Paul discussed Adam and Jesus. Adam, one man, brought sin and death into the world and death ruled man. The result of what one man, Jesus, did is much greater. God gives his abundant grace freely, because of the obedience of one man, Jesus Christ.
If we have died to sin, how can we go on living in it? Our baptism allows us to share in the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus. Just as Jesus was raised to life, so are we. We are to think of ourselves as dead to sin and living in fellowship with God through Christ Jesus. Surrender your whole being to God to use for His righteous purposes. Sin must not be your master because you live under God's grace. At one time you surrendered completely to sin, likewise you surrender yourself completely to God. What was the payoff for sin? Death. The payoff for righteous living is eternal life.
Paul used an analogy of marriage to explain sin and death and righteousness and life. "No longer do we serve in the old way of a written law, but in the new way of the Spirit." (7:6) The law explained sin to us. The Law is holy and serves a holy purpose - to get us to see that we need the grace of God. That's good. Even though Paul desired to do good, he himself was not capable of doing it. Sin kept him prisoner. But God through Jesus Christ rescued us all.
If we live in union with Christ Jesus, through the law of the Spirit, we have been set free. "Those who live as their human nature tells them to, have their minds controlled by what human nature wants. Those who live as the Spirit tells them to, have their minds controlled by what the Spirit wants." (8:5) Those who obey their human nature do not please God. God's Spirit joins with our spirits and makes us His children. Paul reckoned that the suffering we experience isn't worth comparing to the amazing glory that is going to be revealed to us. Paul even thought about creation being subject to decay and groaning in pain and one day sharing the gift of eternal life. So we suffer and groan as we wait for God to set our whole being free. Hope is what led us here and it's what keeps us patient while we wait.
Tomorrow read Romans 8:26-11:24
20101128
November 28, 2010 Romans 1:16-5:11
Paul's letter to the Romans continues with Paul's statement of confidence in the gospel and in the power of God. It is God who puts us right with Him. "The person who is put right with God through faith shall live." (1:17; Hab 2:4) People know that God has done amazing things, yet they refuse to give him honor and thanks. God doesn't force people to do what He wants, but he punishes them when they don't. When people turn away from God, they become people without kindness and love in their hearts.
Don't judge other people because you aren't perfect either. God will reward every one according to what they have done. If you do good, you get good. Hearing the Law isn't what puts people right with God, but doing what the Law demands. God through Jesus Christ will judge the secret thoughts of everyone. Paul directed his statement to the Jews who believe that they only have to know about the Law and be circumcized to be right with God. The real Jew has allowed God's Spirit inside him to circumcize his heart. That man receives praise from God, not man.
Jews had an advantage over Gentiles, because God trusted His message to them. God will be faithful whether or not the Jews are. Some people had accused Paul of lying to make God's message more plain. Paul was insulted by this; rightfully so. Paul asked if the Jews were in better off than the Gentiles? No, because everyone is under the power of sin just by living. The Law helps people understand that they have sinned, it doesn't make them right with God. "But by the free gift of God's grace all are put right with him through Christ Jesus, who sets them free." (3:24) Sounds pretty simple. We believe in Jesus and our sins are forgiven. We have nothing to boast about, we aren't doing this for ourselves.
God accepted Abraham because he believed in Him. (If you remember, we read about Abraham in January, and he made mistakes just like the rest of us and God loved him anyway.) Before Abraham was circumcized, God forgave his sins. So if that's true, then Gentiles don't need to be circumcized to be right with God. God gave Abraham everything he promised, not because he kept the Law perfectly, but because he believed in God. Abraham never lost faith in God. Jesus died because of our sins, and he was raised to life to put us right with God.
Because we are right with God, we have His peace through Jesus Christ. God pours His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit - God's gift to us. Because of Jesus Christ, we are made God's friends.
