Gospel-centered
Opening Prayer
Lord, I worship and proclaim You as my Lord. You are ruler over my life, and I bow before You today.
Read Romans 16:17-27
[17] I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. [18] For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. [19] Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. [20] The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. [21] Timothy, my co-worker, sends his greetings to you, as do Lucius, Jason and Sosipater, my fellow Jews. [22] I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord. [23] Gaius, whose hospitality I and the whole church here enjoy, sends you his greetings. Erastus, who is the city’s director of public works, and our brother Quartus send you their greetings. [24] [25] Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, [26] but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith- [27] to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Who, says Paul, do divisive people serve, if not the Lord?Paul begins this final passage with a warning to the Roman Christians (17,18). He was aware that there were people intent on trying to derail Christians and churches, rather than serving God and his Kingdom. Does Paul’s warning apply only to the recipients of his letter, or do we need to be on our guard against people with such agendas today? How might we spot people like this? After further encouragements and greetings (20-23), Paul moves to praise the only wise and sovereign God (25-27). Paul began this letter with the Gospel (1:1,2) and in these closing verses he ends with the Gospel (25). Despite countless challenges, schisms, false teaching and heresy, the same Gospel Paul preached has reached you and me: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners–of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life” (1 Tim. 1:15,16). Who can you pass the Gospel on to in your life?
Apply
Do you know troublesome, divisive people in your church? How do they cause trouble? How would God have you react to them?
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, I stand on the essentials of the Gospel. Keep my mind alert so I quickly discern when false teaching appears.
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