Pastor Neil’s Blog

Because there was a universal problem of sin, God decided to provide a universal answer. Calvary.

One problem we, as students of the scripture, often bring upon ourselves is not relating scripture we read in it’s complete context. We divide dialog into chapters and verses whereas often the writer intended a continuous, clear, flow. Especially in Paul’s writings, later portions of scripture must be based on earlier statements to get what he’s saying or “windage” errors will occur.

Neither the gentiles by the law of nature, nor the Jews by the law of Moses, could obtain justification before God and that it was necessary for both to seek it from the free mercy of God by faith… and that God has an absolute right to show mercy on whatever terms he pleases, or to withhold it from whoever, again, as He pleases. Here’s what we’ve seen so far:
We should be concerned about the welfare of each other
Being pure in character is not a bad thing
We are to have a reputation for faith beyond our own borders
Having a relationship with Jesus is nothing to be ashamed about
Our lifestyle should reflect a relationship with Jesus
Guilt and judgement is not restricted to those who do not believe in God.
We blame others while ignoring our own shame, but God’s kindness should lead to repentance.
God’s scales are evenly balanced, He does not show favoritism.
God is more interested in actions than words.
God know all our secrets.
It matters what we do. . . Integrity is Key
If you lose integrity, your testimony is shot!
Who we are should determine what we see
The Law trumps Sin if we obey it
Sin trumps the Law because we can’t
Faith trumps Sin!
Faith trumps Works!
Lack of faith does not nullify God’s faithfulness
Everyone is Guilty
There is a Universal Provision for Righteousness
The Law established the necessity for Faith
We are Justified by Faith, not by Works
We are Justified by Faith, not by performance
We are Justified by Faith, not by DNA
We are Justified by Faith, not by what we see
It is God who credits righteousness

Romans Chapter 5 Jesus Paid the Debt for All ! ! ! !
5:1-5 We have Present Peace with God because …
5:6-8 In the Past, Christ died for all sinners so..
5:9-11 In the Future we will Escape from God’’s Wrath
5:12-17 Death came to all men, because all sinned
5:18-20 The gift is not like the trespass. In Adam all die, in Christ all will be made alive
This is an interesting statement. For most of Christianity, they translate this as meaning you have to accept Christ or spend eternity in Hell and the Lake of Fire. But in reality the gift isn’t like the trespass in that in sin we pass on the guilt to our offspring and subsequent generations because we start off condemned.
Psalm 51:5 “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.”
We can’t pass on the forgiveness to anyone else. We can’t pass on the righteousness, we can’t pass on the relationship…

Based on Paul describing in chapter 1, describing what the decrepit condition of man looks like without a relationship with God; And that in Chapter 2 he reminds us that not meeting God’s standards is not confined to those who don’t believe in God and the problem is universal; and that in chapter 3 he affirms that all have sinned that all will die and there is none good, not even one the question is raised then “How CAN we be justified before God?”

The progression is logical and systematic… by faith, not by works. That’s how Abraham did it, that’s how his kids did it, that’s how we do it.

4:1-8    We are Justified by Faith, not by Works
4:9-12    We are Justified by Faith, not by performance
4:13-17    We are Justified by Faith, not by DNA
4:18-22    We are Justified by Faith, not by what we see
4:23-25    It is God who credits righteousness

After Paul’s opening in the beginning of chapter 1, he concludes the by describing what a decrepit condition of man looks like without a relationship with God.

Chapter 2 reminds us that not meeting god’s standards is not confined to those who don’t believe in God. The problem is universal.

Chapter 3 affirms (lest we ignore the fact) that All Sinned ;All Die; There is None Good, Not Even One.
3:1-8  Lack of faith does not nullify God’s faithfulness
3:9-20  Everyone is Guilty
3:21-26  There is a Universal Provision for Righteousness
3:27-31  The Law established the necessity for Faith

While we, as believers, try to get a handle on God’s Word, it is important to remember that Jesus died for all sin, for all man, for all time… and He reminds us that the believer & unbeliever both try hard, succeed sometimes, but ultimately fall short and blame others while ignoring our own shame. God’s scales are evenly balanced so here’s another way of looking at chapter 2 in Romans:
2:1-3 The Law trumps Sin if we obey it
2:5-20 Sin trumps the Law because we can’t
2:21-26 Faith trumps Sin!
2:27-31 Faith trumps Works!