Tomorrow read Romans 5:12-8:25
Don't judge other people because you aren't perfect either. God will reward every one according to what they have done. If you do good, you get good. Hearing the Law isn't what puts people right with God, but doing what the Law demands. God through Jesus Christ will judge the secret thoughts of everyone. Paul directed his statement to the Jews who believe that they only have to know about the Law and be circumcized to be right with God. The real Jew has allowed God's Spirit inside him to circumcize his heart. That man receives praise from God, not man.
Jews had an advantage over Gentiles, because God trusted His message to them. God will be faithful whether or not the Jews are. Some people had accused Paul of lying to make God's message more plain. Paul was insulted by this; rightfully so. Paul asked if the Jews were in better off than the Gentiles? No, because everyone is under the power of sin just by living. The Law helps people understand that they have sinned, it doesn't make them right with God. "But by the free gift of God's grace all are put right with him through Christ Jesus, who sets them free." (3:24) Sounds pretty simple. We believe in Jesus and our sins are forgiven. We have nothing to boast about, we aren't doing this for ourselves.
God accepted Abraham because he believed in Him. (If you remember, we read about Abraham in January, and he made mistakes just like the rest of us and God loved him anyway.) Before Abraham was circumcized, God forgave his sins. So if that's true, then Gentiles don't need to be circumcized to be right with God. God gave Abraham everything he promised, not because he kept the Law perfectly, but because he believed in God. Abraham never lost faith in God. Jesus died because of our sins, and he was raised to life to put us right with God.
Because we are right with God, we have His peace through Jesus Christ. God pours His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit - God's gift to us. Because of Jesus Christ, we are made God's friends.
Tomorrow read Romans 5:12-8:25
20101127
November 27, 2010 Acts 27:9-end; Romans 1:1-15
Soon it became evident that the sailing season was at a close and it was now or never. Paul told them that it wasn't safe for them to sail, but the captain of the ship convinced the officer that it would be fine, so they sailed for Phoenix. As a soft wind began to blow, they thought they had found luck, but soon it turned ugly. They did everything they could think of to save themselves, like throwing cargo overboard, lowering the sail and dragging the anchors. After some time passed, they had lost all hope, and Paul stood and told them they should have listened to him earlier, but that all was not lost. An angel had appeared to Paul the night before and told him that everyone would survive. After 14 days Paul urged them to eat, so he took bread, broke it, gave thanks to God and ate it. The others ate food too. There were 276 men on board. Then they lightened the ship by throwing the wheat overboard. They saw a beach and tried to get the ship there, but it broke apart, so they swam or floated on planks or broken ship pieces. They all made it to shore.
They had landed on Malta. It was cold and rainy, but the natives were warm and friendly. They built a fire. Paul was gathering wood and a snake bit him in the hand and dropped into the fire. The natives were sure that Paul would swell up or drop dead, but that didn't happen, so then they thought he must be a god! The chief of the island invited them to his estate. The chief's father was very sick and Paul healed him. All the other sick people on the island came to be healed too. They wintered there for 3 months. The people brought many gifts and provided for their journey. They set sail and made their way up the coast of Italy and met believers along the way. They made it to Rome and Paul thanked God for the believers who were there to meet him. Paul was allowed to live by himself, guarded by only one soldier. After 3 days, Paul called all the Jews there for a meeting. Paul told them his story. They didn't know anything about it, but they were interested in what he had to say, so they set a date and they all came and listened. They came to the place where Paul was staying and he taught and preached. Paul continued in this way for 2 years.
Romans
In Paul's letter to the Romans, he begins by way of introducing himself and his beliefs to the Roman believers. Paul offered thanks for his fellow believers and their faith in God. He told them he thanked God for them every time he prayed. Paul was happy to finally be in Rome. Paul was eager to preach the Good News to the Romans.
