Living and Dying (Romans 11 and 12)

In Romans 9 and 10, Apostle Paul goes into deep detail about the choosing of His Children, both Jews and Gentiles. He talks about our sins, and God's grace. He continues in this trend through Chapter 11.

Tonight we will cover two chapters. We will read through Chapter 11 together, reflecting on the choice of Christ, and then move into Chapter 12 to discuss the call of Christ. I must say that Chapter 12 is my favorite Chapter in Romans, and one of my favorite Chapters in the entire Bible. It's a good one, so hold on!

Romans 11

1 I ask, then, has God rejected his own people, the nation of Israel? Of course not! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham and a member of the tribe of Benjamin.


2 No, God has not rejected his own people, whom he chose from the very beginning. Do you realize what the Scriptures say about this? Elijah the prophet complained to God about the people of Israel and said,3 "LORD, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too."*


4 And do you remember God's reply? He said, "No, I have 7,000 others who have never bowed down to Baal!"*


5 It is the same today, for a few of the people of Israel* have remained faithful because of God's grace—his undeserved kindness in choosing them.6 And since it is through God's kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God's grace would not be what it really is—free and undeserved.


7 So this is the situation: Most of the people of Israel have not found the favor of God they are looking for so earnestly. A few have—the ones God has chosen—but the hearts of the rest were hardened.8 As the Scriptures say,






"God has put them into a deep sleep.


To this day he has shut their eyes so they do not see,


and closed their ears so they do not hear."*






9 Likewise, David said,






"Let their bountiful table become a snare,


a trap that makes them think all is well.


Let their blessings cause them to stumble,


and let them get what they deserve.


10 Let their eyes go blind so they cannot see,


and let their backs be bent forever."*






11 Did God's people stumble and fall beyond recovery? Of course not! They were disobedient, so God made salvation available to the Gentiles. But he wanted his own people to become jealous and claim it for themselves.12 Now if the Gentiles were enriched because the people of Israel turned down God's offer of salvation, think how much greater a blessing the world will share when they finally accept it.


13 I am saying all this especially for you Gentiles. God has appointed me as the apostle to the Gentiles. I stress this,14 for I want somehow to make the people of Israel jealous of what you Gentiles have, so I might save some of them.15 For since their rejection meant that God offered salvation to the rest of the world, their acceptance will be even more wonderful. It will be life for those who were dead!16 And since Abraham and the other patriarchs were holy, their descendants will also be holy—just as the entire batch of dough is holy because the portion given as an offering is holy. For if the roots of the tree are holy, the branches will be, too.


17 But some of these branches from Abraham's tree—some of the people of Israel—have been broken off. And you Gentiles, who were branches from a wild olive tree, have been grafted in. So now you also receive the blessing God has promised Abraham and his children, sharing in the rich nourishment from the root of God's special olive tree.18 But you must not brag about being grafted in to replace the branches that were broken off. You are just a branch, not the root.


19 "Well," you may say, "those branches were broken off to make room for me."20 Yes, but remember—those branches were broken off because they didn't believe in Christ, and you are there because you do believe. So don't think highly of yourself, but fear what could happen.21 For if God did not spare the original branches, he won't* spare you either.


22 Notice how God is both kind and severe. He is severe toward those who disobeyed, but kind to you if you continue to trust in his kindness. But if you stop trusting, you also will be cut off.23 And if the people of Israel turn from their unbelief, they will be grafted in again, for God has the power to graft them back into the tree.24 You, by nature, were a branch cut from a wild olive tree. So if God was willing to do something contrary to nature by grafting you into his cultivated tree, he will be far more eager to graft the original branches back into the tree where they belong.






25 I want you to understand this mystery, dear brothers and sisters,* so that you will not feel proud about yourselves. Some of the people of Israel have hard hearts, but this will last only until the full number of Gentiles comes to Christ.26 And so all Israel will be saved. As the Scriptures say,






"The one who rescues will come from Jerusalem,*


and he will turn Israel* away from ungodliness.


27 And this is my covenant with them,


that I will take away their sins."*






28 Many of the people of Israel are now enemies of the Good News, and this benefits you Gentiles. Yet they are still the people he loves because he chose their ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.29 For God's gifts and his call can never be withdrawn.30 Once, you Gentiles were rebels against God, but when the people of Israel rebelled against him, God was merciful to you instead.31 Now they are the rebels, and God's mercy has come to you so that they, too, will share* in God's mercy.32 For God has imprisoned everyone in disobedience so he could have mercy on everyone.


33 Oh, how great are God's riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!






34 For who can know the LORD's thoughts?


Who knows enough to give him advice?*


35 And who has given him so much


that he needs to pay it back?*



36 For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.


Boast in nothing but Jesus. He is King and His grace is clear. We are not worthy, no matter who your family is. Don't look at denomination, or earthly preferences. Look to Jesus.