Romans 2:17-29

• It matters what we do. . . Integrity is Key

• If you lose integrity, your testimony is shot!

• Who we are should determine what we see

It has been awhile, but here goes . . . Observations from Chapter 2

Guilt and judgement is not restricted to those who do not believe in God.

(2:1-4) We blame others while ignoring our own shame, but God’s kindness should lead to repentance.

(2:6-11) God’s scales are evenly balanced, He does not show favoritism.

(2:12-13) God is more interested in actions than words.

(2:14-16) Gos know all our secrets.

Those who believe don’t always please God, and those who don’t believe God, some times do please Him. bot both don’y please him completely. Jew or gentile, the problem of sin is universal, and needs a universal answer and solution. . . His nmae is Jesus

Background: Romans was written from Corinth during his 3rd Missionary Journey The gentiles by the law of nature, nor the Jews by the law of Moses, could obtain justification before God, both have to seek it from the free mercy of God by faith. God has an absolute right to show mercy on whatever terms he pleases, or to withhold it from whoever, again, as He pleases.Review from Romans 1:1-17We are called to be saints

We should be concerned about the welfare of each other

Being pure in character is not a bad thing

We are to have a reputation for faith beyond our own borders

Having a relationship with Jesus is nothing to be ashamed about

Our lifestyle should reflect a relationship with Jesus

Now then, continuing on in Romans chapter 1

1. The Basis of Universal Guilt (1:18-23)

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 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. 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. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

2. The Results of Guilt (1:24-32)

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

Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 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.

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. 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, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 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.

Summary: The world is in the condition it is by choice.

1. God shows himself to everyone, and holds everyone accountable

2. He Lets us Choose what to Believe

3. Appropriate results have followed our historical choices

Introduction and Background - Romans was written from Corinth during his 3rd Missionary Journey. He faced, on a regular basis, the task of confronting important issues of his day, or ANY day.

Believing his time on earth was drawing to a close, Paul decided to reduce to writing the ultimate question…. in a systematic fashion, the foundations of the faith, leading to a path of maturity, and what the process might look like.

His chief design is to show that neither the gentiles by the law of nature, nor the Jews by the law of Moses, could obtain justification before God and that it was necessary for both to seek it from the free mercy of God by faith… and that God has an absolute right to show mercy on whatever terms he pleases, or to withhold it from whoever, again, as He pleases.

The Letter to the Romans has 5 major themes:

I. The Revealing of Righteousness (1:1-32)

II. Justification & The Imputing of Righteousness (1:18––5:11)

III. Sanctification: &The Imparting of Righteousness (5:12––8:39)

a. The Inability of the Flesh and the Law to Sanctify (7:1-25)

b. The Power of the Spirit to Sanctify (8:1-17)

IV. The Vindication of God’’s Righteousness (9:1––11:36)

a. God’’s Past Dealings with Israel (9:1-33)

b. God’’s Present Dealings with Israel (10:1-21)

c. God’’s Future Dealings with Israel (11:1-33)

V. Applying God’s Righteousness (12:1––15:13)

VI. Blazing Righteousness from Paul’s Perspective (15:14––16:27)

It should be note that the word for “Saints” as used in Paul’s opening remarks is hagios… Pronounced: hag’-ee-os; sacred (physically pure, morally blameless or religious, consecrated): most holy; holy one; or holy thing.

At the time of Paul’s writing to the Romans, their society was not unlike the American environment today. Where once where Rome’s might had been a force for good in the world, a unifying factor, the power and leadership had become corrupt. Immorality, homosexuality, and base appetites were promoted. The Christian religion was frowned upon, and eventually became a crime, punishable by death.

Paul’s opening remarks of encouragement serve as a model to us to be committed to the establishing, encouraging, and recognition of each other’s faith. Many in Rome were suffering persecution and experiencing varying levels of crisis. It was becoming increasingly difficult to maintain their equilibrium in such a degenerate environment… but they were committed to Christ regardless of the circumstances. Paul commends them on this.

Eventually through the remainder of the book, Paul will lay out a systematic, logical progression in the case for the state and condition of man, why both gentiles and Jews are under God’s judgement, What pleases God, what He has done to take care of the condition, and how it plays out in life. By no means will this be an exhaustive series, but having said that, here are a few principles and observations from the first 16 verses from chapter one:

Observations from Romans 1:1-17

1. We should be concerned about the welfare of each other

2. Being pure in character is not a bad thing

3. Our reputation for faithfulness and integrity should touch others beyond our own borders

4. Having a relationship with Jesus is nothing to be ashamed about

5. Our lifestyle should reflect a relationship with Jesus

Proverbs 11:14 reveals that “… without counsel, the people perish.” We have noted before the Law of Improbable Distribution that states, “Whatever it is that hits the fan will probably not be distributed evenly.” So true in many of our lives.

