Romans 1

• Al Costlow
• Romans 1:17- For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith,, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith.[1] (Habakkuk 2:4)
• How is it that the righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel?
• Exactly what we are doing here on the stage… passing our faith to family and friends.
• Not necessarily in words as much as in actions that are a byproduct of what we believe.
• The Gospel is God at work.
• In the Old Covenant it was proven by works, in the New Covenant it is proven by faith.
• Not only just salvation, but a person being transformed and living in freedom.
• Watch people walk this earth of chaos and bring a little bit of heaven to it.

 
Romans 2

• My sister sent me this message this week: “I need more explanation of Romans 2:5-10 sometime”.
• Romans 2:5-11 - 5 Because of your hardened and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment is revealed. 6 He will repay each one according to his works: 7 eternal life to those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality; 8 but wrath and anger to those who are self-seeking and disobey the truth while obeying unrighteousness. 9 There will be affliction and distress for every human being who does evil, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek; 10 but glory, honor, and peace for everyone who does what is good, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. 11 For there is no favoritism with God.[2]
• Bob’s Romans Study: Romans 2:5 states that even the moral man will receive God’s “wrath” due to his “stubbornness and unrepentant heart.” Paul also states that the lost are “storing up wrath for … the day of wrath” (v. 5). Do you realize that God’s “wrath” will be poured out on unbelievers in proportion to the amount of “wrath” they have stored up—in proportion to the degree of their sin? They will face the “great white throne” judgment (Revelation 20:11–15), a judgment of condemnation for all who have refused to exercise repentance and faith while depraved. This “judgment” will be “righteous” (Romans 2:5), which means that it will be just and upright. The unrepentant man will receive exactly what he deserves. After all, he had every opportunity to believe. The “great white throne” judgment (Revelation 20:11) differs from “the judgment seat of Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:10). No believer will be judged at the “great white throne,” for it is a judgment of wrath. A New Testament believer faces “the judgment seat of Christ,” a judgment of rewards. Each of our works will be tested “with fire” (1 Corinthians 3:10–15), and we will be rewarded for deeds done in faith. God “… will render to every man according to his deeds” (Romans 2:6) Those who do “good” will receive “glory … honor … peace … and immortality, eternal life” (vv. 7, 10). Those who “do not obey the truth” receive “wrath … indignation … tribulation and distress” (vv. 8–9). According to verses 7–10, all who habitually do “evil” and enjoy it, proving that they have never repented of sin and accepted Christ as Savior, will receive God’s “wrath.” All who do “good,” if their good deeds result from yielding to Christ’s indwelling presence, will receive “glory … honor and peace.” After studying this comparison, do you wonder how anyone could choose to reject Christ? Note: These verses do not teach that good deeds yield a right standing with God. Paul will confirm this fact to a greater degree in subsequent verses.

 

• Brandon Leum
• In the study, Romans 2, verse 13 talks about "doers of the law" And how this can be misconstrued with "if we do good things (good works) this results in God justifying us or looking better upon us.
• I know that the only thing that matters is that Jesus died one time for us on the cross - One time only!
• I think that in life it can be hard to not fall into being a "doer of the law" and if we do something good (volunteering - helping someone in need – tithing, etc.) for some reason we feel better about how God views us.
• How can we in our mental mind work through every day that "it doesn't matter...Just believing and trusting through FAITH in Christ is the answer is satisfying our Lord and Savior?
• Because of this, we do things in the Spirit...and trusting these are good things.

 

• Bob mentions. Yes, God loves man enough to allow man to live eternally separated from his presence should he (man) so desire.
• If you have a man or woman that has a good heart, does good things, yet does not have a relationship in Christ, it hurts my heart to think that person will be "thrown in the lake of fire" based on Revelation 20:15 (Again, just a discussion around this would be good)

 
Romans 3

• Brandon Leum
• On page 20 of the study, the question for the 4th day, #2.
• In Romans 3:4, Paul writes let God be found true, though every man be found a liar..." what does this statement communicate?
• Would we continue to view God as being "true" and worthy of serving if everyone you know should deny him?
• It communicates Romans 3:23 – For all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God.

 

• Al Costlow
• Romans 3:23---What is "the glory of God" that is spoken of in this verse that "all have fallen short of"?
• It’s not a thing. It is the greatness, beauty, and perfection of all that He is.

 

• Doug spoke of righteousness and justification that we now have. But doesn’t that lead to a license to sin?

 
Romans 4

• Ryan kept talking about the Old Covenant and New Covenant rather than the Old Testament and the New Testament. What is the difference?

 
Chris Pickrell
You are going through a current season of difficulty with family health/issues… how does what you know from this study impact you directly during this time?

• I grew up in a family that had rules but we didn’t have church. I always knew there was a God that loved me however I came to know that but we didn’t do church or nightly prayer time. I am not even sure I remember a Bible in our house but sure we had one somewhere.
• My point is when I studied Romans, it was easy for me to understand because I didn’t have the preconceived ideas and beliefs to unlearn. I had felt like people had always judged me all through my life, too small, too poor, didn’t belong with this or that group.
• I always treated people how I wanted to be treated and was taught to help others but strive for perfection in my own self. I started thinking perfection wasn’t possible so why try. If I had to walk the tight rope then I wasn’t going to make the cut anyways, had to many personal issues for Jesus to want me in His house. 
• What Romans did for me was give me peace and freedom and my question would be why are people so critical against or so fought against by other people and churches. It is in the same bible most groups read and study.
• Romans 8:1- Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus[3]
• If He loves me, why would He condemn me? I spent my time worrying about and thinking about my actions instead of focusing on who loved me. Why do “Christians” spend so much effort worrying about and judging people (sin comparison- like one is worse than the other) instead of recognizing He died to cover them all regardless of what or when they happened. 
• Like I said- Romans was the good news I always thought the Bible was supposed to be so I guess it just made more sense to me that Jesus would love me no matter what instead of because of what I did or didn’t do. It just made sense. 
• I am not a biblical scholar and trust that loving Him and others with all my heart is what I am supposed to do.  It looks good some days, ugly others and “just not sure” days but what I don’t do is stay in that.   