Tomorrow read Romans 1:16-5:11
They had landed on Malta. It was cold and rainy, but the natives were warm and friendly. They built a fire. Paul was gathering wood and a snake bit him in the hand and dropped into the fire. The natives were sure that Paul would swell up or drop dead, but that didn't happen, so then they thought he must be a god! The chief of the island invited them to his estate. The chief's father was very sick and Paul healed him. All the other sick people on the island came to be healed too. They wintered there for 3 months. The people brought many gifts and provided for their journey. They set sail and made their way up the coast of Italy and met believers along the way. They made it to Rome and Paul thanked God for the believers who were there to meet him. Paul was allowed to live by himself, guarded by only one soldier. After 3 days, Paul called all the Jews there for a meeting. Paul told them his story. They didn't know anything about it, but they were interested in what he had to say, so they set a date and they all came and listened. They came to the place where Paul was staying and he taught and preached. Paul continued in this way for 2 years.
Romans
In Paul's letter to the Romans, he begins by way of introducing himself and his beliefs to the Roman believers. Paul offered thanks for his fellow believers and their faith in God. He told them he thanked God for them every time he prayed. Paul was happy to finally be in Rome. Paul was eager to preach the Good News to the Romans.
Tomorrow read Romans 1:16-5:11
20101126
November 26, 2010 Acts 23:26-27:8
Basically, the letter was pretty simple and gave the facts as they related to the incident, to bring Governor Felix up to speed. The soldiers got Paul safely to Caesarea, along with the letter, and kept him under guard until his accusers arrived. The High Priest, Ananias and some elders and a Lawyer arrived almost a week later. The High Priest stated his case against Paul (which was lies.) Then it was Paul's turn to speak. Paul presented facts in his defense about his whereabouts and made the point that none of their accusations could be verified, because they weren't true. He related the situation regarding his return to Jerusalem and what happened after he completed the ceremony of purification. Finally, he told them he was being tried for believing in life after death, Felix knew about the Way. Paul was held captive, but free to meet with his friends so they could take care of him. A few days later Felix and his wife Drusilla listened to Paul again when he spoke of faith in Christ, self-control, goodness and the coming Day of Judgement. Two years passed and Festus took over Felix's job, and kept Paul under guard to keep the Jews happy.
Festus went to Jerusalem where the leaders asked him to bring Paul there because they had planned to kill him on the way. Festus told them he would hear their accusations against Paul in Caesarea. When they all got there, they made their case and Paul responded by proclaiming his innocence and then he appealed to the Emperor. Later when King Agrippa and Bernice came to visit Festus, he talked to them about Paul's case. Agrippa told Festus he would like to hear Paul speak for himself. So the next day with much pomp, Paul was brought into the court.
Agrippa gave Paul the floor. Paul thanked the king and asked for his patience. Paul gave a brief testimony of his beliefs and faith. He told his own history as a persecutor of Christians and a Pharisee. He talked about his conversion and mission work. Suddenly Festus interrupted Paul and called him crazy! Paul asked Agrippa if he believed in the prophets, he was sure he did. Agrippa asked Paul if he was trying to convert him. Paul answered honestly that he hoped everyone would believe in Jesus! The royals left the room and amongst themselves decided that Paul had done nothing to deserve death. Agrippa said that if Paul had not appealed to the Emperor, he could have been set free.
They set sail for Italy. Along the way, they stopped at Sidon and the officer in charge let Paul go visit his friends there. They continued sailing with difficulty due to the strong winds. Finally, they came to a place called Safe Harbors.
Tomorrow read Acts 27:9-28:31; Romans 1:1-15
Festus went to Jerusalem where the leaders asked him to bring Paul there because they had planned to kill him on the way. Festus told them he would hear their accusations against Paul in Caesarea. When they all got there, they made their case and Paul responded by proclaiming his innocence and then he appealed to the Emperor. Later when King Agrippa and Bernice came to visit Festus, he talked to them about Paul's case. Agrippa told Festus he would like to hear Paul speak for himself. So the next day with much pomp, Paul was brought into the court.
Agrippa gave Paul the floor. Paul thanked the king and asked for his patience. Paul gave a brief testimony of his beliefs and faith. He told his own history as a persecutor of Christians and a Pharisee. He talked about his conversion and mission work. Suddenly Festus interrupted Paul and called him crazy! Paul asked Agrippa if he believed in the prophets, he was sure he did. Agrippa asked Paul if he was trying to convert him. Paul answered honestly that he hoped everyone would believe in Jesus! The royals left the room and amongst themselves decided that Paul had done nothing to deserve death. Agrippa said that if Paul had not appealed to the Emperor, he could have been set free.
