Slices
Prepare
Step outside your own life and fellowship for a few minutes to hear the Lord speak to you from his worldwide vantage point.
Bible passage
7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. 8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed 9 and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written:
‘Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles;
I will sing the praises of your name.’
10 Again, it says,
‘Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.’
11 And again,
‘Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles;
let all the peoples extol him.’
12 And again, Isaiah says,
‘The Root of Jesse will spring up,
one who will arise to rule over the nations;
in him the Gentiles will hope.’
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Explore
If you’re writing a long email, you might want to mention your main points again at the end. As Paul begins to conclude this major letter to the Romans, he underlines the good news that the gospel is for everyone everywhere. He stresses it four times.
1 Christ became a servant for Jew and Gentile alike (vs 8,9). 2 In Christ, God fulfils his promises to the Jews in such a way that non-Jews (Gentiles) also can praise God for his mercy (vs 8–11). 3 From the beginning, God intended the Jews to be his instrument through whom the whole world might come to praise and glorify God (v 12). 4 The exalted Christ reigns in righteousness over all the nations of the world. Because of this, all people can have hope (v 12).
The practical implications for us are, first, to accept one another, as Christ accepted us (v 7). How terrible if we should shun someone for whom Christ died. Secondly, be filled with hope! Think about verse 13. We could learn it by heart. Trust the God of hope. He has worked down the centuries to bring joy and peace in Christ to us, whoever we are, by the power of his Spirit (v 13).
Respond
Think of all the various ways Christians in different countries praise God and bring glory to him. Give thanks to God for this wonderful worldwide spread of the gospel.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Job 22,23; Psalm 85
Pray for Scripture Union
Praise God for the Wales staff team and their passion and love to reach a new generation of children. Pray for guidance and wisdom for Sian Ifan as she continues to support the team in her role as Support Worker for Wales, especially in balancing her role at SU and her teaching job.
