Message: Having spent time on grace and sin, Paul begins to spend time on the Law and it's weaknesses. Previously, Paul discussed death to the body of sin, and the "new" man alive in Christ. Now, he continues to explain, we are also dead to the Law. Paul is describing a new way of living to the grace of God, by the grace of God. Incorrect logic supports the mindset of earning salvation and pleasing God through actions void of relationship. The truth is we are already right with God at the moment we accept Christ as our Lord and Savior, because of the blood of Christ. There are three points to make about Paul's message: 1) God's grace is greater than the Law. Our best efforts to earn salvation is never good enough, God declares us righteous in Christ; we receive this through faith alone, a faith to trust Him. We are not saved by a list of do's and don'ts, but by grace through faith in Christ, our salvation is in God's hands. - the gospel - the good news. The Law exposes who we are, our flesh and sinful passions, bearing fruit unto death, stemming from disobedience rising out of rebellion. Bearing fruit is a working progress representing what is going on inside us, death bearing death and life bearing life. Sin is the actor, the Law is the weapon sin uses. We try to call sin everything, but sin. Paul's point, we bear fruit when delivered from the Law, not the principle of justification and sanctification by it. We now serve he newness of the Spirit, a freedom to serve God better. In comparison, the oldness of the letter of the Law says we have all offended, but haven't been caught yet. A newness of life says, "we don't HAVE to; we GET to". 2) God's grace is greater than my struggle. The clarity of struggle, Paul says, reveals there is no good thing dwelling in our flesh, it is undependable, destructive and controlling. Trying to work out our salvation is performing the motion without having it figured out. Paul describes the flesh as another law warring against his mind in Christ, against what God has done, encouraging disobedience and corruption of the Law. 3) Serve the Law of God. Paul challenges us to remember whose we are, why we serve and with what we serve. The mind, as a child of God or the flesh through the Law of sin? We are made to serve God, but who is in control? The mind (heart) of a child of God is called to conquer the flesh. We have grace and favor with God to defeat the entity trying to overtake us, walk in it!

Scripture: Roman 7:4-5 "Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death." - KJV

Message: Paul address how we should conduct ourselves as saints and believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. The illustration is the stages of a butterfly, the pupae being the stage of transition from caterpillar to an adult. In context, people who emulate Christ, transform and are called Christians. Paul is supporting the difference between the "old" man and the "new" man. The "old" man's death in Christ frees him from sin, whereas the Law attempts to reform in order to change. "In Christ" represents our faith and trust in Him, then death can liberate us from sin. Just as a dead man has no authority over us, so is our "old" man. The struggle begins the moment we accept Christ. The "old" man's habits, thoughts and ways must be subdued by the "new" man to walk in a newness. It is a process. The "old" man is created according to God, righteousness and true holiness. The pattern of our life says, "YOU'LL never get there! ", but God operates differently. His Word and prayer renew us so the "new" man can grow. The caterpillar's function is to eat and store up to become the butterfly, so it is with the "new" man and God's Word. What seems to be the struggle of the "new" man is renewal by the Word. Paul lays out rhetorical questions, because, how did Christ do it? First question, "Shall we continue to sin, so grace abounds?" We tend to thing grace is a free pass, when it's a method God uses to bring a sinner to salvation. God's idea has a different idea, to use grace to carry us into the life to come. Second question, "How should we that are dead to sin live any longer in it? It is impossible, it is not designed to work that way. Points to remember as we walk out the newness. We are baptized in Jesus Christ's death, the "old" man dies. The challenge is death, so it is important to complete the suffering to be free from sin and live subjected to God. It is only possible through Christ to be servants to righteousness, to walk in the newness of life, so others will see it and go searching. Don't miss what God has for your because of the deeds of the "old" man. Strike them down, then watch God do great and wonderful things, because it is His desire.

Scripture: Romans 6:1-4 "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."

Message: The religious leaders setup Jesus for death, at His crucifixion they provoked Him to save Himself. There are three things that speak to the heart of all scripture from beginning to end, Christ is patterned, promised and present. Christ is a repeated design in His character and conduct for the whole world. Christ was promised in scripture to be Savior who would die for our trespasses and sin. These promises appear in the writings of the prophet Isaiah, Jesus's own words and the apostle Paul. Christ, to have been the pattern and the promise, has been present from the beginning. To get to the point of seeing Him and have evidence of His presence, we often need to be in a trial or in suffering followed by a transformational life-altering step of faith. We may be drawn to ask for a confirmation of faith to trust Him. Let us be blessed to behold with our eyes and hear with our ears. This human perspective requires understanding God's divine perspective, do you have it? Trusting God and walking with the Lord makes us aware of His patterns, promises and presence. Our humanity looks to save itself, something Jesus would not do, choosing to suffer and be rejected. As in the days of Noah, destruction by water, and in the days of Lot, destruction by fire, so will it be in Christ's return. Just like these were saved, so will those who come to faith and repentance be saved when the earth and the works in it will be burnt up. Jesus willingly gave His life that we could live. Repent before a risen Savior, turn toward Him, there is no other way, HE IS THE CHRIST!

