Podcasts about pastor mel

This week Pastor Mel preached Romans 10, picking up where guest Pastor Eran Holt left off in Romans 9. The question driving these chapters is a hard one: if God's promises are so good, why did so many in Israel miss their own Messiah? Mel answers it with a single picture — two roads to righteousness. Israel pursued being right with God by works, by keeping the law, and stumbled over the very cornerstone, Jesus. The Gentiles, who weren't chasing it at all, received it by faith. Same God, same offer, two different roads. From there Mel opens the heart of Romans 10: the gospel is near — as close as confessing with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believing in your heart that God raised him from the dead. The offer is universal — everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved, with no distinction between Jew and Gentile. And because the offer is for everyone, the church has a job: faith comes by hearing, so we give, we go, we pray, and we send. Mel closes with God's relentless heart — "all day long I opened my arms to them" — and the reminder that there is a gospel in every believer, as simple as your own story of who you were before and who you are now. 1. Mel describes two roads to righteousness: Israel chased being right with God by works and stumbled, while the Gentiles received it by faith. He warns, "they got so focused on just working their way to heaven that they miss the Messiah." Where in your own life are you still trying to earn something from God that he's actually offering as a gift? What would it look like to receive it by faith instead of working for it? 2. Mel says, as gently as he can, "Our sincerity is not enough because we can be sincerely wrong. Your sincerity in a lie is still a lie. Your sincerity to an idol is still an idol." Where might you be sincere — but sincerely off — in how you're relating to God? How do you tell the difference between genuine faith and a sincere assumption you've never examined? 3. Mel insists salvation is "nearer than your next breath," but also that "your life is a confession of who you think Jesus is." If someone read your life this past week like a confession, what would it say you actually believe about Jesus? Where do the words of your mouth and the witness of your life line up — and where don't they? 4. Mel admits, "there are people in my life that I'm not sure will be saved," and yet, "when it says everyone, it means everyone." Who is the person you've quietly written off? What changes in how you treat them this week if you genuinely believe the offer of grace includes them? 5. Mel says every lost person "is a person with a name and a face and a story," and that there's a gospel in you — your own two-minute story of who you were before and who you are after. Who is one specific person God is putting on your heart? What is one concrete step this week to give, go, pray, or send toward them?

Fire and power Pastor Mel 210626 by Everyday Church

The Seventh Day Week 2 | Pastor Mel | Everyday Church by Everyday Church

This week Pastor Mel takes us through the second half of Romans 8. The sermon opens with a reframe that sets the tone for everything that follows. When Paul talks about glory in Romans 8, Mel argues he is not primarily talking about heaven. He is talking about God's Spirit tabernacling in believers -- the same dwelling presence that was in the wilderness with Israel -- and about the goodness of God's Spirit being manifest through us for dominion in a broken world. Psalm 8 comes in here, and the connection between crowned with glory and given dominion over creation is one of the most striking moments in the message. That leads into the central question Mel keeps returning to throughout: what if God is not saving us from the world, but for the world? Creation is groaning like a woman in childbirth, waiting for the sons and daughters of God to be revealed. And Mel makes the case that every time Summit does teacher appreciation or shows up for first responders, something is happening in the spirit -- the sons and daughters of God are being revealed and a little of the brokenness of the world gets relieved. From there he works through the Holy Spirit interceding for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words, and makes a careful distinction between this and tongues -- these are sighs, the same word used in Luke 10 when Martha asks Mary to come help her. The Holy Spirit is not waiting on God to work. He is waiting on us. Mel handles the suffering question honestly: suffering is not evidence that God does not love you. It is part of what it means to be co-heirs with Christ.

The Seventh Day Week 1 | Pastor Mel | Everyday Church by Everyday Church

This week Pastor Mel brings us to Romans chapter 8 -- what he and many theologians consider to be the most important chapter in the entire Bible. Mel opens with the four most liberating words in Paul's writing: there is no condemnation. He unpacks what that actually means -- not that condemnation was abolished, but that Jesus took it on himself so we don't have to carry it. And he makes the case that this freedom is not just about your past. It covers your present and your future too. From there the message moves through eleven verses in which Paul references the Holy Spirit eleven times. Mel traces the Spirit's work from the very beginning -- hovering over the chaos in creation, coming upon judges and kings and prophets in the Old Testament, temporarily and selectively -- all the way to Pentecost in Acts 2, where everything changed and the Spirit became permanent and available to every believer. There is a really powerful section on the Greek word translated as "to mind" -- and what it means to be in agreement with the flesh versus in agreement with the Spirit. Mel connects it to the word amen, and the application is practical and pointed: where does your mind go in the still, quiet moments of your day? Next week Mel picks up in Romans 8:18 and gets into what it means to share in Christ's glory -- and his suffering.