 
David Speckman
One man discipled you through this study. Tell me about that relationship and how it impacted your family and work.

• About Big Micah (Langmaack) taking me through this, I don't even know where to start....  I feel so far removed from my original line of thinking/feeling but the best way to describe it would be to say I was "lost & confused" prior to going through this with Micah.  It's kinda cool (and pathetic) how much I relied on him to figure out almost everything in my life.  Not sure how in depth you want me to go in this response but I think the biggest thing he helped me realize is that I don't have to control everything.  I can just take a deep breath and relax (Micah always uses the word "REST") and know that no matter what happens "God's got it" as Micah would say.  Watching what he and Shannon are going through with Anna right now is the most amazing testament to that.  He definitely practices what he preaches.
• I always knew/felt that there was a God but I didn't really know what that meant or who he was and what was his role in my life. For me though, I always looked at it like you were either "Team God" or not. I always felt like the guy that wanted to be on the team but was never good enough if that makes sense. So I just always watched from the sidelines and admired. I thought that in order to play for the team I'd have to give up everything and make a drastic change to who I was (at that time I was always in trouble). The irony was that once I learned more about Him, the things I found joy in drastically changed. I thought I had to change my behavior to learn my identity in Him but instead learning my identity in Him changed my behavior....

 
Greg Dugger
How long ago and how long did it take for you to see things differently? How has it impacted your life?
 
Al Costlow
I want to hear from you on Sunday about coming to the revelation of your identity through the Romans Study after so many years of viewing it different. You have touched on this recently.
 
Brent Sutton
Would you be willing to share where you are right now and knowing what you do from Romans how it is leading you on a day to day basis?
 
Danny DiSalvo
How does the revelation of grace and identity unfold with you as you lead your family. Share as much as you want.

• Here’s a few questions I have about Romans 1-4.
• Righteous? Me? Right now? Really? How?
• If I am righteous (by faith) what is going on when I commit a sin? Isn’t God upset or mad at me at least?
• If it’s the kindness of God that leads us to repentance... Does that mean I shouldn’t get sideways with people who are lost?
• If the wages of sin are death, and I have been given a gift of eternal life in Jesus, why do I still feel at times like God has to deal with my sin? Wouldn’t that mean I getting paid for something that Jesus paid for? If there is something else that needs to happen for me to be right now today perfect, righteous, blameless, forgiven before God, what is it?
• How can I put expectations of “obeying the law” on my kids or on my spouse if I know that God has no expectation on me to uphold the law?
• If my spouse and kids are righteous because of Jesus....wait what?

 
Brandon Leum
Your journey hasn’t been any easier… how has what you know now impacted your daily conversations with work conversations and friends?

• Growing up in the Lutheran segment of church, there were a lot of rules and expectations in terms of "being a good Christian". Along with that, I grew up in a very small (population 600) town where everyone knew you and the things did. At age 10, I moved away to the city (Indianapolis) and that was when my independence really started. In both of these environments, I knew the figure "Jesus Christ". Even going through confirmation in 7th & 8th grade, I didn't understand. 
• I can tell you this, it took me until I was 45 yrs. old that I finally "tapped out" wrestling with faith, religion, being the good guy, and overall just trying to meet the expectation in order for me to feel good.
• Losing my brother to suicide was not the event, but yet it was the event when the holy spirit walked into my life.
• At that point, that night, was the like the 12th round of a heavy weight match. It took me another almost 4 months until I finally tapped out.
• It took me another 4 months after that to embrace the Leavener family....and it took another 10 months until I started my walk in Roman's.
• What I know, is that is all okay. It didn't matter the time. But I can tell you this, how it came together was truly the Holy Spirit working and knowing us intimately.
• A verse that was shared with me early on was this...Romans 7:17-20. This opened the door to understanding the flesh and the spirit and the spiritual warfare that is going on in this world.  But, I needed more... and that led me to the Romans study...
• That study started on June 23, 2016 and we are still meeting every Friday morning!  
• To all you men,

I struggle everyday with flesh poo poo of life, but I can tell you that I am a believer in Jesus Christ. I am no longer afraid to raise my shield every day and pronounce that when presented that question. He has backed me since the day I was born and walked along side me that entire time. It just took me a little while to see him. But when I did "REALLY" see him, I knew him like my brother, my father, my best friend and my Savior.  All wrapped up in one!

[1] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Ro 1:17). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Ro 2:5–11). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Ro 8:1). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

Romans 4
Fall of 2013, Starbuck in Irvington. Perception of Christian life, behavioral change. I would try, retry, quit, retry. Seemed like a hard road that I couldn’t do, which you can’t. Worldly therapist= Felt like a being was hovering over me waiting to crack my rear-end whom I could never please.
 
