Pastor John Lovell

The world is mourning the loss of some very influential, kingdom-building Christian leaders at this current time, those who unapologetically shared the Word of God. Carrying this burden of such devastating and heart-breaking loss brings believers closer to Jesus, and in the depth of our collective grief, His eternal promises bring much needed hope.  Listen as Pastor John upholds Epaphroditus, a loyal friend of the Apostle Paul, as a biblical model of the deep, spiritual brotherhood and sacrificial service that we are to seek in our Christian lives. He asks the congregation to embody the same truthful, loving, and servant-hearted characteristics for each other and for the local churches that are under persecution and spiritual warfare, always demonstrating the eternal hope of Jesus Christ.  Thanks for listening!Visit our website for more info:https://www.gracecityrome.com/

The Apostle Paul performs a savage take-down of the inadequate and corrupt religious crowd in the early church era. He proudly proclaimed in the book of Philippians that all his former religious accolades and laws were rubbish compared to the joy of his new heart and his new life in Jesus Christ.  Listen as Pastor John urges us to understand the distinction between religion and faith-based relationship, being well aware of the traps that the modern-day religious sect sets for authentic Christians.  While the arrogant and hypocritical religious people narrowly define the legalistic, inflexible rules of the church, those in real relationship with Christ are practicing love, joy, grace, and forgiveness.  Bearing the fruits of the Holy Spirit is the transforming outcome of a true believer's heart, as we know our righteousness comes only from Jesus Christ, our Savior. Thanks for listening!Visit our website for more info:https://www.gracecityrome.com/

Discover what it truly means to be part of a 'dream team' in church as the Apostle Paul highlights Timothy's selflessness. The struggle against self-interest is timeless, revealing how appearances can mask deeper motives. Pastor John challenges listeners to embrace total surrender and genuine service. By sharing examples like Jonathan and Jesus, he emphasizes bold, loving truth over passive niceness. Finally, he offers practical steps to escape selfishness, urging focus on local needs and true faith that acts.

In a world plagued by moral decay, listeners are encouraged to shine as beacons of light. The discussion emphasizes living by God's Word rather than societal opinions, stressing the importance of avoiding grumbling and complaints. Practical steps to combat negativity are shared, alongside the call for believers to confront conflicts directly and pursue blamelessness. By living sacrificially in service to others, Christians can reflect the glory of Jesus and impact their communities, even amidst the chaos of a crooked generation.

To be saved through God's salvation plan is when you give your whole heart and life to Jesus Christ. It may begin with a beautiful, eternal moment at an earthly altar, but then the lifelong quest of His holiness and righteousness comes from our desire to serve Him and His people. The Apostle Paul reminds us in Philippians that the believers responsibility is the active pursuit of obedience in the process of sanctification. Listen this week as Pastor John walks us through several "tests" of our salvation, guiding us to always remember that biblical truth is very narrow and exclusive.  God has sacrificed Himself for your freedom and salvation - and now it's our turn to join Him on this mission to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. This new heart that He provides for us will truly focus on and live out the Word of God by demonstrating the fruits of His Spirit, and by  serving others for the pleasure of Jesus Christ. Thanks for listening!Visit our website for more info:https://www.gracecityrome.com/

Love God and love others. This profound and simple foundation of Christian principle is boldly exclaimed by the Apostle Paul in his letter to the church at Philippi, as he calls the church to unity through humility. Listen as Pastor John passionately proclaims that the gifts of mercy and love that Christ has provided for believers in turn commissions us to extend this same humility and grace to others. The world is thirsty for meaningful relationships, hungering for more than just small talk about the weather or for a number of clicks on social media. Loneliness is rampant in our broken world, and Pastor John builds a case this week for unity - where we are all in one mind and one accord, focused on the gospel of Jesus Christ. Counting others as more significant than ourselves provides an "anti-self" Bible concept that is foreign to the lost world, yet encourages believers to out-give, out-serve, and out-love those around us.Thanks for listening!Visit our website for more info:https://www.gracecityrome.com/

The road to victory often goes through pain and suffering, as the Bible does not endorse the current worldview of happiness - that temporary, shallow emotional state based on external circumstances. The Apostle Paul calls for a genuine unity of believer's hearts and minds at the church of Philippi, reminding them that Jesus offers holiness, eternal joy, and a purpose-driven fulfillment that no earthly circumstances can provide. Listen now as Pastor John encourages each of us to enjoy the benefits of being granted belief in Jesus Christ, while compelling us to prepare for the upcoming suffering, where that fire forges strength in the believer's heart.  These rich narratives of the Old Testament invite us this week to examine our lives and to live worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ.Thanks for listening!Visit our website for more info:https://www.gracecityrome.com/

A unique form of radical extremism is demonstrated through the Apostle Paul's letter to the Philippians, as he wrestles with the tension of his soul's deep desire to be with Jesus and his heart's desire to strengthen the spiritual walk of the new believers.  This significantly personal and theological reflection views death as a personal gain and a deeper doorway to fellowship with Jesus, not as a loss to be feared or dreaded. Listen as Pastor John exposes the casual Christian through God's Word and warns believers against practicing a counterfeit, part-time faith. He reminds believers of the sacrifices needed when we choose to carry that cross, an instrument of death and pain. The "ALL IN" believer stands faithful, fearless, generous, and constantly striving for the mission of the gospel, with a rare and intense desire to fully trust in and surrender to God.Thanks for listening!Visit our website for more info:https://www.gracecityrome.com/

The seeds of destruction are sown in churches across America when envy, rivalry, and selfish ambition enter in, sometimes disguised as a true ministry of the gospel. In his letter to the Philippians, the Apostle Paul acknowledges that people can sometimes do the right thing (preach the gospel) for the wrong reasons (approval of man, influence, power). Pastor John warns us today that if hearts are deceived and driven by a desperate need for recognition and validation, then the church will fail, as it cannot stand when rooted in self-righteousness. Listen now as he emboldens Christians to rejoice at the gospel message being spread, regardless of motives of the some holier-than-thou messengers. He also sets the biblical guidelines for a healthy church, one focused on the mission of kingdom advancement and founded on the gospel truth.Thanks for listening!Visit our website for more info:https://www.gracecityrome.com/

Being imprisoned typically denotes disgrace and punishment upon the outcast who experiences social shame and failure. The Apostle Paul's message to the Philippians, however, completely flips the script on this prisoner stereotype, as he defied the worldly expectations of his confinement in a Roman prison.  He boldly proclaimed that his chains and his suffering were golden opportunities to lead others to freedom, as the imperial guards within the prison walls would be a captive audience for this strategic advancement of the gospel. Listen now as Pastor John delivers a compelling message regarding the Christian's radical perspective on suffering, along with a warning against the dire consequences of relying on worldly strategies to escape such suffering. As followers of Christ, we are called to choose courage over fear and to rejoice in the sanctifying pressure that deepens our spiritual growth and increases our reliance on our Lord Jesus Christ.Thanks for listening!Visit our website for more info:https://www.gracecityrome.com/