Bible Study Series: Give Him Some Praise, Luke 19:40

       GIVE HIM SOME PRAISE

Luke 19:40

"I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out."

                                                   

We are going through the storm of Covid 19. There is light at 

end of the tunnel. We have people being vaccinated at miracle

rates. The President approved a stimulus check for most Americans.

2021 looks a little better than 2020. These are still stressful times.

There are times when we need a Word form the Lord. Tonight’s

lesson focus on the inspiration of praise.

As we get prepared to celebrate the greatest gift of all time we need to

turn our attention to the death and resurrection of out Lord and

Savior Jesus Christ, which is the source of our joy.

The context is Palm Sunday. Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey.

His disciples were excited and place their coats and palm branches 

on the ground for Him to ride over like a king, 

    

Luke 19:38-39

38 "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!"

"Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" 

39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!" 

When ever you are praising God, the devil will show up to stop the party.

If you don’t let the devil in, he can’t steal your joy

    

    

Luke 19:40

40 "I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." 

But could the stones cry out? Sure  if Jesus who opened the mouth of the dumb He could lift up their voices. Certainly if they were to speak, they would have much to testify in praise of Him who created them by the word of His power.

1. They could proclaim the wisdom and power of their Maker who called them into being.  We can well of Him who made us new, and out of stony heart  raised up as  children of Abraham? 

      THE STONES WOULD SAY GIVE HIM PRAISE

2. The old rocks could tell of chaos and order, and the handiwork of God in successive stages of creation's drama.  The Bible is a book of history. We can talk of God's decrees, of God's great work in ancient times, in all that He did for His church in the days of old. What he did in the past, He did for us.

       The Stones would say give Him some praise

3. If the stones were to speak, they could tell stories of the great carpenter , how he took them from the quarry, and made them fit for the temple, and we can tell of our glorious Breaker, who broke our hearts with the hammer of His word, that He might build us into His temple?

         The Stones would say Give Him some praise

4.  If the stones should cry out they would magnify their builder, who polished them and fashioned them after the similitude of a palace. Jesus is our Architect and Builder, who has put us in our place in the temple of the living God? 

             The stones would say give Him Some praise

5. The broken stones of the law cry out against us, but Christ Himself, who has rolled away the stone from the door of the sepulchre, speaks for us. Stones might well cry out,  (Charles Spurgeon evening devotion)

                    The Stone would say give Him some praise

The stones would say I was there  inside the tomb on Friday night

and witnessed  His spirit going down to graves to set

the captives free.  

                         

    

Matt 27:51-53

The earth shook and the rocks split. 52 The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus' resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people. 

               The stones would say Give Him Some Praise

The stone would say I witnessed His spirit entering the dead lifeless body in the tomb on Sunday Morning.     

              Give Him some praise

The stone would say I witness the transformation of the mortal body of Jesus

into immortality and Him moving through the grave cloths .   

               The stones would say give Him Some Praise

The Stone would say I witness the  resurrected Jesus   walking through me to the outside of the tomb.

           You ought to give Him some Praise

The Stone would say I witness the angles roll me away from the tomb

On Sunday Morning, So Peter and John would walk in and see the deflated grave clothes.

    

Luke 24:12

Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened. 

        You ought to give Him some praise.

The stone would say I witness the angel sitting on top of me 

 proclaiming to Mary Magdalene, He is not here, He has risen

                

            You ought To Give Him some praise

If the stone cry out, then we have not done our job.

There are three reason we ought to praise God

 

1. God is worthy of loud and joyful praise

    Look at revelations 4:11

    

Rev 4:11

 "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things,

and by your will they were created and have their being." 

Joy is found in praising Jesus.

    

Ps 100:1-3

 Shout for joy to the Lord , all the earth. 

Worship the Lord  with gladness;

come before him with joyful songs. 

3 Know that the Lord  is God.

It is he who made us, and we are his;

we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 

2. Our Praise should focus the work of Jesus

    

Luke 19:38

"Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!"

"Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" 

Jesus death brought peace  to heaven and earth

    

Luke 2:14

"Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." 

3. God must be praised through Jesus Christ

    

Luke 19:28

"Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!"

        

Isa 42:8

I am the Lord ; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another

or my praise to idols. 

    

Isa 42:10

10 Sing to the Lord a new song,

his praise from the ends of the earth,

The world wide pandemic shut down the world economies

School were shut down, restaurants were shut down, churches

were shut down. But God put in place zoom. 

Satan thought he had shut down the church. Zoom became a new way for

the church to meet face to face. The new way to open schools,

the new way to do business. 

       YOU OUGHT TO GIVE HIM SOME PRAISE

      HAPPY EASTER 

Rev. M. Mitchell

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "God Our Righteousness" Romans 3:21-31, 3/28.2021

 GOD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS

Rom 3:21-31

WE ALL ARE INCLUDED

V:21 But now a righteousness from God, apart from the law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference.

A. The essence of faith is first given in Abraham’s testimony.

        

Rom 4:3

What does the Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness."

   1. At that time no law was given, until 430 years later, therefore                      

       righteousness was accounted  to Him because of his obedience to    

       God.

   2. Before Abraham, Noah heard the voice of God and was obedient

       to God’s instructions to build an ark to float on water when there

       was no rain.

   3. 300 years before Abraham was the priest Melchizedek. 

   4. Adam and Eve were made in the righteousness of God.

           

      Gen 3:8

      Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord  God as he was   

       walking in the garden in the cool of the day,

INGRAINED IN US IS A NATURAL KNOWLEDGE OF GOD

B. Man has always had the ability to hear the voice of God.

    1. Adam’s choice to disobey God’s command in the Garden of Eden

       cast us all into sin. 

