Book of Romans

The Absence of Righteousness

/ Bobby Mayfield / 33 Comments

The Absence Of Righteousness

"Condemnation"

Our text:

Romans Chapter 9:1-33

Eternal life is the free gift of God. We do not work to earn it and do not have to work to keep it.

We are saved by grace, we live by grace, and we are secured by the "grace" of God!

You can search the entire Bible and you will not ever find a place where God has failed.

God never fails in what he does!

God always delivers what he promises!

So, It is not up to us to keep ourselves saved; it is up to God!  We are in His Mighty hands.

We are then filled with the spirit of Jesus. This is the same Holy Spirit that is always there to make intercession for us and The Holy Spirit is always with us to "convict" us when we fail.

Every day that we begin, God is working out his plan in our lives so that all things work together for our good.

Rom 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, [to them who are the called according to his purpose].

This is the valuable lesson that we learned from last week in Romans chapter 8.

What we will see this week is that Paul will take some time to teach the church to understand God’s relationship with Israel.

What we should notice is that Paul has not done this until he has taught the truth of eternal salvation to the Church, The Body of Christ. (Romans Chapter 1-8)

We should also believe that none of these words are just for Israel but they are also for the church to learn. Paul was writing this Epistle to saved people.

Paul wrote this letter to believers but we need to understand as the Church, the Body of Christ, that God is not through with Israel.

Not as a nation, nor as a people!

We see many things about Paul but some of these things are:

1.) Paul was considered a traitor to this Jewish nation.

2.) Paul spent most all his time witnessing to Gentiles.

3.) Paul taught "all" God’s creation, of the freedom from the law Moses. (God only has one message of salvation, this is not the message taught in Judaism which is a message of works )

4.) Paul caused trouble in every synagogue he preached with this message.

5.) But, Paul never stop loving his nation and his people.

Reaching out to his nation was a personal thing to Paul.

We should make reaching out not only to Israel but to all that are lost a personal thing to us that are saved.

We should learn that each one of us has an obligation to reach out to our own nation beginning with our own family and then all that God allows to cross our path.

Paul taught us in chapter 8 that all believers were secure in Christ Jesus. The question that always arises about the Jews is, "how will they be secured"?

We know that the nation of Israel were a chosen people in the work of the Lord.

We know that to some it may appear that God has abandoned this people.

We know that to some it may appear that God has failed to keep his promises to Israel.

If these things are true and God is not faithful to the Jew how can we know for sure that God will be faithful church?

Israel is the only nation in the world that has a complete history.

1.) The Bible tells us about their past, when they first became a nation.

2.) We live with them in the present, when they are again recognized as a nation, since May 14, 1948.

3.) The Bible tells us about the future of this nation during the Millennial Kingdom.

4.) This cannot be said of any other nation on this earth!

We will see in this chapter, God’s righteousness, God’s justice, and God’s grace applied to Israel.

*****Our Text:

Rom 9:1  I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,
Rom 9:2  That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.
Rom 9:3  For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:
Rom 9:4  Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;
Rom 9:5  Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

It has only been a few weeks where we read how Moses loved this nation of Israel.

Exo 32:32  Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin–; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.
Exo 32:33  And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.

Moses was willing to take all the blame of Israel on himself just so this nation could survive.

But! God will not allow us to die for the sin of another. We can answer only for ourselves in salvation.

What we see here is that Paul also had the same love for his nation as he had for the church.

It amazes me that in America it seems Americans do not love our nation as we should. Sometimes it seems that not many missionaries to stay want at home in America. We sometimes get so caught up in our day by day lives and forget this nation of freedom in which we live.

We still live in the greatest nation in this world!

And, we know that God deals with the sinners on an individual basis.

The Apostle Paul list eight ways that God dealt with Israel as a nation.

*****1.) This nation was adopted by God.

Exo 4:22  And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn:

This nation was chosen as God’s own possession.

Deu 7:6  For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.

This nation has seen more of God’s wrath than any other nation.

Amo 3:2  You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.

This is still God’s chosen nation. This is absolutely and eternally true!

The Church is God’s chosen people, BUT Israel is still God’s chosen Nation!

These facts have not changed!!!!!!!

Isa 66:22  For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.

If we do not stand with the nation of Israel there will be no blessings from God. It seems more and more that our own leaders are trying to abandon Israel and this is a serious mistake.

*****2.) We know that Israelites were the first to see the glory of God.

It was Israel that was told to build a sanctuary for God.

Exo 25:8  And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.

God has not asked any other nation to do this!

*****3.) We know that it was Israel that received God’s covenants.

With Abraham:

Gen 15:18  In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram

Gen 22:18  And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

Gal 3:16  Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

With David:

2Sa 7:13  He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.

Gabriel told the Virgin Mary:

Luk 1:32  He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
Luk 1:33  And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

And there will be a new covenant:

Heb 8:8  For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:

There is still some prophecy that has not yet been fulfilled:

Eze 36:24  For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.
Eze 36:25  Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
Eze 36:26  A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
Eze 36:27  And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

*****4.) It is Israel that God gave the law, the moral laws we live by now:

Rom 3:1  What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?
Rom 3:2  Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.

*****5.)  It was Israel that was taught how to serve Jehovah God:

They were taught the religious ordinances for Tabernacle worship and Temple worship.

These things were for Israel and not for the church.

These things may even resume during the age of the millennial kingdom.

BUT, Paul denounced these things for church worship:

They have no part in the church, the Body of Christ!

Gal 4:9  But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, [how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?]
Gal 4:10  Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.
Gal 4:11  I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.

*****6.) Israel was given certain promises that will still be fulfilled:

God’s salvation promises were given to Abraham.

God’s kingdom promises were given to David.

The Gospel given to the church is not a promise but it is a "Fact" to be believed!

The Gospel is not preached to the nations "but to each individual"!

We do not have to become Israelites in any sense to enjoy God’s salvation in Jesus Christ!

BUT, All Israelites do have to be saved to become part of the "Body of Christ"!

*****7.) Who are those fathers of Israel?

Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Judah who was the tribe of the Royal promise, King Jesus.

Heb 7:14  For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.

We also have  Moses, Samuel, and King David that we must include with the prophets of God.

We also know that Abraham is the father of all "believers" in any age!

*****8.) We know that Jesus Christ our Lord was also a Jew from this nation of Israel, and from the tribe of Judah.

Rom 1:3  Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
Rom 1:4  And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

Joh 1:14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Heb 2:16  For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.
Heb 2:17  Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

What we will see in the teaching of Paul is:

a.) God will not be unfaithful in His promises to Israel.

b.) That God’s Own Word had foretold of their rejection and their salvation of Israel but also foretold of the salvation of the Gentile.

c.) That there would be a future blessing to Israel because of God’s mercy.

*****Our Text:

Rom 9:6  Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:
Rom 9:7  Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.
Rom 9:8  That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

Rom 9:27  Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:
Rom 9:28  For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.
Rom 9:29  And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha.

There should be little doubt that there is a difference between the natural seed of Abraham and the spiritual children of Abraham.

(Rom 2:28)  For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:

(Rom 2:29)  But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

Abraham actually had two sons, Ishmael by Hagar, and Isaac by Sarah. Since Ishmael was the firstborn he should have been the chosen son but God chose Isaac.

Later Isaac and Rebekah his wife, had two sons Esau and Jacob. Esau was the firstborn and should have been the chosen son but again God chose Jacob. Esau and Jacob had the same mother but Ishmael and Isaac had two different mothers.

What we should see is that God does not base his decisions on physical things!

God will have His way and His purpose in whosoever He chooses whether they be good or whether they be evil!

God had chosen Jacob before the babies were even born. These two boys had not had a chance to do neither good nor evil so God’s choice is  not based on character or conduct.

BUT, These descendents of Abraham failed.

They had had a privileged relationship with God above all other nations.

AND, We know that the Lord Jesus Christ had to confront them on this matter.

Joh 8:39  They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham.

It was the faith of Abraham that made him righteous in the eyes of God.

All the children of Abraham would have to have that same faith in Jesus.

Jesus knew that this was not true when he was on this Earth.

Joh 8:42  Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.
Joh 8:43  Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.
Joh 8:44  Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

There is no such thing as religious privilege in the eyes of God.!

God’s Messiah was prophesied to come through Isaac.

The Lord Jesus Christ born of the Virgin Mary, came from the promised seed.  

The "born again" child of God then are the true children of promise and are accounted the seed because of Jesus and the work He did on the cross.

BUT, We must never think that God is unrighteous in the way He does things.

God is holy and must punish sin; but God is loving and desires that all sinners be saved.

God’s ultimate purpose is to form his church from both Jews and Gentiles!

But God had prophesied to Israel in the days of Hosea that He would turn from the Jew to the Gentile:

Hos 2:23  And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God.

This new people would be the children of the living God:

Hos 1:10  Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people, there it shall be said unto them, Ye are the sons of the living God.

Then God said that there will be only a remnant of Israel saved:

Isa 10:21  The remnant shall return, even the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty God.
Isa 10:22  For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet a remnant of them shall return: the consumption decreed shall overflow with righteousness.
Isa 10:23  For the Lord GOD of hosts shall make a consumption, even determined, in the midst of all the land.

It is possible that most of the studies concerning Israel will not happen until the tribulation period and with it’s ending.

In our time we know that there’s only a very few Jews that believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

We should never think that God is unjust because some are saved and others are lost. Each individual must make that decision themselves!

Hell was created for Satan and his fallen angels. It was not intended for a place for humans.

But we should also remember if these human that have rejected Our Lord got into Heaven they would be burnt to non-existance.

Our God would only be unjust if He did not keep ALL His promises!

In the days of Moses, God rejected the Gentile nations and chose the nation of Israel so that through the Jew he might save the Gentiles.

This nation of Israel rejected God’s will but they could not defeat God’s purpose!

Israel might object to the fact of the remnant but Paul insists that if God had not intervened with his grace Israel would be like Sodom and Gomorrah.

What we do know is that when this time the church has passed God will continue with his work with Israel.

*****Our Text:

Rom 9:30  What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.
Rom 9:31  But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.
Rom 9:32  Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;
Rom 9:33  As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

The Jews were seeking God’s righteousness but they thought it came by the laws of Moses.

The Gentiles were not seeking God’s righteousness yet they obtained it through "faith" in the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Israel was trying to be saved by "works" and not by "faith".

They rejected God’s "grace", and tried to please God through the "laws of Moses".

The Jews in their self-righteousness believed that the Gentiles had to come up to Israel’s level to be Saved.
In Actuality, Israel would have to come down to the level of the heathen Gentile the saved. (Romans 3;23)

They still struggle with this and it has become a major stumbling block to them.

There are many in this world that struggle with the fact that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

Isa 28:16  Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

Psa 118:21  I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation.
Psa 118:22  The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.

There is only One foundation that God chose for all the world, and it is the Lord Jesus Christ!

It is a shame that the the world still struggles at this stumble stone instead of planting their feet on the solid ground.

FOR, God does not save people on the basis of birth or behavior!

People are only saved by the grace of God through faith!

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

This will never change!

God offers his salvation to whosoever will but we must trust Him and receive "by faith" His righteousness which is our guarantee to His Heaven!

Nowhere does God ask us to choose between these two truths!

The word of God and the promises of God work together for our salvation!

Our God is faithful even when we are not!

He will accomplish His purpose!

He will keep all His promises!

Let’s pray!

Security In Christ Jesus

/ Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

The Security Of Righteousness

"Safe In Christ Jesus"

Our Text: 8:26-39

Though many disagree and take advantage of it, the Bible does teach of the security of the believer. It is true that once saved we are eternally saved and will never lose our salvation and have to be saved again.

If we believe any part of the Bible, then we must believe this truth also.

Those that believe on Jesus Christ have the guarantee of the Holy Spirit’s intercession in prayer, and the assurance of God’s purpose during trials and the love of Christ without end.

Joh 10:27  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
Joh 10:28  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
Joh 10:29  My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.
Joh 10:30  I and my Father are one.

Though we want to disagree we are His sheep. Sheep may be the dumbest animal on this earth.

God can and will change our attitudes but only when we accept his truth and believe his word.

*****Our Text:

Rom 8:26  Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Rom 8:27  And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

God has a real concern about the things we go through every day. We can see the proof that this is true just by looking at Jesus.
 
Joh 11:33  When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, [he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled],

Joh 11:35  [Jesus wept].

Joh 11:38  [Jesus therefore again groaning in himself] cometh to the grave. 

These are signs of concern that Jesus, the Messiah expressed. He was all man but He was also ALL GOD.

We as Christians have the Holy Spirit abiding with us and he also groans and and feels the burdens of our weaknesses and our suffering.

But the Holy Spirit does much more than groan, He prays for us so we might be led by the will of God.

We do not always know God’s will but the Holy Spirit always does.

We do not always know how to pray but the Holy Spirit intercedes for us to meet our needs.

The Holy Spirit that abides within us shares our day by day burdens.

We should see that our prayer life is our most important weapon in this world.

Rom 8:28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Rom 8:29  For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Rom 8:30  Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
Rom 8:31  What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Rom 8:32  He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

We should take comfort knowing God has a perfect plan.

We should take comfort knowing that God has a purpose for each and every thing he does and for each and every one of us.

There are only two parts of His purpose.

1.) His plan for our good. God does not have a plan for anything bad for us.

2.) His plan for His glory. God does not have a plan share his glory with any that do not believe.

It is God’s will to make us like Christ and others can see we are Christians. This is the first part of being a witness for God.

The most important thing we need to know about God’s plan is that it will succeed!

Eph 1:4  According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Eph 1:5  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

This is not having the Calvinistic view but it is the truth of the Gospel.

God has predetermined that one day we would be like his son Jesus. And this only applies to the believer.

We will never find in the Bible where God predestined people to be eternally condemned. God gives every person the free will to choose where they will spend eternity.

Joh 3:18  He that believeth on him is not condemned: [but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God].

To some this is harsh but it is the truth of the Gospel.

God will at some point in everyone’s life call them, if they respond to his call He will justify them.

2Th 2:13  But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
2Th 2:14  Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

This is how we obtain the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ and this is how God will get his glory. What this means is that once we have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, then at that point we have been glorified in Christ.

