Parker Ford Church's Podcast

Personal stories and testimonies are a big part of our culture here at PFC.  We believe it is important to share and receive what God is doing in the lives of those in our church, as well as those in our community and around the world.  This Sunday we will take a deeper dive into Romans 8:17-19 “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” by hearing a special testimony.  Join us this Sunday to be encouraged and spurred on in your faith!

Have you heard the kids use the phrase, “I’m just built different”? Basically, it’s a way of bragging that I, or someone else, is better at something than normal. For example, “Michael Jordan was built different.” But human competition is ultimately futile. Guess what happened to MJ? He got old. His 61 year old body wouldn’t make it 5 minutes in today’s NBA. Now Jesus…He is “built different.” And, through the Spirit of God, Jesus is building us differently. In fact, He is renewing all of creation to become something truly transformed. The creation is longing in eager expectation for the children of God to be “built different.” 

Living in the Spirit starts with understanding “WHOSE we are,”  which then leads to understanding “WHO we are” and where our identity should come from. Knowing our identity is the key to living in the Spirit. 

For those who belong in Christ Jesus, the curse of sin has been broken by the cross! This is our present reality – no condemnation… now! Oh but how we often live so conditioned to our failures, shortcomings, and mistakes. Join us as we look at this amazing truth in Romans Chapter 8. We’ll also see how this reality played out in Peter’s life as Jesus re-conditioned him with His grace.  

Sometimes, it's a little too easy to see the Law as the problem. As Paul continues his teaching in Romans 7, he wants to make it abundantly clear that the Law is not the enemy to overcome - sin is the problem. Unfortunately, sin is so pervasive and powerful, that it can even twist the Law (a gift given by God to Israel) into something evil. A hammer is good for pounding nails. A hammer used to pound someone's head is bad. So it goes with the Law. If we remember that the actual enemy is sin, we can recognize that it is the Spirit of Christ, not following the letter of the Law, that conquers the true enemy.

This week are continuing our study in Romans. Chapter 7 is a continuation of answering the question Paul states in chapter 6:15: “What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means!” He is telling us one of the ways we must live under God's grace is to walk by the Spirit and not the flesh. And being tied to the Law inhibits us to walk by the Spirit.

We will serve someone. In Paul's worldview, every human is a servant of a master - even earthly kings who seem to be 'on the top.' It may appear that Caesar is a servant of none, but actually every one of us is either an instrument of sin or an instrument of righteousness. We will be used. Thankfully, when we are used by God...we're not abused.  

Do you have any patterns or cycles in your life that you'd like to break, but you feel completely stuck? Sometimes it feels like personal change or spiritual renewal is unreachable. Jesus came to break the cycle!

By Gil Vining from the Bros Bacon Breakfast.

Have you been waiting for the day when someone finally told you that you didn't have to evangelize anymore?  No more street preaching?  No more awkward conversations with relatives?  No more memorizing what to draw on a napkin just in case someone randomly asks you your thoughts on salvation?  Since pastors *technically* aren't allowed to say any of these things, PFC is bringing me in to say it to you....and if you're intrigued and/or offended by this teaser, listen in! - Dolph Laraio

This Sunday at PFC, we’ll discover that Jesus wants us dead & alive! It will make more sense as we look at our Biblical text – Romans 6:1-14. There are some things that we need to declare death to – R.I.P! These things no longer hold power over us because of Jesus’ death and resurrection! We’ll also see what (or Who) we need to be fully alive to. You are “wanted” this Sunday at PFC - dead & alive! 

At Christmas, we celebrated the gift of the incarnation - God becoming flesh, the birth of our Savior, Jesus! However, that’s just the beginning. There’s more! Oh yes, the gifts keep on coming! As we tear open these incredible gifts in Romans 5:1-11, we’ll see that these have been purchased by Jesus’ sacrificial, unconditional, and incomparable love to the most undeserving … us! Join us this Sunday at PFC for worship, prayer, teaching, and testimony!