    2. Man's biggest failure is listening to the voice of the world.

C. The Gospel of Jesus gives us the power to overcome the sin of the world.

    1. According to evidence of the Dead Sea Scrolls found in the 

       Qumran caves, The Old Testament are dated more than 100 to 300 years     

        Before the birth of Christ. 

     2. Jesus used the Old Testament scriptures to rebuke the devil.

     3. We have the righteousness of God before us, although we don’t

         always follow the Word.

    4. In order to understand the Word, you must first believe the Word.

       

BORN IN SIN WITH A WAY TO SALVATION 

V:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

A. The condition we were born in is not our fault.

     1. I believe it was God’s divine plan.

     2. Sin did not start on earth.

     3. God allowed Lucifer, one of His Arch Angels to rebel against Him. 

     4. Lucifer was judged, cast out of heaven, and became the ruler

         of darkness.

     5. God allowed Satan to show up in the Garden of Eden and cast

         doubt on His authority in the minds of Adam and Eve.

B. Paul was certain that the sin of Adam was imputed upon all mankind.

    1. God’s design did not allow His elect to remain in a state of

        disbelief and disobedience.

    2. He gave us His on Son as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. (John 3:16)

    3. God’s design is that man learns the joy in obedience to His commands.

    4. For a man to learn the harsh realities of sin, he has to suffer to the point

        of conviction.

    5. The point is. our salvation comes at the cost of faith in Jesus.

    6. God’s Grace is freely given to all who believe without works.

JESUS THE PERFECT SACRIFICE FOR SIN

V: 25 God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26 he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. 

A. It was the Father who sent Jesus as a blood sacrifice for the entire

     world.

    1. The “word” atonement means to turn away anger and to make 

         reconciliation between man and God. 

    2. The word “forbearance” means to hold back.

    3. God turn away His anger for man's sins and held back His wrath

        because of the perfect atoning sacrifice of Jesus.

    4. Jesus blood shed on the cross satisfied the Father’s demand for justice.  

THE ORIGIN OF FAITH

B. Throughout the Bible faith is the operative word for being a Christian.

    1. How do you define faith in Jesus?

        a. To believe: to fully trust in: to have confidence: to have assurance: 

             to have reliance: to have conviction.

        b. Faith means both to believe and to be faithful to the belief.

   2. Where does faith originate?

       a. Let me make the argument that faith is divinely controlled.

       b. Jesus said, no one can come to me unless the Father draws them.

       c. Jesus also said, the ones that the Father gave me, I lose none.

       d. The previous words of Jesus leaves the door open to some not being   

            drawn and some not being given to Him.

   3. Paul concludes in Ephesians 1:4, that we were predestined to 

       be in the body of Christ before the foundation of the earth.

      a. That leaves the door open to some being predestined and

           some not predestined to be in Christ.

       b. I conclude that it is not if we will have faith in Jesus, 

           but when will we develop the faith that was given to us?

   4. Christ became the just and the justifier when He gave Himself

       up to be crucified on the cross.

    5. Christ fulfilled the mission of the Father when He rose from the

BOAST IN JESUS NOT YOUR GOOD WORKS

V:27 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith. 28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.

A. No one can claim that he had anything to do with his/her salvation.

     1. First we were not capable of coming to Christ on our own.

     2. We were surrounded by light, but sin kept us in darkness.

B. No one has been able to keep the whole law. 

    1. If you are guilty of one part of the law you are guilty of the whole

         law.

    

     James 2:10

     For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is   

     guilty of breaking all of it. 

    

 2. The Law was not given to save, but to show our sinfulness.

            

     Gal 3:19

     What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of    

     transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. T

    

      Gal 3:21

      For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness 

      would certainly have come by the law. 

    

      Gal 3:23-24

      Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up

      until faith should be revealed. 24 So the law was put in charge to lead us     

      to Christ that we might be justified by faith. 

JESUS IS THE WAY FOR ALL TO BE SAVED

V:29  Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, 30 since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. 31 Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law. 

A. The covenant God made with Abraham covered all nations not

      Just Israel.

         

      Gen 17:4

      As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many     

       nations.

       1. Israel is just one nation.

       2. The “many” includes believers in the rest of the world.

B. Jesus came not to do away with the law but to fulfill all the requirements

     of the law,

    

      Matt 5:17-18

     "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have   

       not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 I tell you the truth, until 

       heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of 

       a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is 

       accomplished. 

     1. Jesus is the reason for our salvation

     2. It is by the grace and mercy of God that we have eternal life.

     3. The Halleluiah moment is that we were chosen to receive divine

          salvation. 

PRAISE GOD AND HALLELUIAH TO OUR KING

Rev. M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor Of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

5510 West Sam Houston Parkway North

Houston, Texas 77041

Bible Study Series: A Harmonious Marriage

 A HARMONIOUS MARRIAGE

Marriage is God’s premier institution in heaven and on earth.

Marriage takes constant work to be at its best. It is always a 

two way street.

I think every young couple goes into marriage with dreams of the 

happily ever after. The reality is the happily ever after does not happen without work and endurance.

I like the marriage mission given by the Time Warp Wife ministries.

 

This takes the focus off of us and put it on a Christ centered life

There are all kinds of articles on how to have a successful marriage

which are good. I will  give you some tips from  articles I read.

MARRIAGE IS FINDING JOY. 

You can only obtain lasting Joy if you have a relationship with Jesus

Christ.

