Clay Smith JFBC
The struggle of Jew and Gentile to come together as one. The church is a family of faith, united by Jesus. Chapter 16 is the first time Paul describes the body as the church.
v 25-27 a doxology.
Paul was a friend maker as well as a tent maker. He commends these people in this chapter. Christians who made a difference in Paul's life.
Dec 7 will be a baptism service.
v 1-2 Phoebe was a servant. A helper of many. A patron. A deaconess. Romans 13. A leader in the church. So great a get it done leader that she was mentioned first
v 3-5 Prisca and Aquila a spiritually mature couple who always ministered together. Hosted in their house. Stable.
v 5-9 fellow workers v 7 Andronicus and Junia were viewed positively, servants, an older couple. Former prisoners. Like the JF deacon chairman. How to not be a grumpy old man? Never stop serving.
v 10-11 kinsman, approved in Christ. Rom 8:1 there is no condemnation for those in Christ. Don't get down due to sin.
Influencers, including the grandson of Herod, who God used.
v 12 sisters, perhaps older, teaching younger women. Rufus was a choice man of God. In Mark 15 Simon of Cerine had a son named Rufus. They both served God.
Names of slaves and other nobodies, people in the Lord, all together a family. Greet each other as a family of God.
If I was writing this chapter, whose names would I mention? Would I be mentioned in anyone else's chapter?
Paul could see well, and relied on others to actually write down what Paul dictated, led by the Holy Spirit
Four concluding thoughts from the book of Romans…
1. Stay alert to the threat of division. Theology not in line with the gospel v 17 be wary of those who divide. Cultural divisions. Stick to the truth
2. Find your strength in the Gospel - the purpose of the book of Romans v 25-27. Keep coming back to the Gospel. Not what you do. Not what you don't do. It's what Christ did for us. Where our confidence is.
3. v 26 don't forget the mission. So many are lost without Christ. The Christmas season is a great time to invite your neighbors to church. Thanksgiving can be a hard week.
4. v 27 give God the glory. God is big. Bigger than our problems.
Johnson Ferry had their Christmas decorations up before Thanksgiving, like many around town. David Hall and family posed for a picture.
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