Romans 12

1 And so, dear brothers and sisters,* I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.*2 Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.


3 Because of the privilege and authority* God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don't think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.*4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function,5 so it is with Christ's body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.


6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you.7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well.8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.


9 Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good.10 Love each other with genuine affection,* and take delight in honoring each other.11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.*12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.13 When God's people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.


14 Bless those who persecute you. Don't curse them; pray that God will bless them.15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.16 Live in harmony with each other. Don't be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don't think you know it all!


17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable.18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.


19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,






"I will take revenge;


I will pay them back,"*


says the LORD.






20 Instead,






"If your enemies are hungry, feed them.


If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.


In doing this, you will heap


burning coals of shame on their heads."*






21 Don't let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.



I absolutely love this Chapter. I am in love with it because it is frank. I am in love with it because it is honest and doesn’t hold back. But, I am also in love with this Chapter because it is full of grace. I find my heart beating faster and faster due to the eloquence that Paul exhibits as he writes this letter of declaration and truth.



In this chapter, we see what we are called to be. We are called to worship. We are called to be humble. We are called to use what God has given us. We are called to love others and be patient with them. We are commanded to forgive. And, finally, we are called to live VICTORIOUSLY! How about that?





Called to Be…

To start off Chapter 12, Paul tells us that we are to do a whole lot more than just exist. Paul pleads with us to give our lives as a sacrifice. A living one at that…



Basically, Paul says that we are called to give up our rights. In our country, we have rights. With the constitution, and etc., we are given freedoms. In our Christianity, we are called to give these rights to Christ. We are to be crucified with Christ.



To follow Jesus, is to do what Jesus does. Well, Jesus was a living sacrifice to the Father. We find Him in the garden on Gethsemane, praying that God’s will be done over His own. We find Him being obedient as He is beaten beyond recognition. And, we see the Lord of Lords, and the King of Kings, being a living sacrifice as He dies. Even in his death He remained what The Father called Him to be.



We are to have the same life as the man we follow. We are submit our every desire to the cross as we shout, “Your will be done”, to the Father. We have been called to throw out every plan of man, and pick up our lives to follow Jesus. This means we go to school where Jesus wants us to attend. We work the job that Jesus wants us to work. We marry who Jesus wants us to marry. The call of Christ is to crucify our every right, so that we may have the freedom of Christ. And when we do this, we become the most blessed people on earth.



Acceptable? Paul writes that being a living sacrifice is the only thing that God sees as acceptable. Heart Check: Have you submitted your life to Jesus? Are you taking the steps that Jesus wants you to take? Or, do you find yourself in a self consumed world? I can tell you, submitting to God’s will is not comfortable, but it’s worth it. There is such a peace. Do you have peace about the future? Do you have a peace about the now? Oh, and by the way, you may not understand why God is telling you to do something. Good news: God isn’t calling you to understand, but to obey.



We are called to be a living sacrifice.



Called to Worship

Everything that we do is an act of worship. But, who are we worshiping? If we are anything but a living sacrifice to Christ, then we are not worshiping Jesus.



To follow the commands, and to walk every step in the Spirit, is true worship. We see this as Jesus speaks with the women at the well in John 4.



We are to rise and worship in Spirit and in Truth. Look at your life. Look at who you hangout with. Look at the music that you listen to. Look at the TV shows that you watch. These are all acts of worship. Who are you worshiping?



Called to Humbleness

When asked what a great characteristic of Jesus is, you have to mention humbleness. Jesus was a humble man.



To be a living sacrifice to the Father, we must be HUMBLE. In verse 3, Paul gives the Romans a warning. He tells us to not think that we are better than we are. Recently, God gave me a heart check here. I must say, He wanted to crush my pride. So often we think that we are invincible, and to our surprise, we are not. This is why it is so important to place every thought and desire on the walking altar.



We must make sure that we are not the focal point of our lives. Christ has to be. The glorification of HIS name has to be our top priority.



Who are you? Boast in nothing but The LORD.



Call to use the Gifts of God

As workers in the army of God, He has equipped us with the tools to get the job done.



Paul writes that God gives us these gifts and abilities through His grace. His grace makes these gifts a privilege to use. We should not boast about them, but feel free to use them.



God has given His children different gifts. But, they are all of value. If you follow Jesus, He has blessed you with spiritual gifts so that you may glorify His name. What a privilege! Are using yours?



Called to Love and Love with Patience

People get on your nerves like they do mine. As believers in Christ, we are called to have a SINCERE love for others. Paul reminds us to not pretend, but to be real.



Who do you struggle to love? Why do you struggle to love them? Think about it. Is it something silly, like them smacking their food when they eat? Or is it a serious habit? Do they struggle with honesty or commitment?



