Having Faith and Keep Running with Christ - Romans 1:8-32
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Pray
read Romans 1:8-32
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
That your faith
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Abraham
And he believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness.
So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done.
Why do we have doubt? Maybe because before we ever learned about Jesus, we already knew too much? Sometimes not knowing is a bigger blessing than we realize. However, the older I get, the more I realize that I don’t know.
Prayers
3 common answers
Yes
No
Not now or hear nothing?
“I am not gonna pray”
Because:
I forget
I don’t want to hear God’s answer
We are not going to see eye to eye
or I am not gonna hear the answer I want God to give me
God knows already
God knows all things that we need even before we make mention of it.
“Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.
“And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.
Praying - speak to God and give time to listen.
The movie, War Room, gives us a visible example of a prayer closet. It can create the opportunity for us to be purposeful. It doesn’t need to be a closet, but what does your prayer life look like?
For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers,
God is my witness
Lexham Theological Wordbook (μάρτυς)
God (2 Cor 1:3) and Jesus Christ (Rev 1:5) can each be a witness. As in the OT, two or more witnesses are required for reliable testimony (Matt 18:16; 2 Cor 13:1; Heb 10:28). In Revelation 17:6 it refers more specifically to “the witnesses” or “martyrs” of Jesus killed for their testimony.
I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me.”
The New King James Version Chapter 1
whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son
This is how we should, fed in the Word, full of the Holy Spirit.
When we serve under our own strength, we will get emptied very fast. Ministry can be very draining and challenging at times. We don’t want to be relying on ourselves in the flesh to get results.
Serving in the Lord, in the Spirit, gives us the capacity serve with the fruits of the Spirit, with love
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (NKJV)
1 Corinthians 13:4–8 (NKJV)
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.
The New King James Version Chapter 1
without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers
How do you pray?
The New King James Version Chapter 1
that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment.
When we get together with other Christians, it can be exciting.
When we get together for a purpose with other Christians it should be exciting to see what God is going to do.
The New King James Version Chapter 1
13 Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles.
Paul wanted to go see the Romans, but when you are being pursued by people that want to capture you, it can put a damper in your life desires.
Fruit among you - I usually find that when we have a guest speaker at a retreat for example, it can be a big blessing. Once in a while, it is good to hear others teach.
I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise.
Greeks, Barbarians - Non-jewish, Wise and unwise. Paul was called to serve everyone. Peter served the Jews. Who do you serve in ministry?
Evangelizing
Homeless
Alcoholics
Children’s
Elderly
Teens
So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.
Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
You can’t be ready to share God’s Word if you are not in God’s Word.
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.”
Ashamed - Feelings associated with (but not limited to) failure, public exposure, disgrace, embarrassment, social rejection, ridicule, and dishonor. Also: Ashamed
Thinking of this definition, it is the world that makes people feel ashamed of the gospel of Christ. People that are not looking for trouble, are being put to shame everyday because those who disagree with our beliefs believe they have the right to disgrace us. But they don’t have the right. Unfortunately, there are people in our society today that are willing to be violent to prove their point. Please PRAY before every encounter. Being filled, over flowing with the Holy Spirit before you go out and encounter the enemy. And because you really never know when you will have an opportunity to share God’s Word, you need to be prayed up. Sharing in our flesh usually leaves us very vulnerable and is doing a dis-service to the Lord our God.
The New King James Version Chapter 1
The just shall live by faith.”
Although there are many explanations for things written in the Bible, there are not answers for everything. What did God call you to do? Are you called the explain and prove everything in the Bible? Although there are plenty of explanations, we will eventually come to the point that there is a leap of faith. But this is true for believers and non-believers alike. There is enough evidence for Jesus being God. Although for those who doubt, they are in the same position of having to have faith in their belief. Just the scourging alone with the lose of blood left Jesus in bad shape. He was in bad shape while he was carrying the cross, which why he needed help to continue the journey carrying the cross. Medically, experts agree that Jesus was dead on the cross. With over 500 witnesses, making all those people believe that Jesus rose from the dead through hypnosis would be a greater miracle than the resurrection itself. Romans were very good at the job of killing. Also, Romans would have guarded the tomb with their lives, because for them to loose Jesus’ body would result in death for themselves. There are no solid disputes to support that Jesus didn’t die, and too many witnesses to disprove that He didn’t rise again. On top of this, there are too many people that through history and still to this day, that follow Jesus, and for those who have given their lives for Jesus. People don’t typically give their lives away for someone else.
The ultimate end is that there is needed faith no matter which way you choose to believe. But even though this is true, there is a difference with your choice to believe. You open the door to actually live for truth!
Definition of Righteous, just
The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament 1342. δίκαιος díkaios
that which is right, conformable to right, pertaining to right, that which is just. This is expected by the one who sets the rules and regulations whereby man must live, whether that be society or God. Therefore, it means that which is expected as duty and which is claimed as a right because of one’s conformity to the rules of God or society.
