Tag: Standing Strong

Standing Strong – What about our responsibility in the matter -Part 4

Often we focus on the sin of others, not the sinful condition of others.  The sin they commit today is not what sends them to hell, but their sinful nature.  All are born sinners.  One cannot help but to sin.  It is in one’s nature.  Without the cleansing blood of Jesus, all are condemned because of this sinful nature, 

John 3:17-19 –  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.18  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.19  And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

– all lost people are living a condemned life regardless of what sin they commit.

– Belief in the right thing is necessary to remove the condemnation,

– The purpose of Jesus in not to condemn the already condemned, but to offer a pardon and mercy to those who are condemned.

Now, let us examine our text verses for today. Romans 1:14-21 The first three are the three I ams,

Verse 14 –I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.

Debtor – To take Jesus to everyone possible – We are all debtors to the world to take them the gospel.

Why: Because of what Jesus has done for us. We were all undeserving sinners.  All of us.  We are saved by Grace and Grace alone.  We are underserving of such love.  Now that His grace has been manifest within us, we MUST carry this good news to others

Verse 15 – So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.

Ready – Eager to share the gospel of Jesus with those who have rejected His love an also had rejected Paul.

He took the gospel to those who oppose Him.

Verse 16-17 (Key to understanding the book of Romans) – 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Ashamed of the gospel. 

          It is power (dunamis – word for dynamite).

          Power of GOD to save (deliver from Judgement)

          I was saved, I am saved, I shall be saved.

          NOTE:  the Jews were the first to hear the gospel, but they rejected it. 

          Paul took the gospel everywhere He went

Who are you taking the Gospel to?

John 3:16-17 – For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.17  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Pardon is only complete in Jesus – there is no other way!

          It is offered to all who will believe.

          One becomes righteous – to be made right (right before God and Man)

          Judged innocent.

          Salvation is the subtraction of sin and the addition of righteousness.

Psalm 103:12. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

Isaiah 43:25  I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

Hebrews 13:15-18 –   Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, 16  This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; 17  And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.18  Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

NEXT WEEK: THE CONDITION OF OUR WORLD!

Verse 18-21 –   For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;19  Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.20  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:21  Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

Standing Strong, Political or Spiritual? Part 3

Isaiah 10:1-5
Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed;2 To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless!3 And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory?4 Without me they shall bow down under the prisoners, and they shall fall under the slain. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.5 O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation.

As we continue our study into spiritual warfare, let us begin with God’s message in Isaiah 10.  It is important that we understand that God has always used the unjust to judge his people when they forsake Him.  It has never changed, even with His church.  Let’s look at these verses as a way of introduction for today’s message.

  1. A woe is pronounced – against unrighteous decrees.
  2. False judgements will be the norm. – courts will begin to exalt the criminal at the expense of the lowly victim.
  3. Without Him the evil man takes charge.
  4. NOTE: The rod of my anger – God uses other nations to discipline His own people. His anger was at His own people. He used the unrighteous to judge the righteous.

Parallel this with today’s church and our nation.  There is spiritual wickedness in high places both in the church and in the government. The church was once the light on a hill here in our country.  It stood for that which was right and holy and pure.  Our government once stood upon righteous principles and governed based upon God’s holy word,  Both in the church and in our nation, imperfect men ruled based on a perfect book.  What we see today is far removed from the righteousness of the past. 

Acts 9:1-6 –   And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, 2  And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. 3  And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 4  And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 5  And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 6  And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

  1. There is an instant transformation to those who come to Christ.
  2. An encounter with Jesus Christ will change you.
  3. A true encounter with Jesus Christ will change your direction. II Corinthians 5:17 – Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
  4. God loved Paul just the way he was, but loved Him too much to leave him the way he was.
  5. God does not save you to leave you to sin. He saved you to deliver you from your sin. John 8:10-12 – 10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. 12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
  6. Our attitude toward the sinner should never be one of acceptance of their sinfulness, but compassion toward their condition. We should love them enough to share God’s glorious truth. Salvation does not only change one’s eternal destination, but it also changes one’s attitudes, actions, and desires while here. “LORD, WHAT WILL YOU HAVE ME TO DO!”

