Tag Archives: Charlie Kirk

Romans 16- Greet One Another

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I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also. Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ. Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us. Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord. Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved. Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus’ household. Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord. Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord. Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them. Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them. Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you. Romans 16:1-16

As we look at our text today, many people probably just skim over this part, figured is not really important, but their is great beauty in what the Apostle Paul is doing here. As I’ve stated previously, even though the Apostle Paul gets much of the credit for spreading the gospel to the Gentiles, for planting many Churches, it was truly a group effort. The body of Christ was never designed to be a one-man operation. Look at all the names that have laboured for The Lord , they share in the same glory as Paul, we share in the same glory , the Kingdom of God being built one soul at a time. The time, the sweat, the blood, all the sacrifices being put in for an eternal purpose! The Kingdom of God is at hand! (Matthew 3:2, Matthew 4:17, Mark 1:15)

We as a Church do a terrible job loving one another, lets be honest. As you look through this list, you see Jew and Gentile, male and female, rich and poor, all one in the body of Christ. Today we divide up into different sects, recently with the death of Charlie Kirk, I heard Christians, even Pastors proclaiming his death had nothing to do with them. These people claim to be part of the body of Christ, but they neglect the body of Christ that doesn’t align with them. Maybe because Charlie was white, maybe because Charlie was a Protestant, maybe because Charlie was too political, whatever maby be the reason , brothers and sisters in Christ decided he was not worthy of being greeted

I believe in the past few weeks, The Lord has been exposing our hypocrisy in the Church. The body of Christ is not made of one race, we are the great multitude. Consider what the Word of God says “After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands” (Revelation 7:9)

What makes a Christian? Our race? Our denomination? No, we were washed by the blood of the Lamb! (John 1:29) Greet your brothers and sisters, love one another because Christ has commanded you too (John 13:34) The Churches of Christ I greet you! Amen!

Romans 15- Fullness of The Blessing

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It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things. When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain. And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. Romans 15:27-29

As I’m writing this, its been almost a week since the murderer of Charlie Kirk. Many people who are not familiar with Kirks work would just say he was a political activist, but as I documented on my website https://youtu.be/x3cCWUt44xA , Charlie was a bold preacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is the ultimate reason he lost his life.

I’m sure as Satan plotted the death of Kirk, he figured this would put an end to his movement, the movement of reaching millions of young people with the gospel of Christ, however it had the opposite effect, as it sparked a worldwide movement. Many people who haven’t been to Church in years, some decades, went back to Church. Why? Because they witnesses pure evil right before their eyes. They knew Kirk had a light in him, the Holy Spirit, and the world hated him for it.

This has been the history of the Church, the more the world tries to persecute and kill us, the more the gospel of Jesus Christ is spread and the Church grows. It’s very fitting as we look at our scripture here this morning, the Apostle Paul knows he is going to be killed for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. As Paul states “And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ”

You can imagine the Apostle Paul, when he was here on Earth, was a massive figure for Christianity. A trained Pharisee, sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, planting Churches throughout the world. Paul was bold and uncompromising, sometimes he even got in it with the other Apostles, (Galatians 2:11-14) However Paul knew his mission, “To live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21)

The Apostle Paul knew one day that he was going to lose his life for the gospel of Christ (2 Timothy 4:6-8) But Paul pressed on to fulfill his calling, because He knew he had a greater calling by Jesus. When Paul was murdered by the Roman Empire by the Emperor Nero, I’m sure this sent shockwaves through the Churches. Our beloved brother, the Apostle Paul, a man so filled with the Holy Spirit, was larger than life, was executed like an animal. The sorrow and grief that filled the Church must have been overwhelming

However we must then be reminded, Our Lord laid down his life for the Church, and was killed by the world, we as followers of Christ shouldn’t expect any difference, correct? If the world is willing to crucify the Son of God, the world will have no issues killing you! This is the calling in Christ, as Jesus said ““If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Matthew 16:24)

So what happened after Pauls death? The Church exploded and grew as usual, the writings and teachings of the Apostle Paul as still carried on today, as we are reading the epistle to the Romans right now! The fullness of the blessing is not found in this world, its only found in Jesus Christ, who has given us victory over death and world! 

I like to just end with the words of Jesus our Lord himself “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)