Wednesday's Lesson - Called to Be "Saints"

Here is Paul's salutation to the church in Rome. "To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom. 1:7). What principles of truth, of theology, of faith, can we take away from his words here?

From the beginning we see that the salutation of this passage address the readers as beloved of God. Truly God has love toward the people of Rome and humanity as a whole. As we reach out to others we must minister from the understanding that God loves them. We must develop this type a supernatural love which only comes from God.

We also see that the passage says called to be saints. As Christians we are called to be holy for God. The process of sanctification is the way by which we are made saints. The become a Saint through the process of sanctification is simply becoming more and more like Jesus.

Paul says that they were "called to be saints." Does this mean that some people are not called? How does Ephesians 1:4, Hebrews 2:9, and 2 Peter 3:9 help us understand what Paul means

This does not mean that there are some who are not called. This is something that God wants for all of humanity. From the passages we understand that God desires that all should be saved and that none should be lost. Because God desires the salvation of all humanity this means that he desires the sanctification of all humanity. Salvation of all humanity is the call for all humanity to sainthood.

Think about it: Even before the foundation of the world, God called you to have salvation in Him. Why should you not allow anything, anything at all, to hold you back from heeding that call?

We must not let the things of earth overshadow what God has prepared for us. The Devil is just about smoke and mirrors , but God does is the sure thing.

Prayer: Father thank you the great and high calling of holiness. Help us to progress toward a more Christ like character day by day. Teach us to love humanity as you have loved humanity. Thank you in Jesus name amen.

Tuesday's Lesson - Paul Reaches Rome

"But when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard; but Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him" (Acts 28:16, NKJV). What does this text tell us about how Paul finally got to Rome? What lesson can we draw from this for ourselves about the unexpected and unwanted things that so often come our way?

This passage reveals that Paul finally made it to Rome. He made it to Rome as a prisoner.Though Paul did not make it to Rome under the best circumstances it allowed him to fulfill His mission to the gentiles.

When we pray prayers we must not stereotype the way In which God will answer our prayers. Most certainly this was an unwanted situation but God was able to use this unwanted situation to accomplish spreading His gospel to the gentiles.

We too must stop pray and ask for wisdom to understand our trials in light of what God is trying to do for us and His kingdom. James tells us to "2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him."(James 1:2-3.) James is specifically asking about wisdom to understand trials.

What do the following texts tell us about Paul's time in Rome? More important, what lesson can we learn from them? Acts 28:17–31.

When Paul began in Rome He found that he was given a difficult time. The roman government found no reason to keep Paul in prison so he was released. On the other hand Paul's own people found fault with him because he was not officially commissioned them.

Paul reported to them, and had to opportunity to share when them the message of Jesus. Some believed and some din not. Afterwards Paul preached in that area for two years unhindered.

Paul's start in Rome was initially difficult but ad things unfolded God opened up opportunities for him to minister there unhindered. We must also learn to persevere in the mission that God has called us to.

How many times have you experienced unexpected twists in your life that, in the end, turned out for good? (See Phil. 1:12.) How can, and should, those experiences give you faith to trust God for the things where no good seems to have arisen?

The thing I like about God is that He is creative. He knows how to take seemingly hopeless situations and turn them around for Good. When we trust God and stand still and see his salvation we will have peace in any situation. During trials it is often difficult to believe, but we must look past the present to God's consistent loving interaction with us.

Prayer: Father thank you for the trials you bring our way. Help us to trust you that all things will work together for the good. Encourage us when all seems lost to securely fasten our trust in you. Thank you in Jesus name Amen.

Monday's Lesson - Personal Touch




Read Romans 15:20–27. What reasons does Paul give for not having visited Rome earlier? What made him decide to come when he did? How central was mission to him in his reasoning? What can we learn about mission and witnessing from Paul's words here? What interesting—and important—point does Paul make in verse 27 about Jews and Gentiles

Paul wants to work where no other man has worked before. He believes that this is the mission that God has called him to do. The text tells us that because of this he was prevented from coming.

From Paul's words we learn that mission was central to the reason why he was going to Rome. He realized that there was an area which was being neglected and that he could fill the need in that area. From Paul we learn that we must be motivated by mission.

We must understand what our unique Mission is to the world and be attentive to opportunities to execute this mission. Paul understood that His specific Mission was to reach the unreached.

Paul also makes a note in verse 27 that if the Gentiles were partakers in the Spiritual blessings they should also share their physical blessings.

What important principle can we take away for ourselves on the whole question of mission from the fact that Paul sought help from an established church in order to evangelize a new area.

The actions of Paul in this passage help us to understand that the Church is a movement. As congregations are formed and established the Mission of these congregations should be to multiply and produce other Churches.The established Church can utilize it's various resources to help grow and develop other churches.

Read again the verses in Romans 15:20–27. Notice how much Paul wanted to serve; that is, his great desire was to minister and to serve. What motivates you and your actions? How much of a heart of service do you have?

I feel that life is most fulfilling when it is lived for others. I am motivated to help people anyway that I can.

Prayer: Father thank you for what we have learned about mission and witnessing from Paul. Please help us to understand what is the specific mission that you have called us to. Fills us with hearts of love and service towards one another. Thank you in Jesus name amen.

Sunday's Lesson - Date & Place

What other important churches had Paul visited on his third missionary journey? Acts 18:23

This passage tells us the Paul also Paul passed through the Galatian region and Phrygia.

What kinds of issues are agitating your church at present? Are the threats more from without or from within? What role are you playing in these debates? How often have you stopped to question your role, your position, and your attitudes in whatever struggles you're facing? Why is this kind of self-examination so important?

Currently in the church there is a gap between the people and the Church. The church in most places is set in a historical mode which refuses to move with the change of times. This is not an entirely universal problem in my opinion but one which is generally found to be true.

I believe that this is an internal threat. We have reached a state of comfortability which will cause us to implode ourselves unless something changes. In this matter I feel that I am helping by opening up dialog for newer methods.

When the church is faced with problem , our local church or our church as a whole we must think how can we help? If we do not ponder the question of how can we help we simply become agitators of the wound of our churches deficiencies. We must move from complainers and naysayers to those who execute plans of action to improve our churches situation.

Prayer: As we study the book of Romans help us Father to understand what the lesson is for each of us. Help us to become suppliers of solutions rather than just identifiers of problems. Thank you In Jesus amen.