The Feasts in Romans - Part 1

The Feasts Discipleship pattern/paradigm is seen throughout Scripture.

(NASB)

1 Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,

2 which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures,

3 concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh,

4 who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord,

5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake,

6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;

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

PART 1A

In this paragraph we find a progression and change of attitude as revealed in the pronouns Paul chooses.

He begins with a focus upon himself which transitions to a concentration upon God which then changes into a focus upon others.

This change of focus is a demonstration of the maturing process of discipleship.

Scripture tells us:

36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?”

37 And He said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’

38 “This is the great and foremost commandment.

39 “The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’

Passover — the victory becomes available when we recognize who we are.

You must understand that you NEED the All-encompassing Victory before you can get it.

You must feel and believe that you are lost and in need of a Savior before you will seek One. This is a personal revelation and understanding.

There is, in this first verse, an expression of the type or kind of attitude we must have. “I, Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus” is the humble attitude of someone who knows they do not deserve God’s grace and mercy.

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LETS CONTINUE.....

Paul identified himself as a slave. Doulos (bond servant) is the term. I think the definition of servant or bond servant weakness Paul’s point.

Paul was writing to a congregation wherein the vast majority were slaves in fact. They were real slaves and if Paul had weakened the identity then his credibility would,have been at risk.

, gives Paul’s slavish commitment to obeying righteousness.

The roman church members were clearly living in a hostile environment and Paul describes the process and attitude to living and thriving in that environment, .

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“I, Paul…, called to be an apostle” is the revelation of who you can be, in Christ Jesus.

“I, Paul…, called to be an apostle” is the revelation of who you can be, in Christ Jesus.

Do you have the Victory? Have you bowed the knee to Christ Jesus? Is He the Lord of your life?

Each of us must start here. Turn to Jesus now. Ask Him to forgive you of your sins. Not just the individual acts of sin, but also the attitude you have in your heart that causes you to sin (i.e., the sin nature).

Paul identified himself as a slave. Doulos (bond servant) is the term. I think the definition of servant or bond servant weakness Paul’s point.

Paul was writing to a congregation wherein the vast majority were slaves in fact. They were real slaves and if Paul had weakened the identity then his credibility would,have been at risk.

, gives Paul’s slavish commitment to obeying righteousness.

The roman church members were clearly living in a hostile environment and Paul describes the process and attitude to living and thriving in that environment, .

PART 1B

Unleavened Bread — separation is the critical step that you must persist in.

“you are set apart,” set apart means to be sanctified.

Sanctified: separated, different, holy, saint

There are two aspects to Sanctification.

There is the instantaneous aspect which pertains to your POSITION. This is the legal, official and declared position in which you find yourself immediately upon receiving Christ as your Savior. It is the condition which is required to be Righteous and which was sufficient for the thief.

42 And he was saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!”

43 And He said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.”

There is also the progressive aspect which pertains to your POSTURE. Your posture is how you stand. It is assumed, here, that you are already standing, but now we are considering how you stand, how you conduct yourself. This is the maturing process as you grow in your relationship with the Lord.

You should grow day by day

“set apart for the gospel of God,” is the direction or focus of your separation. You are not set apart in a random manner but there is a specific purpose and goal.

The tragedy is that many people who are set apart unto the gospel (good news) do not remain set apart. We see this in musicians and singers who begin in church singing for and to God but then go into the secular world singing in bars, clubs and concerts. They are singing songs and playing music which they know does not glorify God, but they do it for a paycheck. These people are not singing unto God, they are singing unto money; they are not separated unto the gospel of God but they are separated unto wealth and possessions. In this regard, their POSTURE is impacting upon their POSITION. Given enough time, they could completely lose their way. Elvis Presley is an example of this.

PART 1C

First Fruits — dedication is the natural and necessary result of separation.

Jesus “was born a descendant of David,” and in that act He dedicated Himself, forever, to His purpose and mission. As a descendant of David, He had the legal and natural right to rule and reign, to be King.

“according to the flesh” is a clear declaration of the incarnation. Jesus set aside His former glorious state and became a man. He did this so that He could die for our sins and redeem us. He died to set us free and to give us the All-encompassing Victory.

PART 1D

Pentecost — obedience and power is necessary to be successful for the Lord.

PART 1E

Trumpets — service is the by-product of all that has come before.

PART 1F

Atonement — awe changes our heart as humility becomes a part of our nature.

PART 1G

Tabernacles — fellowship is the ultimate goal as we learn to love.