This week Pastor Mel continues the Romans series with Week 13, and he lands in one of the most personally honest passages in all of Paul's writing -- Romans chapter 7. The big question Paul is answering is one that every honest Christian has probably asked: if grace covers our sin, does that mean we can live however we want? Paul's answer is emphatic. Of course not. And Mel walks through exactly why, using the striking image of marriage. When we died with Christ, we died to the law -- and now we are free to marry someone new. Not the law, but Christ himself. And just like any healthy marriage, that relationship means we don't only ask what we want. We ask what he wants. From there, Mel moves into the wretched man passage, where Paul confesses that he does what he hates and cannot do what he wants. Mel makes the case that this is not a passage about spiritual failure. It is a passage about spiritual honesty, and about the difference between being called to perfection and being called to a lifelong process of being perfected.

Kingdom Generosity | Pastor Mel | Everyday Church by Everyday Church

This week Pastor Mel continues our series through the book of Romans, picking up in the second half of Romans chapter 6 where Pastor Kim left off. Using the vivid historical reality of slavery in the Roman Empire — including an actual slave tag discovered in Rome — Mel unpacks Paul's powerful argument that every one of us is a slave to whatever we choose to obey. He walks through what it means to be freed from sin's dominion, why so many believers find themselves returning to old masters, and what it looks like to surrender wholeheartedly to God rather than simply going through the motions of religious duty. It is a challenging and deeply practical message about freedom, identity, and the incredible gift of grace found in Romans 6:23.

Mustard Seed Faith Pastor Mel 100526 by Everyday Church

Growing Up | Pastor Mel | Everyday Church by Everyday Church

In part two of our Asking for a Friend series Pastor Mel preaches about Heaven. He challenges popular misconceptions—such as an ethereal realm of clouds, pearly gates, mansions, or endless worship—drawing instead from Scripture to portray it as a physical, renewed reality where the new heaven and new earth merge. He distinguishes the temporary paradise believers enter upon death from the permanent new creation, where heaven descends to a refined and restored earth, echoing Eden's pre-Fall goodness with meaningful work, glorified physical bodies free of weakness or imperfection, and the reunion of loved ones in perfected relationships. Mel affirms that believers will remember earthly life, animals will inhabit this renewed creation, and that pets may be present through God's extravagant generosity. He stresses stewarding God's gifts faithfully as "good and faithful servants" in the Parable of the Talents. Ultimately, he presents heaven as God's restorative plan through Christ to reconcile and renew all creation.

In week one of our series called Asking For a Friend, Pastor Mel directly confronts seven common questions about same-sex attraction and behavior by firmly placing biblical authority above personal feelings or cultural context. He begins by outlining four views on rules versus context (and Bible versus feelings), rejecting the first three positions that allow feelings to override Scripture and affirming the fourth: the Bible is God's unchanging, authoritative Word, so any apparent conflict is resolved by submitting our context to it, not vice versa. Addressing the frequent objection that “Jesus never mentioned homosexuality,” Mel shows that Jesus explicitly upheld and intensified the moral law on sexuality—condemning lust as heart-adultery, restricting divorce, and reaffirming God's creation design of male and female in marriage. He further cites the moral law in Leviticus, the judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah for “unnatural desire”, and Paul's clear listing of homosexuality alongside other sins that exclude people from the Kingdom of God. Mel points out the immediate hope: “such were some of you” but you were washed, sanctified, and justified in Christ.

Your Comeback Starts Here Week 3 | Pastor Mel | Everyday Church by Everyday Church

Pastor Mel interviews 4-time Super Bowl champion Jon Kolb. Kolb played with the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1969 to 1981. Mel and Jon discuss the role faith has played at various points in Jon's career. Jon overcame adversity and unlikely odds to become one of the most decorated offensive linemen in Steelers history. This conversation reveals our common humanity even with those who live special lives. Our common humanity reminds us of our universal need for a Savior. Jon competed at the highest levels for over a decade, and he brings this same tenacity to his faith. Enjoy the wisdom and witticisms of Jon Kolb as he walks us through his remarkable faith story.

