QuadCity Podcast

Being fully transparent with people is one of the hardest things to do. However, we see in James chapter 5 the importance of being a part of a community that has confession. When we live out this spiritual discipline of community with confession we find healing and freedom. Community with confession can produce change and help us become better disciples of Jesus.

Memorizing scripture is not only biblical; it's awesome, and everyone should do (it including you). Be more awesome.

If you’ve been around church for much time at all, you probably recognize that as Christians, we should be reading our Bibles. But the unfortunate truth is that most Christians aren’t spending time in the Word of God nearly as much as they should be, which may be caused by not understanding how valuable scripture truly is. When we are healthy in our spiritual discipline of Bible intake, we will better know our Lord and become better disciples of Jesus.

Paul ends the book of Romans with a few parting instructions. He speaks of unity among the believers, being steadfast in obedience and he sends along a few words of greetings from those who are with him. And he ends his letter where he begins, restating his goal: that all gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith.

No one does ministry alone. In every successful ministry endeavor there are always people behind the scenes that make sure the mission is accomplished. It was true for Paul and it is true for us. In this section of the letter, Paul sends greetings to some of the most important men and women who have played a pivotal part in his ministry.

As we near the end of this letter. Paul shares with the church his future travel plans. Through this text we get a reminder that these are real people who lived in a real place in real time. We begin to see how this letter fits inside the timeline and life of Pauls other ministries and letters. We also get a picture of what role the local church plays in the advancement of the Gospel.

How do we respond to those who are spiritually less mature than we are? Just like Jesus did for us. We bear with their failings as Christ does with ours. We endeavor to build them up, as Christ does us. We accept them just as Christ accepted us.

"It is for freedom that Christ sets you free” Gal. 5:1. We are no longer bound to the law. Does that mean we can do anything we want…short of sin? Not exactly. Being a part of the family of God, being a part of the body of Christ, means that we don't have the freedom to do things that hurt other people's faith, even if we are free in Christ to do it. Part of dying to ourselves…and putting others first…is giving up our rights for the sake of others and putting their needs first.