well-received and shared far beyond Christian circles – the parable of the Good Samaritan.

In order to grasp the weight of this story, we will need to do a deep-dive into the historical background presented here – and we will. But for now, know that through the use of this story, Jesus is going to expand our ideas of hospitality and being neighborly. In fact, He will ask us a far better question than, “And who is my neighbor?” Come and join us as we grapple with Jesus’ instruction!

-Pastor Nate Roschen

This week, in our new study of the Parables of Jesus, we turn to Luke’s gospel to find our next pair of parables. Where Jesus asks of us some deep questions on the issue of importance. How important are you? How much does that matter to you?

On several occasions, the Son of God, Himself, was “accused” of being a friend of sinners. For the religious leaders of the time, this label was considered a disgrace. Yet, the designation was well-deserved. Jesus was a friend of sinners.

How we think of ourselves will often determine the sort of company we keep. Jesus embodied hope for a hopeless world. Who are we? What purpose do we have? Whose company do we keep? Join us as we explore the stories of Jesus!

-Pastor Nate Roschen

This week we launch our new sermon series on the parables of Jesus. In the gospels are recorded 46 parables that Jesus told to His disciples and anyone who was there to listen. He most likely told many more. This is how He communicated much of the truth that He came to share with the world.

These parables were spoken to the ordinary, using everyday situations that anyone could understand. Jesus shared them along the highways and byways of life. He told stories that surprised, with unexpected heroes and villains. He told of characters that defied expectations. Masters and fathers that surprised Jesus’ listeners with their mercy or wisdom.

Jesus was throwing these stories down alongside their everyday lives as they traveled the road together. His audience had no idea what they were in for. Because like little time bombs, these stories would ruminate in their minds. Unexpectedly, they realized who they were in the story. They came to understand that the story was for them, confronting them, challenging them, and in other instances, offering a taste of grace. Join us as we explore the preferred teaching method of the Messiah!

-Pastor Nate Roschen

Join us this Mother’s Day as we celebrate mothers! As a community of believers, we are so grateful for the mothers in our lives who have led a life of faith, inspired us, motivated us, and have demonstrated passionate loving kindness to each of us. Join us as we pause to acknowledge and appreciate mothers in our community!

This week we will also be wrapping up our journey through the book of Romans, which will tie in very nicely with our Mother’s Day celebration! Romans 16 is a collection of Paul’s final greetings to individuals in the Roman church that he has known. Paul commends Phoebe to the Roman church as the messenger of the letter and a benefactor of Paul (16:2). Paul uses this chapter as an opportunity to show connections that he has with Christians in Rome as a way to gain credibility. Of the 28 names that Paul mentions, 10 are women. This fact should change the way that modern readers understand the impact, role, and place of women in the early church. Paul closes his letter by speaking again of the revealed Christ who has established the church. He also mentions his hope that all the Gentiles would come to obedience that comes through faith (16:26). Please join us this Mother’s Day as we celebrate together!

-Pastor Nate Roschen

In Romans 15, Paul concludes his commands for the weak and the strong in the Roman church. Paul urges us to be inclusive and to edify one another with our actions. He strengthens his argument by appealing to the attitude of Christ. The Christians of Rome could not glorify or love God without finding unity and love for one another. Paul refers again to the promises made to the patriarchs, connecting to Romans 4. Paul also connects back to Romans 5 by encouraging the Christians in Rome with the hope given to them by God. Paul says that God has given him the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel to the Gentiles, bringing them into an acceptable standing before God, sanctified by the Spirit. Paul then expresses his hopeful desire to visit the church in Rome.

Join us this Sunday as we continue to apply this letter to our lives!

– Pastor Nate Roschen