Nurture

When we moved here in 2019, I felted so blessed by all of the love and care that my family and I recieved. The day we moved in some members had bought food and placed it in the fridge. There was a couple of Christmas cards on the counter. Then I saw the a big bouquet of roses on our mantle. All of this was before all of you came to a welcome party for us and gifted us even more. Even still, the second Tuesday in January, I was the recipient of many kind cards from the Prime-timers. I learned how this small fellowship group, writes cards for different individuals every month who are in some way a part of their group or of this church who may need some encouragement and prayers. That was the beginning of my time as your pastor.

It was a breath of fresh air and so kind. I remember the first time I was sick after becoming your pastor. I was worried about not being able to do a good job and if I was slacking on my duties.However, all I heard from the members of this congregation was well wishes and prayers. Even one of our home-bounds had handmade soup delivered to the parsonage. I knew my job as your pastor would be a blessed one, for you all were already showing marks of a true Christian community.

Pray and Read Romans 12:9-21

Romans 12:9–21 NRSV

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” No, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

We have already talked about the first half of this chapter in Romans a month ago. So where we are in this letter, as a refresher, is Paul is describing to these new Christians about the differences between what they see from the Jews, to the new covenant made with Christ. Paul tells them, in this chapter how a follower of Christ who has been transformed by Christ and filled with the Holy Spirit, how they are expected to act and to act with one another.

But here is something to consider. This church has been and is heavily persecuted being in the city limits of Rome. They had a lot of enemies. There were former friends selling them out to escape interrogation. Sometimes, they would sellout each other in hopes of keeping themselves and their family safe. So now think about these things that Paul is telling them to do. “Be humble and Hospitable.” “Give and share the Gospel.” “Be merciful and bless those that persecute you.” So, it is not as easy as it sounds. However hard it may be however, it was essential for their survival. They had to be show love towards one another by supporting and giving to one another. “Weep with those who weep, and rejoice with those that rejoice (v 15).” The community needed to see Christ in them, by their actions of feeding those who are hungry and giving someone something to drink if they were thirty (v 20).” What better way for the gospel to spread then by actions? Then anyone who has anything bad to say about the Church, doesn’t sound true because the evidence says otherwise.

The Greek word for fellowship is Koinonia. In this context, it is defined as in shared experiences, sharing faith and conversation, and shared expressions of those experiences and faith. This the definition of the Christian Church. How we care for one another, exemplifies how we share the love of God with all of God’s creation. We are to Nurture each other as we grow in Christ together.

So how do we accomplish this? When one of us is attending the funeral for a loved one and many members of this congregation show up love and support, the community notices. Same as when one of us is in the hospital or nursing home, it is noticeable when a church cares for someone by the number of cards and gifts present in the room. Not everything we do needs to be seen by the community of course. A congregation is a true church for Christ when we pray with one another and for one another. We are being true to our Christian nature when we show compassion towards and encouragement to one another.

We need to care for one another, offer grace when things go wrong, show mercy to those in our congregation who we may not always agree with. Even in the church, there may be times of disagreement and hardship. Yet, we are called to love each other through it with peaceful conversations and listening ears. We are called to bless one another and pray for one another.

So how do we show “nurturing care” to one another? Our prayers, our fellowship, and being present with one another help us all grow into being who God designed us to be. Nurture for a church is providing care and love in action towards one another in all circumstances. So how can you show support and encouragement to one another? how can you pray for one another? Who do you need to make a phone call to or to whom could you send a card? When we show peace to each other, that peace grows into love that is noticeable and needed in our world today.