The Gospel Of Christ

The Gospel Of Christ

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Romans 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.

(Ashamed: 111 times in AV - Comes in many forms)

Ashamed & Apologetic (Aaron, the High Priest; King Saul)

* We cannot presume to apologize for how the bible says God feels about sin. ( Christianity is not a popularity contest ) Deception!

Ashamed & Embarrassed (We are watchmen on a wall Eze 33:1-9)

* We should not let timidity drive us into silence while people are lost and on their way to a sinner’s hell … we have their ticket to heaven in our heart. (Hebrews 10:35 frank; bold; clear; out spoken)

Ashamed & Angry (Peter when & after he cursed & denied Jesus)

* The Gospel of Christ tells the story as God wants it told. Without consideration as to how you or others may like it. The word of God, each and every syllable, contains the power to set people free. God’s will was best no matter how it personally affected Peter.

Note: Fourfold salvation: saved from the penalty, power, presence and most importantly the pleasure of sin. (A.W. Pink)

* Perhaps you or someone you know has been hurt by …

> A Christian; Church; Preacher; Religious Experience …

* Misdirected Anger

* Only Jesus can satisfy your soul.

Ashamed & Afraid (Queen Ester a Jew & Afraid Ester 4:14 )

Mark 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

(Proverbs 29:25 the fear of man; Joshua 1:9 Don’t be afraid)

Come once again to the cross - The Gospel of Christ is the power to deliver you from your deception, your anger, timidity or fears.

Proverbs 25:25 As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news …

(Good News refreshes the mind and strengthens the heart)

Romans 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed, (communicated), from faith to faith … (from Him to you)

This is The Gospel of Christ, according to the Holy Scriptures

* God created mankind, the universe and all therein.

* Adam, the father of all mankind, tempted by Satan, sinned by choice and separated himself and his offspring from God.

* God established an interim link with mankind through yearly sacrifices for sin and daily duties of the law until the chosen time to make one perfect and final sacrifice for all sin forever.

* In the fullness of time God sent His Only Begotten Son, Jesus, to become flesh, defeat sin and redeem mankind from its curse.

* Jesus was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, died an atoning death, was resurrected by the power of the Holy Spirit, spoiled the enemy and took the keys to death and hell, was received into heaven, now makes intercession for the saints and is coming again to take His Bride and lock up all His enemies forever.

* Whosoever believes this Gospel, turns from their sin unto Christ and calls upon Him to become Eternal Lord and Savior, shall be forgiven of their sins, born again and granted everlasting life.

* Once saved, each Christian bears the responsibility to be a witness for Christ in word and deed according to the doctrines of the Gospel in Holy Scripture while expecting His return in the clouds of Glory at any moment.

Renew your commitment to believe, live and share ---

The Gospel of Christ, it is the power of God and will save everyone that believes it … Don’t Be Ashamed.

Two Year Review Continued

Two Year Review Continued

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Turn to Hebrews 13

Our Christian Life In Daily Practice

The Book of Hebrews:

Author: Unknown (Paul; Barnabas; Apollos; Luke; Silas, etc.)

Date: Perhaps early 60’s AD

Written To: Unknown (Perhaps Jewish Christians In Rome?)

Hebrews 13

1 ¶ Let brotherly love continue.

2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

3 Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.

10 We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.

11 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.

12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.

13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.

14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.

15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

Key Scriptures: Hebrews 13:

7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

Two Year Review Continued

I. Followership 101

A. Obedience

B. Submission

C. Loyalty

II. Proverbs 28:1 (Amplified Translation)

The wicked flee when no man pursues them, but the [uncompromisingly] righteous are bold as a lion.

Note: I think of David, as a little boy, anointed to be king but currently shepherding only a few of his father’s sheep on the backside of the desert: He faced Goliath after choosing 5 smooth stones from a fresh water brook. He knew his cause was just and Goliath was a wicked enemy of righteousness.

Point #199. Five Stones Of The Uncompromisingly Righteous

1. A purpose you are proud of

2. Principles you can defend

3. Priorities that stand the test of time

4. People you are willing to die for

5. A Past that cannot haunt you

III. Point #198. Five Standards Of The Just

1. It is not the law that we bind ourselves to - But the Spirit

2. It is not the actions that we judge - But rather the recognized fruit of those actions

3. It is not the do’s and don’ts that we police - But the heart

4. It is not the person that we condemn and withdraw from - But the sin

5. It is not the charisma of a person that we commit to - But the character

A Letter To Rome

A Letter To Rome

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Recapping Last Sunday - Romans 1:1-7 We Learned:

#1. This Letter Was From: Paul, a slave to Christ by choice, divinely selected to be a special messenger, separated unto the Good News of God concerning His Son, Jesus.

#2. Sent To Both Jewish & Gentile Converts To Christ Worshipping Together In The Church At Rome: “You also have been divinely selected to be saints.”

