Tag Archives: Romans

Romans 12- Serve The Church

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For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. Romans 12:3-8

There are many “Christians” today who will claim they don’t need “The Church”, they don’t have to go to “Church”, but the reality is , if you are truly a Born Again Christian, then you are the Church, to forsake the assembly of the Ekklesia, you are denying yourself, you are denying Christ since the Church is the Body of Christ. As the Apostle Paul states here, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit “not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think” Many “Christians” will claim they are too good for that Church, they know more than the Pastor, they don’t like the music, but if you are part of the body of Christ, you are part of them in Christ

One of the biggest of neglecting the Church , is the neglect of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. “For as we have many members in One body, and all members have not the same office or function” If you are a Born Again Christian, you have a gift of the Holy Spirit, maybe multiple gifts, however if you forsake the Church, you can’t utilize your gifts from God because of your disobedience. One of the reasons the Church needs each other, is because together we are strong when we combine the gifts of the Holy Spirit. But when the Church is separated, it becomes weakened and more vulnerable to the attacks of Satan 

“So We, being many are One Body in Christ and individually members of one another” You are not your own, you were bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:20) If you are a Christian you are part of the Body of Christ, and you belong to the Church in Christ. If you continually forsake the assembly of the Church (Hebrews 10:25) are you really a Christian? Are you really Born Again in Christ? If you are then you are part of the Body of Christ, the Church, this is not negotiable. 

 “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us” When you forsake the Church, you forsake your gift of the Holy Spirit, which was intended for the Church. What an awful thing to “bury your talent” (Matthew 25:14-30) When The Lord returns will ask you “What have you done with this gift given to you”? Will Jesus say “Well done good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23) Or “You wicked and lazy servant” (Matthew 25:26) Serve The Church, because the Church needs You, and You are a servant of Christ, Amen!

Romans 12- Conforming or Transforming?

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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. Romans 12:2

The state of Christianity can be summed up with this one verse, are you conforming or are you transforming? As we look at the state the majority of the “Church” today, most of it wants to conform to the world. The modern day Church wants to look and relate to the world, be appealing to the world, but if your truly Born Again, you will not be appealing to this world, in fact you are at war with the world (Ephesians 6)

The Apostle John stated “We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway/control  of the wicked one.” (1 John 5:19) The world is under the influence of the “god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4) How can the Church be conformed to the world, when the world is in opposition of Christ? Understand brothers and sisters, you are “of God” or you are “of the world”, there is no inbetween. Churches that are trying to be like the world, are just trying to be like the devil. 

You might say “Nobody will come to our Church, unless we are more appealing to the world” consider this scripture “because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:16) The word Holy means Set Apart, Be Set Apart from the world, because Christ is Set Apart from the world.  Consider what The Lord Jesus Christ said “If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first” (John 15:18) The world crucified our Lord, do you really think you can be part of the world? 

Instead of trying to be like the world “Be transformed the renewing of your mind” Jesus said “Unless you are Born Again, you will not see the Kingdom of Heaven” (John 3:3) You need to be transformed, you need to be regenerated, you need to be Born Again as a Child of God, not as a friend of the world. You need the Holy Spirit to give you a new heart, a new mind, the Holy Spirit will live inside of you (Ezekiel 36:26)

This is the Will of God, that you become saved, that you become transformed as a New Creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:7) The Will of God is not that you remain spiritually dead in your sins, let the dead bury the dead, but you Christian GO and preach the Kingdom of God, (Luke 9:60), Amen!

Romans 12- Living Sacrifice

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I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service Romans 12:1

Recently I just preached on Luke 9 What Is A Christian? In this chapter Jesus lays out what he requires of us to be a disciple of Christ. Just an example Jesus said “If anyone wants to come after me (be my disciple), they must deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow me (Christ) (Luke 9:23) Jesus is saying if you really want to be a Christian, you must carry your cross and follow Christ. How many of the billions of people, who identify as Christians, carry their cross on a daily basis?

So as we look at our text today, the Apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, continues this theme. “Present your bodies as a living sacrifice” Wow this seems pretty extreme right? Well our sin is so extreme that the Son of God had to die on the cross for your sins, so yes salvation is extreme. Today’s Christianity is all about self worship and self glorification.