They set sail for Italy. Along the way, they stopped at Sidon and the officer in charge let Paul go visit his friends there. They continued sailing with difficulty due to the strong winds. Finally, they came to a place called Safe Harbors.
Tomorrow read Acts 27:9-28:31; Romans 1:1-15
20101125
November 25, 2010 Acts 21-23:25
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! I pray that you have all been blessed with enough to eat and lots of lovingkindness from those you love.
Paul sailed to Cos, Rhodes and Patara. At Phoenicia they changed ships and sailed toward Syria. They went ashore at Tyre, found some believers and stayed with them for a week. They pleaded with Paul by the power of the Spirit not to go to Jeruasalem. When it was time to say goodbye they all came out to the shore and knelt and prayed and sent them on their way. They visited believers in Ptolemais for a day. They continued their journey visiting believers all along the way to Jerusalem. Some were very afraid for Paul's safety and didn't want him to go. But Paul insisted that whatever fate awaited him was God's will and he would endure it. Upon arriving at Jerusalem they were greeted warmly by believers. The next day Paul gave a complete report to James and the church elders about his work. They told Paul about a rumor circulating among the people that Paul was teaching that the people not follow the Law of Moses. They told him to participate in a Jewish purification ritual so that everyone would see that this wasn't true. So he did. This didn't stop the rumors and the people rioted and Paul was arrested by the Roman guard. The commander demanded to know what Paul had done, but he couldn't get a straight answer from the mob and the soldiers had to protect Paul from the mob. Paul spoke to the commander in Greek, the commander quieted the mob and Paul spoke to them in Hebrew.
Paul told the people about his history; how he persecuted the Christians. Then he told them about his conversion and the voice from heaven and how he was blinded. He told them about Ananias and his baptism. He even admitted he witnessed Stephen's murder. The people started shouting to have Paul killed. The commander ordered the soldiers to take Paul into the fort and whip him until they could make sense of the turmoil. Paul asked if it was lawful to whip a Roman citizen without a fair trial. When they realized they had chained a Roman citizen, they became scared. To find out what was going on, the commander took Paul to the Council and chief priests and made Paul stand before them the next day.
Paul spoke to defend himself before a hostile group of Pharisees and Sadducees. The discussion became so heated the commander feared for Paul and he ordered his soldiers to guard Paul from the Jewish leaders. (The Sadducees were aristocrats who didn't believe in life after death or that they needed God in their everyday life, but they were afraid of the people. The Pharisees were local businessmen who believed in life after death, and that God could help in everyday life and they were more closely tied to the people. Though the Sadducees were in the majority, the Pharisees had more sway because they had the people.) "That night the Lord stood by Paul and said, 'Don't be afraid! You have given your witness for me here in Jerusalem, and you must also do the same in Rome.'" (23:11) Some Jews vowed to kill Paul, but Paul's sister heard about it and sent her son, Paul's nephew to the commander to tell him about it. The commander sent Paul to the Governor with an armed escort and a letter...which we'll read about tomorrow.
Tomorrow read Acts 23:26-27:28
20101124
November 24, 2010 Acts 19-20
Corinth was in Apollos' capable hands, so Paul went to Ephesus. He talked with some believers who hadn't received the Holy Spirit. So he baptized them and placed his hands on them and they recieved the Holy Spirit. Paul went to the synagogue and preached for three months. After that, he took a group of believers to a lecture hall and they discussed the Way of the Lord for two years. Everyone heard the word of the Lord. God was working through Paul so that even handkerchiefs he had touched could cure people. Some Jews who traveled around healing people tried to do this, but it didn't work. The evil spirit told them he knew Jesus and Paul, but he didn't know them, then he beat them up and they ran from the house naked and bleeding. The people all heard about the power of the name of the Lord Jesus and they were afraid. The name of Jesus was given great honor. Sorcerers burned their expensive magic books. The word of the Lord kept spreading. Paul decided to go to Macedonia and on to Jerusalem. Then he wanted to see Rome. Paul sent Timothy and Erastus to Macedonia and he spent more time in Asia. In Ephesus an idolmaker started a riot because the Way of the Lord would put him out of business. The mob grabbed Gaius and Aristarchus two of Paul's helpers and took them to where they were meeting about the problem in a theater. Nobody wanted Paul to go because they were afraid of what would happen to him. Nobody was listening to anybody else. Eventually the city clerk got them to calm down and he sent everyone home.
