Romans by the Book (Lesson 9)

Home Bible Study- Lutz, Florida

Established November 2003

Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth

(2 Timothy 2:15)

This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1Timothy 2:3-4

Romans by the Book

Lesson 9

Welcome back to our study of the book of Romans.

There are no announcements so we’ll get right to business.

Please open your Bible to the book of Romans at chapter one, verse six.

Romans 1

6: among whom (insert your name here if you are a Believer) you also are the (what’s the next word) called of Jesus Christ;

7: to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints:

Let’s stop here for a minute.  The Apostle Paul has used the word “called” twice in a short span of time.  When you see a word or a phrase that is repeated within a few verses Bible students, take notice.  The writer is drawing your attention to something meaningful and important. 

Paul is teaching us Believers that we are “connected” to the Lord Jesus Christ in a special way.  Although John 3:16 informs us that God loved the whole world, it is the “saints” or the “Believers” who are the BELOVED OF GOD. 

Sinners should understand that God loves them, in fact God sent His only Son to die on the cross for them, but only the “saints” are the “beloved of God.” 

Sinners are never named God’s beloved. 

I believe Scripture always says it best.

Romans 8

38: For I am convinced that that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,

39: nor height, nor depth, nor any created thing, will be able to separate us from (what) the love of God, which is (where) in Christ Jesus our Lord.

This Bible verse mentions EVERYTHING imaginable on earth, in the heavens, and beyond.  Therefore, there is absolutely NOTHING that can separate US Believers from the love of God, which is IN Christ Jesus our Lord!

Let’s finish up verse seven.

Romans 1

7: …Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

8: First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world.

The Apostle Paul commends their faith.  Here’s a Bible Truth. 

Faith comes from God.  It is a “gift” from God.

But don’t take my word for it.  Check the book to see if what I’m saying is true.

Ephesians 2

8: For by (what) grace you have been saved through faith; (now read carefully) and that not of yourselves, it is a (what’s the next word) gift of God;

9: not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

   

Thanksgiving is an acknowledgment of this gift of faith.  And since we find that the Apostle begins his congratulations to these Believers in Rome with thanksgiving, let us know that we are hereby reminded, that all our blessings are God’s free gifts.

Romans 1

9: For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the preaching of the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how unceasingly I make mention of you,

Paul “served” God the Father by “preaching the gospel of His Son” in his “spirit.”

What do we have here?

Everything the Apostle Paul did after His “calling” was “For” the Lord Jesus Christ. 

In the December 1956 issue of the National Geographic Magazine, there appeared an article under the title, “In the Steps of Paul.”  The author or authors, who had done considerable research on Paul’s travels, estimated that his missionary endeavors consumed some twelve thousand miles, some by ship on the mighty Mediterranean Sea, and also across its “arms”—the Aegean and Adriatic Seas.  In addition, hundreds of miles were traversed by land.  He visited approximately fifty cities in his evangelistic endeavors (McRay 2003, 11).

Yet within the thirteen epistles known to have been written by Paul, and penned over an period of maybe just under twenty years, there is no complaint of fatigue, no whimpering at the hardships, no disappointment expressed of having been “crucified with Christ,” or of wasted years, or lack of family, wealth, or fame—just adoration.

There was the simple joy in serving his Lord and Savior and for the blessed hope of life to come.  Paul could not be budged from his determined course of serving the Lord.

In light of this Truth, the word “For” here at the beginning of verse 9 introduces the reason for his thankfulness.   He feels so deep an interest in the cause of Christ that he prays for the faithful in Rome on a daily basis. 

I pray for my family on a daily basis and for my friends in Christ Jesus our Lord on occasion, but if I’m being honest rarely do I pray for the faithful in Tampa, Florida.

But the Apostle Paul was so thankful for the "gift of faith" that each one of these Believers had received from God, having acknowledged it for what it was he gave thanks daily.

This begs the question.  Just how thankful are we Believers for our faith?

Do we truly recognize faith as a gift from God? 

Or do we treat Faith as we would last year’s Father’s Day gift; whatever that was?

Let’s continue examining verse 9.

“Serve with my spirit” is not an outward service, but of the whole heart, soul and life, “In the gospel” to which he is “set apart.”  The spirit is the highest part of a man's nature and service with the spirit is the highest service.   

The Apostle Paul was “set apart” to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ Crucified, Buried, and Resurrected on the 3^rd day, according to the Scriptures (see 1 Corinthians 15-1:4).

Paul did not depend on (or need) cathedrals, choirs, music, or oratory to stimulate his listeners.  The Apostle Paul didn’t hold “inspirational meetings” to stir the emotions of his audience.  He served God directly “in his spirit.”  Paul ministered with the Truth of the Word of God and that’s all. 

What was the result of his ministry?

The Holy Spirit opened the hearts of those who heard his message and they received the gift of faith. 

How many of you actually get “emotional” when the Word of Truth is read?

I know for certain music in a church setting can arouse the emotions of an individual.

But how many Believers get emotional or respectful (stand up during the reading, pay attention, write notes, open their Bible, bring a Bible to church, etc.) when their church leader opens his Bible and begins to read from it?

 

How many look forward with expectation to that portion of the worship service?

Please take the time to visit the book of Nehemiah chapter 8.

This is the historical and Biblical account of the wall around Jerusalem being rebuilt which was prophesied by the LORD God a century before it occurred.  Jerusalem’s walls had to be rebuilt before work could begin on the Jewish Temple.

In about 700 BC, Isaiah names Cyrus as the king who will allow the Israelites to return to Jerusalem and rebuild its Temple.  In about 539 BC, the Babylonian Empire was conquered by the Persians.  Shortly thereafter, a Persian king named Cyrus issued a formal decree that the Jews could return to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple.  This decree is confirmed by secular archaeology in the form of a stone cylinder that details many events of Cyrus' reign, including the decree to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. 

Remarkably, Isaiah predicted that a man named Cyrus, who would not be born for about a hundred years, would give a decree to rebuild a city and a temple, which were still standing and fully active at the time.

For those who argue the Bible is written by man and can’t be trusted.

Archeology proves its authenticity over and over again as it does here.

But the reason I bring you to Nehemiah 8 is to show you the Jews reverent reaction to the reading of God’s Word or The LAW, as it’s known in the O.T. as compared to the almost apathetic reaction it receives in our churches today.

Of course, we are seeing this so called “Christian” nation treat God “indifferently on a daily basis when it comes to believing in what He has said. 

(To be continued)

© Copyright 2011

GJ Heitzman’s Ministry

All Rights Reserved