A NEW "TWIST" ON THE BOOK OF ROMANS
Hello once again from Community Christian Fellowship,
Over the lost several months, we have been going through the books of I and II Corinthians. We have seen that this particular church area was very challenging to Paul and the ministry he was compelled to pursue until his death.
When one looks at these two letters, one begins to see a change, but it's not just in the church that Paul was ministering to. It was also seen in Paul. In I Cor. 5, Paul commanded the church to "throw out" those who were causing division and factions in the church. Then, in the first few chapters of II Cor., we see Paul encourages the church to take them back because they have presented as if they have repented. And finally, in chapter 12 of II Cor., we see where Paul anticipates having to face a lot of malice, division, arguing, and judgmentalism regarding his personal qualifications and calling as an apostle of Jesus Christ. But notice, Paul does not ask the church to "throw out" anybody. Many feel that the ones who were asked to return may have not changed much at all. In fact, some feel that they were once again the fuel behind the fire of the troubles that existed in the church at Corinth.
It was during this time, while Paul was writing and visiting Corinth, that he wrote the book of Romans. One can't help but wonder as Paul was writing a general overview about the history of ancient Israel and how the grace of Jesus was behind all of those historical occurrences, that he was also realizing that it was that "plan" that gave him the strength to endure the hardships of his ministry.
So, what's the point? Well, if you feel that life is to hard at times, Romans is the book for you! Paul writes about the plan of God through Jesus Christ and how it affects us personally in both good and bad times in ways that are rarely found anywhere else in scripture. I hope you will come and join us over the next several Sundays as we go through one of my personal favorites when it comes to Paul's writings.
In closing I want to tell you that you are all continually in my prayers. And that we should never take lightly the power of prayer for one another. May God bless you and keep you, no matter what life brings your way.
Until next time,
Pastor Mark
|