    

John 15:10-11

If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.  I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

 To have joy in the family, you have to see each others as washed in the  

  blood of  Christ without blemish or fault.

 Through our eyes we see all the problems and faults and that hinders joy.

We must put aside all our problems and seek ways to enjoy each other.

I remember by first date with my wife before our marriage, I was trying

To impress her and to please her. I was excited about our meeting.

There is a way to find and keep that excitement. It is through an unselfish 

desire to please others that joy is found.  Joy is lost when we lay aside the

mission. 

LAUGHING TOGETHER

It is hard to think about joy when you are hurting or in pain.

There are times you need to lay aside the problems of the day

And think yourself happy.

    

Gen 18:13-14

"Why did Sarah laugh and say, 'Will I really have a child, now that I am old?' 14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son." 

My wife and I love watching reruns of The Golden Girls, staring Bea

Authur, Rue McClan and Betty White.

They look at life a little differently and say things that are unexpectedly funny. Each episode takes us away from the seriously of life and gives a

Few moments of laughter.

HAVING FUN TOGETHER

Everyone has something that they enjoy doing. It is different for each

Family. 

You have to put the effort in to have fun. It maybe a movie and popcorn.

It could be driving around the city looking at new homes. It could be

A camping trip. It could be playing games together,  

Anything to take your mind away from the everyday problems for a day.

Part of the excitement could be planning to do something different.

Before the pandemic, we signed up for some dancing classes. Didn’t

Learn much, but it was a lot of fun.

BE YOURSELF.

It is stressful to try to live up to someone else’s expectations’

There is always room for improvement in any relationship. But

Trying to be who you don’t want to be is a turn off.

In Genesis God made Adam and Eve naked. The text says they

were not ashamed. It was only when they saw themselves through

the eyes of the world, did they discovered it was something wrong

with them. Sin has a way of making you think you need to measure

up to someone’s standards.

If you are naturally goofy and you are happy, that’s ok.

If you are naturally funny and you are happy, that is ok.

If you are serious all the time and you are happy, its ok.

If you don’t think the way others think and you are happy

That’s ok.  God did not make us all the same.

I would rather be happy the way I am, than be unhappy trying

to meet your expectations.

The Bible says Adam and Eve were naked. Every thing about

About themselves was plain to see. If Eve had any faults, Adam

was ok with them. If Adam had any faults, Eve was ok with them.

They were happy the way God made them.

We have to learn that other people don’t have to measure up to

us.

COMMUNICATION IS A KEY TO HARMONY

You can’t read my mind and I can’t read yours. The only way I will

Know that we are on the same page is  if  we talk to each other.

Jesus said you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.

If your truth is not Jesus truth, I want know what you are talking about. 

    

1 Tim 6:18

That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;

Marriage and family is an institution that is worth the work. We are

rich to have family around us,

    

Ps 127:3

Sons are a heritage from the Lord, and children a reward from him. 

Many times we say things or give directions and others understand differently from what we think, Sometimes is good to have people repeat

What you said to see how they understand.

When we communicate our differences, we can come to a clear understanding.

TEMPORARY ARGUMENTS

Arguments some times results from different opinions.

Arguments sometime result from miscommunications. 

Since we are uniquely different we will have arguments

from time to time. The key is to  talk about the issue and

Address the differences. Sometimes you can compromise.

Other time you can agree to disagree. 

Settle the issue before you go to bed, 

    

Eph 4:26-28

In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 

Be open and kindly talk out your differences. If the issue is not life

threatening or financially destructive, it may not be worth the 

Argument.  

WORK TOGETHER

My wife and I usually have different ideas about how to do things in

and outside the house. So it is important for us to take time

Talk about what needs to be done and how we are going to do it.

My wife having been an auditor all her profession life is much

more thorough in her investigation. On the other hand, my background.

Is engineering. I see a job that need to be done and get it done without

much thought. I worry about the consequences later. So communication

Is important in our decision making on how to accomplish our goals. 

My way may not always be the right way. We get a better outcome

When we work together,

SHOW GENUINE INTEREST

We need to be sure to stay interested in each others ideas. 

For example, when it comes to movies, I am a forensic files can of

guy. I like to know  all the details of how a crime is solved. My

wife is a love story type of person. I have to spend time watching her movies

so we don’t end up in two different rooms watching different TVs

        

Eph 5:25-27

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, 

    

Eph 5:28

He who loves his wife loves himself. 

If the two have become one flesh, than if I get upset, if I get into an

Argument, if I have different opinions, its all against myself. Any

comments?

BE FIRST IN FORGIVENESS AND APOLOGIES 

We are not perfect. We will make mistakes from time to time.

We will lose our tempers from time to time. We will say stuff

that is hurtful from time to time. We will do stuff that is not

right from time to time.

We are human. We have to learn to let hurt go in favor of peace.

We must learn that forgiveness is a Christian quality that restores

Peace and joy. It is an internal peace in you and offer of peace with

Others.

    

Col 3:13-14

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 

GET THE LOG OUT OF YOUR EYE FIRST.

Before you criticize someone else, look in the mirror and see your

Own faults. I would be willing to bet, that your faults are as big as

The one you criticize.

Before you talk about someone else, consider what you are hiding

In the closet. What about the stuff under the bed that has not got to the

Closet?  

Since we are not perfect, there is always something to talk about.

    

Rom 3:23

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 

SERVE EACH OTHER WITH LOVE

God gave us families as HELP MEETS: TREASURES IN FRONT OF

YOU. 

Jesus said I came to serve and not to be served. The evidence of Love

Is our service toward one another. 

Marriage and family can’t exist unless we are willing to serve each other.