Just Saying: You struggle too. Just like me. But, through our stubbornness and sin, Jesus still loves us with a genuine affection. Are we not called to be living sacrifices for the cause of Christ? Then, should we not love the world and be patient with others? Yes, they are annoying, but we are too.



Called to Forgive

This leads us to forgiveness. As Christ loved us, He forgave us.



We have all been hurt. We have all been at the place where we feel that we’ve been wronged.



GIVE IT AWAY! Paul tells us not to hold on to this junk. Unforgiveness drags us down. We have to leave vengeance up to the Lord.



What if Jesus were to hold a grudge against you? What if He refused to show you pardon?



Who are you holding a grudge against?



Called to Victorious Living!

I love verse 21. “Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.”



God’s will is good, as we discussed earlier. Do God’s will. This is where the extreme blessing comes in. Because, God’s plan contains no worry and no doubt. We can be sure that God’s will is right. We can be sure that when we follow God’s will, we have been made right.



When we walk the way we want to, we walk in defeat. When we walk with Jesus, we walk in VICTORY!



Are you seeking God’s will? Do.

Pretty Feet and Big Hugs (Romans 10)

In Romans 9, we discussed Jews and Gentiles, Promises and Breaking Promises, and Faith versus Works. The Holy Spirit continues to work on us through Chapter 10...

Romans 10

1 Dear brothers and sisters,* the longing of my heart and my prayer to God is for the people of Israel to be saved.2 I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal.3 For they don't understand God's way of making people right with himself. Refusing to accept God's way, they cling to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law.4 For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given.* As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God.

5 For Moses writes that the law's way of making a person right with God requires obedience to all of its commands.*6 But faith's way of getting right with God says, "Don't say in your heart, 'Who will go up to heaven?' (to bring Christ down to earth).7 And don't say, 'Who will go down to the place of the dead?' (to bring Christ back to life again)."8 In fact, it says,






"The message is very close at hand;


it is on your lips and in your heart."*






And that message is the very message about faith that we preach:9 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.11 As the Scriptures tell us, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced."*12 Jew and Gentile* are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him.13 For "Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved."*


14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, "How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!"*


16 But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, "LORD, who has believed our message?"*17 So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.18 But I ask, have the people of Israel actually heard the message? Yes, they have:






"The message has gone throughout the earth,


and the words to all the world."*






19 But I ask, did the people of Israel really understand? Yes, they did, for even in the time of Moses, God said,






"I will rouse your jealousy through people who are not even a nation.


I will provoke your anger through the foolish Gentiles."*






20 And later Isaiah spoke boldly for God, saying,






"I was found by people who were not looking for me.


I showed myself to those who were not asking for me."*






21 But regarding Israel, God said,






"All day long I opened my arms to them,


but they were disobedient and rebellious."*



Re-cap:
 
In verses 1-4, Paul re-caps Chapter 9. He writes about his love for the Jews. Paul had the love of Christ within him. He re-establishes the fact that they refuse to follow God's way, which is The Way: Jesus. I love that the NLT uses the word "clinging" in verse 3. I can see the entire human race with a tight grip around their sin, refusing to let go of themselves. (We are all guilty)
 
News that is Good
 
Starting in verse 5, Paul writes the Gospel. Paul preaches the good news through writing utensil and paper. He establishes that Christ came for us. He did not sit in heaven, pumping His religious fist, but He left his throne to come get His people.
 
Work? The bible clearly teaches that salvation is a free gift. This passage re-iterates that. Verse 8 expresses that salvation is within easy reach. How awesome is that? It is in easy-reach because Jesus brought it straight to us. Straight to the manger, straight to the cross, and straight from the grave. Jesus brought it.
 
So what does that mean  for us? Read it, hear it, believe it, and live it. We must know and have confidence that Jesus saves, and that He is capable of saving us. Jesus is the only one capable of making us right with the Father, and we must trust in that fact through every smile and every trial.
 
Pretty Feet-
 
After we believe, we are given direct directions. In Matthew 28:16-20, Jesus tells the disciples to go and make disciples. Meaning, go, preach the Gospel, and teach them that Jesus is Lord. Paul knew this. Paul writes in verse 14 that those who do not know Jesus, will not know Him unless those who do know Jesus, tell them about Him. You get all of that?
 
If you believe, you are called to tell. You are called to tell the precious message of God's love to those who do not know it! And if you do this, you have beautiful feet.
 
I hate feet. They gross me out. Feet have never been seen as glorious or precious. That is why it was such a big deal for Jesus to wash the disciples feet. They're gross. Those feet belonged to men who wore flip-flops and rode camels. They belonged to men whose top priority was probably not their personal hygiene. Jesus did this to serve. We are to serve. One way to serve is by sharing the Gospel. The word tells us that all who share the good news have gorgeous feet.
 
