Romans 10

Pastor Marshall Ochs | MARCH 8, 2026

In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from Romans 10. In this chapter, Paul explains that God’s promises to Israel have not failed; rather, salvation has always been based on faith, not ethnic identity or good works. Paul grieves that many Jews have rejected the Gospel even though God made His word clear and near to them, while Gentiles are coming to faith because the message is being preached and believed. The chapter emphasizes that salvation comes through hearing and believing the gospel and calls believers to pray for the lost and participate in sharing the message of Christ.

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Romans 10

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REFLECT

In Romans 9-11, Paul covers the questions, “Did God’s promises fail, and how can we trust that Jesus won’t fail?” He is also covering the issue of who belongs to the one true Israel. Paul explains that it is not based on an ethnic or bloodline connection. The one true Israel is based on faith in Jesus Christ as the Messiah. His heart is burdened for the Jewish people and his desire to see them come to faith in Jesus.

Like the Jewish people of Paul’s day, we too can easily slip into the misguided mindset that if we are generally “good people” and we do “good works” God is pleased with us and would surely let us into heaven. This is the lie that many people in our society believe today. Good works do not get us into heaven, but we do good works because God saved us through His Son, Jesus. It is our responsibility to understand and accept that faith in Jesus is the ONLY way to salvation and eternity with God. It is also our responsibility to share our faith with others and to pray for them. Paul is grieved for his Jewish brothers and sisters that have not accepted Christ, and he takes his grief to the Lord in prayer. Prayer is essential in our lives!

• Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior? (Please read Romans 10:9-10) Salvation is for everyone!

• If you have accepted Christ, who has God placed on your heart to pray for that needs to come to faith in Jesus? List them by name and begin to pray faithfully for them. Ask the Lord to show you how to share your faith with them. We can’t save anyone; however, the Holy Spirit can speak to their hearts through us.

Paul goes on to teach the people that God is close to them. He did all the work through His son, Jesus. God made the way for us. We don’t have to do anything to try and “reach” God. God reached out to us. It is up to each person to make the choice if they will receive or reject Christ. We are all accountable for that choice. The Jews struggled to accept this message of salvation because it was offered to both the Jew and the Gentile. They didn’t really like that plan. Israel rejected not only God’s plan of salvation, but also His inclusion of the Gentiles as co-heirs.

• Has there been a time in your life when you could see God working – see His plan in your life, and you didn’t like it or agree with it? We often want our own way, or for God to follow our plan. It is up to us to accept God’s plan for us and operate in His blessing, or reject His plan and suffer the consequences of our disobedience.

• What is God currently asking you to do and what is your response to Him?

We are all missionaries right where we are planted. Your ministry is what God has called YOU to do. Everywhere you go there is opportunity for ministry – at home, work, school, social gatherings, public places you frequent… Your conversations and the way you treat people is a ministry. In everything we say and do, we should be pointing others to Christ.

• In what ways do you see God calling you to minister where He has planted you? Keep praying, keep seeking, and He will equip you.

Romans 4

Pastor Marshall Ochs | January 25, 2026

In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from Romans 4. In this chapter, Paul teaches that no one—Jew or Gentile—is made right with God by works or obedience to the Law, but by faith alone. Using Abraham as an example of righteousness credited through belief rather than actions, Paul explains that Abraham was declared righteous before circumcision, making him the father of faith for all who believe. This same faith now applies to believers who trust in Christ for forgiveness and resurrection life. The chapter concludes by emphasizing that the Christian life begins and continues in faith, expressed through dependence on God and persistent prayer.

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Romans 4

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Reflect

1. How does Abraham’s faith serve as a model for our own faith journey?

2. What does it mean to you that righteousness is counted to us through belief, not through works?

3. In what ways can you strengthen your faith in God’s promises, as Abraham did?

4. What role does prayer play in exercising your faith in God’s daily provisions?

5. How do you respond to the idea that faith is both the beginning and the journey of your Christian walk?

6. What are some specific ‘daily bread needs’ you should bring to God in prayer?

7. How can you cultivate a habit of asking God for help in your everyday life?

8. What does it look like to live a life fully dependent on God rather than on your own abilities?

1 Kings 19-20

Pastor Marshall Ochs | September 8, 2024

In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from 1 Kings 19-20. These chapters cover the aftermath of Mt Carmel and the resistance from Jezebel. Elijah expected nationwide revival, but Ahab’s wife stood in the way. These chapters reveal how Elijah dealt with this disappointment and how God comforts His people in sorrow. These chapters are a great source of encouragement for anyone struggling with discontentment.

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1 Kings 19-20

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Reflect

As we read 1 Kings 19 and 20, we follow the story of Elijah after the powerful showdown at Mount Carmel. Despite this victory, Elijah is disheartened and flees. These chapters show us the weight of disappointment, the consequences of idolatry, and the quiet faithfulness of God during chaos. Let’s consider how these truths apply to our own lives today.

1 Kings 19:1-8

After the powerful victory at Mount Carmel, where God sent fire to consume the altar, Elijah expected a nationwide revival. But instead, Jezebel, who controlled much of the religious and political power, remained unrepentant and sought to kill him. Elijah fled, not because he feared her, but because his vision for revival was crushed. All his hard work felt undone by one person.