Your Comeback starts Here Week 2 | Pastor Mel | Everyday Church by Everyday Church

In his Easter sermon on Romans 5:12-21, Pastor Mel explained how Adam's one act of disobedience introduced sin and death as a universal problem into the world, as seen in the Genesis 3 account of the Fall, affecting all humanity—even before the law was given—with Adam serving as a symbol of the coming Christ. Christ's righteousness offers forgiveness, the gift of righteousness, new life, and a restored friendship with God to everyone who receives it, even those we disagree with. Mel defined grace as getting what we don't deserve (unlike mercy, which spares us from what we do deserve). He noted that the law was given to reveal our sinfulness; yet where sin abounded, God's grace abounded even more, allowing believers to triumph over sin and death as grace now reigns, resulting in eternal life. He closed by reminding listeners that no one is beyond God's redeeming covering—illustrated by the animal skins God provided Adam and Eve.

Your Comeback Starts Here Week 1 | Pastor Mel | Everyday Church by Everyday Church

Pastor Mel takes us on a deep dive of the Triumphal Entry of the King of the Jews. What does the King of the Jews mean? What is God saying to us know through this monumental moment? CONNECT WITH US - If you are listening for the first time or even been watching for a while, we'd love to get to know you! Why not send us a message on highway.com.au/connect • If you have any praise reports send them to prayer@highway.com.au • WANT TO KNOW JESUS - highway.com.au/followjesus

In his sermon on Romans 4:1-12, Pastor Mel explores how Abraham, the forefather of the Jewish nation, was made right with God not through works or human achievement but through faith alone. Drawing from Genesis 15:6, he emphasizes that Abraham "believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness," a principle Paul uses to show that justification is a gift, not earned wages—contrasting it with the wages of sin being death (Romans 6:23). Pastor Mel highlights David's description in Psalm 32 of the joy that comes from sins forgiven without reliance on personal merit, then addresses the timing of Abraham's righteousness: it occurred before his circumcision, making Abraham the spiritual father of both uncircumcised Gentiles and circumcised Jews who share his faith. Ultimately, the message underscores that true fulfillment of the law and right standing with God come through faith, as illustrated by Abraham's obedient trust in God's promises despite uncertainty, positioning him as the model for all believers—Jew and Gentile alike—relying on God's grace rather than their own deeds.

In his sermon on Romans 3:21-31, Pastor Mel explains how God has revealed a new way of righteousness apart from the law, a righteousness manifested through faith in Jesus Christ and available to all—Jews and Gentiles alike—who believe. He emphasizes the universal reality that all have sinned and fall short of God's glory, yet through God's grace, believers are justified as a free gift, made right in His sight because Jesus was presented as a propitiation (hilasterion) by His blood, satisfying divine justice and demonstrating God's fairness in both forgiving past sins and justifying present believers. This sacrifice underscores that no one can boast in works or law-keeping for acceptance before God; salvation comes solely by faith, not by obeying the law. Pastor Mel highlights the inclusive nature of the gospel—one God justifying both Jews and Gentiles through faith alone—while affirming that faith does not nullify the law but truly fulfills it, echoing Jesus' own words about fulfilling rather than abolishing the Law and the Prophets.

Built on Honour - Pastor Mel - 080326 by Everyday Church

Pastor Mel's sermon on Romans 2:1-16 challenges listeners not to hypocritically judge others for the sins listed in Romans 1:29-32—such as wickedness, greed, envy, gossip, and heartlessness—while committing the same things themselves, as this self-condemnation leaves no excuse before God's impartial justice. He emphasizes that God's kindness, tolerance, and patience are intended to lead people to repentance, yet a stubborn, hard, and impenitent heart stores up wrath for the coming day of righteous judgment, where God will render to each person according to their deeds rather than mere intentions or hearing the law. Good actions, pursued in seeking God's glory, lead to eternal life, honor, and peace for both Jews and Gentiles alike, while self-centered wickedness brings anger and calamity, with no favoritism shown. Even Gentiles without the written law demonstrate an innate moral awareness through conscience, proving God's law is written on human hearts. The sermon concludes by underscoring that on the day of judgment through Christ Jesus, all secret lives and hidden motives will be revealed, echoing Jesus' warning in Luke 12 about hypocrisy and the exposure of what is whispered in darkness.

