Lessons from Paul's Personal Greetings

Romans 16:1-27

As World War II was coming to a close, American soldiers began to wonder about the sacrifices that were made to fight the war.  They had gone through many sleepless nights in battle, many weeks of being hungry and many fellow soldiers had fallen at their side.  They had left home to fight for what?  They had left wives, children or girlfriends to fight an enemy on the other side of the ocean...but why? 

In the movie series, Band of Brothers, you see a portrayal of what the army soldiers went through.  The documentary was about E(Easy) Company, 2nd Battalion of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment.  They were a part of the 101st Airborne Division. 

A discontentment was growing among the soldiers as to their involvement in this war.  And then, they saw it.  As Easy Company was travelling through Germany they saw what was unexplainable.  It was an image I’m sure they would never get out of their mind until the day they died.  In just a few brief moments the anguish of the war made sense.  They finally saw what they were fighting for.

Paul's Example

Romans 15:14-33 

Praise God for his indescribable gift!  It is too easy to overlook the blessings we have in Christ.  I know we all face challenges and even trials of many kinds.  And yet, in Christ, we have something which the world simply does not have.

Friday night around the campfire we were talking briefly about our inability as individuals to serve others and accomplish worldly achievements.  In particular, we were talking about not being able to pursue achievements which would be to our own advantage and I don’t even mean selfish advantage.  Arguably, these advantages to pursue now would allow the chance to have more freedom to do good in the future.

So, there is room for people to go in either direction.  I don’t think working hard now to have a future opportunity is wrong.  Nor do I think that serving others now to the point where an opportunity is lost is wrong.  What I am saying is how we concluded the discussion Friday night … in Christ.

Psalm 37:8 “Do not fret—it leads only to evil.” and I Peter 3:6 (ESV) “Do not fear anything that is frightening.”  The world can be a confusing and complex, difficult and sometimes scary place.  Why then shouldn’t we fret or fear?

Because the Lord says, “Do not be afraid for I am with you,” throughout scripture.  Twice in Genesis (26:24 and 28:15) including the exhortations “I will bless you, and I will watch over you wherever you go.”  Twice in Isaiah (41:10 and 43:5), including the familiar verse Isaiah 41:10, “Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”  Then, in Jeremiah where times were bleak for the Jewish people, we see God’s promise five times!  (1:8, 1:19, 15:20, 30:11, 42:11, 46:28)  These verses also include the promises, “I will rescue you; the enemy will not overcome you; I will save you; I will deliver you.”  Twice in Haggai, the LORD Almighty declares, “I am with you.”  And then Jesus says to us in Matthew 28:20, “And surely I am with you always.”

Accept One Another Like Christ Accepts You

Romans 15:1-13

Have you ever been in a situation where another person was driving you crazy, and you wanted to put them in their place? Or maybe you just wanted to give up because you were tired of putting up with them. How about relating to someone struggling with a sinful habit or attitude that just isn’t a temptation for you, and you wonder why it’s such a big deal for them all the time? How should you react? Do we have to put up with other people regardless? How does Jesus want us as his disciples to behave with people that we just don’t understand or get along with? Well, there’s a clue in our title for today: Accept One Another Like Christ Accepts You. This is a very important part of our Christian walk and can make a big difference in all our relationships. Let’s pray as we begin.

Do Not Destroy the Work of God

Romans 14:1-23

Good morning!  We are closing in on the end of our series on the book of Romans.  In fact, the series will conclude on the last Sunday of this month.

Last week’s message talked about submission (always a popular topic) and clothing ourselves with Christ.  This week’s message is going to carry that thought forward giving us additional things to think about in how we relate to one another especially in the areas of personal conviction and conscience.

I realize that for me that is a pretty short introduction, but we have a lot of ground to cover today, so let’s pray and jump right in to Romans chapter 14.

Father God, we need Your insight continually.  Please help us to see our conduct rightly.  Please fill our hearts and minds with Your Holy Spirit as we look into Your Word.  Show us what You have for each of us.  We pray in Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Submit and Clothe Yourselves with Christ

Romans 13:1-14

Welcome back to our study of Romans, as we look at chapter 13 today. It might feel like we are on the downhill side of this book now, heading toward the conclusion. In the first 11 chapters we climbed a long, steady theological mountain. Paul was step by step making his case about the universal need for salvation and the fact that Jews and Gentiles alike can only be reconciled to God by his grace through faith in the work of Jesus to pay the price for our sin. We reached the top of the mountain, the climax of the book in chapter 12, verse 1: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” God in his mercy has provided this wonderful way of salvation – now what are we are supposed to do with it? The other side of the mountain, the remainder of this book, is about our response, motivated and empowered by grace. What does it mean to live a life of worship as a living sacrifice? These are very practical chapters that bring us down to earth in our spiritual walk. Paul describes how our thoughts and behavior should be different from “the pattern of this world,” mentioned in 12:2. What does transformation by the renewing of our minds actually look like in daily life?

Live Love

Romans 12:9-21

Good morning!  We are continuing on through the second half of chapter 12 in Paul’s letter to the Romans.  We’ve moved into a more practical section of instruction and exhortation about how to live the Christian life.

