October 30, 2022
|
Romans 15:1-13
|
exposition
We need unity in the church today. For there is certainly little unity in our country or world. We live in one of the most divisive and divided days in our nation in my life time. Yet, the church is supposed to be different. One of the key marks of the church is supposed to be our unity, our harmony.
In Romans 15, the apostle Paul prayed that God would grant the believers in Rome to live in harmony with one another in Christ Jesus to the glory of God. We can live in harmony with one another in Christ Jesus.
October 23, 2022
|
Romans 14:13-23
|
exposition
Judgment condemns, but discernment seeks to understand and point the person to Jesus. The motive in judging is self-righteousness and a sense of superiority, often accompanied by anger. But the motive for discernment is humility and love.
In Romans chapter 14:13-23, the apostle Paul told the believers in Rome that as a result of having their minds “transformed” (Rom. 12:2) by faith in Jesus Christ, they were now able to consider one another with spiritual discernment rather than judgment. As believers in Jesus, we can consider one another with discernment rather than judgment.
October 16, 2022
|
Romans 14:1-12
|
exposition
What are you looking for in a church? Do you want to be part of a church that looks like you, talks like you, thinks like you? Same color and race, same political party, same favorite basketball team and BBQ style? Or are you willing to welcome and receive others who have different personalities and preferences, but want to love and follow Jesus? God calls us to unity, but not uniformity. And in order to be a welcoming church, we must know the difference.
In Romans chapter 14, the apostle Paul told the believers in Rome, who came from both Jewish and Gentile backgrounds, that God had called them to be a welcoming church, not a judgmental and quarreling church.
October 9, 2022
|
Romans 13:8-14
|
exposition
What is your mental operating system? What kind of gravity tugs and pulls at your thinking? Do you struggle with anger, with depression, with a poor self-image, with unforgiveness, with temptation, with addiction, with hatred…? What controls your thoughts and attitudes and therefore your actions? Is it love?
In Romans chapter 13, the apostle Paul instructed the believers in Rome that they were to let God’s law of love govern their attitudes and actions. As believers, we are to let God’s law of love govern our attitudes and actions.
October 2, 2022
|
Romans 13:1-7
|
exposition
In this passage, Paul describes how Christians should relate to their government. In other words, how those whose citizenship is in heaven are to relate to their worldly government. And the instruction he gives from the Lord is this: we are to submit to the governing authorities.
With all the political division in our country and with the approaching midterms in November, don’t you want to know what God’s Word says about how we as believers are to relate to our government? In Romans chapter 13, the apostle Paul instructed the believers in Rome that God wanted them to live in subjection to the governing authorities. As Christians, God calls us to live in subjection to the governing authorities.
August 3, 2022
DID PAUL GO TO SPAIN? What we know from Scripture is that Paul did indeed visit Rome, carried there to appear before Caesar under Roman guard. According to the final verses in Acts (Acts 28:30-31), Paul was held under house arrest in Rome for two years awaiting trial, yet had great freedom to preach and
August 2, 2022
DO YOU KNOW THE BLESSINGS OF FELLOWSHIP? As the apostle Paul concluded his epistle to the Romans, he expressed his great desire to come and visit with them. He didn’t know when he would be able to come to Rome. He hoped to one day carry the gospel to Spain and stop off at Rome
August 1, 2022
THE OLD TESTAMENT IS FOR OUR INSTRUCTION AND HOPE The apostle Paul declared that the Old Testament was written for our instruction and hope. Although as Christians we live under the New Covenant of grace and are not under the authority of the Old Covenant law, we are still encouraged to learn and be encouraged
July 31, 2022
AIM FOR HARMONY IN THE CHURCH Literally, Paul said that believers are to “pursue peace” and edify one another. Yet, the NLT’s use of the word “harmony” is appropriate because it captures Paul’s desire to preserve unity in the church, while allowing for diversity of individual conscience. The point of harmony in music is that
July 30, 2022
SPIRITUAL AND GOSPEL URGENCY The apostle Paul urged believers to get serious about their faith because of the lateness of the hour. This calls for spiritual urgency, because we must put off sin and any hindrance that belongs to the flesh, so that we might finish the race of life well. It calls for gospel