It has taken a year, but today we will complete our study of the book of Romans. I have personally enjoyed going through this book and have found it very beneficial to my own walk with the Lord. I trust that the same has been true for you.

 

How much do you like to hear you name? I guess that depends on why it is being used. None of us like to hear our name called if the one using it is mad at us or suspects us of doing something wrong. But what about when you hear your name called by someone you know loves you? Or how about when it is being said in order to recognize you in some special way either because of a good relationship you have or because of something good you have done? We like to hear our names then.

 

Turn to Romans 15. This morning we will be concluding our study of this chapter. Last week we saw Paul’s passion and plans in verses 14-29. This week we will examine his prayer requests. These requests are not something tacked on to the end of his discussion as a sign of piety. That may be the way that some people treat prayer, but not Paul. His prayer requests are a integral part of his passion to reach new places with the gospel of Christ and of his hope of seeing his plans for fulfilling that passion completed. Look at verse 30.

 

Passion. A word that can bring many different ideas to mind. In our society the word "passion" often has either a negative or a sensual connotation, and so one writer quipped that "the end of passion is the beginning of repentance." But Webster’s dictionary tells us that "passion" can refer to an intense emotion or enthusiasm without regard to the type of emotion or the specific cause of the enthusiasm generating it.

 

We have been looking at the topic of how Christians who come from very diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds are supposed to get along with each other within the church. Some groups have concluded that it is either not possible for this to happen or just not wise to try to do it because there are too many conflicts over differences in personal preferences and practices. Instead they advocate churches that are made up of people that are culturally and ethnically the same. While there may be some merit to this idea and historically this has been the common practice by churches, there is a major problem. The Bible presents the church as an ethnically and culturally diverse body from the very beginning of its existence.

 

How are Christians to get along with one another when they come from such diverse backgrounds? This is not just an issue for the manner in which churches from different nations or regions relate to each other. For a church such as Grace Bible in which there are diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds among its members, this can be a very personal issue. There are many matters that are not directly addressed in the Bible, and conflict can arise over differences in personal standards. How are those conflicts to be resolved when there is not a clear Scriptural solution as to which standard is right and which one is wrong? I think it should be easy for us to consider that both personal standards could be wrong, but could both standards be right? How Christians get along with each other in the midst of these kinds of conflicts will be a reflection of their spiritual maturity and love for Jesus Christ and one another.

 

When I was in my late teens and early 20's, there was a family of Vietnamese refugees that lived in next door to us. It was an eye opening experience as we tried to understand one another. As a welcome to our neighborhood, my mom gave them a plate of cookies. That began a series of gift exchanges of various food items. I am still not sure what some of them were. The most elaborate was a roast duck they brought over one time, but I did not get to try it. My mom didn’t want to eat a duck that still had its head attached. We gave it to the neighbors on the other side of us, who said it was quite good. My dad and I went next door once for a meal celebrating the grandfathers' birthday. We learned that day that they did not use much sugar, if any at all, even in their deserts. That made me wonder what they had thought of all the cakes, cookies and other sweets we had given to them. Perhaps about the same as my mom thought of a duck with its head on.

 

Turn to Romans 13:8 as we continue our study of this book. Remember that all that Paul says in this chapter is based upon what he has said in chapter 12:1,2 Our relationship with God, other Christians and all other people is based on having the right response to what God has done for us in Jesus Christ. The only reasonable response to our salvation through faith in Christ is to present ourselves as living and holy sacrifices acceptable to God. We are transformed into living sacrifices through a mind that is changed by the truth of God’s word which is then put into action by our will in doing what God desires instead of continuing in selfishness.

 

The timing of our study of Romans 13:1-7 could hardly be better. Our passage this morning instructs us on the origin and purpose of government. Given the debating that has been going on for quite sometime about the role and authority of government in prosecuting a war, we need to understand what God says about it. It is also always very relevant for us to understand the relationship of the Christian to government, but perhaps even more so when we look at our calendars and see there are only about three weeks left to file your Federal & State income taxes.