Justification by Faith Evidenced in Old Testament
       1     What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found?
       2     For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.
       3     For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

- Therefore - read backwards
- Genesis - 2 Trees = a choice (Tree of Life vs Tree of Knowledge of Good & Evil)
- Adam chose of the wrong tree - his brain received a conscience
- Bad advice = let your conscience be your guide
- Morality - standard of right behavior (sanctioned by your conscience)
- Your morality will not save you.
- Attach yourself to the Tree of Life - Your spirit then unites with God’s Spirit
- Immorality - conflict with your conscience
- Your conscience is unique to you - it becomes your opinions
- Probably true to believe your conscience gets swayed over time by circumstances
- Look for God happenstances rather than right & wrong
- 1 Corinthians 8:1-7 - We need to spend our life focusing on the Tree of Life rather than trying to figure out what is right and wrong.
- Living from the Tree of Life - Your conscience is cleared through Christ.
- This is what the end of Romans 1 says
- Therefore... quit judging people

Bible Verses with the term "conscience":
​
1 Corinthians 8:7
However not all men have this knowledge; but some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
 
1 Corinthians 8:10
For if someone sees you, who have knowledge, dining in an idol’s temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be strengthened to eat things sacrificed to idols?
 
1 Corinthians 8:12
And so, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.
 
1 Corinthians 10:25
Eat anything that is sold in the meat market without asking questions for conscience’ sake;
 
1 Corinthians 10:27
If one of the unbelievers invites you and you want to go, eat anything that is set before you without asking questions for conscience’ sake.
 
1 Corinthians 10:28
But if anyone says to you, “This is meat sacrificed to idols,” do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for conscience’ sake;
 
1 Corinthians 10:29
I mean not your own conscience, but the other man’s; for why is my freedom judged by another’s conscience?
 
1 Timothy 1:19
keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith.
 
1 Timothy 4:2
by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron,
 
Hebrews 9:9
which is a symbol for the present time. Accordingly both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make the worshiper perfect in conscience,
 
Hebrews 9:14
how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
 
Hebrews 10:22
let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
 
Hebrews 13:18
Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things.
 
1 Peter 3:16
and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ will be put to shame.
 
1 Peter 3:21
Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
 
 
 
Acts 23:1
Paul, looking intently at the Council, said, “Brethren, I have lived my life with a perfectly good conscience before God up to this day.”
 
Acts 24:16
In view of this, I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men.
 
Romans 2:15
in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them,
 
Romans 9:1
I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit,
 
Romans 13:5
Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.
 
Romans 14:1
Now accept the one who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of passing judgment on his opinions.
 
2 Corinthians 1:12
For our proud confidence is this: the testimony of our conscience, that in holiness and godly sincerity, not in fleshly wisdom but in the grace of God, we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you.
 
2 Corinthians 4:2
but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God, but by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
 
1 Timothy 1:5
But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
 
1 Timothy 3:9
but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.
 
 
2 Timothy 1:3
I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience the way my forefathers did, as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day,
 
Titus 1:15
To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled.
 
 
1 Peter 2:19
For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly.
 
1 Samuel 24:5
It came about afterward that David’s conscience bothered him because he had cut off the edge of Saul’s robe.

Hello and greetings to everyone. For those that may not know me, my name is David Olthoff.
One day I was having lunch with Rusty when he asked me to speak about Romans 1.
In retrospect I am grateful because I was reminded how Romans had made a significant impact on my life.
You see, in Matt Tully’s basement a few years ago several of us sat down to study the book of Romans.  It was then I understood the power of the gospel.   
 

• In Romans, we learned that through our faith in Jesus, we are made right with God. 

Let’s ponder that statement for a brief moment.
If someone says to you “you are right with me”, what do they mean?
If you could choose anyone to say that to you, who would it be? (spouse, parents, kids, sports hero, the President?)
How about from God?
Romans teaches because of our faith, God looks us in the eye and says, “you are perfect with me”. How great is that? Can anyone be the same after knowing this?
 

• Romans also taught me that as believers, our eternal future is secure in Heaven.

In Romans we’ll learn that because of our faith in Jesus, we can be absolutely certain of our eternal future in Heaven. These promises give me great peace.
 
Throughout history the book of Romans has made a great impact on many others;

1. In the summer of 386 it made a great impact on St Augustine. (Augustine was a predominant theologian, philosopher and writer.) He knew his life of sin and rebellion against God left him empty and feeling dead; but he just couldn’t find the strength to make a final, real decision for Jesus Christ.

 
As he sat, he heard children playing a game in the distance. He thought he heard them chanting something like: “Take up and read! Take up and read!”
Thinking God had a message for him in the words of the children, he picked up a scroll laying nearby and began to read: “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires”. The story goes on to say he didn’t read any further at that time, he didn’t have to. Through the power of God’s Word in Romans, Augustine gained the faith to give his whole life to Jesus Christ at that moment.

1. The letter of Romans impacted Martin Luther also.

In August of 1513, Martin Luther’s inner life was nothing but turmoil. In his studies he came across Romans 1:17, which says, “the righteousness of God is revealed through faith”
Luther the monk went on to say: “Night and day I pondered until… I grasped the truth-that the righteousness of God given to us is through grace and sheer mercy and that God justifies us by faith”. He went on to say; “At that very moment I felt myself to be reborn and to have gone through open doors into paradise”. Martin Luther was born again, and the Reformation began in his heart.
 
Paul most likely wrote the book of Romans in the city of Corinth on his third missionary journey around 53-58 AD.
Back then traveling from place to place on foot could be treacherous so it is believed Paul wrote this letter so comprehensively that should something happen to him, the Romans would have the entire Gospel message.
 
In verse 1, Paul identifies himself first as a servant of Jesus Christ and secondly an apostle. 
John Wesley, an English cleric, theologian and evangelist once said; “A servant of Jesus Christ is a higher title than “monarch of the world”.
I like thinking about that statement. Because of our faith, we hold a bigger title than “ruler of the world”. That’s kind of cool and wonderful, isn’t it?
 
