Jesus told his disciples as he left that they were to go into the whole world and tell them about him. Every one of them was to become a witness, every one of them was to become a minister. He had told them earlier in one of his teachings that they were the salt and light of the world. To fulfill this calling, he told them to wait until they are filled with the Holy Spirit. From the day of Pentecost, ministry, witnessing, being the salt and light of this world, became the responsibility not just of the apostles or what we call the five fold ministry; apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, no, it became the duty of the body of Christ. Every child of God is a minister. When we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, he gives us special abilities to serve on behalf of Jesus. In the next few studies, I am going to help understand what these gifts are, why they are given to us and what gift is needed at specific times.

Paul concludes the book of Romans with a strong message; each of us should live to please one another and be considerate of how our actions affect other believers. He says; "we should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord." The Christian life is one that builds others up, not tear them down. Those of us that are strong should consider those who have weak and sensitive faith. Lastly, Paul concludes this letter by greeting his friends and even in this, he has a strong message for us; Paul accepted all believers not minding whether they were male or female. He also, contrary to what many have alluded, he also had female friends who were ministers; deacons and pastors.

Do LOVE, Do the LAW. Humans are creatures of habits. Following rules and laws helps us keep things simple. However, keeping track of all the laws and rules and how can we be sure our own laws and rules do not infringe on someone else's? Paul's answer is simple, love. That is all we owe one another, LOVE! We can be certain that as long as we do love, we will fulfill every single requirement of the law whether they are towards God or people.

Living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, that's who we are! The concept of a living sacrifice is somewhat foolish and contrary to reasoning and nature, who ever heard of a sacrifice that is alive on the altar? Normally, a sacrifice should be dead on the altar, if not, it might just walk away when the heat comes. Miraculously, that's who we or what we are; we are alive both to God and to the world we live in. We worship God both in Spirit and truth, and in turn, the Lord does not transport us to heaven or take us out of this world, no, he uses us here. We are the righteousness of God who worship God in the Spirit and have no single confidence in the flesh. We stay right here to be the salt and light of our world. My encouragement to someone this morning is; you are living sacrifice.

Call upon the name of the LORD and be saved. There is only one name given under heaven by which men can be saved. Choose Jesus today!

I don't even know where to start sharing everytime I read these two chapters in the book of Romans, they are so rich. For today, let's look at the first and last verses in both chapters. Chapter Seven; "Now dear brothers and sisters - you who are familiar with the law - don't you know that the law applies only while a person is living?" Romans 7:1. Powerful question that needs answering quickly. Death was in a sense, the end. If a person dies, all struggle ceases. Even most laws do not apply to them anymore. If that is true and the believer's relationship with God implies they are dead (Galatians 2:20), it follows that our struggle with sin should come to an end and that the law should lose its hold over us. Halleluyah! Next; "Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God's law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin." Romans 7:25. This one single verse is so loaded; our sinful nature is what makes us slaves to sin. My sinful nature wants to sin and as a result, there will is a constant struggle between doing good and doing evil. The answer is simple; Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Answer. Chapter Eight; "So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus." This one is a statement of fact; there is no condemnation for those in Christ. You can't condemn the believers. Lastly; "And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow - not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love." This one again, is a factual statement; nothing means nothing, nothing will ever be able to separate us from the love of God. Halleluyah!

I'm no longer a slave to fear, I am a child of God. I'm no longer a slave to sin, I am a child of God. Halleluyah! The book of Romans is so inspiring. "So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God." Romans 5:11. I'm no longer a slave to sin, I am a friend of God. Halleluyah! Are you glad? "Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God's grace." Romans 6:14. I am no longer a slave, I am free to live for God. Halleluyah!

The message of grace was a difficult one for many to accept, it was somewhat simple and foolish. Especially for those who have been trying for years to obtain and show themselves righteous through obeying the letters of the law. However, taking time to reason it out makes you realize Paul had a point; "We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are." Romans 3:22. Right standing with God is achieved not by trying to keep every single one of the dictates of the law, you are bound to fail, at least one, no, it is accomplished by placing your faith in Jesus Christ. The choice is yours what route you will take; human effort or the free gift of Jesus. But whether you try to accomplish it by your own works or not, "God (already) presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood (for them)." Romans 3:25. God freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus. It is a free gift. My encouragement, choose Jesus today. Choose grace and live freely for God. Halleluyah!

We start reading one of the most comprehensive letters Paul wrote on his missionary journeys. The book of Romans was written to the Gentile believers in a setting where Jews and other believers who were Jews, were insisting that you could only be saved by converting to Judaism. You could only become a follower of Jesus by becoming a Jew first. Paul counters this teachings with some strong explanation, and especially on how the law and faith works. Talking about his message, Paul says; "For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes - the Jew first and also the Gentile. This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the scriptures say, it is through faith that a righteous person has life." Paul message was simple. First of all, it is a Good News. It is Good News because it tells people, everyone, how they can be saved and how to become right with God. Secondly, it is accomplished from start to finish, not by the works and ability of the individual to obey the Jewish laws of Moses, but by faith in Jesus. From start to finish, from the point we come to God to the point we meet him, our walk is a walk of faith. Everything in between is also accomplished by faith. In other words, there is nothing to boast about. Everyone of us is a product of Faith and Grace.

As the book of Acts of the Apostles concludes, it is important to remember that it was not intended to be a comprehensive record of all of their acts, that was not the intention. At some point, it focuses solely on Paul. Acts concludes with Paul's shipwreck and trial in Rome. However, the early believers faced even more gruesome circumstances than this, Paul himself was eventually beheaded by the emperor Nero. Some were hanged, boiled in hot oil, flailed and skinned alive. They were hung upside down on hooks, fed to lions, others were killed, and all for what? Because they dared to say they were followers of Jesus Christ and to hold on to that conviction. It is with that company that we will stand on judgement day. What have you had to suffer for Jesus' sake? What have you had to give up for believing in the Son of God? My encouragement, be of good cheer. Remember the words of Jesus; "Then Jesus said to his disciples, if any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it." Matthew 16:24-25. "God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven! And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way." Matthew 5:11-12. Paul also wrote to Timothy; "Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." 2Tim 3:12.