Greetings to Precious people Romans 16:1-16
Paul spends a little time here at the end of the book greeting those who were important to him for one reason or another in the ministry and work of the Lord. Some we know from our study of the book of Acts, while others we have never met in Scriptures and some are only mentioned here. In verse 13 he mentions Rufus. Is this the same Rufus that is mentioned in Mark 15:21 (Son of Simon, who carried Jesus cross)? We have no way of knowing, but it is possible. Then again Rufus may have been like Bob in our time (could be a blue million of them).
To those mentioned, the specific call of their name was important, but to us it is simply to realize that recognizing people does matter. People who have played a specific role in your life deserve to have their name called. Don't forget to express thankfulness all the time to those around you, and at times give recognition (public recognition) to those that have had an impact. It is good for us to remember we did not do it alone and for those who helped to receive the exhortation of being recognized for their efforts. Of course when it is all said and done God gets the glory and Paul recognized this in the final verse of the book.
Dealing with division Romans 16:17-18
Right on the heals of the thankfulness and greeting to all those he held precious he gives a warning about those who cause division. This is one of the things that God hates.
Proverbs 6:16-19
16 These six things the Lord hates,
Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
17 A proud look,
A lying tongue,
Hands that shed innocent blood,
18 A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that are swift in running to evil,
19 A false witness who speaks lies,
And one who sows discord among brethren.
It is no patty cake warning either. Those who cause division are to be noted and avoided. Many a church and church leader (including me) have been stung and deeply hurt because they did not properly deal with people that caused division. The Greek word for note is skopeō and it is where we get our word scope from, like a scope on a rifle or a telescope. So, we are to get those that cause division in our sights.
Then we are to avoid them. The Greek word here is ekklinō and it means to turn from or shun. We are to avoid them, but the mistake that has been made is that people have ignored them. That is, we just try to pretend they are not there and mean while they keep on causing division. So what kind of procedure should we follow.
1. Make sure they are really a trouble maker and not just deceived. This basically involves communication.
Matthew 18:15-17,
15 “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ 17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.
Titus 3:10,
Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition.
2. Take Action. First there is communication, but if that does no good the church should take action. You don't just sit around and let e trouble maker keep causing damage.
1 Corinthians 5:6-7, 11-13
6 Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? 7 Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, ... 11 But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person. 12 For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? 13 But those who are outside God judges. Therefore “put away from yourselves the evil person.” Some would argue that we should love this person and not avoid them, but the reality is that avoiding them is loving them. Follow the scriptures on this and it will work. We can not allow several lives to be destroyed because of one persons passion to cause division.
Don't turn to another gospel Galatians 1
Paul here warns the Galatians who were being deceived into adopting a form of works salvation, that they should not turn to another gospel. He even said that any other gospel than the one they had already been taught was not really a gospel at all (6-7). Simply put, salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ and what he did on the cross and through his resurrection. Add or take away anything and you have perverted the gospel. Let's just let it shine in all its glory. Undeserved forgiveness is available in Jesus apart from works, but simply through faith.
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
We are arguing over things that aren't even in the Bible. No wonder the world wants nothing to do with us.
Romans 14-15 are largely concerning the idea of not being a stumbling block to others, particularly those who are weak in the faith. Often God's people are so determined to be right, there is no room for anyone else to be wrong. Many supposedly mature Christians feel that it is their duty to point out anything wrong with any body.
Many times the problem is that what is "wrong" is anything that is different from the way I do it. In other words, it is based on preferences and not on the true standard. We do remember the true standard, right? It is the Bible. The only right I have to say you are wrong is if I can open the Bible and show it to you in the scriptures.
The Jews and Gentiles were going back and forth over food, holy days, and other things in the Jewish Law. These things were not commanded under the New Covenant, although they were not forbidden under the new covenant. So it was preference. If you thought you should not eat something, then don't eat it. If you think it is OK then go for it. But the balance is that we would not want to purposely be a stumbling block to others.
