Saturday 022225
Ephesians 2:8 ‘…For by GRACE you have been SAVED through FAITH; and this is not of yourselves, it is a GIFT of God…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)
Let’s together, open the Word of God this morning, and study what we have been given. Allow me to help you in your study and search the Bible what God has intended for us to hear.
The verses we are going to study tonight:
Romans 1:1, :2; Genesis 3:15; Numbers 21:8; Romans 1:3-5, :6; Acts 9:15, 13:8-10; John 14:26; Acts 2:1-4; Hebrews 12:29; 2 Timothy 1:6.
Romans 1:1 ‘…Paul, a bondservant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God…’
Paul identified himself as a bondservant, in other versions the word used is, a servant (NIV, ESV), a slave (NLT, LSB).
Romans 1:2 ‘…which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures…’
God’s Son, Jesus Christ, was talked about in the very early Scriptures.
Genesis 3:15 ‘…And I will make enemies of you and the woman, and of your offspring and her Descendant; He shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise Him on the heel…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)
Notice the ‘capital’ letters in the words: ‘Descendant and He.’
Those capital letters, that is talking about Jesus.
Numbers 21:8 ‘…Then the Lord said to Moses, make a fiery serpent, and put it on a flagpole; and it shall come about, that everyone who is bitten, and looks at it, will live…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)
This ‘fiery serpent’ is the symbol of Jesus and ‘put on a flagpole’ is the first symbol of the cross.
Romans 1
vs3 ‘…concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh…’
vs4 ‘…who was declared the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord…’
vs5 ‘…through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles in behalf of His name…’
Paul is declaring himself an apostle, a teacher to the Gentiles on behalf of Jesus Christ.
Romans 1:6 ‘…among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)
Verse 6 ends with letting us know we too, as well, have been called by Jesus, to Him.
Beginning in Romans 1:8, Paul is praying to God, thanking Him for allowing him (Paul), to preach the Gospel of His Son, Jesus.
Several times throughout my day, I too take the time to recognize that I have been overly blessed, just to have the opportunity to even know Jesus, not to mention, that I have been given the ability to talk about Him with others.
We are so blessed.
The remaining chapter, from verse 18 through the end, verse 22 speaks of nothing more than describing the results from the UNBELIEF that can be found in this world.
This is our world defined right in front of our eyes.
Romans 1 was written in the mid 50’s; around 57-58 C.E.
Nearly two thousand (2000) years ago and it pretty much nailed the events going on in the world today in 2024.
PROPHESY
Name another book, that can claim that power?
How many years were there between the writing of Genesis 3:15 and Numbers 21:8, and the crucifixion of Jesus Christ?
1400 – 400 years.
PROPHESY
When we are told that Jesus chose Paul to be the teacher, the apostle to the Gentiles, kings and the children of Israel, why is it that there are so many, that call themselves Christians, that don’t believe what has been written in the Word?
Begin in Acts 9. Luke writes how Jesus chose Saul to be the teacher to the Gentiles, kings and the children of Israel.
Here are two (2) different versions for you to see.
Acts 9:15
‘…But the Lord said to him, go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)
‘…But the Lord said unto him, go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel…’ AKJV (Authorized King James Version)
Jesus chose Saul/Paul, not the other way around.
Acts 13:9 tell us that Saul was also known as Paul.
Acts 13
vs9 ‘…But Saul, who was also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, stared at him…’
vs10 ‘…and said, you who are full of all deceit and fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not stop making crooked the straight ways of the Lord…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)
We need a ‘Paul’ to stand up against these man-made churches today and make this same claim … except first, we need people, congregations of people, ALL read the Word for themselves so they can listen to what the Word really says that God has given to us, instead of the lies that we’ve been hearing for generations through these churches of men.
People, you have got to open your Bibles and READ the Word that God gave to us for yourselves.
Paul wrote thirteen epistles in the New Testament.
Romans – 1 Corinthians – 2 Corinthians – Galatians – Ephesians – Philippians – Colossians – 1 Thessalonians – 2 Thessalonians – 1 Timothy – 2 Timothy – Titus – Philemon.
These books were written for us to know the truth that mattered to us, after Jesus was crucified.
Why are there so many that will not believe this?
I cannot answer that question with a for sure answer, but there has been UNBELIEF in this world since the beginning of time.
Satan is busy at confusing those that try to make the correct way to follow.
Satan has been a nemesis that has been fighting against God from before creation, you and me, were created.
The only thing we have is that FAITH, that Spirit that inside us, that keeps us believing that there is something more important out there for us.
That Spirit that is inside of us is the ‘helper,’ that Jesus told us about in:
John 14:26 ‘…But the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and remind you of all that I said to you…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)
This ‘Helper’ is there for our protection. He is there to lead us through these difficult lanes that we find ourselves wandering in.
On the ‘Day of Pentecost,’ that day when God sent down our helper to help each one of us:
Acts 2
vs1 ‘…When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place…’
vs2 ‘…And suddenly a noise like a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting…’
vs3 ‘…And tongues that looked like fire appeared to them, distributing themselves, and a tongue rested on each one of them…’
vs4 ‘…And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with different tongues, as the Spirit was giving them the ability to speak out…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)
That flame is in our soul. It is what keeps us from doing the wrong things in our lives.
Hebrews 12:29 ‘…for our God is a consuming fire…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)
God is your consuming fire. This is the reminder for us that the Holy Spirit lives and dwells inside of us.
2 Timothy 1:6 ‘…For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands…’ NASB (New American Standard Bible)
Praise God my friends that the flaming fire of the Holy Spirit actually lives within us.
It is this flame that will keep you from the torment this world has to offer us. It is from this flame that will keep us alive and well.
Put your Faith, your Trust and your Belief that God is able to keep you well and out of harm’s way.
Open your Bibles and trust what God has given us and stop listening to the lies that we have been told by all of these different man-made churches.
It’s funny, they all have slightly different beliefs, but the one thing they have in common is to lure you away from the Word by giving you false hope; by telling you little white lies that over time, they will destroy you.
Do yourself a great big favor, open your Bible and begin reading the words God has given for you to read. Take the time, make the time and allow yourself to hear His voice. Hear the Words He has to tell you.
Listen to the truth.
Don’t let mankind tell you which version is the right version or the wrong version. Open the Bible and read what God has given you.
If God only had ONE (1) distinct version of the Bible for us to listen to, He would have told us … He is God, He would have known ahead of time there was going to be a problem.
Use the common sense that God gave you from the very beginning, don’t allow mankind to fog your mind with what you see.
Don’t let them have the ability to overwhelm you. Keep your focus on Jesus and remain in His presence.
Keep studying His Word. If questions arise as you’re studying, close your eyes and pray that God would assist you.
At the very moment that you’re reading His Word, He is right there with you at that very time. He is there to assist you.
Ask for His help. Ask for His guidance. The most important thing you can do is to simply ASK.
I love every one of y’all. The day is coming sooner than most of us can even imagine, but on that day, each one of us will learn of the total extent of that word L-O-V-E.
Be blessed and remain in Him.
Jesus, I pray that those ears and eyes, either listening or seeing this message today would be opened to the very fullest and allow Your love to come inside their lives and comfort them. Teach us Jesus. Protect us. We love You. Amen InHIM. ><)))o>