Pastor Mike : THE FINAL COUNTDOWN : A Ministry of CHRIST-LIVES MINISTRIES

Most of us have an image of ourselves that is somewhat different from reality. We may feel that we are fatter or thinner than we really are. Others may believe that they are smarter, or perhaps even dumber than they really are. This same deceptive self-image slips into our view of our spiritual selves as well. Most, if not all of us, believe that we are basically good people. We want to think that we are in good shape spiritually. This isn't just a situation that is true among members of the church, but nearly every person who exists around us has the idea that all is well within his or her heart. Sadly, this is simply not the truth!

These verses tell us all about the man in our mirror. Everyday, we look at a person in the mirror who is nothing like we think he is. This passage reveals the truth that we are nothing more than sinners in the eyes of the Lord. You see, Paul has just told his readers that the immoral as well as the moral pagan are condemned before the Lord. Then, he tells them that the moral and the immoral Jew stand condemned as well. Now, he is telling them that every man, no matter who he is, is a sinner in the sight of God!

In the concluding verses of the last chapter, Paul tells his Jewish readers that they, like all other men, are sinners in the sight of God. He reminds them that what they need is not the outward expression of religion, but an inward work of grace that converts the soul and makes the sinner right with God. These verses are a logical continuation of the thoughts mentioned in chapter 2. We must remember that Paul was a traveling evangelist-missionary. In nearly every city he visited, he went to the Jewish synagogue and shared the message of salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ. In doing so, Paul surely must have encountered many arguments to his message. It would seem that these verses which we have read this evening give us four of those arguments. Paul is asking and answering questions that the Jews, themselves, were asking. They were raising objections to the message of salvation "by grace through faith", and these objections needed to be answered.

As we have journeyed through the first 2 chapters of this great book, we have spent a considerable amount of time discussing the wrath of God. We have come to understand the reasons why God is angry with sin, and we have come to understand that there are some groups of people against whom God has committed Himself to act in wrath. In chapter 1, verses 24-32, we saw that God will judge the sinner. Chapter 2, verses 1-16 tells of God's wrath against the hypocrite. These verses, which we have read this evening, tell about God's Judgment Of The Religious Man.

In the last few messages, we have been considering the wrath of Almighty God. As we saw last week, there are multitudes that choose lives of rebellion and disobedience against God, and these people will be held accountable and will feel the full fury of God's wrath against their sin. However, there are just as many others who live moral lives. These are people who are outwardly clean and upright, but who are inwardly just as wicked as their evil counterparts.

Intro: The first portion of chapter one has been devoted to an explanation of the Gospel and the reason for Paul sending this letter. Now, in this second section of chapter one, the Apostle turns his attention to those who are away from the Lord and are in need of this Gospel. For, just as much as Paul wanted the Romans to understand what the Gospel message was all about, he also wanted them to know why such a message was even necessary.

Therefore, Paul was inspired by the Holy Spirit to write about the wrath of God. It is God's wrath against sin that forms the hub around that which this last half of chapter one revolves. Now, I know that preaching about God's anger against sin is not a popular thing in our day. Man has tried his best to reduce God to some dim-witted, doting old grandfather type figure Who merely winks at the flaws in mankind and possesses no other emotion but love.

After introducing the Messenger, the Message and his own Motives in the first 15 verses of this book, the Apostle Paul turns the spotlight on the Gospel that he is going to be writing about. In these 2 verses, we are given one of the greatest summaries of the Gospel ever written by man. For it is in these verses that we can see a clear declaration of God's power and purpose in the Gospel message.

I love Christmas! But who do we leave out of the Nativity?

Intro: In my life, I have been blessed by the Lord to have been in the company of some great men of God. Men, who by the lives they have lived, the message they have preached and the motives from which they served the Lord have made an indelible impression on my life. In fact, I can honestly say that I have learned more from great men of God than from any class I have taken, book I have read or paper I have written. I appreciate those who have lived Jesus in front of me and have demonstrated to me the truth that regardless of what we do, our motives should always be pure. I believe the Apostle was this kind of a man. Surely, a man with his great influence and power in the early church faced temptation to do things from an improper motive. However, I can find no record of Paul misusing his authority or influence for personal gain, or any other impure motive. Actually, every time I read about this great man of God, I ma reminded again that Paul was the living example to us all of what a genuine Christian should be.

Rom. 1:1-7 THE CREDENTIALS OF PAUL THE APOSTLE - PART 2

1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)

3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;

4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:

6 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:

7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Intro: As we began our study of the Book of Romans, in verse 1 the Apostle Paul introduced himself to the Roman saints. He had never met these people and he wanted to let them know that he was on the up and up. It seems that in those days, there were some people running around claiming to be servants of the Lord when actually they were out for financial gain. Sounds like today doesn't it? After Paul introduces himself personally by sharing some facts about the messenger, he moves on to his message.

This is the foundation for the Book of Romans. It is a Book about the essential elements of Christianity. Beginning with the Gospel and moving into the deeper truths of the Christian faith, Paul shares the mind of God with the Roman Christians. As we travel through the great Book, we too are going to encounter truths that will be life changing.

Rom. 1:1 THE CREDENTIALS OF PAUL THE APOSTLE Part 1

Intro: Today, we embark on a study of what is perhaps the greatest Book of the New Testament. I know that is a big statement, however, Romans is, without question, the greatest theological work of the Apostle Paul. This book has been called "The Constitution Of Christianity"; "The Christian Manifesto"; and "The Cathedral Of The Christian Faith". Without a doubt, this book has been responsible for more change in the church than any other. Our text is short today. It comes from Romans 1:1 1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God—

I will endeavor to do justice to this series. I just completed my PhD in Biblical Exposition and Organizational Leadership. The study of Romans was a required class in my curriculum. I will try to do it as great a justice as Dr. Hayes.