Most people don’t want to sacrifice anything, they want things added to them. Most peoples view on Christianity today is my life plus Jesus added as a bonus, but if you are truly a Christian, Jesus is your entire life. Consider what the Apostle Paul said here “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” (Galtians 2:20) You are not your own, you were bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

So going back to this theme, present your bodies as a living sacrifice, first understand your body is a temple of the Living God, as a Born Again Christian, the Holy Spirit lives inside of you. (1 Corinthians 3:16-17) How can you be pleased to continue to live in sin if God lives inside of you? While we battle against the sins of the flesh, we sacrifice the daily pleasures of the flesh to give glory to God. 

Lets consider this, if you are a Born Again Christ, the Holy Spirit lives inside of you, you are now a Temple of God. If you were at your local Church, would you be watching pornography? Would you be drunk? Would you be continually cussing? No, because you have respect for the house of The Lord, so if you’re a Temple of God, why don’t you treat your body with the same reverence?

As the Apostle Paul says “Holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service” Many will cry “Legalism” but No you are honoring your Lord, this is your service, to crucify the flesh daily and live for Jesus Christ as a living sacrifice, Amen!

Romans 11- All Glory to God

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O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counseller? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.  Romans 11:33-36

After several chapters of difficult teachings, the Apostle Paul ends this section with worship to our God! What a beautiful and humble way to end this section of scripture, remember our God is an awesome God who reigns! The reason we wrestle with these scriptures is as the Apostle Paul states here “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God” The mind of God is beyond our human comprehension, as The Lord stated through the prophet Isaiah ““For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD.  “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9)

Job stated “Can you fathom the deep things of God or discover the limits of the Almighty?” (Job 11:7) This is why when we come to the Word of God, we must come with all humility and reverence, and be willing to learn by the Holy Spirit. Just as we look out into the universe, can we fathom how it all began? Or when we look from the shore of the ocean, another whole world is going on under those waters, we are just a grain of sand on the seashore, fill us Lord with your Spirit so we may comprehend your ways and thoughts!

How unsearchable are His judgements and His ways unfathomable! How can we fathom the mind of our Heavenly Father? When you open your Bible, Thank the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit for this unspeakable gift, to learn and know the thoughts of God. “Who has known the mind of The Lord? Or who has become His counselor?” Who can possibly know the mind of God, the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth? The one who breathed your soul into existence? Yet many believe they are Gods counselors! They say well I have this degree and that degree, I was raised in the Church from a child, I know the Word of God! Do you really? “Fear of The Lord is the beginning of wisdom and understanding!” (Proverbs 9:10)

The Apostle Paul actually quotes Job here “Who has given to Me that I should repay him? Everything under heaven is Mine.” (Job 41:11) Everything belongs to The Lord, including You! God doesn’t owe us anything, and we owe Him everything! Humble ourselves before The Lord and you will receive understanding of His word by the Holy Spirit. The Apostle Paul ends this perfectly  “For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things, to whom be the glory forever, Amen!”

Romans 11- Grace and Mercy

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As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. Romans 11:28-32

The Apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, continues to explain the “Mystery of Israel”, as many Christians find it hard to understand how God can still have a plan for the nation that crucified The Lord (Acts 2:36) “As concerning the gospel, they (Israel) are enemies for your (Church) sakes” So it’s no surprise that a majority of Christians today consider Israel to be their enemies, because they haven’t been Born Again yet

However what most Christians forget is election and the sovereignty of God, For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.” (Romans 9:15) Many who claim Israel has been “done away with”, are not only denying the Word of God but they are also denying the sovereignty of God. As God can raise up an army in a valley of dry bones (Ezekiel 37)

“But as touching the election, they (Israel) are beloved for the fathers sake” There is still a remnant that God has saved (Romans 9:27) And just because you can’t understand it or maybe you don’t like it, doesn’t mean its not happening. “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable or without repentance”  This is the grace of God being fully demonstrated on Israel, none of us deserve mercy , all of us deserve eternal Hell-fire, but its because of the grace of God through faith in Christ we are saved (Ephesians 2:38)

“For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience,” before you condemn Israel, before you condemn anyone, remember your calling. Remember when you were unsaved headed to eternal damnation. But Christ choose you and gave you grace and mercy, you didn’t do anything to deserve mercy, but its by the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ “even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy.”

“For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all.” God will use Israel as an example to the world, that no matter how far away we have strayed, mercy is still possible though our Lord Jesus Christ, who is calling all the prodigal sons and daughters home (Luke 15:11-32) so all of heaven can rejoice! (Luke 15:7) Amen!

