Paul is not suggesting that we become people pleasers for the sake of unity. But we are to set aside self pleasing attitudes so that we can build other Christians up and not put them down.15:2

We must remain strong in the faith (not our own opinions) and at the same time be sensitive to others, if we are honest we are all strong in some areas and weak in others. The bottom line is does my behaviour build up or pull down? 15:2

Both weak and strong Christians are to seek to build each other up by following Christ’s example, who did not please Himself but let the reproaches of others fall upon Himself.15:7

Acceptance of each other has to work both ways as Christ modelled by saving both Jew and Gentile alike. 15:8,12

The Scriptures testify to Gods faithfulness in former times as well as encouragement and Hope for the future. 15:4

A Christian can only remain full of Joy and hope through faith in Jesus Christ and power of the Holy Spirit. 15:13

Memory verse

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 N.K.J.V.

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PAUSE FOR THOUGHT

Our honest convictions must not become rules for the Church. As has been said “In essentials unity, In nonessentials, liberty; in everything love 14:1

One day each of us will stand personally before the judgement seat of Christ, we must not judge each other in what we each allow or disallow we must not put any obstacles in the path of another but do all within our power not to trip up another Christian even if it means abstaining from what I am free to do while in their presence 14-16

We should avoid any action that is forbidden by Scripture, but sometimes Scripture is silent. Then we should follow our own conscience. “ if you do what is not right you are sinning” 14:23

Whatever we do we do to honour the Lord we are accountable to Christ, not to others. However I must not let my freedom ruin someone for whom Christ died 14:15

What we see as so important in this life does not compare with the true treasures we share already and what awaits us! Everything will look so different 14:17

MEMORY VERSE

So let us aim for harmony in the church and building each other up. Romans 15:19 N.L.T.

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All government authority is delegated, and not absolute authority. So if the states demands are in conflict with the Law of God we as Christians should resist them.

No system of government is or will ever be perfect but we are to be subject to and honour government officials as they carry out their duties as God purposes 13:3-4.

Every Christian is permanently in debt, we can never repay the debt of love we owe to our fellow man because of the way Christ loves each of us. In this way the requirements of the whole law are fulfilled in us 13:8-9

How late is it? Paul told his readers to wake up! Jesus return is nearer than many think. I tend to think that much of what is happening is like a dress rehearsal of what is around the corner or as Jesus said the beginning of sorrows. Mathew 24:8

Jesus wants us to live in this world respecting government authority, Showing genuine love to everyone, to believers and to the unbelieving, and “putting on Christ” this means submitting to His Lordship in everything. 13:14

Memory verse

And do this, knowing the time, that now is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed Romans 13:11 N.K.J.

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How to behave like a Christian

As we have seen previously true worship towards God involves using the gifts God has given us to be a blessing to our local church family, This is not always a “walk in the park” though, you will be tested! 12:10

Our love for fellow believers must be genuine or as in the N.K.J without hypocrisy anything else is evil! 12:9 Anyone of who has no long term Christian friendships needs to examine their heart.

Love is the guiding principle in all Christian service, not only with fellow believers but also with those who persecute us because we belong to Christ. 12:14

God wants us to express love that is real and sincere, real love goes beyond politeness it involves helping others it can often take our personal involvement in time, money and more 12:9

When we go through times of trouble we can make these into opportunities to remind ourselves of the great hope that lies ahead. In this way we can learn what it means to “let patience have its perfect reward”. James 1:2-4

In this day of lawsuits and everyone wanting their rights, the command of 12:19 not to avenge oneself can seems out of place. We are to do our part to live in peace with all men! Even when we don’t to see eye to eye we must continue to show God’s love for maybe they will turn and repent. 12:19:20

Memory Verse

Don’t let evil get the best of you, but conquer evil by doing good. Romans12:21 N.L.T.

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Of myself I don’t have the ability to be or do whatever I wish, but I do know That I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength 12:3 Philippians 4:13

I worship God when I step out in faith using the gifting He has given me to serve the body of Christ. 12:5

By His grace God has given each of us to do “certain” things well, this is according to His wisdom, God will give the spiritual power necessary and appropriate to carry out each responsibility. 12:6

The Fathers gifts are different for each one of us, even those who share in the same gift don’t necessarily function in the same way this is another reason to estimate ourselves honestly, none of us can do the work of the Church alone. Praise God for those whose gifts are different from yours, let their strength balance our deficiencies. 12:6-8

memory verse

Be honest in your estimate of yourselves, measuring your value by how much faith God has given you. Romans 12:3 N.L.T

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Pause for thought

No one can fully understand the mind of the Lord. No one has been His counsellor. God alone is sovereign, all of us are dependant on Him. He alone is the source of everything, including our own selves. He is full of grace towards us He governs all things in perfect wisdom, justice, and love. 11:33-36