Joh 17:22  And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
Joh 17:23  I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

Only under these conditions can we obtain that future glorified body like that of Jesus. We saw this in last week’s lesson.

Rom 8:23  And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

We as Christians should never be discouraged knowing we already share in the glory of God.

We have no obligation to any old law because we are filled with God’s Holy Spirit. We already know that those old laws only condemned.

It is the Holy Spirit that enables us to overcome the desires of our flesh and live for God.

There should be no frustration because we already share the glory of God which is the blessed hope of Christ return.

There can be no separation because we are already in the loving hands of God.

We have no need to fear are past, the days we live in now, nor the future we know that is coming.

We know that the number five is the number of grace. What are the five things that Paul said we can believe.

1.) God the Father is on our side.

2.) God the Son is on our side.

3.) God the Holy Spirit is on our side.

4.) God is making all things work for our salvation.

5.) God in all his power is preparing us for His future use.

If God be for us who can be against us.

We should begin each day knowing that our God is own our side.

And God the Father only wants the best for his children even when we must go through some trials to becomes God’s best.

Jer 29:11  For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

God gave us his best when He sent the Lord Jesus, while we were lost in this dyeing world and God continues to give us his best now.

God deals with each believer on the basis of Mount Calvary’s "Grace"!

*****Our Text:

Rom 8:33  Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.
Rom 8:34  Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
Rom 8:35  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Rom 8:36  As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Rom 8:37  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Rom 8:38  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Rom 8:39  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

God has declared that we are righteous in Christ Jesus. There is only one who is our accuser now and that is Satan.

Rev 12:10  And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

We are the elect people of God. We are God’s chosen people in Christ Jesus accepted by him.

Once God has justified us He certainly will not accuse us.

For God to accuse us would mean that His salvation was a failure and we are still living in our sin.

If we truly understand justification it will bring peace in our hearts. We should think of justification as the opposite of condemnation.

Though the things we face day by day change, our justification will never change. We may accuse our selves and others may accuse us but God will never be our accuser Jesus has already paid that penalty.

We have already read where the Holy Spirit intercedes for us. And now we see where our Savior Jesus also intercedes for us. Jesus the one who died for us and is now  in heaven interceding for us.

Our Savior has become our High Priest!

It is as our High Priest, He gives us the grace we need to overcome our weakness.

Heb 4:14  Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
Heb 4:15  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Heb 4:16  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Heb 4:14  Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
Heb 4:15  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Heb 4:16  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Jesus is also our Advocate and forgives our sins and keeps us in fellowship with God.

1Jn 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1Jn 2:1  My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

This means that while we are on this Earth Jesus represents us to our Father in Heaven.

It is part of God’s plan for us to stay on this Earth to be witnesses, but while we are doing that He will not allow us to be overcome in our sin.

We are not only saved by the Grace of God we are saved by the Life of Jesus.

Heb 7:25  Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

That word uttermost means we are saved to the highest degree. We are extremely saved!

God will never fail us but we can steal fail Him.

God does not shelter us from the difficulties in this life. We need these things for our spiritual growth. We should be assured that these things work for us and not against us.

All these things are for our good, but for His Glory.

God will never desert us and during our trials He will actually get closer to us.

Verse 37 says "we are more than conquerors through him that loves us"

We need not fear life are death, things present nor things to come, because Jesus loves us and gives us the victory.

There are no conditions that are attached to these verses!

There is nothing that can separate us from the love of God and His Victory.

1.) We are completely victorious.

2.) We are completely free from judgment.

3.) We are completely free from defeat.

4.) We are completely free of discouragement.

5.) We are completely free of fear.

There is no condemnation!

There is no obligation!

There is no frustration!

And there is no separation!

Because of God be for us, no one and stand against us.

Let’s pray!

Righteousness

/ Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

The Practice Of Righteousness

"Walking in The Spirit"

Text: Romans 8:1-25

Only when we walk in the Spirit of God will we ever have peace and freedom in this physical life we have now, while we are still alive.

2Co 3:17  Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

In this chapter we will see the part the Holy Spirit plays in our "Salvation".

1.) Without the "Work" that Jesus Christ did on the Cross there could be no Salvation!

2.) Without the "Presence" and "Constant Work" of the Holy Spirit in our lives we would have no way to apply the "Free Gift" of God’s Grace to our Salvation.

3.) Jesus Christ and Him "Crucified" is the message concerning our Salvation.

4.) Christ Jesus and Him "Glorified" is the message concerning our Perfecting us as Believers.

5.) The "Teaching" of the Holy Ghost(Holy Spirit) is "Fundamental" to the work of our Sanctification.

Sanctification is God’s act of making us Holy. We have to be Holy to live with Our Holy God!

a.) It is God’s "Comforter", the indwelling Spirit, in whose ministry we find peace and love.

b.) It is God’s "Comforter", the indwelling Spirit, in whose ministry we find our Divine purpose in this life.

c.) It is God’s "Comforter", the indwelling Spirit, in whose ministry we come to know the "Power of God".

d.) It is God’s "Comforter" that will always lead us to Our Lord Jesus and His "Thoughts".

Joh 14:26  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Joh 15:26  But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

Our Text:

Rom 8:1  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Rom 8:2  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Rom 8:3  For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
Rom 8:4  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Rom 8:5  For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
Rom 8:6  For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

The Holy Spirit is mentioned 19 times in Romans chapter 8.

We must see the importance of the Holy Spirit in our daily walk.

It is in this chapter where we must see our own "Declaration of Freedom"!

We can immediately see that the only ones that will not be condemned are those that have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.

We can also see that only  "believers" can walk in the Spirit of God.

Eph 1:12  That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
Eph 1:13  In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: [in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise],
Eph 1:14  Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

These are the same ones written in the "Lamb’s Book of Life"!

Rev 21:27  And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

These that are written in the Lamb’s Book Of Life, are the only ones that will live with God in His New Heaven!

All the rest will live eternally in that place created for Satan and the fallen angels, it is their own choice to do so.

It is the work of the Holy Spirit to deliver every believer in the true Law of Life. This New Life is a deliverance from the old law of sin and death.

The Holy Spirit provides the New Life within us, where there was before condemnation.

It is the Holy Spirit that will deliver us from that battle with our Sin Nature we learned of in chapter 6 and 7.

If we have trusted Jesus as our Savior, then we have no other conditions to meet to be indwelled by God’s Holy Spirit.

In the sin of Adam we were condemned. In the sinless life of  Jesus there is no condemnation!

This verse does not say we will not make mistakes.

We will always suffer for our mistakes while we are God’s earthly temple but we can never, ever be condemned again.

It is the Law that condemns, but as believers we have a new relationship with God’s Laws.

***1.) The Law cannot ever claim us again:(vs 2)

We have been made free from the law of sin and death. Our life is now in the life of the Holy Spirit who can never die.

The law of sin and death was set in motion when Adam disobeyed God. Adam died because his relationship changed with God and was severed. Death is the product of sin!

Jas 1:14  But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
Jas 1:15  Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

***2.) The law cannot ever again condemn the believer: (vs 3)

Why is this true?

Our Lord Jesus Christ has already suffered "OUR" condemnation on that Cross!

The law can only condemn but Jesus Christ did what the law could not do, Jesus came that we might have life.

Joh 20:30  And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:
Joh 20:31  But these are written, [that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name].

Heb 9:28  So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

***3.)The law can never ever control the believer:

As believers we can lead a righteous life in the Power of the Holy Spirit.

There is no law that has the power to produce "holiness"! The righteousness God demands can only be fulfilled through the Holy Spirit.

Any that are what we call legalist, will try to obey God in his own strength and will always come up short.

It is the Holy Spirit led believer, the Christian, that when yielding to the Holy Spirit will enjoy the newness of life and joy in this life on earth.

Php 2:13  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Php 2:14  Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
Php 2:15  That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

*****Verse 5.)

This verse IS NOT about the two types of Christians. (The Carnal and the Spiritual)

This verse IS about about the "Saved" and the "Unsaved"!

We must never forget the two most important things to the believer:

1.) Jesus Christ  "shed His blood", (He did not spill His blood) to pay for our guiltiness and to bring us closer to God.

2.) We died with Jesus that day on the cross, (He was made sin for us).

We no longer have a history with Adam. Our history now is with The Lord Jesus Christ.

The "unsaved person" (the lost) do not possess the Holy Spirit of God. The mind of a lost person is still centered on things that satisfy the flesh.

This does not mean that an unsaved person cannot do some things that are good.

This also does not mean that a saved person cannot do some things that are bad.

It does mean that a Christian should be noticeably different from the lost in their daily walk!

****Verse 6.)

The non-believer is alive physically, "But Dead" spiritually. To be alive spiritually is t iso be indwelled with the Holy Spirit of God!

The non-believer is dead toward God and does not respond to the calling of the Holy Spirit. This the reason a lost person is available for Satan’s use.

2Ti 2:26  And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

The "Carnal Minded" will make themselves enemies with the Lord.

Just the name Jesus will burn like hot coals inside them and they will be angry and fill left out not knowing the truth nor seeking the truth. They just cannot reach a peace within themselves.

We know that this is true!

Isa 48:22  There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked.

*****Our Text:

Rom 8:7  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
Rom 8:8  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
Rom 8:9  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
Rom 8:10  And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
Rom 8:11  But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

The word "enmity" is the quality of being an enemy. It is a tragic thing to be an enemy of God. This is a fixed rooted hatred and we can see the evidence of it when the name Jesus is mentioned in this world.

To be in the "flesh" is to be lost and to be lost is to be an enemy of God. This not something God has caused but that carnal minded lost person has caused because they are led by Satan.

Jas 4:4  Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? [whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God].

We see that same word "enmity" which means acting like an enemy.

Remember God loves the entire world and He sent His Son, The Lord Jesus Christ to save the world.

It is not God who is the enemy!

It is God’s will to be a Savior!

The Bible says:

Gal 4:16  Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

To those that are lost, we therefore become their enemy when we try to witness to them. Not many will even listen until they have reached rock bottom in their lives and see no way out.

To be unsaved without the Holy Spirit is the lowest level of human life.

Thank God that through Jesus Christ we can step up to the next level with "Faith" in Jesus Christ.

Verse 9.) says:

To be saved and indwelled with God’s Holy Spirit is to then belong to God the Father in Heaven and this can only happen by whole hearted in God the Son, Jesus Christ, and the work He did on the Cross!

By this we then belong to God and are no longer an Enemy!

1Co 6:19  What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
1Co 6:20  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Until I was owned of God I did not know what the word "Life" really meant!

Unless the rapture of the Church happens while I am still alive, this body I have will die, but while I am still alive God will use His Holy Spirit that lives in me to make me a useful tool in His hands.

Eph 1:13  In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Eph 1:14  Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

It is when this happens to a lost soul that they will realize they are not of this world and there is a New World coming.

1Pe 1:7  That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
1Pe 1:8  Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
1Pe 1:9  Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

*****Our Text:

Rom 8:12  Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
Rom 8:13  For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

Rom 8:22  For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
Rom 8:23  And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

It is not enough to just have God’s Spirit within us. Yes we are saved but if we do not allow the Holy Spirit to do His work in our lives then we will not be of much use to God.

Eph 4:30  And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

It is only then that we can have that abundant, victorious life that God so wants us to have. We have no further obligation to our flesh and it is the Holy Spirit that will convict us of any sin.

What are some of the ways we grieve the Holy Spirit?

Eph 4:31  Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
Eph 4:32  And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

It is easy to see when we do these things, the Holy Spirit cannot work in our lives nor in our Church!

We have an obligation to the Holy Spirit to yield to the Holy Spirit for without His work in us we could not be saved.

Because the Holy Spirit is the "Spirit of Life", He can lead us to obey the Word of God and Our Lord Jesus Christ. It is when the Holy Spirit works in our lives that we can be called Christians by those around us.

This is when it will be noticed that we are a "peculiar people"!

1Pe 2:9  But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, [a peculiar people]; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

When some one tells us we are strange then we can rejoice knowing the Holy Spirit is working within us.

Christian’s are only Christian’s when they are truly like Jesus Christ!

It is the same "Spirit of life" that is the "Spirit of death" to our old sin nature. The Holy Spirit can, if we follow His lead, put to death the "sinful deeds" of our bodies.

As we yield our bodies to the Holy Spirit, He will apply to us and in us, the death, the burial, and the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Holy Spirit is also the spirit of adoption.

We come into God’s family by birth. But the instant we are born into the family, God adopts us and  makes us his children. God has become our Abba father.

The Holy Spirit teaches us from the Word then we can receive God’s wealth by faith. There is no need for us to lead defeated lives.

When God finished His work of Creating, He had these words:

Gen 1:31  And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good.

That word "very" meant "exceedingly good!

This not the same picture we see in this passage of Romans.

God’s entire Creation groaning in pain.

There is suffering and death every where we look. Some one robbing a bank or a store. Someone at our schools just randomly killing anyone they see. Mothers and fathers killing their own children and even sometimes the children killing the parents.

I know where I am going and I find myself wanting to go on home sometimes.

All these things are happening because of the "SIN" that is in this world.

Notice these words:

It is God’s creation that is suffering so we can see that WHAT GOD CREATED IS NOT THE BLAME NOR AT FAULT!

Paul uses the words: vanity, bondage, decay, pain and suffering to describe our world around us and we know that this true today.

Paul said this pain was like a woman in labor and we know her pain would end when her child was delivered.

That’s exactly when our pain will end, WHEN OUR REDEEMER RETURNS TO CLAIM HIS CHILDREN!

2Co 4:15  For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
2Co 4:16  For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
2Co 4:17  For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
2Co 4:18  While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

If we stay focused on the Lord Jesus Christ we will be ready when He returns.

Let’s Pray!

The Battle Within Us

/ Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

The Battle For Righteousness

"Between Two Natures"

Our Scriptures for the day will come from Romans Chapter 7

When we bow to the Lord and our names are written down in the Lamb’s book of life, we find out that our flesh, these bodies we live in, hate the law of faith. We also find out that true faith leaves no room for our own will and energy.

We begin a daily battle with our own flesh. And our flesh will go to any degree to satisfy itself up to the point of death.

But when we reach a point in our spiritual lives that we crave to be holy, we will come under conviction for the way we live. Our conscience will awaken and we will see that we have been content with our own self-righteousness.

