The death of an infant is always an emotionally tragic event. Does an infant go to heaven? Be with us tonight as we continue our study of II Samuel.

The The book of Romans is the most comprehensive book of the Gospel in the entire Bible. It forms the basis of true Christianity. How can unrighteous man be reconciled to God? That has been a question over the ages: "It may be that deity may forgive sin, but I do not know how." (Socrates, 500 B.C.) How can a just God forgive sin without compromising His own righteousness? How can the unjust be declared righteous? Romans 2:1-16 is an expansion of the principle found in 1:18. "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness...." Then, Paul describes the path of depravity societies follow when they "suppress the truth" (1:19-32). Sodom's depravity was caused by her suppression of the truth.

Job's three counselors have exhausted their arguments. They had tried to convince Job that he had some hidden sin that was causing his misery. Job steadfastly maintained his innocence. Job closes the argument with an extended discourse (chapters 27-31) of his perception of the ways of God. To Bildad, he stated that he had examined "the mere edges of His ways" (26:14). Before reviewing his life (chapter 29-31), he refutes the wisdom of men and seeks the wisdom of God.

Bildad's short speech is the last from Job's "counselors." Again, he does not bother to answer Job's last challenge for his counselors to prove him wrong as to the ways of God (24:25). Bildad sums up the whole conversation by repeating Eliphaz's original charge that Job was in rebellion against God (4:17-21). Job's three friends saw God as transcendent, but impersonal. To them, God's sovereignty over His creation brought order, but was brutal to those who disobeyed Him. They voiced no relationship with the living God.

When approaching a king, even a prophet had to be careful how he addressed a king's crimes. Nathan was that prophet, and God gave him a wonderful story which caused King David to convict himself. Be with us tonight as we continue our study in II Samuel (chapter 12).

Paul has stated that the righteousness of God is revealed to all those who believe (1:16,17). The Gospel delivers a believer from sin. He breaks the power of cancelled sin, He sets the prisoner free; His blood can make the foulest clean; His blood availed for me. (Charles Wesley) There is another revelation in the Gospel. "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness..." (1:18).

God never moves without purpose or plan When trying His servant and molding a man. Give thanks to the Lord though His testing seems long; In darkness He giveth a song. (Ron Hamilton) Job's comforters have turned into debaters. The first two rounds of speeches had become increasingly acrimonious and decreasingly beneficial. Eliphaz's gentleness had turned to stern rebuke. Bildad became more accusatory, and Zophar finished his case in a huff. Now, Eliphaz calls one last time for Job's repentance. Meanwhile, Job's flashes of confidence rise to new heights as he seems to realize that his duress was a test of faith and not a punishment for evil.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation" (II Corinthians 5:17-20). The goal of the Christian's ministry is to be reconciled to God and to help others find peace with God also. There are three ways of approaching one in need: 1. Condemnation: judging a person (Romans 8:31-37) 2. Accommodation: making light of sin (Romans 6:1-4) 3. Reconciliation: helping a person in their walk with God (Titus 3:1-7)

King David has reached the height of his reign when moral disaster struck, a moral lapse which would plague the rest of his life. Be with us tonight as we continue our study in II Samuel.

The Epistle of Romans is Paul's magnum opus. Martin Luther called it, "The chief book of the New Testament....It deserves to be known by heart, word for word, by every Christian." Paul wrote the epistle on his third visit to the city of Corinth.