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January 6, 2010

Scripture readings from the living Bible

Psalms 136

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his lovingkindness continues forever.

Give thanks to the God of gods, for his lovingkindness continues forever. Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for his lovingkindness continues forever. Praise him who alone does mighty miracles, for his lovingkindness continues forever. Praise him who made the heavens, for his lovingkindness continues forever.

Praise him who planted the water within the earth, for his lovingkindness continues forever. Praise him who made the heavenly lights, for his lovingkindness continues forever; the sun to rule the day, for his lovingkindness continues forever; and the moon and stars at night, for his lovingkindness continues forever. Praise the God who smoked the firstborn of Egypt, for his lovingkindness to Israel continues forever.

He brought them out with mighty power and upraised fist to strike their enemies, for his lovingkindness to Israel continues forever. Praise the Lord who opened the Red Sea to make a path before them, for his lovingkindness continues forever, and lead them safely through, for his lovingkindness continues forever — but drowned Pharaoh’s army in the sea, for his lovingkindness to Israel continues forever

Praise him who led his people through the wilderness, for his lovingkindness continues forever.

Praise him who saved his people from the power of mighty kings, for his lovingkindness continues forever, and killed famous kings who were their enemies, for his lovingkindness to Israel continues forever; Sihon, king of up Amorites — for God’s lovingkindness to Israel continues forever — in Og, king of Bishan — for his lovingkindness to Israel continues forever. God gave the land of these kings to Israel as a gift for ever, for his lovingkindness to Israel continues forever; yes, a permanent gift to his servant Israel, for his lovingkindness continues forever.

He remembered our utter weakness, for his lovingkindness continues forever. It saved us from our foes, for his lovingkindness continues forever.

He gives food to every living thing, for his lovingkindness continues forever. Oh, give thanks to the God of heaven, for his lovingkindness continues forever.

Word of God Online 2010 Jan 4th

Who is Paul

acts 22  3-5

a Roman Citizen (carried Very high Value and Esteem

just a few notes as we start off our series with the book of Romans. It is important to know who Paul is a little bit about his background.

Additionally, I would like to challenge you as we go through this series to really look at who you serve and who is your master. I will do the same.

In Philippians chapter 3 verse 20 through 21 it says… but our homeland is in heaven, with our Savior the Lord Jesus Christ in heaven; and we are looking forward to his return from there. When he comes back he will take these dying bodies of hours and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same mighty power that you will use to conquer all elves everywhere.

We know from other chapters in the Bible that Paul was a very strong Roman citizen and also, he persecuted many many people who were not following the strict laws set up by the Roman Empire. Before Paul’s conversion he persecuted many many people.

During this time Paul was sent to Damascus by the Roman Empire to persecute many of the followers of Jesus. We know the story, on the way to Damascus Paul was met by Jesus. A blinding light of heaven shone down on Paul and through that light came the voice of Jesus asking Paul Y. are you persecuting me Paul why are you persecuting me.

During this encounter with Jesus, Paul was blinded and had to be led to Damascus by his soldiers.

For three days Paul laid in bed and was unable to see. During that time Jesus sent the message to Ananias and told him to go see Paul and pray for him. Specifically to pray for his sight. So Ananias went to Paul and prayed with him and Paul sight was restored.

After this conversion Paul dedicated his life to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles and the Jews. His first meeting after his conversion was an interesting one as he was before many of the people that he had planned on persecuting before his encounter with Jesus. People were shocked to hear Paul talking the way he was about Christ and the fact that he had been converted.

Many years went on and Paul continued to preach the good news of the Gospel. Paul suffered massive persecution and was imprisoned a number of times.

The book of Romans reads very much like a lawyer’s deposition. It was written to the Christans in Rome, and the idea behind the book of Romans is building a case for Christ. It’s interesting to note that Paul never visited Rome after his conversion, but due to his background he felt very close to the church in Rome.

The book of Romans created massive tension between the Roman Empire, who was led by Emperor Nero, and the thousands of believers who were converted. Many of is the same time that both Peter and Paul had met their death. According to the historians Peter was crucified and Paul was beheaded.

Many Christians in the first days after the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, suffered greatly during this first century. Many people during this time died because of their belief in Christ.

We live in a different time today, especially in North America, the suffering because we are believers of Christ this persecution is very little. But it’s interesting to note that even though there is very little suffering for being a follower of Christ, many Christians find excuses not letting others know about this wonderful gift and future life that we have through salvation in Jesus Christ.

In 2010, starting with the book of Romans, the goal is to not only teach you about the book of Romans, but also give you the strength and willingness to spread this message to all the loss that is out there that surrounds your daily life. We should boldly and lovingly tell others of God’s good news in salvation in Christ, regardless of the cost.

Don’t let anything hold you back. As we go through the book of Romans  the message that Paul brought through the inspiration of God is spoken to you and I and gives us the confidence to be able to tell others about Christ and to point them in the direction of salvation.