#3. Written In About AD 57 From Corinth With A Purpose: I bring a message from God and His Son, The Lord Jesus: “Grace and peace be to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

This Morning: Romans 1:8-15

8 ¶ First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

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;

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.

11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;

12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

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.

14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.

15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.

Key Scripture: Romans 1:9

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

The Five Prayers Of Paul

Note: Over 20 years ago I came across these prayers and committed them to my arsenal of prayers that I have continued to pray now for more than two decades.

I. Ephesians 1:15-19

15 ¶ Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,

16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;

17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

A. That God Might Give You:

1. The Spirit of Wisdom

2. Revelation In The Knowledge of Him

* That you may know what is and what will be!

B. That Enlightenment Might Make You Understand

1. The Hope of Your Calling

2. The Riches of The Glory of His Inheritance In The Saints

3. The Exceeding Greatness of His Power

II. Ephesians 3:14-19

4 ¶ For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

III. Philippians 1:9-11

9 ¶ And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;

10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;

11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

IV. Colossians 1:9-11

9 ¶ For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

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

13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

V. 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12

11 ¶ Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:

12 That the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans

Romans

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Text: Romans 1:1-7

We have rights as US citizens

We also bear great responsibilities

The Book & Its Content

The Epistle Of Paul The Apostle To The Church In Rome

Author - The Apostle Paul - formerly Saul of Tarsus

Date - At or Near 57AD, 3 years before Paul traveled to Rome

Setting - Most likely Written While At Corinth to the church in Rome which, in those days, was torn in doctrine between two leading factions, Jews who had converted to Christianity, and gentile Christians. The Apostle makes his arguments to both parties.

Theme: The Doctrine and Practice of This Christian Kingdom

Read Romans 1:1-7 (AV)

1 ¶ Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)

3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;

4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:

6 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:

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.

I. Paul

A. His new name

B. A name by which the Romans would not resist nor ill favor him

C. His name in the beginning instead of the end denotes authority

II. A Servant

Note: Greek: doulos - bond servant; slave; one devoted to another in disregard to oneself

A. The condition of one who has a Master

B. Depicts the honor, dignity and extension of one’s Lord

1. On whose authority the Apostle speaks

2. As one appointed to this duty

* Admonition to Musa to declare the vision & not beg

* Derive value from the message, not its receptivity

3. Whom one belongs to determines their value

4. Whomever you serve sets your value

5. Serve Jesus in all you do (Colossians 3:17)

III. Called to be

A. not merely self appointed

B. not merely one in possession of valuable information

C. not merely one who has garnered influence and/or position

D. but one called - Divinely Selected

III. An Apostle

A. A Messenger

John 13:16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.

B. One Sent by Another

‘Sent To Re-Present’

1. One Apostle of God

Hebrews 3:1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;

2. Twelve Apostles of the Lamb

Revelation 21:14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

Galatians 1:1 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)

Colossians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother,

2 Peter 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:

3. Many Apostles of the Holy Spirit

Acts 14:14 Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,

4. Innumerable Apostles of the Churches

2 Corinthians 8:23 Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.

Philippians 2:25 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.

C. The Sender

1. Determines the Message

2. Establishes the Authority

* some are called

* some are sent

* some just got up and went

IV. Separated Unto

Note: Not just taken ‘from’, but with purpose and parameters ‘unto’

A. Designed & designated unto something particular

B. To mark out by fixed limits

C. Established Boundaries

V. The Gospel - (Good News) - of God

A. This Messenger’s Message

B. Paul was separated & given to the Gospel of Christ

Note: The positioning of servant as the initial claim shows deference to this position above that of the claim of Apostleship. Paul, showing true humility and valuing the true worth of his relationship with Christ, esteemed the Lordship of Christ more important than the accolades or prestige of being in any position of acclaimed leadership.

Note: We also are the called of Christ - servants of Christ

Note: We are called saints - Servant Saints

VI. Truth For Today

A. The Name Change

* Identify With The Real And Lasting Change That Came With Your Commitment To Christ

B. The Lordship of Christ

C. Your Calling

* To Be Servant Saints - not saints to be served

D. Separated

* From The World

* To Christ

D. The Good News Message

* Given To The Good News

* Giving The Good News

Two Year Review - Success Stories

TWO YEAR REVIEW

SUCCESS STORIES

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Continued from Feb 19, 2003

Turn to: 2 Samuel 23

That evening I preached from a passage in 2 Samuel 23, concerning the “Attitudes Of Mighty Men”. This is the story of those who served their King, David, in such an honorable and courageous way so as to be elevated to position and responsibility in the legion of honor. These men cared for their King’s well being and led the armies of Israel into battle.

We looked at what it took to be a Mighty Man or Woman of God.

* Successful - Great - An Overcomer and more than an overcomer:

> Romans 8:37 We are more than conquerors!

* It became evident that these type of people had something in common: Something made them succeed where others failed.

1^st: They were consistent in their every day life.

* Jeremiah 12:5 If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?