God put us together for the purpose to glorify Him. We do that in our relationships. When we use our different skills, thoughts, ideas and experiences in serving each other we become a stronger unit for God.

    

2 Cor 4:7

 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the Excellency of the  

 power may be of God, and not of us.

Love with all its meanings, began with love God has for us and the

love He commands us to imparts to families.

    

1 Cor 13:13

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 

Love is a work in progress.

If you want an enjoyable marriage, you got to constantly work at it.

SUMMARY

MARRIAGE MISSION

FIND JOY TOGETHER

LAUGH TOGETHER

HAVE FUN

BE YOURSELF

COMMUNICATE

TEMPORARY ARGUMENTS

WORK TOGERHER

SHOW GENUINE INTEREST

FIRST TO FORGIVE

DON’T CRITICIZE 

SERVE EACH OTHER

Rev. M. Mitchell

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "There Is None Righteous", Romans 3:9-20, 3/21/2021

 

THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS

Roman 3:9-20 (Psalm 14:1-7)

BORN IN SIN IN NEED OF SALVATION

V:9. What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;

A. In verses 1-8, Paul explained the advantage of the Jews over the rest of society.

They were the chosen of God. They were under the covenant of God and the

promise of Abraham. They were recipients of the written Word given to them

through Moses.

1. The Jews were subject to the consequences of their sins.

2. Their relationship with Abraham was no advantage to the penalty sin.

B. Our relationship with Jesus does not save us from the consequences of

sin on this earth.

1. Israel suffered from their sins through out the ages.

2. We will suffer from our sins.

3. It is the grace of God that allows us to suffer so we can learn

obedience.

OUR SINFUL STATE

V:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.

12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

A. We were born in sin and shaped in iniquity.

1. Our born condition is not our fault. That responsibility belongs to Adam

and Eve.

2. The responsibility of staying under the curse of sin rests with each individual.

3. We cannot seek God with out His intervention.

a. Jesus said no one can come to me unless the Father draws them (John 6:44).

b. We were not born with a desire to seek God.

c. We were born in the flesh with a desire to satisfy ourselves.

B. Since we can’t come to God without His intervention, we can’t understand

His Word without the power of the Holy Spirit.

1. When we study God’s Word we are taught by Him (Luke 12:12).

2. Without the teaching of the Holy Spirit we are left to the lies and deceptions

of the world.

3. The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord.

THE THOUGHTS OF A SINNER

V:13Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:

14Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:

A. Out of our mouths comes the evil thoughts of the heart.

1. Psalms 5:9

For there is nothing trustworthy in their mouth;

Their inward part is destruction itself.

Their throat is an open grave;

They flatter with their tongue.

2. The unregenerate person can only say what he knows.

3. The unsaved is in the flesh and therefore is selfish and looks

out for himself.

THE WORDS OF A SINNER

B. People have a way of poisoning there own relationships,

1. James 3:8

But no one among mankind can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of deadly

poison. 9With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people, who

have been made in the likeness of God;

2. It is only through the power of the Word that the tongue can be tamed.

3. When we put off the old self and put on the new creation in Christ can

we speak words of encouragements and enlightenment.

THE ACTIONS OF A SINNER
V:15 Their feet are swift to shed blood:

16Destruction and misery are in their ways:

17And the way of peace have they not known:

A. From talking sin the unsaved move to committing which includes acts

acts of violence,

1. Proverbs 1:11-12

If they say, “Come with us, Let’s lie in wait for blood,

Let’s ambush the innocent without cause;

Let’s swallow them alive like Sheol,

Even whole, like those who go down to the pit;

2. There are no boundries to what an evil person will go

B. The wicked causes confusion every where they go.

1. Isaiah 57:20-21

But the wicked are like the tossing sea, For it cannot be quiet,

And its waters toss up refuse and mud.

“There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”

LACK OF REVERENCE

V: 18There is no fear of God before their eyes.

A. The wicked do not reverence the Lord or the laws of man.

1.Proverbs 1:7

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge;

Fools despise wisdom and instruction.

2. Fools say in their hearts there is no God

B. Because the wicked do no fear God, their actions lead to destruction.

1. The worst thing a Christian can do is hang around a foolish person.

2. Unknowingly, you can easily get caught up in their trouble

THE LAW CONDEMNS, FAITH SAVES

V:19. Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

A. No one has ever been able to keep the law,

1. Jesus came not to do away with the law but to fulfill all the requirements of the

law, so that man maybe justified by faith.

2. The law was the covenant God made with Israel.

3. The Law does not save, but shows our sinfulness.

B. Because Adam sinned, we were born enslaved to sin.

1. Within ourselves we have no power to turn from evil to God.

2. It by the grace of God that Jesus saw our sin and gave himself up

for our corruption.

Rev. M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor Of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

5510 West Sam Houston Parkway North

Houston, Texas 77041

Bible Study Series: Marriage, A Heavenly Treasure, Lesson 4

 MARRIAGE, A HEAVENLY TREASURE

THE FOUNDATION        

Gen 1:27-28

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it.

    

Gen 2:19

20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.

The word meet means in front of

The word help means treasure

God designed marriage for you to have a treasure in front of you

Jesus is the true treasure in front of us.

        

John 3:28

'I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him.' 29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. 

  

Rev 19:7

7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!

For the wedding of the Lamb has come,

and his bride has made herself ready. 

Throughout our lives we are being prepared to be the bride of Christ.

The entire body of believers is the bride of Christ.

When I was young, I didn’t feel like I needed any help. 

I thought I was capable of doing it all by myself.