Romans 11- Mystery of Israel

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For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. Romans 11:25-27

The Apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, sends a message to the Church, that is very relevant even today. “For I would not, brethren (Church), that you should be ignorant/unaware of this mystery” So what is the mystery that the Church is ignorant of? It’s the same “mystery” that even todays Church seems even more ignorant of. As Paul warns the Church “lest you should be wise in your own opinion” How many Christians today, disregard what scripture says by the Holy Spirit, and are wise in their own eyes? Paul is calling out the Church!

So what is the mystery? The Holy Spirit continues to tell us “that blindness is part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles (Church) come in” Its no suprise to God that the majority of Israel has rejected Christ, because they are under a spiritual blindness of God. Is this forever? No, until the fullness of the Church, God is not finished with Israel, God has not done away with Israel, this is the mystery that many can’t comprehend. 

If this is not clear enough for you, the Apostle Paul states, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit “And so All Israel shall be saved” This destroys modern day dispensationalism, many people will try to inject that the Church is Israel, this is not found anywhere in scripture. Even here, Paul is speaking of Israel and the Church separately. Make no mistake, salvation only comes through Jesus Christ, in Gods timing, the spiritual blindness will be lifted on the elect of Israel and they will be saved in Christ

This is not a new revelation, this has been Gods salvation plan since the beginning, as the Apostle Paul quotes Old Testament prophecies “The deliverer (Christ) will come out of Zion (Israel), He (Christ) will turn away ungodliness from Jacob (Israel)” (Isaiah 59:20-21) This is nothing new the Apostle Paul is revealing here, this is the same the prophet Isaiah fortold, the same the prophet Jeremiah fortold (Jeremiah 31:33-34) The New Covenant has come!

“For this is my covenant with them (Israel), when I take away their sins” (v27) Christ the Deliverer will save His remnant of Israel, they will be saved the same way we are saved, by the cross and resurrection of Christ, don’t be ignorant of this mystery, Church! Amen!

Romans 11- The Natural Branches

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Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again. For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree? Romans 11:19-24

Many “Christians” today will boast that Israel has been done away with, they will proclaim that they are the “New Israel” , however this arrogance should be a warning to them! As the Apostle Paul states they say “The branches (Israel) were broken off, that I (Church) might be grafted in” Why? “Well because of unbelief they were broken off, and I stand by faith” Because of Israel’s rejection of Christ , because they have crucified The Lord, many were broken off (Acts 2:36) 

However the Apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit , gives a strong warning about this “Do not be arrogant/haughty/conceited but tremble/fear”! While most of the Church seems to celebrate the “breaking off of the natural branches”, the Church should instead be in fear and trembling? Why? “For if God did not spare the natural branches (Israel) He will not spare you either” (v21) If Gods elect, Gods chosen people can be cut off because of their disobedience and lack of faith, you can be cut off also!

Understand this warning is from the Holy Spirit, I can already hear many Christians arguing this statement. Consider what The Lord Jesus said “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28) Israel should be a warning to the Church, and the Church should be a light to Israel, however instead many just boast in their arrogance and have no fear of their Lord and God

However the gospel is good news, while many were cut off, they can also be grafted in through Christ as the Apostle Paul reveals “And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.” (v23) This is like Jesus’ parable of the prodigal Son, (Luke 15) the Father had 2 sons, not just one. When the prodigal son came home, what was the response of the other son? He was angry, he had hatred in his heart, instead of rejoicing like the Father and all of Heaven, when one sinner comes to repentance (Luke 15:7)

“how much more will these, who are natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?” (v24) Many natural branches that were cut off, will be grafted back in through Jesus Christ, instead of hardening your hearts, rejoice brothers and sisters, because of God’s great mercy He demonstrated to us! Amen!

Romans 11- Grafted In

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For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.  Romans 11:16-18

The Apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, is going to use an illustration to demonstrate to us, the salvation of Israel, and the salvation of ourselves. There is a process called “grafting” , its describes as “a horticultural technique where parts of two different plants are joined to grow as one” 

Paul uses this technique to demonstrate how Israel and the Church are grafted together to be Children of God (Ephesians 2:14)  The Apostle Paul says “if the root (Israel) be holy, so are the branches” The root is in reference to the patriarchs of Israel (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacon) Remember Christ came through Israel, salvation came from Israel because of Jesus, this is the root of our faith. 