In verses 2-6
Paul speaks of God’s Son Jesus Christ as the center of the gospel.
In verse 2, he starts out by telling his readers the gospel story was first promised through the prophets. Paul wanted to make certain his readers understood this wasn’t his own new idea but something very old in the plan of God.
Verse 3, He mentions “our savior was born in the lineage of David according to the flesh”.  Old school Jews in the crowd certainly knew who David was and I’m sure that caught their attention.
Verse 4: (Jesus is) declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Holy Spirit, by the resurrection from the dead. 
Jesus had a human side being born into the world, but the proof of his deity is His resurrection from the dead.
 
Verse 5;
“Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith”
 
The gospel gave Paul and the church grace and apostleship, and those two gifts produced obedience to the faith.
 
A British theologian named Adam Clarke who lived in the 1700s stated; “Without the GRACE, favor, and help of the Holy Spirit, Paul could not have become an apostle.” I think this to be true. Before meeting Jesus on the road to Damascus, Paul was a Christian hater, right? Grace and Apostleship hit Paul straight between the eyes on the Damascus road. He became saved and his first words were very apostle like; “Lord, what do you want me to do?” (Acts 9:6).
 
Verse 8 
I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world:
 
In my readings, I learned Paul was thankful for the good reputation of the church in Rome. ALSO…Because of its location, this church had a special visibility and opportunity to glorify Jesus throughout the Empire. The Roman Empire brought world peace and order AND they brought an excellent transportation system to the world. Paul used all these advantages in spreading the Gospel.
 
Verse 15
Paul says in verse 15…”I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.”
 
Charles Spurgeon, an accomplished Baptist preacher of the 1800s admired Paul’s “I am ready” motto he carried with him.
Spurgeon states;
 
In addition to “being ready to preach” in verse 15,
 
· Paul was ready to suffer (Acts 21:13).
· Paul was ready to do unpleasant work (2 Corinthians 10:6).
· Paul was ready to die  (2 Timothy 4:6).
 
Paul was the “I am ready guy”.
 
In Verses 16-17…Paul introduces the theme of his letter: the righteousness of God.
16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God’s salvation plan for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”
Leon Morris, an Australian New Testament scholar said this of verse 16;
The gospel is certainly news, but it is more than information; it has an inherent power. “The gospel is not advice to people, suggesting that we lift-up ourselves. The Gospel is power. We don’t lift ourselves up with the truth. The Truth lifts us up.
 
Now the city of Rome thought it knew all about power: Power is the one thing that Rome boasted of the most. Greece might have its philosophy, but Rome had its power. Despite all their power, the Roman people were powerless to make themselves righteous before God…and they knew it!
 
The Romans of Paul’s day, even the proud Romans looked for salvation. Philosophers spoke of their broken condition in the meeting places all the time. They knew they were sick and needed help. For some in Rome, Paul’s message would be epic.
 
 
Verse 17: “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed.”
Simply put, the gospel reveals the righteousness of God.
Martin Luther said it was the happiest day in his life when he discovered the righteousness of God in Romans. Luther paraphrased the words; “God’s Righteousness” with “God’s verdict of righteousness upon the believer.” I like that.
 
John Murry, a Scottish theologian stated; “This declaration of righteousness is even greater when we understand that this is the righteousness of GOD, given to the believer. It is not the righteousness of even the most holy man. It is God’s righteousness, and we are given this through faith in Jesus.
 
 
Verse 18 (to the end of Romans chapter 1) Paul explains the guilt of the human race and the greatest peril facing the human race is the Wrath of God.  
I must confess, in the past I’ve secretly objected to the idea of the wrath of God because I used to equate it with human anger or revenge.
But the wrath of God here is not that way. The wrath of God is completely righteous in character.
 
Let me explain;
Paul speaks against Romans who were behaving very poorly AND refusing to acknowledge God.  
Sexual lust was rampant. Idol worship was popular and apathy toward God’s very existence was the worst of their sins.
But God expresses His wrath in a surprising way. (I’d think he’d just crush the revolt?) But no, He gave them over to their sinful desires which gave them the quality of life they deserved. Rotten living, anxiety, pain and all the rest.
God is perfect in His ways, amen?
 
In conclusion,
Today, I live in more peace because through my faith I have been made right with God and my eternal future in Heaven is secure.
It been years since I’ve woke up in the morning nervous with anxiety like I used to.
Today I thank God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit for bringing us the truth in book of Romans.

• The final issue out of the barrage of questions that Paul has to deal with in 1 Corinthians—quite possibly the final issue that the Corinthian church wrote to him about in the letter that he turns to in 7:1—has to do with a collection that Paul has embarked on, and that will occupy his attention for at least another couple of years, for a group of fellow believers in Jerusalem and in the province of Judaea surrounding it, that was necessitated by a severe drought leading to a considerable famine in the late 40s of the first century.
• It’s now the mid-50s, but there are still lingering effects, and in 2 Cor 8–9 Paul will discuss this collection in considerably greater detail.[1]

COLLECTION FOR THE JERUSALEM CHURCH
16 Now about the collection for the saints: Do the same as I instructed the Galatian churches. 2 On the first day of the week, each of you is to set something aside and save in keeping with how he is prospering, so that no collections will need to be made when I come.

• It seems unlikely that Paul is referring to a fixed percentage of their income; that would be an odd way of expressing it.
• Each person should give generously, even sacrificially, not to trade places with the poor but giving from their surplus but being ruthlessly honest about how much is surplus.[2]
• Everyone can give something and it is highly encouraged… we are not talking about Leavener specifically.
• Every group of people will have givers and takers.
• It is hard to do the opposite of what you are gifted to do.
• We just came out of holidays… gift exchange.
• You had to take.
• Cory bought our dinner last night.
• I take from you each week.
• The Cates had a new baby this week. Meal train.
• The Langmaacks are huge givers but are having to learn how to take.

