Hello, my ‘Walking with Jesus’ friends on this Tuesday,
The past few days we’ve been with the apostle Paul as he’s concluding his letter of encouragement to the Christians in Corinth. As Paul neared the end of his letter, I see that Paul indicated he hoped to visit Corinth for yet a third time! (2 Cor. 12:14; 13:1)
You may recall in our study of Paul’s missionary journeys we have concluded Paul actually wrote FOUR letters to these Corinthian Christians, two of which have been lost over time, and the other two are 1st & 2nd Corinthians in our Bible. Paul visited Corinth at least three times, staying there during his second missionary journey for 18 months, (Acts 18:11) and now, as we will see, perhaps 3 months over the winter of 57ad.
It appears as Paul concluded writing this letter we know as 2nd Corinthians he sent it to Corinth most likely with his friend Titus. You’ll recall it had been Titus who had come to Paul in Macedonia with the good news of how the Corinthian Christians had responded with repentance to Paul’s very strong first letter. (2 Cor. 7:6,7)
After Paul sent Titus on to Corinth, it appears Paul left Philippi, continuing this his third missionary journey, revisiting some other towns and churches he had planted a few years earlier. Which towns? Well, I presume at least Thessalonica and Berea. The stories of what had occurred in those towns on Paul’s previous trip are found in Acts 17:1-14. I see no evidence that Paul visited Athens on this trip, but it seems he did arrive in Corinth, Greece, where Paul stayed up to three months. (Acts 20:2,3)
While there it appears, Paul wrestled with two possible journey’s he contemplated taking. First, heading east, a return voyage to Jerusalem, taking the financial offerings he had been collecting for the famine starved Christians. Or perhaps he could send that offering with other trusted brothers, while he might head west, to the one great city which had captivated his heart for many years… ROME, the capital of the empire!
It appears word had come to Paul that a church of Christians was forming in Rome and that excited Paul. I find no evidence that any of the disciples who had been with Jesus had yet visited Rome, nor had Paul, so how did the Gospel get to Rome? Many Bible scholars believe it was likely Jews from Rome who had been in Jerusalem for Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came in power upon those 120 followers of Jesus. Some of those Jews had evidently trusted in and become followers of Jesus and upon their return home to Rome had shared what they knew of the Gospel of Jesus! (Acts 2:10)
It appears the Holy Spirit moved Paul to pick up his stylus and begin writing a letter to those Christians in Rome and so as we continue to follow the chronological story of the New Testament, let’s watch and seek to understand what Paul was writing to these Roman Christians he had never met: “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God – the gospel He promised beforehand through the prophets in the Holy Scriptures, regarding His Son who as to His earthly life was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by His resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 1:1-4)
Have you noticed the main theme of Paul’s preaching, teaching and writing is ALWAYS the unique person Jesus the Messiah (Christ), God the Son incarnate. Why? Because EVERYTHING in our world hinges on these truths…
First… the true, eternal IDENTITY of Jesus Christ. The second person of the eternal Godhead Trinity, God the Son.
But also, God the Son incarnate here on earth in human flesh, the long anticipated Jewish Messiah, Jesus the Christ. No other being has ever existed who can claim this glorious uniqueness!
Second… the essential truths of WHY God the Son, Jesus Christ, came to live and die and be raised from the dead, here on earth: To become the only viable SAVIOR of humanity. Only God the Son’s atonement death on the cross could be payment in full for the sins of EVERY human being.
Third… a dead martyr doesn’t save anyone, so the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is essential for Almighty, Holy God to accept His sin payment and declare Jesus the Savior of the world.
Fourth… a resurrected Savior alive here on earth would be nice, but limited, like all great leaders, to reign in one place at a time.
However, Jesus Christ, God the Son, resurrected and ascended back to heaven to resume His royal, sovereign reign over all things everywhere… well that my friends positioned Jesus Christ to be Lord over all (Heb. 1:3) AND Redeeming Savior for all who repent of their sin and trust God’s promise for salvation. (Heb. 7:24,25)
Do you see those four fundamental pillars of the Christian faith in Paul’s opening salvo of truth in Romans 1:1-4? Paul knew he was writing to people in the most important city in the world in the first century, Rome. The Caesar, who reigned from Rome, was the most powerful man in the world, often revered by some to be a god. But both Rome and the Roman Caesar were under the overall reign of Supreme Jesus Christ who reigned from His throne in heaven! Paul needed to begin by putting things in proper, truthful, perspective…God’s perspective!
Pause… now that the American mid-term elections are one week in the past, and the Israeli elections are two weeks in the past… would it be wise for you and me, and all people in all places, to embrace Paul’s opening statement as a re-order of ultimate global authority and truth… affirming that BOTH are secure in the hands of Jesus the Christ, King of kings and Lord of lords who reigns forever and ever?
I invite you to very carefully read those opening four verses of Romans 1 seeking to understand WHY the Holy Spirit led Paul to write each word, each phrase.
Then review the ‘Lessons Learned’ notes which are at the link below for practical life application, and worship with this brand-new Charity Gayle worship song I’ve found.
Tomorrow we’ll look closely at some remarkable statements Paul wrote to the Roman Christians which are so very relevant to our day.
Today’s Scripture: Romans 1:1-4.
Choose below to read or listen.
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Bible images provided with attribution to www.LumoProject.com.
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Pastor Doug Anderson
“Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, with our eyes fixed on Jesus…” (Heb. 12:1,2)
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