There are many theaters of crisis. Any one, alone, may destroy our equilibrium, yet reviewing the “Job Syndrome” we can see that trouble usually arrives with company.

Like us, Job had to contend with:

a. Family Problems: His children were reported killed.

b. Economic Problems: He lost the wealth from his farming and ranching.

c. Social Problems: His friends, even his wife, condemned him

d. Physical Problems: Boils

e. Spiritual Problems: Warfare, Deception

In modern terms and application it might look something like:

a. Family Dysfunction, Various forms of Abuse, Divorce, Separation, Abandonment, Adultery

b. Over extended Credit, Bankruptcy, Layoffs or Takeovers, Working Spouses, even Outsourcing

c. Non-Conformity, Peer Pressure, Prejudice, Persecution, Slander, Gossip

d. Deteriorating Health, Allergies, Injuries, Disease, or even Reactions to Medications

e. Depression, Stress, Suicidal Thoughts, Delusions, Hallucinations, Paranoia

When times get rough, the smart thing to do is get outside, objective, balanced, and honest assistance. Get counseling. There are some considerations, though… Beware:

The “Charlatan” - Those who prey on others misfortunes for their own profit or praise. They provide superficial help for long term commitment to keep you in their debt. Even if they have a few gems of wisdom, they’ll dole it out for more than it is worth.

The “Amateur” - Even if they have a desire to help, they do not have the depth, of the correct skill set for see you through to the end. This, too, can cost you more than you can afford to lose. You do not go to an auto mechanic if you really need a physician.

The”Overkill” - some things may not be “broken” and do not need fixed. The “Overkill” wants to do an extreme make-over of your entire life.

In Luke 2:52 Jesus as a young lad after spending time in Jerusalem talking with the spiritual leaders of his day, became obedient to his parents and increased in wisdom, stature, and favor with God and man. In our application in today’s time it might look like this:

Wisdom - Growing Mentally - Psychologically Balanced

Stature - Growing Physically - Adopted a Healthy Lifestyle and Medical Advice to reject addictive behaviors

Favor with God - Growing Spiritually - Pastoral Counsel

Favor with Man - Socially - Becoming an honest, solid, citizen

When it hits the fan, have friend, extended family, and sound counsel to partner with you to help you navigate through the mire. Eccl 4:9-10 “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!”

Lest you think that pastors and church leadership do not struggle, consider the following from the Apostle… I Cor. 1:8-11 “We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

And again in Gal 6:1-2 “Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

Then we have this instruction in James 5:17-20 “Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.”

So what good can getting counsel do?

Prov 1:5 “Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance”

Prov 9:9 “Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning”

Prov 11:14 “For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure”

Prov 12:15 “The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice.”

Prov 15:22 “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed”

Prov 19:20 “Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise”

Prov 20:18 “Make plans by seeking advice; if you wage war, obtain guidance”

The believer, if diligent enough, will grow in wisdom and discernment by adhering to the principles proceeding from the Word of God

We have all been praying the past few days with a good friend and ministry partner Allen Thompson, who experienced the passing of a close friend and co-worker. Pastor George in Kenya and others have lost friends and ministry partners and children under his care as well due to the recent violonce, and previous circumstances. Sometimes we ask “Why this, why me, why now?” All difficult questions to answer. Hopefully our responses and comfort are not shallow, unsympathetic, or irrelevant.

John 3:7-8 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

We feel it when it’s upon us, and after it’s gone, where did it go? More and more we need to be instant in season, walking in His presence, moving by His Spirit, and living in His grace.He has not changed since He came to live in us, and make us new. He is as mysterious now as He was then, 2000 years ago… as powerful now as then… as intense now as then… We sometimes forget that He walked through crowds and never touched a one… and at other times touched whole cities. Sometimes he spend hours explaining things to his chosen, and other times kept His own counsel and walked in silence. Yet in all things, life and passing are at His decree. We see through a glass darkly, only then shall we see face to face and know as we are known. ‘Till then we “wing-it” as we follow Him.