Romans 16- Victory in Jesus

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Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. Romans 16:17-20

As we come to the end of the Epistle of Romans, the Apostle Paul urges a strong warning once again. “Mark them which cause division and offences contrary to the doctrine you have learned and avoid them” As Paul said to the Church of Galatia “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1:8) Anyone who is preaching or teaching doctrine against what Christ and the Apostles taught, let them be accurssed!

However we live in a time period in the Church, where false doctrine is rampant! It’s harder to find a Church that actually preaches the Word of God, yet many so called “Christians” have compromised. Instead of marking these false teachers, as instructed by Paul, they conform to them. Many people attend these false Churches, for the sake of peace and unity, however this is very dishonering to your Lord.  As Paul continues “For those who are such, do not serve our Lord but their own belly (flesh)” These “Churches” are carnally minded, not being led by the Holy Spirit but by the flesh. 

Think about it, why would a Church embrace sin? Well the only reason is because they want to satisfy the flesh. They are not Born Again (John 3:3) , they are not led by the Holy Spirit, they are led by their carnal flesh like an animal. “By smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple” But you say “they are so nice”, “they are so friendly” Don’t be deceived, God will not be mocked, what you reap is what you sow” (Galatians 6:7)

So how do you respond to these fake Churches? As the Apostle Paul said, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, “Avoid them, stay away from them, (v17) This idea that we can have “Liberal” and “Traditional” Christians together is a lie from Satan. There is no such thing as a Liberal Christian, because its “contrary to the teachings of Christ” It’s an abomination in the house of God, yet many bow down to the Satanic agenda, and I fear many will lose their soul because you have rejected the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19)

“For your obedience has become known to all” (v19) Have you compromised your soul? Or are you obedient to your Lord Jesus Christ? The important thing is not whether your on the Church membership list, the important thing is your name written in The Lambs Book of Life? (Revelation 3:5) Many people have sold their soul, to please their family, to please their neighbor, to please their flesh

But the God of peace, our Lord Jesus Christ has crushed the head of Satan at the cross! We have victory in Christ, because Christ has already overcome the world (John 16:33) Don’t fear the temporary persecution right now, because we have eternal victory in the Kingdom of God, Amen!

Romans 16- Greet One Another

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I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also. Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ. Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us. Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord. Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved. Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus’ household. Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord. Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord. Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them. Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them. Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you. Romans 16:1-16

As we look at our text today, many people probably just skim over this part, figured is not really important, but their is great beauty in what the Apostle Paul is doing here. As I’ve stated previously, even though the Apostle Paul gets much of the credit for spreading the gospel to the Gentiles, for planting many Churches, it was truly a group effort. The body of Christ was never designed to be a one-man operation. Look at all the names that have laboured for The Lord , they share in the same glory as Paul, we share in the same glory , the Kingdom of God being built one soul at a time. The time, the sweat, the blood, all the sacrifices being put in for an eternal purpose! The Kingdom of God is at hand! (Matthew 3:2, Matthew 4:17, Mark 1:15)

We as a Church do a terrible job loving one another, lets be honest. As you look through this list, you see Jew and Gentile, male and female, rich and poor, all one in the body of Christ. Today we divide up into different sects, recently with the death of Charlie Kirk, I heard Christians, even Pastors proclaiming his death had nothing to do with them. These people claim to be part of the body of Christ, but they neglect the body of Christ that doesn’t align with them. Maybe because Charlie was white, maybe because Charlie was a Protestant, maybe because Charlie was too political, whatever maby be the reason , brothers and sisters in Christ decided he was not worthy of being greeted

I believe in the past few weeks, The Lord has been exposing our hypocrisy in the Church. The body of Christ is not made of one race, we are the great multitude. Consider what the Word of God says “After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands” (Revelation 7:9)

What makes a Christian? Our race? Our denomination? No, we were washed by the blood of the Lamb! (John 1:29) Greet your brothers and sisters, love one another because Christ has commanded you too (John 13:34) The Churches of Christ I greet you! Amen!

Romans 15- Peace of God

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Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me; That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints; That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed. Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen. Romans 15:30-33

The Apostle Paul is closing his epistle to the Church of Rome, notice how he begins by addressing the Triune God, “for The Lord Jesus Christ’s sake (Son), the love of the Spirit (Holy Spirit), that you strive together with me in your prayers to God (Father) for me” Throughout the Apostle Paul’s letters, you can see him address the Triune God , our God who is addressed as Holy , Holy, Holy (Isaiah 6:3, Revelation 4:8)

We see the spiritual warfare Paul endured throughout his ministry, asking the Church to pray for him, “that I may be delivered from them that do not believe” We see the hostility of the gospel message of Christ, that ultimately led to Paul losing his life for the sake of the gospel. Understand the cost of your calling as a disciple of Christ, as our Lord Jesus taught us to “Count the cost” (Luke 14:28) of being a disciple of Christ. 

Secondly the Apostle Paul asked the Church, “that my service which I have for Jerusalem, may be accepted of the saints” Paul knows he is at the end of his race, he’s asking his brothers and sisters in Christ, to accept his service he has given for the Church, for God’s eternal Kingdom. Everything the Apostle Paul did was for Christ, instead of the Church criticizing what Paul did wrong, rejoice in his service as a faithful servant. As well as our own calling, when our day is called, did our service to Christ impact the Church? Do we finish the race set before us? (2 Timothy 4:7)

So how do we as Christians find joy in this calling? As the Apostle Paul mentioned “The God of Peace be with you all” In Christ we have peace, in Christ we have our eternal victory (1 Corinthians 15:57) In Christ we have our hope! The world can’t understand this peace of God, while the world battles within its own flesh, we have been Born Again and set free in Christ

and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7) The Peace of God , which surpasses all human understanding, a peace like a river that flows through us (Isaiah 48:18) The world can’t understand this peace, because the world doesn’t understand God unless they are Born Again.  Surrender yourself to The Lord, and you will receive the Peace of God which is beyond all human comprehension in Christ, Amen!