We often try to make something RIGHT or WRONG when it is actually just DIFFERENT. I could right volumes about this, but here is the verse that jumped of the pages at me. Romans 14:20, Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. Here is the question, "What is so important to us that we are willing to destroy the work of God over it?"
Skin color
Music style
Your favorite NASCAR driver
Carpet Color
Bible Versions
Which Way the toilet paper should hang
Not letting someone new do the job at church you have done for 100 years
It is OK to have your preference and do things according to your preferences, but it is not OK to condemn or ridicule the person that is not doing it like that. It is not even OK to say they are wrong unless you have scripture to support your position.
Many times the problem is that what is "wrong" is anything that is different from the way I do it. In other words, it is based on preferences and not on the true standard. We do remember the true standard, right? It is the Bible. The only right I have to say you are wrong is if I can open the Bible and show it to you in the scriptures.
The Jews and Gentiles were going back and forth over food, holy days, and other things in the Jewish Law. These things were not commanded under the New Covenant, although they were not forbidden under the new covenant. So it was preference. If you thought you should not eat something, then don't eat it. If you think it is OK then go for it. But the balance is that we would not want to purposely be a stumbling block to others.
We often try to make something RIGHT or WRONG when it is actually just DIFFERENT. I could right volumes about this, but here is the verse that jumped of the pages at me. Romans 14:20, Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. Here is the question, "What is so important to us that we are willing to destroy the work of God over it?"
Skin color
Music style
Your favorite NASCAR driver
Carpet Color
Bible Versions
Which Way the toilet paper should hang
Not letting someone new do the job at church you have done for 100 years
It is OK to have your preference and do things according to your preferences, but it is not OK to condemn or ridicule the person that is not doing it like that. It is not even OK to say they are wrong unless you have scripture to support your position.
Monday, July 29, 2013
Sacrificially, it is the right way to live.
The Jew's rejection of Jesus, good news for the Gentiles (Romans 11)
In Romans 11, Paul is explaining why the Jews rejection of Christ is so important. He clearly says that their rejection opened the door of salvation to the Gentiles and that the belief of the Gentiles will eventually cause the Jews to see what they are missing and bring about salvation for them. It is all based on belief (11:20, 23), just like everyone's salvation has always been.
Sacrificial Living (Romans 12-13)
The first 11 chapters of Romans were predominantly about salvation. Now Paul turns his attention in the rest of the book to sanctified living. He describes it in the famous verses of Romans 12:1-2, as sacrificial living that refuses to conform to the world, but allows God to do the work of transformation in us.
Then he goes on to describe the kind of things that we should do to display this transformation.
1. Use our gifts for the Lord (12:3-8)
2. Overcoming evil with good (12:9-21)
3. Having reverence for Governmental authorities (13:1-8)
4. Fulfilling the law through love for our fellow man (13:9-10)
5. Realizing time is short and immersing ourselves in the things of God (13:11-14)
In Romans 11, Paul is explaining why the Jews rejection of Christ is so important. He clearly says that their rejection opened the door of salvation to the Gentiles and that the belief of the Gentiles will eventually cause the Jews to see what they are missing and bring about salvation for them. It is all based on belief (11:20, 23), just like everyone's salvation has always been.
Sacrificial Living (Romans 12-13)
The first 11 chapters of Romans were predominantly about salvation. Now Paul turns his attention in the rest of the book to sanctified living. He describes it in the famous verses of Romans 12:1-2, as sacrificial living that refuses to conform to the world, but allows God to do the work of transformation in us.
Then he goes on to describe the kind of things that we should do to display this transformation.
1. Use our gifts for the Lord (12:3-8)
2. Overcoming evil with good (12:9-21)
3. Having reverence for Governmental authorities (13:1-8)
4. Fulfilling the law through love for our fellow man (13:9-10)
5. Realizing time is short and immersing ourselves in the things of God (13:11-14)
Saturday, July 27, 2013
The passing of a loved one.
On July 15th we lost our dear sweet Juanita. She first came into our life when I was planting the church in Columbus Indiana. I will never forget her coming in with 4 of her grandchildren, she was soon saved and God radically changed her life. She was also to take a deeper step into our lives, when her and my father married a few years after my mother passed away. She always showered us with love and we were blessed to have her in our family for several years.