 

We have been studying Romans for the past 14 months. I trust that you now understand that when a person places their faith in the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins, there are radical changes that take place. When a person is justified through faith in Christ, they have a change of masters . They are freed from bondage to sin and the devil and made slaves of God and righteousness. They are then progressively changed to be conformed into the image of Christ as they present themselves as living and holy sacrifices acceptable to God and are transformed by the renewing of their minds .

 

We have been studying Romans 12 and what Paul has to say about the practical ramifications of being a Christian. When a person becomes a Christian there are changes that will occur in that person’s life as a result of their new beliefs. Paul states very directly in Romans 12:1 that the only reasonable response of worship that we could have to God’s mercies to us in Jesus Christ which have resulted in our salvation is that we should present our bodies as living and holy sacrifices that are acceptable to God. We have spent the bulk of our time in closely examining what Paul says about how being a living sacrifice acceptable to God should work out in our everyday lives.

 

This morning we are going to continue in our study of Romans 12. Paul has presented deep theology in the first 11 chapters, and now he is applying these theological truths to practical, every day living. In view of God’s mercies to man in Jesus Christ who, being God in human flesh, lived a sinless life and willingly laid down His life on the cross as the substitute sacrifice in atoning for our sins, then rose again from the dead on the third day proving Himself and His promises of salvation from sin for those who believe in Him to be true, there should be a corresponding response by those who profess such faith. They are to present themselves as living and holy sacrifices which are acceptable to God. This is the reasonable response of true worship of God. Such a person is then changed over time to be a reflection of Jesus as they are transformed by the renewing of their minds.

 

There are many kinds of friendship ranging from casual acquaintances to best friends. But what is the nature of the love in friendship that God desires for us to have for one another? Perhaps the following story of two men in WW I gives us an idea of it.

 

Have you ever met someone who professed to be a Christian, but their life style made you seriously question their claim? Even non-Christians know that there are certain characteristics of behavior and attitude that should mark the Christian. When those characteristics are obviously lacking, then there becomes a question as to whether a person’s claim to be a Christian is actually true.

 

For several weeks we have been examining Spiritual Gifts. We have covered those gifts listed in Romans 12 and similar gifts mentioned in other passages. This morning I want us to examine the "sign" gifts of 1 Corinthians 12. This passage is often misunderstood due to the strong influence of the Charismatic movement. Much of what people commonly understand about this passage is based in experience and not on what the text actually says. Our goal is to live according to what God actually says and not on what people say based on their experiences. Turn to 1 Corinthians 12.

 

Ruling, leading, administration, governing. Words that can have quite a few different meanings to different people. Some think of rulers as autocratic. They are in charge and everyone else must do as they say. Others think of leaders as those who will get out in front to make a path for those who will follow. They put themselves at risk before anyone else does. Then there is administration and governing. In mind of some, that is the person who does all the administrative work on behalf of the majority of the group that tells him what to do.

 

This morning we are going to pick up again in our study of the book of Romans. We had been examining chapter 12 and the topic of Spiritual Gifts. It is important that we remember the context in which Paul presents Spiritual Gifts within this book. Turn again to Romans 12. Starting in verse 1 we read the following:

 

What do you call someone that has some body part that does not function properly or is missing? Proper terms include "handicapped" or "disabled," though some now consider those to be insensitive and politically incorrect language. Such people tend to label the function that is impaired and say the person is "challenged" in that area. For example, a person with poor eyesight is "visually challenged," a person with poor hearing is "acoustically challenged," and a person with a bad leg has a "mobility challenge."

 

Turn to Romans 12. This morning I want to continue in our study of the nature of the church and begin a study of spiritual gifts. Starting in verse 3 we read the following:

 

In our study of Romans last week, we looked at the foundational principle that is to guide us in our relationships with one another in the church. In fact, it is the foundational principle that should also guide us in our relationship God and all other people.