Our holy walk is not as it should be. We are sometimes worldly Christians who have lost the ability to witness.

True faith is to know that we died with Christ on that cross.

1.) We should know that our deliverance is only in Christ. We are dead to sin and alive to God.

2.) We should know and be willing for God to point out the errors of our ways and removed them. This should be a daily request in our prayers.

3.) We should know that it is only through God’s grace that we can mortify our flesh completely. If we go to a morgue we will realize what that word mortify means.

4.) We should know how to walk that path of righteousness.

5.) We should know that we will face that struggle all the days that we live.

The Bible tells us how to do this:

Jas 4:7  Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Jas 4:8  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
Jas 4:9  Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
Jas 4:10  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

1.) We have to totally submit ourselves to God.

2.) We have to resist the devil, he is the one that has to flee.

3.) We have to avoid the filth of sin.

4.) We have to have our hearts and our minds in the right place.

5.) We we must lead humble lives in the sight of God.

*****Our Text:

Rom 7:1  Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?
Rom 7:2  For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.
Rom 7:3  So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.
Rom 7:4  Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.
Rom 7:5  For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.
Rom 7:6  But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

We missed last week’s lesson but the theme of chapter 6 is very clear.

Rom 6:14  For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

When we sin after our names are written down in the Lamb’s book of life, we simply do not love each other enough. It is the law of love that we continue to break daily.

If we remain under any of those old laws then they will have dominion over us. It is the new law of "love thy neighbor" that should have dominion over our daily lives. While we were lost were in bondage to our sin. Once we are saved and stay in bondage to those laws, then we are rejecting God’s grace.

We are actually saying that we are ignorant of the Word of God.

Paul’s illustration of the husband and wife is to show us all that believe that there is a new relationship because of Christ Our Savior.

When a man and woman married, they vow that they have been united for life. Most vows include the words "till death do us part".

Gen 2:24  Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

The number "one" means unity and the number "one" is indivisible. The only way break this unity is death.

Jesus explained in the book of Matthew that unfaithfulness is on the same standard as death.

Mat 5:31  It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:
Mat 5:32  But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

The apostle Paul does not bring this up because it is not the point of his teaching. Paul is teaching us the relationship we had with those old laws.

Paul clears this up in verse five:

"For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death"

Those motions, or emotions would also include hardship and pain and the evil influence sin has had on our lives. We always seem to forget these horrible things that sin has caused us.

We always forget, it is not the law that dies, it is the believer that must die to the law.

In Paul’s illustration the husband died. The woman was free to marry again but only under those same old laws.

The man being dead could do nothing. Those old laws have no effect on a dead person. This man had to be born again to be something new, a new creature under a new law.

This is exactly what Paul was teaching!

This is exactly what we need to learn. When we trusted Jesus Christ, we died to the law, but in Christ Jesus, we will rise from that death and are now remarried, united, with Jesus Christ in a new relationship and a new life.

We are not lawless, but we are united to Jesus in His life.

We already know that the new law of Christ is the law of love.

This is what Jesus called the fulfillment of the old laws of Moses and of the prophets.

To be saved is to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

The fruit of the spirit is:

Gal 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Notice the word "fruit" is not plural, to be filled with the spirit is to have all these traits as there are no laws against any of them. There is no law of death! There are no wages of death!

Again the fruit of the spirit is:

Eph 5:9  (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
Eph 5:10  Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

When we possess these traits of the Holy Spirit and walk daily in them and we are proving what is acceptable unto the Lord Jesus Christ and are walking in the new law of life.

Rom 8:4  That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Rom 8:5  For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
Rom 8:6  For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

When we are dead to the law it certainly does not mean we can lead lawless lives. It does mean that our motivation, our new motions of life, come from the grace of God.

Our minds have a passion to see, the motions of sin. But with the Lord Jesus we have a renewing of the mind and therefore a passion for love, the motions of salvation.

Gal 5:24  And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Gal 5:25  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

And again:

Col 3:10  And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

The only logical conclusion we can have is that no law has the authority over a dead person and only death brings deliverance from the law.

Only after we are delivered can we serve the God of grace.

To live as a Christian is not to be rebellious or independent. When we yield to the Holy Spirit he will energize us to seek the Lord.

Those old laws were written in stone and then read to the people.

But the new law of love is written in our hearts.

2Co 3:3  Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.

To be a believer is to live under one authority and that is the authority of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Verse 7-13 were not part of our lesson but there are a few things to consider:

1.) Those old laws revealed same sin:

Those that object to the law God,"the law of love", always have their own answers so they will sometimes ask.

What good are laws that we do not need any more?

They also ask if the laws are sin then why were they ever given to anyone?

God gave the laws to show us what sin looks like!

Rom 3:20 said: "for by the law is the knowledge of sin"

Rom 4:15 said: "for where no law is, there is no transgression"

Those old laws are like a mirror that shows our filth.

Jas 1:22  But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
Jas 1:23  For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
Jas 1:24  For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
Jas 1:25  But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

Paul teaches us that it is the sin of covetousness that is the power of sin in the inner man.

Covetousness was the downfall of Adam and Eve and in all mankind.

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

If we are to be honest covetousness is the sin that we least recognize in our daily lives.

We might not ever murder or steal or lie cheat but our desires will lead us into all manner of sin.

2.) Those old laws aroused sin:

There’s just something about human nature that makes us want to sin. That sign that says wet paint. Or, just tell a child not to go through that water or through that mudhole.

This is the kind of thinking that makes us enemies with God.

Rom 8:7  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
Rom 8:8  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

That word enmity means doing things that are hostile toward God.

3.) Those old laws could not give live but could take life:

Gal 3:21  Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.
Gal 3:22  But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

We can be sure that if there had been any other way God would not have poured Himself into that body of flesh and went to that cross.

We can also be sure there is nothing more dead than a church that has set its standards so high that even the members condemn each other.

No human could have ever taken the place is Christ, and no book can ever take the place of the Bible.

Some men can teach but only the Holy Spirit can open God’s word for our understanding.

4.) Those old laws show us the sinfulness of sin:

We simply do not realize the true nature of sin. We make our own excuses when we say we are weak or we just made a mistake.

God "condemns sin"!

We need to look at sin "The Same Way" God does!

We must hate sin, while not hating the sinner!

It is not the law that is sinful, it reveals, it arouses, and it traps us.

And there’s not one of us who have not seen the tragic results of sin.

The problem is not the law, the problem is in us before we find Jesus.

*****Our text:
Rom 7:14  For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
Rom 7:15  For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
Rom 7:16  If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
Rom 7:17  Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
Rom 7:18  For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

We inherited our sin nature from Adam, and the only way to change it is to die.

1.) All God’s laws are holy, because they are given by a holy God.

2.) All God’s laws are just, because God is perfect and just in all that he does.

3.) All God’s laws are good, because they make me aware I’m in need of a Savior.

4.) All All God’s laws are spiritual, because they deal with the inner man, and it is the inner man that controls the outer man.

When God gave the 10 Commandments, He was aiming at these outer actions.

Moses later described how  Israel should respond to those laws:

Deu 10:12  And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul,
Deu 10:13  To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?

We can see he was referring to the spiritual side of man.

This was God’s intent for the law.

Gal 3:24  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

There was a man that wrote, "the old nature knows no law and the new nature needs no law"!

No law can transform our old sin nature, but can only reveal our sin. That old sin nature has to die.

As believers we soon realized we have war going on within us. It is a fact that our minds, our bodies, and our souls can be controlled by either our old nature or new nature.

1.) Paul said that he struggled to do the right things.

2.) Paul said he did not have to struggle to do the things that were wrong.

Paul is not saying that he was breaking all those old laws, Paul was saying he could not obey God’s law of love. Paul was saying that even when he was obedient he could still feel the presence of evil in his flesh. We all have thoughts that go through our minds that should not be there.

*****Our Text:

Rom 7:20  Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
Rom 7:21  I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
Rom 7:22  For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
Rom 7:23  But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
Rom 7:24  O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
Rom 7:25  I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

In Chapter 6 the thought was "how can I stop doing bad things".

We now see the real problem is "how can I ever do anything good".

A legalist would just tell you to do the impossible, just obey those laws and that will make you good.

The problem with that is that every time you fail you will get the feeling you lost your salvation.

Even if everything we do in this world is good, we can never say we do not have some evil thoughts that go through our minds.

The law absolutely cannot set us free!

Our old nature will do its best to keep us in mind. Our will power may win for a while, but Satan will blindside us with temptation. It is our choice if that becomes sin.

Jesus gives us instructions for this:

Mar 14:38  Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.
No law can give the Christian power but it is like a magnet drawing us into corruption. It is obvious that we just do not hate sin enough and that in itself is a sin.

There are a whole lot people that tried to live by the way of the legalist, and they just got tired and gave up on God.

They tried to live the good life but what they found is they could not live good enough for salvation.

When we get to Romans chapter 8 we will learn about the deliverance.

Verse 25 is not teaching that we as believers have to live divided lives. This would mean that this flesh we live in is being used in two different ways and that is impossible.

Once we are saved we must just realize that there is a struggle that goes on inside of us.

Gal 5:16  This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
Gal 5:17  For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
Gal 5:18  But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.

As Christian believers we must yield to the Holy Spirit.

The Bible never says anything good about our old sin nature.

Remember what Paul said in verse 18:

"For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not"

If we depend on our flesh to serve the Lord we will fail miserably.

Again Jesus teaches us:

Joh 6:63  It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life

And the Bible also says:

Php 3:3  For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

The Holy Spirit will only lead us to God, so to be led by the spirit is to be led by God Himself.

All legalist will only become like the Pharisee, they may look good on the outside but inside they are despicable.

Again Jesus teaches:

Mat 23:27  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.

A legalist is therefore a hypocrite and have not trusted in the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Every decision we make us Christians needs to be based on our relationship with Jesus Christ our Savior.

Let’s pray!

The Obedience Of Righteousness

/ Bobby Mayfield / 2 Comments

The Obedience Of Righteousness

“Yield To God”

As we go through our lives after God has saved us by His Amazing Grace, we are not to be dominated by the sin that is still in our flesh. We must count our self dead to sin and we must yield to Holy Ghost conviction and follow His lead.

Col 3:5 says to Mortify therefore your members

This means to take total control of our flesh. When we allow our flesh to take control, we are already in sin.

A little bit about “Grace”;

1.) “Grace” is God acting freely according to His Own Loving Nature. Not under obligation and always in view of the Cross.

2.) “Grace” is a Free Gift from God.

3.) “Grace” is not to be repaid and goes forth where ever God chooses. It can even seem to place the most undeserving in the highest places.

4.) “Grace” cannot work when we feel like we deserve it or we can act on our own ability.

5.) “Grace” cannot be given when we justify ourselves.

6.) “Grace” cannot be given until we are sure of our unworthiness.

7.) Our flesh has no place in the plan of “Grace”. Our own self “Pride” is the enemy of Grace.

8.) When we are under God’s “Grace” our burden should be all about others and not our own selves!

We should learn about our Holy Walk with God in this chapter. The questions to be answered in this chapter are:

A.) Shall we still walk in our old life just because God’s Grace will abound greater?

B.) Shall we use the liberty that God’s Grace gives us to commit known sin?

Our Salvation rest on five keys, five being the number of “Grace”.

1.) Christ Jesus did all the work on the Cross and “Shed His Blood” for us all.

2.) We are “Born Again” separated from the sin of Adam our old man crucified with Christ.

3.) We are immediately filled with the Holy Spirit of God and sealed and givin a new law of “Life” eternal.

4.) Christ in Heaven is now Our Great High Priest and Our Advocate with the Father.

5.) Christ will come to received us unto Himself in Glory—- The Rapture.

Our Text For Today:

*****Rom 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

Let’s refresh our memory of the end of Chapter 5:

Rom 5:19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
Rom 5:20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
Rom 5:21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

Some people will say that if “Grace” is so great a gift, then why do we not sin more just to get more “Grace”.

Some people will say that if we allow “Grace” to reign in our flesh then what will control our evil conscience, and our evil tendencies.

Some people will even say that with abounding “Grace” we can live our lives any way we want too.

The “Free Gift of God’s Grace” is rejected by these people who think they should have to do some work to appease God.

The “Free Gift of God’s Grace” is rejected by these people who think they have to lead righteous and holy lives they they know that they are not capable of doing.

The “Free Gift of God’s Grace” is abused by some people who think they have a license to do things they know are wrong.

*****Rom 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

Paul says to the believer, we who are saved, are forbidden by God Himself to think these things about His “Free Gift of Grace”.

When we accept Christ Jesus death on the Cross then we must accept that our sinful flesh died with Him!

We died in our relationship to sin, we are still alive in our flesh.

We cannot be the same person doing the same things because it is impossible for our sin nature to have died if we have not changed and are still walking in sin.

This does not mean we have complete victory over sin but the things we know and are convicted of by the Holy Spirit we should have Victory over all those things.

Paul wrote to the Galatians:

Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Gal 2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

*****Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

Once saved we should do two things. We should make a public announcement of our confession and then be Baptized.

Baptism represents the death, burial and the resurrection of Our Lord Jesus.

Paul ask these Romans if they realized what this Baptism stood for. In our Baptism, we are confessing we have made our choice of Jesus who was made sin for us, on our behalf.

If Christ took our sin with Him to the grave then we should have no sin. These Roman Jews were not confused about Baptism as we are today.

Baptism should be a happy memory of the day we stepped out against this world of sin confessing that Jesus Christ is Our Savior and also Our Lord.

The Apostle Peter teaches us:

1Pe 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

1Pe 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

We should have these things clear in our own minds. Baptism is all about the death and resurrection of Christ and Our New Man. Baptism is NOT ABOUT CLEANSING!

Baptism is a symbol of, a scriptural picture, of our own death to sin in our lives but it is not the means of our New Life. That was made possible by the “Shed Blood” of Christ.

*****Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

What Paul is saying here is that just as Jesus Christ was raised in that “New Glorified Body” we also as believers and identified with the death of Christ and our sin, past , present, and future, should also walk in
the Newness of Life.

Jesus Christ walk on this earth in “newness of life” for 40 days. He was the first born of the dead. He was the last Adam and the Second Man. Jesus Christ is our new starting point of the entire human race and Savior to all those that believe.

