In this series, we have learned how God created us for community. Our lives yearn to know and be known, and to love and be loved. One of the ways community happens is to live well within the spiritual community we find ourselves in. This includes devoting ourselves to the Lord, serving others with passion, laughing often, and celebrating the joy and small victories in life. We can be public about our joys in the community, not to impress others or make them jealous, but rather to invite others in.
In the last chapter of Romans, Paul takes most of the chapter to personally greet those who were in partnership with him in the gospel. “Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,” he writes, “who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I but also all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks.” In all, he thanks or greets some 25 names or households. “Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys … Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too.”
You can’t help but feel the warmth and affection Paul shares with these people. They are his community. My prayer through the final leg of this series is that you too know the joy and strength of being in a strong Christian community. And where that is lacking, you will take intentional steps toward building one today.
We are located at 1051 270th Street West, New Prague, MN. Live Streaming is available at 10:00 AM on our Facebook Page or, on our Live Stream page. Everyone is welcome!
Pastor Steve Trewartha