Pastor Mel's sermon on Romans 2:17-29 challenges those who rely on external religious identity and privileges—particularly the Jews in the Roman church who boasted in their knowledge of God's law, their special relationship with God, and circumcision—while failing to live in obedience to it. He highlights Paul's pointed confrontation: they teach others yet fail to teach themselves, condemning sins like stealing, adultery, and idolatry while secretly committing them, thereby dishonoring God and causing Gentiles to blaspheme His name. Drawing modern parallels, Mel equates outward circumcision or church attendance with having value only when accompanied by genuine obedience; otherwise, it offers no advantage. True Jewish identity (and by extension, true belonging to God's people) is not outward or merely physical but inward—a heart transformed by the Spirit, producing real righteousness through faith rather than legalistic performance. This inward change seeks God's praise alone, underscoring Paul's call for authentic, heart-level faith that unites a divided church rather than relying on cultural or ritualistic superiority.

Built On Honour | Pastor Mel | Everyday Church by Everyday Church

Pastor Mel's sermon on Romans 1:1-17 serves as an introduction to the book of Romans, highlighting Paul's identity as a willing slave of Christ Jesus, called and sent as an apostle to proclaim the gospel—the long-promised Good News about God's Son, Jesus Christ, descended from David and powerfully declared Son of God through His resurrection. Paul establishes common ground for the divided Roman believers by emphasizing the gospel's universal scope, extending grace and apostolic authority to bring Gentiles to faith and obedience for God's glory, reaching “across the street and around the globe,” including his planned mission to Spain. He expresses deep gratitude for the Roman Christians' renowned faith, his constant prayer for them, and his longing to visit—not as a stranger, but to impart spiritual gifts, strengthen them, and be mutually encouraged—while fulfilling his obligation to preach the gospel to all people, educated and uneducated alike. Unashamed of the gospel, Paul boldly declares it to be God's saving power for everyone who believes, Jew and Gentile, revealing the righteousness of God that comes through faith from first to last, giving life to the righteous.

In the third message of our series called Prepare the Way, Pastor Mel draws from Matthew 3:1-3 and Isaiah 40:3-5 to emphasize preparing for a move of God by surrendering personal control and allowing divine leadership, as illustrated by the Israelites' obedience to the pillar of cloud and fire in Exodus 13, 40, and Numbers 9. Just as the people followed God's visible guidance—moving or staying precisely when the cloud lifted or settled—believers today must yield navigation and direction to the Holy Spirit rather than relying on their own plans. This preparation involves a responsive "move" from God's people, modeled by the disciples who immediately left their nets and boats to follow Jesus' call in Mark 1, and reinforced by Jesus' words in John 5 that the Father is always at work, prompting His followers to join Him. The sermon culminates in encouragement from Philippians 1:3-6, affirming that God, who begins a good work in believers, will faithfully complete it.

In the second message of our series called Prepare the Way, Pastor Mel draws from Matthew 3:1-3 to emphasize preparing the way for God's blessings through complete obedience, illustrating the concept with the story of King Saul from 1 Samuel 15, where Saul's partial compliance in destroying the Amalekites—sparing King Agag and the best livestock while claiming to sacrifice them to God—resulted in divine rejection, as "obedience is better than sacrifice" (1 Samuel 15:22). Defining blessing as divine favor and happiness (from Hebrew "barak" meaning to bless or kneel, "esher" for happiness, and Greek "makarios" for blessed or happy), he contrasts it with Luke 11:27-28, stressing that true blessing comes from hearing and practicing God's word rather than mere rituals or good intentions, warning that disguising disobedience with spiritual excuses or fear of people leads to regret and loss, as seen in Saul's downfall (1 Chronicles 10:13-14). He concludes with John 14:15-21, urging that loving Jesus manifests in obeying His commandments, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and that partial obedience equals complete disobedience, blocking the revelation of God's glory and favor.

In the first message of our series called Prepare the Way, Pastor Mel draws from John the Baptist's call in Matthew 3 and Isaiah 40 to urge believers to actively prepare their hearts for God's presence, much like preparing a home for an honored guest. Using the analogy of hosting a visitor, he outlines three practical steps: first, "Clean Up" by confessing sin and pursuing inner purity, supported by passages like Matthew 23, 1 John 1, and Psalm 51; second, "Declutter" by removing worldly worries and distractions that choke spiritual fruitfulness, emphasizing undivided devotion to the Lord as encouraged in Matthew 6 and 1 Corinthians 7; and third, "Serve the Guest" by prioritizing what pleases God—rejoicing over lost sinners coming to repentance, offering praise and thanksgiving, and delighting Him through the lives of His humble, obedient people. Ultimately, the message calls listeners to make straight paths in their hearts so that every obstacle is removed, the ground leveled, and the glory of the Lord fully revealed in their lives.

