Whispering Pines Church Pastor Nate Roschen

Romans 14 begins the longest single discourse in all of the Pauline letters. It is Paul’s final instruction to the Roman church. Here Paul speaks of the weak and the strong. Paul identifies himself among the “strong”, which means that the “strong” are not exclusively Gentile believers. Paul is being subtle in his language as a way to encourage both the weak and strong to welcome each other without identifying them by their ethnicity. In this way, he undermines the hierarchy shrewdly. The strong are to welcome and keep from quarreling with the weak, making sure to keep them from stumbling. Paul calls on the strong to sacrifice more than the weak. The Jews and Gentiles glorify God with what they do and are received by God with equal mercy. Neither the weak nor the strong are to be prideful or feel superior because of their beliefs. Their acceptance is to flow from the hope they have found in God.

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

– Pastor Nate Roschen

This week we come to Romans 13, where Paul continues his instruction on how Christians ought to live out a faith in Christ. Here, Paul writes the most lengthy passage in Scripture on how Christians should be involved with their secular government. Throughout this chapter, and into chapter 14 and 15, Paul makes it abundantly clear that his primary desire is for followers of Christ to have a strong witness in the world.

Paul speaks of submitting to authority, living at peace with others, giving to others what is owed, and being known for love. He gives this message to churches in Rome that have been experiencing (and would soon to a much greater degree) oppression by their government and ostracization from their society. Join us this week for a deep dive into Christian involvement with government and politics.

-Pastor Nate Roschen

John us this Sunday as Daniel Martinez leads us through the remainder of Romans, Chapter 12. Here, Paul offers practical thoughts on Christian living as it pertains to life within the church. Paul begins to list off a number of imperatives – commands to follow. Many of these commands are difficult to put into practice, and remind us of Christ’s teachings from His Sermon on the Mount. More is expected of those who follow Christ, because much has been given to us by God. Christ’s love compels us to live lives of radical faith and love.

Before we jump back into Romans next week, April 14th, I want to take a moment to share about the radical nature of the faith Christ leads us in. We can agree that Christ-like love was foreign and strange to the world Christ came to. My question is this: Does this faith still live and breathe? Does this love still define the church of God?

In 1 Peter 2, Peter speaks of some of the more radical implications of following Christ. Christ is our model. In Him we see clearly not just right beliefs, but right actions. Join us this Sunday as we examine our hearts, and remember the radical love of Jesus that first gripped our hearts and “seized us by the power of a great affection.”

-Pastor Nate Roschen

Easter Sunday

Join us this Easter Week for our Good Friday Service (3/29) for a time of reflection on the cross and the significance of Christ’s passion and crucifixion. Then, on Sunday (3/31), join us as we remember Christ’s resurrection, the promise of our salvation!

As we remember the passion of Christ, we are humbled by God’s willingness to live a spotless life, die in our stead, and rise again after three days. Christ’s sacrifice is truly extraordinary. No king ever dies for their citizens. No god ever dies for their followers. But Christ came for us. Join us as we reflect on the significance of His sacrifice, and consider our response to Jesus, the Savior!

-Pastor Nate Roschen

Palm Sunday 2024:
From the Gospel of John

Join us this Easter Week for times of remembrance and celebration. We begin this coming Sunday with Palm Sunday, where we remember and reflect on Christ’s triumphal entrance into Jerusalem, the introduction to the events of the Passion of Jesus – leading to His crucifixion and resurrection.

On Palm Sunday, we remember the cheering crowds who welcomed into Jerusalem by throwing down palm branches and cloaks before Him. They cheered Jesus on – they welcomed Him as a coming King. Only days later He would be crucified. Palm Sunday is a day to examine our hearts and to consider… What did they expect of Jesus? And what do we expect, today? What has Christ come to do? And what has He come to do, in me?

-Pastor Nate Roschen