 

I have noticed a curious report over the last few years in which American High School students are tested and then compared with students from other countries. These reports have caused quite a stir among educators because for quite a few years American students have been lagging significantly behind in Science and math as compared to those from other nations. This math and science "deficit" has resulted in several programs that are trying to boost those scores. There was, however, one area in which the American students were rated top in the world. Self-esteem. Though the students were performing poorly compared to those of the other nations, they did feel better about themselves than those other students felt about themselves. In this case, self-esteem and actual performance were not directly related. The strange thing is that only a few conservatives thought that this indicated a problem. Perhaps it would be better if our students did not feel so good about themselves and so would work a little harder to perform better. But that idea is contrary to the philosophy of the educational elite which greatly values a high self-esteem.

 

In my last two messages I have told you the stories of missionaries and their efforts to reach the unsaved with the gospel message of Jesus Christ. Both Jim Elliot and Stanley Dale were men that were living and holy sacrifices, acceptable unto God. In both cases, these men not only lived for God, but they eventually died as martyrs as well. In a world that has turned inward and selfish, such sacrifices as these men and their families made in moving to distant lands and living in primitive conditions is thought of as foolishness. These men and their families went out to gain something the world does not understand - the pleasure of serving their Creator and desiring to hear from God at the end of their lives, "Well done, though good and faithful servant." Jim Elliot was correct when he said, "He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep in order to gain what he cannot lose."

 

Don Richardson's book, The Lords of the Earth, tells the story of missionary Stan Dale and the effort to bring the gospel to the Yali people who lived in Irian Jaya's Snow Mountains, far from any mission base. These were a people engulfed in fear of their demon-gods. Their evil practices included cannibalism.

 

Some of you have heard the story of Jim Elliot, but for others of you, maybe most of you, this may be new, because the events took place more than 46 years ago.

 

This morning we come to a very important theological truth. God keeps His promises. He has not cast away the nation of Israel. He still has a plan for that nation's future. Obviously, this is very important to those who are Jewish. To those of us who are Gentiles, that may not seem very important, yet it is. Why? Because God's faithfulness to the nation of Israel is a demonstration of His trustworthiness. If God keeps His promises to Israel, then we can also trust Him for the promises that He has made to us as followers of Jesus Christ. If God will not keep His promises to Israel, then we cannot trust Him to keep His promises to us. Being able to trust God is a very important issue.

 

Over the last month or so we have been studying God's relationship to the nation of Israel as explained by the Apostle Paul in his epistle to the Romans. It is not uncommon for people, especially those who are not Jewish, to read through Romans and then wonder why Paul includes chapters 9, 10 and 11. By chapter 8, Paul has explained the gospel and its wonderful benefits, and in chapter 12, Paul begins to apply the truths of the gospel to daily life. So why three chapters dealing with Israel? There are two basic reasons.

 

God's timing is marvelous. This evening we will have one of our missionaries with us. Alex Knauss, who has served with Trans World Radio for nearly 20 years, will be speaking in our evening service. This morning, we come to one of the great missionary texts. God has been faithful to send His messengers out with the gospel message. Turn to Romans 10.

 

Over the past several weeks, as we have been studying Romans 8 & 9, we have seen Paul emphasize God's sovereignty in salvation as a means to encourage and comfort believers. Those who have placed their faith in the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ have been delivered from their bondage to sin and its condemnation of death and made free to live by the Spirit of God in righteousness. The new nature that we receive at salvation makes us aliens and strangers in the very world to which we were born. We have an increasing longing to depart from this world and be with our Savior in heaven, where our citizenship now resides. God's sovereignty guarantees that the promises that He has made us will come true.

 

This morning we come another passage that is very theologically deep and often misunderstood. As I have said over the past few weeks, I believe the reason for the misunderstanding is that theologians want to understand the infinite God within a framework that they can comprehend. The result is that they interpret Scriptures within the logic of their theological framework instead of what those Scriptures actually reveal about God. We must always remember that God is beyond us. His ways are higher than our ways and often beyond our understanding (Isa. 55:9). He does not have to make logical sense to us. We need to accept and believe what He has revealed about Himself in the Scriptures. Please keep that in mind this morning as we study the last half of Romans 9. While I hope to help you understand what God has said in this passage, I know that you may still leave here still trying to make sense of it all, for when we come to the issue of God's election and man's responsibility for his own choices, both are true.