Last week, Carl shared the ultimate secret of how to live the Christian life.  Do you remember?  It is found at the beginning of Romans 12 in verse 1, “Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”  This doesn’t mean our outward body alone.  Body here includes our physical body and also our minds as verse 2 alerts us, “Stop conforming to the pattern of this world.  Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Offer Your Bodies and Use Your Gifts

Romans 12:1-8

Welcome! Today we continue our series on the book of Romans, venturing into Chapter 12. Now, don’t look at the verse until I tell you to do so. (Otherwise, you will spoil my introduction.) Today, we are going to learn the ultimate secret about how to live the Christian life. Am I over-hyping this passage? I don’t think so.

You Grafted Ones and the Future Salvation

Romans 11:17-36

Good morning!  We are moving forward in our series on the book of Romans.  Today, we are at the end of a section in the letter which addresses the people of Israel, the Jews.  This section began three weeks ago and covers chapters 9, 10 and 11.

In chapter 9, we saw how Israel had stumbled over the stumbling stone.  They had not accepted Jesus as their Messiah.  Chapter 9 concludes with these words from Isaiah, “The one who believes in Him will never be put to shame.”  (9:32) Believing in Him is what we are called to do.

In chapter 10, we were reminded again there is no difference between Jew and Gentile.  “The Lord is Lord of all, and richly blesses all who call on Him.” (10:12) And yet, the Jews in large measure stuck to seeking their own righteousness by effort and works.  That chapter concludes saying God stretches out His arms to Israel desiring to draw them to Himself.

Last week, in the first half of chapter 11, we were told again that God has not rejected Israel.  There is even a blessing for the Gentiles, the non-Jewish, believers.  According to Romans 11:11, Salvation has come to the Gentiles because of Israel’s transgression.

What is the big deal about this division between Jews and Gentiles?  The Jews trace their ancestry back to Abraham.  Then, of course, there was the time that the nation spent in Egypt before receiving the Law through Moses.  God called Israel His chosen people.  The Law told them to keep separate from those who did not follow the Law.  Instead of the people of Israel becoming a kingdom of priests who displayed God to the world around them, there was enmity between Israel and those Gentile nations around her.

God’s plan was clear from the beginning.  God gave this promise to Abraham, “All peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:3)  In writing to the Galatians, Paul explained this further, “Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: ‘All nations will be blessed through you.’ ” (Galatians 3:8)

Would They Be Envious!

Romans 11:1-16

As we have seen over the last couple of Sundays, this section of the book of Romans, chapters 9 to 11, focuses on the relationship between God and the people of Israel. Paul had a great burden for his own people. He begins chapter 9 saying that he would gladly be cut off from Christ himself for Israel to be saved. That is a serious statement! Paul means that would do anything to save the Jews; he is heartbroken over their refusal to accept Jesus as their Savior. They had stumbled over the stumbling stone of Jesus himself, rejecting a righteousness that comes by faith and instead continuing to apply their own effort in pursuing the law as though salvation was on the basis of works. They missed the fact that Christ had come as the culmination of that law, paying the price himself for sin, so that there could be righteousness for everyone who believes, both Jew and Gentile.

The Tragedy of Establishing Your Own Righteousness

Romans 10:1-21

Welcome! Today we continue our series into the rich but challenging book of Romans. We are in the middle of a section about Israel that consists of Chapter 9 through 11. Really, to step back a bit, I believe the point of these three chapters is to answer the question: If salvation really is by faith in Christ, and not by works, then why don’t the Jews, of all people, who should have known God more than any other people, because to them the history happened, to them the Scriptures were given – if this salvation by faith thing is really true, why don’t the Jews believe it? It is a good question, and in Chapter 9, Paul lays the groundwork says in effect that this is not a surprise to God; indeed, it is part of God’s sovereign will. The chapter concludes with the thought that, from a human perspective, the rejection of Christ as savior is because they “stumbled over the stumbling stone” – because they pursued righteousness not by faith but as if it could be attained through works. Paul continues in Chapter 10:

Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.  – Romans 10:1-3

Stumbling over the Stone

Romans 9:1-33

Good morning!  Today we are going to turn a corner in our series on the book of Romans.  This book is really a letter.  Obviously, Paul is writing to Romans.  In particular, he is writing to the church in Rome.  In the letter, we see that this church is composed of a mix of Jewish and Gentile believers with the Gentiles in the majority.  (Romans1:13) The theme of this letter is Romans 1:16-17.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.  For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed--a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” – Romans 1:16-17

Salvation is for everyone who believes first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.  And through the first 8 chapters of Romans, Paul has convinced us about everyone’s need of salvation.  And, he has shown us clearly God’s glorious provision of Jesus Christ His Son as our Savior.

Inseparable

Romans 8:31-39

Welcome! We are at about the halfway point in the book of Romans, and before I get into today’s passage, I want to go back to some of the most encouraging verses we have seen so far in Romans. Now I believe most of you already know these verses – maybe not by chapter and verse, but if I start the verses, I believe you will be able to finish them (or at least come close). So I am going to present you with the first half of the verses, and then encourage you to complete them, one phrase at a time.

