ADDRESSES ON ROMANS
He does not commend them for their wealth or numbers, their refinement 7r' culture. When we w1s o commen a c urch, we often do so bec~use of nu#ibers .?r wealdi or in~e J_gence. but not so the Holy Spirit through Paul. Once while-1-w.M:itrChicago a man pointed out a certain church to me, saying, "That church is the most important one n the city." When I asked, "In what way?" he replied, "It has many millionaires in its membership. This church is very influential." I asked him, "How many people attend prayer meeting?" Then he replied, "I believe we do not always have prayer meeting-at least, not in the summer time." I suppose that church thinks the devil takes a holiday during the summer months. Then I asked again, "Do you have people won to Christ in your church? Is there an invitation given for people to have an opportunity to accept Christ as Saviour and Lord?" And his answer was, "No." His way of estimating the influ~ ence of his church was by its wealth. - Paul did not estimate the power of a church thus, and neither must we. What God loves most in a church is faith. Faith brings things to pass. A church full of faith causes men to turn to Christ. The more I see of the work of God in crises, the more I realize that God cares most for faith in the hearts of believers. Does your church have faith? ( d) Prayed for by Paul, verse 9. The next thing Paul says to these Christians at Rome is this: "Without ceasing _,I make mention of you always in my prayers." M¥1 hut wh
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