 

How important is the salvation of others to you? How much are you willing to give of yourself in seeking to see others rescued from their sin and its eternal damnation? This morning we will look at an example that will challenge us to think more seriously and be more giving toward the salvation of others.

 

This morning we come to one of the most encouraging texts in the Bible. It is a revelation of God's sovereignty and character with direct application to His loving relationship and promises to the Christian. Turn to Romans 8:31 and follow along as I read through this passage.

 

I want to begin this week by repeating something I said last week, for we are going to be looking at two verses that have been the center of a lot of theological debates. I believe that the major reason for this, as with the majority of theological debates, is that man wants God fit within his own theological system. He then interprets Scripture in light of the logic of his theological system rather than in careful consideration of its grammatical and historical context in order to know God as He reveals Himself, whether He fits our system or not.

 

This morning we come to Romans 8:26-30. This is a text that contains verses that are greatly debated in theological circles. The major reason for this, as with the majority of theological debates, is that man wants God fit within his own theological system. Passages of Scripture are then interpreted in light of the logic of that theological system rather than in careful consideration of its grammatical and historical context in order to know God as He reveals Himself whether He fits our system or not.

 

Anticipation. At times this is not such a good word if you waiting for something to happen that you know you will not enjoy, like a trip to the dentist. At other times it is a wonderful word that describes the mixture of hope, joy and pleasure usually stirred with a bit of anxiety and sometimes even a little frustration as you await some good event to take place. Children anticipate the coming of their birthday and Christmas because of all the special attention they will receive. Parents are currently anticipating the starting of school in a few weeks. The kids are also anticipating the return to school, but perhaps with slightly different emotions than their parents. Teens anticipate becoming adults even though all of its freedoms are also bound by new responsibilities. An engaged couple anticipate the celebration of their wedding day along with the beginning of their married lives together. There is the anticipation of the arrival of a new baby. For the new mom that is a mixture of emotions because she knows there will be some pain before that bundle of joy is placed in her arms. Young adults anticipate the starting of their careers and middle age folks start dreaming about what it will be like to retire.

 

Turn to Romans 8. We will be looking at verse 12-17 this morning where Paul contrasts living in the flesh and its results with living by the Spirit and its results. Paul begins this section by explaining the believer's relationship to the flesh.

 

This morning we come to a wonderful section in the book of Romans. Paul will still be dealing with many of the same issues we have been looking at in the past several weeks, but as we come to Chapter 8, Paul states the result of being justified by faith in Jesus Christ in emphatically clear terms. "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

 

This morning we are going to continue in our study of Romans 7. This is a passage in which we must be very careful to pay close attention to Paul's line of reasoning, otherwise we can quickly become confused and then come to conclusions opposite of what Paul is saying. People often interpret Scripture passages according to their preconceived theology rather than according to the context of the passage. This is a section of Scripture in which that has often happens. We must be careful not to fall into the same trap.

 

This morning we start into a section of Romans that can quickly become confusing if you are not diligent to carefully follow Paul's line of reasoning within its context. Too many people end up confused or with theological error because they try to understand a verse or a short passage as if it was independent of its context. The same rules of interpretation apply to the Bible that apply to any other book. You must understand the theme of the book and the theme of the chapter in order to properly interpret the paragraph you are studying.

 

Turn with me to Romans 7. We will be studying verses 1-6 this morning. As you are turning there, let me briefly remind you of the context of this passage.

 

The year is 1849. The place is the state of Virginia. You are 24 years old. Your father was born in the country now called Angola. He was captured during a battle with another tribe and then subsequently sold to slavers and eventually ending up in Virginia. Your mother was born in the land called the Congo, but she was captured in a raid on her village and also subsequently sold to slavers and eventually also end up in Virginia. All you have ever known is slavery, but your parents have talked about what it was like to be free and you know it is something that you want for yourself.