John Wesley ~
Paul was called to be an apostle-And made an apostle by that calling. While God calls, he makes what he calls.

 

Therefore we can partially understand our calling by understanding who God has made us to be!

 

 

Where are responsibilities of respective members of the Godhead spoken of in Romans 1?

 

Study - Romans

 

Point One - Background

 

Paul was the Author is of no dispute

 

Written in 57 - 58 AD

 

Romans written to Gentiles and Jews

 

Wrote letter from Corinth

 

Purpose was to -

 

1- Announce his plans to visit Rome after his return to Jerusalem and prepare Christians there for his coming.

 

2 - To present and complete and detailed statement of the gospel message he proclaimed.

 

3 - An apologetic for God,  vindication of his nature and his plan for saving people illuminated by exposition of the OT.

 

Theme is the Gospel/Salvation

 

Central Theology of the book is Justification by faith and the life "in Christ"

 

Point Two - Paul Overview

 

Correct interpretation requires good understanding of the author and his agenda.

 

The Apostle Paul is known as the greatest missionary of the early church.

 

Paul, who once avowed to wipe out belief in Jesus Christ, was later converted to do the work of Christ.

 

He would author almost half of the 27 books in the New Testament.

 

He endured sickness, rejection, and repeated attacks on his life to bring the message of God's grace and forgiveness to Gentiles.

 

Paul was the apostle largely responsible for the solid inception and growth of Christianity.

 

He spoke before Jews, Greeks, and Romans.

 

Paul is known as the apostle to the Gentiles. He defended God's Word before kings and emperors of this world.

 

By the end of his life, much of the Mediterranean world had been reached with the gospel.

 

-Supports himself
   Ac 18:3

 

-Caught up to the third heaven
   2Co 12:1-4

 

-Also called SAUL
 Ac 13:9

 

-From the tribe of Benjamin,
    Php 3:5

 

-Personal appearance of
       2Co 10:10

 

-Educated at Jerusalem in the school of Gamaliel and a Pharisee
   Ac 22:3

 

-A Roman citizen
   Ac 16:37

 

-Persecutes the Christians; present at, and gives consent to, the stoning of Stephen
   Ac 7:58

 

Called as apostle
   Ro 1:1

 

-Is persecuted by the Jews
   Ac 9:23

 

-Sent to the Gentiles
   Ac 13:2

 

What kind of personality would you expect Paul to have? What do you think his passions were?

 

Point Three - Paul’s Agenda

 

Paul's perspective and agenda must be kept in mind while reading the letter to the Romans

 

He was a hater of Christ turned Apostle
He was a hater of the Church turned to servant of it
He was a hater of Gentiles turned missionary to them
He was chief counsel for the law turned defender of Grace.

 

Purpose was to -

 

1- Announce his plans to visit Rome after his return to Jerusalem and prepare Christians there for his coming.

 

2 - To present and complete and detailed statement of the gospel message he proclaimed.

 

3 - An apologetic for God,  vindication of his nature and his plan for saving people illuminated by exposition of the OT.

 

Theme is the Gospel/Salvation

 

Central Theology of the book is Justification by faith and the life "in Christ"

 

Where do you think these themes came from?

 

 

Because God made us for the calling which he has for us, we can at least partially, understand our calling by understanding whom God has made us to be!

 

Ice Breaker What did, or do, you find hard to believe about your faith?

 

 

 

From Linda Eberly: One Sunday evening while my husband was away, I was sitting in church with my two boys, ages two and four. I didn't expect that they would listen to very much, I was just content that they were quiet. When the Scripture in Matt. 5:22 "anyone who hates his brother will be guilty of murder" was read, I heard the small worried voice of my four year old say "Uh-oh"

 

 

A father wanted to read the paper, but was being bothered by his little
daughter, Vanessa. Finally, he tore a sheet out of his magazine, on
which was printed the map of the world. Tearing it into small pieces, he
gave it to Vanessa, and said, "Go into the other room and see if you can
put this together."
After a few minutes, Vanessa returned and handed him the map correctly
fitted together. The father was surprised and asked how she had
finished so quickly.
"Oh," she said, "on the other side of the paper was a picture of Jesus.
When I got Jesus in His place, then the world came out all right."

 

 

Key verses in Romans
1:16 and 5:1

 

Divisions
1- Doctrinal 1-11
2- Practical 12-16

 

Main Themes

 

Division 1 - Plan of salvation; justification by faith and sanctification through the Holy Spirit

 

Division 2 - Exhortations concerning Christian duties.

 

Pass out chart of doors of divine mercy.

 

Human race is surrounded by three insurmountable walls;

 

Universal guilt 1-3
Sinful tendencies and fleshly lusts 7:15-24
Sovereign election 9:7-18

 

Three doors of opportunity provided by God in the plan of salvation to escape impending judgments of God.

 

Study - Romans 1:16-32

 

The Gospel, the Unbelief of it and its consequences

 

Point One - 1:16-17 - Gospel of Christ is the Universal Gospel

 

Word definition

 

righteousness.  Our English word was originally rightwiseness, from the Anglo-Saxon, justice, right, and [Anglo-Saxon], to know; and thus the righteous man was a person who was allowed to understand the claims of justice and right, and who, knowing them, acted according to their dictates. Such a man is thoroughly wise; he aims at the attainment of the best end by the use of the best means.  This is a true definition of wisdom,

 

mt 24:14, mt 28:19, mk 13:10, mk 16:15, Lu 24:47, Ac 1:18, Re 14:6

 

Faith to faith vrs 12

 

Why is the Gospel the power of God for Salvation?

 

Point Two .1:18-21 - Revelation and Unbelief of the Gospel

 

Acc ~ The Jews, by not believing on Jesus Christ, by not receiving him as the promised Messiah, but trusting in others, have been disappointed, ashamed, and confounded, from that time to the present day.  Their expectation is cut off; and, while rejecting Christ, and expecting another Messiah, they have continued under the displeasure of God, and are ashamed of their confidence.

 

Wrath of God

 

Rev 6:16-17

 

God made himself evident to all

 

Ps 19:1, ; 97:6, Ac 14:17, Ro 1:20

 

What in the creation is evidence to you that points to a creator?

 

Point Three 1:22-32

 

State of mankind and the Consequences of unbelief
Jer 10:14, Ac 17:29, Ps 81:12,  Eph 4:18,19, 1Jo 5:20,

 

Hab 2:4 "Behold, as for the proud one, His soul is not right within him; But the righteous will live by his faith.

 

Homosexuality - Le 18:22-23, Eph 5:12; Jude 1:10, Ro 1:27; 1Co 6:9; 1Ti 1:10

 

Bestiality Le 18:23, 20:12,15,16; Ex 22:19

 

Lev 18:24 'Do not defile yourselves by any of these things; for by all these the nations which I am casting out before you have become defiled.

 

What were the consequences as laid out in the text?

 

 

Unbelief is like an onion, like Shrek says about himself. Layers of rationalization that adds to unbelief, which at the core believes in self first, has faith only in self.

 

Gospel is delivered from faith to faith, from yours to mine and mine to yours, from unbelief to belief.

 

Ice Breaker - What do you like to talk to your kids or parents about?

 

 

 

A newly discovered chapter in the Book of Genesis has provided the answer to "Where do pets come from?" Adam said, "Lord, when I was in the garden, you walked with me everyday. Now I do not see you anymore. I am lonesome here and it is difficult for me to remember how much you love me."

 

And God said, "No problem! I will create a companion for you that will be with you forever and who will be a reflection of my love for you, so that you will love me even when you cannot see me. Regardless of how selfish or childish or unlovable you may be, this new companion will accept you as you are and will love you as I do, in spite of yourself."

 

And God created a new animal to be a companion for Adam. And it was a good animal. And God was pleased. And the new animal was pleased to be with Adam and he wagged his tail. And Adam said, "Lord, I have already named all the animals in the Kingdom and I cannot think of a name for this new animal."

 

And God said, "No problem! Because I have created this new animal to be a reflection of my love for you, his name will be a reflection of my own name, and you will call him DOG."

 

And Dog lived with Adam and was a companion to him and loved him. And Adam was comforted. And God was pleased. And Dog was content and wagged his tail.

 

After a while, it came to pass that Adam's guardian angel came to the Lord and said, "Lord, Adam has become filled with pride. He struts and preens like a peacock and he believes he is worthy of adoration. Dog has indeed taught him that he is loved, but perhaps too well."