Having got much older, I know I need a HELP MEET.

When I am driving I need my wife’s extra pair of eyes.

My hearing is not as good as it use to be, so I need an extra

set of ears.

I forget stuff so I need to be reminded by my HELP MEET

Our one true HELP MEET IS JESUS

He is in front of us, beside us and in us all the time.

There is a song that says,, “he is all over me”.

Jesus  never takes a break from us. 

He is the bridegroom and while we are on earth we are His

HELP MEET

According to an article   by John Piper

Marriage exists to magnify the truth and worth and beauty and greatness of God; God does not exist to magnify marriage. 

God created marriage in His own image and His own likeness.

The job of the bride is to glorify the bridegroom.

 

Let’s look at some ways we can glorify the bridegroom.  What we learn from the bridegroom we can apply to our families?

FAITH PLEASES THE BRIDEGROOM   

Heb 11:6

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. 

Hebrews gives us four requirements to please God

   1. You cannot be the bride of Christ without faith.

   2.  You must believe the bridegroom exists.

   3.  You must earnestly seek Him.

   4.  You must believe He will reward you.

Marriage and family reaches it’s highest when God is glorified to

The highest.  WHEN GOD IS FIRST

    

       John 12:32-33

        And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

I want to discuss the rewards of being the bride of Christ. When 

We understand the treasure in Christ we want mind being His bride.

KNOWLEDGE

The first reward is knowledge. Knowledge is useful information about

The bridegroom.

    

Proverbs 1:7

The fear of the Lord  is the beginning of knowledge,

but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Definition

    Knowledge makes us aware or gives us perception.

    Wisdom is administration or prudence

    Stated another way, wisdom is the administration of knowledge 

    The knowledge we need is the truth. 

    

John 8:31-32

"If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." 

   Notice, the bride is a disciple of Christ

FREEDOM

One of the rewards of being the bride of Christ is freedom.

We are free from the lies and deception of the devil.

We are free to pursue the righteousness of God.

We are free from the wrath of God.

We are free from the worries of life.

Since we know the truth, we know how to administer the Truth                          which is wisdom.

    

Deut 4:5-6

See, I have taught you decrees and laws as the Lord  my God commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering to take possession of it. 6 Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations.

GRACE    

God’s grace is an unmerited treasure of marriage.

     1 Cor 3:10

     By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, 

     and someone else is building on it.

Marriage and family is built on the foundation of Grace

Grace is God’s divine favor.

        

    Titus 2:11-12

    For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.

    

    Eph 3:7-8

    I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me    

    through the working of his power. 

MERCY IS A TREASURE OF MARRIAGE

  

Definition

    mercy: that of God toward sinners, Titus 3:5

    eleos, eleous, 

    mercy; kindness or good will toward the miserable and afflicted, joined     

    with a desire to relieve them.

Ex 33:19-20

And the Lord  said, "I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord , in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 

    

   Luke 1:50

   His mercy extends to those who fear him,

   from generation to generation. 

JOY

Another treasure of marriage is joy

    

   Ps 16:11

   You have made  known to me the path of life;

   you will fill me with joy in your presence,

   with eternal pleasures at your right hand. 

    

   John 15:10-12

   If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have    

   obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you 

   this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be    

   complete. 

PEACE

Peace is a treasure of marriage

    

     John 14:27

     Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the   

     world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. 

    

     Phil 4:7

     And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard   

      your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

PROTECTION

Our protection is a treasure of marriage

    

     Ps 91:14

     Because he loves me," says the Lord , "I will rescue him;

     I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. 

     Ps 37:23

     The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord : and he delighteth in his     

      way.

A TREASURE OF MARRIAGE IS PROVISIONS

    

       Col 4:1

       Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you    

       know that you also have a Master in heaven. 

    

      Matt 7:7-8

      "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the    

      door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who    

      seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. 

 SALVATION IS A TREASURE OF MARRIAGE   

       Titus 2:13-14

       Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all   

       wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own,   

       eager to do what is good. 

  

       Matt 13:44

       "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man   

         found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had 

         and bought that field. 

 REWARD FOR SERVICE IS A TREASURE                 

        Mark 9:41

        I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name   

         because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward. 

    

        Mark 10:29-30

        Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or   

        mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30 will fail 

        to receive a hundred times as much in this present age 

    

    

      Col 3:23-24

      Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord,    

       not for men, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance 

       from the Lord as a reward.

Can any human marriage approach the divine marriage to Jesus?

I think not. But we can strive be like our role model for marriage.

SUMMARY

THE TREASURES OF BEING THE BRIDE OF CHRIST

    1. FAITH

    

    2. KNOWLEDGE

    3. WISDOM

 

    4. FREEDOM

    5. GRACE

    6. MERCY

    7. JOY

    8. PEACE

  

    9. PROTECTION

   10. PROVISIONS

   11.  SALVATION

When you think about your own marriage and your own

Family, how much of this will you apply? Will it make

A difference?

Rev. M. Mitchell

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "The Downfall Of The Family", Romans 1:18-32, 3/14/2021

     

THE DOWNFALL OF FAMILY

Romans 1:18-32

A WARNING ABOUT WICKEDNESS

V:18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities — his eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. 

A. God is omniscience. He knows all and He sees all. He has made Himself

     Known to everyone 

   1. God made everyone in His own image and likeness.

   2. Everyone knows God through what can clearly be seen in creation.

   3. Those who don’t know God, are conscience of His works and

       know the difference between right and wrong.