3 When I arrive, I will send with letters those you recommend to carry your gift to Jerusalem. 4 If it is suitable for me to go as well, they will travel with me.

• “If you give enough that it’s clear you were generous, then I’ll accompany it. I don’t want to lose faith or look bad if the collection is a meager one.”
• We are never told in so many words that the money was handed over; we can only assume that it was.
• But there is conflict that arises when Paul is falsely alleged as having brought a Gentile into the portion of the temple precincts that they were not permitted to go into. (Acts 21)
• So, what began out of all the best motives in the world leads to a riot, leads to Paul being arrested to save his own life, leads to him addressing the crowds and then languishing in detention for several years after that.[3]

 
PAUL’S TRAVEL PLANS
5 I will come to you after I pass through Macedonia—for I will be traveling through Macedonia--6 and perhaps I will remain with you or even spend the winter, so that you may send me on my way wherever I go.

• Paul indicates his plans for the future but as we read ahead in Romans and 2 Corinthians we find out that it doesn’t always go as planned.

7 I don’t want to see you now just in passing, since I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord allows.

• Paul was willing to allow time to pass before he visits because he thought his letter needed time to circulate and for them to work on these issues he has written about.
• It would not make much sense to send this letter and then immediately follow up with a visit.

 8 But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, 9 because a wide door for effective ministry has opened for me—yet many oppose me.

• Verses 8–9 also indicate that there is much opposition in Ephesus, and it would be easy to think that Paul should have written (or that we should have translated) that he’ll remain in Ephesus until Pentecost, because there’s an open door for effective ministry or service, but there is much opposition.
• But he uses the word normally translated “and,” and I see no reason to change that here.[4]
• That is a good reason to stay in one place when you have both acceptance and opposition.
• If you have one or another it is probably a sign that Paul needs to move on to another region.

10 If Timothy comes, see that he has nothing to fear while with you, because he is doing the Lord’s work, just as I am. 11 So let no one look down on him. Send him on his way in peace so that he can come to me, because I am expecting him with the brothers.

• Timothy is Paul’s young disciple.
• Paul gives Timothy accreditation here.
• Stamp of approval
• Paul depends on encouragement from Timothy by listening not only to his ministry but also how well the Church is doing.

12 Now about our brother Apollos: I strongly urged him to come to you with the brothers, but he was not at all willing to come now. However, he will come when he has an opportunity.

• There is no indication of why Apollos would not go to Corinth other than he understood the conflict of having multiple teachers.
• Remember the “some followed Paul and some followed Apollos” issue.

 
FINAL EXHORTATION
13 Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong. 14 Do everything in love.

• Constantly, we say. “Stay focused” as we depart ways with one another.
• “Stay focused” on what? – Jesus
• We know that the evil one is constantly putting negative thoughts into our head and we have to know the difference between them and the Truth.
• Paul is literally just saying “BE”

15 Brothers and sisters, you know the household of Stephanas: They are the firstfruits of Achaia and have devoted themselves to serving the saints. I urge you 16 also to submit to such people, and to everyone who works and labors with them. 17 I am delighted to have Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus present, because these men have made up for your absence. 18 For they have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore, recognize such people.

• Respectfully submit to those you recognize as spiritual leaders.
• There was not a “Bible” at this time for everyone to filter messages through.
• But there were proven messengers, teachers and role models of the faith that were highly respected.
• Paul encouraged the Church at Corinth to pattern their lives after these leaders.
• Why did Paul want to be around these men?
• Because they were encouragers in the faith.

 
CONCLUSION
19 The churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla send you greetings warmly in the Lord, along with the church that meets in their home. 20 All the brothers and sisters send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

• And in our sexually charged world, we need to stress that this was a warm and affectionate greeting on one or both cheeks—not any erotic or sexual context involved with it.
• We need to look for equivalents in today’s world; and if that’s not it, then an appropriate kind of hug, a warm handshake, or some other culturally appropriate greeting may be the way to go.[5]
• In a pandemic, it is more of a wave, knuckles or elbow bump.
• “Greet” is the key word rather than kiss.
• Some might say “holy” is the key word because it is what we are choosing to recognize between the two believers.
• Being in one another’s presence is huge!
• Michelle’s drive by parade was just a few seconds but something she will remember the rest of her life.
• Just bring in the presence of one another is a big deal.

21 This greeting is in my own hand—Paul.

• We believe that Luke penned the letter for Paul because he had issues with his eyes.
• But Paul at least signed the letter at the end.

22 If anyone does not love the Lord, a curse be on him.

• It would not have been politically incorrect—there was no political correctness in Paul’s world—but it still would have had a certain shock value, and Paul would have known that.
• It’s a way of stressing how serious this matter is and not one that’s given directly to the enemies of God, outside of the church, but to those inside the church professing to be believers: “Make sure you are loving God!”[6]
• I don’t believe Paul is wishing or placing a curse on the nonbeliever.
• I think Paul’s understanding is that one who rejects the Gospel has a curse on their life.

Our Lord, come!

• Marantha

23 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.

• Let grace permeate among you!
• Let grace be the aroma that surrounds you.

24 My love be with all of you in Christ Jesus.[7]

• Paul literally is telling his reader that he loves them.
• Are you one of his readers? Yes! Paul loves you!
• What a great way to end the letter.

