Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church

WEPC
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Welcome to Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church! We'd love to worship with you. Check out this podcast for weekly sermon series, devotionals, and book reviews. Our 175-year history reminds us that we are part of something much bigger than ourselves. We who are part of this historic congregation today are indebted in countless ways to the faith of those who have gone before us. As recipients of this godly heritage and stewards of the gospel, we tirelessly proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ so that the generations that come after us will experience the joy of knowing, loving, and serving

  1. More Than Conquerors

    Jun 9

    More Than Conquerors

    “If God is for us, who can be against us?”-Romans 8:31 Have you ever paid attention to “bumper sticker theology”? They are the short quips that people put on their car indicating their beliefs. They’re the kinds of phrases that get stitched onto pillows or make it into graduation cards. It’s not necessarily bad or wrong; but lacking context, it can be taken to mean something that might not have been originally intended. Romans 8:31 is one such phrase. When your back is against the wall? Romans 8:31. When someone seems out to get you? Romans 8:31! When the opposing team seems bigger and stronger than you? Romans 8:31!!! Again, it’s not necessarily bad, but it lacks context, because what is Paul really talking about here? In the first eight chapters of the book of Romans, Paul has moved from the honest reality of sin, to our need for salvation, to the incredible reality of being God’s child through Jesus. And now Paul wants to draw a conclusion: “If you understand these things about God – that He wants you, that He has done everything needed to save you, and that He gives you His Spirit so that you can be part of His family in Christ – then ask yourself, ‘If God is for us, who can be against us?’” God is saying, “For those of you who worry about if you belong, or about the status of your sin, or about earning My favor, or about how to understand life; do you really think that I’m just going to give up on you? Nothing will be able to separate you from My love!” And, ultimately, that is the kind of confidence we need! Grace & Peace,  Pastor Aaron

    41 min
  2. The Golden Chain

    Jun 2

    The Golden Chain

    Romans 8:28-30 (ESV) And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. Isn’t it interesting that although the Christian life is full of trials, suffering, and tribulation, God still works all things for the good of those who love Him? It is a remarkable dichotomy. God is ultimately the One doing the work to shape us, refine us, and conform us to the image of His Son—and He does this for all who have been called by Him. But there is an even greater purpose in all of this: God desires to glorify the Christian. Yes, Christian’s ought to glorify God in all they do, but we often forget that God is also in the process of glorifying His people. What do I mean by that? Those who have been called according to His purpose will one day be perfectly conformed to the image of His Son in eternity. These verses that Paul introduces are often called “The Golden Chain.” Just as a gold chain is made up of interconnected links, so too God interlinks these realities in the Christian life: foreknown, predestined, called, justified, and glorified. This passage has often become a point of contention within Christianity because it raises the discussion of free will versus God’s effectual calling. We will certainly talk about this on Sunday with both grace and humility. Paul also introduces the “already, but not yet” reality that many scholars speak about. Although we have been justified and reconciled to God, we have not yet fully experienced what it means to be glorified. The glorification of the believer will ultimately take place at the resurrection. I long to be with you all this Sunday. Even now, pray that the Spirit would continue His work of glorification in our churches, homes, and individual lives. In Christ, Pastor Blake

    38 min
  3. Groaning For Glory

    Jun 2

    Groaning For Glory

    Romans 8:18-27 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. Have you ever waited so long for something that it caused you to literally groan? I can think of several moments in my life when the Lord had me wait, and it led me to groan. Sometimes my groaning was for His glory, and other times it came from a place of selfishness. Paul’s point in Romans 8:18–27 is that even though we groan, we groan with purpose. We recognize that suffering and pain are part of life, but for the Christian, suffering is never meaningless. Our suffering draws us closer to Jesus as we share in His sufferings, which we talked about last week, but it also reveals glimpses of the glory being formed within us. I know that might sound surprising, but the Bible is abundantly clear that when we suffer, God uses it for our good and for His glory. This Sunday, we will dive deeper into Romans. As we continue to explore this letter together, my hope and prayer is that the Lord would reveal to you that the pain, struggle, and suffering you experience all have purpose. Ultimately, that purpose is to share with Christ in the glory that is to come. And the greater reality is this: once you step into eternity with Christ, the suffering you endured will not even be worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed in you. It will be as though your suffering has faded in light of the overwhelming joy of being with Him. In that moment, your new and glorified body will far surpass any pain, sorrow, or struggle you experienced in this life. In Christ, Pastor Blake

    41 min
  4. Adopted

    May 19

    Adopted

    Over the years, what have your children called you? Mommy? Daddy? Mother? Father? Mom-mom? Pop-pop? Grandma? Grandpa? Mimi? Pappy? Your first name? According to Paul, “The Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.’” There is something so special about the fact that we get to call God “Abba.” "Abba" is the Aramaic word for “father;” and since Jesus spoke Aramaic, it is possible that “Abba” was one of the first words he learned as a child. But more than simply meaning “father,” it indicates a closeness that is more akin to “Daddy,” or “Papa.”  Jesus referred to his Father this way in prayer (Mark 14:36). But what is truly incredible is that we are also able to speak to God in this way! As Romans 8 puts it, by the Spirit of God we cry, “Abba.” As a result of our union with Christ, we are children, heirs, and co-heirs. We can have confidence as we approach the throne of God! As we gather together for worship this week, may we be reminded that because of the Lord’s obedience (and by the power of the Holy Spirit), the one whom Jesus called "Abba" is our "Abba" as well. May we choose to live in the Holy Spirit with the assurance that no matter how often our doubts try to talk us out of faith, or no matter how much we are bothered by our unworthiness; we can say to ourselves over and over again: “I belong to God!” Grace & Peace,  Pastor Aaron