 

And the Lord said, "No problem! I will create for him a companion who will be with him forever and who will see him as he is. The companion will remind him of his limitations, so he will know that he is not always worthy of adoration."

 

And God created CAT to be a companion to Adam. And Cat would not obey Adam. And when Adam gazed into Cat's eyes, he was reminded that he was not the supreme being. And Adam learned humility.

 

And God was pleased.
And Adam was greatly improved.
And Dog was happy.
And the Cat didn't give a hoot one way or the other.

 

 

Voltaire ~ If a watch proves the existence of a watchmaker but the universe does not prove the existence of a great Architect, then I consent to be called a fool.

 

A. J. Hover ~ The choice is simple: one chooses either a self-existent God or a self-existent universe--and the universe is not bevaving as if it is self-existent.

 

Russell DeLong ~ The statements of people who do not believe do not outweigh the circumstantial evidence that suggests the universe was the intelligent design of a creator.

 

 

In "It's Friday, Sunday's a comin' "a famous message, by Tony Campolo, Campolo told of the escapades of world renowned Sociologist, Emil Durkheim, who did much of his work toward the end of the 19th century. Durkheim had the distinction of being able to lead an expedition into a part of Australia where a tribe of Aborigines were actually coming out of a Stone Age existence. The purpose of this expedition was to study how a tribe came up with their concept of god.

 

Durkheim's group discovered that the tribe gathered, led by appointed leaders, to discuss the traits that members of the tribe needed to possess in order to ensure the survival of their tribe. Such traits as speed, wisdom, strength and cunning were among the traits selected. The tribe's next step was to assign these traits to animals that displayed each trait. Speed was assigned to the deer (quick as a deer); wisdom was assigned to the owl (wise as an owl); strength was assigned to the ox and bear (strong as an ox/bear); cunning was assigned to the fox (sly as a fox). Symbols of these animals were then made into a totem pole to be displayed in an area where the pole could be clearly seen.

 

The next step in the process was the tribe began to worship this totem pole, made up of these animals that represented the traits the tribe felt were required for its survival.
Sociologists, therefore, concluded that religion was the group worshiping its own value system. The tribe's members, according to the researcher's conclusions, were essentially worshiping themselves.

 

What are the objects that make up our modern day totem poles?

 

Study - Romans 1:18-32

 

The Gospel, the Unbelief of it and its consequences

 

Point One - Revelation

 

~ Louis Berkoff 1938

 

General Revelation

 

Left to himself man would never have discovered God.

 

Through general revelation ~ the facts the forces and the laws of nature, the cinstitution and operation of the human mind and the facts of experience and history.

 

General revelation was obscured by the blight of sin resting on Gods creation..

 

Feel offspring of God Acts 17:28, seek after God if haply they might find Him Acts 17:27, See in nature God's everlasting power and divinity rom 1:19-20, they do by nature the things of the law Rom 2:14.

 

Special Revelation

 

Necessary because of entry of sin into the world. God's handwriting in nature obscured  and corrupted and man was struck with spiritual blindness.

 

Revelations include

 

1-Theophanies, visible manifestations of God, Ex 3:2, 33:9 and of course the incarnation as Jesus.

 

2- Direct Communications, as with moses such as deut 5:4

 

3- Miracles

 

4- Scriptures

 

Point Two - 1:18-21

 

Revelation and Unbelief of the Gospel

 

Wrath of God

 

Rev 6:16-17

 

Who is the wrath of God reserved for?

 

Emerson ~ The happiest man is he who learns from nature the lesson of worship. -

 

Ps 19:1, ; 97:6, Ac 14:17, Ro 1:20

 

What in the creation is evidence to you that points to a creator?

 

Point Three 1:22-32

 

State of mankind and the Consequences of unbelief
Jer 10:14, Ac 17:29, Ps 81:12,  Eph 4:18,19, 1Jo 5:20,

 

Hab 2:4 "Behold, as for the proud one, His soul is not right within him; But the righteous will live by his faith.

 

Homosexuality - Le 18:22-23, Eph 5:12; Jude 1:10, Ro 1:27; 1Co 6:9; 1Ti 1:10

 

Beastiality Le 18:23, 20:12,15,16; Ex 22:19

 

Lev 18:24 'Do not defile yourselves by any of these things; for by all these the nations which I am casting out before you have become defiled.

 

What were the consequences as laid out in the text?

 

 

Unbelief is like an onion, like Shrek says about himself. Layers of rationalization that adds to unbelief which at the core believes in self first, has faith only in self.

 

Gospel is delivered from faith to faith, from yours to mine and mine to yours, from unbelief to belief.

Ice Breaker - What evil would you eliminate in the world?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Study - Romans 1:-22-32

 

The Gospel, the Unbelief of it and its consequences

 

Point One - 1:22-32

 

State of mankind and the Consequences of unbelief
Jer 10:14, Ac 17:29, Ps 81:12,  Eph 4:18,19, 1Jo 5:20,

 

Hab 2:4 "Behold, as for the proud one, His soul is not right within him; But the righteous will live by his faith.

 

 

 

Point Two - Homosexuality - Le 18:22-23, Eph 5:12; Jude 1:10, Ro 1:27; 1Co 6:9; 1Ti 1:10

 

 

 

What were the consequences as laid out in the text?

 

Point Three

 

Beastiality Le 18:23, 20:12,15,16; Ex 22:19

 

Lev 18:24 'Do not defile yourselves by any of these things; for by all these the nations which I am casting out before you have become defiled.

 

 

Unbelief is like an onion, like Shrek says about himself. Layers of rationalization that adds to unbelief which at the core believes in self first, has faith only in self.

 

Gospel is delivered from faith to faith, from yours to mine and mine to yours, from unbelief to belief.

Ice Breaker - What evil would you eliminate in the world?

 

 

 

A young boy had just gotten his driving permit. He asked his father, who was a Bishop, if they could discuss the use of the car. His father took him to his study and said to him, "I'll make a deal with you. You bring your grades up, study your Scriptures a little and get your hair cut and we'll talk about it."
After about a month the boy came back and again asked his father if they could discuss use of the car. They again went to the father's study where his father said, "Son, I've been real proud of you. You have brought your grades up, you've studied your Scriptures diligently, but you didn't get your hair cut!"
The young man waited and minute and replied, "You know Dad, I've been thinking about that. You know, Samson had long hair, Moses had long hair, why even Jesus had long hair...."
To which his father replied...."Yes, and they WALKED every where they went!"

 

 

Evert Harrison ~ The wellspring of sinful acts comes from the inner life and not  environmental factors.

 

 

Study - Romans 1:-22-32

 

The Gospel, the Unbelief of it and its consequences

 

Point One - 1:22-25

 

State of mankind and the Consequences of unbelief

 

Jer 10:14, Ac 17:29, Ps 81:12,  Eph 4:18,19, 1Jo 5:20,

 

Hab 2:4 "Behold, as for the proud one, His soul is not right within him; But the righteous will live by his faith.

 

To trust in himself, or in any worldly thing, is never to be at peace: for the only rest is to trust in God by faith;

 

Why can't one be at peace as a proud person?

 

Point Two - 1:26-27

 

Homosexuality - Le 18:22-23, Eph 5:12; Jude 1:10, Ro 1:27; 1Co 6:9; 1Ti 1:10

 

Beastiality Le 18:23, 20:12,15,16; Ex 22:19

 

Lev 18:24 'Do not defile yourselves by any of these things; for by all these the nations which I am casting out before you have become defiled.

 

What were the consequences as laid out in the text?

 

Point Three 1:28-32

 

They disapproved of God so God turned them over to a disaproved or depraved mind to commit all kinds of sins.

 

Mk 7:20 And He was saying, "That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man.

 

Evert Harrison ~ The wellspring of sinful acts comes from the inner life and not  environmental factors.

 

What in the text indicates that the result of disapproving of God results in self worship?

 

 

The denial of God and his order of, and requirement of, righteousness eventually leads men to every sort of evil.

 

Men that disapprove of God's laws make there own and therefore make themselves God to themselves.

 

Making man God in man's eyes leads man to a form of govening himself in the light of his own set of laws, rules and regulations which are established based upon relativism . . . right and wrong based upon judgements handed down by previous courts instead of being based upon any absolutes.

 

Hence we have judical activism, and a watered down judical system that is making society look like current popular trendy man.

 

This is what is at the root of americas problem and what will eventually distroy her from within.