This not just a manner of living but actual life. To be saved is to already have begun our road to eternal life while we are alive in this flesh.

We will walk one day in the same new life that Jesus had after He was resurrected. We should begin that walk now even in this life and even in this flesh.

1Co 6:17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

We need to walk in the Spirit of Jesus.

*****Rom 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

Planted together means closely united. To be united with Christ is to be like Him.

If we do not believe then we cannot be in the likeness of Christ Jesus. If we are then in His likeness at His death, our own sin buried with Him, then we will be like Him in His resurrection. Christ was raised in “Glory” and if we are planted with Him we will be raised with Him.

Php 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

This verse has two meanings:

1.) Obviously when our flesh dies we will be joined with Our Lord in Heaven. This is our real victory!

2.) But also if we die to sin, then we have gained in our walk with Our Lord while we are still alive.

We do not have to wait till we get to Heaven to gain the joy the Christian life knowing that our victory is soon coming.

3.) But if we are not now walking in that life can we truly say we are saved.

*****Rom 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

If we have put off the old man then there should be a noticeable change in that new man.

Col 3:9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
Col 3:10 And have put on the new man, [which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him]:

To be renewed in the knowledge of Christ image is to recognize in our own minds what being like Christ truly means.

Eph 4:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
Eph 4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
Eph 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

We all will still struggle with these things as long as we are in the flesh but we should be able to have victory over them most of the time.

Gal 5:24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Even though we are unworthy God has made it possible for us to be worthy by the death of our old man and place us in the image of His Dear Son.

This is what happens when we believe and live in Faith.

If I did not die with Christ Jesus on that Cross, then I cannot be living with Him risen from the dead.

*****Rom 6:7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.

It is the knowing that we are sinners that keeps away from a glorious Christian Life. We can declare “Victory” only when we realize that we have certainly been justified by the “Blood” of Jesus. We absolutely are not under the “Bondage” of that “Old Sin” before Our Holy God.

It is our guilty “conscience” that condemns us. But if we have put that old sin to death, and mortified our members then we ARE FREED FROM THAT SIN!

The only memory of our old sin nature should be of the precious work that Jesus did “For Us” on the cross.

When we get “Victory” over our old sin nature we will know for sure that there is nothing that can keep us away from Our Lord and Savior, and Our Father who is in Heaven.

Do we still have sin in our lives? Sure we do but it will not rule us!

When we have been “justified” we then become a Saint of God!

Justified does not mean “sinless” perfection, it does not mean deliverance from sin. IT MEANS WE HAVE PASSED BEYOND, just as Our Lord Jesus did when He arose from that grave.

This is the picture we should get from full immersion Baptism, because once washed in the Blood of Jesus, we become a “New Creature”. This is where we can base our “Joy” for our remaining days on earth.

Col 1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

A “Saints” in “Light” is a Saint in encased with the glory God gave Jesus through the Work of the Cross and the “Shed Blood” of Jesus.

1.) There are many who have truly turned to God but they have not accepted that Jesus “finished” that work on the Cross, that is Jesus did actually bare all sin, past, present, and future and put that sin away.

These are the ones that are never really sure of their own Salvation.

2.) Many others accept the work of Jesus and no longer fear judgment but they bury themselves in their unworthiness. They miss out on the “Joy” of being a “Saint of God”.

3.) But true “Victory” come to those who have the “Faith”, who have believed in their hearts, knowing that our relationship to sin has completely changed and we are identified with Jesus Christ in the eyes of Our Father.

Rom 8:5 says For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
Rom 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Once we have fallen at the feet of Jesus, we do not have to fear anything in this world! This world can only cause us to go to Heaven early.

Eph 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
Eph 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

*****Rom 6:8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:

This is the confidence in the “Resurrection”. Our Lord Jesus Christ arose from that “grave” proving it is He that has the “Power Over Life”. HE WILL NEVER DIE AGAIN!

We share this “death of Christ Jesus” and we as believers will share “His Eternal Life”!

Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Gal 2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

Notice Paul says “I Am” this is not some future thing but the thing that happens the day we believe and are therefore saved.

*****Rom 6:9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

Since we have the knowledge of verse 8 and as it says “we believe” that Jesus Christ rules over “death”

The “devil” once held the power of death, by sin over man, but not any longer:

Heb 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

This is the promise of Jesus:

Joh 8:51 Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.

In other words when the body dies a physical death, that soul and spirit goes directly to be with Jesus Christ.

THERE IS NO DARK VALLEY TO LINGER IN.

Even that body will be reunited with the soul and spirit at the “Rapture”.

When we share the death of Jesus we will share the life of Jesus!

*****Rom 6:10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.

The first thing we should realize is that Christ died “Unto” sin. Jesus Christ did not die because of any sin He had!

2Co 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Christ was made to be what we were as unbelievers in order for us to be what He is as a believer. God sent our old man to the Cross unto death and released the believer from the old man to become something new.

This Is Not To Be Changed But To Be Born Again!

Our lives have begun anew.

2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

*****Rom 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Listen to what God says in this verse:

Our relationship to sin is exactly like that of Jesus Christ! This is the free gift that comes from accepting Jesus Christ as our personal Savior.

Christ Jesus in His death, His connection with sin was ended forever. He no longer bore our sin but He died unto that sin. When Christ was raised it was as One who lived unto God, in an endless, resurrected, and new life.

This is the promise offered to every believer!

To be united with Christ Jesus in death is to be united with Christ Jesus in life.

This is not an experience that is always felt.

THIS IS A FACT!

*****Rom 6:12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

We can now see that our Spiritual has been the topic but now we see that our Mortal Body is mentioned.

While our soul has been redeemed and we are still waiting on the redeeming of the Body at Christ coming in the clouds, the Rapture of the Church.

Sin is still present in these mortal bodies and will reign but God has given us the power to over come our sinful flesh.

It is through our own lusts and desires that is the weakness of our flesh.

Paul wrote:

1Co 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

We do not have to yield to our own flesh!

We must reject these desires of our flesh!

We do not owe sin or Satan anything. We are bought by the Blood of Jesus and free from obedience to Satan.

*****Rom 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

Now we have this commandment from God. We are expected to be obedient! This is the law of repentance.

We are to walk a different walk. God has given a means of controlling sin and that is to walk away. Not giving in to our desires.

All parts of our bodies of flesh are to be used as “Instruments of Righteousness”!

*****Rom 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

1.) Sin’s lordship over us has ended.

2.) We are not under any man made law but under, nor laws of Moses,(Gentiles never were).

3.) Only when we realize our old man died on the Cross can we find ourselves completely free to enjoy the Heavenly Comfort of God’s Grace.

1Co 9:21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.

If we are under the law of Christ(God’s Grace) we can then be a “witness” to those that are lost.

*****Rom 6:15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.

Are we free to sin?

Jesus said:

Joh 8:34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

We have 2 questions in this chapter:

1.) Are we to sin that God will have more Grace?

2.) Are we to sin because we are not under the law but under “Grace”?

*****Rom 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

To answer the first question is that we are in the “Risen Christ”, we share “His Death”, our relation to “Sin” is “broken forever”; we walk in “newness of life”.

The answer to the second question is that God set every believer free to serve Him!

There is only one other master of our lives if we allow it and that is “Sin”!

If we do not look upon sin as controlling us enough to make us slaves then we have missed sin’s power.

What did God say about the sin of Adam?

Gen 6:5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
Gen 6:6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.

God has set us free from this bondage and given us the strength to over come it. We can return to sin or we can present our bodies to the work of God.

Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

*****Rom 6:17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
Rom 6:18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

It is the “Gospel” where we can rest our weary souls. Every saint of God is delivered unto the Gospel of God. We must place our “Faith” in the Word of God, His “Glorious Truth”. Being obedient to “Our Faith” is to walk in the truth of God’s Holy Word.

2Co 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
2Co 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

*****Rom 6:18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

This is the pure fact of the believer who then becomes “Faithful”.

Rom 6:19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

These Romans had a clear understanding of “Slavery” as Rome was full of slaves and many of them were these Christians Paul was writing to. In the Roman empire, freedom did not come but to a few and it was hard to be set free.

It is not in man to like slavery of any sort because man is an independent creature. Where man makes his mistake is not realizing that he binds himself to his own lust and desires and become slaves to them.

It is only when we can accept this “truth” that we can be set free!

THERE IS NO FREEDOM OUTSIDE OF JESUS CHRIST!

1Jn 5:19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.

THIS IS THE TRUTH OF GOD’S WORD!

*****Rom 6:20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
Rom 6:21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.

When I look back on my life before Jesus found me, I can see the truth of this passage. I am truly shamed by my sinful life. There is not one good thing that can come from a sinful life. If I had stayed on that path I would burned in Hell. This is the death I will certainly miss out on as a child of God. I might also be able to lead others away from that certain death unto the life promised by the Word of God.

*****Rom 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

This is where our peace of mind comes from. I truly want to be a servant of God! I truly want to be a “Slave” in the hands of God! I have no other goals to seek out. This in my mind is the beginning of the Love I have for my Savior.

Psa 40:8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.

*****Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

If we were hunting for a job and many are in these days and that employer said the wages were death, we would run as far away from that place as we could get and we would tell all that knew about it.

Yet the world continuously serves sin and death will surely come!

We live in a world that is running over in “Terrorism” but even that being true, the real truth is that “SIN” is the king of terrors:

Job 18:14 says His confidence shall be rooted out of his tabernacle, [and it shall bring him to the king of terrors].

It is Satan that has this power over death to all those that do not believe on Jesus Christ.

It is life that God offers as His Free Gift! This can only happen through His Son Jesus!

Who would not choose “Life” rather than “Death”, yet many choose death and many choose not to choose and that is still choosing “Death”.

We have “Victory” only through the “Blood of Jesus”!

Let’s Pray!

The Means Of Righteousness

/ Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

The Means Of Righteousness

“Faith In Jesus Christ”

Text: Romans 3:21-5:21

In our first lesson we saw that God does not ask the "Lost" person to clean himself up and behave before he can be saved. Many try this and fail.

What God ask each and everyone of us to do is to "Believe"! Upon that one thing will God give the free gift of life!

Remember the key to the Book of Romans:

Rom 1:17  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

We cannot be "Justified" until we have "Faith"!

This the truth of the Gospel!

In the second lesson we saw from "God’s Viewpoint" just how hopeless and dismal humanity really is.

Remember:

Rom 3:20  Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

"Justification" does not come from any law of mankind. We cannot "justify" our selves by self-righteous living.

Gal 3:24  Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
Gal 3:25  But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
Gal 3:26  For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

Let us now learn how to attain to the "Righteousness Required of God".

Justification can only come by "Faith"!

This is the "heart" of the Gospel.

The "Truth" is the entire world is guilty before God!

Our Text:

*****Rom 3:21  But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

"But Now", After we have seen how we have failed we will see that there is a way to escape this misery of sin without death and we will see what God expects!

We will see that what any law could not do, what no amount of works could do, but only what God can do.

The "righteousness of God" is much much more than just "Right-doing".

One of the biggest mistakes made in our way of thinking is that the "Law" still holds some place in God’s righteousness.

The "justification" that can come only from God is based on an entirely different principle.

Heb 7:18  For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before [for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof].

Remember this is God’s Plan of Salvation and we should not question How God Goes About Doing It!

Those old Laws served their purpose because God is a God of purpose but they are set aside for a New Way.

Rom 5:20  Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
Rom 5:21  That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

If we do not believe that all history of "Our Sin" ended at the Cross, for even our Old Man died there, then we may try to hold on to some of those old laws of self righteousness.

This why there are many so weak in "Faith" that they still desire a teacher of the law:

1Ti 1:7  Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.

It is because there has never been even one person on this earth that could keep those laws. Remember there was only one chance to get it all right. We would all fail at some point in our life span.

This is why God was so "Gracious" and gave us His Christ to perform all the requirements of the Law for us.

God says that the "Believer" is not under law of any kind but dead to the law:

Gal 2:19  For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.
Gal 2:20  I am crucified with Christ: [nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God], who loved me, and gave himself for me.

"This is a brand New Creature" that had not existed until inviting Jesus Christ to be his Savior!

To try to go back under any of those Old Laws would be trying to put Jesus, Our Lord back under the Law He has fulfilled.

Jesus Christ Himself said:

Mat 5:17  "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, [but to fulfil]."

This fulfilled law is the "Royal Law" law of Our Lord:

Jas 2:8  If ye fulfil the "royal law" according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
Jas 2:9  But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

When we show respect for one of God’s children above another we have become a "Judge." God call us to be witnesses and not judges.

A Saint of God that sins after salvation has broken the "Royal Law" of Jesus Christ:

Mat 22:38  This is the first and great commandment.
Mat 22:39  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

We must pray a prayer of repentance to be forgiven and not carry this sin with us.

God showed just how "righteous" He truly is when He would not spare the life of His Son Jesus at the Cross.

Only such a "righteous" God as Jehovah can therefore forgive "Sin"!

Isa 53:5  But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Isa 53:6  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

God is able to come to us now in "Absolute Grace" but only because of Jesus Christ Our Savior! There is no amount of the sin of the believer that this "Grace" cannot cover.

God can then after His forgiveness, declare the believing sinner to be "righteous". Not righteous on his own merits and not because Christ merits have been transferred to him but only because we as sinners place our trust in Him, because God places us inside the Risen Christ.

2Co 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; [that we might be made the righteousness of God in him].

Rom 13:14  But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh

We should never think of ourselves apart from Jesus Christ!

*****Rom 3:22  Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

We as human beings always look at "righteousness" as something we lost and want to get back. This is self-righteousness at its worst.

The pure fact of God’s gift allows us all, who are still ungodly, to be reckoned as "righteous". This is the fact of the "Gospel".

Justification is by God Himself and His reckoning a sinner to be "righteous".

Man does not have to change before He is "Justified", Man must certainly believe. Faith is the key that unlocks this mystery. It is the "Shed Blood" of Our Savior and that alone, which has caused God to declare man righteous.

God’s "Grace" is the reason but our own "Faith" is the instrument of Our Salvation!

It is "Faith" that brings mans heart to the light of Jesus:

Rom 10:10  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

It is the Word of God that we must base our own Salvation and not words of any man, Preacher, or Pastor.

