The Two Biggest Threats to the Church!

 17 I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. 18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. 19 Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. 20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. 

The two concerns Paul has for the church at Rome are divison which leads to disunity, and obstacles which are contrary teaching, which is false teaching.  These are two culprits of church dysfunction throughout its history. David Guzik comments, 

"This is essential to God’s purpose for the church. Truth without unity leads to pride; unity without truth leads to a departure from the true gospel itself. Each of these must be guarded against."

Some churches "water down the gospel" reduce the truth of the gsopel to the least common denominator, like "God is love".  They dilute the gospel so as not to offend anyone.  The problem with this is it is not the gospel that Jesus died for.  Other churches get so caught up in so many issues that are not essential to the unity of the church. They wrangle and fight over everything, even up to the type of bread to serve at communion. Paul wants these new churches to avoid both extremes.  

Paul commends the church in Rome that by and large they have avoided these two pitfalls.  It causes him great joy to know it.  He acknowledges that these two pitfall are caused by Satan himself.  The devil is always looking to divide and dilute the church with false teaching and division.  Paul reminds them the God of peace will one day crush the evil one under THEIR feet, but for now they need to be steadfast and dependent on the Holy Spirit.  

21 Timothy, my co-worker, sends his greetings to yiou, as do Lucius, Jason and Sosipater, my fellow Jews. 22 I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord. 23 Gaius, whose hospitality I and the whole church here enjoy, sends you his greetings. Erastus, who is the city’s director of public works, and our brother Quartus send you their greetings. 25 Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, 26 but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith— 27 to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.

One of the great things about Romans 16 is all the people Paul mentions in his final greetings to the church.  Men and women of all backgrounds and vocations.  There seems to be a lot of communication between churches and relational connections.  Paul brings up his protege Timothy, his writer Tertius, Gaius the hospitality chairman, and Erastus who works for the city.  Quite a cast of characters.  

One of the beautiful aspects of the Christian faith is all of the people we meet along the way as we serve and obey Christ.  As I look back on my life, there are so many friendship that have been developed when I studied in two different seminaries in different areas of the country, and three churches I have had the privilege of serving.  I still stay close to all my friends who influenced before I became a pastor.  One of the bible studies I helped start 30 years ago is still meeeting.  What a blessing!  

Who are some fellow believers in your life you can give thanks for God bringing them into your life?  In many ways our Christian faith is all about relationships.  Our relationship with God through Christ, and our relationships with other brothers and sisters throughout the body of Christ all of our world.  How can you be a protector of unity in your church and be on guard for false teaching in your church?  Pray for your pastors and leaders that they may guide your wisdom and faithfulness.  

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