Studying Through Romans Part 8

2:17-24 "Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and brag about your relationship to God; if you know His will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of the infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth - you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? As it is written: "God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you."

I am a christian who has strict standards. Do I keep these standards? Do I follow God's law or do I just teach it? Do I practice what I preach? I would like to say that I do, but I don't. There are non-christians in this world who look at people like me and say what is different about christians and they are just hypocrites We have to ask ourselves: are we hypocrites? Or are we living lives that are without blame? For this is what Christ has called us to do as followers.

Dangerous Exits Part 1

I'm excited about Hope Church. I like the people and the love that I see. I think that I am going to post the sermon notes every week.

Philippians 3:16

The Exit Of Desertion

Remember When You First Believed (Philipians 1:21)

Remember When You Were First In Love

There is an insatiable desire to learn in the relationship

There is an incredible time investment in the relationship

There is an intense preoccupation in the relationship

Revelation 2:2-5, I John 4:18

William Barclay said, "Agape has to do with the mind: it is not simply an emotion which rises unbidden in our hearts; it is a principle by which we deliberately live" (New Testament Words, p. 21)

3 Steps Back To The Right Track

#1 Remember The Motivation Not The Emotion (Revelations 2:5, Matthew 5:44)

#2 Repent For Living Selfishly Not Selflessly (Revelations 2:5, Lamentations 3:40)

#3 Return To How We Began Not For Selfishness (Revelations 2:5)

Emotion Only Leads To Momentary Motion But Motion Leads To Momentum Emotion (John 13:34, John 14:15, 23-24)

Studying Through Romans Part 7

2:5-8 "But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when His righteous judgment will be revealed. God "will give to each person according to what he has done." To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honer and immortality, He will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger."

These verses have deep truth in them (and so does the rest of the Bible). It is interesting that Paul does not say christians get eternal life and others don't. He says that those who persist in doing good will be given eternal life, while those who are self-seeking and reject the truth will suffer God's wrath. The point is not whether you are saved or not (I am not saying that salvation does not matter) . The point is: are you persisting in good? Are you seeking glory, honor and everlasting life? Are you following Christ?

2:9-11 "There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favortism."

God does not judge you by your nationality or what family you were born into. He does not judge you according to whether your parents are christians or not. God judges you according to what you have done.

2:12-16 "All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.) This will take place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares."

This is convicting. Every law that I have broken I will have to answer for. "Yes I knew that it was wrong, but I did it anyway", I will say. I know God's law and therefore I have sinned under God's law. I will be judged by the law. My secrets will be judged by God. But Christ has already paid the penalty for my sin. I am not looking forward to God's judgment and wrath. But I am longing to hear Christ's voice someday welcoming me into heaven.

Finals Week

Finals are over. I feel like I did well on my biology and geometry finals. I am getting A's in both classes. But I did not do that good on my spanish written and oral final. I am balancing between a D and a C in spanish. It all depends on the final. Well, I will find out in a couple of weeks.

Tonight when I got home from karate I felt a little lost without homework to do. It will be nice to take a break from all the deadlines and early morning schedules.

Studying Through Romans Part 6

2:1-4 "You, therefore have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of His kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?"

I often judge others for the sin in their life. But it is interesting to realize that most of the sins that I do not like in other people are in me. For example I do not like it when people are selfish, but I have realized that I am one of the most selfish people I know. I often take God's kindness for granted. I forget about His wrath and think that God will love me no matter what. Well it is true that God loves us no matter what we do. But we are to demonstrate our love for Him. It is only because of God's kindness in sacrificing His Son that we can repent and be saved from our sins and their wages (death).

Gary Bonner Concert

I just got back from a concert at a church in the next town over. Gary Bonner brought his choir from California Baptist College. They were amazing. Gary Bonner is an excellent choir director, and the choir was beautiful. There was so much passion and love. I was really moved. One of the songs that stuck out in my head was "Lord Have Mercy." The soloist was a young man who poured his whole self into the song. I said to my parents on the way home that he 'became one with the song.' I was so blessed to attend the concert. All the praise belongs to God!

40 Days Of Purpose

My family has been visiting a church in our town for the past few Sundays. The pastor has been preaching a series on Rick Warren's "Purpose Driven Life". Today he reviewed everything from the past sermons. I think that it is a good idea to remember these things.

1. Life is not about me.
A. God is the focus not me. Hebrews 2:10 and Colossians 1:16
B. God still does miracles. Psalms 77:14 and Ephesians 3:20

2. Life is preparation for eternity. Ecc. 3:11

I was...

Planned For God's Pleasure = Worship
Formed For God's Family = Fellowship
Created To Become Like Christ = Discipleship
Shaped To Serve God = Ministry
Made For A Mission = Evangelism

3. We Grow Though...
A. making commitments
B. fellowship

James 2:17, Proverbs 27:17, Philipians 4:9, Hebrews 10:25

4. Now
A. Start putting it into practice
B. Start praying for others
C. Start passing it on

2 Timothy 2:2, John 4:35, Thessalonians 3:1, Acts 17:5-7, Romans 1:8

Finals and Summer Plans

I'm excited that tomorrow is the last day of school. I have had a lot of fun this semester, but I'm looking forward to the summer. My favorite class this semester has definitly been intro biology. My teacher made it fun and exciting.

