Today at HHEFC we completed our series in the book of Romans with a look at Chapter 16 – an exceptionally long sign off but with lots to teach us about a real church.
We saw that the Church has all kinds of people (men, women, Jews, Gentiles, professional, slaves, new converts...) who were working hard out of deep commitment to the Lord and to each other, meeting in homes as extended families. We want to welcome all people and to put no obstacle in their way that is not a gospel issue. We want to use our homes for worship and evangelism.
NT churches formed networks with other churches. There was good information flow and there was a real fluidity and flexibility of people moving between the churches to serve where the work was. Are we generous and well-informed in connection with other churches?
For all the good that was going on they needed to be alert to danger that false teaching could bring division and put obstacles in the way. False teaching will also be self-serving.
As they worked they were confident in God’s grace and that Jesus had won the victory and that they were confident that God would finally be vindicated. So they work and pray that God would be glorified.
I hope that might be a way to describe our church. Let’s pray that it is.
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