    40 min
  5. Life Through The Spirit

    May 19

    Life Through The Spirit

    It doesn’t take much time around the television or internet to know that we are being bombarded with advertisements about improving the self. (Is anyone else’s Facebook feed mostly ads?) We know that the multibillion-dollar self-improvement industry consists of a seemingly endless supply of cosmetics, strategies to boost self-esteem, fitness equipment, and weight-loss programs. To be sure, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to become more healthy. But as we have been noticing as we’ve been working our way through Romans, human nature is in need of much more than mere improvement. We need total recreation, and no person has the resources to accomplish that. But because we are sinful, it’s not a matter that we just need to be improved; we need something else. As we’ve alluded to, no branch can improve itself. The quality of its fruit depends entirely on the vine to which it is attached. That is why we need Christ and the Holy Spirit. When Jesus died on the cross, he took on himself all of our sins. “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” He changed the root. As a result, the Spirit of God should change our fruit. While we cannot change our past, we can ask God to work in us through His Spirit to change our future. We needn’t live in shame, but we can ask Him to produce in us all the fruit of the Spirit and to help us live obediently. As Colossians 3:10 says, we should seek to, “Have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” I look forward to unpacking these things with you this week whether in person or online. Keep up the great job of inviting friends and neighbors as we continue to see our church grow! Grace & Peace,  Pastor Aaron

    43 min
  6. The Law & Sin

    May 5

    The Law & Sin

    Have you ever been on the road when you’re in a hurry and lost track of how fast you were going? You know that sinking feeling when you suddenly notice a car quickly catching up to you with flashing lights in your rearview mirror. Unfortunately, you didn’t see that “reduced speed zone” a mile back, and now you’re up against the law. As much as you might try to explain that you didn’t mean to break the law; unless the officer is feeling generous, you’re going to end up paying the penalty. Most of us realize that laws are important, but what we also understand is that laws are limited in what they can do. Police officers may diligently enforce the rules of the road, but laws are unable to make us better drivers. Similarly, laws against bullying at school cannot make a bully into a kind person, nor do laws about sugary snacks make someone healthy. In the end, we need more than the law to transform our lives. As we will see as we continue in our study of Romans 7, the apostle Paul knew the importance of God’s law. At the same time, he also knew that pleasing his heavenly Father was not just a matter of obeying a set of rules. Jesus gets at the spiritual nature of law when he says he came to fulfill the law rather than to do away with it. However, as Paul wrestles with his own sinful nature, he cries out, “Who will rescue me from this body of death?” But then comes the glorious answer: “Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” Amen to that! Grace & Peace, Pastor Aaron

    45 min
  7. United With Christ

    May 5

    United With Christ

    As we continue in our sermon series this week, Paul moves on from the imagery of slavery to the imagery of marriage in order to talk about the law. Now, as someone who is married, I know a few things about marriage and how it’s supposed to work. I have preached sermons about marriage, I have helped couples prepare for it, and for nearly 28 years I have experienced it. However, none of that means I am a good husband (even though I try). But the larger point is that, even if I’m poor at it, I am still a husband. Paul’s point is that marriage is not based on performance or on the application of laws to the situation. Marriage is about two hearts and lives connected in close relationship to one another. In my marriage, whether times are good, bad, or indifferent, one thing I know for sure is this: as a husband, I belong to my wife. And because my marriage is about a LIVING union, the “laws” of marriage only apply while both of us are living. And that’s the point Paul is making about Jesus and the law. Belonging to Jesus is not about living within certain laws about faith; it’s about a living union in which Jesus and I are in active relationship. As a result, it means that Jesus as my Savior has my heart and that I am fully devoted to him. I desire to put him first in my life by forsaking all other claims to my loyalty to Him. If Jesus has my heart, then that is where my passion needs to be. And so it is with all of us! Grace & Peace,  Pastor Aaron

    37 min
  8. Freedom To Freelance?

    May 5

    Freedom To Freelance?

    “Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?” - Romans 6:16 Have you ever had a conversation with someone that made you think, “What? How do they not get this?” as you bang your head on the table. I wonder if Paul was like that as he said for the second time in Romans 6, “By no means!” The reason why was because some Christians in Rome seemed to have been suggesting that if the law is no longer the master, then the law shouldn’t be a big deal. And, apparently, they didn’t get it; which is why God inspired Paul to write this to them (and to us) – because we don’t always get it either. The point of Romans 6 is to help us to understand the problem of sin and why the law helps us to gain that understanding. It’s not just God’s intent that we just disagree with sin; God wants us to understand that sin messes up who we are and how we connect with God and each other. He also wants us to recognize that if nothing is done, sin will increasingly separate us from God. On the other hand, the enemy wants us to ignore that fact and to let sin destroy us. This is why we must take sin seriously and why we need to decide what/who will be our master. Of course, Paul points us in the best direction: “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.” Grace & Peace,  Pastor Aaron

    44 min
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About

Welcome to Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church! We'd love to worship with you. Check out this podcast for weekly sermon series, devotionals, and book reviews. Our 175-year history reminds us that we are part of something much bigger than ourselves. We who are part of this historic congregation today are indebted in countless ways to the faith of those who have gone before us. As recipients of this godly heritage and stewards of the gospel, we tirelessly proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ so that the generations that come after us will experience the joy of knowing, loving, and serving

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