We must prove all things under the light of God’s Word.

We must have "Simple Faith" concerning God’s Own Testimony  concerning His Son Jesus!

2Co 11:3  But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

It is not the faith that Christ Jesus had in our salvation but it is "our Faith" in the redeeming work of Our Lord Jesus Christ that brings us to salvation.

This not just believing in Christ!  But believing on the finished work of Christ Jesus on the Cross and His Resurrection. It is believing on a God who could cause all these things to happen.

I cannot imagine any religion that placed their faith in any thing that was less powerful than Jehovah God.

God does not simply place His righteousness on the Believer, God accounts righteousness to the Believer through "Faith" in Jesus Christ.

Rom 4:5  But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, [his faith is counted for righteousness].

*****Rom 3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

The phrase "all have sinned" is in the past tense. This sin began with Adam and everyone that came after him.

The phrase "come short of the glory" is in the present tense. Everyone from the time of Adam until the day we live that has sinned and that is everyone, they all have continually fell short of God’s Glory.

This not only means each individual but the entire human race!

Rom 5:12  Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

This means all mankind:

1.) Have failed to meet God’s "Approval":

2.) Have lost all "Spiritual Strength"

3.) Have no ability to stand in God’s "Presence"

We know that to be "justified" by "faith" is to rejoice in the "Hope of Glory of God".

Jesus says:

Joh 12:43  For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

Man has found deliverance in the guilt of "SIN" and feel delivered by "SINS" power.

*****Rom 3:24  Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

This is by far the greatest verse in the Bible on "justification through faith"!

This does not mean man has been made righteous or holy. It does mean that righteousness is placed in our account. Justification is not a change God makes in us BUT IT IS A CHANGE IN OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM!

THIS IS A FREE GIFT UPON OUR "FAITH"!

Jesus says:

Rev 21:6  And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

The "Grace" of God is in fact a God with "no limits" giving His Love with "no limits" because of the Work Christ Jesus did on that Cross.

Because sin, which is described by the law, is no longer a snare we can have eternal and unhindered freedom of it.

Jesus Christ did all the Work and we that believe reap all the Benefits!

Eph 1:7  In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

This word redemption comes from the Greek word "apolutrosis" and always means we have been delivered from the "Wrath of God":

Luk 21:28  And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

We should be looking up right now because we can see all these things coming to pass right now!

Our liberty comes from the ransom that was paid by Jesus Christ.

This is the reason of our "Thanks Giving":

Col 1:12  Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
Col 1:13  Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
Col 1:14  In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

This is what we missed out on:

Heb 9:15  And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament,[that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament], they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

We have missed out on that death because of Our Savior!

THIS IS GOD’S FREE GIFT TO THE BELIEVER!

*****Rom 3:25  Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

This verse plainly states that this was not just last minute decision that God made. God knew all along and He made His preparations. The "Lamb" was foreordained from before the time of "Creation". God created a perfect world but He knew this world would fail not because God’s creation of earth was not perfect but because "Sin" began in Heaven with Lucifer, whom we call Satan.

We must be clear in our thoughts of Our God. God is Holy in His being:

1.) God is righteous in His character.

2.) God’s righteousness appears in His dealings with His Creation.

3.) God will forever be righteous.

4.) God’s "Holiness" is not a word used to describe relationship.

5.) God would be Holy even if there were no creation.

6.) It is God’s Holiness that requires "Propitiation"

7.) It is not that God has hate for the sinner but that God has love for the sinner that required the death of His Son.

8.) God is seeking fellowship with Man, His greatest creation, and no sinful creature can stand before a Holy God and live.

9.) Because of Sin, there will be God’s Wrath against Sin, because of His Holy Nature.

10.) It is death to draw nigh to God, not because He is vindictive, because God is Love. We cannot draw nigh to God because He is Holy and we would die because we are sinful, unclean, and unholy.

11.) This is why Jesus had to die and become our "Propitiation".

12.) Jesus took our place on the cross because we could not do that and live.

If you look back at the Book of Leviticus chapter 16 you can study in "type" this act of "Grace" and "Mercy" that is God’s Plan.

We have no reason to question what God does for our benefit and are foolish to do so!

The fact that the Son of God has come, sent by the God of Love, and has born our sin for us, so that we will miss out on God’s judgment, but draw near to God by the Blood of Christ, REVEALS GOD’S HOLINESS TO US AND FOR OUR OWN SAKES.

The Bible says:

Heb 9:8  The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:
Heb 9:9  Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;
Heb 9:10  Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.
Heb 9:11  But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;
Heb 9:12  Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
 
Heb 10:19  Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
Heb 10:20  By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

The Cross of Jesus stands as a witness to the "Unchanging Character of God"!

*****Rom 3:26  To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

Before we could accept the reality of the "Cross", God had to take the time to show us examples of "His Divine Judgment".

There was:

1.) The Worldwide Flood.

2.) The Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

3.) The Plagues of Egypt.

4.) The dispersion of Israel

Then and only then did God address the Sin of the individual man at the Cross!

Joh 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Joh 3:17  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Old Testament believers looked forward and were forgiven on credit. Today we look backward to the Cross, where Christ Jesus was judged for "OUR SIN".

Our "Faith" must stand on the Work of Christ on the Cross!

The Half Brother of Jesus gave us these words:

Jud 1:20  But ye, beloved, building up yourselves [on your most holy faith], praying in the Holy Ghost,
Jud 1:21  Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

If our "Faith" is not Holy, we will not stand before a Holy God.

*****Rom 3:27  Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.

There is no boasting of any law when the law of "Faith", that that is of the "Gospel" of Jesus Christ has been applied!

Judaism and also no other religion has words that come close to what Our Holy God has given to us!

NO OTHER RELIGION CAN BOAST AGAINST THE WORD OF GOD!

IT IS THE LAW OF "FAITH" THAT STANDS ABOVE ALL OTHERS!

THAT "FAITH" THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS, THE SON OF GOD!

*****Rom 3:28  Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

THIS IS GOD’S ANSWER TO ANY BOASTING OF OTHERS!

*****Rom 4:1  What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?

Paul recognized himself as a Jew and a descendant of Abraham in this verse. It was the Jew who had possession of the Old Testament. It was the Jew that had a Divine relationship with God, not any other nation. It was the Jew whose religion stood above all the rest.

And Abraham was the earthly father of the Jew!

Rom 4:2  For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
Rom 4:3  For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

Paul simply said that if Abraham had done these things on his own then maybe he could have boasted.

Paul simply said that Abraham, the father of the Jew because Abraham had "only believed" what God had told him. Abraham had "Faith"!

The Bible plainly states in the same scriptures the God had given to these Jew:

Gen 15:6  And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

It was the "faith" of Abraham that was counted for his righteousness and not anything that he had done in himself.

No matter your way in life, we all, rich or poor, have the same standing with God because it is "Faith" that unlocks the "Heart of God".

If we believe in our own hearts that what God says is true and beyond question, we can then begin a "personal relationship" with Our Father in Heaven!

When we turn our hearts away from ourselves and toward God and His promises, then God is free to fulfill those promises. Jesus Christ is our Channel of contact to this Holy God. The Holy Spirit is our Power of contact to this Holy God. It is "Our Faith" that binds it all together.

Because of Abraham’s "Faith" we all have an opportunity to meet our Father in Heaven:

Gen 12:3  And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

*****Rom 4:4  Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.
Rom 4:5  But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

The whole world thinks that being good and doing good are merits deserving credit enough to meet the God of "mercy". In fact no amount of works of the lost will gain him any favor with God and that same person will meet God but it will be the God of "wrath".

Righteousness is not based on doing right! When we think that God owes us something for the good things we do then we have failed in understanding the "Mercy and Grace" of God.

That thought is a thought of "wages" or of being paid for our goodness and we have no goodness before we have "Faith".

It seems to many that is declaring ungodly people righteous over those that do good things.

God does not say "godly" people will be saved, God does say "righteous" people will be saved and our righteousness is Jesus Christ.

All people must rely on God to become godly!

Remember what God has already said:

Rom 3:23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

When we take it on our own selves to judge one lost person above another we have committed an abomination in the eyes of God because even He does not do this!

All must stand by the Shed Blood of Jesus, we have no other ground to stand on and be saved!

*****Rom 5:1  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 

I.) What "justification" is not:

1.) Justification is not just making the ungodly, godly.

We are all still sinners.

2.) Justification is not a "change of heart".

3.) Justification is not "making an unjust man just" in his behavior.

4.) Justification is not to be confused with "Sanctification".

II.) "Justification" is:

1.) God’s declaration that a man can now stand before Him.

2.) This "justification" can only come through Christ Jesus.

Rom 3:24  Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

3.) The same God that said all the world is guilty, now "justifies" those that are convicted of this guilt and believe God’s means of Salvation.

4.) Justification is the accounting by God to a believing sinner, of the Work Christ Jesus did on the Cross and connecting this believing sinner with the Risen Christ in Glory and giving the sinner the same acceptance before Him as He has Christ Jesus. This sinner from this time on belongs to Jesus Christ until they are delivered to Our Father in Heaven.

In this first verse God does not say to be justified but He does say "having been justified". Once this takes place it will be eternal. What God does last forever!

What have we seen so far?

1.) Chapter three, Christ was set forth as a propitiation.

2.) Chapter four, Christ was raised for our justification.

3.) Chapter five, We have peace with God, through Jesus Christ.

Peace means our war with God is over and God is holding nothing against us.

a.) God judged our sin upon Christ Jesus, who is our substitute.

b.) God is wholly satisfied with Christ’s sacrifice.

c.) God is now at rest with us Forever.

No matter how much we understand. No matter how weak our "faith". No matter how we stumble in our walk with Him. God is looking at us through the Blood of His Son and all He sees is Jesus.

It is Christ Jesus that made this "peace" on the Cross:

Joh 19:30  When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

Now that Jesus is raised from the dead, IT IS JESUS THAT IS OUR PEACE!

This is not the peace of God but the Peace With God.

*****Rom 5:2  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Not only do we have "Peace" with God but now in addition, also access to God’s "Grace". These things take place the very moment we "Believe". We are now forever under God’s Grace and not affected by those condemning laws.

We now have a future, not of this world. We have the same promise of entering into the same "Glorified" state as Christ Jesus.

Col 3:4  When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

Jesus said to Our Father:

Joh 17:22  And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
Joh 17:23  I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
Joh 17:24  Father, [I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am]; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

What Christ Jesus ask Our Father to do He will do!

*****Rom 5:8  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

God’s Love for the unworthy sinner.

1.) Verse six was not in our lesson but this verse says the sinner is helpless against the Devil and his ungodliness.

God sent His Son, Jesus Christ to die for our sin and ask nothing in return but our "Faith".

2.) Verse seven also not in our lesson, but this verse tells us that you could search the world and you would not find any man willing to do such as to die for a vile sinner though there may be some that would die for a good man.

3.) In our verse God "Commended His Love". While we were in the very act of sinning our worse sin God sent His Son Jesus. "Commend" means God treated every sinner as though they could be worthy. God loved us when we are worthless, full of sin, unable and even unwilling to pay for such "Grace" or to "Obey Him".

God shows His "Grace" in His "Love".

God "SO LOVED" the world.

Verse 10 we did not cover yet it says even though we were His "enemies" God reconciled us to Him by the death of Jesus Christ the Messiah.

What did God buy but we who still fail Him every day!

*****Rom 5:9  Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

But "Much More" than just sending the Lord Jesus to die for us, God will see to it that now we as believers and accounted "Righteous" by the Blood of Jesus, we shall be saved from the coming "Wrath".

It is the "Shed Blood" that places us on Justifying ground. This is where our security is found!

This not "spilled blood" for to spill is an accident. This is "shed blood" to shed is an intentional act!

This is the message God has given to everyone that has lived and will live before the "Second Coming" of Christ. Jehovah God is our Father in Heaven who wants the absolute best for all His Children.

The "Good News" of the Gospel is not that everyone is lost but THAT EVERY LIVING SOUL CAN BE SAVED!

We can be made "righteous".

We can be forgiven.

Our "SIN" can be covered by the "Blood of Jesus".

This is the "Good News" for all mankind!

Let’s Pray!

The Lack Of Righteousness

/ Bobby Mayfield / Leave a comment

The Lack Of Righteousness

"Guilty Before God"

Our Text: Romans 1:18–3:20

Last week we ended with Romans 1:17 which says:

"For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith"

This may be the theme of the entire Book of Romans. God reveals His method for our own "righteousness" in this book and it comes by faith.

Faith should mean: We have settled in our own mind that the things of Christ Jesus and God’s Word are true.

2Th 2:13 says But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and [belief of the truth]:

And that truth is the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and if this is not settled in our minds then we need to go back to the altar of God and pray again!

The word "righteousness" is used in one way or another over 50 times in the book of Romans. (some of these ways are the words, righteous, just, justified)

God reveals His Righteousness by:

1.) By punishing "Sin"

2.) By the "Resurrection" of the Lord Jesus Christ

3.) By making "Salvation" available to every sinner.

God is both "just" and the "justifier of the just"

Rom 3:26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

But we can see, God only "justifies" those which believe on Jesus Christ.

The Book of Romans is our study in "type" of God’s courtroom.

Hear ye! Hear ye! Court is now in session.

*****Our text:

Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

Rom 1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

Rom 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Rom 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Rom 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

Rom 1:23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

When we study God’s Word we must apply it to ourselves. We must accept the Book of Romans as truth just like "ALL" God’s Word.

This book describes our own "sin nature". Our Pastor has just recently said that this world we live in looks upon sin as a "Cupcake" instead of the "Poison" that it really is.

Our world is not sweet but it is being poisoned by this serious mistake and it is creeping ever more into the Church.

Joshua told the children of Israel that their sin that they were doing were being done before God destroyed the world by the flood. These things are also being done in our time in this world we live in.

Jos 24:14 Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served [on the other side of the flood], and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.

We can see that these things are becoming more and more prevalent in our day now and God says:

Mat 24:37 But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

We are on the verge of seeing this prophesy fulfilled.

God says again:

Rev 3:1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead

We can see these same conditions of Sardis as more and more of our Churches have little or no "Spiritual life" remaining in them.

