In verse seven we see how Paul viewed his friends in Rome when he says, "To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints." What a mouth full when you stop to think about it. This city where everything in the world is worshiped including the emperors, have people who loved by Yahweh. Not are they only loved by God, but they, as we are too, are called to be saints. Sainthood has already been bestowed upon you. Our job is to live up to are calling. We are sinners who have now been loved by God and called to be saints. How do you see yourself? I believe a lot of stuff in us and most of the stuff in this world wants to pull us away from God's love and from our calling. Today celebrate that you are truly loved by God and that He sees you as a Saint!
The next verse says, "Grace and peace to you from God our Father..." It is only by His grace we are loved by God and that He blesses us with His peace. Can you claim His grace and peace for this day? Can you claim it for this weekend? Can you claim it for this week? Can you claim it for this month? Can you claim it for this year? Can you claim it for your life?
Friday, February 5, 2010
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Romans 1:14-23
Romans 1:14-17 (NIV)
14 I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish.
15 That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are at Rome.
16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."
Why? Why have outreach concerts? Why have outreach picnics? Why have a Kid's Blitz? Why do three Christmas Eve services? Why wrap presents at K-mart? Why spend money on follow-up material? Why have a big pod seating out in front of the church wrapped as if it's a Christmas box? The answer is found in verse 16 which states, "I(we) am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile." The gospel is the power of God. The gospel is the dynamite that blows up the things that stand in the way of people knowing God. Sin is psychologically proofed. Sin is sociologically proofed. Sin is educationally proofed. Sin is philosophically proofed. Sin, however can be penetrated by the message of God in Christ Jesus by the power of His Spirit. Sin cannot with stand the onslaughts of God's grace! This great good news is given by God and received by faith. Do people really need to hear this message? Read the following verses just to get a taste as to how much people need to hear the gospel.
Romans 1:18-23 (NIV)
18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness,
19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.
20 For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.
22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools
23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
If you choose you can read the whole chapter for the a more vived picutre as to how much people need to hear the gospel.
The gospel is not made to dominate the world. It’s the grain of sand that upsets the world’s machinery. One can’t inhale its fragrance and be content to leave everything the way it is.
Jean Sullivan
14 I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish.
15 That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are at Rome.
16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."
Why? Why have outreach concerts? Why have outreach picnics? Why have a Kid's Blitz? Why do three Christmas Eve services? Why wrap presents at K-mart? Why spend money on follow-up material? Why have a big pod seating out in front of the church wrapped as if it's a Christmas box? The answer is found in verse 16 which states, "I(we) am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile." The gospel is the power of God. The gospel is the dynamite that blows up the things that stand in the way of people knowing God. Sin is psychologically proofed. Sin is sociologically proofed. Sin is educationally proofed. Sin is philosophically proofed. Sin, however can be penetrated by the message of God in Christ Jesus by the power of His Spirit. Sin cannot with stand the onslaughts of God's grace! This great good news is given by God and received by faith. Do people really need to hear this message? Read the following verses just to get a taste as to how much people need to hear the gospel.
Romans 1:18-23 (NIV)
18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness,
19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.
20 For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.
22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools
23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
If you choose you can read the whole chapter for the a more vived picutre as to how much people need to hear the gospel.
The gospel is not made to dominate the world. It’s the grain of sand that upsets the world’s machinery. One can’t inhale its fragrance and be content to leave everything the way it is.
Jean Sullivan
Monday, February 1, 2010
Chapter 1 of Romans
Read through the first chapter of Romans, then read the below blog
Hopefully you have read the first chapter of Romans. This is an eleven month study and we will be doing some digging in a great book and also doing some Scripture memory.
The devoted slave is the apostle Paul who had been a devoted persecutor of the church. There are those that just ignore Christ, and others who passively go after Him, but then there are those who are militant against Christ. Paul in his mind was stomping out a cult. Now he is on an assignment for this Jesus. The gospel of Jesus Christ is truly the power unto salvation for all who believe. Paul wanted to make sure that this important city truly had the scoop on who Jesus truly is--the Son of God. Jesus came from the Father and was talked of in the prophets. Jesus was the Messiah and gave many proofs of this to his followers. If you notice Paul does not separate the receiving of the message and the mission of Jesus Christ. If you have received salvation you have received the call to get this message out to others. Do you believe in Jesus Christ? Do you believe in His mission?
Hopefully you have read the first chapter of Romans. This is an eleven month study and we will be doing some digging in a great book and also doing some Scripture memory.
The devoted slave is the apostle Paul who had been a devoted persecutor of the church. There are those that just ignore Christ, and others who passively go after Him, but then there are those who are militant against Christ. Paul in his mind was stomping out a cult. Now he is on an assignment for this Jesus. The gospel of Jesus Christ is truly the power unto salvation for all who believe. Paul wanted to make sure that this important city truly had the scoop on who Jesus truly is--the Son of God. Jesus came from the Father and was talked of in the prophets. Jesus was the Messiah and gave many proofs of this to his followers. If you notice Paul does not separate the receiving of the message and the mission of Jesus Christ. If you have received salvation you have received the call to get this message out to others. Do you believe in Jesus Christ? Do you believe in His mission?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