Scripture: Luke 23:35 " "And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God.” " - NKJV

Message: Jesus had a triumphant entry leading to death on the cross. This led people and rulers to ask the question, 'Is He Christ?', the same question many still ask today. Even John, while in prison, sent messengers out to ask. We ask to know if He can truly save. There are compelling pieces of evidence to give us hope, truth and peace. Feast of the Tabernacles is the backdrop of His entry filled with symbolism and prophesy. Genesis 49, 1200 BC, foretells Christ through Jacob's words to his son Judah, emphasizing the truth of God's plans, despite many attempts by man to stop them. Zechariah 9 foretells of Christ's humble entry on a donkey colt, symbolizing a peace-time king. This is a stark contrast to a war-time king and Roman power and might. Even the disciples were confused, until they remembered the scripture Jesus revealed to them. In Matthew 21, Jesus cleans out the temple and heals people. The people rejoiced and declared His lineage of David, but the chief priests and scribes became angry, holding Him in contempt for it. Rousing of Jesus' zeal is foretold in Genesis 49, as a He returns a gathering place for the people back to God. The temple represented a place of sanctuary to those of God, a place to go to Him in faith. The palm branches show their recognition of the Messiah, unable to save, deliver or set themselves free, they display their repentance and praise Him.

Scripture: Luke 23:25 "And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God. " KJV

Message: Has someone ever done something to you that made you angry? All of us!! What could be so offensive to make God have wrath? Sin, deserving death, however, God had another response, eternal life through His Son, Jesus Christ. Paul makes a comparison against the offense and the free gift. There are 3 points: 1) the offense 2) the Law and 3) the free Gift. The first Adam was the first of created humanity. He was given a command by God, Eve's understanding of the command came from Adam. God's desire was to have Adam to trust and obey, but he fell to Satan's deception which reflected "God is not enough", causing death to all humanity. This was sin, an intentional offense, knowing better and doing it anyway. And, death reigned as the by-product of sin. Unable to get up on our own, God gave us the Law. The Law came from humanity's desire not to be led by God. They thought they could "be God" and keep it, justifying themselves. The Law would show them right from wrong. Knowing right from wrong revealed sin where it a not known , leading to condemnation. The Law was too late and too weak, so staying in the Law still led to condemnation. Unable to keep the whole Law, there would be no way for mankind to save itself from death without God's grace. His grace was justification through Jesus Christ, One for the many offenses. The resulting gift was life to all humanity by the righteous act of One. When Adam was disobedient leading to death, Christ's obedience led to justification of life. Christ became the form of man, leading a life of humbleness and obedient to death on the cross. God love us much to allow then events, which can free us from condemnation and eternal death, leading us back to life.

Scripture: Romans 5:15 "But not as the offense, so also is the free gift. For if through the offense of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many." - KJV

Message: At some point all of us ask ourselves, "why would I want to be part of this organization or group?" Paul addresses the point of being a child of God and the benefits. There are 3 Key benefits: 1) When we have peace with God, there is no more wrath and are no longer enemies. He is satisfied and we are no longer rebellious. When we accept Christ, the war ends and live in the promise of eternal peace. 2) We have access to God's grace, through faith in Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit's guidance in all spiritual truth. Therefore, God's grace is to and for us, giving us the ability to demonstrate it to others. There will be those who persecute us, but there will also be those who need us. 1 Peter 2 calls us living stones, chosen to offer up acceptable sacrifices to the living God. It causes people to see something different in us. 3) We rejoice, being convinced the One we are boasting about is worthy. We are at peace with God, therefore at peace with others. Our patience is developed by a God who proves Himself over and over. The experiences begin to show favor as God's work, not ours, building trust in His ways. We arrive at the point of knowing the futility of life without God on our side. God is glorified in us, through Jesus Christ the benefits are great and mighty.

Scripture: Romans 5:1-2 "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God." - KJV

Message: Ever heard the term hard-headed? When we have things that are hard to let go of, something we're stuck in, it is referred to as hard-headed. It's difficult to walk away when we're stuck in our ways and have a new way in Christ. Paul is reminding Jewish believers in Rome of the futility of works, to earn our salvation and righteousness in the sight of God. He reminds them of the need for spiritual understanding of the truth to accept the inheritance promised to Abraham. The Jewish Rabbis believed Abraham was justified by keeping the Law perfectly. Paul reminds them of Abraham's faults, so he was not made righteous by keeping the Law, but was accounted righteous by God.  Faith kept Abraham from boasting in his own works to obtain righteousness and placed it all on God. In comparison, we are saved by God's grace through Christ, so we are unable to boast in our own works. Dependence on works strips us of the credit of grace, instead incurring the debt of works. In Greek, grace translates to a spontaneous generosity of the heart without any expectation of return. In modern terms, grace translates to God's unmerited grace. A system of works seek to put God in debt to us, His favor and salvation given to us by being being good. To all who believe, have relationship and depend on God, righteousness will be credited. Another entry point and exclusion of the Gentiles to righteousness before God, was the Jewish interpretation of the Mosaic Law by circumcision. Abraham's righteousness through faith occurred before he was circumcised, so Paul questions the Jews and proposes the extension of righteousness to all. He explains that faith by works and circumcision through the Mosaic Law retains the debts and righteousness through Christ cancels the debt. He concludes with a question, do you trust in your own abilities or do you trust in God to obtain righteousness. Step into belief and watch God work through you. 