I spent the better part of four days with dad at the hospital as she was slipping away. I have spent these kind of moments with many families and it is never easy. Although the hours were long and the emotions of various family members, coming from various spiritual levels was challenging, of course God was with us. There were a few things that were of particular comfort to me.
1. Physical Family-family members both close by and from out of state came and allowed their presents to be a meaningful comfort to us.
2. Spiritual Family-many who God has connected us to through our years of church work came and surrounded us and it was so meaningful.
3. Church Family-The people of Dad and Juanita's church were there for them in a big way.
4. Expressions of our faith.
1. The first morning that we realized she was not going to make it several of us gathered around her bed and sang for a long period of time. Though I like all kinds of Christian music, we now sing mostly newer songs in our worship services. I must admit as we surrounded her and sang, no books, just our memories, people spontaneously leading out and the rest following, those hymns and old country gospel songs really ministered comfort and healing to my soul.
2. A Sunday afternoon worship service. Dad arranged for us to gather in her room for worship on the 14th. People from his church and various other churches came, and family members (some who are lost), observed as we worshiped the Lord together. Though we were not of like faith and order, we did have the truth of salvation in common and that is what mattered in that moment. It was awesome.
3. A funeral that was a celebration. If you have never been to a Bourland funeral (I mean from the Don Bourland line, there have only been two so far), then you have missed an experience. It is like one of the most upbeat and exciting church services you could ever attend. It is quite the opposite of most funerals. There is congregational singing with shouting and expressions of joy, there is preaching that elevates the place that the passing loved one has achieved through their faith in Christ, and there is a clear warning that the only way to be prepared for the day of your funeral is to receive Jesus as you savior. I have given clear instruction to my children that my funeral is to be the biggest celebration yet.
We are going to miss her dearly, especially dad, but the knowledge of our reunion keeps us encouraged and pressing on in our service for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I spent the better part of four days with dad at the hospital as she was slipping away. I have spent these kind of moments with many families and it is never easy. Although the hours were long and the emotions of various family members, coming from various spiritual levels was challenging, of course God was with us. There were a few things that were of particular comfort to me.
1. Physical Family-family members both close by and from out of state came and allowed their presents to be a meaningful comfort to us.
2. Spiritual Family-many who God has connected us to through our years of church work came and surrounded us and it was so meaningful.
3. Church Family-The people of Dad and Juanita's church were there for them in a big way.
4. Expressions of our faith.
1. The first morning that we realized she was not going to make it several of us gathered around her bed and sang for a long period of time. Though I like all kinds of Christian music, we now sing mostly newer songs in our worship services. I must admit as we surrounded her and sang, no books, just our memories, people spontaneously leading out and the rest following, those hymns and old country gospel songs really ministered comfort and healing to my soul.
2. A Sunday afternoon worship service. Dad arranged for us to gather in her room for worship on the 14th. People from his church and various other churches came, and family members (some who are lost), observed as we worshiped the Lord together. Though we were not of like faith and order, we did have the truth of salvation in common and that is what mattered in that moment. It was awesome.
3. A funeral that was a celebration. If you have never been to a Bourland funeral (I mean from the Don Bourland line, there have only been two so far), then you have missed an experience. It is like one of the most upbeat and exciting church services you could ever attend. It is quite the opposite of most funerals. There is congregational singing with shouting and expressions of joy, there is preaching that elevates the place that the passing loved one has achieved through their faith in Christ, and there is a clear warning that the only way to be prepared for the day of your funeral is to receive Jesus as you savior. I have given clear instruction to my children that my funeral is to be the biggest celebration yet.
We are going to miss her dearly, especially dad, but the knowledge of our reunion keeps us encouraged and pressing on in our service for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Friday, July 26, 2013
Just go to hell, I don't care.
