ISDAMan
05-05-00, 11:55 PM
Here, we are together for the last installment of the FNS coverage of Romans. This study could have gone lots of places and covered many more facets of the book of Romans. I just hope that we went where God felt it was necessary to go this time around. I’m thankful to those that gave support in print and prayer. Most of all, I’m thankful to God that He has seen me through and has seen fit to still use me. In many ways, I can see His Grace and Blessing at work wherein I’d have no hope under my own power. I know that I took in quite a bit here. In the Future FNS’s, there’ll likely be some changes made. I’m not so sure, having just completed the book of Ecclesiastes, that the one chapter at a time thing will be the way to go. We’ll jus have to see how it works out. I’m thinking that I’d like to get more in depth.
If it’s not been understood up until now, it is my great hope that I have encouraged you to realize who you are and who God is,… the nature of the relationship, because it is a relationship,… and the perspective of all this in relation to the world at large. There is a war on,… a war for immortal souls! God has no place in His army for slackers and non-hackers. He might not kick you out of Heaven, but, I’ll tell you one thing, you’ll miss out on all the victories and you’ll have none of the rewards when God throws His big bash. Satan is a defeated foe. The fight is God’s. The hardest part for us is having the faith to simply trust and let God through us. Somehow, we always want to inject our own will. Remember. God does not need your ability! He wants your availability. My prayer to God is that He would keep us away from evil so that we will cause no pain. Bless us oh God! Lead us and direct us. Make us, your children, obedient to your Good Will. AMEN!!!!!!!!!
<< Read Verses 1-5 >>
Well, now, Paul is closing everything out here. Still, there is much to learn from this ending. It’s not without lesson in the least bit. Notice the greetings and honor in the different greetings that Paul has so carefully crafted. There’s great meaning in this. Notice something with me. I think we all know that females are not lesser players in God’s Church. Paul makes a statement of down right dependence here. He also takes note of great honor and courage. I don’t recall him doing so for anyone else prior in this book. Paul lets us know that these women have been God’s hinge pins to nurture the proper function of God’s Great devise, which is the church for the spreading of the Gospel. Paul makes it clear that Phebe is a saint of the Lord and that they are to receive her as they would any that God has sent. This woman is a nurturer and a feeder of others. Notice the high esteem! She is a deacon that knows how to minister to others. If you want to be a deacon, that’s where it’s at. Minister to others. Notice also that Priscilla and Aquila, thought they risked their lives to the advance of God’s work, the greater esteem is given to Phebe who is called a succourer. Want to get in good with God? Feed His sheep! Be a faithful minister to others because it is what God would have of you and not just to get accolades. Risking your neck is all fine and good. Still, it’s common to all men to die. What have you really given when you had nothing in your grasp anyway? I tell you as a truth that it’s a greater thing to risk your reputation by engaging in constant service than it is to risk the life you were already bound to lose! Does this mean that Phebe was a better Christian than Priscilla and Aquila? Not at all. They could have very well been doing 100% of what God wanted from them. I hope you realize that not every role is a glory role in God’s kingdom. On top of that, we can see that they too were making investments in living souls. The Church met in their house.
Furthermore, it’s plain to see that of all the people that Paul has undoubtedly taken part in helping come to know the Lord, the one that sticks out the most in his mind is the first one of that given place. The first time, with most things, has a certain spark. Do you remember that first kiss? How about that 322 one? I’ll bet that one slips your mind. Well, here’s a tip. If you want to really be on fire for God, start new flames. Of course, you do need to complete old tasks. Never the less, avoid monotony and dogmatic repetition. Just as you sing a new song to the Lord everyday, try something new in the Lord as often as you can. It doesn’t have to be big,… just Godly.
<< Read Verses 6-16 >>
Do you see how many people he remembered? Guess what. There’s an even longer list of people he didn’t remember! Serve God faithfully and you’ll end up on His lists. Then, opportunity for further ministries will come your way (P.S. – Don’t be surprised if they’re not always what you wanted or expected. I think God has a sense of humor too).
<< Read Verses 17-20 >>
Resist the urge to find peace at all costs. Jesus is the Prince of Peace. You let Him deal with the false teachers in His way. Your part is to have no part with them (in context of accepting them as part of the Body). If God won’t claim them, I wouldn’t either. Beyond that, be careful when dealing with those that they have fooled. They too can be dangerous.
<< Read Verses 21-24 >>
Three words: Edification Is Good!
<< Read Verses 25-27 >>
God is the smartest and wisest person there ever was, is, or will be. Broken as you were, He chose you to spread His Gospel. He made no mistake. He has empowered you with His living Soul so as to enable you to be a real success. Forget the money, fame, power, respect, and even the look of a stable family. Only God and all that He claims will survive in the end. Where will you be and where will those around you be? Serve faithfully! AMEN!!!
<HR><HR><HR>
Well, I’m not going to include the pomp and circumstance for this communion. Rather, You need to assess where you stand with God and why you do the things that you do. Is God driving your bus or are you fighting for the wheel? When you can answer truthfully, then, take the communion of remembrance of Christ after you have committed to be faithful as you were commanded. To do so otherwise is to risk life and limb.
Take the bread – It has no leaven (yeast) as a symbol of Christ’s living Body, which was without sin. As you break it and eat, remember that His flesh was pierced for you too. It was you that hanged Him on that tree!
Take the wine – It is the symbol of remembrance of the blood He shed to cover the sins of the whole of mankind. Remember that it is only by the fact that gave His innocent Blood to stand in place of your guilty blood that you can have a place with God.
