I decided to do Romans since that is what I will be teaching in rcg's which if you don't know what rcg's is, join the crowd. In my world it has been code for "very cute guy", but somehow I don't think that's what our youth director had in mind. Anyway, I'm going to kill 2 birds with one stone and do Romans next.
Read Ro. 1:1-7
Paul was commissioned to be a link from the prophets to Jesus. He was to explain how Jesus was the one the prophets were talking about. (vs. 2) The problem was the prophets told about Jesus first coming and his second and they didn't understand the distinction. The prophecies about his second coming were what they were waiting for - someone to rescue them and destroy their enemies. Jesus came and showed them how to destroy the enemy of their soul - their sinful nature and the enemy of their spirit - Satan. They just had a hard time understanding it all.
Paul was an apostle which means he is a preacher, teacher, prophet, etc. He has been through the process of it all and now has the job of leading leaders and starting churches and performing signs and wonders. He understands that to lead you have to be the servant so he addresses himself right off as a slave to Jesus Christ that is separated unto the gospel of God. (vs. 1)
Being raised in the best Jewish schools he knows that the Messiah must be from the line of David and Jesus was. (vs. 3) God loudly proclaimed Jesus to be the Son of God by raising him from the grave. (vs. 4)
Verse 5 is where we stumble because it says WE have received grace and apostleship. We get the grace thing but not the apostleship. We have the same commission that Paul had - everyone of us- to preach, teach, lay hands on the sick and they will recover, speak with new tongues, cast out devils, take up serpents, and if we drink anything deadly, it will not harm us. (Mark 16:18) Paul did all this and we can too. Preaching may not be your natural "bend" but we are all suppose to do it whether one-on-one or in front of large crowds. If we are parents we do this on a daily basis and don't even realize it.
Paul is addressing the Christians in Rome but he is really addressing all of us who are called to be holy. He gives us a greeting from God so let this be your greeting from God today: "Grace to you and peace from your Father, God and your Lord, Jesus Christ."
2 comments:
My daughter Corinne had a great time last night and she said you were AWESOME. I am so thrilled that she will be learning from you. Thanks for teaching us both.
Thanks, you are so sweet. She was awesome too. I will have to say it is going to be a challenge!!! I'll take any prayers you have.
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