The Big Story | Acts - What Community Looks Like

Go Into All The World | Unashamed

UNASHAMED Scripture: Romans 1:16–17 Runtime: ~5 min "I am not ashamed of the gospel." It's one of the most quoted lines in Romans — and one of the most quietly challenging. Because the question isn't whether we'd say it out loud. The question is whether our daily choices back it up. In this episode: * What it cost Paul to declare allegiance to a crucified Jewish Messiah in the capital city of the empire — and why "unashamed" wasn't a small claim * Three ways we communicate shame in the gospel without saying a word: when we're afraid to tell it, too intimidated to uphold it, or too selfish to live worthy of it * The power of the gospel unpacked: salvation from sin's penalty, power, and ultimate presence — for everyone who believes, without exception * The righteousness of God: a characteristic of God, a status he gives us, and an activity in which he rescues and restores — all by faith, from first to last Live It Out: This week, identify one moment where you held back from saying something about your faith — a conversation, a situation, a relationship. Bring it to God honestly. Then ask him for one specific opportunity to be unashamed this week, however small. Courage is built one small act at a time. Tell the Story: Paul summarizes the gospel in Romans 1:16–17 in two sentences. Try writing your own two-sentence version — what is the gospel, and why does it matter to you personally? Write it down. Memorize it. Be ready to say it. Hear the message for this week's devotional on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ChristFellowshipMcKinney [https://www.youtube.com/@ChristFellowshipMcKinney] Get the written devotional at: https://cfhome.org/EGD [https://cfhome.org/EGD] If you are in the North Dallas area and would like to join us for services each week, you can find all the information at https://cfhome.org. [https://cfhome.org]

Go Into All The World | I Can't Wait to Get There

I CAN'T WAIT TO GET THERE Scripture: Romans 1:8–15 Runtime: ~4 min Paul desperately wanted to visit Rome — one of the most powerful, cosmopolitan, morally complicated cities in the ancient world. But his reason wasn't tourism. It wasn't networking. He wanted to share the gospel, see people come to faith, and encourage the believers already there. What would it look like to bring that posture to your next trip? In this episode: * What ancient Rome looked like: immigration, inequality, political intrigue, moral chaos — and a small community of Jesus followers trying to live differently in the middle of it * Paul's prayer life as a model: constantly thankful, constantly interceding, always asking for gospel opportunities * The Greek verb behind "eager to preach the gospel" — euangelizō — which covers both evangelism and discipleship, finding and following * A convicting question: do you approach your travels — business trips, vacations, summer road trips — with any thought of what God might want to do through you there? Reflection: Do you pray for gospel opportunities the way Paul did? Ask God to increase your eagerness — and to show you one place this summer where he might want to use you. Hear the message for this week's devotional on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ChristFellowshipMcKinney [https://www.youtube.com/@ChristFellowshipMcKinney] Get the written devotional at: https://cfhome.org/EGD [https://cfhome.org/EGD] If you are in the North Dallas area and would like to join us for services each week, you can find all the information at https://cfhome.org. [https://cfhome.org]

Go Into All The World | Trust and Obey, There's No Other Way

TRUST AND OBEY, THERE'S NO OTHER WAY Scripture: Romans 1:5–7 Runtime: ~4 min Paul says he received grace and apostleship to bring about "the obedience of faith" — a phrase he uses to bookend the entire letter to Rome. It's not obedience instead of faith, or faith without obedience. It's both together, inseparable. The whole Christian life, condensed into four words. In this episode: * What "the obedience of faith" actually means — and why it's not legalism or works-righteousness * Why genuine faith always produces obedience, and why attempts at obedience without faith are ultimately fruitless * The scope of the gospel in Paul's mission: all people, all Gentiles, everyone — for the honor of Jesus's name * A practical question: who are you helping find or follow Jesus right now? Reflection: Where is the Spirit most pressing you to grow in obedience? And who in your life could you take one step toward this week — helping them find or follow Jesus? Hear the message for this week's devotional on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ChristFellowshipMcKinney [https://www.youtube.com/@ChristFellowshipMcKinney] Get the written devotional at: https://cfhome.org/EGD [https://cfhome.org/EGD] If you are in the North Dallas area and would like to join us for services each week, you can find all the information at https://cfhome.org. [https://cfhome.org]

Go Into All The World | Remember Who He Really Is

REMEMBER WHO HE REALLY IS Scripture: Romans 1:2–4 Runtime: ~3 min Paul packs an entire theology of Jesus into three verses — so tightly arranged that many scholars think he's quoting an early Christian hymn or creed. Before we can share the gospel with anyone, we have to make sure our picture of Jesus is big enough. And for most of us, it isn't. In this episode: * Why the gospel isn't a new idea: it was promised centuries earlier through the prophets in the holy scriptures * The two natures of Jesus held together in these verses: descended from David as the human Messiah, appointed Son of God in power through the resurrection * What it means that Jesus is Lord — the Greek word that translates the Hebrew name Yahweh, the covenant name of God * A direct challenge: our gospel has been too small. Our Jesus has been too small. Reflection: Which of the descriptions of Jesus in these verses hits you freshest right now? How does a bigger view of Jesus change how you think about sharing his gospel? Hear the message for this week's devotional on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ChristFellowshipMcKinney [https://www.youtube.com/@ChristFellowshipMcKinney] Get the written devotional at: https://cfhome.org/EGD [https://cfhome.org/EGD] If you are in the North Dallas area and would like to join us for services each week, you can find all the information at https://cfhome.org. [https://cfhome.org]

Go Into All The World | The Power of the Gospel

THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL Scripture: Romans 1:1 Runtime: ~5 min How do you introduce yourself? Most of us lead with what we do — our job, our role, our title. Paul opens the book of Romans with a three-part introduction that has nothing to do with his resume: servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God. This week we're slowing down in Romans 1 to see the gospel with fresh eyes — bigger, richer, and more powerful than we've let ourselves believe. In this episode: * The three identity markers Paul leads with — and what it would sound like to describe yourself the same way * The word doulos (slave/servant): a term of both humility and honor — and why being a slave of Christ carries far more dignity than it might sound * What it means to be called as an apostle — not just for Paul, but for every follower of Jesus who has been sent into the world * Why the gospel is bigger than most of us have realized — and what it would mean to truly live "set apart" for it Reflection: How do you typically introduce yourself? What would shift in how you move through the world if you genuinely saw yourself as a servant of Jesus Christ, sent as his representative? Hear the message for this week's devotional on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@ChristFellowshipMcKinney [https://www.youtube.com/@ChristFellowshipMcKinney] Get the written devotional at: https://cfhome.org/EGD [https://cfhome.org/EGD] If you are in the North Dallas area and would like to join us for services each week, you can find all the information at https://cfhome.org. [https://cfhome.org]