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

Bible Study Series: Marriage And Family, Lesson 2

 

THE PERFECT MARRIAGE

 

 

Among human beings, do you believe that there is a perfect marriage?

In my life time I have known a lot of good marriages. I know a lot of

marriages where the couple stayed together until one partner died.

I am not sure that any of these marriages were perfect.

 

I think all marriages have problems from time to time. The key is

how problems are resolved to stay together.

Unfortunately, many marriages end in divorce. Even among church folk.

That’s life, but there is way to improve the statistics.

 

Last week we discussed the fact that God created us for His glory and

commands us to put Him first in our lives. No marriage can move toward

perfection without God being first.

 

In this lesson, I want to look at the first marriage between Adam and Eve

and how God put them together.

 

MARRIAGE CREATED IN GOD’S IMAGE                

Gen 1:27-28

27 So God created man in his own image,

in the image of God he created him;

male and female he created them.

28 God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.

 

God’s design for marriage was to populate the earth with people who

looked like Him.  Not only was the first family purposed to look like

God, but be the image of God.

 

God gave the marriage everything to be successful.

     Communication

     Resources

     Directions

     Authority

     

 

GOD IS THE SOLUTION TO MARRIAGE

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."

 

The Hebrew word for alone is “bad’ God used a double negative to describe

Man without a partner:  not good and bad.

 

MAN INCOMPLETE WITHOUT A TREASURE

 

Watch this Ladies, you complete the man.  Without women, men are

in a bad situation.

    

Gen 2:18

And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

 

The word help is the Hebrew word ezer which means one who helps, and a treasure

 

Man is not complete without the treasure of a woman

A treasure is something important. A treasure is something you

Protect.  A treasure is something of great value. A treasure is

Something you live for.

 

MAN NEEDS SOMEONE IN HIS FACE

The Hebrew word for meet is neged which means front of or before

your face.

 

God created a treasure for man to be in his face. Man is not complete

Without the treasure of a woman that is in his face.

 

According to the text, It is a bad situation when we don’t have someone connected to us to talk to and help make decisions.

 

Gen 2:22-24

Then the Lord  God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.

23 The man said,

"This is now bone of my bones

and flesh of my flesh;

she shall be called 'woman,

for she was taken out of man."

24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

 

God took the DNA of Adam and made Eve.

Adam’s treasure was made in the image and likeness of himself.

 

TOGETHERNESS THE KEY TO MARRIAGE

The word cleave is the Hebrew word, dabaq which means to abide fast

Pursue hard.   Man is commanded to pursue hard his treasure.

He is commanded to abide fast with his treasure.

 

The word flesh is the Hebrew word basar which means an extension of ,

or corresponding to.

 

Man is commanded to pursue hard the extension of himself,

which is his treasure. 

 

The wife comes before family. Her opinions and ideas are more important than family.  The man and his wife work together and if necessary over

looks outside influence.

 

MARRIAGE MADE WITHOUT SECERTS  

Gen 2:25

The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.

 

There should be no secrets between man and his wife.

In a perfect marriage there are no secrets.

We are not to hide stuff from each other.

When we are troubled it should be discussed with our treasure,

 

Until sin entered their hearts, they were innocent.

 

When they disobeyed God’s command, the first couple was kicked out

Of the garden of Eden and had to start over in the harsh realities of

life.

 

The perfect marriage became imperfect. We all are a result of the

first marriage becoming imperfect. We cannot change the past,

But we can affect the future.

 

THE ONE PERFECT MARRIAGE

There is one perfect marriage. It is the one you and

I establish with Jesus Christ.  It is the role model for all

marriages.

 

It not prefect because of us, but it is perfect because of Jesus Christ the

bridegroom. When we accepted Christ we became His bride.

 

Let’s examine the marriage between Christ and us, the church.

 

MARRIAGE MADE BEAUTIFUL IN CHRIST

    

Isa 61:10-11

I delight greatly in the Lord ;

my soul rejoices in my God.

For he has clothed me with garments of salvation

and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness,

as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest,

and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

11 For as the soil makes the sprout come up

and a garden causes seeds to grow,

so the Sovereign Lord  will make righteousness and praise

spring up before all nations.

 

MADE PERFECT IN CHRIST

    

Heb 12:23-24

You have come to God, the judge of all men, to the spirits of righteous men made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

 

    

 

 

1 John 4:17

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

 

MADE PREFECT IN CHRIST LOVE

    

Rom 5:8

8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

 

Eph 5:1-2

5 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.

 

MARRIAGE MADE PERFECT BECAUSE OF FORGIVENESS

   

Rom 3:21-25

21 But now  righteousness from God, apart from 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, 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.

 

MARRIAGE MADE PERFECT BECAUSE OF GRACE

 Eph 2:5-6

5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

 

MARRIAGE MADE PERFECT IN A NEW CREATION

    

2 Cor 5:17-18

17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

MARRIAGE  MADE PERFECT BY THE HOLY SPIRIT

 

John 16:7-11

7 But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. 8 When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me; 10 in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; 11 and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned.

 

MARRIAGE  MADE PERFECT THROUGH WEAKNESS

 

2 Cor 12:9-10

9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

 

MARRIAGE IS MADE PERFECT IN TRUST

   

Prov 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

 

MARRIAGE TO JESUS IS PERMENANT

    

Eph 4:30

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

 

 

 

 

 

SUMMARY

 

 

Rev. M. Mitchell