In these verses Paul calls us to 4 things:

Watch Vigilantly, War Valiantly, Walk Virtuously and Wait Victoriously.

Our focus and attention is on Jesus.

Our motivation for obedience as believers is Not Fear of Punishment.

Our motivation as believers is Love for the Lord.

There are times when we need to Refuse to Obey government.

- There are examples in Scripture of Civil Disobedience. Paul and Peter, who wrote concerning obeying government:

- Both of them Practiced Civil disobedience.

- Both of them were Jailed repeatedly.

- Both of them were ultimately Martyred by the state.

- There are 2 major reasons for us to Disobey Government.

There has always been a certain degree of tension between Church & State.

· We see this at the Beginning of the church because the church began with the Death and Resurrection of Christ.

· When the Jesus Died on the Cross, the State put him to Death, because they though he was going to Overthrow Roman rule.

· Within that tension, God has given us definite Guidelines:

- He does Not tell us what Political Party to join or vote for.

- He does give us guidelines on their Responsibilities and Rights.

Paul is addressing believers as they live out their life in the world. Paul gives some practical guidelines for us here. The right mentality, manners and method.

Verses 9-13 describes love among Christians. 1. True Love Rejects Sin but not the Sinner. 2. True Love is seen in Relationships. 3. True Love for another - knows we are Saved to Serve.

Spiritual Gifts are given for All of Us. Each Believer has a gift, therefore a Responsibility. Different members of the body of Christ, have Different gifts, all of which have their Place, but not all have the same Function.

The pattern Paul follows in his writings: Doctrine and Duty, because we cannot Behave according to the will of God

if our Beliefs are not first Aligned with the will of God.

Surrender is God’s way of Conquering. When we Surrender our selves we are bringing ourselves into Conformity with Christ.

God Deals with people, Jews and Gentiles alike, with mercy as the foundation of every action he takes, because every human being desperately needs his mercy.

We can only ever have a relationship with God due to his mercy toward us.

We all become Children of God by placing our complete trust in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour.

If everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved, everyone needs the opportunity to hear.

God is in charge. His ultimate purpose is to create a whole new people of God, not based on race, nation or language, but based on having faith in Jesus Christ.

God is looking for people and churches that believe that lost people matter to God, even if this belief is costly.

Romans 8 tells us that ultimately we are winners. God never wastes anything in our lives. God has a purpose for our lives. God is on our side.

The Holy Spirit fortifies us to live in an imperfect World. The Holy Spirit gives us perspective and hope.

Things that allow us to continue or Hinder us walking in the Spirit Controlled Life.

What is the Spiritual Climate for our lives that enables us to be a part of building the kingdom.

If the church is going to be Effective in its service of Christ it must be able to discern truth from error and it must display both purity and power.

It is true that we are Not Perfect. It is true that we are forgiven.

We are to be radically transformed and changed and be growing in christ.

In verse 6:15, he raises the question again, but in a slightly different way:

What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace?

Paul's answer is: "Absolutely Not!

In the NT we see two definite aspects of Sanctification:

1. Positional Sanctification. Set Apart by God and made Holy in Christ.

2. Progressive Sanctification. To begin to Experience Victory over sin.

In order to live the Christian life, we need to be secure in our standing in Christ.

The key to enduring the times of trial in our lives is to Know that someone loves you.

That Someone is God.

Paul makes reference to two Types of Hope.

a. Eternal Hope.

b. Present Hope.

The faith that we see here demonstrated by Abraham is more than just:Historical Faith or Temporary Faith.

Abraham had: Saving Faith and Miracle Faith.

The Jews believed that Abraham was accepted by God because:

1. He kept the Commandments of God.

2. He was Circumcised.

But Paul shows us they were not saved by keeping laws.

Paul makes a major turn in his letter. God has Revealed how we can be Righteous. God has Revealed how we can Obtain this Righteousness.

We need to understand this Diagnosis of man’s Problem, because if we don’t, we could end up treating the Symptoms, and not the Cause.

Paul addresses the Hebrews. They were guilty of profession without performance, and privilege without perception.

When we come to understand the gospel properly, we see that it is Bad news for Good people and we realise the gospel is Good news for Bad people.

The major point of Romans 1:24–32 is that when people persistently Abandon God, God will Abandon them.

Paul is making his Case point by point to show that man is Guilty before God and in need of Salvation. Paul’s case against man is summed up -- he is a “Truth Suppressor”.

The gospel is a Revelation of a Righteousness from God. The gospel tells us that God, who is Perfect and Righteous, has made a Way that His righteousness can be Given to you and to me.

Romans #5 - Jesus Christ is Lord. (Rom 1:3-6)

18 April 2021

Christianity is Christ. Without Christ there is no Christianity. If you take away Christ – you have no Gospel If you take away Christ – you have no Message

Romans #4 - God's Promises. (Rom 1:2-3)

11 April 2021

The Gospel is the fulfillment of and eternal plan and a written promise.

God has kept His word.

Romans No.3 - God News about God. (Rom 1:1)

Paul had lived a life of separation striving for perfection.

On the Damascus Road, Paul had to learn the good news about God.

Romans No.2 - Freedom to be Slaves. (Rom 1:1)

Christ in You - that’s Christianity.

That’s Good News.

Introduction - Life of Paul - A Heart set Free. (Rom 1:1)

In order to understand the message of Romans we need to know Paul.

What was it that changed his life from Adversary to Advocate?