5 Dollar Nachos

Romans 16
17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. 18 For those who are such do not serve our Lord [d]Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. 19 For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and [e]simple concerning evil. 20 And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly.

“They deceive the hearts of the simple.” Translated in the amplified: [the innocent and the naive]
It is not an insult to be “the simple.” It is merely the state of where you are in biblical understanding. We all go through it. We all continue to learn.

We need to be aware of any teaching that is contrary to the Word of God, or any teaching that does not line up with scripture. We serve a God of hope. He is for us and not against us. He wants us to be walking in abundance and life, prospering our very path so we can minister and win souls for Him.

I did some digging and it appears the reason for these greetings is for the personal touch. According to records, Paul did not set this church up, nor had he even been to this church.
Paul did stay well connected to other believers and through this it appears he heard about things going on in the church that deserved recognition.

Romans 16
3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4 who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house.

Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of [a]Achaia to Christ. 6 Greet Mary, who labored much for us. 7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

8 Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord. 9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved. 10 Greet Apelles, approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus. 11 Greet Herodion, my [b]countryman. Greet those who are of the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.

12 Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, who have labored in the Lord. Greet the beloved Persis, who labored much in the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. 14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren who are with them. 15 Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.

16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. [c]The churches of Christ greet you.

Romans 16
I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, 2 that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also.

Some scholars believe Phoebe was responsible for delivering Paul’s epistle to the Roman Christian church.

Also, some suggest that Phoebe was a woman of means, who, among other things, contributed financial support to Paul’s apostolate, and probably hosted the house church of Cenchreae in her home, as well as, providing shelter and hospitality to Paul when in the town.

It take resources to push forth the gospel. Pray for blessings and put yourself in a position to be used by God.

Romans 15
For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things.

Paul was saying, since the Gentiles got the spiritual things, they should put money BACK into the ministry. That is their duty. Churches do not run on hopes and dreams.

You may not like how they spend money, but we rarely like how ANYONE else spends their money. Our duty is to contribute so the gospel may continue to spread.

I touched a little on this Friday, but I wanted to hit it again today.

Romans 15
20 And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man’s foundation, 21 but as it is written:

“To whom He was not announced, they shall see;
And those who have not heard shall understand.”

Paul understood that preaching where people have already heard the gospel is not as advantageous as preaching to those who have never heard of Jesus.
First, you are trying to build on another man’s foundation. Sometimes you even have to CORRECT what the previous pastor taught.
Next, it seems like a waste of good resources.

Make sure that what you hear in church is grounded in scripture. Do not just hear what someone preaches and take it for gospel. Read the word and study to show yourself approved. We have a role to play in the body of Christ.

Romans 15
18 I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done— 19 by the power of signs and wonders, through the power of the Spirit of God.

So today I will point out 2 scriptures.
In verse 18 Paul says I am only going to speak about what God has accomplished in my life, ministering to the gentiles.
Which is odd, why not speak about ALL the ministering you have done? Although, we should all aspire to only speak on the victories GOD has brought us.

Romans 15
20 It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation.

This is pretty cool. Paul recognizes that preaching to those who have never heard the gospel is the way to go. You are not building on what someone else has already taught and you get to teach the people from the ground up.

Romans 15
12 And again, Isaiah says:

“There shall be a root of Jesse;
And He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles,
In Him the Gentiles shall hope.”

13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

“root of Jesse”
Jesse is the father of King David. Jesus descended from the family branch of King David. So the root of Jesse is recognizing that Jesus is to reign over the Gentiles giving them HOPE.

We have a hope in Jesus. In serving Him we have peace and hope because of the Holy Spirit. If you are anxious and stressed, take time to pray. Take time to seek God. Get settled.

Romans 15
4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. 5 Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6 that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The scriptures give us patience and hope. God gives us patience and comfort. We in turn should do the same for our fellow man. Be patient, give hope and give comfort.

If nothing else, if you learn to be patient with your fellow man, you will learn to love people easier.