Joe Bautista comments (before recording) that last week we completed a series on Why I am a Mennonite. He tells us that this week we begin the series “Why I am a Mennonite who identifies as a Catholic with Evangelical and Charismatic sympathies, and who also has been a part of American Baptist, Southern Baptist and Reformed Churches.”

Then he dives into Romans 8:26-39 (NASB).

Joe paints a detailed history of Rome at the time of Paul’s letter, as well as Paul’s history given in the previous verses. This includes the fact that “the good news” was a term that was used by the Roman empire to declare victory over those whom they conquered. For Paul, it is the Christ followers who are victorious.

In the last half of Chapter 8 of Paul’s epistle to the Romans, Paul encourages the readers of his letter that the Spirit intercedes for them and that God is on their side. Despite the suffering they endure from their masters, from the Empire, and from the world at large, they “overwhelmingly conquer” (NASB). Not only that, but all the cosmic forces of fate and destiny, and of the gods themselves, cannot overcome the Love that has called and placed them in a favored place in God’s heart, and, soon to be, in this world.

Questions for group discussion:
When have you felt defeated in your life?
When has God helped you overcome?

Hear the audio as Joe wrestles with the idea that within overwhelmingly difficult circumstance, we are conquerors within the love of God in Christ.

download here

Article art on home page: Detail from mural, Across La Tierra, muralist: Layqa Nuna Yawar, Collaboration with United we Dream, Immigrant youth-led network.