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Romans 4 - Abraham, The Father of Faith!

Romans 4 - NIV Enduring Word Commentary Abraham Justified by Faith 4 What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? 2 If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. 3 What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. 5 However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. 6 David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: 7 “Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.8  Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them.” We often call Abraham, “ The   Father of Faith”.  Abraham came to faith at age 75, when God called him to a distant land. He left his f...

Romans 3 - Alien Righteousness

Romans 3 - NIV Enduring Word Commentary Righteousness Through Faith 21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in[h] Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,[i] through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26 he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. These are some of the most important verses written by Paul in all of scripture. Paul has shown why no person could hope to be made right with G...

Romans 2 - The Bad News Makes the Good News Even Better!

Romans 2 - NIV   Enduring Word Commentary 5 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. 6 God “will repay each person according to what they have done.”[a] 7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10 but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 11 For God does not show favoritism. Paul's letter to the Romans has definite rhyme and reason to it. In chapters 1 -3, Paul is laying the groundwork for the chapters thereafter. Paul's focus in this chapter is that everyone is guilty as judged by the Law. Therefore, when ...

Romans 1 - Not Ashamed!

Romans 1 - NIV   Enduring Word Commentary Today we begin our journey through Paul's letter to the Romans. As you may remember, Paul's ultimate goal was to make it to Rome and share the gospel with the Romans. Rome is also where he ended up preaching for 2 years in a rented house, which is the last we hear of him in Acts 28. Tradition and some of his letters (i.e. 1 Timothy) suggest he eventually traveled to Spain to preach the gospel there. He returned to Rome later, where he was persecuted under Emperor Nero. Tradition has it that Paul was beheaded under Nero's rule in 68 A.D. Paul's letter to the Romans has played a huge role in the lives of many famous saints in the church including Augustine, Martin Luther, John Wesley, and John Calvin. The latter three are the most important figures in the Protestant Reformation, starting with Martin Luther in 1518.  Luther was an Augustinian monk, who was tortured by his feelings of inadequacy before a holy and righteous God. It w...

Acts 28 - If you were on trial for being a Christian would there be enough evidence to convict you?

Acts 28 - NIV Enduring Word Commentary 23 They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. He witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God, and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets he tried to persuade them about Jesus. 24 Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe. 25 They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors when he said through Isaiah the prophet: 26 “‘Go to this people and say,  “You will be ever hearing but never understanding;  you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.”  27 For this people’s heart has become calloused;  they hardly hear with their ears,  and they have closed their eyes.  Otherwise they might see with their eyes,  hear with their ears,  understand with their hearts  and turn, and I would he...

Acts 27 - The Shipwreck That Led to Faith!

Acts 21 - NIV Enduring Word Commentary 21 After they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: “Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss. 22 But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. 23 Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me 24 and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’ 25 So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. 26 Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island.” Verses 21-26 In Romans 8:28 Paul wrote, " And I know God works all things together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose. "  Paul was writing not just out of principle, but out of his life experience. This is just ...

Acts 26 - Something Doesn't Come From Nothing!

Acts 26 - NIV Enduring Word Commentary “I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable. 26 The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.”  28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”  29 Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”  30 The king rose, and with him the governor and Bernice and those sitting with them. 31 After they left the room, they began saying to one another, “This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment.” As we read of Paul's testimony before King Agrippa, we see he uses this opportunity to engage Agrippa on his own belief system. At a ...