What does God see when he looks at your feet? Are you spreading the Good News? Did you share it today? Why or why not? Heart-check.
 
Big hug...or Not?
 
Paul makes it clear that many will not cuddle up to the Gospel. Many people will reject what you have to say if you are telling the truth about Jesus. It will not be a bunch of big hugs, but you may have to deal with a rejection. As believers, this should break our heart in a way that motivates us to tell so many more souls!
 
If you have embraced Jesus, rejoice. If you have led someone to Christ, rejoice.
 
God's Love: Take it and tell it. It's a gift, and a privilege!

Goody-Two-Shoes (Romans 2)

Paul started his letter to the Romans off with a BANG! In Chapter 2, he continues his rant on sin, mentions Jews, and throws circumcision into the mix. Good stuff! Keep reading...

Romans 2

1 You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things.2 And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things.3 Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God's judgment when you do the same things?4 Don't you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can't you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?

5 But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God's righteous judgment will be revealed.6 He will judge everyone according to what they have done.7 He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers.8 But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness.9 There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on doing what is evil—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile.*10 But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile.11 For God does not show favoritism.


12 When the Gentiles sin, they will be destroyed, even though they never had God's written law. And the Jews, who do have God's law, will be judged by that law when they fail to obey it.13 For merely listening to the law doesn't make us right with God. It is obeying the law that makes us right in his sight.14 Even Gentiles, who do not have God's written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it.15 They demonstrate that God's law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right.16 And this is the message I proclaim—that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone's secret life.






The Jews and the Law


17 You who call yourselves Jews are relying on God's law, and you boast about your special relationship with him.18 You know what he wants; you know what is right because you have been taught his law.19 You are convinced that you are a guide for the blind and a light for people who are lost in darkness.20 You think you can instruct the ignorant and teach children the ways of God. For you are certain that God's law gives you complete knowledge and truth.


21 Well then, if you teach others, why don't you teach yourself? You tell others not to steal, but do you steal?22 You say it is wrong to commit adultery, but do you commit adultery? You condemn idolatry, but do you use items stolen from pagan temples?*23 You are so proud of knowing the law, but you dishonor God by breaking it.24 No wonder the Scriptures say, "The Gentiles blaspheme the name of God because of you."*


25 The Jewish ceremony of circumcision has value only if you obey God's law. But if you don't obey God's law, you are no better off than an uncircumcised Gentile.26 And if the Gentiles obey God's law, won't God declare them to be his own people?27 In fact, uncircumcised Gentiles who keep God's law will condemn you Jews who are circumcised and possess God's law but don't obey it.


28 For you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or because you have gone through the ceremony of circumcision.29 No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by God's Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise* from God, not from people.
 
Apostle Paul finished up Chapter one discussing God's hate for sin. He happens to open Chapter 2 the same way. When Jesus repeats things through Paul, WE NEED TO TAKE NOTE!
 
HYPOCRISY
A sin that Paul starts off with is that of Hypocrisy. Jesus hates hypocrisy.
 
Jesus and the Pharisees and Jewish leaders did not get along well because of their hypocrisy. Jesus hates it when we do not admit our sins, but point out the sins of others.
 
We have to make sure that we stay aware of our own sin. It is tough and it will probably not boost your self-confidence, but the confession of sins and repentance is key to our partnership with Jesus (1 Corinthians 1:30).
 
Consequences- Paul begins expressing the consequences for our sin, stubbornness, and hypocrisy in verse 5. Jesus wants us to be on guard against sin, so that He can guard us from eternal consequences. When we do not repent, we literally build up hell for ourselves.
 
A Continuance of Hypocrisy
Verse 17: Paul continues to demolish the hearts of hypocrites. He takes this serious. SO DOES JESUS. Jesus wants us to admit our sin , so that we can turn to HIM and be saved. The first step to being saved is realizing that you're lost. The Jews in Rome struggled mightily with this. So do we. What's going on in your life right now? Need to confess some sin? Take a few moments to pray to God, confess sin, ask for forgiveness, and make a commitment to keeping your eyes on Jesus. Let's look this thing right in the face.
 
 
Religion Stinks
 
Paul was once one of the most religious people in the bible. He was once wrapped up in rules and regulations. Then he met Jesus. When Paul was confronted by Christ, his world was changed. Jesus broke Paul's religious and traditional spine.
 
The Jewish leaders did not get this. Their thick skulls and hardened hearts could not handle the words of grace and love. They were consumed by self-righteousness and regulations. They made everything about family trees and circumcision.
 
This should make us cringe. Paul explains that they made rules, enforced them, but failed to follow them. We need to do differently! We need to fall on our knees, thank God for grace, and move forward in service and obedience.
 
 
 
 
SERVE, not stink.