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ROMANS
WHAT TO BELIEVE
Paul begins his message to the Romans by vividly portraying the sinfulness of all people, explaining how forgiveness is available through faith in Christ, and showing what believers experience in life through their new faith. Let's look at faith and how we are to live it out. Without faith we have no hope.
========================================================
Romans 1
Romans 14
- The apostle's commission.
- Prays for the saints at Rome, and expresses his desire to see them.
- The gospel way of justification by faith, for Jews and Gentiles.
- The sins of the Gentiles set forth.
- The sins of the Gentiles set forth.
- The Jews could not be justified by the law of Moses, any more than the Gentiles by the law of nature.
- The sins of the Jews confuted all their vain confidence in their outward privileges.
- The sins of the Jews confuted all their vain confidence in their outward privileges.
- Objections answered.
- All mankind are sinners.
- Both Jews and Gentiles cannot be justified by their own deeds.
- It is owing to the free grace of God, through faith in the righteousness of Christ, yet the law is not done away.
- It is owing to the free grace of God, through faith in the righteousness of Christ, yet the law is not done away.
- The doctrine of justification by faith is shown by the case of Abraham.
- He received the promise through the righteousness of faith.
- And we are justified in the same way of believing.
- The happy effects of justification through faith in the righteousness of Christ.
- That we are reconciled by his blood.
- The fall of Adam brought all mankind into sin and death.
- The grace of God, through the righteousness of Christ, has more power to bring salvation, than Adam's sin had to bring misery,
- as grace did superabound.
- Believers must die to sin, and live to God.
- This is urged by their Christian baptism and union with Christ.
- They are made alive to God.
- And are freed from the dominion of sin.
- The end of sin is death, and of holiness everlasting life.
- Believers are united to Christ, that they may bring forth fruit unto God.
- The use and excellence of the law.
- The spiritual conflicts between corruption and grace in a believer.
- The spiritual conflicts between corruption and grace in a believer.
- The spiritual conflicts between corruption and grace in a believer.
- The freedom of believers from condemnation.
- Their privileges as being the children of God.
- Their hopeful prospects under tribulations.
- Their assistance from the Spirit in prayer.
- Their interest in the love of God.
- Their final triumph, through Christ.
- The apostle's concern that his countrymen were strangers to the gospel.
- The promises are made good to the spiritual seed of Abraham.
- Answers to objections against God's sovereign conduct, in exercising mercy and justice.
- This sovereignty is in God's dealing both with Jews and Gentiles.
- The falling short of the Jews is owing to their seeking justification, not by faith, but by the works of the law.
- The apostle's earnest desire for the salvation of the Jews.
- The difference between the righteousness of the law, and the righteousness of faith.
- The Gentiles stand on a level with the Jews, in justification and salvation.
- The Jews might know this from Old Testament prophecies.
- The rejection of the Jews is not universal.
- God overruled their unbelief for making the Gentiles partakers of gospel privileges.
- The Gentiles cautioned against pride and unbelief, The Jews shall be called as a nation, and brought into God's visible covenant again.
- A solemn adoring of the wisdom, goodness, and justice of God.
- Believers are to dedicate themselves to God.
- To be humble, and faithfully to use their spiritual gifts, in their respective stations.
- Exhortations to various duties.
- And to peaceable conduct towards all men, with forbearance and benevolence.
Romans 14
- The Jewish converts cautioned against judging, and Gentile believers against despising one the other.
- And the Gentiles exhorted to take heed of giving offence in their use of indifferent things.
- And the Gentiles exhorted to take heed of giving offence in their use of indifferent things.
- And the Gentiles exhorted to take heed of giving offence in their use of indifferent things.
- Directions how to behave towards the weak.
- All to receive one another as brethren.
- The writing and preaching of the apostle.
- His purposed journeys.
- He requests their prayers.
ROMANS , NIV
Paul states in 1:18-21 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all of the godliness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world, God's invisible quialities-his eternal power and diving nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without execuse.