In the final message of our "Even Though" series, Pastor Mel draws from 2 Corinthians 6 to explore the paradoxical "yet" statements in Paul's ministry—such as being sorrowful yet always rejoicing, poor yet making many rich, and having nothing yet possessing everything—emphasizing that true Christian hope is the joyful anticipation of good in Christ, even amid hardship, suffering, and misunderstanding. He contrasts the dysfunctional yet beloved Corinthian church's worldly values of wealth, eloquence, and success with Paul's countercultural defense of authentic ministry marked by patient endurance (hypomone), purity, kindness, sincere love, and faithfulness regardless of honor or slander. Mel encourages listeners to find lasting hope not in comfortable circumstances or material blessings, but in God's goodness and sufficiency alone, culminating in a gospel invitation for salvation and an affirmation that genuine joy and purpose are found in surrender to Christ, no matter the trials faced.

In the third message of our series called Even Though, Pastor Mel preaches a Christmas Eve sermon centered on the biblical meaning of hope as a joyful anticipation of good that is future-oriented and rooted externally in God's unfailing promises, distinct from mere wishing and closely tied to faith in the person of Jesus. Drawing from Isaiah 54:10, Mel emphasizes God's unbreakable covenant of peace (beriyth shalom)—an alliance of completeness, welfare, and well-being—that remains steadfast even if mountains shake or hills are removed, assuring God's compassionate, unfailing love for His people despite Israel's exile and judgment. This covenant promise finds its ultimate fulfillment in the birth of Jesus, as announced in Luke 2:10-14, where the angels proclaim good news of great joy, a Savior born in Bethlehem, and peace on earth among those with whom God is pleased—echoing the hope that, because of Christ's coming, believers can confidently anticipate God's goodwill and covenant faithfulness.

In the second message of our series called Even Though, Pastor Mel further surveys the question, "What is hope?" by exploring the Old Testament book of Habakkuk. Defining hope as the joyful anticipation of good, he contrasts the prophet's honest complaints about suffering and injustice with God's powerful responses, highlighting key verses like Habakkuk 2:2-3 (write the vision and wait for it) and 2:4 (the righteous shall live by faith). Building to the climax in chapter 3, Mel emphasizes Habakkuk's resolve to rejoice in the Lord and find strength in God "even though" every circumstance fails—no blossoms, no fruit, no food, no herds—pointing to God's past mighty acts of salvation and His promise to revive His work with mercy amid wrath. The message closes with a stirring call to live with this same "yet" faith: trembling at God's power but quietly waiting and rejoicing in Him as the God of our salvation, no matter what comes.

In the first message of our series called Even Though, Pastor Mel explored Psalm 23:4, emphasizing that biblical hope is a joyful anticipation of good rooted in God's external promises rather than mere wishful thinking. Drawing parallels between faith—which often relates to past, present, and relational trust in Jesus—and future-oriented hope, he focused on the verse's powerful declaration: even while walking through the valley of deep darkness or the shadow of death, believers need not fear evil because the Lord, as the Good Shepherd, is personally present with them. Mel highlighted the comforting role of the shepherd's rod and staff as tools of protection and guidance, connected God's provision and protection in verses 1-4 to Jesus fulfilling Old Testament promises in John 10, and wove in the Christmas story from Luke 2 and Matthew 1, where angels repeatedly proclaim "fear not" because Immanuel—"God with us"—has come to bring peace and great joy. Ultimately, he acknowledged the honest struggle that even though we know God is with us, fear can still arise, yet the presence of the Shepherd remains our source of unshakable comfort and hope.

In his sermon on the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), Pastor Mel teaches that this joyful seven-day biblical festival, celebrated each fall after the harvest, was designed by God to remind Israel of His faithful provision during the wilderness years when they lived in temporary shelters, while also pointing forward to greater spiritual realities fulfilled in Christ. Drawing from Leviticus 23, he highlights the command to dwell in booths, rejoice with branches, and rest on the first and eighth days, noting how Jesus Himself attended this feast and, on its climactic last day, stood in the Temple and cried out, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink,” promising rivers of living water—the Holy Spirit—who would later be poured out at Pentecost and, as Joel prophesied and Peter confirmed, continues to be poured out upon all flesh in the last days. Mel connects the temporary tents of Sukkot to Paul's imagery of our earthly bodies as tents awaiting an eternal house from God, encouraging the congregation to live in joyful expectation of the ultimate ingathering when Christ returns and we tabernacle forever with Him.

