Monthly Archives: September 2024

Revelation 1:1

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Chapter 1

This is a revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants the events that must soon take place. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant John, who faithfully reported everything he saw. This is his report of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. (NLT)

  • Of note:
    • This is the revelation from/of Jesus Christ
    • Soon take place – suddenly take place.
      • Mt 24:34 This generation is not speaking of that literal generation, but of an age. The transfiguration is not the culmination of this prophecy. It is yet to come. The age I believe is referring to the age of the church. The new covenant that Christ put into effect with His own blood to purchase man back to Himself.
  • Mt 24 Jesus speaks of the things that must happen before the end of the world
    • Jesus warns us to be careful Many will come in His name.
      • What does it mean to come in the name of Jesus?
        • To declare thus sayeth or thus teacheth Jesus.
        • Doesn’t necessarily mean that someone would call themselves Jesus, though that can be so.
        • This means that these deceptions can and probably come from inside the Church. (We must test the spirits)
      • They will deceive many
    • Don’t panic, these things must take place
      • Famines
      • Earthquakes
      • Wars
      • In many parts of the world
      • This is the first of many birth pains to come There will be much more…
    • Some will claim that Jesus has come.
    • We can not be asleep. We each have to be students of the word of God, to know Him for our selves.
    • Mt 24:32 These signs will be recognizable to those who are paying attention. Signs that these things are about to happen. But not the exact time of Jesus return. The quest of so many to discern the time of Jesus return is a futile one.
      • Zch 12:10
      • Jn 19:37
      • Mt 24:36–42 anyone claiming to know when this will happen is one of those of whom we must be weary! They will come in the name of Jesus.
      • We must be watching for His return however, waiting in anticipation, Without knowing the exact time in advance
      • I suppose there will be some semblance of peace in the midst of all the end time upheaval when He returns. He says it will be like in the days of Noah, they will be partying as the rains began to fall.
    • 1 Cor 1:6–9 God will keep His people strong through all of this. We will know the peace of God that passes all understanding.
    • It will be a time of terror for the world, but not for God’s people, He will strengthen us.
  • Dan 9:27 7:13 11:31 12:11 Is 13:10 34:4 Joel 2:10

Delusion and Confusion

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Why is there so much confusion?

Why are people confused about who they are?

Why are people confused about what they are?

Why are there so many who have come the point of thinking it is best to end their own lives? Why do so many think they are not loved? “No one understands me…” is something I hear so often. Our emergency rooms are filled with children who have tried to commit suicide, or have plans to do so. I can’t comprehend how as a culture we have come so far, that our children want to die! They should be concerned about what they will do after school. Who they will be playing with. Will they be riding their bicycles, or playing on the swing, or playing hop scotch with the neighborhood kids. Instead they are heavy with the worries of this life. They are pondering things like, am I a boy or a girl? Am I a cat or a person? Am I popular on tictok?

Our kids are being taught to define themselves by their imaginations. They are being taught all kinds of evils on tv and the internet. These evils are deluding their young minds, they are confused because there are no hard fast definitions being given to them. They are left to themselves to define life. This is foolishness! Since they are the ones who have to define life, it is distorted, and grotesque.

Romans 1:21 Teaches that if we don’t worship God as God, or be thankful to Him, we have the tendency to think up foolish ideas of what God is like. The result of this is the mind becomes dark and confused.

Romans 1:22-32 Lists what comes out of this dark confused mind. It is a list that we see lived out in our world today. This is why our children are so confused, why they would prefer to end their own lives. My friend this is not all that difficult. The human mind separated from God is a dark confusing thing. If life seems to out of control, it seems like there is no hope. I want you to know that there is hope.

God created us to worship Him. He gives us reason to live, gives us love for one another, defines who we are, and gives us clear purpose. This is all the opposite of confusion. It is hope!

Romans Study Outline

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The following is a rough outline meant to help with study of Romans. My challenge to you as you set out to study the book of Romans, is that you put aside all the study aids, get a good modern translation, and let the Holy Spirit (who is promised to all believers) to teach you what God wants to teach.

We rely too much on the opinions of others, and as a result we get into useless debates and distractions that are not intended by our Lord.

