“Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge. Interlude” Psalms 62:5-8 NLT
http://bible.com/116/psa.62.5-8.nlt
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Psalm 62:1-2 NKJV
[1] Truly my soul silently waits for God; From Him comes my salvation. [2] He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved.
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Hi Mary Jane,
Would you please pass this on to our congregation… Thanks!
West Prairie Middle School has a Positive Behavior Awards day and needs cookies for that day, which is March 26th. I told Mrs. Watson I would ask if our church would be willing to provide cookies for that day. They will need 14 dozen cookies, so if you are willing to provide some cookies for that day, please let me know.
Thanks,
Kelley
PS Homemade cookies are preferred.
At first glance this week’s text seems to be our familiar missionary call to spread the good news of God. And it is that, but as I studied (funny how these things happen) I realized that the main point is more the emphasis that for people to believe, we must make sure we begin with the good news of God. When it comes to the point of sharing, then it must still be God’s gospel, God’s message.
I have some excellent Romans commentaries. “Listen” to this from Leon Morris, one of the best.
◉ Leon Morris …
– Paul is saying that the preaching of the Christian message is impossible without the divine commission. A herald can have nothing to say unless it be given him. The gospel is derivative. It does not originate with preachers, and the other side of that coin is that nobody can operate as a preacher in the sense in which Paul is using the term here unless God has sent him.
Our gospel is derivative. No revisions necessary or accepted. Christ finished his “Calvary work” with perfection and power and the Father’s approval.
The gospel we ask people to believe must be the same “good news of God” that was offered in the first century by the Apostle Paul.
◉ Leon Morris …
– Whichever way we may prefer to translate, Paul is speaking of the derivative nature of the Christian gospel. It is not something that wise men have made up; it comes from hearing the message given by those sent from God.
If you are an artist, maybe someone suggesting that your work is derivative is a bad thing, as in unoriginal, unimaginative, imitative, uninventive. But as heralds of the gospel, it is essential that we remain true to the original.
Message Title: Have They Not Heard?
Message Text: Romans 10:14-21
Well, if anyone believes that they can work to gain God’s approval after this study in Romans, then it will not be the fault of the Apostle Paul. He is at it again as he emphasizes we received God’s righteousness and acceptance only by faith.
No need to take a space flight to heaven. No need to journey to the center of the earth. The saving word of faith is near, in your mouth and in your heart.
We would say, “On the tip of my tongue.”
We believe. God saves.
Everyone who believes.
And everyone means everyone. Struggling to understand how God has mercy on some and not others? Can’t get your mind around predestination?
Then get your mind around this. Believe. Call on the name of the Lord, and you will be saved.
Message Title: The Saving Word Is in Your Mouth
Message Text: Romans 10:5-13
Everyone is welcome to attend.
Hello to All,
It is still winter in case you haven’t noticed.
These Jews share many similarities with the professing Church in today’s society.
The biggest similarity? They preferred the moral code of the Bible over the righteousness of God. After all, homemade is always better, right?
They were all about the Bible and biblical morals. Leading voices in religious affairs. Angry and upset about government involvement and regulations. They vigorously pursued righteousness through the law of Moses. Zealots that they were, they chased after the God of the Bible like nobody’s business.
But when their Bibles brought them before their long-awaited Messiah, they stumbled and fell.
Even as Christ stood before them in the flesh, and they were clueless.
Instead of receiving the righteousness of God, they sought to establish their own righteousness. They preferred their moral code over the righteousness of God and would not submit.
What made it so difficult for the Jews then and many who profess Christ in our country today is that they were so Bible-based.
The sadness and tragedy? They were building their lives on the Bible but not letting the Bible build their lives.
Message Title: Submitting to the Righteousness of God
Message Text: Romans 9:30-10:4