Having an Eternal Focus

Romans 8:18-30

By way of review, let’s look at a quick synopsis of Romans.  The first 5 chapters are really about the Gospel.  Chapters 1 through 3:20 show the sinfulness of all man and the need for the Gospel.  From 3:21 until the end of chapter 5, Paul explains the Gospel: salvation through Christ alone.  Then in chapters 6 through 8, he’s been talking about the benefits of that gospel.  Chapters 6 through 7 gave the “negative” benefits.  Not that they are bad, but they are given in a negative light.  We are no longer under the law, slaves to sin, under the curse, dead in trespasses and sin, nor victims of sin.    Chapter 8 shows us the positive benefits of salvation.  We are no longer under condemnation.  We are free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2).  We live according to the Spirit (8:5).  We are in the Spirit; we belong to Christ.  Then in verses 15-17, Paul says we are adopted children of God.  If we are the children of God, we are the heirs of God and co-heirs with Jesus Christ. 

Be Led by the Spirit

Romans 8:1-17

Welcome! Today we continue with our series on Romans. Last week, Fred, despite a broken leg, taught us powerfully on Romans 7. In this passage, Paul jumps from third to first person (from “he” to “I”), saying that there are two laws at work in him. The first law is God’s law, and in his mind, Paul says he is a slave to this law, and in his inner being he delights in this law. But the second law is the law of sin, and Paul says that in his sinful nature, in his flesh, he is a slave to this law. This second law wages war against the first law, and Paul calls himself a prisoner of this law of sin. He calls himself wretched – in the Greek, a powerful compound word that literally means pierced with affliction, and asks who will rescue him? Of course, everything Paul describes is not just the situation for Paul; it is also reality for all of us. We all struggle with doing the very things we do not want to do – we all battle ourselves in our struggles to avoid sin. Who will rescue him? Who will rescue us? The answer is God, who delivers us through Jesus Christ our Lord – and how rescue really works is explained in today’s wonderful passage from Romans 8. Let’s get right into this passage:

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus… - Romans 8:1

Wretched!

Romans 7:14-25

We have been going through the Book of Romans for a number of months now, and we still have a ways to go.  Today we are going to continue in Romans 7:14-25 to get a better understanding of the struggle Paul had between his flesh and his spirit.  The apostle Peter said this about Paul:

Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. –2 Peter 3:15-16

Released from the Law, but the Law is Good

Romans 7:1-13

Do you feel that Romans is a very theological book? It is indeed full of foundational concepts that define what we believe as Christians. It uses some words that are very important for us to understand: sin, law, grace, faith, righteousness, judgment, and so on. These words are like pegs on which we hang the tapestry of the Christian experience. We need to consider them in the context of the entire Bible to understand what they really mean. And that’s important for us to do, because we can see examples throughout history of where misunderstandings or misconceptions of these key words have led people into all kinds of errors. I will tell you today about how the church got a little off track on the concept of grace and what happened then. But I also want to reiterate the importance of something that goes beyond correct doctrine. We can have our theology all tidily laid out, but that’s not what really matters. The bigger question is what difference it is making in our lives – in how we are truly loving God and truly loving other people. That’s where the rubber hits the road in our understanding of Romans.

Then Shall We Sin? No!

Romans 6:15-23

Welcome! Today we continue with our series on Romans. I want to start by backing up a bit to the end of Chapter 5:

The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. – Romans 5:20-21

What does it mean that the law was brought in so that the trespass might increase? Did the law really make more things sin than were sin before? I would argue “no” – what it means is that the law made explicit things that people who really had loved God and had really loved other people should have known already.

Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ

Romans 6:1-14

Welcome back to the book of Romans, the most comprehensive and detailed explanation of the gospel in the New Testament, the good news of salvation through Jesus. What have we learned so far? At the beginning of this book Paul spends a few chapters making the case for the universal need for salvation. Everyone has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, as it says in chapter 3. No one can approach God on their own. There is no hope of our good deeds somehow outweighing our bad ones, as the Muslims believe. No one will ever be good enough to satisfy a perfectly holy God. Our only hope is to humbly receive the salvation that he offers us, with Jesus having paid the penalty for our sin through his death on the cross. God’s own righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. This free gift that we don’t deserve is called grace.

The Gift is Not Like the Trespass

Romans 5:12-21

At the beginning of our study in Romans, we looked at Romans 1:16-17: “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. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed…”  One of the main things Paul was doing was explaining the gospel to the Romans.  The message of the gospel isn’t just the death of Jesus, His resurrection, and us receiving the gift He gave on the cross.  The gospel message is simple but it’s multi-faceted, like a diamond.  In Romans, Paul is showing us the many facets.

Saved from Wrath

Romans 5:1-11

 

Good morning!  We’ve got more good news from Romans today.  God is good. 

We’ve gone through four chapters in Paul’s letter to the church at Rome.  We’ve talked about the introduction and theme of this letter which is the righteousness which comes from God rather than from anything we do.  It’s summed up in Romans 1:16-17:

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.  For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed--a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”  —Romans 1:16-17