Ice Breaker – What does your conscience move you to do regularly?

 

Announcements – FMA review –

 

Call in tomorrow to senators and let them know feelings, Will not pass but this is a time to get senators on record as to how they vote and let them know this is the vote that will determine if they get re-elected. 

 

The defeat of the FMA will empower those who would see America destroyed by the evil of homosexual marriage but this is a long battle.  This is not just about gay marriage, it is about the institution of marriage itself and what it is and means for future generations.

 

The lines on this issue are being drawn in our country right now, we must not loose this battle, it means the survival of our nation or not!

 

 

Bill Clinton, Boris Yeltsin, and Bill Gates were called in by God. God informed them that he was very unhappy about what was going on in this world. Since things were so bad, he told the three that he was destroying the Earth in 3 days.
They were all allowed to return to their homes and businesses, and tell their friends and colleagues what was happening. God did tell them though, that no matter what they did he was "not” changing his mind. So, . .
Bill Clinton went in and told his staff, "I have good news and bad news for you. First the good news . . . there "is" a God. The bad news is that he is destroying the Earth in 3 days."
Boris Yeltsin went back and told his staff, "I have bad news and more bad news. The first was . . . there "is" a God. The second was that he is destroying the Earth in 3 days."
Bill Gates went back and told his staff, "I have good news and good news. First . . . God thinks I am one of the three most important people in the world. Second . . . you don't have to fix the bugs in Windows 98.

 

Spurgeon: “It seems to me that every morning when a man wakes up still impenitent, and finds himself out of hell, the sunlight seems to say, ‘I shine on thee yet another day, as that in this day thou mayest repent.’ When your bed receives you at night I think it seems to say, ‘I will give you another night’s rest, that you may live to turn from your sins and trust in Jesus.’ Every mouthful of bread that comes to the table says, ‘I have to support your body that still you may have space for repentance.’ Every time you open the Bible the pages say, ‘We speak with you that you may repent.’ Every time you hear a sermon, if it be such a sermon as God would have us preach, it pleads with you to turn unto the Lord and live.”

 

 

"Secrets" (kruptos from the verb krúpto = keep secret) refers to that which is hidden, concealed, and kept in secret where no one else can see. Here Paul is referring primarily to the motives that lie behind men’s actions. The only way to truly judge a person is to judge the secrets of the heart, conscience, and thoughts. Some actions that appear good may be wrongly motivated; other, less visible actions may be done with good intentions. Secret services shall be rewarded, secret sins shall be then punished, and brought to light. To Christians this principle means that God knows everything and that one day we will stand before him to give account of our lives (cf 2Co5:10).

 

Read Romans 2:1-16
What lessons is Paul teaching his reader in this section?

 

Study - Romans 2:1-16

 

Point One – 2:1-4

 

Repentance is to leave
The sins I loved before,
And show that I in earnest grieve
By doing so no more

 

TLB: "Well,” you may be saying, “what terrible people you have been talking about!” But wait a minute! You are just as bad. When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are talking about yourselves, for you do these very same things."

 

In light of unbelief and its consequences, chapter 2 begins “therefore”, he was recounting the sins of Gentiles in chapter 1 and then goes on to accuse the Jews of the same sinful behavior that the reader would agree on from chapter one.

 

It has been said that visitors to the labyrinths of certain of the catacombs in Rome used to take hold of a silk thread by which they could retrace their steps if they became fearful of becoming lost. In this section of Romans there are also abundant opportunities of losing one's way. It is necessary, then, to keep in mind the purpose of Paul in the verses which is stated plainly in 3:9 which is to accuse both Gentiles and Jews of the guilt of sin.

 

Why does the reading Jew have no excuse?

 

Point Two – 2:5-11

 

Judgement according to works

 

Ps 62:12, Jer 17:10, mt 16.27, 2cor 5.10, 1pet 1.17, rev 20.12, re 22.12

 

Shows character of unrepentant heart

 

What will be the recompense for some of the evils that are listed at the end of chapter one, aside from gay life?

 

Point Three – 2:12-16

 

Conscience

 

Acts 24.14-24.16

 

Training our minds toward an active and operative conscience.

 

Hebrews 8:10

 

What do you do to actively train your conscience?

 

 

Alva McAllaster suggested something of this when she wrote a satirical ditty personifying "Envy". McAllaster writes: "Envy went to church this morning. Being legion he sat in every pew. Envy fingered wool and silk fabrics, hung price tags on suits and neckties. Envy paced through the parking lot scrutinizing chrome and paint. Envy marched to the chancel with the choir during the processional. Envy prodded plain Jane wives, and bright wives … and kind men … envy stared." Do you find her words convicting? If not perhaps you should read them again, this time very slowly. The truth is that envy is not the only "sin" that goes to church. So do sensuality and pride and malice and judgmentalism and many others. And what Paul is saying here is that God knows all of these things.

 

How then shall we live; our hearts secrets are born out in how we live, what comes out of our hearts.

 

Ice Breaker - What is a gift God has given you that you treasure besides salvation?

 

 

 

From mentaljokes.com

 

Bott's Beans - makes jelly beans, grape jelly jelly beans, spinach, jelly beans, dirt jelly beans or earwax jelly beans? How about vomit?

 

(the lamp from  Christmas Story Movie!!!)

 

Mouse PC shaped/real life shaped,

 

Men's Leather Pants & Chaps

 

I used to be schizophrenic, but we're better now.

 

"You say PSYCHO like it's a BAD thing!"

 

If someone with multiple personalities threatens to kill herself, 
is it considered a hostage situation?

 

 

All the strength and force of man comes from his faith in things unseen.  He who believes is strong; he who doubts is weak.  Strong convictions precede great actions. -Clarke

 

Development in life is all about faith in things greater than self.

 

 

Read Romans 3:19-31

 

Heb 11:1 read

 

What does the world have faith in that is in contrast to what we have faith in?

 

Study - Romans 3:19-31

 

This section lays out the whole of our Christian system.

 

The guilt of mankind vrs 19-20
Plan of salvation vrs 24-26

 

What are some of the different elements?

 

Point One -  19, 20.
  All the world is guilty before God, and none can be justified by
   the works of the law

 

Who is guilty?

 

Point Two -    21-26.
  God's MERCY in providing redemption for a lost world, by Jesus Christ

 

There are no miracles to men who do not believe in them. -Anonymous

 

Through what vehicle did God pay the price for our sin?

 

Point Three -  27-31.
This excludes boasting on the part both of Jew and Gentile;
   provides salvation through faith for both; and does not set
   aside, but establishes the law

 

 

 

The following points in this section are worthy of high consideration-viz.

 

How is God glorified in us, and we in him?-By his GRACE. 

 

What does his grace work in us?-True holiness.

 

Upon what motive?-Because it is pleasing to him. 

 

By whom does he give us salvation?-By Jesus Christ. 

 

How has Christ obtained this for us?-By redeeming us. 

 

What price did he give?-His BLOOD.

 

What does his blood effect?-It reconciles us to God. 

 

How is it applied?-By FAITH. 

 

Who has given this victim of reconciliation?- -God the Father. 

 

Why did he choose these means?-To confound the false righteousness of the Gentiles; to abolish the FIGURATIVE righteousness of the Jews; and to establish his own. 

 

What does this grace of God perform?-It pardons sin and purifies the heart.

 

For whom is this designed?-For all mankind, both Jews and Gentiles. 

 

To whom are these blessings actually communicated?-To all who repent, turn from their sin, and believe on the Lord Jesus. 

 

Why did not God make known this grand method of salvation sooner?  1. To make it the more valued: 2. To show his fidelity in the performance of his promises: and, 3. To make known the virtue and efficacy of the blood of Christ, which sanctifies the present, extends its influence to the past, and continues the availing sacrifice and way of salvation to all future ages.

 

 

Ice Breaker - What character in the bible would you like to know more about?

 

 

 

A collection of Interesting facts revealed by young people in Sunday school!

 

 The first book of the Bible is Guiness, in which Adam and Eve were created from an apple tree.
 Noah's wife was called Joan of Ark.  
 Lot's wife was a pillar of salt by day and a ball of fire by night.  
 Samson slayed the Philistines with the axe of the apostles.  
 Unleavened bread is bread made without ingredients.  
 Moses went to the top of Mt. Cyanide to get the 10 commandments.  
 The seventh commandment is "Thou shalt not admit adultery."  
 Joshua led the Hebrews in the battle of Geritol.
 David fought with the Finkelsteins, a race of people who lived in Biblical times.  
 The people who followed Jesus was called the 12 decibals.  
 The epistles were the wives of the apostles.
 One of the opossums was St. Matthew.  
 Paul preached holy acrimony, which is another name for marriage.  
 A Christian should have only one wife. This is called monotony. 