That is pretty strong language in the title. I know none of us would ever say that with our lips or even in our heart, but the problem is that many times our actions say exactly that. It would be good for us all to examine ourselves and ask how much do I really care about the lost.
1. How much praying do we do for the lost?
2. How much time do we spend talking to the lost, instead of just talking about them?
3. How deep is the emotion of concern within is over their condition and their final destination?
Consider Paul's concern in Romans 9:1-3, 10:1. Are we anywhere even close to what he is describing. He said if he knew they could be saved he would trade places with them. Causes me to realize that I have a long way to go, but every step in the right direction is one more step away from where I am now. Sometimes we think that we are so far away from the ideal situation that there is no use in trying, but that is not true. This is not "mother may I" (if you have no idea what that is, you can ask me), but if you were 10 giant steps away from having the care for the lost you should, even one step per year would get you a little closer to ideal and little further away from apathy and in ten years you would be were you needed to be.
1. How much praying do we do for the lost?
2. How much time do we spend talking to the lost, instead of just talking about them?
3. How deep is the emotion of concern within is over their condition and their final destination?
Consider Paul's concern in Romans 9:1-3, 10:1. Are we anywhere even close to what he is describing. He said if he knew they could be saved he would trade places with them. Causes me to realize that I have a long way to go, but every step in the right direction is one more step away from where I am now. Sometimes we think that we are so far away from the ideal situation that there is no use in trying, but that is not true. This is not "mother may I" (if you have no idea what that is, you can ask me), but if you were 10 giant steps away from having the care for the lost you should, even one step per year would get you a little closer to ideal and little further away from apathy and in ten years you would be were you needed to be.
Thursday, July 25, 2013
When you don't know what to pray, trust Holy Spirit Intercession.
Romans 7-8 sets a great standard for the struggle between the flesh and the Spirit and tells us how God's law and its rigid penalty was swallowed up by his love.
What stood out to me is how intercession is made for us. Many may be familiar with the fact that Christ stands at the right hand of the Father and makes intercession for us. Mostly on behalf of our failures, which is mentioned in Romans 8:32-35. Who could lay any charges against us (the saved) or who could condemn us. Jesus, because of his perfection, is the only one who could. Yet, if we are saved, instead of condemnation he gives us intercession. I am not exactly sure how it works, but I hear the devil saying, "look at what Scott just did, said, or thought", and I hear Jesus saying, "It is covered by my blood".
But it is not only Jesus who intercedes for us. The Holy Spirit does as well. Have you ever been in a situation that the need was so heavy, but you really did not know what to pray. What was the right thing to ask for? These are the moments to claim the promise of Romans 8:26-28. The Holy Spirit makes intercession for us by praying to God on our behalf when we do not know what to pray. His interceding is according to the will of God, so we can be certain that he is praying the exact right thing. With confidence in his prayers on our behalf and God's love to work all things to our good, we can not lose.
What stood out to me is how intercession is made for us. Many may be familiar with the fact that Christ stands at the right hand of the Father and makes intercession for us. Mostly on behalf of our failures, which is mentioned in Romans 8:32-35. Who could lay any charges against us (the saved) or who could condemn us. Jesus, because of his perfection, is the only one who could. Yet, if we are saved, instead of condemnation he gives us intercession. I am not exactly sure how it works, but I hear the devil saying, "look at what Scott just did, said, or thought", and I hear Jesus saying, "It is covered by my blood".
But it is not only Jesus who intercedes for us. The Holy Spirit does as well. Have you ever been in a situation that the need was so heavy, but you really did not know what to pray. What was the right thing to ask for? These are the moments to claim the promise of Romans 8:26-28. The Holy Spirit makes intercession for us by praying to God on our behalf when we do not know what to pray. His interceding is according to the will of God, so we can be certain that he is praying the exact right thing. With confidence in his prayers on our behalf and God's love to work all things to our good, we can not lose.
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
In this corner sin and in the other corner the believer. Who will win?