”Therefore” How must we respond? The Holy Spirit is pleading to each of us through Paul, to give ourselves entirely to God as living holy sacrifices this is the kind He will accept. A living sacrifice lays aside its own desires to follow Jesus and trusts Him to be their Guide. 12:1 and Luke 9:23

God has a very good purpose and plan for our lives, it is always according to His perfect will for us, but not necessarily what we would choose for ourselves! The choice is ours conformation to the world and it’s ways or transformation of our minds as we yield ourselves to God? 12:2

It is God’s will that every Christian should have a renewed mind, we need to ask ourselves why am I thinking the way I do what is it that influences me mostly? A renewed mind will not only help us to understand more of the will and ways of God but will help us to evaluate honestly our own usefulness in Gods Kingdom. 12:3

A verse to remember

Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect His will really is. Romans 12:2 N.L.T.

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Jews and Gentiles benefit each other, for when ever God shows mercy to one group the other shares the blessing. It was always Gods plan for the Jews to be the source of Gods blessing to the Gentiles, but when the Jews failed to believe in Jesus God blessed the Gentiles anyway through their Jewish Messiah. But someday all faithful Jews will share in Gods mercy 11:28

Some believe that the phrase “all Israel will be saved” refers to the complete number of Gentile and Jews who have come to faith in Christ at that time. However the context of chapter 11:11-36 is about unbelieving Israel, Israel nearly always consisted of a believing remnant and an unbelieving majority, it is the latter that Paul says will come to faith when the last believing Gentile comes to faith in Jesus Christ.

Have you heard of dual covenant theology? some teach that God has one plan for Israel and another for the church! Gods plan is clear. Ephesians 2:11-22 and John 10:16

God owes nothing to any one of us, no one can give God advise or criticise His ways. God alone possesses absolute power and wisdom 11:34-35

Memory verse

For God’s gift and His call can never be withdrawn Romans 11:29

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God chose Israel through whom the whole world could find salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Only those Israelites who were faithful to God were considered true Jews. 11:5.

The nation of Israel became more and more unresponsive to the voice of God their blessings caused them to stumble it became a trap because they thought all was well! In their prosperity they failed to recognise their need of salvation 11:8-10.

Paul was the apostle sent to the Gentiles who would listen and respond, Paul knew that his call to preach salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, meant that he was being used by God to make the Jews envious and in some way save some of them 11:13-14

The Church must never brag or believe that it has replaced Israel 11:18

Memory Verse

But you must be careful not to brag about being grafted in to replace the branches that were broken off, Remember you are just a branch, not the root.

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PAUSE FOR THOUGHT

Not everyone born into a Jewish family is considered a true Jew. Only those who are saved by faith in Jesus Christ, no one should depended on Family or religion or their own goodness 9:6,10:5

Many Jews refused to believe in Jesus when He came even though they were looking for their Messiah. Many Gentiles who weren’t looking for God were found by Him and believed the gospel 10:19-20

Their has always been a remnant of believing Jews in every generation, only those who were faithful to God were considered real Jews this is the result of God grace 10:5-6

Knowing all these truths still some Christians who fully understand that they are saved by grace through faith think that they need to prove that they are true Christians by doing good works! The Holy Spirit will produce His fruit in us, our job is to keep ourselves in the Grace of God. Ephesians 2:8, Galatians 5:22-23

MEMORY VERSE

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God Romans 10:17 N.K.J.V.

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PAUSE FOR THOUGHT

Jesus Christ is the complete revelation of God, apart from Him no one can fully know God. Jew and Gentile can only find salvation through Jesus Christ. 10:1-4

God was making people right with Himself by faith long before the Law was given. So what was the Laws purpose? 1 To reveal Gods righteousness 2 those who tried to keep it found they failed miserably 3 the Law shows the need for salvation. 4 to act as guardian until people could put their faith in Jesus Christ Galatians 3:23-24. Jesus accomplished the whole purpose of the Law and in so doing made it obsolete. Everyone Jew or Gentile who believes in Jesus are made right with God 10:4

Neither Laws customs or traditions can bring us into Gods presence, we. are to come to Christ with childlike faith. Jesus is close at hand offering to give us full salvation if you will confess with our Mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in you heart that God raised Him from the dead you will be saved 10:5,10:9

Disappointments happen in this life because we live in a fallen world Paul was not promising a bed of roses for all who put their faith in Jesus Christ. Rather that God will never fail to provide for all those who believe. We will not be disappointed by the things to be revealed when Jesus comes we will never regret making the best decision to place our faith in Jesus. 10:11-12

MEMORY VERSE

For anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved 10:13 N.L.T.

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