Romans Week 26 - The Weak and the Strong Part 1 - Grace Community Church

Grace Community Church - Loveland, CO

Romans Week 26 - The Weak and the Strong Part 1

April 17, 2024 • Romans 14

Cain said to God; “Am I my brother’s keeper?”* As those who live in an individualistic culture this question is familiar to us. Though our natural bent is to make decisions from this perspective, followers of Jesus are called to another way. Paul invites us to live in such a way that we aren’t breaking fellowship with each other over convictions about secondary issues. In our passage this week Paul talks a lot about food because in the early church this was a divisive issue. Should the new Christians keep kosher? What about food that has been offered to idols? In the 2024th year of our Lord food isn’t directly tied to our spiritual life like it was then, but we have plenty of these sorts of issues that divide us. Paul’s words are as important now as they ever were – to be committed to not causing another to stumble or destroy the work of God for the sake of our preference! This remarkable way of Jesus doesn’t require us to erase our differences, but to rise above them! By the power of the Holy Spirit living within us, may it be so Lord, may it be so!

Prepare for this week’s teaching by reading Romans chapter 14.

*Genesis 4

Romans Week 29 - Personal Greetings

May 8, 2024 • Romans 16

The believers in Rome were a varied group! Among those Paul sends special greetings to we have men and women, Jew and Gentile, imprisoned and free. Spurgeon comments; ““They were like the most of us, commonplace individuals; but they loved the Lord, and therefore as Paul recollected their names he sent them a message of love which has become embalmed in the Holy Scriptures.” Included in this closing greeting, Paul gives final words of warning and instruction culminating with praise to the God who is able to establish them and reconcile all nations to Himself through Jesus Christ. Prepare for this week’s teaching by reading Romans chapter 16.

Romans Week 28 - Conclusion & Travel Plans

May 1, 2024 • Dakota Searles • Romans 15:14–33

Paul has been faithful to His calling as minister of the Gospel to the Gentiles, but he seeks no glory for himself. He knows anything he has accomplished has not been by his own strength or power, but fully by the power of the Holy Spirit, in the strength of God, & because of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Paul reminds the Roman believers of God’s grace in using him for the sake of the Gentiles, he shares his plans to come to them by way of Spain and asks them to join with him in his ministry through praying for him. Prepare for this week’s teaching by reading Paul’s biographical summary found in Romans 15: 14-33

Romans Week 27 - The Weak and the Strong Part 2

April 24, 2024 • Romans 15:1–14

As we live into the process of becoming like Christ it is easy to become weary and discouraged. We need help both from the Holy Spirit working in us and the Holy Spirit working through us to build each other up. All of us have moments of weakness and confusion and as we learned last week, there are many disputable issues that can divide us. Instead, we are called to receive each other, build each other up, and unify on Christ. As the Holy Spirit equips us to live in this common bond of unity, God is glorified and we are given endurance, encouragement and peace and hope. Prepare for this week’s teaching by reading Romans 15:1-14