God's righteousness judgement will come.
Romans 2
2:2 Now we know that God's judgement against those who do such things is based on truth. So, when you, a mere man, pass judgement on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgement?
There is much pride, criticism, and abrasive attitude coming from people who claim they are believers and are walking with the Lord. These people do not think that they are wrong in judging unbelievers. Yet here we are told when we pass judgement on others we are as guilty as they are. Does the world know us by our love?
2:9There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil; first for the Jew and then for the Gentile; but glory , honor and peace for everyone who does good; first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favortism.
2:28-29---a man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcism merely ooutward and physical. No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly, and circumcisim is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God.
ROMANS 3
3:9 What shall we conclude then? Are we any better? Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin.
3:19-31 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and all the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by obvserving the law; rather, through the law we become conscience of sin. But now a righteousness from God apart from the law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Jesus Christ. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, becaue in his forebearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished-he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
Where, then is boasting? Is it excluded? On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith. For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law. Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, since there is only one God, who will jusify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. Do we then, nulify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather we uphold the law.
God looks at us in all of our need. He sees nothing comendable. There is nothing we can do to match the perfect righteousness that God requires. Human nature wants to add something. We can't seem to accept that this is a free gift from God. If we believe that Jesus took the punishment we deserved we are free of our enslavement and do not have to face the penalty for any of our in. We will never again be a slave to sin. Jesus took your place and my place and paid the penalty for us. Our response to that matters. Jesus (Yeshua) is the answer, he is our hope. We are to have complete faith in him and what he did for us. Not Yeshua and good deeds. Not Yeshua and the right church. Not Yeshua and being sincere. Not Jesus Christ and being circumcised. Not Christ and reading my Bible, going to church, and praying. In Christ alone.
None of us deserved it, earned it, can try to pay God back, or be good enough so that we feel better about what Christ did. We are to realize our need for help. There is nothing before or after receiving this gift that we need to do to help in our salvation. God did it and that is that. He did it out of love for His creation. It was a lavish gift; but He knew it would be worth it. He wants us to love Him too. He wants to have a relationship with us. He does not want us to try to pay Him back. He wants us to love Him and to spend time in His word getting to know Him. He is at work bringing His kingdom together and He invites us to join in that work. We are to tell others about what He did. It is free for them too. He shows no favortism; He loves His entire creation. He wants all humankind to acknowledge what He did and receive this lavish gift of love.
Do we reflect God's love to those around us? Do we quarrel with others who are also saved? Are we too critical? Do we judge how others are living their lives?
ROMANS 5
5:6 you see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungoldy.
God has completed the plan He had regarding sin. We are to go forward now to His promise to bring our faith to completion. He began a good work in us, and continues to be active in our life to change our inward character; patience, gentleness, goodness, and all the qualities of His own Son. We are in the process of growing to maturity. We are growing up to imitate Christ, our Messiah. Each one of us has a part in the body of Christ. We need each other. Appreciate the members of the body, they are your brothers and sister in Christ. They live all around the world, in different cultures, with very different lives. They praise and worship the one true God in many different ways. The object of the worship is what matters. We serve our Lord and King in love. We are to use the gifts that were given to us by the Holy Spirit for the purpose of building up the body.
ROMANS 12
12:4-7 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working but the same God works all of them in men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
12:25-27---there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
My heart's desire is that we take these words to heart. God has asked us to have equal concern for every one in the body. I hear too much criticism, judgement, and lack of concern from those I believe are true believers. We are to reach out, support, give, embrace; we are to demonstrate love. We make the heart of God sad. Let us honor His request.
ROMANS 13
13:3-7 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self seeking, it is not easily angered. It keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
We have a long way to go. But God is faithful to complete the work He began is us. He uses all who follow Jesus. All beleivers make up the body of Christ. It is called the 'church'. This is not just the local congregation. The mission of the 'church' is a never-ending project. The universal body of believers are on the same mission. The membership of the 'church' is exclusive to believers because the mission is a spiritual one. Only believers have the Holy Spirit living within them and so they are the only ones who are able to carry out a spiritual mission. This mission is worldwide in scope and so God has gathered people from around the world as believers who will be His servants. The body has many parts and they each need to function in their giftedness for God's work to be accomplished.