B. God is spirit and no one has seen Him at any time.

    1. He shows His glory through natural revelations. 3

    2. The sun, moon, and the stars are His creation.

    3. Some chose to ignore the divine creation. 

    4. But God has left man without an excuse.  

REJECTING GOD, THE START OF WICKEDNESS

V:21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. 

A. Paul wrote to the Gentile Church at Rome giving them instructions

     On Godliness. 

   1. Paul knew that Church in Rome had its start in the Jewish Synagogues.

   2. He also knew that the leaders of the Synagogues mixed the Word

       of God with their Jewish traditions.

   3. The Greek gods of the Romans were  Jupiter, Juno, and Minerva.

       Jupiter was the sky god that protected the Roman state. 

   4. The idol gods outside the church affected the church body.

 B. The nation of Israel had a history of worshipping the idol gods of

     Their neighbors.

    1. Paul explained the spiritual downfall of rejecting the one true living

              God.

           2. Paul left no doubt, that people who worship idols know God.

           3. Because people refuse to glorify God and give Him thanks

               their minds became corrupt.

               a. Their thinking became futile

               b. Their hearts became darken

               c. They became fools

C. The result of the rejection of the true God, was a depraved mind

       1. Their god became the image of man, animals, birds that they

            made with their own hands. 

        2. Rather than trusting the creator, they put their trust in dumb

            idols they created.

        3.  They quit listening to the creator and began hearing their

              depraved thinking.

THE CONSEQUENCES OF WICKEDNESS

V:24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator — who is forever praised. Amen. 

26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. 

A. Because they rejected the living God, He allowed Satan to have

     total influence of their minds.

    1. Those who reject God have no moral boundaries 

    2. Verse 24 and 25 give the downward spiral of rejection God

        a. The sinful desires of the heart explodes.

        b. Sexual impurity goes out of control.

        c. Degrading of the bodies with one another 

   3. The truth which is the Word of God is exchanged for lies

       and deceptions of Satan.

   4. Worship of man-made idol replaces the worship of God.

B. When the culture rejects God’s commands, the family suffers.

    1. Homosexuality becomes the norm

    2. Men reject their position as head of the household

    3. Women reject their role as helpmeet to the male figure

    4. Today around the world, homosexuality is promoted in

        every area of life

    5. We have homosexuality in the news media, in sports, in government,

         in advertisements, and on social media.

    6. We have passed laws for homosexual equality.

    7. In 2020 according to the US Census, there are 980 thousand

        same sex households.

A DEPRAVED MIND, THE DEVIL’S WORKSHOP

V:28 Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them. 

A. Family is the foundation of world civilization.

    1. God’s command to the first marriage, was to populate the earth;

         be fruitful and multiply.

    2. When the family suffers the world goes in a decline.

    3. When men and women destroy God's divine institution

         of marriage between a man and woman, they destroy themselves.

B. When the moral fabric of the family is destroyed, those involved

      Are given over to Satan and his devices.

    1. The attitude of man changes from Godliness to wickedness.

C. Because he is deprived, his thoughts become wicked, His heart

     Devises evil schemes, then all his actions become evil.

 

SUMMARY FROM THE BIBLE KNOWLEDGE COMMENTARY            

Romans 1:29-31

The mental vacuum created by dismissing God was filled (the perf. tense implies filled full) with four forms of active sin: wickedness (‎adikia‎; cf. v. 18), evil (‎poneria‎), greed, and depravity (‎kakia‎, "badness or malice"). These four in turn express themselves in 17 more specific types of wickedness. 

1:32. This whole pattern of evil becomes the lifestyle of people who continue to do (pres. tense implies continuing or habitual action) these very things in open defiance of God, a defiance aggravated (a) by fully knowing (‎epignontes‎; cf. v. 28) that such things deserve death and (b) by encouraging others in the same lifestyle. Such extremity of human rebellion against God fully warrants God's condemnation.  

Rev. M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor Of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

5510 West Sam Houston Parkway North

Houston, Texas 77o41

Bible Study Series: Marriage And Family, Lesson 3

 LEARNING TO FIGHT WELL

Over the many years of my life, I have been apart of and witness many

weddings. They all start out with a beautifully adorned bride walking

toward the altar with smiling faces of the groom and family members.

There is a declaration and a commitment to a life long marriage before

God and man. To death do us part is the promise.

Sadly, and all too often marriages end in separation and divorce. Some where along the line, the couple quit fighting to stay together. The two that

were to become one flesh never achieves it. 

What is the problem and how do we solve it? Let’s look at some

basic  principles.

1. Marriage and family were divinely created.

       

Gen 1:27

 So God created man in his own image,

in the image of God he created him;

male and female he created them. 

2. Marriage and family has a divine purpose.

    

Gen 1:28

God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground." 

3. Marriage and family has a divine need.

        

    Gen 2:18

    The Lord  God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a     

     helper suitable for him." 

4. Marriage and family has a divinely created enemy.

      John 10:10

      The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.

  

       Eph 6:12-13

       For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, 

       against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against 

       the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 

MARRIAGE DESIGNED TO FIGHT

The family was created to fight to survive.  In Genesis 1:28, God commands

us to subdue the earth and rule over it. Ephesians 6:12 tells us that life is a

struggle.

MARRIAGE IS A WORK IN PROGRESS

The idea that marriage and family is a bed of roses, filled with joy and

bliss is false. Marriage and family is a work in progress. The work never

stops.

    

    2 Cor 9:8

    And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at 

    all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

HOW DID MARRIAGE AND FAMILY LOSE IT’S PERFECTION?

In the beginning marriage and family was made in the image of God.