Notice “some of the branches (Jews) were broken off” Some of the natural branches, those who have rejected Jesus as Lord and Christ, will be broken off. Remember salvation is only through Jesus Christ (John 14:6, Acts 4:12) and while branches will be broken off, there will be a remnant of Israel that will be saved (Romans 11:5)

“You being a wild olive tree, (Church) were grafted in among them (Israel)” Many Christians don’t like the idea they are being “grafted in” to the family of God with Israel. Many “Christians” reject this, even though scripture is clear by the Holy Spirit. And in the same light, many Jews are not happy to be grated in with the Church. The devil has made the Church and Israel enemies, when in reality we are united in Christ, we are all grafted into the same root, Jesus.

As the Apostle Paul continues “become partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree” Heres a warning to the Church, “boast not against the branches, but if you do boast, remember you do not support the root, the root supports you” Many Christians will boast “away with Israel”, however remember the root (Israel) supports you, without Israel, you the wild olive tree, would never have been saved.

The Word became flesh, dwelt among us, died for our sins on the cross, and rose again on the 3rd day so we can be grated into His Kingdom, Amen!

Romans 11- Life from the Dead

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For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them. For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? Romans 11:13-15

As of right now, all eyes of the world are on Israel right now. As Israel has always been the center of everything going on in the world. Some will say, “this is a great conspiracy”, is this is a fake Israel? Well then why is Satan continually trying to destroy Israel? If you look throughout world history, the Jews have been under attack and hated by most of the world. If this nation is from Satan, then why does Satan persecute them?

The answer is in the Bible, as the Apostle Paul spoke by the Holy Spirit “God is not finished with them yet”! (Romans 11:1) So in our text today, the Apostle Paul is giving a direct message to the Church (Gentiles) “For I speak to you Gentiles (Church), inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles (Church)” Pauls calling was to preach the gospel to the Gentiles, so why doesn’t the Church adhere to his teachings? Why is the majority of the Church, so misinformed about Israel?

Paul then states “if by any means I may provoke to emulation or jealousy those who are my flesh (Israel) and save some of them” Gods granting salvation to the Gentiles through Jesus Christ is to provoke jealousy in the Jews to bring them to Christ. I don’t think many understand this, while Israel and the Church are jealous of one another, this jealousy is by God to lead them to salvation in Christ. 

“For if their (Israel) being cast away/rejection is the reconciling of the world, what will their (Israel) acceptance be but life from the dead” Again all the eyes of the world are on Israel, many believe Israel is spiritually dead, many believe their is no hope for them, but imagine when Christ returns to save Israel (Zechariah 14:4) and many Jews receive Christ as their Lord and Savior, imagine the witness this will be for the rest of the world! This is what the Apostle Paul is saying here, life from the dead! Amen!

Romans 11- Saved By Grace

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Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded  Romans 11:5-7

As we continue with the teaching of the Apostle Paul, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, we see God still has a remnant of Israel by the election of grace. This is a concept and truth that angers many people, how can God still have a remnant from Israel? Well God can do whatever He wants, God doesn’t need our permission or need to fit into your theological box of your faith tradition.

The Apostle Paul states “at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace” The Holy Spirit has spoken this and its truth regardless of your theological beliefs. Today many have made an idol out of their religious system then being obedient to the Word of God. So you might ask, how can this be? How can God still preserve a remnant?

 Well the Apostle Paul continues “and if by grace, then it is no longer works, otherwise grace is no more grace” How are we saved? We are saved by grace through faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8) Its the same way the remnant will be saved by grace through faith in Christ. Remember you were once spiritually dead also, you were once dead in your sins and an enemy of God (Ephesians 2) But God demonstrated His love towards us, even though we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8)

None of us deserve the grace of God, however God has preserved a remnant by His grace. As the Apostle Paul continues “but if it be by works, then its no longer grace” We are saved by the grace of God not by our works, if there are any works coming from us, its because of the Holy Spirit. None of us deserve to be saved, that’s the honest truth, we all deserve Hell, however because of grace, God saved us. When you understand this, you understand grace. 

Then Paul turns his focus on Israel “Israel has not obtained what it seeks, but the elect have obtained it and the rest were blinded” There is a spiritual blindness on most of Israel, but God still has a remnant, and that blindness to the remnant will be removed in Gods timing (Romans 11:25) God has still preserved a remnant that has not bowed a knee to Baal, (1 Kings 19:18) Amen!