________________________________________________________
The health of the body is very important. Here are some signs of a healthy church.
There will be the presence of unity and harmony.
There will be the absence of favortism, status, and prejudice.
There is an appreciation of the giftedness of each individual.
There is co-operation and teamwork.
There is support for those who are suffering and rejoicing where one is being honored.
There is a recognition that Christ is the head and He has supreme authority.
The members of the body serve in the power of the Holy Spirit. He is their guide in all matters. Decisions are made with spiritual discernment and not man's reasoning.
The church represents Christ on earth and has a mission to carry on what the ministry of Jesus began. The church equips God's people to go to the world with the news of the gospel of Christ Jesus. Don't become too critical of how that is being done. God uses every personality type to spread His good news. God can use people who do not have the right motives. They may be in it for their own
benefit, but God's word will never return void.
It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so in love knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. (Phil 1:15-18)
There will be churches, local congregations, and ministries of all kinds. Variety is alright as long as the true word of God is preached.
ROMANS 15
15:1 Now brothers I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise you have believed in vain.
15:58 Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fullt to the work of the Lord, because that you labor is not in vain.
ROMANS16
16:10 If Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord just as I am. No one, then, should refuse to accept him.
16:15 You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints. I urge you brothers, to submit to such as these and to everyone who joins in the work, and labors at it.
16:17-18 I urge you brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.
When we read books or listen to someone preach, we should always check it out with the word of God. False teachers will come and preach things that are not in alignment with God's word. Ask God to reveal the truth to you. Stay in God's word so that you will know God's truth.
16:26b so that all nations might believe and obey him--27 to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ. AMEN
Paul states in 1:18-21 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all of the godliness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world, God's invisible quialities-his eternal power and diving nature-have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without execuse.
God's righteousness judgement will come.
Romans 2
2:2 Now we know that God's judgement against those who do such things is based on truth. So, when you, a mere man, pass judgement on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgement?
There is much pride, criticism, and abrasive attitude coming from people who claim they are believers and are walking with the Lord. These people do not think that they are wrong in judging unbelievers. Yet here we are told when we pass judgement on others we are as guilty as they are. Does the world know us by our love?
2:9There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil; first for the Jew and then for the Gentile; but glory , honor and peace for everyone who does good; first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favortism.
2:28-29---a man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcism merely ooutward and physical. No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly, and circumcisim is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God.
ROMANS 3
3:9 What shall we conclude then? Are we any better? Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin.
3:19-31 Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and all the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by obvserving the law; rather, through the law we become conscience of sin. But now a righteousness from God apart from the law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Jesus Christ. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, becaue in his forebearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished-he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
Where, then is boasting? Is it excluded? On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith. For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law. Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, since there is only one God, who will jusify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. Do we then, nulify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather we uphold the law.
God looks at us in all of our need. He sees nothing comendable. There is nothing we can do to match the perfect righteousness that God requires. Human nature wants to add something. We can't seem to accept that this is a free gift from God. If we believe that Jesus took the punishment we deserved we are free of our enslavement and do not have to face the penalty for any of our in. We will never again be a slave to sin. Jesus took your place and my place and paid the penalty for us. Our response to that matters. Jesus (Yeshua) is the answer, he is our hope. We are to have complete faith in him and what he did for us. Not Yeshua and good deeds. Not Yeshua and the right church. Not Yeshua and being sincere. Not Jesus Christ and being circumcised. Not Christ and reading my Bible, going to church, and praying. In Christ alone.