 

• This letter is sent to Corinth by Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus.
• Paul gets to see Timothy and then send Timothy to Corinth.
• Nero lifts the ban on Jews and allows them to return to Rome.
• Paul hears of this and send Aquila and Priscilla to Rome.
• Paul wants to establish a gentile church in the Eternal City before the Jews start trickling back into Rome.
• Delegates to the Church in Rome:
•  - Aquila and Priscilla from Ephesus
•  - Phoebe from Cenchrea
•  - Rufus from Syrian Antioch
•  - Andronicus and Junias from Jerusalem
•  - Urbanus from Macedonia
•  - Apelles from Asia Minor

 
Sharpening the Focus: First-century Rome is a cosmopolitan city—the melting pot of the entire world.

• It is the Roman Empire in microcosm with representatives of every race, ethnic group, social status, and religion.
• The city is a perfect square—about two and one-half miles by two and one-half miles (many of the poor are densely populated outside the city walls).
• Rome sits on seven hills and contains fourteen districts. The city has 1,790 palaces and 46,602 tenement apartments (called insulas).
• The population is about one million.
• Citizens range from the miserably poor to the lavishly rich.
• Half the population is made up of slaves, making it the “slave capital of the world.” Many of the freedmen live in horrible poverty.
• The Roman poet Juvenal (A.D. 110) described Rome as a filthy sewer into which flowed every abominable dreg.
• The Stoic philosopher Seneca (A.D. 55) spoke of Rome as a cesspool of iniquity.
• The Jewish population is large and free, sitting around 40,000-60,000. Jews are spread all over the city, but most of them live in a pocket of the city called the Trastevere area.
• Rome has about a dozen synagogues. All but the rich (excluding the homeless) live in insulas. Most insulas are seven stories high, covering an entire block.
• Heat and light are very inadequate. The first floor is used for shops. The second floor is very expensive. The poor live on the third floor or above. The third-floor rooms are very tiny. They do not have running water. They are also poorly built and sometimes collapse, killing the tenants inside.
• The insulas are made mostly of timber, so they are a fire hazard in the dry season.
• The city is extremely crowded with densely packed apartments. It is also unbearably noisy. From dawn to dusk, there is constant babbling in the streets and from the apartments.
• It is hard to sleep because of the racket. There is no public transportation and no street lighting (these things will not appear in Rome until the fourth century).
• While the main concourses of the city are attractive, the back streets are dirty, unlighted, pitiful, and smelly.
• They are littered with garbage and covered with flies. The garbage is never removed. The residents must await a heavy downpour to flush it into the Tiber River.
• In the pits along the sideways you can see the bodies of the poor who could not afford burials.

If you are poor, Rome is the worst place to live on planet Earth.[8]

[1] Blomberg, C. L. (2017). NT334 Book Study: Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[2] Blomberg, C. L. (2017). NT334 Book Study: Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[3] Blomberg, C. L. (2017). NT334 Book Study: Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[4] Blomberg, C. L. (2017). NT334 Book Study: Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[5] Blomberg, C. L. (2017). NT334 Book Study: Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[6] Blomberg, C. L. (2017). NT334 Book Study: Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[7] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (1 Co 16:1-24). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[8] Viola, Frank. The Untold Story of the New Testament Church. Destiny Image Publishers, Inc, 2004. PP 121-122.

• Do you even realize you are saying it?

Ever since…

• The preposition “since” is used to refer back to a previous point in time: “It's been weeks since I got a hug from you.” 

• “Ever since” is used when you want to emphasize that something has been true from "from that time to this".
• Our friend, Anna McCord, turns 100 years old on April 24…
• And Rachel Di Salvo will turn 18 on the same day.
• But there is a vast difference when Anna McCord says “Ever since I…” then when Rachel Di Salvo says, “Ever since I…”.
• There is a lot more “Ever since” in Anna’s life than there is in all our lives.

Think about 9/11…

• Ever since 9/11, it ushered in a new generation of policies like the USA Patriot Act, prioritizing national security and defense, often at the expense of civil liberties.
• Ever since 9/11, our military involvement in Afghanistan, which continues today, has turned into the longest-running war in U.S. history.
• Ever since 9/11, we have the Department of Homeland Security.
• Ever since 9/11, airport security underwent a series of major overhauls. And a service that was once largely provided by private companies is now primarily overseen by the massive Transportation Security Administration known as TSA.
• Not so long ago, it wasn't unusual to show up at the airport a half-hour before a domestic flight, keep your shoes tied tight, and skip through the metal detector while sipping a Big Gulp, all without ever having to show an ID.
• Ever since 9/11, we are under constant surveillance and additional security checks as we enter government buildings, public attractions and sporting events.
• We are limited to what we can even carry into events.

Times have changed we don’t even think about it as we ease into our new norm.
We complained about each change as it was implemented but then we quickly fell into compliance.
Think about Anna’s “Ever since…”

• Anna was 5 months old, women gained rights.
• The Great Depression of 1930’s
• The Holocaust, WWII and Pearl Harbor
• The 1st man in space in 1961
• The Civil Rights Act in 1964
• Crack Cocaine in 1977
• AIDS in 1980
• The OKC Bombing in 1995
• Columbine Shooting in 1999
• Television, Elvis Presley, the Beatles, the microwave oven, the cell phone, the smartphone, etc.

Now… today… Ever since the Corona Virus…

• What is going to change?
• Masks?
• Hygiene?
• Cleanliness in public places?
• Working from home?
• We have no idea how this is going to impact our future

But think back with me… what if you were a Jew during the time of Jesus’ ministry?

• Ever since Jesus came along… things changed.

I was reading out of Neb Hayden’s devotional book (Walking with a Limp) this week…
Do you realize… Ever since eternity past that God & Jesus determined the exact moment that He would not only be born earth but also die on earth?