Finals are next week. I feel a little nervous about my spanish final. I don't know if I can pass. And I have to pass the final in order to pass the class.

My plans for the summer are:

1) getting to know God more (this is my goal for the rest of my life)
2) karate (teaching, learning and competing)
3) camp (I'm going to be a counselor for a week at a christian camp)
4) spending time with family and friends
5) be more responsible (I hate this one because it means that I have to be diligent and not lazy. My father wants me to be more
responsible and helpful. I want to prove myself to him and make him happy)

Studying Through Romans Part 5

1:24-25 "Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator-who is forever praised. Amen."

This verse really gets me. God hates sin, but He doesn't force people to obey Him. People reject God and continue to sin so He just gives them over to what they want more.

1:26-27 "Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their woman exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion."


I see this happening in the world today. Sometimes when I read my Bible I am amazed that the ink is already dry (to borrow a line from Corrie Ten Boom in her book "The Hiding Place") I see how homosexuality is rampant in our world. There have even been Pastors caught in the act. There are churches who do not believe it is wrong (I wonder what Bible translation they have). And just as God says, they are getting the due penalty. One of these penalties I see is the spread of AIDS and other diseases.

1:28-32 "Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, He gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them."

The last verse reminds me of some things that have been going on. I know some people who have been filled with some of the above things. They have continued in sin and approving it. There have been consequences for their actions.

I think about how many things on this list that I have done. I am as guilty as they are.

Proverbs 20:9 " Who can say, "I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin?"

Romans 3:23 "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"

My sins are what put Christ on the cross. I would be a person damned for hell if it wasn't for what Christ did on the cross for me and for you. He led a sinless life.

1 Peter 2:24 "He himself bore our sins in His body on the tree."

2 Corinthians 5:21 "God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us."

It is only because of His sacrifice that our sins are forgiven and forgotten. And we have the hope of escaping our sinful nature by accepting Him as Lord of our life.

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Read the story of Christ's death and resurrection in John 19 and 20

Questionare

I was at school today and a guy handed me a survey of opinions on certain topics. I thought that the questions were thought-provoking and good ones to talk about.

1. Do you believe that marriage is a sacred bond in today's world? or is this particular "bond" over rated and/or misused?

2. If you having certain privileges meant others going without would that be ok? In the context of the world Americans have much at our disposal....would you rather have everyone with the same or some with more and others with less?

3. Do you believe segregation and racism are dead or are these still issues that must be dealt with?

I would like all comments.

5 Of My Favorite Songs (for now)

#1 Jesus Freak by DC Talk
I think that this song has a cool message. It is set to a good tune and is fun to sing along to. (I like singing to a lot of songs that I listen to)

#2 I Am Free by Newsboys
This song expresses the way I feel. I am so free right now from all sorts of things.

#3 Clothes by Barlow Girl
I thought that this was the greatest song when I first heard it. It said exactly what I thought about the clothes people are wearing.

#4 Radio by Chris Rice
I like it because that is what I am always doing. I love "singing on the other side of the radio."

#5 Bowling Ball by Superchicks
I laughed when I heard this song. But sadly it is true. There are so many girls who have boyfriends that are not christians and do not have a good character.

Lutheran Liturgy

Today we visited a Lutheran church of the Missouri Synod. It was refreshing to read the liturgy. For most people who attend a liturgical church it can become old hat, but since it was different for me it was refreshing to hear God's Word. I though I'd share a couple parts with you.

Confession and Absolution

"If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:8-9

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28

Our souls are restless, O Lord, until they find their rest in you.

In remembrance of our Holy Baptism into Christ and in view of the promised inheritance in the new heavens and earth, let us confess our sin and need for God's mercy.

Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve Your present and eternal punishment. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, Have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name. Amen.

"Behold, I am making all things new." Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins. Amen.

Confession of Faith: The Nicene Creed

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He will come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets.

And I believe one holy christian and apostolic Church, I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins, and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Studying Through Romans Part 4

1:21-23 "For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles."

Paul is talking about wicked man who know who God is. These men know that God is God. But they choose not to glorify or thank Him. They decided to trade the glory of living for and with God. So claiming to be wise they worship man and animals.

Luke 12:47 "That servant who knows his master's will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows."

John 3:19 "Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil."

It is weird to think that people have been worshiping animals for thousands of years. The Egyptians and Romans had temples devoted to gods with bodies made to look like man and animals. Pharaoh himself claimed to be a god. Now I see where people are elevating animals by saying we are nothing but evolved animals. People believe that we are animals. There are also many who think that they are their own God and do not have to answer to anybody. These people are selfish and live only to please themselves.

We as christians must daily examine ourselves to find the idols in our lives. Maybe it is money, a car, a house, a hero, a movie star. A idol can be a thing that is good like a relationship with a friend or your spouse. Whenever something becomes more important than your relationship with God it has become your idol.