In the fifth message of our series called Feast, Pastor Mel explains the Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah), a biblical holy day outlined in Leviticus 23:23-25 and Numbers 29:1-6, emphasizing its significance as a time of solemn rest, remembrance, and spiritual renewal, marked by the sounding of the shofar (ram's horn). He highlights its role as Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, initiating the 10 Days of Awe for introspection and repentance, and explores its multifaceted biblical symbolism—calling Israel to renewal, obedience, gathering, war, submission, worship, and repentance, as seen in scriptures like Exodus 19:16-20, Numbers 10:1-4, Joel 2:1, and others. Mel connects the feast to New Testament eschatology, particularly in 1 Corinthians 15:50-55 and 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18, where the trumpet blast signifies the transformation and gathering of believers at Christ's return, portraying Yom Teruah as both a historical observance and a prophetic foreshadowing of God's ultimate redemption and judgment.

In the fourth message of our series called Feasts, Pastor Mel explains the Jewish "Shavuot" which means "Weeks". God instituted the feasts so the people of Israel would celebrate His provision, memorialize significant events, and foreshadow things to come. The Feast of Weeks celebrates the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai, as well as the wheat harvest in the land of Israel. Pentecost is the Greek name for the Feast of Weeks which occurs 50 days after the Feast of Firstfruits. God orchestrated the feast schedule so that a crowd of Jews from various nations were gathered into one place when the Holy Spirit was poured out on them. Robert Baer said, "Bethlehem was God with us, Calvary was God for us, and Pentecost is God in us."

In the third message of our series called Feasts, Pastor Mel explains the timeless biblical principles represented by the Hebrew feast of firstfruits. In scripture the Jewish feasts are instituted to celebrate God's provision, remember significant events, and foreshadow things to come. The feast of firstfruits represents the biblical principle of "firsts" which points to the reality of God's own preeminence. God is first whether we believe He is or not. Putting God first in our lives will facilitate a proper affection for everything else which is important to us. Like Abel in Genesis chapter 4, we must give our first and our best to God because we are our best selves when we put God first.

In part two of our series called Feasts, Pastor Mel explains the feast of unleavened bread. Jewish feasts were instituted to celebrate God's provision, remember significant events, and foreshadow things to come. Preaching through Exodus chapter 12, Mel shows how the feast of unleavened bread represented the Hebrews' separation from the sin of Egypt. Today we understand the doctrine of unleavened bread as a call to holiness. Paul elaborates on this call in 1 Corinthians 5:6-8 when he says, "Don't you realize that this sin is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough? Get rid of the old 'yeast' by removing this wicked person from among you. Then you will be like a fresh batch of dough made without yeast, which is what you really are. Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed for us. So let us celebrate the festival, not with the old bread of wickedness and evil, but with the new bread of sincerity and truth."

The Cloud Of Witnesses: Part 7 - Pastor Mel JimenezThis week Pastor Mel Jimenez closes our series!Want to connect more with Rose Church? Find more information at https://www.rosechurch.org and give at - https://www.rosechurch.org/give Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss more incredible sermons like this one or previous series like “Breaking the Cycle” or “The Spiritual Realm” from Pastor Andrew Damazio, Dr. AJ Swoboda, Pastor Julia Damazio and many other incredible pastors!Thanks for listening!

In the fourth and final message of our Welcome Home series, Pastor Mel walks us through three of Summit's core values: radical generosity, healthy relationships, and freedom. God is radically generous and we want the world to see that in how we live and give. When we put God first in our lives, everything else falls into order. We're committed to loving others sacrificially and resolving conflict biblically. We believe in experiencing the abundant and victorious life that only Christ can give. Mel explains how each of these core values depends on Christ's greatest commandment: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." Anything we exalt above biblical truth becomes idolatry which corrupts us and prevents us from embodying these values each day.