• This is why the prophets were able to talk about it years in advance of its happening.
• Yes, Jesus was born to die!
• Jesus knew it… John the Baptist knew it.
• His disciples didn’t know it.
• They thought death should be avoided at all cost.
• Jesus kept telling the disciples He was going to die and Peter kept objecting.
• Peter wanted to change what God and Jesus had already determined in eternity past.
• The disciples saw Jesus’ death as a failure where as God & Jesus saw it as a victory!
• Think about this… the Jewish leaders wanted to kill Jesus so they personally could remain in power.
• But God and Jesus were wanting Him to die for a completely different purpose.
• People may say Jesus dying on the cross as “close, but no cigar” but this story is what God had always planned as a gift to you!
• A man… born to die!

This story is found in:
        Matthew 28:1-20
        Mark 16:1-13
        Luke 24:1-35
        John 20:1-18
        I Corinthians 15:5
 

• The goal of the four Gospel writers was to give evidence for the resurrection rather than give a detailed history of the events surrounding it.
• What is clear is that Jesus was raised – all else is secondary.

 
Matthew 28:1-4 - 1 Dawn was breaking on the first day of the week; the sabbath was over. Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, had come to look at the tomb, 2 when suddenly there was a great earthquake. An angel of the Lord came down from heaven. He came to the stone, rolled it away, and sat down on top of it. 3 Looking at him was like looking at lightning, and his clothes were white, like snow. 4 The guards trembled with terror at him, and became like corpses themselves. [1]

• Sabbath ended at sundown on Saturday.
• Mary Magdalene (Mark 15:40)
• Mary, the mother of James & Joseph (Matt 27:55-56)
• Salome, the mother of James & John (sons of Zebedee)
• Mark 16:1 – Spices were bought after sundown.
• These spices would be in addition to what already had been used or purchased.
• Joseph of Arimathea & Nicodemus were the ones who quickly wrapped and anointed Jesus on Friday to get him inside the tomb before sundown.
• Mark 16:2 – They traveled to the tomb at sunrise (yet it was still dark according to John).
• 1) A great earthquake took place
• 2) An angel whose appearance was like lightning and garment was white as snow, rolled away the stone and sat on it.
• 3) Romans soldiers were watching began to shake and then passed out as if they were dead.
• The angel is the one who broke the seal and the penalty for that was death… good luck with that one.

 
John 20:1-2 - 1 On the first day of the week, very early, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb while it was still dark.
She saw that the stone had been rolled away from the tomb. 2 So she ran off, and went to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, the one Jesus loved.
‘They’ve taken the master out of the tomb!’ she said. ‘We don’t know where they’ve put him!’ [2]

• Mary Magdalene came to the tomb first, while it was still dark.
• She did not see the two angels because she left so quickly to tell Peter & the disciples.

 
Mark 16:3-5 - 3 They were saying to one another, ‘There’s that stone at the door of the tomb—who’s going to roll it away for us?’
4 Then, when they looked up, they saw that it had been rolled away. (It was extremely large.)
5 So they went into the tomb, and there they saw a young man sitting on the right-hand side. He was wearing white. They were totally astonished. [3]

• Luke 24 says there were 2 men in dazzling clothes.
• The other women arrived after Mary Magdalene had left.

 
Matthew 28:5 - 5‘Don’t be afraid,’ said the angel to the women. ‘I know you’re looking for Jesus, who was crucified.[4]
 
Luke 24:5-8 - 5 The women were terrified, and bowed their faces towards the ground.
But the men said to them, ‘Why look for the living with the dead? 6 He isn’t here—he’s been raised! Don’t you remember? While you were still in Galilee he told you that 7 the son of man must be handed over into the hands of sinners, and be crucified, and rise again on the third day.’
8 And they remembered his words. [5]
 

• Imagine what they must have thought standing there holding anointing oils/perfumes when they realized what Jesus had said was now truth.

 
Mark 16:8 - 8 They went out, and fled from the tomb. Trembling and panic had seized them. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid. [6]
 
John 20:2-10 - 2 So she ran off, and went to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, the one Jesus loved.
‘They’ve taken the master out of the tomb!’ she said. ‘We don’t know where they’ve put him!’
3 So Peter and the other disciple set off and went to the tomb. 4 Both of them ran together. The other disciple ran faster than Peter, and got to the tomb first. 5 He stooped down and saw the linen cloths lying there, but he didn’t go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came up, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, 7 and the napkin that had been around his head, not lying with the other cloths, but folded up in a place by itself.
8 Then the other disciple, who had arrived first at the tomb, went into the tomb as well. He saw, and he believed. 9 They did not yet know, you see, that the Bible had said he must rise again from the dead.
10 Then the disciples returned to their homes. [7]

• Mary Magdalene was reporting to Peter & John that Jesus’ body had been stolen.
• John made sure it was recorded that he outran Peter.

 
Luke 24:9-11 - 9 They went back, away from the tomb, and told all this to the eleven and all the others. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and the others with them. They said this to the apostles; 11 and this message seemed to them just stupid, useless talk, and they didn’t believe them. [8]

• Mary Magdalene had already been there but all she saw was that the stone had been moved.
• Mary & Salome told the “rest of the disciples.” Peter & John had already ran to the tomb at this point.
• Remember, after Gethsemane, all the disciples had been scattered.
• Mary & Salome were reporting that Jesus’ body had been resurrected according to what the angel had told them.