It was perfect in all aspects.  Perfection lasted as long as man kept his

Eye on God.

PROBLEMS STARTS WITH DISOBEDIENCE

The problem with marriage and family begins from within.

We are our own worst enemy.

Consider the first family. The problem started with mom and dad.

They disobeyed God’s command. I believe their disobedience

was transferred to their sons.

Their disobedience led to murder. Cain killed Able because he didn’t

want to take responsibility for his sorry unacceptable offering to God.

Little sins led to bigger sins. Cain would not listen to God’s counsel. 

Cain got that from mom and dad who did not accept the blame for sin.

LACK OF COMMUNICATION 

To make marriage work, you have to work at communication.

Satan came to steal, kill and destroy.

Satan drove a wedge between Adam and Eve, by convincing Eve that

God was a liar and it was ok to eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good

And Evil. 

There is no recorded conversation between Adam and Eve about God’s

command. No recorded conversation with God about the lie Satan told

Eve before they ate the forbidden fruit.

LACK OF HUMILITY

What about Cain? What was his problem? Cain communicated with God,

but was too proud to admit his sin and became angry with God. He

took his anger out on Able.

We have to fight our disobedience. We have fight our lack of communication. We have to fight the pride in us.

THE SOLUTION TO A HEALTHY FAMILY

We were born in sin, and shaped in iniquity. How do you fight what you were born into? 

WALK IN JESUS

      

1 John 2:5-6

But if anyone obeys his word, God's love  is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. 

    

Eph 5:1-2

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 

We have to constantly work on ourselves to walk like, love like and be

like Jesus.

You have to fight your fleshly desires to have a good marriage and Family.

You know it is easy to say something you regret when you get into a disagreement. You can’t un-ring a bell. We must learn to listen then think

Before we open our mouths.

EXPECT PROBLEMS

Daily life is full of problems. It’s how you handle them that is important.

Put two people together and sooner or later there will be a disagreement.

  

1 Peter 4:12-13

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 

 Marriage combines two different individuals, with different ideas, different

 backgrounds, and different experiences. It is work to come to agreement in

 most things.

God says, one flesh, but the world promotes independence.

The world promotes equal rights, but God wants justice in His righteousness.

If we are not careful we will promote ourselves and not family.

We have to fight to promote family over individuality.

HUMBLE YOURSELF

I think most people want to be winners. Nobody plans their life 

To be a loser. 

Sports fans root for their favorite team. The winning mentality is

ingrained in us from our every day activities.

When my wife and I play scrabble, I set out to be the winner.

Since she has a larger vocabulary than mind she ends with the

most points. I counter that she made up words only to find out

That they are in the dictionary. 

It is our pride that promotes our winning mentality. Pride gets

In the way of family unity. Pride is the source of many arguments.

Pride is often times destructive. 

    

James 4:6

"God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.

The better person don’t mind losing an argument, because God

Give grace to the humble.

When our pride comes before others, we are opposed by God.

When pride comes before others, family ceases to be the objective.

When pride comes before others, you cease to walk like Jesus.

When pride comes before others you cease to fight for the family.

EQUIPPED TO FIGHT

       

We were equipped to fight. We must learn to use the weapons God has

 given us. 

      Eph 6:11

      Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the   

      devil's schemes. 

        Eph 6:13-18

        Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil   

         comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done 

         everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled 

         around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 

         and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel 

         of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with 

         which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17    

        Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the 

         word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds 

         of prayers and requests. 

 

        ELEMENTS OF VICTORY IN MARRIAGE AND   

       FAMILY

                  1. Know Word Of God For Yourself

                  2. Act upon the Word

                  3. Stand On The Word

                  4. Believe The Word

                  5. Be Confident Of The Victory

                  6. Speak The Word

                  7. Pray Always

FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT FOR MARRIAGE AND FAMILY

Rev. M. Mitchell

This Week's Sunday School Lesson, "Introduction To Jesus Christ, Basic Doctrine", Romans 1:8-17, 3/7/2021

     

AN INTRODUCTION TO JESUS CHRIST

BASIC DOCTRINE

Romans 1:8-17

BACKGROUND

The Apostle Paul identifies himself as the writer of the book of Romans.

He claimed his call to be an apostle by Jesus Christ. He wrote the letter

to believers in Rome in 56AD

The Church in Rome got its start after the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem. According to Acts chapter 2, there were devout men in Jerusalem from every nation under the sun. 

At one time in Rome, there were 50000 Jews( IVP Background Commentary). 

In 40 AD, Emperor Claudius expelled all the Jews from Rome (Acts 18:2).

When Paul wrote to the Romans, It was to a Gentile Church.

Services were held in the homes of believers. Perhaps the word

of the faith of the believers of Gentile Church at Rome got back to Paul

from returning Jews. Knowing their need for correct doctrine, Paul was

eager to get to Rome. 

PRAISE GOD FOR OTHER BELIEVERS

V:8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. 9 God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you 10 in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God's will the way may be opened for me to come to you. 

A. We should be in the habit of thanking God for the faith of other 

     Christians.

     1. Others do us good by serving Christ and proclaiming His name.

     2. You never know the full effect of Christian service on the government

         and the community.

     3. While the world opposes Christ, the Word of God never loses its 

         effectiveness..

     4. It is the contrast between the world and Christian values that affect

         hearts of men and women and drives us to pursue righteousness.

EFFECTIVE PRAYERS OF THE RIGHTEOUS

B. The Roman Emperor Claudius expelled all the Jews, but

     the Church still prospered.

      According to Warren C Campbell the Jewish Synagogues cause 

      problems in Rome.