Scripture: Romans 4:1-3 "What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness." - KJV

Message: Are there times when you struggled and came up less than your self-imposed expectations? The perfection sought, no matter how hard you worked, came up short? Are you driven by perfection? Paul addresses perfection in our own sight, being enough. In and of ourselves, we are not enough. We do not measure up to the standard of God, HIs righteousness, therefore we need a way.  Weighing the good and the bad, hoping to do more good and earn righteousness will not work. God's standard requires 100% compliance, failure to meet 1 point is to be guilty of all. Paul reminds us, sin is easily seen from outward actions and inward sin is easily recognized in the blasphemy and the hypocritical living of lives. Paul assesses mankind as all under sin's bondage. God gave us the Law to show us sin, revealing our inability to keep it's statues and save ourselves from unrighteousness. Paul wants to acknowledge the fact that we are not enough. He points to Psalm 14 as the report card, "there is none that do good, not one". The Jews and Gentiles had both sinned, there is a righteous debt to pay and they were useless to pay it themselves. Where's the hope? Surrender to the Law, be under it, see your guilt, acknowledge your sin and see the penalty of it. The cost for the righteousness of God is paid by the One who has come to justify us, Jesus Christ. Faith, not of works, in Jesus Christ pays our sin debt. God now sees the believer as measuring up to the perfection of the fullness of Christ, delivering us from the wrath of sin. Where we are not enough, God sent Christ who is more than enough, through Him you will never be short and always be sufficient. 

Scripture: Romans 3:23-24 "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.." KJV

Message: Paul is addressing the reprobate mind, the mind that rejects God, missing His plans and purposes, failing the test. Legalism is missing God's  intent.  Paul addresses those who are obeying the rules, living life as a series of do's and don'ts, where it's only about keeping the Law. He is trying to introduce the Spirit of the Law to organized religion, a form of godliness which focuses on doing moral things, but missing God. God began to define the laws that would please Him, because legalism isolated the Law from Him, resulting in a life devoid of personal relationship. Paul addresses the Christians and Jews who are without a relationship with God and are judging others by being moral in their conduct. Paul uses the Pharisee and the Publican parable to give an example of two responses to sin. The Pharisee who exalted himself for following the letter of the Law and the Publican who humbly admits his sin and is exalted. What's the measuring stick? We will be judged by how we judge, so don't. Use discernment to determine when holiness and righteousness will be received by the unfit, but leave them room to let them change. Humbleness avoids judging others and condemning yourself. Remember God desires all to come to salvation and delays our judgement with mercy.  Paul, once a zealous Pharisee, counted his status as nothing. He pointed out boasting and self-righteousness by God's chosen as blasphemous and a poor example to the Gentiles. Examine the Law and determine how much you need Jesus, because we all fall short. It's a matter of the heart, let praise stem from God, not from man.

Scripture: Romans 2:1 "Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things." - KJV

Message: How are you living God's plans and purposes? We watch things to see how they work or don't work. Paul is uncovering the legalism of the Law, the heresies, where previously he was was persecuting Christians in accordance with the Law or with the support of the Law. Paul is in Corinth writing to the the Romans, to encourage them in the salvation of God by grace through faith.  New Testament Christians use Romans to strengthen their faith and learn how to live with their new beliefs.  It is the power of God in which we receive salvation through the gospel of Christ.  The righteousness of God grows through the gospel by faith to help us live as a new creation. Living is walking in trust of a truth in our life, a path directed by God. The righteousness of God is revealed through His wrath from our rebellion. Trusting in this world is like stepping in sinking sand.  God is manifest in everyone, but revealed through manifestations in our lives as our rebellions are shown.  The Jews had clues to God, but refused Him in their heart. They reasoned away their evil ways, unwilling to see the light of God, giving in to the desires of their hearts.  They valued the world over God, so He desired to show them their sin, to see their own destruction. He repeated the process until  they were drawn back to Him, seeing their self-worship and need for a Deliverer. This is God's loving response to their unrighteousness. The answer is to focus on heaven rather than earth, but we choose paths of destruction, reaching for the wrong things, creating a way to get what we want over what God wants for us.  We, by default are rejecting God and walk deeper in sin, wanting no one to tell us what to do.  Even so, God in His compassion makes a way through His Son to live life.

Scripture:  Romans 1:16-17 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”" - NKJV