Another sign that is missed is that God’s saints are growing in an eagerness to go home, as our home is not here but in Heaven.

If we apply the book of Romans to ourselves then we can more readily see how to lead others to Jesus in these last days.

"For ALL have sinned and fell short of the glory of God"

The Bible says:

Gal 3:22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

*****Verse 18.)

When we accept Our Lord Jesus as our personal Savior, and it is personal, then we accept the Word of God delivered to us. We cannot accept one without the other. The Bible is full of the "love of God" but we must not ever forget, God will deliver His "wrath" to the "unbeliever".

God has appointed a day in which He will "judge" this world:

Act 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

God will "judge" by the example given to us by Jesus Christ Our Lord.

Jesus is our example to live by:

Joh 13:15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

1Pe 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

1Pe 2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

1Pe 2:23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

1Pe 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

We should ask ourselves, How do we match up to the example Christ Jesus gave us in Himself?

When we read the scriptures from Rom 1:27 thru Rom 2 till Rom 3:8, this is not a description of the finally damned but it is a picture of the "Lost of this world".

Paul later says:

1Co 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

1Co 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

1Co 6:11 And [such were some of you]: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Paul is telling us that there is no sinner outside the reach of His Saving Power. It does not hurt us to look back on occasions to see where we came from as long as we do not tarry on something that God has already forgiven.

What else do these scriptures tell us? God will allow us to travel our own path to destruction. God insist that His Word be made available to all but He will not force His Word on anyone. God gave us all the freewill to choose our own way.

Ecc 7:29 Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.

All freewill, will end at the "White Throne of Judgment"

Rev 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

God says there will be none saved on that day. Whatever you were, that you will remain.

Rev 22:11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

There is only one time of "Grace for the Church" and that is the time we live in now!

2Co 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

In fact we are in the last days of this time!

1Jn 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

To be "ungodly" is to totally disregard God!

To be "unrighteous" is to be wicked in our conduct.

To know these things is to Know the "Holy Spirit". (Holy Ghost)

2Th 2:6 [And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.

2Th 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work]: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

We find the "truth" of God in the Book of Romans but not many in this world will agree to what God calls "sin".

*****Verse 19.)

There has never been a time in human history that God has not made Himself known. The sad fact is that most of this world has rejected the Word of God and therefore Jehovah God since the days of Adam.

God has revealed Himself through "creation". There are many that try to find some other means of creation but the Word of God has the indisputable facts of "creation" that cannot be denied. It is not "science" that proves the Bible. It is the Bible that proves "science". Until evolution became the gospel of false science, true science was based on facts, which is the definition of "science"!

Psa 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

The first step for man to be wise is to listen and keep the Word of God.

1.) The "fear of the Lord" is the beginning of knowledge but the foolish will not listen.

2.) The "fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of Him is understanding.

3.) The "fear of the Lord" is the instructions of wisdom and our honor comes from being humble in His presence.

4.) The "fear of the Lord" is the strength of Our Salvation.

5.) The "fear of the Lord" is His treasure to us all!

Men are without excuse of admitting there is a Holy God of Truth!

*****Verse 20.)

There are many men of their own renown that say our universe is a haphazard place of collision of stellar bodies. God has made the eye of the human to see farther than any thing man-made. When I look up into the heavens I see a thing of beauty. Most every object in orbit, and organized. God is not a God of "Chaos".

There will be a time of "Chaos" but not to the believer. We can read all about it in the Book of Revelation.

Because of God’s Creation that is clearly visible to the eye, not hidden or covered up, not in chaos but in order, man has no excuse, no basis for doubt to deny the existence of God and all mankind knows it.

Psa 33:6 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.

Psa 33:7 He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.

Psa 33:8 Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.

Psa 33:9 For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.

*****21.)

Every living human being, no matter what they say, knows there is a Creator. BUT man has chosen to refuse this thought and therefore are "godless" and "thankless". Because man cannot free himself from these thoughts, they create "idols" for them selves to worship.

What is the "Heart" in Spiritual terms? It represents the whole inner man, the seat of knowledge, and the seat of man’s feelings.

In our world the Bible explains that these things of the "Heart" have become "dark" and have "lost the light that they had about the true Creator".

Man now wanders blindly in this world and are easily influenced by the things of Satan.

This is exactly the way I was before I met Jesus on His terms!

2Ti 2:26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

There is no recovery except through the Lord Jesus Christ!

*****Verse 22.)

Mankind have rejected the "Light of Jesus" in their consciences and abide in their own knowledge thinking they have wisdom, but that wisdom is of this world and not God’s World, which is not on this earth.

Job 28:28 And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.

These are the same ones of our day that say (God is not a person, man evolved from monkeys, evil morals are just bad habits, if it feels good do it, go ahead and lust after all you see and make it happen if you can). This is man’s path of wisdom!

Job said it well when he said to depart from these things means we understand that these are all lies!

Solomon wrote to the younger generation but it holds true to all:

Ecc 11:9 Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.

Ecc 11:10 Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.

Walking in the things of this world will lead us to vanity which means to nothing.

What did Jesus tell us all:

Joh 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

God gave us the free will to choose to be "Nothing", a "Vain Thing" or to be a "Something" in Christ Jesus.

There will "No Vain Thing" in God’s New heaven! Only the "Somethings" will be there!

Until a man can know his state of "Sin" he will never feel the need for a "Savior".

Preachers and Teachers have soft-pedaled sin, until the "Fear of God" is VANISHING.

These men are employed and used by the "Devil".

Verse 23.)

God is glorious and self-existing, and "Incorruptibility" is the "Essence" His Being. No One that has "Sin" could ever forgive others of their sin.

Mankind who reject the knowledge of God but still retain the need to worship in their conscience are an insult to the God that created them.

If we as Christians allow "idols" to come between us and God, then we have insulted our Savior and are no better than the lost of this world.

Idols of man were prevalent in Greece.

Idols of animals were prevalent in Egypt.

Both types were found in Rome and still are found in a certain religion.

Idols of Serpent worship are found along with these others worldwide.

Where does your own "Idol" fall in place among these others?

From "idolatry" to "immorality" is just one short step!

Once man has rejected the True God, Our Lord, then he walks on his own path to destruction.

Remember what Satan told Eve:

Gen 3:5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and [ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil].

Satan has always wanted to be worshiped as God and we give this worship to him when we place our idols between us and Our Lord God.

The Apostle Paul takes us back to the Exodus of Israel and reminds us:

1Co 10:9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.

One way God reveals His "wrath" is by ABANDONING SINFUL MAN TO THEIR OWN LUSTFUL WAYS.

God withdraws His Holy Spirit of Conviction!

Mankind will then resort to a "depraved mind" and encourage others to join in with them in there sin.

We can see this growing in America every day. Even our own leaders have no morals along with those of the world we live in.

This is the "news" that is brought to our attention every day. Just turn on your T V. Or look on your computer.

There is no confusion to whom Paul addressed this Epistle:

"To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints"

We can only realize one thing in this Epistle and that is that "The Whole World Is Guilty Before God"!

*****Our Text:

Rom 3:9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;

Rom 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

Rom 3:11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

Rom 3:12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Rom 3:13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:

Rom 3:14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:

Rom 3:15 Their feet are swift to shed blood:

Rom 3:16 Destruction and misery are in their ways:

Rom 3:17 And the way of peace have they not known:

Rom 3:18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.

Up until verse 9 Paul was making it perfectly clear that if you chose to do some evil thing and some good came out of it, it would not change the character of that evil thing nor take away the guilty of the one that did the evil.

If you robbed a bank and gave all the money to the church and souls were saved because of this money, it would not mean that the one that had robbed the bank would be guilt free of his sin.

God will not allow His Name to be shamed for the furtherance of the Gospel. God cannot become guilty of any wrong toward any being whatever. Even though God condemns a sinner to eternal damnation, God will immediately forgive that same sinner if he accepts the Word of God and repents. That same sinner would then be a useful tool in the hands of his Savior.

God will also not exempt any Jew though they have kept all the laws of Moses nor will He exempt any Baptist, nor Methodist, nor Episcopalian who has not accepted The Lord Jesus Christ.

All mankind are exactly alike in the eyes of God. We are all sinners that deserve death! THE WHOLE WORLD IS GUILTY BEFORE THIS HOLY AND RIGHTEOUS GOD!

Psa 14:1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

Psa 14:2 The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.

Psa 14:3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

*****God now speaks 14 horrible things about the "Natural Man":

God speaks first as the "Judge":

Verse 10.)

*****1.) "There is not one righteous"

Psa 53:1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.

No human being to have ever lived on this earth has ever been "righteous". Adam was "innocent" but not "righteous"!

Most all false religions are based on someone who has declared his own self in favor with God and this cannot be true.

*****2.) in verse 11: "There are none that understand"

This can best be understood by the Words of Jesus.

Mat 13:13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

This phrase is last used by Paul as he instructs the church:

Eph 5:17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

We have the written will of God in our Bible. If we cannot be obedient to God’s "written will" He will not ask us to do anything else!

"In God’s Own Wisdom, the world through it’s own wisdom cannot know God" this is the truth.

*****3.) again in verse 11: "There is none that seek God"

We might say how is this possible?

The Bible says:

1Co 10:20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.

When Adam sinned he turn his back on God:

It is God that became the "seeker".

Gen 3:9 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?

Since then the "natural" man has not sought after God.

Our God has become the:

a.) The Seeker

b.) The Convictor

c.) The Persuader.

d.) The Savior.

Through God’s Amazing "Grace", He brings all those that believe unto Himself.

*****4.) In verse 12 we find "They are all gone out of the way"

The Bible says:

Psa 14:3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Psa 53:3 Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

The Church is told directly:

Rom 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

1Pe 3:11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.

1Pe 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

We have to realize that in the eyes of God the whole race of man is an awful case.

The world sees mankind as mostly good but some do some bad things.

God sees mankind as all bad even though some may do some good things.

*****5.) again verse 12 we see "They are all unprofitable"

God says the ‘Human race" is useless to Him in bringing man closer to Him.

That word "unprofitable" means "rotten fruit". The Bible says mankind has become "filthy".

Isa 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

These words are harsh but we cannot understand God’s "Grace" until we understand How a Holy God sees mankind.

*****6.) again verse 12 "There are none that practice goodness"

Mankind seeks "Corruption" not holiness.

Mankind seeks "Selfishness" not goodness.

Mankind seeks "Cruelty" not kindness.

We know this is true in the world we live in today. Our own governments are corrupt. The rich are more selfish than ever. The robber and the murderer are treated with respect while the innocent continue to suffer.

We have seen how Our Lord sees us as a "Judge" now let’s see the "Physician":

*****7.)) In verse 13 "Their throat an open sepulchre"

Doctors always look into the throat because it can tell him the state of health. Paul says these throats are open graves of death.

Death represents: decay, moral stench, unhidden but open and unashamed.

Watch the six o’clock news today and see the results.

*****8.) Again in verse 13 "Tongues using deceit"

All the world is being misled by those in power and are taught to believe in false things and a false hope. We know all theses things hold true even today and especially today.

God does not say things are getting better, No, God says things are getting worse:

2Ti 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

*****9.) Again in verse 13 "The poison of Asp under their lips"

The fangs of the viper ordinarily are folded back in it’s upper jaw, but when it strikes those fangs drop down to deliver the poison that is gathered under its lips.

All men are born into this world as sinners, the world does not make us sinners. We all have immoral poison sacks like this in our lips. Even in America people brag about having the freedom to speak whatever words they will regardless who is hurt with those words. We call this freedom!

*****10.) Verse 14 "A mouth full of cursing and bitterness"

All you have to do to prove this is to take a stand for Jesus and the world will open its mouth in cursing and blaspheming.

This world is full of bitterness and those that believe there may be a Heaven find their own way to get their not accepting The Lord Jesus Christ as ‘The Way"!

*****11.) Verse 15 "Feet swift to shed blood"

Isa 59:7 says Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths.

*****12.) We will next see the "All-seeing" God as the Historian: Verse 16: "Destruction and Misery are in their ways"

All we have to do to prove this is to look in archeology of every old city and we will see that one is built on top of the ruins of another. Civilization has not proved that it can survive without destruction.

Those that say so are blind to "World History" and "Blind to present day facts"!

God says the world will resort to the same world before the flood that is also denied.

Luk 17:26 And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.

Luk 17:27 They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.

Luk 17:28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;

Luk 17:29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.

Luk 17:30 Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.

The World is "Not" getting better!

Gen 6:11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.

Gen 6:12 And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.

Gen 6:13 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.

*****13.) Verse 17 "And the way of peace they have not known"

Isa 59:8 The way of peace they know not; and there is no judgment in their goings: they have made them crooked paths: whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.

Talk about fulfilled prophecy how can this one be missed.

Without the wisdom of God there can not be world wide peace. The proof is all around us.

*****14.) Verse 18 "There is no fear of God before their eyes"

Psa 36:1 The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.

Psa 36:2 For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful.

There is no sense of Majesty and Holiness for Jehovah God. There is no sense of Godly Goodness, nor Godly Justice.

There is no Godly Fear in this world except in the believer!

A man once wrote that "Out of the contempt of the Most High God comes all wickedness". No doubt this is true.

Just as a doctor is guilty of a falsehood if he does not tell a patient of a destroying cancer, God would have been guilty if He had made known to us all our "Spiritual Cancer".

*****Our Text:

Rom 3:19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

Rom 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: [for by the law is the knowledge of sin].

It is extremely important for every Christian to study their Bible but also to attend a Bible believing church. Many names, doctrines, and ordinances of the Bible have been falsely explained and it is harder to dislodge this falsehood than to disciple a babe in Christ.

1.) The Church is not to observe any of the Jewish rituals or feast days or any other Jewish doctrine.

2.) We do not see in the Bible where Christmas, Easter or Lent are celebrated by the Church.

We might ask if keeping God’s Law is not for my own righteousness then why is it in the Word of God? Why Did He Give It?

We then have to ask ourselves these questions and seek the answer in God’s Word:

A.) To what nation did God give the Law?

B.) Why did God give the Law?

C.) What is the ministry of the Law?

D.) How was the Law set aside for something new?

E.) What does "Under Grace" mean?

F.) How can we "Walk in the Spirit"?

G.) How can those that are not under the Law be "righteous"?

