And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. - Acts 2:44 –47 (ESV)

There are some amazing pictures for what God does when He saves us. He redeems us. He frees us. He rescues us. He pays our debt. He adopts us. The first few lets us see what God has done for us and between Him and us. However, that final one adds another dimension. We are called, not only to Him, but also into a family. We (together) are His kids.

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, “The righteous shall live by faith.” - Romans 1:16 –17 (ESV)

The old saying asks, "How do you eat a whole elephant?" The answer: "one bite at a time." It's a weird saying. Why not a cake or watermelon. After all who eats elephants? The point is that understanding or taking in large, complex ideas can seem overwhelming, but taking a piece at a time can help you understand and integrate the whole.

As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. - Romans 14:1 –3 (ESV)

For what was supposed to be a group founded on love and should be characterized by unity, we seem to be highly skilled at dividing. We seem to do it over a lot of things. We group together with other Christians that think like we do, school like we do, vote like we do, do culture like we do, eat and drink like we do. And on and on and on goes the list. Honestly, sometimes I look around at the greater church and think God has to be in this somewhere because only He could possibly hold this thing together, and only He could make it even close to fulfilling its mission.

Does not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice? On the heights beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand; beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud: - Proverbs 8:1 –3 (ESV)

Along the way this summer we have heard from various voices. It's been great to hear God use different leaders in our church to open up God's word, but there is one voice, one call that hopefully has dominated. Solomon continues to point his son toward that one voice. In many ways he was begging his son to not only listen, but to marry her instead of indulge his lesser passions.

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. - Romans 12:1 –2 (ESV)

Last week we spent time on the ground floor of the 'Gospel Museum' checking out the beauty and truths of the beginning of Romans. We looked at 5 important words - Guilty, Representation, Justification, Faith, and Assurance. These words helped us explore the truth that God has 'justly justified the unjust'. What amazing grace!

My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandments with you; keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye; bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call insight your intimate friend, to keep you from the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words. - Proverbs 7:1 –5 (ESV)

Did your parents ever have 'the talk' with you? You know the one about the 'birds and bees'. (How did that become the phrase for it anyway?) Do you remember it? Was it awkward? Have you had 'the talk' with your kids? How did it go? It's an odd and uncomfortable but necessary moment in parenting. Knowing how and what to to say is important. Leaving it to chance invites others to provide wrong or even dangerous information.