Romans 1:10-12

As we talked about the other day, God has gifted each of us with spiritual gifts. While I believe God can use anything He wants, at any time, we normally have 1 or 2 that we flow well in. Paul, as the leader & church planter of this Roman church, wanted to see his friends again as well as use the spiritual gifts God gave him to encourage them.

Rome was KNOWN for treating Caesar as a god. This means that believing in Jesus as God was not safe. (Much like the Jewish culture of so many years of their rules their way.) Rome had its own way of life. The Good News didn’t fit their way of life. They needed encouragement to keep living for Jesus daily.

Much like our verses the other day, Paul longed to gather with them. He missed his friends. We are better together. We were created for community. Back in these days, families still lived together. While that is not our custom in America, we should do our best to be with friends & family as often as we can. Our church family is no exception. We need each other.