 

 

 

The two great features of Protestant theology are its doctrines of justification by faith and the law as the rule of life. This is a synthesis of New Testament grace and Old Testament ethics. With this synthesis, Protestants have solved the problem of finding a gracious God, but they have not solved the problem of finding gracious neighbors. They can fellowship with God because he is gracious; but they find it difficult to fellowship with one another, because they are not so gracious.
... Robert D. Brinsmead, "Justification by Faith"

 

 

Read Romans 4

 

What would our lives in the Church be like if all Christ did was fulfill the cerimonial law and not bring grace?

 

Study - Romans 4:

 

Point One - (1-12) The doctrine of justification by faith is shown by the case of Abraham.   

 

Justification defined
 
Justification, a forensic term, opposed to condemnation. As regards its nature, it is the judicial act of God, by which he pardons all the sins of those who believe in Christ, and accounts, accepts, and treats them as righteous in the eye of the law, i.e., as conformed to all its demands. In addition to the pardon (q.v.) of sin, justification declares that all the claims of the law are satisfied in respect of the justified. It is the act of a judge and not of a sovereign. The law is not relaxed or set aside, but is declared to be fulfilled in the strictest sense; and so the person justified is declared to be entitled to all the advantages and rewards arising from perfect obedience to the law (Rom. 5:1-10).

 

Faith Defined

 

Faith is in general the persuasion of the mind that a certain statement is true (Phil. 1:27; 2 Thess. 2:13). Its primary idea is trust. A thing is true, and therefore worthy of trust. It admits of many degrees up to full assurance of faith, in accordance with the evidence on which it rests.
 
Faith is the result of teaching (Rom. 10:14-17). Knowledge is an essential element in all faith, and is sometimes spoken of as an equivalent to faith (John 10:38; 1 John 2:3). Yet the two are distinguished in this respect, that faith includes in it assent, which is an act of the will in addition to the act of the understanding. Assent to the truth is of the essence of faith, and the ultimate ground on which our assent to any revealed truth rests is the veracity of God.

 

Vrs 3 is quote from Ge 15:6
Vrs 7 is quote from Ps 32:1,2  -  Verse about justification by faith in the old testiment

 

What sign did God give abraham as a sign,
Circumcisism.

 

why that sign?
Because he was to be the father.

 

The sign came upon him after he believed and righteousness was imputed after he believed, just like us.

 

Point Two - (13-22) He received the promise through the righteousness of faith.

 

Key verse.

 

Vrs 15 Co 3:7,9
Vrs 16 Romans 9:8
Vrs 18 Ge 15:5

 

Why do you think God choose faith as the vehicle that would impute righteousness.

 

Point Three - (23-25) And we are justified in the same way of believing.

 

Vrs 25 2Co 5:21

 

ACC ~ And as his death was an atonement for our sins, so his resurrection was the proof and pledge of our eternal life.

 

 

We are justified because of the works of Christ, that we no longer can boast in our righteousness and works. 

 

If we boast of our lives of righteousness we make the Chirst's work on the cross of less value.

 

Knowing God deeply is the only way we can deeply understand what sin is.

 

Study of him, his nature, law and grace gives us a deeper knowledge of Him and helps us see what our sin really is, because we can finally see where we do not measure up and why he cannot tolerate sin.

 

Understanding our true standing on the sin issue gives us an understanding of the depth of his love because even while we were yet sinners he died for us.

 

It also helps us to appreciate what justification really means to us as sinners.

Ice Breaker - What Christian Virtue would you like to be automatic?

 

 

 

 

Three things in which Christianity meets or excels over Judaism.

 

1. The hope of eternal life in the law, that the Jew gloried in,  Ro 2:17, was defective, Ro 5:1-2  - shows how it was actually granted.

 

2. The persecutions and sufferings to which Christians were exposed, Ro 5:3-4, had a happy tendency to establish the heart in the hope of the Gospel.

 

3. An interest in God, as our GOD and FATHER-a privilege upon which the Jews valued themselves highly above all nations, Ro 5:11

 

These three are the singular privileges belonging to the Gospel state, wherein true Christians may glory, as really belonging to them.

 

How and through what vehicle are these glories brought to us?

 

Study - Romans 5

 

Point One -  (1-5) The happy effects of justification through faith in the righteousness of Christ.

 

Point Two - (6-14) That we are reconciled by his blood. & The fall of Adam brought all mankind into sin and death.

 

Point Three - (15-21) 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.

 

 

Ice Breaker - What have you "won" in a drawing or raffle or in sports or?

 

 

 

A pastor was speaking to a group of second-graders about the resurrection of Jesus when one student asked, "What did Jesus say right after He came out of the grave?"

 

The pastor explained that the Gospels do not tell us what He said.

 

The hand of one little girl shot up. "I know what He said: He said, 'Tah-dah!'"

 

When a young minister was still single, he preached a sermon he entitled, "Rules for Raising Children." After he got married and had children of his own, he changed the title of the sermon to "Suggestions for Raising Children." When his children got to be teenagers, he stopped preaching on that subject altogether.

 

— Rev. Bernard Brunsting

 

 

 

And Satan trembles when he sees the weakest saint upon his knees. -Cowper
and John Newton
 
God creates out of nothing. Wonderful, you say. Yes, to be sure, but He does what is
still more wonderful: He makes saints out of sinners. -Kierkegaard
 
A man can be as truly a saint in a factory as in a monastery, and there is as much need of him in the one as in the other. -McCracken
 
Saints are persons who make it easier for others to believe in God. -Soderblom

 

 

We are delivered from sin, it is not the dying we do that justifies us (the blood of Christ does that) , but when we die to self we are delivered from the effects of sin.

 

What power was it that raised Christ from the Dead?

 

Study - Romans

 

Point One - 

 

What power is it that gives us newness of life?

 

Point Two - 11-20 - They are made alive to God.  And are freed from the dominion of sin.

 

Paley ~ One very common error misleads the opinion of mankind-that authority is pleasant and submission painful.  In the general course of human affairs the very reverse of this is nearer the truth.  Command is anxiety; obedience is ease.

 

Vrs 12

 

1Jo 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.

 

Vrs 14-17
Satan can control us in that he influences our passions and therefore governs us.

 

While still temptation it is satans sin, when yeilded to we join him in the sin.

 

ACC ~ Let God have your wills; keep them ever on his side; there they are safe, and there they will be active.  Satan cannot force the will, and God will not.  Indeed it would cease to be will were it forced by either: it is essential to its being that it be free.

 

Use the circle of will on the white board.

 

Isa 12:1 Then you will say on that day, "I will give thanks to Thee, O LORD; For although Thou wast angry with me, Thine anger is turned away, And Thou dost comfort me.

 

Vrs 17 that form of, in the original conveys the idea of a mold that we are cast into is the image of righteousness (portrayed as teaching).

 

How does satan influence our passions?

 

What is the believers part in verses 11-20?

 

Point Three - 21-23 The end of sin is death, and of holiness everlasting life.

 

vers 23 - wages, you are bonded to someone to earn wages, it is satan and his wages are death.

 

What are some sins that bind men to satan that result in ultimate physical death. 

 

What are some that bind men to spiritual death.

 

 

The greatest motivation to choose not to sin is the Love of Christ and belief of His promises to us.

 

Man is a slave to the one who's commands he obeys.

 

Satan has advantage to see us sin but righteousness only brings advantage to us.

 

How should we then live in light of such a great salvation.

 

If sin is not working in us, it is dead, if it is working in us, it is alive and distroying, which is its purpose.

 

We have transfered from the service of the devil to the service of God, continuation in a life of sin is distructive.

Ice Breaker - How do you show Jesus to someone you meet?

 

 

 

A stingy old lawyer who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness was determined to prove wrong the saying, "You can't take it with you."
After much thought and consideration, the man finally figured out how to take at least some of his money with him when he died. He instructed his wife to go to the bank and withdraw enough money to fill two pillow cases.

 

He then directed her to take the bags of money to the attic and leave them directly above his bed. His plan: When he passed away, he would reach out and grab the bags on his way to heaven.