Here is some more background about the book of Romans:
It was written in A.D. 57 and was written in the area that was called Corinth. This area was notorious for its great evil. The city was a major metropolitan area in a major trade area as well. It was filled with idolatry and immorallity. Sin was pervasive and strong and Corinth. As you may be well aware paul wrote a couple of books specifically for Corinth. And this is also where Paul wrote the book of Romans.

Just a little information about Rome at this time. Rome was the capital city of the vast mighty Roman Empire, an empire that stretched from Britain to Arabia. Truly, all roads lead from Rome. Rome was founded in 753 BC and was strategically located on the Tiber River. The Roman Empire ruled with sort of an iron fist that provided stability, order, and ruled the law of the conquered countries.

I’m sure you’re well aware of the Romanized Greek gods during the 509 — 527 BC where gods like Zeus the king of the gods and many other Greek Gods were created. You may remember studing Greek Mythology and this mythology was the Roman Rule and they believed in many gods.

There’s no question being a Christian in Rome was a very dangerous thing to be. Rome was a secular city, and consumed with the financial and political concerns.

With the creation of all these Roman gods, Christianity, with its belief in one God was actually considered to be atheists by the Romans.

Another big difference between the Romans and the Christians is that the Christians put God first, whereas the Roman citizens put their allegiance to the state first. Another big difference is the fact of the status due to your wealth or lack of was a large determining factor with inside the Roman Empire. As a Christian it does not matter what your status is as we are all one with Christ.

During this time many Christians in Rome faced the choice between the Roman Emperor or Christ. And those who chose Christ were often immediately killed and died for their faith.

Looking at our life today as a Christian, we are still considered often as fanatical and as people who stand out. If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, you can expect persecution for your beliefs. There is no question over the past 15 to 20 years the growth of evil in our society has grown tremendously. Society’s view of Christians is also growing and looked upon as an intolerant group. Additionally in this current generation as we look at 2010, many people do not have any understanding or grid to understand Christ and the Bible as has been removed and continues to be removed from our society. This is why it’s more important than ever, as a Christian we stand up for what we believe and fight the good fight.

When we start thinking about the time that Romans was written, we need to understand that at that time any and all of the New Testament was not organized and written down as we see it today in one book. These books of the Bible in these epistles were spread out and typically sent to specific churches throughout the land. So one of the big reasons Paul wrote Romans was for his christians in Rome who had never met him and did not know his background, nor his standing as far as the word of God goes and his belief in Christ.

So the book of Romans Paul outlined his beliefs very specifically and strategically. The idea was to strengthen the faith of these young Christians in Rome.

So the topics that are discussed in the book of Romans include sin, salvation, spiritual growth, sovereignty, and service.

Paul starts out discussing sin the early chapters of Romans. Sin is discussed  in the first three books of Romans. He points out that the whole human race stands condemned as sinners and deserving God’s wrath and punishment. Through these chapters is clear that all of us are sinners, and not one of us worthy of the grace and love of God. Through these early chapters, Paul also bridges the gap between Jews and gentiles. He pointed out very clearly in Romans chapter 3 verse nine… well then, are we Jews better than others? No, not at all, for we have already shown that all men alike are sinners, whether Jews or Gentiles.

What is sin? It means refusing to do God’s will and failing to do all that God wants us to do.Typically  our sin can cut us off from God. Sin wants us to ignore God and live our life in our own way.

The main theme of the Gospel and the importance of it today lies in the fact that when we look around, we see the pointing judgment attitude towards each other. Not a day typically goes by when you and I will not hear, if you watch any TV or listen to the news, where somebody is pointing out somebody else’s misgivings to others. Certainly in the political circles here in the United States it is an endless pursuit that goes nowhere inside of our government. The fact remains that we can not earn salvation through good works nor to remove our sin. The only way to salvation and repentance is through the grace of Christ who saves us. This is the foundational message of the Gospel and the good news

Salvation
in chapters 3 through 5 all the messages are very clear that there is one God and one Christ which is contrary to the Romans message at that time which viewed religious beliefs that one religion would be as good as another as long as you believe in something. Boy does that sound familiar to today’s society. Even Christianity today has been mixed with New Age thinking that basically states that Christ is not the only way or the bible is twisted into what someone wants it to be by tossing out what they don’t like and keeping what they do.

Paul continues to make his case for salvation between these two chapters and explains the story of salvation from God. This salvation comes through faith not by works in Christ and Christ alone is not a reward for being good, nor observing the law or being religious. In Romans 3:22 it very clearly states… now God says he will accept and aquit us — declare us “not guilty” — if we trust Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And all can be saved in the same way, by coming to Christ, and it doesn’t matter who we are or what we have been like. This is the wonderful news of salvation. This sin, that permeates our life, must be forgiven and cleansed by Christ. This is the love of God. This is OUR GOD.