"To God be the Glory." Many Christians know these words and would quickly agree with these words. "Yes, I want to glorify God." But we fail to live that way. As Paul closes this rich letter about the gospel, He gives glory to God for the gospel. These closing verses remind us why it is so important that our lives - saved and shaped by the gospel - point all attention and praise to God, forever!
"Say hello to Paul for me!" We send greetings like this through others to express love and to maintain a relationship. This is exactly what Paul does at the end of his letter to the Romans. But Paul's list of greetings teaches us more than polite conversation. There’s a strong sense of partnership and a deep bond of love. He warns them of those who would cause division and subvert sound doctrine.
Winter 2024-25 Equip Class - The End Is Just the Beginning: A Study in Eschatology
We tell ourselves we are committed to loving them because Jesus tells us to, but we excuse ourselves for not enjoying or caring for them. But in Paul's closing comments in Romans, we see the gospel transform believers’ relationships. Paul cares deeply for these believers, whom he's never met! Love for Jesus and the transformation of the gospel grows us supernaturally to love other believers.
We ask questions to catch up with friends. We want to know what they’re excited about. As Paul begins to close the book of Romans, he returns to "conversational" matters. But when Paul shares what he's excited about, it all revolves around what Jesus is doing through the spread of the gospel. This is Paul's passion, and it's clear that he believes it should be every Christian's passion too.
Winter 2024-25 Equip Class - The End Is Just the Beginning: A Study in Eschatology.
"Church would be great if it weren't for the people!" Hopefully, you can laugh at a cynical comment like this, but it may be the way you've felt before. While a church family can be a blessing, it can be a source of strife. Because we are all works-in-progress, we have rough edges that can hurt others. How can we find unity in the body of Christ? The gospel of Jesus Christ teaches the best way.
Our culture's attitude of entitlement can creep into the church. We often defend our rights rather than loving our brothers and sisters. But if Jesus used His liberty to lay down His life for us, then we can use our liberty to lay aside our preferences for the good of a brother or sister. Rather than defending our "rights," we pursue righteousness, peace, and joy.
Bienvenido! Willkommen! Bem-vindo! Every language has its way of welcoming someone. The word communicates a warm reception and acceptance of the newcomer into the group. In Romans 14, we are told to "welcome" our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ - despite differences of opinion - because God welcomed us. We are to welcome one another without quarreling over disputed issues.
Few sounds stir us to action like the sound of a morning alarm. We wake from sleep to silence it. When going off in a crowd, everyone responds by checking their phone. Its grating bark calls us to action! Romans serves as an alarm calling us to act. Reminding us to love others and walk in the light because the "day is at hand." The gospel compels us to walk in the love and light of the Lord Jesus.
Winter 2024-25 Equip Class - The End Is Just the Beginning: A Study in Eschatology.
We don't like to be told what to do at a young age. We don't like authority. It’s complicated when authorities don't share our values or beliefs about God. How can the Christian, a citizen of Heaven, relate to human government? The principle in Romans is clear: "Let every soul be subject to governing authorities." We learn when to submit to authorities when we accurately understand why we submit.
Winter 2024-25 Equip Class - The End Is Just the Beginning: A Study in Eschatology.
What is love? In our culture, love is still seen as a virtue but its meaning is hotly debated. Some think that love is "warm fuzzy feelings," so to feel "hurt" is deemed unloving. Some see love as affirmation and acceptance. In this view, disagreement is unloving. Various false views of love can leave us confused and unsure. But God, who is Love, defines true love for us. He shows true love to us.
Winter 2024-25 Equip Class - The End Is Just the Beginning: A Study in Eschatology.
We constantly evaluate ourselves and others. Comparison can corrode relationships and creep into the church. But the gospel learned in Romans 1-11 saves and shapes us. It changes the way we see things. Paul describes this transformation in the church. The gospel transforms how we think of ourselves and others in the church. Rather than pride and selfishness, we learn humility and service.
Winter 2024-25 Equip Class - The End Is Just the Beginning: A Study in Eschatology.
We give ourselves to all sorts of things with something we hope to gain. We give because of what we think it will give in return. This is the way of the world. In the gospel, we learn that when we were enemies of God, He offered us salvation as a free gift by faith. But the gospel not only saves us, it shapes us. We live for God - not to get anything from Him, but because He gave us everything!
God leads us to worship Him. Those attached to His blessings are troubled when led to give things up for Jesus. Those attached to authority are troubled when taught humility. Herod, troubled and attached to authority did not act like the wise men coming to worship the King of the Jews. Following God, the wise men bowed before little King Jesus. Their actions encourage us to respond the same way.
Christmas is full of plans. But plans don’t always go according to plan. That was true the very first Christmas - at least for Joseph. He was engaged, soon to be married. Then his fiance got pregnant - that wasn’t part of the plan. But the story in Matthew helps us see the big picture. It was all going exactly according to God's plan, and that made all the difference. This wasn't a normal birth.