 

Several weeks after the funeral, the deceased lawyer's wife, up in the attic cleaning, came upon the two pillow cases stuffed with cash.

 

"Oh, that darned old fool," she exclaimed. "I knew he should have had me put the money in the basement."
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 A physician, an engineer and a lawyer were arguing about whose profession was the oldest. The surgeon announced, "Remember how God removed a rib from Adam to create Eve? Obviously, medicine is the oldest profession."
The engineer replied, "But before that, God created the heavens and the earth from chaos, in less than a week. You have to admit that was a remarkable feat of engineering, and that makes engineering an older profession than medicine."

 

The lawyer smirked, and said, "Who do you think created the chaos?"
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 A doctor told his patient that his test results indicated that she had a rare disease and had only six months to live.
"That's such a short amount of time, doctor. Isn't there anything I can do?" pleaded the patient.

 

"Marry a lawyer," the doctor advised. "It will be the longest six months of your life."
 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Three partners of a firm were attending a convention out of town. As the plane carried them to their destination, one of the partners gulped and told the second partner, "Oh my gosh, I forgot to lock the safe."
The third partner said, "There's nothing to worry about. All three of us are here!"
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 A local newspaper mistakenly printed an obituary for the town's oldest practicing lawyer. The lawyer called them immediately and threatened to sue unless they printed a retraction.
The next day, the following notice appeared: "We regret that the report of Attorney Smith's death was in error."
 
Prayer

 

 

MHCC ~ Believers are delivered from that power of the law, which condemns for the sins committed by them. And they are delivered from that power of the law which stirs up and provokes the sin that dwells in them. Understand this not of the law as a rule, but as a covenant of works. In profession and privilege, we are under a covenant of grace, and not under a covenant of works; under the gospel of Christ, not under the law of Moses.

 

 

Why is the sinfullness in man called our flesh?

 

Study - Romans 7

 

Point One -  (1-6) Believers are united to Christ, that they may bring forth fruit unto God.

 

Who is the husband in vrs 3? (Christ)

 

Who is the first husband?

 

Vrs 4 - Ro 8:2; Ga 2:19; 5:18,22; Eph 2:15; Col 2:14

 

Vrs 5 - Aroused - Romans 8:5-8
Ro 6:13,21; Ga 5:19; Jas 1:15

 

Point Two - (7-13) The use and excellence of the law.

 

Milton - Give me liberty to know, to think, to believe, and to utter freely according to conscience,
above all other liberties.

 

Vrs 9 - MHCC ~ St. Paul was once a Pharisee, ignorant of the spirituality of the law, having some correctness of character, without knowing his inward depravity. When the commandment came to his conscience by the convictions of the Holy Spirit, and he saw what it demanded, he found his sinful mind rise against it.

 

Vrs 10 -  Eze 20:11,13,21

 

From where in your life does conviction come from?

 

Point Three -   (14-25) The spiritual conflicts between corruption and grace in a believer.

 

Pythagoras ~ No man is free who cannot command himself. -

 

Vrs 15 - Ga 5:17

 

Vrs 18 - Ge 6:5

 

Vrs 22 - Col 3:9,10

 

Vrs 25 is a contrast, thanks be to God, although the law could not effect righteousness in my life, God has, through grace, effected a heart that wants his righteousness in my life.

 

Does God still discipline us for the sin in our lives?

 

 

The battle - Draw the paradigm of thought.

 

He has set us free from the body of this flesh, no longer to be in bondage to it.

Ice Breaker - What could you change in your life to gain more liberty?

 

 

Humor
55) honesty is like a kiss on the lips...and baby i never lie (Proverbs 24:26 "He who gives a right answer kisses the lips. ")

 

54) hey baby, you wanna take the church van for a spin.

 

52) has anyone ever told you, your eyes are like doves and your neck like the tower of David?

 

51) excuse me, is this pew taken?

 

49) God broke the mold when He made your sweet face.

 

48) hello, will you be my shulamite?

 

45) hi, my name's will...God's will

 

44) [check the person's shirt tag] "just as i thought... made in heaven."

 

43) hey, need a ride to church?

 

41) God was showing off when he made you.

 

37) no, i'm not coveting, i intend to make you mine

 

35) do you need help carrying your Bible? it looks heavy.

 

34) christians don't shake hands, christians gotta hug

 

32) did it hurt when you fell from heaven?

 

31) what are your plans for tonight? feel like a Bible study?

 

30) the Word says "give drink to those who are thirsty, and feed the hungry", how about dinner?

 

29) you don't have an accountability partner? me neither.

 

28) you want to come over and watch the 10 commandments tonight?

 

27) is it a sin that you stole my heart?

 

26) would you happen to know a christian woman that i could love with all my heart and wait on hand and foot?

 

24) do you believe in divine appointment?

 

23) have you ever tried praying at a drive in movie before?

 

22) excuse me, i believe one of your ribs belongs to me. 

 

19) yeah i predicted david over goliath.

 

17) what do you think paul meant when he said, "Greet one another with a holy kiss."? (1 Cor 16:20b nkjv)

 

15) nice Bible

 

14) before tonight, i never believed in predestination.

 

10) how do you feel about "it is more blessed to give than to receive"?

 

9) i think we should celebrate with a "love offering" tonight

 

8) when i saw you, i knew the true meaning of "rejoice and be glad"

 

7) i didn't know angels flew this low.

 

6) excuse me, but can i drinkith from your cupith?

 

5) i think i feel the Holy Sprit, no, wait, i believe that may be you this time.

 

3) that halo matches perfect with your eyes.

 

 

 

Those are no friends of Christ and his disciples, who make that to be unlawful which God has not made to be so. -Henry

 

TV PSALM

 

The TV is my shepherd, I shall not want,
it makes me lie down on the sofa.
It leads me away from the scriptures,
it destroys my soul!
It leads me in the paths of sex and violence
for the sponsors' sake.
Yea, though I walk in the shadow of my Christian responsibilities,
There will be no interruptions
for the TV is with me.
Its cable and remote control,
they comfort me.
It prepares a commercial before me
in the presence of my carnality;
It anoint my head with humanism,
my coveting runneth over.
Surely laziness and ignorance shall follow me
all the days of my life, and I shall dwell
in the house watching TV to the end.

 

 

Was your conceince sharp before you were a Christian, or Is you conceince becoming sharper as time goes on?

 

Study - Romans 7

 

Point One -  (7) Coveting

 

Milton ~ Give me liberty to know, to think, to believe, and to utter freely according to conscience,
above all other liberties.

 

Vrs 7 - Coveting

 

 Ex 20:17 - Coveting is desire or wanting for what we do not have. One of the more difficult of the commandments to keep.

 

How do we set ourselves free from coveting?

 

Point Two - 8-13 The use and excellence of the law.

 

Vrs 9 - MHCC ~ St. Paul was once a Pharisee, ignorant of the spirituality of the law, having some correctness of character, without knowing his inward depravity. When the commandment came to his conscience by the convictions of the Holy Spirit, and he saw what it demanded, he found his sinful mind rise against it.

 

Vrs 10 -  Eze 20:11,13,21  - The law brought conceinceness to what was sin but no strength to resist it.

 

From where in your life does conviction come from?

 

Point Three - (14-25) The spiritual conflicts between corruption and grace in a believer.

 

Pythagoras ~ No man is free who cannot command himself. -

 

Vrs 15 - Ga 5:17

 

Vrs 18 - Ge 6:5

 

Vrs 20 - Do we have two souls, one of the old nature and one of the new?

 

ACC ~ The flesh is the inward garment of the man; but the SPIRIT is the INWARD man, the garment of which is the body; and St. Paul uses the phrase in precisely the same sense in
   2Co 4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.
 
, and
   Eph 3:16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man;

 

Vrs 22 - Col 3:9,10

 

Vrs 25 - Ga 5:16-18 - a comentary on verse 25 - But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.

 

Vrs 25 - is a contrast, thanks be to God, although the law could not effect righteousness in my life, God has, through grace, effected a heart that wants his righteousness in my life.

 

How does God discipline us for the sin in our lives?

 

 

Durant ~ To give life a meaning one must have a purpose larger than one's self.

 

He has set us free from the body of this flesh, no longer to be in bondage to it.

 

Freedom from Coveting is to set aside desires for what we do not have, it is also the cure for discontentment and grumbling.

Ice Breaker - Describe the perfect breakfast.

 

 

 

"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine" (Proverbs 17:22).

