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Therefore, we were buried with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in a new way of life. - Romans 6:4 (HCSB) 

 
It’s time to get back to the book of Romans. After taking the summer off to review the “Church Working Right” survey, our results, and how we will move forward, we will be returning to our series, “Unashamed: A Journey through the Book of Romans” as we continue to explore the richness of this book.  

There’s so much going on in Romans, and its impact over time has been incalculable. God, through His Sprit, inspired a former persecutor of Christians, the apostle Paul, to put into words the full, beautiful Good News of Jesus Christ. This same Spirit speaks into the hearts of those reading this book, the truth of who God is, who we were, who we are now, and who we are created to be. It is a book that can lead to transformation.  

It is a book that has led to great movements throughout Christianity in the centuries since it was written.  

Charles Swindoll writes of Romans:  

From Origen of Alexandria in the third century to Barnhouse of Philadelphia in the twentieth, countless theologians will pen innumerable pages of exposition and meditation on the apostle's magnum opus. Augustine will find the seed plot of his faith in this letter. This document will spark a revolution in the heart of Martin Luther, who will reintroduce the truth of justification by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone – a doctrine all but obscured by the dogma of men who stood to profit from a false gospel of works. It will ignite the mind of Jonathan Edwards, strangely warm the heart of John Wesley, and fuel the revival of George Whitefield.  

- Chuck Swindoll, Swindoll's Living Insights: New Testament Commentary-Romans.  

So many of you have said to me, “I love the book of Romans. It is my favorite book.” This is exciting to hear, because it means that this book has really resonated with so many of you, and that God’s Word means that much to you. May God do that kind of work in all of our lives.  

We’ll be starting up Small Groups this coming week in conjunction with this series. In our Small Groups we will be doing a deeper dive in the same passages we cover on Sunday mornings. Using the HEAR Method, we will have a great opportunity to truly build our relationship with God and be better equipped to hear from Him and live out what He is teaching us. Romans is a book with so much depth, that it will be good to approach it from different angles in multiple ways, learning and growing together.  

There’s still time to get connected with a group. Just check out our Website: https://www.bridgeschurch.net/ministries/small-groups

For Small Groups, you will want to bring a Romans Journal (there are more at the church on Sunday mornings) or a notebook/journal to write out what you sense God is saying to you. There are some spiral notebooks at church - or use your phone or tablet.  

Personally, I am looking forward to getting back into Romans. It challenges me in ways that force me to be dependent on the Spirit for my own growth but also to prepare to teach the truths it holds. It humbles me in a good way. It will be a great journey of discovery.  

Looking forward to getting started this Sunday. Hope you can join us as we take this journey together.