SCRIPTURE: Romans 13 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” [Matthew 22:21] The religious leaders are trying to trap Jesus into speaking against Rome so that He can be arrested. Jesus’ answer is more than a clever evasion, it is a profound truth. We live in two realities: this world as…
in view of God’s mercy
SCRIPTURE: Romans 12 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: “Jesus asked her, ‘Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?’ ‘No one, sir,’ she said. ‘Then neither do I condemn you,’ Jesus declared. ‘Go now and leave your life of sin.’” [John 8:11] Notice that Jesus does not tell her first to stop sinning, then He will not condemn her; rather,…
has the gospel touched me?
“If your gospel isn’t touching others, it hasn’t touched you.” (Curry R. Blake) What is my gospel (message of good news to the world)? If God’s forgiveness does not make me forgiving, have I really accepted God’s forgiveness? If God’s mercy does not make me merciful, have I really appreciated God’s mercy? If God’s generosity…
for ALL people (including the Jews)
SCRIPTURE: Romans 11 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: “At that time Jesus said, ‘I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.’” [Matthew 11:25] Apparently God chooses to bypass the proud and work with the humble and lowly. At one time, this is what…
too proud to believe?
SCRIPTURE: Romans 10 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.” [Matthew 23:37] Can you sense the pain and sorrow in Jesus’ heart? Paul shares this…
chosen for a purpose
SCRIPTURE: Romans 9 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit–fruit that will last.” [John 15:16] God does what He does for a purpose. Why does God seem to choose the least likely, and overlook the ones who expect to be favoured? Why did Jesus bypass the…
nothing, no one, nada!
SCRIPTURE: Romans 8 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.” [John 10:28-29] According to Jesus, we are totally secure. No matter what….
the new me, set free
SCRIPTURE: Romans 7 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Jesus pointed out that in order to change the fruit of a tree, you have to change the tree: “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.” [Matthew 12:33]. As long a…
set free from sin
SCRIPTURE: Romans 6 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” [John 8:34-36] Am I a slave to sin, or…
a new identity!
SCRIPTURE: Romans 5 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: We have peace with God. Jesus removes the barriers between God and us, and removes the label “condemned” from over us. No condemnation, as far as God is concerned. He does not label us as no-good sinners, but as fully restored, fully loved children. Sure there is still “stuff” in our lives…