 

Q: Did you hear about the group of dyslexic devil worshippers in the Ozarks?
A: They sold their souls to Santa!

 

After the fall in Garden of Eden, Adam was walking with his sons Cain and Abel. They passed by the ruins of the Garden of Eden. One of the boys asked, "What's that?" Adam replied, "Boys, that's where your mother ate us out of house and home."

 

A young lad was vising a church for the first time, checking all the announcements and posters along the walls. When he came to a group of pictures of men in uniform, he asked a nearby usher, "Who are all those men in the pictures?" The usher replied, "Why, those are our boys who died in the service." Dumbfounded, the youngster asked, "Was that the morning service or evening service?"

 

Q: What do you call a charismatic at an auction?
A: Broke.

 

Q: What do you get if you cross a Jehovah's Witness and a Unitarian?
A: Someone who goes around knocking on doors for no apparent reason.

 

 

 

St. Irenaeus ~ The Word of God, Jesus Christ, on account of his great love for mankind, became what we are in order to make us what he is himself.

 

 

Read vrs 7:8-13

 

Vrs 9 - MHCC ~ St. Paul was once a Pharisee, ignorant of the spirituality of the law, having some correctness of character, without knowing his inward depravity. When the commandment came to his conscience by the convictions of the Holy Spirit, and he saw what it demanded, he found his sinful mind rise against it.

 

Vrs 10 -  Eze 20:11,13,21  - The law brought conceinceness to what was sin but no strength to resist it.

 

What do you do when your sinful mind rises up against holiness?

 

Study - Romans 7

 

Point One -  (14-20) The spiritual conflicts between corruption and grace in a believer.

 

Pythagoras ~ No man is free who cannot command himself. -

 

Vrs 15 - Ga 5:17

 

Vrs 18 - Ge 6:5

 

Vrs 20 - Note that there is still struggle and conviction and guilt over sin.

 

Vrs 20 - Do we have two souls, one of the old nature and one of the new?

 

Point Two - (21-end)

 

ACC ~ The flesh is the inward garment of the man; but the SPIRIT is the INWARD man, the garment of which is the body; and St. Paul uses the phrase in precisely the same sense in
   2Co 4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.
 
, and
   Eph 3:16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man;

 

Vrs 22 - Col 3:9,10

 

Vrs 25 - Ga 5:16-18 - a comentary on verse 25 - But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.

 

Vrs 25 - is a contrast, thanks be to God, although the law could not effect righteousness in my life, God has, through grace, effected a heart that wants his righteousness in my life.

 

The discussion contrasts a life unable to conquer sin under the age of the Law to a new inner man under the control of Grace impowered by the Holy Spirit.

 

and

 

The battle that rages between the inner and outter man for control.

 

It is the Holy Spirit in us that gives us the power to win the battle if we will put Him on the throne of our lives.

 

From a practicle prospective, how do we put God on the throne of our lives?

 

What form does the power of God take, what is manifested when we turn over control of our lives?

 

Point Three - (8:1-9) The freedom of believers from condemnation.

 

Vrs 1, therefore - In light of the fact that the inner man is victorious over the outter wrapping of the flesh, there is no condemnation!

 

 

Chapter 7 helps us to see the inability of the law to conquer sin in that it had no power, it was only a mirror reflecting or a light revealing darkness.

 

It also shows us the Glory of the Gospel, we have Christ in us, the hope of glory (col 1:27) that convicts and gives the power to conquer sin.

 

Understanding the inability of laws and rules to change our lives is an important step in the growth process.

 

It is not the knowledge of sin that gives us power to overcome, it is the regeneration and renewing of our inner man through the work of the Holy Spirt that brings the power to overcome.

 

Overcoming sin in our lives is still a matter of choices as we will see in Chapter 8.

Ice Breaker - Where does condemnation come from in your life?

 

 

Condemned Men
Two men who were sentenced to die in the electric chair on the same day were led to the room where they would meet their maker.

 

The priest gave the last rites, the Warden made a formal speech and a final prayer had been said.

 

The Warden then turned to the first man and solemnly asked, "Do you have a last request, son?"

 

"Yes sir, I do," he replied. "I've always loved dance music. Would you please play The Macarena for me one last time?"

 

"Definitely," replied the Warden. He then turned to the second man and asked, "What about you, son? What is your final request?"

 

"Please, kill me first!" he replied.

 

A professor--also an atheist--was teaching a college class and he told the class that he was going to prove that there is no a God.
He said, "God if you are real, then I want you to knock me off this platform. I'll give you 15 minutes!"
Ten minutes went by. He kept taunting God, saying, "Here I am God, I'm still waiting"
He got down to the last couple of minutes and a BIG 240 pound football player happened to walk by the door and heard about what the professor said.
The football player walked in the classroom and in the last minute, he walked up, hit the professor full force, and sent him flying off the platform.
The professor got up, obviously shaken and said, "Where did you come from, and why did you do that?"
The football player replied, "God was busy. He sent me."

 

 

Illustration
                      
The sun was beating down inside the walls of stone and razor wire

 

As we made our way across the prision yard

 

I felt my heart begin to race as we drew nearer to the place

 

Where they say that death is waiting in the dark

 

The slamming doors of iron echoed through the halls

 

Where despair holds life within its creul claws
  
But then I met a man whse face seemed so strangely out of place

 

A blinding light of hope was shining in his eyes

 

And with repentance in his voice he told me of his tragic choice

 

That led him to this place where he must pay the price
 
But then his voice grew strong as he began to tell

 

About the one he said had rescued him from Hell, He said

 

CHORUS

 

I'm free, yeah, oh I have been forgiven

 

Gods love has taken off my chains and given me these wings
    
And I'm free, yeah, and the freedom I've been given

 

Is something that not even death can take away fom me

 

Because    I'm free

 

Jesus set me free

 

*Chorus*

 

If the Son has set you free, oh if the Son has set you free

 

Oh, you are free indeed, oh you are really free

 

Oh, If the Son has set you free, oh, if the Son has set you free,

 

You are free, really, really free

 

Interactive  Romans 8:1-25

 

The Spirit of God first imparts love; he next inspires hope and then gives liberty; and that is about the last thing we have in many of our churches. -Moody

 

What does the Holy Spirit do for us in our text?

 

Study - Romans 8

 

Point One -  The freedom of believers from condemnation. (1-9)

 

Vrs 1 - Ga 5:16,25

 

Vrs 2 - Ga 5:1;  Contrast Verse 1Co 15:45

 

Vrs 3 - Just as was foreshadowed by Moses who brought the people to the promised land but did not lead them in but instead died, Joshua did complete in that he lead the people in.  Joshua had the priveledge not because of what he did but because he believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness, just like Abraham.

 

Vrs 5 - Joh 3:6; 1Co 2:14

 

Vrs 6 - Ga 6:8

 

Vrs 9 - Co 3:16; 6:19

 

How do you set your mind on something?

 

Point Two - Their privileges as being the children of God. (10-17)

 

Vrs - 14 Ga 5:18

 

Vrs 15 - 2Ti 1:7; 1Jo 4:18

 

How can we tell when it is the Spirit of God in us producing something rather than our flesh?

 

Point Three -Their hopeful prospects under tribulations. (18-25)
 
Longfellow ~ Glorious indeed is the world of God around us, but more glorious the world of God within us.  There lies the land of song; there lies the poet's native land.

 

Vrs 19 - Pe 3:13; 1Jo 3:2

 

Vrs 21 - The creation will also be renewed.

 

Vrs 23 - Co 5:2,4,5  For indeed in this [house] we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven;

 

3 inasmuch as we, having put it on, shall not be found naked.

 

4 For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed, but to be clothed, in order that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.

 

5 Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge.

 

How does the creation show it is groaning?

 

 

It is the Holy Spirit in us through whom we have been sealed that produces spiritual life, not spirit led life but spiritual life, life that does because it is not life that does because it knows.

 

Only God can make a dead man alive, he does not do it with ideas, he does it through action, bold and courageous action.

 

God used power to raise Jesus from the dead and he will use great power to raise us at the last trump through the same spirit that dwells in us.

Ice Breaker - How do you make up when you have been wrong?

 

 

 

Joke #1:
Little Johnny has been invited to a fancy Dress Christmas party, and he tells his mum he wan'ts to go as a reindeer:
Mum : Which reindeer?
Johnny : Olive!
Mum : Olive? There's no reindeer called Olive!
Johnny : Yes there is! It's in the song, "Olive, the other reindeer..."

