
Sign up to save your podcasts
Or


How do we live in a way that honors Jesus in a world that does not? Every follower of Jesus has faced this challenge. The problem is not unique to our generation. Even in the Apostle Paul's day, Christians in Rome were surrounded by a pagan, sensual, hedonistic culture. Paul instructed them, and he instructs us, to honor Jesus publicly by submitting to governing authorities, privately by loving our neighbors, and personally by walking in holiness.
We all make excuses. It's just a natural human tendency to shift the blame when things don't work out as planned or desired. But in Romans 10, Paul makes it clear that there is no legitimate excuse for failing or refusing to believe in Jesus. Specifically, Paul addresses the Jewish people, but his point applies to all. No one will be able to stand before God and offer an acceptable excuse. Everyone will be held responsible for choosing to believe in Jesus for eternal life or choosing to reject him. He is the way, the truth and the life; no one can come to the Father except through Jesus.
If the Jews are God's chosen people, then why are there so few of them experiencing His grace through Jesus their Messiah? Has God failed to keep His promises to Israel? And if He has failed to keep His promises to Israel, how can we, non-Jews, trust that He will keep His promises to us – namely, "nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord"?! Paul argues in Romans 9 that God has always been true to His promises and His character, abounding in mercy to the undeserving. God demonstrates His faithfulness by acting through individuals and among the nations to make His saving power known throughout the earth.
Some churches shrivel and die. Other churches thrive and flourish. What about our church? Will we fade, or will we flourish for generations to come? And more specifically, what can you do to help your church become or remain a vibrant, growing community of faith?
From the publisher's feed