2^nd: They were prepared for their great days.

* Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

We also must be great in our ordinary every day in order to be qualified and prepared for the extraordinary opportunities that come our way.

The Bible puts it this way: Quoting Jesus:

Luke 16:10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust in much.

In review let’s go over some of the messages God has given us to prepare us for success in both our ordinary everyday life and in the extra ordinary opportunities which may come our way.

On Wednesday night, Feb 21^st, we began with:

I. 2 Samuel 23

8 ¶ These be the names of the mighty men whom David had: The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite: he lift up his spear against eight hundred, whom he slew at one time.

9 And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away:

10 He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil.

11 And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered together into a troop, where was a piece of ground full of lentiles: and the people fled from the Philistines.

12 But he stood in the midst of the ground, and defended it, and slew the Philistines: and the LORD wrought a great victory.

These guys were Great! Mighty! Achievers! Successes! They all were Success Stories - They came to David when he had nothing and was hiding from Saul in the cave of Adullam. They became ‘Success Stories’.

* 2 Samuel 23:13 And three of the thirty chief went down, and came to David in the harvest time unto the cave of Adullam

* 2 Samuel 22:1 ¶ David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father’s house heard it, they went down thither to him.

2 And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.

These men came to David, their King, and offered him their service when they were in the worst shape of their whole lives!

They wrote their own Success Stories, one day, one decision, one victory at a time!

Point # 136. The story of your life will be written by the choices you make in your future and not by the choices you have made in your past.

What does it take for you to become a Success Story?

A. The Mindset Of A Success Story

1. The Three Mighty Men Of David

a. Adino the Ezenite, Chief among the captains

* He fought against ‘INSURMOUNTABLE ODDS’

b. Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite

* He fought in the face of ‘INDEFINABLE FATIGUE’

c. Shammah son of Agee the Harahite

* He fought in spite of ‘INSIGNIFICANT REWARD’

Note: Spear - Long Distance Enemies - Prayer

Sword - Close Quarters Enemies - The Word (Confession)

Stand - Enemies Within - Meditation (Cast/Captive)

This is the mindset of a mighty warrior of the King! … now ‘attitude’

2 Samuel 23:13-17

13 And three of the thirty chief went down, and came to David in the harvest time unto the cave of Adullam: and the troop of the Philistines pitched in the valley of Rephaim.

14 And David was then in an hold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.

15 And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!

16 And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the LORD.

17 And he said, Be it far from me, O LORD, that I should do this: is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives? therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mighty men.

B. The Attitude Of A Success Story

1. vs. 13-15 close enough to know the longings of their King

2. v. 16 strong and courageous enough to brake through the enemy’s lines for their King

3. vs. 16-17 committed enough to not let the pouring out of their life affect their continued service to their King

* Service was their goal, not outcome, not achievement, not recognition, but service to their King!

Note: You won’t serve Jesus in this world without serving someone else

C. The Tests Of Success Stories

1. The Mountain Test

2. The Valley Test

3. The Patience Test

4. The Completion Test

D. The Friends & Followers Of A Success Story

Note: It matters who you partner with & run with:

* 1 Corinthians 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

* Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

* Proverbs 22:24 ¶ Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:

25 Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul.

* 2 Corinthians 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

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,

18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

* The Friends & Followers Of A Mighty Man or Woman of God

1. The Let’s Go Over Crowd

2. The Let’s Take Over Crowd

3. The I’ve Been Over Crowd & Don’t Have The Energy To Go Now

4. The It’s Over Crowd

Point #13. Who you allow in your inner circle can limit you.

E. The Realities of Success Stories

People who are successful are most often in touch with some realities

1. The Circle of Life (you live and die)

2. The Cycle of Life (good things & bad things will happen)

3. The Secret of Life (Giving ... Sowing & Reaping)

note: While People are waiting on a move of God ... God is waiting on a move of people!

note: A move of God is not a great church service or prayer meeting ... it’s a great life and we will have to wait to see if we are actually having a real move of God.

F. The Choices Of A Success Story

1. Obedience: To do what someone else tells you to do.

a. we obey people we trust

b. we obey those we agree with

c. we often obey those we fear

d. we also find it easy to obey those we like

f. basically we often obey those we want to and those we have to

2. Submission: To yield your strength and/or decision to another

a. submission is an act beyond obedience

b. while we may obey those we agree with and trust, submission demands that we obey those we disagree with, do not fully trust, like or are weaker than us so that we do not even fear disobeying them.

c. submission does not even begin until we are asked to do something we do not want to do.

3. Loyalty: Demonstrated commitment to something outside yourself.

a. how you act in private & public when you must submit

b. while we obey a leader we agree with, it takes submission to obey a leader we disagree with however, it takes loyalty not to complain about it!

c. Loyalty is how you act about doing something you don’t want to do

I trust we are rubbing the oil of God’s Word & Spirit into our wine skins. Let us get our families ready for God’s greatest.