 

Joke #2:
knock knock!
who's there?
Olive!
Olive who?
This is so sudden! Olive who too!

 

Joke #3:
there's these two olives in a tree, right?
or a bush, or whatever olives grow on,
and one of them falls off and lands on the ground...
*PLOP* !
So the other one shouts out: "Are you all right?"
And the reply comes:
"Olive!"

 

New California State Motto:
By 30, Our Women Have More Plastic Than Your Honda

 

 

 

Megiddo Message ~ We are the personification of the things we really believe in.

 

He does not believe that does not live according to his belief. -Fuller

 

 

What is Israels plight according to the text?

 

Study -

 

Point One -  * The rejection of the Jews is not universal. (1-10)

 

This section shows Paul a prophet for this the Jews had not been dispursed yet , it happened in 70AD

 

vrs 2 -  he could not have rejected them entirely because of the promise to the fathers. Rom 8:29

 

Vrs 3-4 - Ro 11:1Ki 19:10,14, 18

 

Vrs 6 - De 9:4,5

 

Vrs 8-10 - There sacrifices and traditions are a snare to them.

 

What traditions might be a snare unto us today?

 

Point Two - God overruled their unbelief for making the Gentiles partakers of gospel privileges. (11-21)

 

Vrs 11 - Ac 13:46, 22:21

 

Vrs 15 - Massive revival will come with the turning of Israel to Jesus

 

Olive tree significance

 

Christusrex.com ~ Olive fruits provided the rich and poor alike with oil for cooking, lighting, cosmetics, and medicine; while olives pickled in brine were an important food throughout the year. Also its hard, figured timber was used for special furniture, panelling and statues (1 Kings 6:23,33), and its oil anointed prophets and kings (Judges 9:8-9). It was, with grain and wine,the third great product of the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 7:13).

 

The anointing of people and objects with olive oil has a long history and a sacred significance. We first meet the practice in the Bible when Jacob, after he had seen the vision of a ladder from earth to heaven, poured oil (Heb. shemen) upon the rock that had been his pillow (Genesis 28:18). Later in the same place God spoke to him and Jacob again poured oil on a stone pillar (Genesis 35:14). By this symbolic act he set aside that place, which he called Bethel, as holy. Anointing was presumably a well-established practice even at that early date.

 

Later, we see Moses being commanded by God to prepare holy anointing oil with a fixed composition (see chapter 14) for the anointing of the tent of meeting, the Tabernacle, and all its contents. The furniture and utensils were thereby consecrated `that they may be most holy; whatever touches them will become holy' (Exodus 30:29), and Aaron and his sons were also anointed `that they may serve me as priests' (Exodus 30:30). In Leviticus (8:10-11) we find Moses putting this into practice, with the altar itself being anointed seven times. Furthermore, Moses had to warn the people of Israel of its holiness:

 

~ Olive trees are the source of the fruit who when pressed produces oil used for spiritual consecration

 

What is going on with the Church today that might mean God's cutting off of the Church like he did Israel?

 

Point Three - The Gentiles cautioned against pride and unbelief, The Jews shall be called as a nation, and brought into God's visible covenant again. (22-32) A solemn adoring of the wisdom, goodness, and justice of God. (33-36)

 

Man prefers to believe what he prefers to be true. -Bacon

 

Vrs 22 - Co 15:2; Heb 3:6,14; Joh 15:2

 

Vrs 25 - Review the timeline of Israel returning to God

 

Vrs 26 - Saved or returned to promised land - Speaking as a nation of people just as context dictates in this entire section.

 

vrs 32 - All are condemed to death but God through grace has shown mercy and saved many.

 

For what purpose did God graft in the gentiles?

 

 

While we are yet sinners, Christ died for our sins

 

Romans 5:8 - But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

 

God's favor on a people is conditional, if we will remain in him as a people we will prosper, if not, we will not, as a people.

 

Do not confuse the turning of God from a people with turning of God from one who is saved, this is a chapter of Nations and peoples not individuals.

 

The principles are not piculiar to nations and peoples however, God will not bless one in sin, his annointing will not be on the unrepentent sinner.  Spirit does not flow from unhealthy olives.

Ice Breaker - What thing do you want to see in heaven.

 

 

 

Punishment for Gates
Satan greets him: "Welcome Mr. Gates, we've been waiting for you. This will be your home for all eternity. You've been selfish, greedy and a big liar all your life. Now, since you've got me in a good mood, I'll be generous and give you a choice of three places in which you'll be locked up forever.

 

Satan takes Bill to a huge lake of fire in which millions of poor souls are tormented and tortured. He then takes him to a massive coliseum where thousands of people are chased about and devoured by starving lions. Finally, he takes Bill to a tiny room in which there is a bottle of the finest wine sitting on a table. To Bill's delight, he sees a PC in the corner. Without hesitation, Bill says "I'll take this option."

 

"Fine," says Satan, allowing Bill to enter the room. Satan locks the room after Bill.

 

As he turns around, he bumps into Lucifer. "That was Bill Gates!" cried Lucifer. "Why did you give him the best place of all!"

 

"That's what everyone thinks" snickered Satan.

 

"The bottle has a hole in it!"

 

"What about the PC?"

 

"It's got Windows 95!" laughed Satan.

 

"And it's missing three keys,"

 

"Which three?"

 

"Control, Alt and Delete."

 

 

Illustration
               
St. Francis of de Sales  ~ He prays well who is so absorbed with God that he does not know he is praying. -     

 

Interactive  Romans 8:18-39

 

How does the creation show it is groaning?

 

Study - Romans 8:18-39

 

Point One -  Their hopeful prospects under tribulations. (18-25)
 
Longfellow ~ Glorious indeed is the world of God around us, but more glorious the world of God within us.  There lies the land of song; there lies the poet's native land.

 

Vrs 19 - Pe 3:13; 1Jo 3:2

 

Vrs 21 - The creation will also be renewed.

 

Vrs 23 - Co 5:2,4,5  For indeed in this [house] we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven;

 

3 inasmuch as we, having put it on, shall not be found naked.

 

4 For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed, but to be clothed, in order that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life.

 

5 Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge.

 

How do we groan within ourselves?

 

Point Two - Their assistance from the Spirit in prayer. (26,27) Their interest in the love of God. (28-31) 

 

Anonymous ~ If Christians spent as much time praying as they do grumbling, they would soon have nothing to grumble about. -

 

Bunyan ~ When thou prayest, rather let thy heart be without words than thy words without heart.

 

Vrs 26 Mt 20:22; Jas 4:3

 

Vrs 27 Jer 17:10;

 

Vrs 28 2Ti 1:9

 

Vrs 29 Ex 33:12;  Ro 11:2;  Php 3:21; 1Jo 3:2

 

Vrs 30  Heb 9:15; 1Pe 2:9; Joh 17:22

 

What kinds of things do we not know how to pray for that the Spirit within us searches our hearts and makes intercession for?

 

Point Three - Their final triumph, through Christ. (32-39)

 

Alfieri ~ Often the test of courage is not to die but to live.

 

Vrs 33 - Re 12:10 - What is the fate of the one behind the charges?

 

Vrs 34 -  Col 3:1

 

Vrs 38-39 - Ro 6:12

 

What are some discriptive words that should discribe us and our actions in light of 32-39?

 

 

This world is not our home we are just passing through, our home is in heaven.

 

We who received are the true Isreal, not just those who were born once, we were born twice, once as unbelievers and the second time as receivers, we join those who were predestined as the nation of Isreal by being born again as true Isrealites.

 

Our part as believers is to live courageously and with intent to live the life God has assured us we now have, to do otherwise is to trample under foot the Son of God and to count as unclean the blood that cleanses us.

 

 

Ice Breaker - What labor of love is easy for you that others might find difficult?

 

 

 

Twas The Night Before Christmas

 

Twas the night before Christmas,

 

When all through the abode
Only one creature was stirring,
And she was cleaning the commode.

 

The children were finally sleeping,
All snug in their beds,
While visions of Nintendo 64 and Barbie,
Flipped through their heads.

 

The dad was snoring
In front of the TV,
With a half-constructed bicycle
Propped on his knee.

 

So only the mom heard
The reindeer hooves clatter,
Which made her sigh,
"Now what is the matter?"

 

With toilet bowl brush still
Clutched in her hand,
She descended the stairs,
And saw the old man.

