The Power of God

Farewell... Hold Onto Truth | Mike Castelli | The Power of God | Romans 16:1-27

Paul closes with this very personal commending of Phoebe who is apparently delivering this letter to the church there at Rome.  And even though he has yet to visit, he knows many there by name, because of their travels and his connections in other parts of the Roman Empire.  There is a final call to hold firm to the Truth of the Gospel, avoiding those who attempt to create obstacles and cause divisions among the saints.  You will know such persons by their motives of wanting to serve themselves and gaining people to themselves, rather than Jesus and His Gospel.  His final benediction is a praising of God through Jesus. We praise Him because He has made known, to all people, the Good News of Jesus: the Salvation of everyone who believes.   This Week’s Bulletin https://thechapelingreen.cdn.prismic.io/thechapelingreen/aanb41xvIZEnjYbh_03.08.26Rm16Farewell...HoldOntoTruthOutline.pdf [https://thechapelingreen.cdn.prismic.io/thechapelingreen/aanb41xvIZEnjYbh_03.08.26Rm16Farewell...HoldOntoTruthOutline.pdf]

Compelled Stewardship | Mike Castelli | The Power of God | Romans 15:22-33

As Paul wraps-up his words to Rome, he reminds them that it is his full intention to visit as he makes his way to Spain where the Gospel was still unknown. Yet first he must head to Jerusalem to convey an entrusted gift of money given to help the saints who were in poverty there.  The Gentile churches, especially in the areas of Achaia & Macedonia (generally modern-day Greece/Macedonia) were better-off financially than the saints in Jerusalem.  And in truth, they were indebted to them, as they received the message of eternal life in Jesus from those sent by Him from Jerusalem.  Does the joy of salvation drive you to share with others, even those from whom you have benefited in Jesus?  And most especially, those who have much less, by way of material blessings? Our gratitude debt to Jesus should compel us in giving as it overflows in a debt to others.   This Week’s Bulletin https://thechapelingreen.cdn.prismic.io/thechapelingreen/aaBl6MFoBIGEg3lB_03.01.26Rm1522-33CompelledStewardshipOutline-1-.pdf [https://thechapelingreen.cdn.prismic.io/thechapelingreen/aaBl6MFoBIGEg3lB_03.01.26Rm1522-33CompelledStewardshipOutline-1-.pdf]

Reach & Teach the Gospel | Mike Castelli | The Power of God | Romans 15:14-21

Though the church in Rome has the true Spirit of God in them, with love and purpose, Paul clarifies that God has called him to proclaim with clarity, the unifying Good News to all people.  This requires a gentle boldness, because there is only One Gospel and so One people of God, and One Way of obedience to God, which is life in Jesus Christ.  All people are called to be saved (justified: declared righteous by having the righteousness of Jesus) by an act of His Grace alone (unmerited), as a Gift alone (no works involved), received by faith in Him alone.  This is the Good News that is for all people, and we (like Paul) are called to lovingly reach and teach obedience to God in Jesus.  This will render a life’s work worthy of boasting because it is a life that makes God known as He rescues and redeems His Image Bearers.   This Week’s Bulletin https://thechapelingreen.cdn.prismic.io/thechapelingreen/aZdS0sFoBIGEgkwB_02.22.26Rm1514-21Reach%26TeachTheGospelOutline.pdf [https://thechapelingreen.cdn.prismic.io/thechapelingreen/aZdS0sFoBIGEgkwB_02.22.26Rm1514-21Reach%26TeachTheGospelOutline.pdf]

Unity, Harmony, & Peace | Mike Castelli | The Power of God | Romans 15:1-13

In primary view is the practical unity of Jews and Gentiles in Jesus, so that there is now no difference in all of mankind before God.  God sent His Son who came to keep His promise to the Jews, while also giving mercy to the Gentiles, so that He might make ‘one new man’ with one voice that glorifies God in Jesus.  He came to unify all people in Himself by serving all people who would be in Him.  He came not to please himself, but for our good pleasure of life and hope. Therefore, we achieve peace and harmony with each other (in Jesus) by yielding to one another in humility, seeking not to please ourselves, but to bless and please each other.  This brings glory to our God, for by this we make Him known.  Is your hope in Jesus big enough to let go of your opinions for the purpose of blessing to another?   This Week’s Bulletin https://thechapelingreen.cdn.prismic.io/thechapelingreen/aY31n1WLo0XkEdqB_02.15.26Rm151-13UnityHarmony%26PeaceOutline.pdf [https://thechapelingreen.cdn.prismic.io/thechapelingreen/aY31n1WLo0XkEdqB_02.15.26Rm151-13UnityHarmony%26PeaceOutline.pdf]

Sacrificial Love-Walk | Mike Castelli | The Power of God | Romans 14:13-23

Love is willing to sacrifice freedoms in matters of conscience for the sake of others around us who might struggle with such freedoms in their own conscience unto God.  For to violate one’s conscience in action is to sin against God who is alive in you. To self-sacrifice a freedom for the sake of a brother/sister, is not to avoid causing offense, but to avoid causing the ‘weak in faith’ to stumble if/when they follow your pattern of behavior. We must use our freedom in Christ in a way that builds others up in Jesus, making for peace in the church, not in a way that tears others down.  For God calls us to demonstrate that the exercise of our freedom in Christ is not more important than the exercise of love for our brothers and sisters. This is the love that Jesus demonstrated for us (Philippians 2:6-8), so this is the love that we demonstrate to and for others.  It is a sacrificial love-walk… willing to sacrifice.   This Week’s Bulletin https://thechapelingreen.cdn.prismic.io/thechapelingreen/aYUBrd0YXLCxVeR0_02.08.26Rm1413-23SacrificialLove-WalkOutline.pdf [https://thechapelingreen.cdn.prismic.io/thechapelingreen/aYUBrd0YXLCxVeR0_02.08.26Rm1413-23SacrificialLove-WalkOutline.pdf]