We must find three things as evidence:

a.) The broken Laws of God can only condemn!

b.) Even if we began today to obey God’s Law it would not make up for our disobedient past.

c.) The keeping of the Law is NOT God’s way to Salvation or of any Blessing.

The one thing that stands out is that only the knowledge of "SIN" comes through the Law.

This proves 3 things:

1.) The Law reveals what God approved in man and what God will not approve and forbids.

2.) The Law requires a man to be obedient.

3.) The Law condemns any that are disobedient.

These are some things we will seek answers for in this Book of Romans.

Let’s Pray!

The Revelation Of Righteousness “The Gospel”

/ Bobby Mayfield / 1 Comment

The Revelation of Righteousness  "The Gospel"

Our Text today will be Romans 1:1-17

We will now begin a group of lesson’s in the Book of Romans. The "Roman Road" to "Salvation" is known worldwide I’m sure.

The Holy Ghost used the hand of the Apostle Paul to write this wonderful book but just as all the Bible, God wrote these things to us personally because Our Lord is seeking a personal one on one relationship with each and everyone of His children.

The Apostle Paul presents the "Saving Gospel Message" clearly in the Book of Romans.

The "Theme" of Romans is "Righteousness" and "our righteousness" can only come through "God’s Saving Grace" and by the Lord Jesus Christ!

Let’s begin:

Rom 1:1  Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

A man named Paul introduces himself as the writer of this book but he tells us some things about himself. The name Paul was used a lot at this time.

This Paul says that he was a servant of Jesus Christ.

We know that this Paul became a servant on the Damascus Road:

Act 9:3  And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
Act 9:4  And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
Act 9:5  And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
Act 9:6  And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

This Paul said he was an apostle:

There were certain requirements that had to be met to be an apostle.

The Apostle Peter said:

Act 1:21  Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
Act 1:22  Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

To be an apostle meant you had to see Jesus after His resurrection.

Paul describes this day for us:

2Co 12:2  I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
2Co 12:3  And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
2Co 12:4  How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

There are those that say that Paul did not meet all the requirements to be an apostle but it can be just as easily said that only Paul was called with such a "Heavenly Calling".

I believe it can be said that no one was given more authority to deliver the "Gospel" than that of the Apostle Paul!

Jesus said:

Joh 13:20  Verily, verily, I say unto you, [He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me]; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

We have read where Jesus sent Paul and praise the Lord, he sent Paul to the "Gentiles". A "Gentile" is anyone that is not a Jew.

Gal 2:7  But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;
Gal 2:8  (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)

To not believe the "Gospel" according to Paul then is "heresy".

Heresy means they have made an error in opinion..

They have made an error in opinion of true Church Doctrine!

1Co 15:1  Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
1Co 15:2  By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

Paul then tells us what the word "Gospel" means:

1Co 15:3  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
1Co 15:4  And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

When Paul says "according to the scriptures", he means just like it was prophesied in the Old Testament.

Paul then goes on to say he also just like the other apostles was separated unto the "Gospel of God":

1Co 15:5  And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
1Co 15:6  After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
1Co 15:7  After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
1Co 15:8  And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

Paul made it his life long work to bring to Jesus His Bride:

2Co 11:1  Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.
2Co 11:2  For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

*****Our first lesson here is to see that TO BE CALLED OF GOD IS TO BE SEPARATED UNTO THE GOSPEL OF GOD.

That’s the actual death, burial and bodily resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. To preach any other way is not preaching the "Gospel".

We need to have a very clear understanding:

Joh 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

1.) It is God that loved.

2.) It is God that sent.

3.) It is God that separates.

Our Job is to believe! To have "Faith" in the "Promises" of God.

Remember God will be "Faithful" to fulfill those promises.

Deu 7:9  Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;

Joh 15:5  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: [for without me ye can do nothing].

*****Rom 1:2  (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)

What is God’s Old Testament "Promise" to the Church?

Isa 53:11  He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

What is God’s Old Testament "Promise" to Israel?

Jer 23:6  In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

What is God’s Old Testament "Promise" to all that will believe?

Hab 2:4  Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

*****Rom 1:3  Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
Rom 1:4  And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

1.) Jesus was that baby born to the Virgin Mary who was a direct descendant of David. Jesus was a Jew and to hate the Jew or to not stand with Israel is to be against the earthly family of Jesus.

2.) Jesus was that baby of "royal blood" because Mary would be married to Joseph who adopted Jesus as his own son.Joseph was in the kingly line of David through Solomon. This Mary was also in the line of David through David’s son Nathan.

3.) It took God’s Power to cause the "Virgin Birth". It took God’s Power to raise Jesus from the dead. These things happened by God’s Spirit, the Spirit of Holiness.

This the "Gospel" according to Paul. This is the message of "Good News"!

We must realize that this "Good News" to the Church will be followed up by the "Bad News" from Heaven:

1Jn 2:22  Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

a.) Jesus was "Christ" but also "Man" in the flesh and will keep all the promises to Israel as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

b.) Jesus was "Christ" but also "The Son Of God" declared so by the Power of the Holy Spirit and is High Priest of the Church and Our Lord.

Act 2:36  Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

*****Rom 1:5  By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:

We must "Receive" the gift of God’s Grace  before we can serve Him. We must then be obedient to "Our Faith in The Gospel of Jesus Christ."

*****Rom 1:6  Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:

We must not fall into the trap of thinking that Paul was establishing a New Christian religion as some do. To be Christlike is certainly to be a Christian but the "Gospel" preached by Paul is the same message given to us from the Old Testament that was fulfilled in Our Lord Jesus Christ.

God has had only one message since the fall of Adam. The Rapture of the Church will end the Church Age but God will continue on with the Promises made to Israel.

There is still only one way to Heaven and that will never change even in the Millennial Kingdom. Every Saint of God is connected to Him through the Lord Jesus Christ.

There is nothing in this world nor in Heaven that can sever the connection between Christ Jesus and His Saints!

Rom 8:38  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Rom 8:39  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

*****Rom 1:7  To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

What we know is that God loves everyone in this world we live in:

Joh 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

There is no truer statement in the entire word of God BUT:

Only the Saints, His children, those of the Household of God are called "The Beloved of God"!

1.) "Grace" has only one source, God.

2.) "Grace" has only one channel, The Lord Jesus Christ.

3.) "Grace" has only one administer, The Holy Spirit.

So only those who have received Jesus Christ can truly become God’s Children!

Joh 1:12  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

*****Rom 1:8  First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

Paul shows us that he is also related to us all in the family of God. Every believer no matter the race or nationality are tied together by their "Faith" in Christ Jesus. Just as "Faith" links every believer, it is the "Grace" of God that links us all to Our Lord Jesus Christ.

We are not linked by denomination, or Apostle, or Preacher, or Missionary, it is God that gathers His People to Assemble!

It is the "Job" of every child of God to "sound this out to all the world with every means at our disposal.

*****Rom 1:9  For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;

We can see that the "Power of God" moves only through "Prayer". These people could not have known how much Paul had prayed for them but God certainly knew and Paul was not afraid to say so.

My health has faltered these past couple of years and it is truly a humbling thing to know so many of my brothers and sisters are shouting my name all over Heaven.

We owe it to each other to pray for each other! This shows our Love to God better than any other way.

Paul said he served in his spirit:

There are a lot of people that do not believe in the trinity of man. They believe that the human body only consist of two parts, the "body" and the "soul".

The Bible is specific about this subject:

1Th 5:23  And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God [your whole spirit and soul and body] be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We must remember our creation:

Gen 1:27  So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

Our God is a trinity and therefore in His Image, we are also a trinity.

But to serve in the spirit, is to serve in the Holy Spirit of God!

Paul said he did not hold "inspirational meetings" but he did hold "Spiritual Meetings". Any gathering without the Holy Spirit is just a social event.

Rom 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

We are not alive without being filled and sealed with the Holy Ghost of God. When we give our selves to the Lord, He will give us His Spirit.

*****Rom 1:10  Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.

Paul always prayed that his testimony would produce fruit for Our Lord.

God has said:

Isa 55:11  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

To produce fruit we must be in the will of God:

1Jn 5:14  And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
1Jn 5:15  And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

We must showcase our "Faith" in our "Prayer Life"!

*****Rom 1:11  For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;

Paul is not saying that he could give gifts that only the Holy Spirit can give. Paul was saying that he could help them "grow in the Spirit".

I just recently witnessed a preacher that after preaching a fairly Biblical sermon asked at the end of that sermon if anyone wanted a little extra spirit. He then laid his hand on their forehead and said receive ye the Spirit.

God’s Holy Spirit will not flow through the laying on of hands. God’s Spirit only comes with acknowledging Jesus Christ as your Savior.

The Laying on of Hands simply means you are joining with another in seeking the will of God.

Jesus Christ gives us our example:

Luk 22:31  And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
Luk 22:32  But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

We must remember these people could not go home and find comfort in their Bible because they did not have one.

Paul preached to provide these things:

2Th 2:17  Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

*****Rom 1:12  That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

This the comfort supplied by a "Pastor" of the Church. The "Pastor" is the earthly shepherd who will also look ahead to the mutual blessings that will come to those that "Love" the Lord Jesus Christ..

*****Rom 1:13  Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.

The Apostle Paul was a perfect "Ambassador" for Christ Jesus and he longed to be used wherever he was led by the Holy Spirit. Paul could not choose his own path.

What was the fruit that Paul was seeking for these people?

Rom 6:21  What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
Rom 6:22  But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
Rom 6:23  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

God will never hinder the spread of His Word so if he was hindered then it had to be Satan that did this. We should not be surprised by the efforts of Satan to hinder the spread of the Gospel.

*****Rom 1:14  I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.

The "Greeks" are those influenced by the Greek culture and were considered the elite of society.

The "Barbarians" were not Greek and considered a lower class of people.

The "Wise" and "Unwise" could be from either group.

Paul said he was in debt to the Lord Jesus for all classes of people because there is no class of people "righteous" in the eyes of a Holy God.

We are not "Sinners" because we sin!

We "Sin" because we are born "Sinners"!

Jesus Christ tasted death for every one on this world:

Gal 2:20  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

We must repeat these words for our own self or we are not one of God’s children.

The message Paul has for the Saints of God is this:

Gal 1:11  But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
Gal 1:12  For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. 

There are many that reject the "Gospel" according to the Apostle Paul and they have turned away.

1.) They reject the "Virgin Birth".

2.) They reject the "Death of the Messiah".

3.) They reject the "Burial and the Bodily Resurrection" of Our Lord.

4.) They reject John 14:6:

Joh 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

5.) They reject the "Gospel" according to Paul because they reject the Apostleship of Paul.

6.) They did this in Paul’s time and many do it now:

Paul wrote to Timothy:

2Ti 1:15  This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me;

We know where Asia is and they still reject the Gospel of Paul in Asia.

Jesus tells us in the Book of Revelation when it is all over:

Rev 22:11  He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

It will be too late to make changes in the way you believe!

Today is the day of "Grace"!

*****Rom 1:15  So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.

At this time in Rome the Jews were a hated and a despised people. They just refused to be ruled by some foreign power. I can’t say I would not be like these Jews if America ever fell.

The Apostle Paul was a short man and considered weak when compared to other men.

2Co 10:10  For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.

Paul knew that any Jew that had influence in Rome would consider him a troublemaker. The Roman rulers considered themselves to be gods and what happened in Rome could influence what might happen throughout the Roman Empire.

The "Gospel" had already been rejected by these Jew.

Act 28:22  But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.

The entire world was against Christianity. This has not changed very much in our day because this world is under the guidance of Satan:

2Co 4:4  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Paul had the Power of the Holy Spirit on him and he was not afraid of stiff-necked crowds, Paul was always ready to "Preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ".

Paul was always ready to die for the "Gospel of Jesus Christ".

Act 21:13  Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.

*****Rom 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Verses 16-17 give us the "theme" of the Book of Romans.

Paul uses the word "For" to mean "There is no doubt"!

1.) For I Am not "Ashamed" of the "Gospel" (there is no doubt)

2.) For it is the "Power of God to Salvation" (there is no doubt)

3.) For the "Righteousness of God is revealed in this Gospel" (there is no doubt)

4.) For the "Wrath of God is revealed unto all ungodliness" (there is no doubt)

Paul was willing to go to the Home town of the Enemy that had crucified the Lord Jesus Christ. Just like the Lord Jesus Christ, Paul "despised the shame" and therefore was not ashamed of Jesus Christ Our Lord.

Christ was crucified!

Christ did die!

Christ was buried!

Christ did rise from that death in the Power of God!

Paul said:

1Co 1:18  For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

No Preacher will have the Power of God until he has fully accepted these "TRUTHS"!

And everyone that rest in these words can be saved!

This is God’s "Good News" the "Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ".

To "Preach" this ‘Gospel is to Please God!

1Co 1:21  For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

The Cross may be a symbol to many but it is the Preaching of the "Gospel" that is the "Word of the Cross"!

1Co 1:23  But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
1Co 1:24  But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

The Cross with no Savior cannot save!

The Christ with no Cross cannot save!

Our Salvation rest in a Christ That was Crucified!

This message is to be broadcast and not discussed or argued.

To proclaim this truth does not allow for such foolishness!

What the "Gospel" is NOT!

It is not the Power to reform.

It is not the Power to be educated.

It is not the Power of progress.

It is not the Power of development.

Those that are lost do not care about these things.

What the "Gospel" is, THE POWER OF SALVATION!

Php 1:27  Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ:

Php 1:28  And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.

Jesus Christ was rejected by the Jew.

Then the Gospel was first delivered to the Jew and again it was rejected.

Paul went back to Jerusalem one more time before he died to preach the Gospel and again it was rejected by the Jew.

What we find is that even in Rome the "Gospel" was rejected:

Act 28:28  Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.
Act 28:29  And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.

Just as all the Lost, the Jew will not have any excuse.

*****Rom 1:17  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Our "righteousness" is based from faith to faith, which means the only work we have to do is to "Believe"!

Our "righteousness" is of God but it is based on the "redeeming work of the Lord Jesus.

1.) The Blood of Christ, "Redeemed His Church"!

2.) It is God’s Word that we must Keep!

3.) But our "Faith" must be in the entire Word of God!

4.) The belief of the "Gospel" is the means of "Our Justification"!

