The church of Christ on McDermott Road

Scripture: Luke 5:1-11

If Paul’s primary goal in his letter to the Romans is peace between Jewish and Greek believers, what does he mean when he instructs them to present their bodies as a living sacrifice? It helps to notice what he says immediately following, they are all members of “one body in Christ.” Both the strong and the weak will understand God’s will for their lives only when they offer themselves fully to God, using everything at their disposal for the common good of the Christian community. The same is true for us, if we want to understand God’s will. (Scripture: Romans 12:1-8)

Scripture: Psalm 51

What does it look like to “live peaceably with all”? Paul gives various instructions to the Roman Christians about how to be at peace within the church community, as well as within society at large. These instructions would likely be received differently depending on a person’s social position. For instance, it would likely be the strong and powerful Christians who really needed to be told to, “Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.” The weak and powerless Christians, on the other hand, might especially need to hear, “Repay no one evil for evil.” The bottom line, for all Christians, is to “Love your neighbor as yourself,” that is how we all live peaceably with both believers and unbelievers. (Scripture: Romans 12:14-21)

Scripture: Jonah

From the beginning of Romans, there is plenty that applies to the way the “weak” judged others, and the way the “strong” despised others. However, it is not until Romans 14 that we really understand the identities of the weak and strong. This knowledge helps us understand the basis of their divisions and the heart of Paul’s appeal for peace and reconciliation. This context will set the stage for the rest of the series, but will also shed light on our own cultural biases and how those with power and understanding still have an obligation to “bear with” the weaknesses of our brothers and sisters. (Scripture: Romans 15:1-7)

Scripture: 2 Kings 5

In the last chapter of Romans there is a long list of names. They probably don’t mean much to most us, but they are actually the whole point of this letter. When combined with an understanding of how Claudius kicked the Jews out of Rome, these names help us understand the cultural context of Romans. Some of the Christians were Jews, some were Greeks, some were probably slaves, and some were wealthy homeowners. Paul instructs his audience to, “greet” each other. Finally, Paul’s appeal in Romans 16:17-20 and his doxology in verses 25-27 help us understand—and participate in—the peace God brings by grace. (Scripture: Romans 11:1-5)

Scripture: Joshua 3-4

Authentic Christians will do whatever it takes to stir up an appetite for intimacy with Jesus. (Scripture: Psalm 34:1-14)