♫ 2025/10/02 Morning Star

Before the Face of God, Book 1: A Daily Guide for Living from the Book of Romans (1. The Honor of Being a Slave) 1. 08:00 - Sing two songs 10 English 23 Sotho 2. Open in prayer 3. Devotions

Before the Face of God, Book 1: A Daily Guide for Living from the Book of Romans (2. One Who Has Seen; One Who is Sent) Romans 1:1 2. One Who Has Seen; One Who Is Sent Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God. [Rom. 1:1] We looked at this last time Right at the beginning of the Book of Romans Paul made the dramatic declaration that he was called to be an apostle. His audience understood, as contemporary believers sometimes do not, that in making this claim Paul was announcing that he met the requirements of apostleship. Literally, the word apostle means “one who is sent,” and Paul was sent with the authority of Jesus Christ. Jesus commissioned the apostles and transferred his authority to them. An apostle had to be a disciple of Jesus and an eyewitness of his resurrection. As you might imagine, a controversy arose when Paul claimed to be an apostle, because he had not been a disciple and had not known Jesus until after the ascension. Even though Paul’s call was dramatic and extraordinary, he could not begin his ministry until he was first received and endorsed by the rest of the Twelve, whose credentials were not in question. It is theoretically possible for someone today to make the claim that God has called him directly and immediately to be an apostle. Joseph Smith did and started Mormonism. But it is impossible for that person to meet the biblical requirements for an apostle and to have his claim substantiated, corroborated, and confirmed by other apostles. The apostles have all passed from the historical scene. Just as the prophets were the agents of revelation in the Old Testament, so the apostles were God’s spokesmen in the New Testament. Three times in the Book of Acts Paul referred to his call. Immediately and invisibly he was directly called by Christ. He was set apart to preach the gospel of God. It is that gospel which Paul sets before us in this magnificent Epistle.

Coram Deo - The concept of "Coram Deo," meaning "in the presence of God," emphasizes living with a heightened awareness of God's omnipresence and sovereignty in every aspect of life. It suggests that God is central to human existence, and there is no escape from His watchful eye, regardless of one's circumstances. The article highlights that the Christian life should be God-centered, with the intention of living under His authority and for His glory. Each reading in the text concludes with a section titled "Coram Deo," encouraging readers to reflect on practical applications of this principle in their daily lives. The goal is to foster a deeper understanding and practice of God's presence throughout all experiences, ultimately leading to a more profound spiritual awareness and connection. Though no one today has been an eyewitness of the Resurrection in the sense that the New Testament apostles were, Christians have all been commanded to proclaim the good news of the gospel. Through the great commission Christ has sent us into all the world. How obedient are you in faithfully witnessing to the work of God in your life? For further study: Matthew 28:16–20 “16 But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. 18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”” ; Acts 9:1–30 “1 Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, 2 and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, both men and women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; 4 and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” 5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, 6 but get up and enter the city, and it will be told you what you must do.” 7 The men who traveled with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. 10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him, so that he might regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to Your saints at Jerusalem; 14 and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” 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; 16 for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.” 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he regained his sight, and he got up and was baptized; 19 and he took food and was strengthened. Now for several days he was with the disciples who were at Damascus, 20 and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” 21 All those hearing him continued to be amazed, and were saying, “Is this not he who in Jerusalem destroyed those who called on this name, and who had come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?” 22 But Saul kept increasing in strength and confounding the Jews who lived at Damascus by proving that this Jesus is the Christ. 23 When many days had elapsed, the Jews plotted together to do away with him, 24 but their plot became known to Saul. They were also watching the gates day and night so that they might put him to death; 25 but his disciples took him by night and…” ; Galatians 2:1–10 “1 Then after an interval of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along also. 2 It was because of a revelation that I went up; and I submitted to them the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but I did so in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that I might be running, or had run, in vain. 3 But not even Titus, who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. 4 But it was because of the false brethren secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to bring us into bondage. 5 But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you. 6 But from those who were of high reputation (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)—well, those who were of reputation contributed nothing to me. 7 But on the contrary, seeing that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised 8 (for He who effectually worked for Peter in his apostleship to the circumcised effectually worked for me also to the Gentiles), 9 and recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we might go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10 They only asked us to remember the poor—the very thing I also was eager to do.”

4. Closing prayer meeting 08:30 Finish