Hard look at Romans 1

  1. The concept of servanthood is of utmost importance. Romans 1:1 – Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
    a. Christianity is all about serving.
    b. Christianity is all about sharing the good news. We are set apart for a purpose. Separated means to be removed from one thing and joined to another. We are removed from Sin and joined to Jesus Christ.
    c. All Christian share the same purpose – Make Jesus known.
    d. How can we make Him known if we condone the sinfulness of man?
  2. Our faith should be spoken of. – Romans 1:8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
    a. How is your faith spoken of where you work?
    b. How is your faith spoken of at home?
    c. How is your faith spoken of at church?
  3. Faith means I am depending on someone to do what I cannot do.
  4. We owe the unsaved a huge debt. – Romans 1:14-15 – I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
  5. We are the way God has chosen to share the message of Salvation with the Lost.

I Peter 2:1-11 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, 2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. 4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, 5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. 7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

  • We are to lay aside the ways of the world.
  • We are to desire the teaching of His word.
  • We are priests – holy, sacrificial, and accepted by God.
  • He is precious – I wonder how precious He is to the church today.
  • We are light called out of darkness.

II Corinthians 6:14-18 – Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15  And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16  And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18  And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

We are to abstain from that which will lead us back to the sin that had so entrapped our soul. 

Standing Strong, Spiritual or Political? Part 2

There are people who say we should be tolerant of the beliefs of others and we should embrace the lifestyles of those who oppose Biblical teachings. We are often called narrow minded. So today, let us see what the apostle Paul wrote.


Galatians‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬-‭9‬ “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:7. which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”‬‬‬‬‬‬
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You see my friend, we are NOT to be tolerant to the “modern day gospel” that is all inclusive. Jesus said it best in John 14.


‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭6‬ ‭“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬


We need to stand upon the Word of God and reject this modern-day teaching that we all should get along.


2 Corinthians‬ ‭6‬:‭14‬ “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?”‬‬‬‬
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I Corinthians 6:1-12 – Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.5 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?6 But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.7 Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?8 Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. ‬‬‬

  1. An unresolved conflict among believers is SIN. We must understand that unresolved conflict among the believers is how Paul introduces this chapter – we need to quit sharing the issues inside the church with unbelievers and keep thing in house‬‬.
  2. Paul calls this behavior ‘UNRIGHTEOUS”.
  3. He lists this sin with others – (foricators, idolaters, adulterers, effeminate (same sex relationship) abusers of self, thieves, coveters, drunkards, revilers, extortioners)
  4. This behavior is the behavior of the lost man.
  5. But: now are you washed, now are you sanctified, now are ye justified.
  6. We are to flat out reject the worldly trends and wholly follow Jesus.

2 Corinthians‬ ‭6‬:‭14‬-‭18 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.‬‬‬‬‬‬

  1. We can not embrace sinful behavior as being ok,
  2. We must understand whose house we are. – GODS
  3. We must separate from those who refuse to live Godly lives.
  4. NOTE verse 17-18 – Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
    John 15:18-19 – If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. 19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
    John 17:11-16 – And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
  5. We are never to seek the approval of the world.
  6. We must understand that the normal response of the unsaved toward the believer will be one of disdain because, if we are a proper testimony, will bring conviction into their hearts.

LA Dodgers Clayton Kershaw and Blake Treinen, Washington Nationals pitcher Trevor Williams and Toronto Blue Jays Anthony Bass (who was released for his view) have taken an open stand against the open mockery of Christianity by some MLB five Tampa bay ray players refuse to wear pride Jerseys sighting their Christian faith, ‬‬‬

If you are a believer, where do you stand? On God’s Word or man’s? God says come out. Man says accept what we are doing. God says repent. Man says everything is ok.

Joshua 24:15 Choose you this day whom you will serve. As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.