The Churches of Christ in Rome
Grace and Peace: Welcome One Another As Christ Welcomed You • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 25 viewsIn the last chapter of Romans there is a long list of names. They probably don’t mean much to most us, but they are actually the whole point of this letter. When combined with an understanding of how Claudius kicked the Jews out of Rome, these names help us understand the cultural context of Romans. Some of the Christians were Jews, some were Greeks, some were probably slaves, and some were wealthy homeowners. Paul instructs his audience to, “greet” each other. Finally, Paul’s appeal in Romans 16:17-20 and his doxology in verses 25-27 help us understand—and participate in—the peace God brings by grace.
Notes
Transcript
Introduction:
Do you ever…
- watch a movie, a TV program, news story
- read a book or an article
The whole time, you’re trying to figure out
- the creator’s motives and intentions
- what does he want you to DO
- what is he trying to convince you of
Sometimes you might be tempted to skip to the end and ask…
What’s your agenda?
What’s your agenda?
That is what we’re going to do in our study of Romans
Because Paul has an agenda with this letter.
It’s not just general theology
He is trying to make a case for something
He is trying to convince people to do something
Paul’s agenda is the agenda of Christ
And Christ’s agenda for the Roman churches is similar to Christ’s agenda for us.
But I also want you to ask yourself: What’s YOUR agenda?
Your intentions
Your motivations
I’m guessing a lot of us would say something like: “Make it to heaven.”
This whole year we’ve tried to challenge that as our primary agenda
Our Sunday classes are challenging that idea
As a saved person, you should have a more immediate and less self-centered agenda than, “Make it to heaven.”
let’s figure out what Paul’s agenda is and what ours should be.
Biblical Text:
Historical Background
[SLIDE] In AD 49, Jewish Christians were expelled by Claudius from Rome (see Acts 18:2).
5 years later, in AD 54, Claudius was dead; Nero was emperor
Jewish Christians started coming back to Rome
They likely returned to a very different religious culture
Gentile Christians have been in charge
They have all the power (religiously and socially)
They don’t follow the Law of Moses (Torah)
In the last chapter of Romans, Paul mentions a lot of names
These names help us understand the demographics of the Christian community in Rome
Seems like there were about five house churches in Rome
Scholars guess that there were fewer than two hundred and probably closer to one hundred Jesus followers in Rome at the time of this letter.” Source: McKnight, Scot. Reading Romans Backwards: A Gospel of Peace in the Midst of Empire
Less people than in this service
Much less all the Christians who belong to this church family
Who live in our area
Roman House Churches:
Those in the House of Prisca and Aquila (Romans 16:3-5)
Household of Aristobulus (Romans 16:10) - Powerful Roman Household
Household of Narcissus (Romans 16:11) - Powerful Roman Household
Those with Asyncritus (Romans 16:14)
Those with Philologus (Romans 16:15)
Diversity
Householders
Slaves
Freedmen - Former slaves
Jews
Greeks
Romans
Cultural and Religious Diversity
Weak - Primarily Jewish, believed the Torah should be kept
Strong - Primarily Greek, believed Torah-observance was Unnecessary
After Paul greets everyone, he encourages them to GREET ONE ANOTHER
16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.
Paul greets everyone, everyone should greet each other, and all the churches greet you
Welcome
Embrace
Show hospitality
This mirrors Paul’s agenda in Romans!
Because of what Jesus has done
Because of who you are in Christ
WELCOME each other, EMBRACE each other, SHOW HOSPITALITY to each other
All the churches of Christ
There are gatherings of Jesus followers all over the world
And we are all part of ONE FAMILY
We all are to GREET ONE ANOTHER
Paul’s primary agenda with the book of Romans seems to be PEACE.
This agenda is made clear in Paul’s next statement…
17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. 18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
Paul’s agenda is to EXPOSE those who…
cause divisions - cause you to TAKE SIDES / JOIN a FACTION
create obstacles - create opportunities for you to sin by teaching something new
serve their own appetites
deceive through “smooth talk” and “flattery”
Paul’s agenda is to HELP Christians
watch out for such people
avoid such people
19 For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. 20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
That’s Paul’s agenda with this letter…
teach them to be WISE as to what is GOOD
teach them to be INNOCENT as to what is EVIL
Division is Demonic
God is a God of peace
peace between himself and humanity
peace between people and each other
he brings about peace by crushing Satan
Saved people get to participate - “under your feet”
in God’s victory over evil
in God’s prevailing peace
Doxology - Word of Praise
25 Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26 but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— 27 to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.
This is the agenda…
the Father’s agenda
Christ’s agenda
the Holy Spirit’s agenda
Paul’s agenda
Obedience of faith
faith is something that requires ACTION
a certain manner of living
faith is not just trusting Jesus with your DEATH, but trusting Jesus with your life
Sequence
God’s grace
brings about (grateful response) obedient faith (loyalty/allegiance)
And the result of a whole group of people living in obedient faith…is peace.
Application:
We live in peace when we live by faith.
We live in peace when we live by faith.
The only way a diverse group of people
can live together in peace, unity, and harmony
is when we live BY FAITH
When there is division and disunity
it is because someone is not obeying Jesus
it is because someone has divided loyalties
Just because people aren’t actively FIGHTING doesn’t mean they’re UNITED
It doesn’t mean they are living in peace
Invitation:
We were purified for a purpose, and that purpose is PEACE
Peace with God
Peace with one another
Peace in our community
Inner peace - Peace with ourselves
The only way to live in peace is to live by faith
