121805

The Manger and the Mission
Why Try? – You Can Make a Difference
Romans 15
December 18, 2005


Romans 1:1-7 (Monday)
“I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another. I have written you quite boldly on some points, as if to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles with the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.” (NIV)
Romans 15:14-16
1) Paul was speaking to believers in this passage. He was fully convinced that they were "full of goodness," complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another in the faith. Yet, he found it necessary to strongly remind them of the gospel of grace (God's unearned, undeserved favor upon His own) through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul was deeply concerned for the Roman church because other "teachers" were polluting the simple gospel of Christ. What ways can the gospel be "polluted?" How can a changed gospel effect one's faith in Christ and in God the Father?
2) Have you ever had to speak boldly, perhaps having to "nail" a point down more to once to a brother or sister in Christ? Why did you find that to be necessary?
3) What are some reasons or influences that might cause a Christian to stumble in his/her faith?