 

He was covered with ashes
And soot, which fell with a shrug,
"Oh great" muttered the mom,
"Now I have to clean the rug."

 

"Ho Ho Ho!" cried Santa,
"I'm glad you're awake.
Your gift was especially
Difficult to make."

 

"Thanks, Santa,
But all I want is time alone"
"Exactly!" he chuckled,
"So I've made you a clone."

 

"A clone?" she muttered,
"What good is that?
Run along, Santa,
I've no time for chit chat."

 

Then out walked the clone.
The mother's twin,
Same hair, same eyes,
Same double chin.

 

"She'll cook, she'll dust,
She'll mop every mess.
You'll relax, take it easy,
Watch The Young And The Restless."

 

"Fantastic!" the mom cheered.
"My dream has come true!"
I'll shop, I'll read,
I'll sleep a night through!"

 

From the room above,
The youngest did fret.
"Mommy! Come quickly,
I'm scared and I'm wet."

 

The clone replied,
"I'm coming, sweetheart."
"Hey," the mom smiled,
"She sure knows her part."

 

The clone changed the small one
And hummed her tune,
As she bundled the child
In a blanket cocoon.

 

"You're the best mommy ever.
I really love you."
The clone smiled and sighed,
"And I love you, too."

 

The mom frowned and said,
"Sorry, Santa, no deal.
That's my child's LOVE
She is trying to steal."

 

Smiling wisely Santa said,
"To me it is clear,
Only one loving mother
Is needed here."

 

The mom kissed her child
And tucked her in bed.
"Thank You, Santa,
For clearing my head.

 

I sometimes forget,
It won't be very long,
When they'll be too old
For my cradle and song."

 

The clock on the mantle
Began to chime.
Santa whispered to the clone,
"It works every time."

 

With the clone by his side
Santa said "Goodnight.
Merry Christmas, dear Mom,
You will be all right."

 

 

 

 

 

It is not the possession of extraordinary gifts that makes extraordinary usefulness, but the dedication of what we have to the service of God. -Robertson

 

 

What does it mean to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice?

 

Study - Romans 12

 

Ponder this during our study.  What do you see yourself doing in the next 5 years that excites your heart?

 

Point One -  Believers are to dedicate themselves to God. (1,2) To be humble, and faithfully to use their spiritual gifts, in their respective stations. (3-8) 

 

End of doctrinal section with loving, passionate and forceful declaration urging us to offer ourselves up our lives as slaves to God

 

The church is a workshop, not a dormitory; and every Christian man and woman is bound to help in the common cause. -MacLaren

 

Paul here gives us a list of Spiritual Gifts which are impowered in us through the Holly Spirit by which we can minister as bond servents.

 

Gifts of the Spirit one of the most often taught and most often mis-taught.

 

This list cannot be properly understood without noting the context of Spirtual gifts differing from Ministries and Effects.

 

Diagram three areas

 

This list of Gifts is not a list that we all have one of, here are vrs showing mixture - 1Ti 4:13;  1Th 2:3;  1Co 14:3;  Ac 20:2;  Ac 15:32

 

Prophetic Gift - Acts 15:32; 1Co 12:13:2; 14:3 -

 

In the New Testament, often means the gift of exhorting, preaching, or of expounding the Scriptures

 

Serving - Acts 6:1-6; Ro 12:10

 

No one is useless in this world that lightens the burden of it for any one else. -Dickens

 

It is used in religion to denote the service which is rendered to Christ as the Master. It is applied to all classes of ministers in the New Testament, as denoting their being the servants of Christ;

 

Use Thresea as example of one with gift of service, but ministry of Hospitality, and serving communion etc.

 

Teachers - Ga 6:6; 1Ti 5:17

 

Exhorting - Ro 10:12

 

There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up. -Holmer

 

Peoples New Test Com -  Or he that exhorteth. He whose peculiar strength was to encourage feeble saints, and to stir up Christians to duty.

 

Giving - Mt 6:1-3;   Ac 2:44-46; Co 8:2; 9:7

 

Only the hands that give away the flowers of their plucking retain the fragrance thereof. -Chinese Proverb

 

Leading - Ac 20:28;  1Ti 3:4; Heb 13:7; 1Pe 5:2

 

Peoples New Test Com - He that ruleth. One who is an elder should attend to his duty with diligence, an exhortation that a great many elders have overlooked. Every leader should be diligent.

 

Mercy - Ro 12:15

 

Those that are occupied with the care of the poor must do it with cheerfulness, lest they add sorrow upon sorrow.

 

Give examples of how the Spirit has given you several spiritual gifts to effect your ministry.

 

Point Two - Exhortations to various duties. (9-16)

 

Eliot ~ He was like a cock that thought the sun had risen to hear him crow.

 

These exhortations relate to the list of spiritual gifts referenced above.

 

Loosly follow the same order as given in list of gifts.

 

What do you see yourself doing in the next 5 years that excites your heart?

 

If you have a hard time framing that in your mind lets set a time to help you begin the process of making it happen.

 

To know ones self is almost impossible, it takes outside non-biased help to see you as you really are.

 

I need people to test to help in this area to help with research I am doing for my upcoming seminar series on Raising High Octane Kids.

 

What does vrs 16 mean?

 

Point Three - And to peaceable conduct towards all men, with forbearance and benevolence. (17-21)

 

Pr 25:21,22

 

 So artists melt the sullen ore of lead,
       By heaping coals of fire upon its head:
       In the kind warmth the metal learns to glow,
       And pure from dross the silver runs below.
                                    S. WESLEY.

 

Illustration of neighbor

 

Ask for a testamony about heaping coals.

 

 

What our passion excites our hearts to do is most likely the ministry God has made for us.

 

Understanding what we love, our passion, talents, personality and leadership style will help us to supercharge our lives with ministry that will bring fulfillment and excitement to our lives.

 

Obsticals will no doubt come, if we will heap burning coals on the heads of those who bring them we will more likely make them allies than enemies.

Ice Breaker - Where do get the most positive prompting from God

 

 

 

 

 

Where do you see the Holy spirit working, where you see Him working is a good place to look for ministry opportunities.

 

Where do you see God working in our Church, in your cell groups, in parachurch ministries?

 

Study - Romans 12

 

Point One - 

 

Diagram three areas again.

 

Exhorting -

 

There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up. -Holmer

 

Maybe it is easier to show whay exhorting is not!

 

Mary was having a tough day and had stretched herself out on the couch to do a bit of what she thought to be well-deserved complaining and self-pitying.

 

She moaned to her mom and brother, "Nobody loves me. The whole world hates me!"

 

Her brother, busily occupied playing a game, hardly looked up at her and passed on this encouraging word: "That's not true, Mary. Lots of people don't even know you."

 

Peoples New Test Com -  Or he that exhorteth. He whose peculiar strength was to encourage feeble saints, and to stir up Christians to duty.

 

 Isa 41:10;  Isa 50:4; Ro 10:12;  Ac 14:22;  Ac 27:22;  Heb 3:13

 

Giving -

 

Posthumous charities are the very essence of selfishness, when bequeathed by those who, when alive, would part with nothing.—COLTON.

 

Only the hands that give away the flowers of their plucking retain the fragrance thereof. -Chinese Proverb

 

The only gift is a portion of thyself. *** Therefore the poet brings his poem; the shepherd, his lamb; the farmer, corn; the miner, a gem; the sailor; coral and shells; the painter, his picture; the girl, a handkerchief of her own sewing.—EMERSON.

 

Mt 6:1-3;   Ac 2:44-46; Co 8:2; 9:7;  Pr 11:24-25;   Pr 22:9;  Mr 14:5

 

Leading - 

 

Peoples New Test Com - He that ruleth. One who is an elder should attend to his duty with diligence, an exhortation that a great many elders have overlooked. Every leader should be diligent.

 

Ac 20:28;  1Ti 3:4; Heb 13:7; 1Pe 5:2

 

Mercy - 

 

There is no better rule to try a doctrine by than the question, Is it merciful, or is it unmerciful? If its character is that of mercy, it has the image of Jesus, who is the way, the truth, and the life. —HOSEA BALLOU.

 

We hand folks over to God's mercy, and show none ourselves. -Eliot

 

Those that are occupied with the care of the poor must do it with cheerfulness, lest they add sorrow upon sorrow.

 

Give examples of how the Spirit has given you several spiritual gifts to effect your ministry.

 

Mt 5:7; Matthew 18:33; Ro 12