It is important to compare ourselves to the Rock, the Rock that is Jesus, but not to each other. Our righteousness only exists in Christ, and in the moment that we walking with Christ. Things that Revelation talks about that are relevant to today.
Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent.
But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality.
“And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, ‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.
“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
Are you right with God?
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.
Looking at these things that God gave people with the debased mind.............
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.
John 15:12 (NKJV)
The New King James Version (Chapter 6:9-11)
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.
The 10 Commandments
And God spoke all these words, saying: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. “You shall have no other gods before Me. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments. “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain. “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it. “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you. “You shall not murder. “You shall not commit adultery. “You shall not steal. “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”
The Empty House
“When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation.”
The Beatitudes
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
John 15:12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
Comparison between all four things that in itself is an exhaustive list of what we should not be doing in life compared to what we should be doing in life. However, the end result comes down to putting “me” first. The me first syndrome it’s ultimately what destroys all of us. Jesus is not self-serving, actually quite the opposite. Since Jesus doesn’t make self-serving ever part of his life, it is clearly not something that we should do. I also think it’s something that we as people in Laurel today, have a big struggle with because society mostly generates and pushes towards taking care of self. We’re not talking about general necessities like eating showers clothes you need basic necessity type level. We’re talking about over indulging me in our lives. Of course we live in a world today that put the me syndrome first. It makes sense, because there is some natural sense of what we are doing. But people are taking the natural sense and expanding it to the gluttonous, over indulging, selfish sense.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
God didn’t give the rules to man to get them to live right. He needs man to realize that we can’t be right by ourselves. We need to understand that we need a savior. And even with the last commandment in John 13:34, we can’t even do that under our own strength. The why is simple, because we live in a fallen state. Many of us have tried to fill our lives with things that although we enjoyed, and we know that they are empty. We were made for God, to worship Him.
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
I traded for a BMX bike for a 1952 Packard. As I go out and work on it, I started taking it apart. Oh looky there, RUST! So I started to think about how I will get the rust cleaned up. Then I thought of something else, Why? After I spend all this time and money into it, and it gets forgotten about again, it is going to rust again. It is an inevitable fact of life. Then I thought of this verse.
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
Creation is clearly seen. Intelligent design. Similarities and differences all at the same time.
ASK: What is the normal result of an explosion?
But Scientists would want us to believe that one time there is new life?
because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
People don’t usually quit believing in one day. It’s a slow fade (like the song). Then one day you are fallen away.
“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
This is what I believe many Christians in America suffer today. Not specifically our church. The Word has been watered down over time. Our political policies have allowed more sin over time, and people have become numb to the things that were once considered absolute sin. The culture today is not the same as it was 30 years ago and so on. It is sad today, but the schools today don’t teach truth and those who have no example of truth in their lives will believe some form of a lie. This is not about a lot of people believing, but about the numbing of principles. People get to a point where even though they don’t do something, it is OK for others. Things that were once a disgrace are now a societal norm and considered a right to choose. Too many examples to name, and that is how dark our society has fallen.
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
“Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open for us,’ and He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know you, where you are from,’
A common saying today is “all roads lead to God”. I don’t believe this to be true. These verses are very specific. There are few who find it.
Professing to be wise, they became fools,
Universities are a great example of things like this. Unfortunately, there is an agenda to make people accept things. For the older generation, not so easy. For the young person, they have already been taught things there whole time in school. For example, gender.
and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
They have made something their own god, one that approves of their way of life.
Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,
When a person has chosen this they are typically to a point where they hate God in their hearts. They are filled with their own violence and destruction to make a point. When a person is beyond the point of taking care of themselves, when they immerse themselves in their sin, it becomes a very dark place. To me, sexual sins are worse than other sins. By this it is simple, drugs, alcohol, and many other things you have to go get, but you are always with you. You can’t get away from yourself. The thought of homosexuality is unfathomable. Being alone and sitting in shame with yourself is a recipe for disaster. And we see the effects of it based of the suicide rate.
This is what I believe a lie is:
“LGBTQ+ young people are not inherently prone to suicide risk because of their sexual orientation or gender identity but rather placed at higher risk because of how they are mistreated and stigmatized in society.”
There was a study performed by a university to prove that homosexuals have a different brain chemical imbalance than non-homosexuals. Instead of proving that, they proved that the human brain before homosexual life was the same as a non-homosexual. They noted that point of transition through time of being a homosexual, there is a proven brain chemical reaction that takes place in the brain for those who to chose to live that way. You can tell yourself a lie all you want, but it doesn’t change the reality. And then there are the feelings.
Feelings associated with (but not limited to) failure, public exposure, disgrace, embarrassment, social rejection, ridicule, and dishonor. Also: Ashamed; Bewildered; Confused; Confusion; Disgrace; Disgraceful; Distraction; Honor and Shame; Ignominy; Infamy; Perplexity; Shame and Honor; Turmoil
Do feelings lie to us or display the truth?
