A Walk Through Romans

Paul's Passion
Romans 1:1-17

The Apostle Paul was a passionate guy. He, before becoming a follower of Christ, was passionate about stomping out Christianity and persecuting the Christians. After his conversion, he remained passionate, but now his passion was turned in a different direction. He was passionate about spreading the gospel to the Gentiles and he was passionate about God's people, the Church.

We think of Paul as a pillar of the church so to speak, but in this passage he talks about the mutual benefit of his relationships with those fellow followers:

I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith. (Romans 1:11-12)

What Paul is talking about here is the fact that we all need each other in the body of Christ. I learn from you, and you learn from me. We are all necessary parts of the whole, and we benefit from relationships with one another. Without that, the individual believer suffers in his or her walk with God, and the Church suffers as well.

In other writings, Paul makes a strong case for relationships within the church, but this passage in Romans certainly underscores the need for connection as well.

He uses some strong language. He longs to see the Romans. He wants to impart to them a spiritual gift that will help them be strong. He wants their encouragement, and he wants to encourage them as well. He wants to experience their faith face to face. Letter writing simply doesn't do it for Paul. He wants to be with them.

So is that a passion of yours, to be with God's people? I pray so, because it is pretty clear throughout the writings of Paul and the other New Testament writers that relationships are necessary to spiritual growth and maturity.

Sunday mornings are nice, but they just aren't enough. So let me take this opportunity to plug small groups. If you are not in a Home Growth Group, I strongly encourage you to get into one. If you don't know which one, talk to me. If you have a hesitation, talk to me about that.

My desire is for all of us is to grow in our faith, and we do that much better together rather than as Lone Rangers.

So what are your thoughts? Post a comment!

A Walk Through Romans

Paul's Purposed Life
Romans 1:1-17

Isn't it interesting that Paul started out virtually all of his letters to the churches with the same greeting?

Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God... (I Corinthians 1:1,
II Corinthians 1:1, Ephesians 1:1,
Colossians 1:1, and II Timothy 1:1)

Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father... (Galatians 1:1)

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus... (Philippians 1:1)

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope... (I Timothy 1:1)

Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ (Titus 1:1)

Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus (Philemon 1:1)

An Apostle, a Servant, and a Prisoner all rolled into one. Apparently, Paul wanted the reader to understand that his credentials of being an Apostle--a V.I.P., I suppose--were impeccable. He was called and commanded. His purpose was given to him by God Himself. (See Acts 26.)

Remember that an Apostle traditionally got that title because of three things. He personally had a physical encounter with Christ, received a personal commission from Christ, and was used in the working of miracles, signs and wonders.

An Apostle was indeed a special credential, but those other credentials were equally important to Paul. He was a Servant and a Prisoner of Jesus Christ. He didn't rest on his laurels and let everyone admire his apostleship. He knew that the privilege of apostleship carried with it the responsibility of a servant and the surrender of a prisoner.

When we examine our purpose, let us remember that whatever else God has called us to, He has called us also to be servants and prisoners. We are called to be a servant who serves out of loyalty and love for our Master. We are called to be prisoners, captivated by His love and grace.

What is your purpose? Are you a loyal servant who loves your Master more than life itself? Are you so captivated by His love that you are willingly a prisoner? Are your purpose and passion your number one identifying marker? If not, what interferes with that?

Talk to me! I'd love to see you post a comment!

Responding to Suffering

This will be (unless God directs me otherwise) the last in the series on suffering. The past couple of weeks we have talked much about how suffering is a normal part of life, even for the Christian. We also have talked about the purpose of suffering, and even the benefits of suffering. Hopefully that will lead us to develop a right perspective on suffering and, in turn, a right attitude when it happens.

When we see suffering the way God does, there is something inside of us that shifts. We begin to respond to it not. with fear or anger, but rather with a response that is Godly and healthy. Briefly, what are the Godly responses to suffering?

