The Normal Christian Life: A Journey Through Romans
Sunday, January 8, 2006
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, as we embark on this study of Your word to us from the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans, I pray that You will use it to give me and all who study it a deeper understanding of who You are and what You call us to be and do. I pray for a special anointing of Your Holy Spirit to be upon Pastors Chris and Tim as they lead us through this extended study of Romans both through Sunday messages and through these daily studies. I pray for the discipline to grow in my understanding of Your word, and also to live it out in my daily life. Bless this year of 2006, that we may truly live and move and have our being in You! This I pray in the strong name of Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord. Amen.
God’s Word Today—Romans 1:1-7
1This letter is from Paul, Jesus Christ’s slave, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News. 2This Good News was promised long ago by God through his prophets in the holy Scriptures. 3It is the Good News about his Son, Jesus, who came as a man, born into King David’s royal family line. 4And Jesus Christ our Lord was shown to be the Son of God when God powerfully raised him from the dead by means of the Holy Spirit. 5Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name.
6You are among those who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ, 7dear friends in Rome. God loves you dearly, and he has called you to be his very own people.
May grace and peace be yours from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Reflecting on God’s Word
When we write letters to family or friends, we have learned that they contain certain common elements: a salutation, body, and closing. In today’s Scripture, Romans 1:1-7, we find the Apostle Paul’s “salutation” to the Roman Christians. Paul had never met the Roman believers, so he wanted them to be certain both that they knew who he was and what he knew about them. Imagine Paul writing a letter to YOU! How would he address it? Would Paul remind you that you have been called to belong to Jesus Christ and that God loves you dearly? As we study Romans this coming year, we will reflect on many matters of faith in Jesus. And, as we dig into these reflections, we will be geared to help us put ourselves “into” the Scriptures we read, and see that they weren’t just for folks who lived 2,000 years ago—they are for us today!
Max Lucado wrote the following in the introduction of his book called, “In the Grip of Grace” a book based on the truths discovered in Romans. “Martin Luther called Romans ‘the chief part of the New Testament and … truly the purest gospel.’ God used the book to change the lives of Luther, John Wesley, John Calvin, William Tyndale, Saint Augustine, and millions of others. There is every reason to think He’ll do the same for you.”
A Deeper Exploration of God’s Word
Look at verses 1-7 once again. In verse 1, Paul tells us who he is, and that God CHOSE him to be an apostle sent out to preach the Good News of Jesus. In verses 2-5, Paul gives us the Good News “in a nutshell.” What are the main components of the Good News according to Paul?
In verses 6-7, Paul addresses the Roman Christians directly and prays for God’s grace and peace to be theirs. What do Paul’s words tell us about his thoughts or feelings toward the Roman believers?
Understanding God’s Purpose for Us
Romans 1:1-7 gives us some clear understandings of God’s purposes for us. For example, Paul tells us that he was “chosen” by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach the Good News. Not everyone is chosen to be an apostle or a preacher, but all of us are chosen by God to share the Good News with others. In what ways do you have opportunities to share the Good News of Jesus in your daily life?
Paul makes it clear that the Roman Christians have been “called” to belong to Jesus Christ and reminded that God dearly loves them and that God called them to be His very own people. This is our chief calling and purpose in life—to belong to Jesus, and to be loved by God as His very own people. Write two or three implications of being God’s very own:
Applying God’s Word to Our Purpose
What is one, specific way you can share the Good News with someone TODAY?
What practical difference does belonging to Jesus Christ make in your life right now?
Thoughts
Typically, this portion of the daily Bible study will be devoted to sharing some thoughts that Pastor Tim or I have regarding the passage of Scripture being studied during the week, but this time, I am devoting it to urging you to participate in the Daily Bible Study of Romans from now through 2006. People ask me all the time, “What can I do to deepen my relationship with the Lord?” As with all relationships, one of the most important things we can do to deepen our relationship with the Lord is to invest time and energy in deepening it! When we love someone we invest time with the person—we talk with them, do things with them, or just “be” together. The same is true, and even more so, with our Heavenly Father. If we want to get to know Him, we have His “love letter” to us—the Bible. We can open it any time and find out what He cares about, what matters eternally, and what He offers and expects. As we read, reflect, study, and then ACT on God’s word in our lives, our relationship with Him grows.
In 2006, we are engaged in a spiritual battle of epic proportions! Satan seems to be winning the day on a lot of fronts—at least if we watch the TV news or read the paper, we would get that impression. In reality, Satan has already lost the war, but he won’t give up the battle until Jesus returns to cast him aside once and for all. In the meantime, each of us as soldiers in the army of God is called to be equipped that we may win the battles we face each day. The only offensive weapon God has given us (see Ephesians 6:10-20) is the “Sword of the Spirit” which is the word of God. My prayer is that the participants of New Life Christian Ministries will “sharpen” that sword daily, either through these daily studies or some other daily investment in studying God’s word, and then use it in advancing against the enemy. As we do that, we can be sure that many others will become allies in our fight. May this year—2006—be a year filled with victories in the cause of Jesus Christ, and may each one of us become more and more faithful in following and serving our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
God’s blessings to you!
Senior Pastor Chris Marshall
Your time with God in His Word will help you stand strong in the face of spiritual conflict as you find the strength, wisdom and power you will need to be victorious. Plan now to make 2006 the year “God’s Word Will Stick!” in your mind, heart and soul! Be transformed!