This is God’s Plan we have no right to disagree!

Because Our "Soul" hangs in the balance!

Hab 2:4  Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

Though our "Soul" is not upright, we can be "Justified" by our "Faith" in the ‘Living Word of God"!

Let’s pray!

The Revelation Of Righteousness “The Gospel”

/ Bobby Mayfield / 1 Comment

The Revelation of Righteousness  "The Gospel"

Our Text today will be Romans 1:1-17

We will now begin a group of lesson’s in the Book of Romans. The "Roman Road" to "Salvation" is known worldwide I’m sure.

The Holy Ghost used the hand of the Apostle Paul to write this wonderful book but just as all the Bible, God wrote these things to us personally because Our Lord is seeking a personal one on one relationship with each and everyone of His children.

The Apostle Paul presents the "Saving Gospel Message" clearly in the Book of Romans.

The "Theme" of Romans is "Righteousness" and "our righteousness" can only come through "God’s Saving Grace" and by the Lord Jesus Christ!

Let’s begin:

Rom 1:1  Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

A man named Paul introduces himself as the writer of this book but he tells us some things about himself. The name Paul was used a lot at this time.

This Paul says that he was a servant of Jesus Christ.

We know that this Paul became a servant on the Damascus Road:

Act 9:3  And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
Act 9:4  And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
Act 9:5  And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
Act 9:6  And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

This Paul said he was an apostle:

There were certain requirements that had to be met to be an apostle.

The Apostle Peter said:

Act 1:21  Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,
Act 1:22  Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection.

To be an apostle meant you had to see Jesus after His resurrection.

Paul describes this day for us:

2Co 12:2  I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
2Co 12:3  And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)
2Co 12:4  How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

There are those that say that Paul did not meet all the requirements to be an apostle but it can be just as easily said that only Paul was called with such a "Heavenly Calling".

I believe it can be said that no one was given more authority to deliver the "Gospel" than that of the Apostle Paul!

Jesus said:

Joh 13:20  Verily, verily, I say unto you, [He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me]; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

We have read where Jesus sent Paul and praise the Lord, he sent Paul to the "Gentiles". A "Gentile" is anyone that is not a Jew.

Gal 2:7  But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;
Gal 2:8  (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)

To not believe the "Gospel" according to Paul then is "heresy".

Heresy means they have made an error in opinion..

They have made an error in opinion of true Church Doctrine!

1Co 15:1  Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
1Co 15:2  By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

Paul then tells us what the word "Gospel" means:

1Co 15:3  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
1Co 15:4  And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

When Paul says "according to the scriptures", he means just like it was prophesied in the Old Testament.

Paul then goes on to say he also just like the other apostles was separated unto the "Gospel of God":

1Co 15:5  And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
1Co 15:6  After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
1Co 15:7  After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
1Co 15:8  And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

Paul made it his life long work to bring to Jesus His Bride:

2Co 11:1  Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.
2Co 11:2  For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

*****Our first lesson here is to see that TO BE CALLED OF GOD IS TO BE SEPARATED UNTO THE GOSPEL OF GOD.

That’s the actual death, burial and bodily resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. To preach any other way is not preaching the "Gospel".

We need to have a very clear understanding:

Joh 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

1.) It is God that loved.

2.) It is God that sent.

3.) It is God that separates.

Our Job is to believe! To have "Faith" in the "Promises" of God.

Remember God will be "Faithful" to fulfill those promises.

Deu 7:9  Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;

Joh 15:5  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: [for without me ye can do nothing].

*****Rom 1:2  (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)

What is God’s Old Testament "Promise" to the Church?

Isa 53:11  He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.

What is God’s Old Testament "Promise" to Israel?

Jer 23:6  In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

What is God’s Old Testament "Promise" to all that will believe?

Hab 2:4  Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

*****Rom 1:3  Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
Rom 1:4  And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

1.) Jesus was that baby born to the Virgin Mary who was a direct descendant of David. Jesus was a Jew and to hate the Jew or to not stand with Israel is to be against the earthly family of Jesus.

2.) Jesus was that baby of "royal blood" because Mary would be married to Joseph who adopted Jesus as his own son.Joseph was in the kingly line of David through Solomon. This Mary was also in the line of David through David’s son Nathan.

3.) It took God’s Power to cause the "Virgin Birth". It took God’s Power to raise Jesus from the dead. These things happened by God’s Spirit, the Spirit of Holiness.

This the "Gospel" according to Paul. This is the message of "Good News"!

We must realize that this "Good News" to the Church will be followed up by the "Bad News" from Heaven:

1Jn 2:22  Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.

a.) Jesus was "Christ" but also "Man" in the flesh and will keep all the promises to Israel as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

b.) Jesus was "Christ" but also "The Son Of God" declared so by the Power of the Holy Spirit and is High Priest of the Church and Our Lord.

Act 2:36  Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

*****Rom 1:5  By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:

We must "Receive" the gift of God’s Grace  before we can serve Him. We must then be obedient to "Our Faith in The Gospel of Jesus Christ."

*****Rom 1:6  Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:

We must not fall into the trap of thinking that Paul was establishing a New Christian religion as some do. To be Christlike is certainly to be a Christian but the "Gospel" preached by Paul is the same message given to us from the Old Testament that was fulfilled in Our Lord Jesus Christ.

God has had only one message since the fall of Adam. The Rapture of the Church will end the Church Age but God will continue on with the Promises made to Israel.

There is still only one way to Heaven and that will never change even in the Millennial Kingdom. Every Saint of God is connected to Him through the Lord Jesus Christ.

There is nothing in this world nor in Heaven that can sever the connection between Christ Jesus and His Saints!

Rom 8:38  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Rom 8:39  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

*****Rom 1:7  To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

What we know is that God loves everyone in this world we live in:

Joh 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

There is no truer statement in the entire word of God BUT:

Only the Saints, His children, those of the Household of God are called "The Beloved of God"!

1.) "Grace" has only one source, God.

2.) "Grace" has only one channel, The Lord Jesus Christ.

3.) "Grace" has only one administer, The Holy Spirit.

So only those who have received Jesus Christ can truly become God’s Children!

Joh 1:12  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

*****Rom 1:8  First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

Paul shows us that he is also related to us all in the family of God. Every believer no matter the race or nationality are tied together by their "Faith" in Christ Jesus. Just as "Faith" links every believer, it is the "Grace" of God that links us all to Our Lord Jesus Christ.

We are not linked by denomination, or Apostle, or Preacher, or Missionary, it is God that gathers His People to Assemble!

It is the "Job" of every child of God to "sound this out to all the world with every means at our disposal.

*****Rom 1:9  For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;

We can see that the "Power of God" moves only through "Prayer". These people could not have known how much Paul had prayed for them but God certainly knew and Paul was not afraid to say so.

My health has faltered these past couple of years and it is truly a humbling thing to know so many of my brothers and sisters are shouting my name all over Heaven.

We owe it to each other to pray for each other! This shows our Love to God better than any other way.

Paul said he served in his spirit:

There are a lot of people that do not believe in the trinity of man. They believe that the human body only consist of two parts, the "body" and the "soul".

The Bible is specific about this subject:

1Th 5:23  And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God [your whole spirit and soul and body] be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We must remember our creation:

Gen 1:27  So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

Our God is a trinity and therefore in His Image, we are also a trinity.

But to serve in the spirit, is to serve in the Holy Spirit of God!

Paul said he did not hold "inspirational meetings" but he did hold "Spiritual Meetings". Any gathering without the Holy Spirit is just a social event.

Rom 12:1  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

We are not alive without being filled and sealed with the Holy Ghost of God. When we give our selves to the Lord, He will give us His Spirit.

*****Rom 1:10  Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.

Paul always prayed that his testimony would produce fruit for Our Lord.

God has said:

Isa 55:11  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

To produce fruit we must be in the will of God:

1Jn 5:14  And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
1Jn 5:15  And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

We must showcase our "Faith" in our "Prayer Life"!

*****Rom 1:11  For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;

Paul is not saying that he could give gifts that only the Holy Spirit can give. Paul was saying that he could help them "grow in the Spirit".

I just recently witnessed a preacher that after preaching a fairly Biblical sermon asked at the end of that sermon if anyone wanted a little extra spirit. He then laid his hand on their forehead and said receive ye the Spirit.

God’s Holy Spirit will not flow through the laying on of hands. God’s Spirit only comes with acknowledging Jesus Christ as your Savior.

The Laying on of Hands simply means you are joining with another in seeking the will of God.

Jesus Christ gives us our example:

Luk 22:31  And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
Luk 22:32  But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

We must remember these people could not go home and find comfort in their Bible because they did not have one.

Paul preached to provide these things:

2Th 2:17  Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

*****Rom 1:12  That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

This the comfort supplied by a "Pastor" of the Church. The "Pastor" is the earthly shepherd who will also look ahead to the mutual blessings that will come to those that "Love" the Lord Jesus Christ..

*****Rom 1:13  Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.

The Apostle Paul was a perfect "Ambassador" for Christ Jesus and he longed to be used wherever he was led by the Holy Spirit. Paul could not choose his own path.

What was the fruit that Paul was seeking for these people?

Rom 6:21  What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
Rom 6:22  But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
Rom 6:23  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

God will never hinder the spread of His Word so if he was hindered then it had to be Satan that did this. We should not be surprised by the efforts of Satan to hinder the spread of the Gospel.

*****Rom 1:14  I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.

The "Greeks" are those influenced by the Greek culture and were considered the elite of society.

The "Barbarians" were not Greek and considered a lower class of people.

The "Wise" and "Unwise" could be from either group.

Paul said he was in debt to the Lord Jesus for all classes of people because there is no class of people "righteous" in the eyes of a Holy God.

We are not "Sinners" because we sin!

We "Sin" because we are born "Sinners"!

Jesus Christ tasted death for every one on this world:

Gal 2:20  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

We must repeat these words for our own self or we are not one of God’s children.

The message Paul has for the Saints of God is this:

Gal 1:11  But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
Gal 1:12  For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. 

There are many that reject the "Gospel" according to the Apostle Paul and they have turned away.

1.) They reject the "Virgin Birth".

2.) They reject the "Death of the Messiah".

3.) They reject the "Burial and the Bodily Resurrection" of Our Lord.

4.) They reject John 14:6:

Joh 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

5.) They reject the "Gospel" according to Paul because they reject the Apostleship of Paul.

6.) They did this in Paul’s time and many do it now:

Paul wrote to Timothy:

2Ti 1:15  This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me;

We know where Asia is and they still reject the Gospel of Paul in Asia.

Jesus tells us in the Book of Revelation when it is all over:

Rev 22:11  He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

It will be too late to make changes in the way you believe!

Today is the day of "Grace"!

*****Rom 1:15  So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.

At this time in Rome the Jews were a hated and a despised people. They just refused to be ruled by some foreign power. I can’t say I would not be like these Jews if America ever fell.

The Apostle Paul was a short man and considered weak when compared to other men.

2Co 10:10  For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.

Paul knew that any Jew that had influence in Rome would consider him a troublemaker. The Roman rulers considered themselves to be gods and what happened in Rome could influence what might happen throughout the Roman Empire.

The "Gospel" had already been rejected by these Jew.

Act 28:22  But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.

The entire world was against Christianity. This has not changed very much in our day because this world is under the guidance of Satan:

2Co 4:4  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Paul had the Power of the Holy Spirit on him and he was not afraid of stiff-necked crowds, Paul was always ready to "Preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ".

Paul was always ready to die for the "Gospel of Jesus Christ".

Act 21:13  Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.

*****Rom 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Verses 16-17 give us the "theme" of the Book of Romans.

Paul uses the word "For" to mean "There is no doubt"!

1.) For I Am not "Ashamed" of the "Gospel" (there is no doubt)

2.) For it is the "Power of God to Salvation" (there is no doubt)

3.) For the "Righteousness of God is revealed in this Gospel" (there is no doubt)

4.) For the "Wrath of God is revealed unto all ungodliness" (there is no doubt)

Paul was willing to go to the Home town of the Enemy that had crucified the Lord Jesus Christ. Just like the Lord Jesus Christ, Paul "despised the shame" and therefore was not ashamed of Jesus Christ Our Lord.

Christ was crucified!

Christ did die!

Christ was buried!

Christ did rise from that death in the Power of God!

Paul said:

1Co 1:18  For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

No Preacher will have the Power of God until he has fully accepted these "TRUTHS"!

And everyone that rest in these words can be saved!

This is God’s "Good News" the "Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ".

To "Preach" this ‘Gospel is to Please God!

1Co 1:21  For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

The Cross may be a symbol to many but it is the Preaching of the "Gospel" that is the "Word of the Cross"!

1Co 1:23  But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
1Co 1:24  But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

The Cross with no Savior cannot save!

The Christ with no Cross cannot save!

Our Salvation rest in a Christ That was Crucified!

This message is to be broadcast and not discussed or argued.

To proclaim this truth does not allow for such foolishness!

What the "Gospel" is NOT!

It is not the Power to reform.

It is not the Power to be educated.

It is not the Power of progress.

It is not the Power of development.

Those that are lost do not care about these things.

What the "Gospel" is, THE POWER OF SALVATION!

Php 1:27  Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ:

Php 1:28  And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.

Jesus Christ was rejected by the Jew.

Then the Gospel was first delivered to the Jew and again it was rejected.

Paul went back to Jerusalem one more time before he died to preach the Gospel and again it was rejected by the Jew.

What we find is that even in Rome the "Gospel" was rejected:

Act 28:28  Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.
Act 28:29  And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves.

Just as all the Lost, the Jew will not have any excuse.

*****Rom 1:17  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Our "righteousness" is based from faith to faith, which means the only work we have to do is to "Believe"!

Our "righteousness" is of God but it is based on the "redeeming work of the Lord Jesus.

1.) The Blood of Christ, "Redeemed His Church"!

2.) It is God’s Word that we must Keep!

3.) But our "Faith" must be in the entire Word of God!

4.) The belief of the "Gospel" is the means of "Our Justification"!

This is God’s Plan we have no right to disagree!

Because Our "Soul" hangs in the balance!

Hab 2:4  Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

Though our "Soul" is not upright, we can be "Justified" by our "Faith" in the ‘Living Word of God"!

Let’s pray!