So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.”
Shame is not limited to homosexuality, but something Satan uses for all sin to keep us away from God. I once heard from a drug, alcohol, and codependency teacher Stephanie Tucker, that shame is like Satan wiping his bloody dirty hands on us, and we walk around with the stains and assume it on ourselves. Shame continues to punish us even after we have actually sinned. We need Jesus to break that sequence.
Top-Line Facts & Statistics
Top-Line Facts & Statistics
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people aged 10 to 14, and the third leading cause of death among 15-24 year olds (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022). Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ+) young people are at significantly increased risk. LGBTQ+ young people are more than four times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers (Johns et al., 2019; Johns et al., 2020). The Trevor Project estimates that more than 1.8 million LGBTQ+ young people (ages 13-24) seriously consider suicide each year in the U.S. — and at least one attempts suicide every 45 seconds. The Trevor Project’s 2023 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ Young People found that 41% of LGBTQ+ young people seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, including roughly half of transgender and nonbinary youth.
https://www.thetrevorproject.org/resources/article/facts-about-lgbtq-youth-suicide/
I believe that God has written on our hearts the things we should do and not do. I also believe that as we walk with the Spirit He speaks to us even further. But before I was a Christian, when I went to do things, I intuitively knew if it was right or wrong. I didn’t have to be told, I had a feeling that told me. Call it my conscience, but I knew. I made a decision, I looked for external justification to justify that what I was doing was OK. That really didn’t work, just made the lie to myself more believable.
who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.
Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.
Homosexuality is a sin, just like any other sin.
Homosexuality is a sin, just like any other sin.
Government Positions on Conversion Therapy
Government Positions on Conversion Therapy
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
“Specifically, conversion therapy—efforts to change an individual’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression —is a practice that is not supported by credible evidence and has been disavowed by behavioral health experts and associations. Conversion therapy perpetuates outdated views of gender roles and identities as well as the negative stereotype that being a sexual or gender minority or identifying as LGBTQ is an abnormal aspect of human development. Most importantly, it may put young people at risk of serious harm”
Ending Conversion Therapy: Supporting and Affirming LGBTQ Youth
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;
But Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also; neither would he let the people go.
At a certain point, God is going to let you do whatever you want to do, and eventually give you over to that which you seek........I don’t know what that point is. And I believe you won’t either, and likely won’t suspect that God gave you over to whatever it is you are doing. However, it will probably be that you are so deep that you won’t realize that you have gone too far.
And I don’t know if that means you can’t get right with God. I would believe you can if you made that choice. But a part of me believes that maybe you have so much hate you won’t. The reality is God already knows. Are there people that won’t give their life to the Lord, unfortunately yes.
being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers,
The sin is not only sexuality.
Everyone comes from somewhere before the become believers.
Matthew 12:43–45 ““When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation.”” NKJV
This is the danger of falling away from the Lord. Is it real, absolutely.
And this is specifically discussing Demon possession, but I think it draws the question of oppression as well. For the Christian that goes to church, but is not spending time in their Bible, has a prayer life that is habitual and not purposeful, and is not a practicing Christian in all reality, but instead is just going through the motions, there is a real danger to falling away. To the point where they are not in a relationship with the Lord. They are a short Sunday away from not going to church.
When they realize they are not walking with God, it will become a real challenge for them to get back on track and the question will be why? What are they doing in their life? What are they listening too? What are they watching? Where are they going? How are they talking? How are they acting? If we were able to observe them, is there any evidence that they are actually a Christian?
backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
Rebellion
undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful;
Things though of by both believers and non-believers alike.
who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
For the people that turn their hearts against God, for some reason, they work really hard to bring others down with them.
But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,
Our world today is filled with a lot of noise about who Jesus is. We need to read our Bibles daily, because if we stop, the lies are everywhere. They are on TV, in the movies, on the radio, and being spouted out of people’s mouths constantly. If we don’t stay in the truth, the truth can easily be lost.
Listen to this example of false teaching.
“The phrase "God helps those who help themselves" is a motto that emphasizes the importance of self-initiative and agency. The phrase originated in ancient Greece as "the gods help those who help themselves" and may originally have been proverbial.” This is absolutely NOT true. But people quote things like this. And this is not a normal thing Christians say, but is extreme on purpose.
If we are not in the Word of God, we may hear something like this, but it is not of the Word of God. Depending on what it is, we may be thrown off. Also if you are not filled with the Holy Spirit, you will be on your own. This is not a safe place to be.
Like I said last week. This group here is not people that I think are in trouble, but I don’t always know. However, hoping we are all good, I have an assignment for you. I want you to pray and think of someone that may be struggling in their walk. How will you know? Look at the signs. Does the things this person is doing, exalt Christ? It is an easy yes or no. Just like Paul, pray for them everyday.