      “It seems plausible, then, that Claudius's ban on the Jewish synagogue 

        meetings was an attempt to restrict Jewish activity in general terms, 

        with the intention of limiting any further religious or political 

        disturbances.”

     1. The effort of the government to get rid of the Church, caused it to

          grow among their people.  

     2. The devil is busy in all circles attempting to destroy the Church.

     3.  The prayers of believers activate God’s power to strengthen the

           faith of those who serve.

     4. We join in the struggles of believers throughout prayers to Jesus

         Christ.

STUDY THE WORD CONTINUOUSLY

V:11.  I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong 12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith.

A. Paul was called to preach the Gospel to Gentiles though out the Roman

     Empire.

    

    Acts 13:2

    While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said,     

    "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called 

     them."

1. The Church in Rome had begun from devout men who were converted by

     Peters preaching on the day of Pentecost. 

2. While there is no mention of the start of the church in Rome, it could not

    have begun without the power of the Holy Spirit.

3. Paul had heard of the faith of the believers in Rome, wanted to be

    encouraged by their testimony and to encourage them by his.

4. Paul armed with Christian doctrine could train them in deeper meanings

    of their salvation.

5. Paul had been trained in the doctrine of the Old Testament by one of the

    best teachers of his time.

    

     Acts 22:3

    Then Paul said:  "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in 

     this city. Under Gamaliel I was thoroughly trained in the law of our 

     fathers and was just as zealous for God as any of you are today.”

B.  In the Book of Romans, Paul’s extensive knowledge of the Old   

     Testament scriptures guided by the insight of the Holy Spirit 

      provided the church with deeper knowledge into the Gospel of Jesus 

      Christ.

 

       Paul laid out the facts of the gospel in chapters 1-11 and 

       then summons his readers to reconciliation and mutual service in 

       chapters 12-15; (from IVP Bible Background Commentary)

      1. Church at Rome may have had only limited teaching of The Old 

          Testament along with Peter’s sermon on the resurrection of Jesus     

          Christ.

         a. The Jews during the time of Jesus taught the Old Testament

             scriptures mixed with their historical traditions.

         b. Their traditions outweighed the value of the scriptures.

    

            Mark 7:8-9 ( Jesus statement to the teachers of the law)

               

             For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of 

             men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like 

             things ye do.

             And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, 

             that ye may keep your own tradition.

     2. Paul’s letter to the Romans tied the prophecies of the Messiah in

          the Old Testament to the risen Christ.

     3. We can never get to the point where we know all the mysteries

          of the Bible.

              

         2 Tim 2:15

         Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not 

         to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

ENCOURAGE EACH OTHER IN THE LORD

V:13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles. 

14 I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. 15 That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are at Rome. 

A. Many times God delays our plans to grow us up to the task of the plan.

    1. Other times God delays our plan because there are more pressing

        work to do in other places. 

    2. Paul may have started as many as 20 churches before going to Rome.

    3. In each church, many individuals were drawn to Christ. 

B. Rome was Paul’s final destination.

   1. During Paul’s missionary journeys his faith was tried and tested.

   2. He wrote 13 of the 26 books in the New Testament. 

   3. He revisited and strengthen churches previously established.

   4. By the time Paul got to Rome he was prepared to die for Christ

       which was his greatest testimony.

C. Even though Paul was the appointed apostle to the Gentiles, He preached

     to the Jews also.

   1. Paul understood that his mission was to preach the Gospel to as many

       people and in many places that God placed him.

   2. God is no respecter of people and He holds us accountable for 

       proclaiming the Gospel everywhere we go.

   3. We are never off the job of proclaiming Jesus Christ.

   4. We are to stay in prayer that God guides our footsteps so that

        none miss the opportunity of hearing the Gospel.

D. Each day we should be eager to teach the Word and bring light

     those in the dark.

    1. It is our job to enlighten each other on the goodness of the Lord.

     2. We all need encouragement from time to time.

     3. Never miss an opportunity of sharing your testimony

         with others. 

EXCITED ABOUT THE GOSPEL

V:16. I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."

A. We have but one mission and that is to glorify God with our testimony

      Of His goodness.

   1. It is God’s power that saves us from His wrath of our sins.

   2. It was by His love that Jesus stepped down out of Heaven to be

       our salvation.

B. It is by His grace that we come to know Jesus Christ.

     1.  John 6:44

        "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and 

         I will raise him up at the last day. 

    2. Not only that, but it is Jesus that enables us to believe in Him.

             

        Romans 12:3

        For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of 

        yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with 

        sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has  

       given you. 

C.  We are all one race in Jesus Christ. 

     1. Jesus was a Jew by birth. We are all adopted Jews in Jesus.

    

         Eph 1:4-6

         In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus    

         Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will to the praise of his 

         glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 

    2. It is impossible to please God without faith in Jesus Christ.

    3.  Hebrews 11:6

         But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to 

         God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that 

         diligently seek him.

     4. We are not righteous in ourselves. The righteousness of Jesus has been

         imputed to us.

     5. Atonement of our sins comes through faith in Jesus, our risen Savior.

             

        James 2:23

        Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,

         and he was called God's friend.

D. We cannot determine what will be tomorrow.

     1. We cannot determine what trials we will face beforehand.

     2. What we do know if we trust God, He will guide our path.

      

         Psalms 37:23

         The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord : and he delighteth in 

         his way.

THANK GOD FOR THE KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS CHRIST

Rev M. Mitchell

Asst Pastor Of Greater Macedonia Baptist Church

5510 West Sam Houston Parkway North

Houston, Texas 77041