Reflection:

Many of us can relate to Elijah's despair. Have you ever poured your heart into something, only to see it unravel because of one individual or event? Like Elijah, we may feel disillusioned in those moments and run in the opposite direction. But even when we are weary and feel hopeless, God sustains us. He fed Elijah in the wilderness, providing bread and water, and led him to Mount Sinai, a place of covenant and renewal. When you feel defeated, remember that God will nourish and guide you. Take time to rest in His provision, trusting that He sees your obedience and will bring comfort in His way and time.

1 Kings 19:9-21

Elijah’s discouragement led him to isolate himself, believing his work was in vain. But even in his despair, God didn’t abandon him. Instead, God asked, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” This simple question wasn’t for God’s knowledge but for Elijah’s heart. God meets us there when we feel like we’ve reached the end of our strength. He doesn’t condemn us. Instead, He gently calls us to reflect, come to Him honestly, and remember that He is with us.

God told Elijah to stand on the mountain and wait for Him. A powerful wind tore through the mountains, an earthquake shook the ground, and a fire blazed—but the Lord was not in any of these. Finally, there came a gentle whisper, and that’s when Elijah covered his face, knowing he was in God's presence.

God often speaks to us not through the dramatic or the loud but in the quiet and still moments. When life is overwhelming and we are looking for big signs, we may miss the whisper of God’s presence in our lives. He is with us in the quiet, inviting us to listen, trust, and find our strength in Him.

After revealing His presence, God didn’t leave Elijah in the cave. He gave him a renewed purpose, instructing him to anoint new leaders and to continue his prophetic mission. God reminded Elijah that he was not alone; there were still 7,000 in Israel who had not bowed to Baal. Even when Elijah felt isolated and defeated, God had a greater plan at work.

We often feel alone in our struggles, but God’s plan for us is far bigger than we can see. He calls us to continue, not in our strength, but with the assurance that He works through us, even when we don’t understand how.

Reflection:

Elijah’s encounter with God reminds us that God is not always in the grand and dramatic moments. Often, He speaks to us in the quiet places, in stillness and prayer. Elijah expected a loud, national revival, but God showed him that His work often happens in subtle, quiet ways. Are you listening for God’s voice in the quiet moments of your life? Amidst the noise of our busy world, we must intentionally seek Him in prayer, Scripture, and quiet moments.

1 Kings 20:1-12

As we shift focus to King Ahab, we see a king whose heart is far from God. Ahab disobeys God and seeks his own gain. Ben-Hadad of Syria threatens Israel, and war ensues. Despite Ahab’s wickedness, God remains in control. He has a plan to replace Ben-Hadad with Hazael and uses the 7,000 faithful men in Israel to defeat Syria.

Reflection:

Even when wicked leaders rule, and it feels like the world is spiraling out of control, God is still sovereign. Ahab was a weak and compromised leader, yet God’s plans were not thwarted. He used faithful men to accomplish His purposes. This gives us hope today. No matter how chaotic the world appears, no matter how unjust the systems seem, God is still on the throne.

1 Kings 20:35-43

This passage describes a prophetic interaction between a man of God and King Ahab. The prophet, disguised as a wounded soldier, delivers a parable to King Ahab, telling him he had been entrusted with guarding a prisoner. But because he let the prisoner go free, his own life would be taken in place of the prisoner’s. Ahab unknowingly declares his own judgment. The prophet then reveals that Ahab himself had failed to follow God's command to completely destroy King Ben-Hadad, whom God had delivered into his hands.

Reflection:

This passage is a powerful reminder of the weight of responsibility and the consequences of disobedience to God—Ahab’s failure to follow through with God's specific instructions led to his own judgment. The prophet's parable is meant to make Ahab understand the seriousness of his choices. It highlights that the responsibilities God entrusts to us should not be taken lightly. In a world where sin and injustice often seem to prevail, we are called to remain faithful and trust God. Reflect on how you can remain obedient to God’s Word.

Conclusion:

1 Kings 19 and 20 remind us that God is still faithful despite what we see around us of widespread wickedness. He speaks to us in the quiet places, sustains us in our weariness, and remains sovereign over the world's chaos. Like Elijah, we may have moments where we feel alone and discouraged, but God is with us. Lord, thank You for sustaining us in our moments of weakness and weariness. Help us to listen for Your voice in the quiet and to trust that You are in control, even when the world around us seems chaotic. Give us the strength to remain faithful, knowing that You will bring justice and that we are never alone. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

1 Kings 17-18

Pastor Marshall Ochs | September 1, 2024

In this message, Pastor Marshall teaches from 1 Kings 17-18. These chapters cover the early ministry of Elijah and the showdown between Yahweh and Baal. Whenever a nation turns to false gods and idol worship, the Lord faithfully raises up prophetic voices to call the people to repentance. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours and he prayed big prayers. God answered those prayers to call many to repentance. James 5 uses this story to remind believers of their responsibility to pray against the increasing worldliness and idolatry in our world today — that many would turn from their sin to the Lord.

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1 Kings 17-18

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People of Faith - Week 1

Message: People of Faith - Week 1

Teacher: Pastor Marshall Ochs

Date: September 7, 2014

Summary: This message series is about faith. Members of God's family are people of faith. We trust His plan, His timing, and His ways. God is in control of the universe and we join Him in His work.

This message is about focusing your faith forward, and living a life that points everyone to Jesus.

People of Faith - Week 1

Pastor Marshall Ochs