RTW 2024

May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love to all of you in Christ Jesus.

1 Corinthians 16:23-24

For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. 
Romans 1:16

• He called them together, along with others employed in similar trades, and addressed them as follows: “Gentlemen, you know that our wealth comes from this business. But as you have seen and heard, this man Paul has persuaded many people that handmade gods aren’t really gods at all. And he’s done this not only here in Ephesus but throughout the entire province! Of course, I’m not just talking about the loss of public respect for our business. I’m also concerned that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will lose its influence and that Artemis—this magnificent goddess worshiped throughout the province of Asia and all around the world—will be robbed of her great prestige!”
  Acts 19:25-27
• Greek letters often included chairein (χαίρειν), “greetings, hello, hail” common in Koine Greek, but Paul transformed his greeting to charis (xάρις), “grace, good will, loving-kindness, favor.”
• Though ancient writers stressed virtues, the supreme emphasis of Jesus’ love throughout early Christian literature was unusual in antiquity.
• The temple of Artemis served as a bank as well as a temple. There was significant wealth and large land ownership involved. Politics and religion and economics were heavily intertwined in Ephesus. Historical inscriptions indicate there may also have been financial irregularities in which temple money was being funded to private individuals. IVP Bible Background Commentary

Be distinctive for Jesus by prioritizing an abundance of love and grace.