Man's greatest battle is that against sin. We were fighting it when we did not even know it, that is before we got saved (If you are not saved, you are still fighting that battle and don't even realize perhaps that he devil is beating you up. Go to thejourneybloomington.com and click on "Know Jesus" for more information about salvation.). But when we got saved we entered into victory. Jesus registered a death blow to sin and death on the cross and when we put our faith in him we become victors over those things.
Here is the hard part. Salvation brings us to instant perfection in our Spirit. That part inside of us that was dead due to sin is know made alive (Ephesians 2:4-5). But our mind and body were not instantly perfected. So there is still a battle going on between our Spirit and our Body and our Mind is the battle field. You know those cartoons where the guy has got the devil on one shoulder and a angel on the other shoulder? It is just like that, but in side of us it is the devil saying do wrong and the Spirit of God saying do right.
Which one will win? The answer is, the one you feed the most. Romans 6 gives us incredible advice about how to overcome sin.
1. First of all accept Christ as your savior. You have know chance of overcoming sin without Jesus. Ever heard someone say, "Well once I get my life cleaned up" or "Once I am sure I can live it, then I'll get saved". Problem is you can't live it or get your life cleaned up without being saved. If they wait until they can do it they will die and go to hell. The whole point is that we can't do it. We need Jesus.
2. Remember that your baptism pointed out that a change took place in you (1-5). First off, if you have not been baptized, what are you waiting for? Honor and obey Jesus by following him in baptism, displaying that your life has been changed.
3. What happened when you got saved and what was pictured when you got baptized is that the old man who was a slave to sin died and was buried and a new man, who is not a slave to sin resurrected to live in his place (6).
4. A huge part of overcoming sin after you are saved is having the right understanding and attitude.
A. The understanding is that I AM FREE. Sin no longer has a hold on me because Jesus broke the chains (7-10).
B. The attitude is that I AM NOT GOING TO VOLUNTARILY GO BACK INTO SLAVERY. He tells us to be in charge of this with statements like, "reckon yourselves", "do not let", and "do not present" (11-13).
5. Really it is a decision to trade masters. Before salvation you were a slave to sin, now you are a slave to righteousness. Be determined to serve the right master (14-23).
We have ultimately overcome through our salvation, but even in this life we can be victorious if we are determined to serve the right master.
Here is the hard part. Salvation brings us to instant perfection in our Spirit. That part inside of us that was dead due to sin is know made alive (Ephesians 2:4-5). But our mind and body were not instantly perfected. So there is still a battle going on between our Spirit and our Body and our Mind is the battle field. You know those cartoons where the guy has got the devil on one shoulder and a angel on the other shoulder? It is just like that, but in side of us it is the devil saying do wrong and the Spirit of God saying do right.
Which one will win? The answer is, the one you feed the most. Romans 6 gives us incredible advice about how to overcome sin.
1. First of all accept Christ as your savior. You have know chance of overcoming sin without Jesus. Ever heard someone say, "Well once I get my life cleaned up" or "Once I am sure I can live it, then I'll get saved". Problem is you can't live it or get your life cleaned up without being saved. If they wait until they can do it they will die and go to hell. The whole point is that we can't do it. We need Jesus.
2. Remember that your baptism pointed out that a change took place in you (1-5). First off, if you have not been baptized, what are you waiting for? Honor and obey Jesus by following him in baptism, displaying that your life has been changed.
3. What happened when you got saved and what was pictured when you got baptized is that the old man who was a slave to sin died and was buried and a new man, who is not a slave to sin resurrected to live in his place (6).
4. A huge part of overcoming sin after you are saved is having the right understanding and attitude.
A. The understanding is that I AM FREE. Sin no longer has a hold on me because Jesus broke the chains (7-10).
B. The attitude is that I AM NOT GOING TO VOLUNTARILY GO BACK INTO SLAVERY. He tells us to be in charge of this with statements like, "reckon yourselves", "do not let", and "do not present" (11-13).
5. Really it is a decision to trade masters. Before salvation you were a slave to sin, now you are a slave to righteousness. Be determined to serve the right master (14-23).
We have ultimately overcome through our salvation, but even in this life we can be victorious if we are determined to serve the right master.
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