Celina First Church Sermon Podcast

As we begin Romans 9, Paul’s deep sorrow over his people’s rejection of Jesus raises a difficult question: Has God’s word failed? Paul’s answer is no. Through the examples of Isaac, Jacob, and Pharaoh, he reminds us that God is sovereign and that salvation depends on his mercy rather than our heritage, desire, or effort.
This message challenges us to approach God with humility. He is the potter, and we are the clay. His goodness does not diminish his holiness or his authority, even when his decisions are difficult for us to understand. As we wrestle with this passage, we are invited to marvel at the mercy God has shown us. The God who calls people from both Jews and Gentiles into his family deserves our gratitude, trust, and praise.

In this message, we finish Romans chapter 8 with one of the strongest declarations of confidence in the entire letter. Paul asks a series of questions: If God is for us, who can be against us? Who can bring a charge against us? Who can condemn us? And what can separate us from the love of Christ?
The answer to each question points us back to what God has already done through Jesus. Christ died for us, was raised for us, intercedes for us, and has secured our standing before God. That means our circumstances, the opinions of others, suffering, hardship, or anything else in all creation cannot separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.
Life can be hard, but Romans 8 gives us rock-solid truths to stand on in every season.

In this message, Pastor Craig continues through Romans 8 and looks at one of the most familiar promises in Scripture: “in all things God works for the good of those who love him.”
But what does “good” actually mean? Romans 8:28 is not a promise that life will always be easy, comfortable, or enjoyable. In the very next verse, Paul shows us that God’s good purpose is to conform us to the image of Jesus Christ.
We look at how God can work through suffering, why He does not waste our pain, and how our hope is rooted in the promise that those He has called and justified will one day be glorified.

In Romans 8:17-27, Paul reminds us that present suffering is real, but it cannot compare with the glory God will one day reveal. Creation groans for renewal, our bodies groan for redemption, and sometimes our pain is so deep that we do not even know how to pray. Yet we are never without hope and never left alone. The Holy Spirit meets us in our weakness, intercedes for us, and reminds us that suffering will not have the final word. God will redeem all that sin has broken and make all things new.

In this week’s message, Pastor Craig shares a different kind of sermon called “Blessed Challenges.” As God continues to grow Celina First, that growth brings real opportunities and real responsibilities. We’ll look at what God has been doing, why the church is expanding its parking, how that connects to future ministry and facility needs, and what it means to faithfully steward the people and resources God has entrusted to us.
Most importantly, through all the changes and challenges, the mission remains the same: make room for people, introduce them to Jesus, and help them follow Him.