After all the excitement was over, Paul called together the believers, encouraged them and said goodbye. He went back to Macedonia and on his way encouraged the believers. He stayed in Achaia 3 months. He discovered the Jews were plotting against him, so he went back through Macedonia. Paul had many disciples with him from the places he had preached. In Troas, Paul was speaking to believers and a young man who was sitting in the window fell asleep and fell out of the window, 3 stories down. When they got to him, he was dead. Paul threw himself on him and hugged him and he came alive. Paul talked with them until sunrise, then he left. They sailed for Jerusalem, and on the way Paul sent word the the Ehpesians to come to meet his boat. So they did. He told them he had done everything he could for them and now it was up to them and God. Near the end of his farewell speech, he said that Jesus said "There is more happiness in giving than in receiving." (20:35) These words are not recorded in the gospels, so that must be one of those things that John said about the world not being able to hold the things Jesus did if they were all written down. (John 21:25 Nov16) Then they all knelt and prayed. They were all crying when they hugged and kissed him goodbye. They were sad that they would never see him again. They went with him to the ship.
Tomorrow read Acts 21-23:25
After all the excitement was over, Paul called together the believers, encouraged them and said goodbye. He went back to Macedonia and on his way encouraged the believers. He stayed in Achaia 3 months. He discovered the Jews were plotting against him, so he went back through Macedonia. Paul had many disciples with him from the places he had preached. In Troas, Paul was speaking to believers and a young man who was sitting in the window fell asleep and fell out of the window, 3 stories down. When they got to him, he was dead. Paul threw himself on him and hugged him and he came alive. Paul talked with them until sunrise, then he left. They sailed for Jerusalem, and on the way Paul sent word the the Ehpesians to come to meet his boat. So they did. He told them he had done everything he could for them and now it was up to them and God. Near the end of his farewell speech, he said that Jesus said "There is more happiness in giving than in receiving." (20:35) These words are not recorded in the gospels, so that must be one of those things that John said about the world not being able to hold the things Jesus did if they were all written down. (John 21:25 Nov16) Then they all knelt and prayed. They were all crying when they hugged and kissed him goodbye. They were sad that they would never see him again. They went with him to the ship.
Tomorrow read Acts 21-23:25
20101123
November 23, 2010 Acts 16:11-18:28
They sailed from Troas to Samothrace, then Neapolis. (Verse 11 says 'we' so I assume that Luke is present with Paul, as a witness to his ministry.) From there they went to Philippi. On the Sabbath day they went to the riverside hoping to find Jews gathered for prayer. The Lord opened the mind of one of them named Lydia. She and the people in her house were baptized and she invited Paul and his group to stay in her house. So they did. One day on their way to the place of prayer, they met a slave girl who had an evil spirit in her and she could predict the future. She followed Paul around and shouted that they were servants of God and they would tell people how they could be saved. She kept on at this until Paul got upset and rebuked the evil spirit. The owners of the girl were angry because they had expected her to keep making money for telling fortunes and they took Paul and Silas to the authorities and accused them of being a nuisance. The stripped Paul and Silas, whipped them, chained them and put them in jail. In the night while Paul and Silas were praying and singing, a violent earthquake shook the prison so hard their chains fell off and the doors opened. The jailer woke in a panic thinking the prisoners had escaped and was ready to kill himself when Paul yelled to him not to harm himself because they were all there. The jailer fell on his knees and asked Paul and Silas what he needed to do to be saved. They were happy to share this news with him and all the other prisoners. The jailer washed their wounds and then he and his family were baptized. They went to the jailer's house to stay with him. The next day the release order was delivered by the police and the jailer told Paul and Silas they could leave. But Paul refused because they had been treated so badly, he wanted a personal apology first. So the Roman officials apologized, and asked them to leave. They went to Lydia's and shared the gospel.