In the third message of our series called Welcome Home, Pastor Mel addresses the realities of spiritual war. Humanity has existed in the midst of spiritual conflict since the original sin. This conflict has expressed itself in different ways throughout history, with its most recent expression coming in the form of cultural warfare in the West. Mel explains why we are called to fight the good fight. We make war on Hell and we make war on the flesh. We make ourselves hard to kill by praying everyday, reading scripture everyday, getting in community, and serving the kingdom of God. In the final analysis we must have faith enough to remember who God is and that He fights for us.

In this week's powerful message from our Deep & Wide series, guest speaker Pastor Mel Masengale from Summit Church (Indiana, PA) unpacks what it means to be Deeply Rooted in Christ. Pastor Mel challenges us to develop a faith that's not swayed by circumstances but anchored in truth.Being deeply rooted means living with stability, strength, and purpose—so that as we grow wider in reaching others, we're not uprooted by fear, culture, or compromise. This message is a timely call to dig deep and let your life be firmly planted in God's presence and Word.

In the first message of our series called Welcome Home, Pastor Mel explains what it means for every life to be made different in Christ. At Summit Church our vision is to see Every Life Made Different. Preaching through the story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19, Mel reminds us the gospel is for everyone. Jesus Christ came to save the lost and that includes people who we sometimes mistake as being irredeemable. Everyone is lost without Christ. To be made different means to be made into a new creation. Jesus will confront our affections in order to transform our affections. Since we have been set free from our transgressions, the Church is under obligation to preach the gospel in all places.

In the final message of our series called One Another, Pastor Mel explains the importance of honoring one another. Honor is rooted in biblical love and therefore bears consequences for the condition of our hearts. Practicing dishonor corrupts a person's heart and limits his relationship with God. Familiarity breeds contempt and too much familiarity can lead to a lack of reverence for God. Scripture instructs us to honor our parents, our pastors, and even people we dislike. A Christian is able to honor others with right actions, words, appropriate times of silence, and sacrificial love from an authentic heart. God wants us to honor our enemies, but doing so is only possible when Jesus changes us by the power of the Holy Spirit.

In the third message of our series called One Another, Pastor Mel explains what it means to confess your sins to one another and to pray for one another. Confessing sin is difficult because it requires us to be vulnerable and we're afraid of the shame associated with being rejected. The pathway to authentic, loving relationships runs through vulnerability and confession. So often the key to relational healing is simply to say you're sorry. Scripture also instructs us to pray for one another. We should pray for each other in the midst of suffering. We should also pray for each other when we're struggling with sickness. The Bible says, "Confess your faults one to another, and pray for one another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

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In the first message of our series called One Another, Pastor Mel explains the biblical meaning of love. Using 1 Corinthians 13, among other scriptures, Mel shows how love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, boastful, proud or rude. It does not demand its own way and it's not irritable. Love keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice at injustice but rejoices whenever the truth stands. Perhaps most importantly, love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Mel reminds us that loving people is not optional if we want to be followers of Jesus.

In the fifth message of our series called The Lord's Prayer, Pastor Mel details what it means to forgive and be forgiven. Preaching through the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15, Mel explains how the father extended unwarranted grace and forgiveness to him. The prodigal was prepared to confess his abuses and his worthlessness when his father stopped him and readily took him back into the family with celebration. The father showed love and grace by bringing his son a robe. He gave him a ring which symbolized restoration to the family. He also gave him shoes which represented a renewed sense of meaning and purpose. God forgives us quickly and completely, so we should be ready to do the same for others who repent.

In the fourth message of our series called The Lord's Prayer, Pastor Mel discusses a twofold expression found in verse 11: Give us this day our daily bread. God knows we need bread for today and we also need bread for tomorrow. Mel explains the tradition of unleavened bread representing freedom from slavery, humility, and purity. He goes on to point out how God wants us to trust Him for provision each day. There is prudence in stewarding your resources well, but we must resist allowing our trust in the storehouse to replace our faith in God's provision. The message finishes with the understanding that it isn't wrong to pray for what we want and need, so long as those prayers are couched within the context of praying for God's kingdom.

In the third message of our series called The Lord's Prayer, Pastor Mel focuses on the petition: your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. This part of the prayer is made up of two requests, the first being that God's kingdom should advance on earth. Mel explains what it means for Jesus to be King of Kings and why this indicates God's sovereignty over Satan, despite Satan being called the ruler of this world. The second part of the prayer is a request that God's will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Jesus gives us an archetypal example of submission to God's will in the Garden of Gethsemane. Paul explains the importance of God renewing our minds so that we might learn His will for our lives - which is good and pleasing and perfect.