Cornerstone Community Church

Romans 2:1-8

In the previous verses paul described in vivid terms and elaborate detail the sorts of depravity which comes upon all those who suppress the truth of God.

Paul anticipates that the believer who peruses his list of depravities will assume to themselves that he is talking about the plight of the unbeliever. But Paul makes it clear that the sinful practices of the previous chapter do not apply solely to unbelievers, but to every human. For this reason no one has cause to pass judgement upon his neighbor because all of humanity is guilty of suppressing the truth of God and thus subject to like sinful passions as every other human. The consequences our first parent’s rejection of God have been imputed to every human soul since.

Therefore we are not to make distinctions between ourselves and unbelievers. Though we are expected to make distinction between righteousness and sin. We are not to consider our neighbor as unworthy or more unworthy than ourselves. The person who does so will be condemned by God, the only righteous judge of men.

Romans 1:16-24

The righteous live by faith in the message of the gospel, but the unrighteous die by suppressing the truth of God’s word. This resistance:1) Evokes God’s wrath2) Seeks to eradicate the signature of God within, which is the very foundation of its existence3) Darkens perception and emotion4) Is not thankful4) Seeks God in the created world or senseless philosophies, anywhere but within itself5) Prefers the lie over the truthThe unrighteous have given up on God. If they persist, in time God may give up on them.

Romans 1:16-17

The Gospel is the good tidings of the finished work of Jesus Christ.

The Gospel is the power by which God saves us.

We access the power of God when we renounce power over our lives and entrust our lives, our future and eternal destiny to the Gospel. When we do this we are declared righteous by God.

In God’s providence, faith is righteousness.

This is the way salvation has always come. It is the only way to salvation and to peace with God. Whether Old Testament Jew, or ancient Gentile. all who have believed God have been declared righteous by Him.

This is the thesis Paul seeks to demonstrate throughout this Book of Romans.

That Righteousness is granted to us by faith from first to last!

Romans 1:8-15

As leader of most of the world, Rome set the standard in nearly every sphere (social, political, and religious). News of the faith taking root in this world center reverberated around the globe. Conventional wisdom would dictate that if one wanted to build big, he would build in Rome!

But what we learn from this text is that man’s thoughts are not always God’s thoughts. Man’s strategy is not always in alignment with God’s plan.

Paul wanted to visit Rome for all the right reasons. But God denied his request time and again.

The lesson:Human passion is not the best indicator of the will of God for our lives.

Application:God often reveals His will to us in very practical ways. We should not allow the noise of our passion to drown out the still small voice that bespeaks God’s will for our lives.

Humble acceptance of the will of God, even when it doesn’t seem to line up with our own vison, will lead to lasting fruitfulness as we lean into the assignments God has given us.

Rev. Jim Halstead joins us from Go and Tell Ministries, sharing a message from Galatians 5:6b on the importance and methods of evangelism.

You can find his YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@goandtellministries2020 for more videos from him and his ministry.

Pastor Calvin Robinson begins a new series from the book of Romans.

“If I was stranded on an island and could only have one book of the Bible, it would be the Book of Matthew. If I could have two, the second one would be Romans!Theologically rich. Spiritually deep. Settling to the soul. Romans is a book about God, His Gospel, and it gives us a detailed description of the contours of salvation and our faith.In his greeting, Paul puts forward his credentials as a sanctified slave of Christ Jesus.He presents the scripture as belonging to God and therefore holy.He presents Jesus Christ as fully man and fully God, with His resurrection as infallible proof of His divinity.He reminds us that Jesus Christ is the Mediator of grace by which we have been called into His kingdom and given a place in His service.We are His beloved. He calls us saints.Grace and peace belongs to all who receive this message.”

Pastor Calvin Robinson concludes in Ezekiel 2:1-10 on God’s Calling of His ministers.

When God calls a minister what does He expect from her? While His calling varies from one believer to another, His expectation of every member is the same.

God requires His ministers to:1) Be comfortable in their own skin2) Listen to Him3) Go where He sends4) Reflect His heart toward the people you serve5) Value personal Obedience above Ministry Outcomes6) Do not be afraid or discouraged by criticism7) Be the example8) Stay in the Word

Pastor Calvin Robinson continues from Ezekiel 2:-10 in part 2 of “God’s Calling.”

When God calls a minister what does He expect from her? While His calling varies from one believer to another, His expectation of every member is the same.

God requires His ministers to:1) Be comfortable in their own skin2) Listen to Him3) Go where He sends4) Reflect His heart toward the people you serve5) Value personal Obedience above Ministry Outcomes6) Do not be afraid or discouraged by criticism7) Be the example8) Stay in the Word

Continuing in Pastor Calvin Robinson’s series in Ezekiel, this week we look at Ezekiel 2:1-10.

When God calls a minister what does He expect from him or her? While His calling varies from one believer to another, His expectation of every member is the same.

God requires His ministers to:1) Be comfortable in their own skin2) Listen to Him3) Go where He sends4) Reflect His heart toward the people you serve5) Value personal Obedience above Ministry Outcomes6) Do not be afraid or discouraged by criticism7) Be the example8) Stay in the Word

Pastor Calvin Robinson continues in our Ezekiel series on The Making of the Minister.

Ministry is much more about who you are than about what you do, or how well you may do it. The ministers of Christ must never equate successful ministry to victorious living.

The minister and his work will be evaluated separately by God. Therefore while we desire to do great work for Christ, we understand that the greatest work we can do in honor of our Savior ,is yielding to the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit.

The minister desires above all else that he be found faithfully living out the gospel he preaches. That the quality of her life be superior to the quality of her labor.

From the example of the cherubim we see that there are at least two personal qualities every minister of God should aspire to:

1) Humility2) Decisiveness