How Did Christianity Stray So Far From It's Roots of Compassion?; Sermon on Romans 1:1-17

Rev. George Miller
May 19, 2019
Romans 1:1-17

Last week we were with Paul and Barnabas in Lystra, that funky little back-water town known for their hospitality and worship of Zeus.

Paul was about 44 years old and 14 years into his ministry. In today’s reading, Paul is about 10 years older.

He and Barnabas have split up and parted ways. He is most likely in Corinth, a cosmopolitan city beside the beautiful sea.

Paul’s somewhere in his mid 50’s, which means his waistline has gotten a bit thicker around the middle. His face is a bit more weathered from the sun.

Paul has most likely traded in his feathered white go-go boots for some sensible Dr. Scholl orthopedics.

But none of this stops him from his ministry. In fact, here he is writing his most famous letter to a group of churches 600 miles away in Rome.

These are churches he has never been to, filled with people he has never met, and yet he refers to them as sisters and brothers, and freely shares his faith.

Nearly 25 years into his ministry, Paul is older, wiser, he’s seen some thangs, done some thangs.

He’s had great successes; he’s had epic flops. But his faith in Christ is stronger than ever.

Paul sees himself as part of something so much bigger than himself; something that goes back to the prophets, back to King David, back to Abraham and beyond.

Paul sees himself as part of the Good News, the Gospel of God, the Holy Spirit empowered message that Christ is resurrected and grace abounds to ALL people and creatures in Creation.

Filled with Easter morning joy, he writes this letter to the churches in Rome for a few reasons.

First, so that he can introduce himself.

He has never been to Rome, but he hopes that soon and very soon he can meet them and worship together.

Second, he writes to share his faith testimony. He is just so filled with God’s goodness that he can’t contain his joy and it overflows onto the paper.

Third, Paul is writing them because he is asking that they make an offering; an offering that he can bring back to the mother church in Jerusalem.

He hopes the Roman churches can assist with the food pantry and other ministries that are taking place over 2,000 miles away.

Now some would say “Of course Paul is asking for money. The Church is always asking for money! What would the Church do if it wasn’t asking for, taking, or sending out letters about an offering?”

Why is the church always about money, money, money, when it should be about God, God, God?

Here is a little back story; a bit of history that is so beautiful to behold.

It’s been said that in Rome, the earliest Christian churches were actually located in the slums.

These tiny congregations met in people’s homes in the parts of the city in which chaos, crime, and unsanitary conditions existed.

The earliest Roman followers of Christ would call one another sister and brother whenever they met.

They created areas of safety and care, sharing food and resources in areas that most people would stay away from.

When plagues hit these slums, the pagan doctors would flee, thinking that the gods were angry, absent, or punishing the people.

But the Christians?

The Christians stayed in the slums, caring for the sick, feeding them, nursing them, holding them.

Why?

Because they were convinced that God loved everyone, and through Christ, they were empowered, even obligated, to care for one another.

So the early Christians in Rome nursed the sick, taking in surviving neighbors.

This explains one reason why Christianity really took hold and triumphed in Rome.

There, in the slums, they fed the hungry, clothed the naked, and showed sympathy to the sick.

In other words, they were Christ to Christ.

This beautiful reality was known to Paul, and no doubt he knew that the churches in Rome would understand what an offering was all about:

An act of unity that showed grace upon grace.

Today, we have a glimpse into Paul, a glimpse into history, and a glimpse into the roots of the Christian Church.

And in chapter 15:18-19 Paul explain things a little bit more to these churches he never met.

He articulates that it is his belief that the more we minister, the more we experience signs and wonders, and the more we experience signs and wonders, the more we minister.

The more we reach out, the more the Holy Spirit moves; the more the Holy Spirit moves, the more we can reach out: welcoming, sharing, embracing, healing, proclaiming.

Being the Good News; living out the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Easter People who truly live knowing the Resurrected Christ is a Compassionate Christ who cares for ALL…

…so how have we strayed so far? How have we lost our way?

How, if we like to say we are a Christian Nation, founded on Judeo- Christian beliefs, have we strayed so far from the compassionate care of the Roman slums?

How, just how, have we gotten to a place in which:

-Brown babies are being kept in cages?

-A Black woman living with mental illness can be left alone for 9 hours in a jail cell while giving birth?

-A 15 year-old boy can be slammed to the ground and sprayed with mace?

-An 18 year old is hailed a hero for jumping in front of a bullet instead of simply being a boy who gets to go to prom?

-Alabama and Georgia are deciding the fate of women’s bodies, even in situations of rape and incest?

-And we are on the brink of another war!

How have we gotten to this place, and how has the news of Christ resurrected been turned from one of grace into one of so hurtful moral judgments and acts of corrupt unkindness?

I wonder what Paul would say today if he was writing to the churches in America.

I wonder what Paul would proclaim if he traveled the 2,000 years and 5,000 miles to modern day America and saw just how we live, how we act, and what we preach...

…I wonder what Paul would proclaim if he traveled here to Emmanuel UCC.

If he heard about the High Tea fundraiser that took place here to benefit the youth of Greater Mt. Zion AME

If he was here to see Carnide, family and friends perform in a free concert.

If he was here tomorrow to witness the welcome and the ministry of The Shepherd’s Pantry.

If he was here to meet with Council and ask “What are you doing to make the Resurrected Christ known? What are the miracles, signs, and wonders you are experiencing as a result?”

These are questions we do not have to answers to today or tomorrow.

But they are questions we can keep coming back to, knowing we are not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for the well being of ALL.

And the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith for faith, everlasting, and always.

For that, we can say “Amen.”