Values and reasons are vital to the Christians life!

[Rom 15:26-27 NASB] 26 For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. 27 Yes, they were pleased [to do so,] and they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to minister to them also in material things.

This morning, we're going to spend our time discussing values and reasons. Every one of us has values, and every one of us has reasons for those particular values. And this is true whether we're aware of it or not.

For example, as Christians, we value reading the Bible. Some might value reading the Bible because they were raised a certain way. Mom and dad read it, grandma and grandpa read it and on it goes. Reading the Bible is the value, and the reason is tradition.

Still, others have more superstitious reasons. Some people believe that reading the Bible will necessarily make things go better in their life. This is entirely untrue. An atheist could read the Bible every day, but unless they submit themselves to the author of the Bible (the redeemer of humanity), nothing will change. The Bible isn't a rabbit's foot, but neither is a rabbit's foot for that matter.

Still, others might say that their reason is to earn their way to God. Of course, no one will ever say it this way, but it is what they mean — a kind of man-made religion. A pseudo-spiritual checklist to earn mercy. Make no mistake there's a value and a reason even if it's absurd.

Although these may have been starting points for some, if we've learned anything from reading the Bible, it's that there are actual Godly reasons for the values that we have. Continuing is this example of reading the scriptures:

[2Ti 3:16-17 NASB] 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

And if you've studied Scripture for any length of time, you might even connect Ephesians 2:10 here which says,

[Eph 2:10 NASB] 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

So we have a value of reading God's word, but we also have Biblical reasons for it. It's "inspired," "profitable," and it "equips us for every good work." And the work we're equipped for is the work we were made for. Biblical value, Biblical reasons.

Just a reminder church.

[Rom 15:14-15 NASB] 14 And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another. 15 BUT I have written very boldly to you on some points so as to remind you again, because of the grace that was given me from God..."

How many of you set reminders daily? Every appointment or schedule, we make gets a reminder. We clearly know the appointment is there, we set it. But life is busy, and we forget.

But what about rules? My girls are like this almost every day. I've shared in times past that we have well-established rules in our house. "Listen and obey, right away." "Keep short accounts." "Ask questions, don't question." Although my daughters know these rules, they need reminders every day!

As Christians, we're no different. And sadly God's word is even written on our hearts! So Paul's purpose for writing is to remind these Christian concerning "some points."

See, Paul wrote to remind the church in Rome and yet look again at what verse 14 says, "And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another."

Sharing faith is truly encouraging.

[Rom 1:11-12 NASB] 11 For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established;

Elsewhere Paul talks about being refreshed by the saints in Rome and enjoying their company. But here, Paul says that he wants to impart something. But what the heck does that mean? "Impart some spiritual gift... that you may be established?" Well, verse 12 explicitly interprets what Paul says.

[Rom 1:11-12 NASB] 11 For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established; 12 THAT IS, (what I mean by this is) that I may be encouraged together with you [while] among you, each of us by the other's faith, both yours and mine.

Here's how we ought to see this. When Paul says that he wants to impart some spiritual gift, he's actually talking about his own faith. It's important to remember the word 'impart' means 'to make known' or 'to communicate' as well as 'to bestow.' Next, when Paul says that this gift is to 'establish them,' he likens it in verse 12 to 'encouraging them.' So verse 12 means exactly what it says, and it is the interpretation of verse 11.

A great church shares faith stories to encourage one another.

Tell me something good... about the church.

[Rom 1:8-9 NASB] 8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your FAITH is being proclaimed throughout the whole world.

What does it mean that one's faith is being proclaimed? Well, here's what it doesn't mean. It doesn't mean that "their own personal gospel" is being proclaimed. Remember faith is trust, and that is all. Paul is saying that their trust in Jesus Christ is being talked about. But how do others know of our faith, our trust? Our works! All Biblical writers know faith without works is dead (James 2:17). Faith either has feet, or it doesn't exist!

So another answer to our question of 'what makes for a great church' is that a great church has demonstrable faith! People see it.

9 For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the [preaching of the] gospel of His Son, is my witness [as to] how unceasingly I make mention of you,

Not only has Paul heard of their faith, but he also keeps talking about them. This may be another sign of a great church; a great church gets talked about. But please note what Paul is making mention of is their faith. He's not going on and on about their band or their preacher. He's telling the world of the faithful work of these Christians as they obey Christ!

God's fingerprint is what matters for a great church.

Paul has never actually met the Roman church. He wasn't the one who planted this church. According to church history, no one knows who founded the church in Roman. However, theologians assert that the church was the product of Christian Jews or proselytes who had returned home after their conversion on the day of Pentecost.

In Acts 2, Jewish people from all over had come to Jerusalem to celebrate Shavuot (the feast of weeks) when (as we know) the Spirit of God fell on the disciples; Pentecost. Immediately after this, the Apostles proclaimed the Gospel, and Scripture says, "about 3,000 souls were added to the church" that day. Luke even records the origins of those who heard this good news in verses 9-11. Among those listed, Luke says, "visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes."

So the thought is that these new Christians went back to Rome, and the church(es) were established. This seems more than feasible. But for today's message, the point is that Paul has never met them.

Romans 1:8-10 shows this. Paul writes, "First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world. 9 For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the [preaching of the] Gospel of His Son, is my witness [as to] how unceasingly I make mention of you, 10 always in my prayers making request, if perhaps now AT LAST by the will of God I may SUCCEED in coming to you."

It seems Paul has longed to visit the church(es) in Rome but was never able.

[Rom 1:13 NASB] "I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that often I have planned to come to you (and have been prevented so far)"

Romans 15:20 tells us why he's been prevented. Paul says, "And thus I aspired to preach the gospel, not where Christ was [already] named, so that I would not build on another man's foundation; 21 but as it is written, "They who had no news of Him shall see, and they who have not heard shall understand." 22 FOR THIS REASON, I have often been prevented from coming to you;"

So 1. Paul has never met these people and that because someone else laid the foundation of Christ there. For any leaders in the room, a great church doesn't require our fingerprints; only God's!

What Makes for a great church?

Throughout today's message, Nathan asked us to consider this question. We learn that greatness is defined by our adherence to what God alone has commanded.

For a full transcript please visit https://www.piercepoint.org/

Joy is a choice!

Let's do a little thought experiment:

When did Peter come off this proverbial chair when walking on water? It was when he looked at the wind and the waves. You see Peter lost "all joy and peace" when he stopped trusting in the Jesus who called him out.

This is contrasted with Abraham in Romans 4:19-20. Did Abraham ever come off the chair? The answer is no. God gave him "all joy and peace," even though he and Sarah were too old according to man's Wisdom. But

Abraham kept trusting; the scripture records that "Abraham grew strong in faith." And that He "glorified God and lived in full assurance." Abraham, in believing, was filled with all joy and peace.

Peter in disbelieving was filled with fear and anxiety, and he called out to God to save him.

But please hear me, I don't want you to think for a second that by peace and joy I mean a cessation of war or trial or pain in this life, and I surely don't want you to believe that by joy I mean worldly happiness because I do not!

The joy that God gives to those who trust in Him helps us to recognize that trials cannot steal what God has given.

Instead, they are used for our good. After all, "God works all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.”

Faith is a gift of God? The answer is no!

Hope is a good thing because it's from God and no one else!

APOLOGY: The first 8 min have poor audio quality. Sorry about that in advance.

In today's message, we'll grow in understanding on a couple of fronts. 1. Our understanding of hope and faith and the difference in the two. 2. How “all joy and peace” can be ours in this life. And 3. An accurate understanding of what it means to "abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."