We also get lazy relying on someone else to teach us what God’s will is. In the end God holds each of us personally responsible for our understanding and actions.

Chapter 1

Intro and Sin

  • Paul introduces himself
  • vs 17 All of God’s work in our lives is accomplished through faith.
  • From Start to finish….
  • Vs 18-32 The result of people who reject God (Vs 28)

Chapter 2

The law can’t save

  • Those who don’t reject God but try to keep the law.
  • Think they can judge others, but also fail to please God.
  • Vs. 29 Only those who’s heart is changed by the Spirit can be right before God

Chapter 3

God is faithful, He provides salvation

  • Vs. 9 All people are under sin
  • Vs. 19 The law is given so we can have no excuses.
  • Vs. 22-26 We are made right with God through faith in Jesus Christ
  • Vs. 29 God makes people right with Him only by faith.

Chapter 4

Abraham’s Faith

  • Vs .3 Abraham believed God and God counted Him as righteous
  • Vs 13-15 God’s promise was not based on obedience of the law.
  • Vs. 16 The promise is received by faith.
  • Vs. 25 Jesus died because of our sins
  • And he was raised to make us right with God.

Chapter 5

Friends with God

  • Vs. 1 We have peace with God.
  • Vs. 5 We have been given the Holy Spirit.
  • Vs. 9 We are made right with God by the blood of Christ.
  • Vs. 11 We are now friends with God, we were enemies before.
  • Vs. 20 The law exposes sin.
  • Vs. 21 Christ gives us right standing with God.

Chapter 6

Sin’s power is broken

  • Vs. 2 Sin’s power is broken
  • Vs. 6 Our old sinful self was crucified with Christ.
  • Vs. 18 We are now slaves of righteous living.

Chapter 7

We are dead to the law

  • Vs 1 We are dead to the law.
  • Vs. 6 We have been released from the law.
  • Vs. 12 The law is holy
  • Vs. 25 Christ is the answer to all our struggles with sin.

Chapter 8

Life in the Spirit

  • Vs. 1-2 The Spirit has freed us from the power of sin that leads to death.
  • Vs. 17 We are Heirs with Christ.
  • Vs. 19 We look forward to a glorious future.
  • Vs. 30 We have right standing with God and He gave us His glory.

Chapter 9

Is God done with Israel

  • Vs. 6 Has God failed Israel?
  • Vs. 16 We can neither choose or work for God’s mercy.
  • Vs. 20 We are not in a position to question God, or to speak for Him.
  • Vs. 33 Anyone who trusts in Christ will never be disgraced.

Chapter 10

Salvation is for Everyone

  • Vs. 4 Christ has accomplished the purpose of the law.
  • Vs 9-11 Salvation is believing that we are made right with God throughout Christ’s work
  • And declaring our faith that we are saved.
  • What about those who have not heard?

Chapter 11

Is God done with the nation of Israel?

  • Vs. 2 No!
  • Vs. 11 God wants Israel to come to Him like Abraham… In faith.
  • Vs. 25 How do we fit in as Gentiles?
  • Vs. 36 Everything comes from God  and exists by His power, and is intended for His Glory.

Chapter 12

Living Sacrifices

  • Vs. 1-2 We owe it all to God because of what He has done.
  • Vs. 21 Don’t let evil conquer you, conquer evil by doing good.

Chapter 13

Respect Authority

  • Vs. 1 Respect governing authorities
  • Vs. 8-11 Our obligation is to love one-another.
  • Vs. 14 Put on Christ, don’t let yourself think about ways to do evil.

Chapter 14

Relating to other believers

  • Vs. 1 Accept other believers.
  • They are growing in understanding, give grace.
  • Vs. 7 We don’t live for ourselves. ( It’s not about me…)
  • Vs. 17 Live a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Chapter 15

Relating to other believers

  • Vs. 2 Help others, build them up in the Lord.
  • Vs. 7 Accept others as Christ has accepted you.
  • Vs 13 Let God fill us with all hope, completely with joy and peace.
  • Because we trust Him.
  • Last half of 15
  • Who Paul is and why He is writing.

Chapter 16

Greetings and good wishes.