We’ve all been shocked by the sinful actions we see around us. And we are right to be shocked - even repulsed by sin. But when we pretend to be better than we are by judging others and efforts to outperform others, we only further condemn ourselves before God's righteousness. Instead, we must remember that salvation is by grace through faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus for our sins.
It's disappointing when you are excited about something, and others are not. We all have things that excite us and things that we are apathetic to. Sadly, for many Christians, the gospel falls into the category of the latter. It's fair to say that every Christian is less amazed by the gospel than they should be. Growing our appreciation for the gospel is a lifelong - even an eternal endeavor.
It's easy to develop these sinful attitudes. They lurk below the surface of our Sunday smiles. But in Romans, Paul writes to the Romans with deep, heartfelt love and joy. Maybe it's because he never met them! No, it's a love produced by the gospel. As we read about Paul's love for the Romans, we will see that we all need to let the gospel shape our love for all people.
What is my life purpose? Through our new series in the book of Romans, we will see how the gospel answers that question. The gospel not only saves us, but it also shapes our lives. The gospel comes with a "calling." The Book of Romans opens with the man, Paul, who had a clear sense of his calling. As he explains his calling, he also shows that the gospel of Jesus Christ brings a "calling" with it.
Our culture is full of financial questions and solutions! As one of the wealthiest societies in history, everyone wants to know what to do with their money. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 answers those questions. It’s God's financial plan for the wealthy. These verses instruct us on how to live a life that reflects the heart of the wealthiest One of all - God. What does He do with His wealth? He gives.
When starting a new hobby there is often some technique that must be learned to become proficient. But what about the church? Have you considered, as a member of the body of Christ, what your roles and expectations might be, or what methods and techniques there are to promote the health of the church? In Titus 1:5-9 Paul shares with Titus some ways he must invest in the health of the church.