None of us deserved it, earned it, can try to pay God back, or be good enough so that we feel better about what Christ did. We are to realize our need for help. There is nothing before or after receiving this gift that we need to do to help in our salvation. God did it and that is that. He did it out of love for His creation. It was a lavish gift; but He knew it would be worth it. He wants us to love Him too. He wants to have a relationship with us. He does not want us to try to pay Him back. He wants us to love Him and to spend time in His word getting to know Him. He is at work bringing His kingdom together and He invites us to join in that work. We are to tell others about what He did. It is free for them too. He shows no favortism; He loves His entire creation. He wants all humankind to acknowledge what He did and receive this lavish gift of love.
Do we reflect God's love to those around us? Do we quarrel with others who are also saved? Are we too critical? Do we judge how others are living their lives?
ROMANS 5
5:6 you see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungoldy.
God has completed the plan He had regarding sin. We are to go forward now to His promise to bring our faith to completion. He began a good work in us, and continues to be active in our life to change our inward character; patience, gentleness, goodness, and all the qualities of His own Son. We are in the process of growing to maturity. We are growing up to imitate Christ, our Messiah. Each one of us has a part in the body of Christ. We need each other. Appreciate the members of the body, they are your brothers and sister in Christ. They live all around the world, in different cultures, with very different lives. They praise and worship the one true God in many different ways. The object of the worship is what matters. We serve our Lord and King in love. We are to use the gifts that were given to us by the Holy Spirit for the purpose of building up the body.
ROMANS 12
12:4-7 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working but the same God works all of them in men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
12:25-27---there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
My heart's desire is that we take these words to heart. God has asked us to have equal concern for every one in the body. I hear too much criticism, judgement, and lack of concern from those I believe are true believers. We are to reach out, support, give, embrace; we are to demonstrate love. We make the heart of God sad. Let us honor His request.
ROMANS 13
13:3-7 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self seeking, it is not easily angered. It keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
We have a long way to go. But God is faithful to complete the work He began is us. He uses all who follow Jesus. All beleivers make up the body of Christ. It is called the 'church'. This is not just the local congregation. The mission of the 'church' is a never-ending project. The universal body of believers are on the same mission. The membership of the 'church' is exclusive to believers because the mission is a spiritual one. Only believers have the Holy Spirit living within them and so they are the only ones who are able to carry out a spiritual mission. This mission is worldwide in scope and so God has gathered people from around the world as believers who will be His servants. The body has many parts and they each need to function in their giftedness for God's work to be accomplished.
________________________________________________________
The health of the body is very important. Here are some signs of a healthy church.
There will be the presence of unity and harmony.
There will be the absence of favortism, status, and prejudice.
There is an appreciation of the giftedness of each individual.
There is co-operation and teamwork.
There is support for those who are suffering and rejoicing where one is being honored.
There is a recognition that Christ is the head and He has supreme authority.
The members of the body serve in the power of the Holy Spirit. He is their guide in all matters. Decisions are made with spiritual discernment and not man's reasoning.
The church represents Christ on earth and has a mission to carry on what the ministry of Jesus began. The church equips God's people to go to the world with the news of the gospel of Christ Jesus. Don't become too critical of how that is being done. God uses every personality type to spread His good news. God can use people who do not have the right motives. They may be in it for their own
benefit, but God's word will never return void.
It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so in love knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. (Phil 1:15-18)
There will be churches, local congregations, and ministries of all kinds. Variety is alright as long as the true word of God is preached.
ROMANS 15
15:1 Now brothers I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise you have believed in vain.
15:58 Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fullt to the work of the Lord, because that you labor is not in vain.
ROMANS16
16:10 If Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord just as I am. No one, then, should refuse to accept him.
16:15 You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints. I urge you brothers, to submit to such as these and to everyone who joins in the work, and labors at it.
16:17-18 I urge you brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.
When we read books or listen to someone preach, we should always check it out with the word of God. False teachers will come and preach things that are not in alignment with God's word. Ask God to reveal the truth to you. Stay in God's word so that you will know God's truth.
16:26b so that all nations might believe and obey him--27 to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ. AMEN