 
John 20:11-18 - 11 But Mary stood outside the tomb, crying. As she wept, she stooped down to look into the tomb. 12 There she saw two angels, clothed in white, one at the head and one at the feet of where Jesus’ body had been lying.
13‘Woman,’ they said to her, ‘why are you crying?’
‘They’ve taken away my master,’ she said, ‘and I don’t know where they’ve put him!’
14 As she said this she turned round, and saw Jesus standing there. She didn’t know it was Jesus.
15‘Woman,’ Jesus said to her, ‘why are you crying? Who are you looking for?’
She guessed he must be the gardener.
‘Sir,’ she said, ‘if you’ve carried him off somewhere, tell me where you’ve put him, and I will take him away.’
16‘Mary!’ said Jesus.
She turned and spoke in Aramaic.
‘Rabbouni!’ she said (which means ‘Teacher’).
17 ‘Don’t cling to me,’ said Jesus. ‘I haven’t yet gone up to the father. But go to my brothers and say to them, “I’m going up to my father and your father—to my God and your God.”’
18 Mary Magdalene went and told the disciples, ‘I’ve seen the master!’ and that he had said these things to her. [9]

• When Jesus called her by name… she knew immediately.
• “Don’t cling to me” – It was not about Mary touching Him because he lets Thomas later.
• Jesus wanted others to see that He had resurrected.
• The oral law placed many restrictions on what a woman could say in a court of law.
• Testimony from a woman first would have been rejected.
• If this was a hoax by the disciples, they wouldn’t have Jesus appear to a woman first.

 
Matthew 28:9-10 - 9 Suddenly, there was Jesus himself. He met them and said, ‘Greetings!’ They came up to him and took hold of his feet, prostrating themselves in front of him. 10 ‘Don’t be afraid,’ said Jesus to them. ‘Go and tell my brothers that they should go to Galilee. Tell them they’ll see me there.’ [10]

• This appearance was to other women.
• This is the third time the disciples had been told to meet Jesus in Galilee.
• They remained in Jerusalem in disbelief.

 
Matthew 28:11-15 - 11 While the women were on their way, some of the soldiers who had been on guard went into the city and told the chief priests everything that had happened. 12 They called an emergency meeting with the elders, allotted a substantial sum of money, and gave it to the soldiers.
13‘This’, they told them, ‘is what you are to say: “His disciples came in the night, while we were asleep, and stole him away.” 14 And if this gets reported to the governor, we’ll explain it to him and make sure you stay out of trouble.’
15 They took the money and did as they had been instructed. And this story still goes the rounds among the Jews to this day. [11]

• They knew if Pilate found out the seal was broken they would be killed.
• Imagine telling Pilate you were sleeping on duty.
• How could the guards know who stole Jesus’ body if they were sleeping.

 
I Corinthians 15:5 - 5 he was seen by Cephas, then by the Twelve; [12]

• Not reported in the Scripture but is alluded to here.
• Obviously Peter’s denials were forgiven and forgotten by Him.
• He went to Peter first.

 
Matthew 28:16-20 – 16 So the eleven disciples went off to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had instructed them to go. 17 There they saw him, and worshipped him, though some hesitated.
18 Jesus came towards them and addressed them.
‘All authority in heaven and on earth’, he said, ‘has been given to me! 19So you must go and make all the nations into disciples. Baptize them in the name of the father, and of the son, and of the holy spirit. 20Teach them to observe everything I have commanded you. And look: I am with you, every single day, to the very end of the age.’[13]
 
Ever since Jesus was resurrected…
 
Basics of the Exchanged Life

1. Old Covenant became obsolete and the New Covenant was established.
2. New nature is in sin nature is out.
3. Forgiveness is complete at the point of salvation
4. Sanctification is both past tense & present tense.
5. Jesus lives through you
6. You have the mind of Christ
7. Adversity leads to perseverance, perseverance proven character, proven character hope that doesn't fail

Ever since…
Romans 8:11 - 11 So, then, if the spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead lives within you, the one who raised the Messiah from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies, too, through his spirit who lives within you. [14]
 
REESE PRAY!!!!

[1] Goldingay, J., & Wright, T. (2018). The Bible for Everyone: A New Translation (Mt 28:1–4). London: SPCK.
[2] Goldingay, J., & Wright, T. (2018). The Bible for Everyone: A New Translation (Jn 20:1–2). London: SPCK.
[3] Goldingay, J., & Wright, T. (2018). The Bible for Everyone: A New Translation (Mk 16:3–5). London: SPCK.
[4] Goldingay, J., & Wright, T. (2018). The Bible for Everyone: A New Translation (Mt 28:5). London: SPCK.
[5] Goldingay, J., & Wright, T. (2018). The Bible for Everyone: A New Translation (Lk 24:5–8). London: SPCK.
[6] Goldingay, J., & Wright, T. (2018). The Bible for Everyone: A New Translation (Mk 16:8). London: SPCK.
[7] Goldingay, J., & Wright, T. (2018). The Bible for Everyone: A New Translation (Jn 20:2–10). London: SPCK.
[8] Goldingay, J., & Wright, T. (2018). The Bible for Everyone: A New Translation (Lk 24:9–11). London: SPCK.
[9] Goldingay, J., & Wright, T. (2018). The Bible for Everyone: A New Translation (Jn 20:11–18). London: SPCK.
[10] Goldingay, J., & Wright, T. (2018). The Bible for Everyone: A New Translation (Mt 28:9-10). London: SPCK.
[11] Goldingay, J., & Wright, T. (2018). The Bible for Everyone: A New Translation (Mt 28:11–15). London: SPCK.
[12] Goldingay, J., & Wright, T. (2018). The Bible for Everyone: A New Translation (1 Co 15:5). London: SPCK.
[13] Goldingay, J., & Wright, T. (2018). The Bible for Everyone: A New Translation (Mt 28:16–Mk). London: SPCK.
[14] Goldingay, J., & Wright, T. (2018). The Bible for Everyone: A New Translation (Ro 8:11). London: SPCK.

Romans 7:17 - So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.

Romans 7:20 - But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.

Romans 8:1 -   Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:8 - ​Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.