Fox Valley Church

Theme: Many people skip over the greetings section of the book as unimportant or unnecessary. But we learn much as we take some time to see how rich and amazing Jesus’ church really is. This section shows the diversity of the church, the unity of the church and the work of the church to persevere and sacrifice for an eternal cause.

Passage: Romans 15:14-33

Theme: We are mediators between the people of this world and God by proclaiming the gospel (a priestly duty). There is power in our work as we rely on the Holy Spirit and not on our own natural abilities. As we let the gospel shape our lives we will be able to live out God’s vision for our lives.

The amazing thing about the church is the diversity God brings together through His Spirit, which brings unity. The church always champions unity, and this can only happen when we are other-centered (put others first) and not seeking to please only ourselves. Our Lord Jesus Christ demonstrated laying down His life for others. Ultimately, we bring honor and praise to God when we accept one another, and all put our hope in Him.

Romans: How to Not be a Stumbling Block

Mutual acceptance (love and unity) means that we live in such a way as to not be a stumbling block to one another. The gospel bring incredible freedom. However, this freedom cannot bring spiritual harm to those who have an opposing view. Thus, love for others and for the strengthening of the church matters. So, we welcome our brother and sister for whom Christ died. We accept each other because the work of God (kingdom of God) is more important than the secondary issues.

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[NOTE: So, in chapter 14, there is a laser-like focus on what it means to live in mutual acceptance (love and unity) between two groups of people—"the weak” (14:1; 15:1 and “the strong” (15:1) in faith. Some of our brothers and sisters are more sensitive, having a tender conscience and sometimes being indecisive. There are times to compromise (we don’t have to agree) on practices, while clarity and no compromise on principles of the gospel. We need to stop condemning one another.

The focus in verses 1-12 is on the weak, but here it is on the strong (13-23).

Romans: How to Compromise Practices without Compromising the Gospel

There is a laser-like focus on what it means to live in mutual acceptance (love and unity) between two groups of people—"the weak” (14:1; 15:1) and “the strong” (15:1) in faith. Remember we are family and some of our brothers and sisters are more sensitive, having a tender conscience and sometimes being indecisive. There are times to compromise (we don’t have to agree) on practices, while clarity and no compromise on gospel principles. We need to stop condemning one another (Christ died for both groups and we all belong to Him). All of us will stand before God in judgment, and so do not offend or destroy the weaker brother or sister.

We are members of His family and, therefore, representatives of the family. And our family is at war. He has a mission for you...get in the battle!

What do New Creations do? Put on the new self.

I will address who this new self is (Him in us!). Both putting off the old self and putting on the new self require effort and both are necessary. We will talk about the importance of the "renewal of our mind" and how God is our only hope of being able to put off the old and put on the new. All to His glory.

What do New Creations do? Put off the old self.

This is going to tie closely into week three and won't feel complete (and this is what I am going for). I will address who this old self is. But now that we have been made new all of this has been accomplished (the old self is dead) but yet we still have to work at it (sanctification)... what a mystery! I will exhort the congregation to kill their sin.

What does it mean to be a new creation?

What does it mean to be a New Creation? This message will be focused on taking the focus off of ourselves. Creators create with a purpose and our purpose is to glorify Him (2 For. 5:15). Sit in awe of the glory of the Creator (as proper creation should!)

Jesus sent the Holy Spirit into the church before he sent the church into the world, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at the feast of Pentecost which was a thanksgiving celebration of the first fruit harvest but later associated with Christian a celebration of the day the church was established by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The Disciples were to be witnesses to first Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the World these are not just geographical borders but we could look at them as, Jerusalem could be the city you live in, Judea could be the state you live in or cities of your state, other counties, Samaria could be other states, and the world could be just international witnessing.