Jevertus Burnett

The only thing that matters, is to be in His presence and behold His beauty.

Joshua Boyd

Romans 15:1-4

"We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves. 2 We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. 3 For even Christ didn’t live to please himself. As the Scriptures say, “The insults of those who insult you, O God, have fallen on me.”[a] 4 Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled."

Your strength in a matter doesn’t justify your rightness in doing it.  Living out the Christian life is not about living a perfect life.  Only One person did that and even He was persecuted and judged for it.  True Christian living is living for others.  Love looks out, not in.  Love gives, not takes.  Even Jesus, who came to this earth as God in the flesh, didn’t come to please himself.  He came to please His Father.  

 Verses 1 and 2 in The Message Bible reads:

"Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, “How can I help?”"

How can I help?  The question we should be asking frequently.  Sow seeds of offering help for when you need the harvest of getting the help.  Yes, we all need help at some point.  We all also need to offer help.  

Jordon Gilmore
Roman 14

The release from the law leads us into the new life of liberty.  

Joshua Boyd
Jordon Gilmore

Join us for a special joint teaching session where we discuss Romans 13.  

Authority is of God
Romans 13:1-5
"Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. 2 So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. 3 For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. 4 The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. 5 So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience."

God is the originator of authority.  The concept of authority comes from God and it is to this concept, and the offices or positions of authority, that we are to submit to, regardless of the person filling the role of the authority.  The person may be evil, unjust and seditious; but the position of authority is placed there by God.  

Jevertus Burnett

It begins by knowing what God is like, then seeing ourselves the way God sees us in Christ—by the renewing of our minds

Romans 12:1-2

Weapons
1. The truth of God’s word revealed in our hearts
2. The Word of God

Truth
1. God is holy, and when we have renewed minds, we are holy too
2. What we have to bring is acceptable and pleasing to God
3. God is leading us in a way that is good for our lives 
4. Not only does God have a good future, He also has a future that is pleasing and  satisfying 
5. His leadership over our life is perfect

Joshua Boyd

Measuring Up

How many of you growing up had older brothers or sisters that people compared you to?  You can feel as if you have moving target to aim toward the older you get.  In contrast, if you are the older one, people can hold you to a high standard just by being the first to attempt to accomplish things in life.  

Comparison and competition in inherent qualities in humanity.  In some more than others and not always verbalized but internalized.  Married couples compare who does the most around the house or with the kids.  Coworkers compare who is working the hardest.  Church leaders compare who has the biggest congregation.  Christians compare who is the holiest.  

This is where we open with Paul in Romans 12.  

Romans 12:3 NLT 

“Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.  

From God’s perspective, the only one that really counts, the correct comparison starts with the proper measuring point.  The starting point is having an honest evaluation of yourself.  The measuring standard is the measuring stick of faith God has given us.  

Jordon Gilmore

Romans 11:16-18 key verses

Meditate on this question:
Has God reneged on His promises?

1. God always keeps a remnant according to grace. 
2. Rejection of God (failure to respond to Him by faith), leads to spiritual disability

The still small voice and the ability to hear the small voice, are both the grace of God

Joshua Boyd

Salvation is Here
Romans 10

The greatest gift God ever gave the world was the gift of His Son and the salvation that came in believing on His Son.  Christianity isn’t Christianity without it.  Salvation is here.  Now.  That is the theme of the letter to the Romans in chapter 10:  getting right with God, salvation, only comes through faith, not by keeping the law.

Unfortunately, religion continues that practice today:  laying out guidelines and rules to follow in order to be “right”: you must dress this way, or eat a certain diet, or have this type of service.  This only revives the tradition of keeping the law. 

Joshua Boyd

God, in showing His plan for humanity, used the example of Jacob and Esau to display it.  There will be some who don’t believe and some who do.  All are destined, because of sin, for judgment and death.  Only by grace are we saved.  

Does that mean that I have no choice in salvation?  Was I predestined to be saved and could not have chosen not to?  Listen to find out!

Jordon Gilmore

Romans 7