• Rejoice in suffering. - I Peter 4:12-14, Colossians 1:24
• Praise God and give thanks. - Philippians 4:4, I Thessalonians 5:16-18
• Don't lose heart and be courageous. - Hebrews 12:3, II Corinthians 4:13-18
  
• Comfort others. - II Corinthians 1:3-11
• Pray. - I Thessalonians 5:16-17, Hebrews 5:7, James 5:13
  
• Resist the devil. - Ephesians 6:10-13
• Persevere. - I Corinthians 10:13
• Entrust. (Have faith.) - I Peter 2:21-24
• Sacrifice for others.

One of the things that I believe helps us the most is remembering that suffering is for a little while.

For in just a very little while, He who is coming will come and will not delay. (Hebrews 10:37)

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. (I Peter 1:6)

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. (I Peter 5:10)

Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. (Psalm 30:5)

We have confidence in the hope of Christ's return when there will be no more suffering, no more pain, and no more dying. Isaiah 25:8 tells us that God will swallow up death forever and He will wipe away tears from all faces. It goes on to say that He will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth.

There is an end to it! Just like a woman in labor can endure the pain because she knows that the pain will not last forever and that the rewards of labor are great (a wonderful little bundle of joy), so is it with us. We know that our suffering, just like those who went before us, will come to an end and we will have an eternity in heaven.

So we need an eternal perspective. We need to see this life, with all it brings to us--the good times and the bad, as God sees it. We need to understand that this 70 years (give or take) is just a blip on the timeline of eternity. That will help us to have a better response to our suffering!

What are your thoughts?

Becoming Who God Wants Us to Be

When you think about your Christian walk and your attitudes, behaviors, and decisions, do you ever imagine yourself in these ways?

• You are a mature Christian whose world view lines up with the scripture and your attitudes show it.
• You have pure motives, right relationships, and thoughts that are Christ-like.
• You abound in compassion for others, never feeling impatient, frustrated, or angry.
• You trust God fully, and believe totally in His unlimited power, abundant grace and mercy, and immeasurable love for you.
• God's glory is revealed in your life.
• You are His instrument in spreading the gospel to those who need to know Him.
• Your life glorifies God every minute of every day.
• You live your life with unwavering discipline.

Who wouldn't want those things? I think we all want to glorify God, to walk with Him with full trust, to be used of Him, and to be everything the Bible tells us He wants us to be. Right?

So if I were to say come to my office tomorrow and sign up for this, you would (most at least) be there at the crack of dawn to be the first in line.

But what if, as I hand you the sign up sheet for you to "sign on the dotted line" as it were, I were to say, "Oh, I may have forgotten to mention that in order for you to get these qualities, it will involve some pain."

You see, nothing comes easily. (It seems like this has been our theme recently, hasn't it?) The Bible is pretty clear that the above character traits are produced in us through, yes, suffering. Check out these scriptures:

Roman 5:3-5
James 1:2-4
II Corinthians 1:3-5
Romans 8:18
Acts 11:19
John 9:1-3
Hebrews 12:9-11

So why would we sign up for suffering? Well, it kind of goes back to a theme that has run through our teachings in the past year, and that is of knowing Christ.

I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:10-11

Paul embraced suffering and counted it pretty much as nothing compared to knowing Christ. In economic terms, it was "cost effective," I guess you could say. What we get is far beyond what we pay.

Additionally, remember that suffering comes to those who know Christ and those who don't. With that being true, it seems more desirable to go through suffering with Christ as opposed to without Christ.

Remember that suffering offers an opportunity for good fruit. While we may not be able to control, predict, or schedule suffering in our lives, we have control over the outcome, in terms of what it produces in us. Go through it with the wrong attitude and you will come out the other side of the suffering with only negative changes in yourself. You'll be more bitter, angrier, and more fearful.

Go through it with the correct attitude and you will find yourself changed in positive ways as you come out the other side. You'll exhibit more of the fruit of the Spirit. Good will have come from "bad."

What are your thoughts? Post a comment!