Bent Oak Church

Destin Harrison shares his story of how God has revealed himself through a long series of "things not working out."

Paul finishes his letter to the Romans with a long list of names. They are people he knew and people he expressed deep gratitude for. It's amazing we still have these names. We know so little about them but they remind us of the central place of people in following Christ.

Paul longed to visit the believers in Rome and to continue on to Spain. Spain was still unreached and Paul's deepest passion was to take the gospel to unreached places. But Paul's dream would not come true. So many of our's don't either. Romans 15 offers a look into Paul's life and how he handled failed plains. 

Special thanks to Brad Lombardi for bringing us a word from Romans 15 on the abounding of peace through maturity in our fellowship together. 

Paul had a difficult problem to address. Apparently, arguments and disputes were threatening the unity of the church. Worse, the arguments were causing people to take sides and change their behavior not motivated by the gospel but by fear, anxiety, and social pressure. Paul needed to push the conversation deeper. It's an important lesson for all of us. 

It is election week, and as millions participate in voting for key government positions, we ask the question, what does Paul mean that Christians should submit to the governing authorities? How do we submit in 2020 when we are given the privilege of participating in those decisions?

Paul now transitions to the implications of the gospel for how Christians live. Paul argues that in light of the mercies of God, the most reasonable thing is for us to die to ourselves and to surrender our past, present, and future to Him as a living sacrifice. 

Paul looks towards the future and his hope for the nation of Israel. But he admits these things are a mystery. Our rightful response is not pride or arrogance but faith, worship, and fear of the Lord—fear that frees us from the anxieties of this world. 

Paul continues to explore the anguish he feels over his own people disbelieve. What does Paul make of Israel's refusal to acknowledge Christ. Romans 10 is an explanation of that question but it is also an expression of the hope and trust Paul has in God. As he quotes Isaiah, "I was found by those who did not seek me."

Paul anticipates that many may feel like God is abandoning his promises and history with Israel. Paul wrestles with the question and acknowledges that for him, this topic comes with great anguish of heart. Paul longs for all of Israel to receive Jesus as their messiah. But Paul acknowledges that God's ways are above ours. Even reflecting on their own history, who could have predicted or planned what God had done.