What difference can one person make? As we continue our study in Romans, Paul will compare the “One Man” Adam who introduced sin, to the “One Man” Jesus who was obedient. He shows us an even deeper look at the power of the gosepel and invite us to choose which “One Man” we will follow.

One of the unique things about the Christian Faith is that we are left no room to boast in our accomplishment, wisdom, knowledge, or any other measure. However, Paul gives us a great list of things which we can boast in, all of which add up to hope.

Last week we dug into the heart of the gospel. That all who believe are justified freely by grace through the redemption of Jesus’ atoning sacrifice. But what does it mean to believe? This series is built around Paul’s absolute persuadedness (it’s a word now) that the gospel is not only what the lost need for salvation, but what the saved need for life in Christ and to build a unified church. In Romans four, Paul tells a story about faith that can help us find ours.

For the past few weeks we have looked deeply at the problem of sin. Paul is persuaded that the gospel is the answer to the problem, but we’ve only gotten hints as to how. This week we’ll be in chapter 3, where Paul finishes his case for the problem and then adds two beautiful words. “But now”. With these words, Paul begins what many call the most important paragraph in all of scripture for grasping the gospel. Join us as we dig into these precious words that Paul was persuaded made all the difference.

Humanity has a love hate relationship with judgement. Consider how you feel when someone assumes your motives, or criticizes your actions or character. But at the same time we live in a world of quick boycotts and “cancel culture”. So where does the Christian fit in? We ended last week warning us against judging, but Paul has more to say to help us understand and ultimately rest in God’s perfect judgement.

It’s not hard to see the ways the world is broken. Sometimes, however, it’s harder to see up close. This week we tackle a passage that reminds us why we need the gospel in the first place.

The book of Romans has been called one of the most important writings about the gospel in history. Men and women studying Romans have gone on to change the world because as they understood the gospel more deeply, they found themselves persuaded that there was something about the gospel of Jesus that required action. My prayer for us as we begin this study is the we too will find ourselves even more deeply persuaded to not only believe the gospel, but live it out.

2000 years of church history show that we are really good at finding differences and dividing over them. Far more rare is the move to unity, grace, and connection. But Jesus made a really big deal about the unity of his church. Desiring that we would be one as he and the Father are one. How can we both find unity, while at the same time make sure we are faithful to those convictions that could divide us?

Acts 2 tells us the followers of Jesus had “all things in common” and that no one had needs, because when they came up, someone would meet it…even if it meant selling property or making sacrifices. This kind of care may seem extreme today, but what truths and practices can we take away for the way this Holy Spirit filled church cared?

We had a great picnic together last weekend. Each Wednesday we have a potluck. Many are a part of our small groups and spend time together regularly. Why is it so important to the church that we spend time together? It seems scripture puts a special emphasis around time together sharing a meal. What difference does it make? Is it important for us to invest in this practice with believers beyond our walls? The early church was devoted to the breaking of bread together, and so should we.