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Over the next few months, the Sunday services at the BCEC are going to be going through the first 8 chapters of the book of Romans. (It leads us up very nicely to Christmas and knowing that we are more than conquerors because of Christ!).

As Paul starts out in the letter to the Romans, he writes in verse 11 “For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.” He hadn’t had a chance to visit the church in Rome and wanted to teach and share with them in person. But until he’s actually able to go, he writes this letter to them. And within this letter, we have perhaps one of the clearest explanations of the the truth and strength of Jesus Christ, a powerful exposition of the gospel, and an exhortation for the body of believers. It was written for the Christians in Rome, the capital of the world at the time. A place of such cultural diversity, different classes, and social experiences. Paul writes to them eager to help their faith be strengthened, their hearts be encouraged, and their lives be mobilised.

For the BCEC, we are this collection of believers from a variety of backgrounds. Some are from big churches in Malaysia and Singapore. Others from tiny Chinese churches in S.Yorkshire. And for others, the BCEC is the church they grew up in. We worship and gather in a multicultural city – home to Sunni and Shiite Muslims, Buddhists from all over S.E Asia, Catholics from Eastern Europe, jaded atheists from the UK, and those who want Christian values without Christ.

It’s in this context that God speaks to the Romans and through them, to us.
Our knowledge needs to be strengthened. This letter provides a clear and systematic understanding of the gospel of Christ.
Our hearts need to be challenged & convicted. Romans instructs us to see life and the world from God’s perspective, not from our all too often selfish perspective.
Our focus needs be sharpened. These are precious times. Are we focused on living God’s gospel of love?

So join us as we go through Paul’s letter to the Romans, and let your heart be shaped by God’s Word.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, ‘By faith, the righteous shall live by faith.'”
Romans 1:16-17

You can get the latest sermons on this series as well as Bible studies related to each passage online on our Sunday Services page.
We also have other Bible studies and resources available on our resources section.

Posted in 2011 Love Beyond, Romans, Sunday Service and tagged , , , .