<U>Keep God’s Commandments </U>
Love God with all of your heart and your neighbor as yourself and go into all the world and share the Gospel.
God Bless You All! AMEN!!!
ISDAMan
P.S.- Thanks to all that have been a comfort and have prayed for my mother. God is Great!!! I'll tell you more later.
[This message has been edited by ISDAMan (edited May 05, 2000).]
If it’s not been understood up until now, it is my great hope that I have encouraged you to realize who you are and who God is,… the nature of the relationship, because it is a relationship,… and the perspective of all this in relation to the world at large. There is a war on,… a war for immortal souls! God has no place in His army for slackers and non-hackers. He might not kick you out of Heaven, but, I’ll tell you one thing, you’ll miss out on all the victories and you’ll have none of the rewards when God throws His big bash. Satan is a defeated foe. The fight is God’s. The hardest part for us is having the faith to simply trust and let God through us. Somehow, we always want to inject our own will. Remember. God does not need your ability! He wants your availability. My prayer to God is that He would keep us away from evil so that we will cause no pain. Bless us oh God! Lead us and direct us. Make us, your children, obedient to your Good Will. AMEN!!!!!!!!!
<< Read Verses 1-5 >>
Well, now, Paul is closing everything out here. Still, there is much to learn from this ending. It’s not without lesson in the least bit. Notice the greetings and honor in the different greetings that Paul has so carefully crafted. There’s great meaning in this. Notice something with me. I think we all know that females are not lesser players in God’s Church. Paul makes a statement of down right dependence here. He also takes note of great honor and courage. I don’t recall him doing so for anyone else prior in this book. Paul lets us know that these women have been God’s hinge pins to nurture the proper function of God’s Great devise, which is the church for the spreading of the Gospel. Paul makes it clear that Phebe is a saint of the Lord and that they are to receive her as they would any that God has sent. This woman is a nurturer and a feeder of others. Notice the high esteem! She is a deacon that knows how to minister to others. If you want to be a deacon, that’s where it’s at. Minister to others. Notice also that Priscilla and Aquila, thought they risked their lives to the advance of God’s work, the greater esteem is given to Phebe who is called a succourer. Want to get in good with God? Feed His sheep! Be a faithful minister to others because it is what God would have of you and not just to get accolades. Risking your neck is all fine and good. Still, it’s common to all men to die. What have you really given when you had nothing in your grasp anyway? I tell you as a truth that it’s a greater thing to risk your reputation by engaging in constant service than it is to risk the life you were already bound to lose! Does this mean that Phebe was a better Christian than Priscilla and Aquila? Not at all. They could have very well been doing 100% of what God wanted from them. I hope you realize that not every role is a glory role in God’s kingdom. On top of that, we can see that they too were making investments in living souls. The Church met in their house.
Furthermore, it’s plain to see that of all the people that Paul has undoubtedly taken part in helping come to know the Lord, the one that sticks out the most in his mind is the first one of that given place. The first time, with most things, has a certain spark. Do you remember that first kiss? How about that 322 one? I’ll bet that one slips your mind. Well, here’s a tip. If you want to really be on fire for God, start new flames. Of course, you do need to complete old tasks. Never the less, avoid monotony and dogmatic repetition. Just as you sing a new song to the Lord everyday, try something new in the Lord as often as you can. It doesn’t have to be big,… just Godly.
<< Read Verses 6-16 >>
Do you see how many people he remembered? Guess what. There’s an even longer list of people he didn’t remember! Serve God faithfully and you’ll end up on His lists. Then, opportunity for further ministries will come your way (P.S. – Don’t be surprised if they’re not always what you wanted or expected. I think God has a sense of humor too).
<< Read Verses 17-20 >>
Resist the urge to find peace at all costs. Jesus is the Prince of Peace. You let Him deal with the false teachers in His way. Your part is to have no part with them (in context of accepting them as part of the Body). If God won’t claim them, I wouldn’t either. Beyond that, be careful when dealing with those that they have fooled. They too can be dangerous.
<< Read Verses 21-24 >>
Three words: Edification Is Good!
<< Read Verses 25-27 >>
God is the smartest and wisest person there ever was, is, or will be. Broken as you were, He chose you to spread His Gospel. He made no mistake. He has empowered you with His living Soul so as to enable you to be a real success. Forget the money, fame, power, respect, and even the look of a stable family. Only God and all that He claims will survive in the end. Where will you be and where will those around you be? Serve faithfully! AMEN!!!
<HR><HR><HR>
Well, I’m not going to include the pomp and circumstance for this communion. Rather, You need to assess where you stand with God and why you do the things that you do. Is God driving your bus or are you fighting for the wheel? When you can answer truthfully, then, take the communion of remembrance of Christ after you have committed to be faithful as you were commanded. To do so otherwise is to risk life and limb.
Take the bread – It has no leaven (yeast) as a symbol of Christ’s living Body, which was without sin. As you break it and eat, remember that His flesh was pierced for you too. It was you that hanged Him on that tree!
Take the wine – It is the symbol of remembrance of the blood He shed to cover the sins of the whole of mankind. Remember that it is only by the fact that gave His innocent Blood to stand in place of your guilty blood that you can have a place with God.
<U>Keep God’s Commandments </U>
Love God with all of your heart and your neighbor as yourself and go into all the world and share the Gospel.
God Bless You All! AMEN!!!
ISDAMan
P.S.- Thanks to all that have been a comfort and have prayed for my mother. God is Great!!! I'll tell you more later.
[This message has been edited by ISDAMan (edited May 05, 2000).]