Tag: The Church

Morning Musing: Philippians 1:7-8

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“Indeed, it is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I have you in my heart, and you are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how deeply I miss all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus.” (CSB – Read the chapter)

Being a part of the church can be tough. Now, some of that depends on the individual church. Some churches are hard to connect with because their culture is broken. But being a part of a church that is healthy and welcoming doesn’t happen automatically. Even the best church takes some work and intentionality to be a part of. It takes building relationships and investing in those relationships over time. When you do that, something like what Paul describes here becomes possible. Let’s talk about it.

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Digging in Deeper: Romans 16:17-18

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“Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles contrary to the teaching that you learned. Avoid them, because such people do not serve our Lord Christ but their own appetites. They deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting with smooth talk and flattering words.” (CSB – Read the chapter)

I am a committed believer that the church should be a place for everyone. When the church is operating properly, no one should not be able to find their place there. It doesn’t matter how rich or poor a person is. It doesn’t matter how educated or simple they are. It doesn’t matter whether they are black or white or brown or red or yellow or any other color on the palette. National origins make no difference. Politics don’t matter. Even sports affiliation is something we can learn to have grace for. Everyone is welcome in the church…except for some people. Let’s take a minute today to talk about some people we don’t want in the church.

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Morning Musing: 1 Corinthians 12:18

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“But as it is, God has arranged each one of the parts in the body just as he wanted.” (CSB – Read the chapter)

I love the church. I’m not just saying that because I’m a pastor either. I think I’ve always loved the church. At least, I don’t remember a time when I haven’t loved it. I’m well aware that the church isn’t perfect. It has done things to me that have been hurtful at the time. But the church is good. The community of the body is good. And when it works, when all the parts operate like they should, it really is a beautiful thing. I was reminded of that rather poignantly this week. Let me tell you about a busy Wednesday afternoon and the wonder of the church operating properly.

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Digging in Deeper: Romans 15:30-33

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“Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, through our Lord Jesus Christ and through the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in prayers to God on my behalf. Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea, that my ministry to Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, and that, by God’s will, I may come to you with joy and be refreshed together with you. May the God of peace be with all of you. Amen.” (CSB – Read the chapter)

Jesus’ brother, James wrote in his letter that part of the reason we don’t receive from God all that we could is that we don’t pray for it. We don’t ask for it. The fact is that our prayers are usually small. We ask for people we know to get well or have an easier time dealing with one physical issue or another. And that’s about it. Those aren’t bad prayers, but they aren’t necessarily kingdom-advancing prayers. Paul here is asking for prayer from the believers in Rome. Let’s talk about why he places so much emphasis on this, the kinds of things he is asking them to pray for, and what this all might mean for us.

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Morning Musing: Romans 15:17-19

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“Therefore I have reason to boast in Christ Jesus regarding what pertains to God. For I would not dare say anything except what Christ has accomplished through me by word and deed for the obedience of the Gentiles, by the power of miraculous signs and wonders, and by the power of God’s Spirit. As a result, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum.” (CSB – Read the chapter)

What is it that causes the Gospel to grow and spread? If you look much into it, you’ll find all sorts of evangelism methods and programs. The most popular of them are marketed well and cost a pretty penny to get your hands on. But while these aren’t entirely without merit—and indeed, some of them are pretty helpful if implemented well—these aren’t the things that cause the Gospel to grow. Paul speaks to some of what does here. Let’s take a look.

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