They left Philippi and traveled to Amphipolis and Apollonia and came to Thessalonica and spoke in the synagoge. During 3 Sabbaths they taught and explained Scriptures and proved that Jesus is the Messiah. Many believed. As usual, some of the Jews became jealous and started a ruckus. As soon as night came the believers sent Paul and Silas to Berea. They taught in the synagogue and had much success because the people were eager to learn and understand. Word got back to the people in Thessalonica and some of the rowdy ones traveled to Berea and started the same trouble there as they had earlier. The believers sent Paul away, but Silas and Timothy stayed in Berea. When the men returned from Athens, where they had taken Paul, they gave Silas and Timothy instructions from Paul to join him there ASAP. While in Athens, Paul noticed how full of idols it was. Paul preached about Jesus and the resurrection. They brought him to the city council because they wanted to know what he was talking about. So Paul told them about God and resurrection. Some scoffed, but others wanted more and joined him.
Paul was a tent maker by trade. He went to Corinth and stayed with some Jews who made tents too. Paul held discussions in the synagogue. Silas and Timothy arrived and then Paul spent all his time preaching. The Jews rejected what he said, so they went to the Gentiles. Many people heard and were baptized. Not everyone was happy, one night they seized Paul and dragged him before the governor. But the governor wasn't interested and he threw them all out. Paul stayed with the believers in Corinth for a while and then sailed for Syria. The tent makers went too. (Someone shaved their head before sailing it just says 'he', I wondered if this was part of the Nazirite vow as in Numbers 6 -Feb 12) They traveled around some more. A believer named Apollo was enthusiastically preaching about the gospel, but he didn't have all the information about Jesus. So some believers there taught him what he needed to know and they sent him to Achaia and sent him with a letter of introduction to help him get started there. He proved in debates that Jesus is the Messiah.
Tomorrow read Acts 19-20
They left Philippi and traveled to Amphipolis and Apollonia and came to Thessalonica and spoke in the synagoge. During 3 Sabbaths they taught and explained Scriptures and proved that Jesus is the Messiah. Many believed. As usual, some of the Jews became jealous and started a ruckus. As soon as night came the believers sent Paul and Silas to Berea. They taught in the synagogue and had much success because the people were eager to learn and understand. Word got back to the people in Thessalonica and some of the rowdy ones traveled to Berea and started the same trouble there as they had earlier. The believers sent Paul away, but Silas and Timothy stayed in Berea. When the men returned from Athens, where they had taken Paul, they gave Silas and Timothy instructions from Paul to join him there ASAP. While in Athens, Paul noticed how full of idols it was. Paul preached about Jesus and the resurrection. They brought him to the city council because they wanted to know what he was talking about. So Paul told them about God and resurrection. Some scoffed, but others wanted more and joined him.
Paul was a tent maker by trade. He went to Corinth and stayed with some Jews who made tents too. Paul held discussions in the synagogue. Silas and Timothy arrived and then Paul spent all his time preaching. The Jews rejected what he said, so they went to the Gentiles. Many people heard and were baptized. Not everyone was happy, one night they seized Paul and dragged him before the governor. But the governor wasn't interested and he threw them all out. Paul stayed with the believers in Corinth for a while and then sailed for Syria. The tent makers went too. (Someone shaved their head before sailing it just says 'he', I wondered if this was part of the Nazirite vow as in Numbers 6 -Feb 12) They traveled around some more. A believer named Apollo was enthusiastically preaching about the gospel, but he didn't have all the information about Jesus. So some believers there taught him what he needed to know and they sent him to Achaia and sent him with a letter of introduction to help him get started there. He proved in debates that Jesus is the Messiah.
Tomorrow read Acts 19-20
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