What and who every person is or was is presented against the backdrop of the salvation God has provided, how, and why.-Being dead in sin speaks the fact of being separated from God and unresponsive to God. Spiritually dead the the spiritual condition every person is born with while being physically alive. As described by the inspired word of God this deadness is not passive nor inactive and is in fact quite responsive the indwelling sin nature, the power of sin, and the devil. Being so is to be living under the wrath of God with HIs judgment forthcoming. Unrealized by most is that there is a measure of choice how to sin and what to indulge in but there is no control or choices concerning the consequences which are under God's control. -But God is the clarion call of man's only hope being helpless and unable to save himself.

Paul's pattern in his relationship with other believers was to pray for them and to let them know not only that he was but what he prayed for them for as well as what he thanked the Lord for because of them. In doing so he let them know they may have been out of sight but they were not out of his mind. He revealed that while he was in this situation in a difficult circumstance, in prison, he was not dwelling on himself and his troubles but on the Lord and the needs of other believers. In his prayer he also revealed that he prayed for what were his greatest concerns for them. Those concerns and needs centered on their spiritual needs, not their physical. Spiritual growth and maturity by growing in their knowledge of God's word and in knowing God by living by faith in the ongoing relationship with Him increasingly realizing the greatness of who God is and what He has for His people. With such a pattern every believer will do well in putting such petitions and perspective into practice for personal prayer for the time at hand.

In his closing comments the apostle Paul began with a commendation to a woman named Phoebe who likely carried the letter for Paul to Rome. She is to be remembered as a woman who served God in her local church as a servant of the Lord. The ministry of a couple who Paul met in Corinth and joined him in his ministry in Corinth as well as in Ephesus after moving from there. They also shared a common skill and means of support by doing leatherwork. -Following this message there is a discussion of a question regarding the four resurrections and judgments that follow as revealed in the Scriptures.

God has revealed what we know about who He is. There is order in the triunity of the Godhead in which each of the members has equality being fully God. Each member has a role in the carrying out of the salvation of plan for man.-This message highlights the ministry of the Holy Spirit that connects the preview Jesus gave of what the ministry of the Holy Spirit would entail after His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension back to heaven.-The believer is guaranteed the fulfillment of all God's promises of complete redemption and the abundant life by the sealing and indwelling ministry of the Holy Spirit. He is the grounds and basis for the believer having assurance and security as a believer.

Paul included in his closing comments an overview of what he saw as future plans for his ministry. in doing so he let the readers know he had a longing to see them to encourage them and be encouraged by them. Paul is a good reminder of making plans to be responsible with the time for ministry while recognizing the Lord controls the timing, circumstances, and outcome. As became evident, Paul had a driving passion to take the gospel to areas where it had not been heard before. Obviously going to new areas was not his only concern as when he got 'parked' in prison he wrote letters to instruct, warn, and encourage believers in churches. Such believers continue to benefit from as he wrote under the inspiration of the Spirit while his imprisonments were a part of God's plan for his ministry as well.-This message is followed by a commentary on contemporary issues within the evangelical church and seminaries in regard to the authority of Scripture.

God's grace is given and realized through God the Son. God's grace has provided the payment for sin and the means for living life in devotion with ongoing love and gratitude. Such amazing grace is a revelation of God's wisdom and will as His purposes are accomplished for His good pleasure.

The good news of who Jesus Christ is and what He did when He came to earth to give His life as the final and ultimate sacrifice for sin. God has provided sufficiently and spoken of it clearly. His death and resurrection provide the one and only, the perfect and complete way for any who will hear and heed the free gift of eternal life.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the seal of guarantee of the finished work of providing complete justification and salvation for all sinners.-The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the assurance of a coming resurrection for all people.-The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the assurance of a coming judgment by Christ, the resurrected One. Believers will have a judgment for rewards and unbelievers will have a judgment for their sin having rejected Him and His work on their behalf.

Paul begins his closing comments expressing appreciation for the evidence of their salvation being demonstrated in their lives. The genuineness of faith manifests the presence of the Holy Spirit by a hunger for God's word and the practice of His word. As the word is put into practice there will be a growth in personal relationships among believers as encouragement, correction and giving warnings concerning matters in society and among themselves.-Following this message is a brief discussion regarding the doctrine of election.

God is universally sovereign as well as sovereign over every individual and their personal salvation. As great as the benefit of salvation is to mankind the ultimate reason for it is the resulting praise to God and His pleasure in that salvation. God's choice of who was to be saved was on the basis of HIs will and good pleasure. Before God no individual is more worthy or of benefit to God in their choice. Everyone is a sinner before God who is holy having no personal merit beyond having been created to be in a relationship with God by fact of the original creation design being in His image. God being triune in His being carried out the salvation of those who were chosen to be saved, as He has revealed, before the foundation of the world was laid.