Lesson 3755

 (Lesson 3755)(04-30-22) Romans 16:21-27

    “Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you. I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord. Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

    Today’s quote is Tertius’ final salutations to the children of God in Rome.~

Lesson 3754

 (Lesson 3754)(04-29-22) Romans 16:17-20

    “ Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.”

    In today’s quote, Paul warned the children of God in Rome to be wary of those who would attempt to overlay elements of both Paganism and the old law upon the gospel of Jesus Christ. For far too many today Paul’s warning had no lasting affect.

    Even with all of today’s new technology and the various means of verifying the original intent of the gospel of Jesus Christ, there are millions upon millions of ‘so-called’ Christians who have so distorted the gospel so as to make their version of it into complete heresy.

    The gospel of Jesus is simple, we are first to believe in the virgin born life, death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Jesus, to Love God with all that we are and to love our neighbors (all human beings) as we love ourselves. Finally, we are to preach the message of God’s amazing, saving grace to every soul who is willing to listen. That, basically, is all there is to it.~

Lesson 3753

 (Lesson 3753)(04-28-22) Romans 16:1-16

    “ I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also. Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ. Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us. Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord. Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved. Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus' household. Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord. Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord. Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them. Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them. Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.

    In today’s quote, Paul encouraged the children of God in Rome to salute those who had spread abroad to preach and teach the gospel of Christ.~

Lesson 3752

 (Lesson 3752)(04-27-22) Romans 15:22-32

    “ For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you. But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you; Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company. But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things. When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain. And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me; That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints; That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed. Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.”

    In today’s quote, Paul started his journey back to Jerusalem while promising to eventually visit the children of God in Rome.~

Lesson 3751

 (Lesson 3751)(04-26-22) Romans 15:9-21

    “ And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. And again he saith, Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people. And again, Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people. And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust. Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God, That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God. For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation: But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand.”

    In today’s quote, Paul explained how he was designated, by Jesus Himself, to preach the gospel to the Gentiles so that they too could take part in God’s amazing saving grace.~

Lesson 3750

 (Lesson 3750)(04-25-22) Romans 15:8

    “Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:”

    Sadly, there are many who, today, erroneously believe that Jesus, during His time on earth, preached eternal salvation by grace, through faith. That contention is easily debunked because salvation by grace through faith (the new law) would not come to realization until Jesus had completed living out a perfect life and offering Himself up as a supreme sacrifice for the sins of the world.

    The message Jesus delivered before His death, burial, and resurrection, was that “the kingdom of heaven is at hand”, and was preached to the Jews (circumcision) only. 

    The message Jesus preached was to prepare the Jews for the coming of the new law of salvation by grace, through faith.

    After Jesus had been crucified, risen from the dead and ascended back to the Father, the true  gospel of salvation by grace through faith, as we know it today, was preached abroad and eternal rebirth and salvation was extended to the Gentiles also.~

Lesson 3749

 (Lesson 3749)(04-24-22) Romans 15:1-7

    “ We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.”

    Today’s lesson tells us that, as members of His church, those of us who have been reborn by the Spirit of God, should bear the little quirks in the beliefs of those who might be weak in the knowledge of the gospel without complaint.~