Even if you are not close in proximity , the whole thing about church is Jesus is close to you, no matter how far you are physically or emotionally.
That centurion, he believed Jesus is who He says He is, and Jesus could heal his servant from afar.
Even when David was conveniently forgotten, God knew where He was.
Your soul is your emotional realm, but it is not you , don’t let it bully you.
——–
Do you know that, regarding moral issues of today, you can win the battle but lose the war?
We never see the apostle martyred for moral causes. They died for the gospel.
We talk about character and moral issues but what produces those? The Gospel!
The Gospel produces character!
Galatians 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control.
Fruit of spirit appears in chapter 5, not chapter 1!
Chatper 1 – Only one Gospel
Chapter 2 – Defending the Gospel
Chapter 3 – Justification by Faith
Chapter 4 – Sonship vs Servanthood
Chapter 5 – Fruits of the Spirit
Paul has to spend 4 chapters preaching the Gospel before talking about outward fruits.
Gospel is about god reaching man , not doing good!
“but Pastor, we want purity!”
First of all, let’s establish that true purity is in the heart, and not by show. Second, How to get there?
Remember Peter summoned to preach to Gentiles? Peter talks about how Jesus went about doing good and healing all.
But nothing happens. Until…
Acts 10:43-44
43 To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.”
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.
Holy spirit fell only after this point.
Later on, when the other Apostles heard Peter had spent time with the Gentiles, they questioned him, and when he was done explaining, they said
Acts 11:18
18 When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.”
Whoa! Wait, wait, Peter’s sermon had no call to repentance!
but was there repentance? but according to the Apostles, yes!
Later at the Jerusalem council, the elders were arguing regarding circumcision, which is purity in body.
Peter stood up and said :
Acts 15:7-9
7 And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: “Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.
8 So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us,
9 and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
How? By preaching remission of sins through Jesus!
The moment they believe the Gospel, their hearts are purified.
Dun worry about character.
You are looking at the fruits , on the outside , some people non Christian seems to have character but when the laws of a country break down, the heart shows.
Romans 5:1-9
Past:
Romans 5:1
1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
We have peace with God despite our pasts.
We have peace not because of pity but on the solid unshakeable foundation, which is evidenced by the blood He shed and it cleanses every sin on your life so today you can stand before God.
You have this permanent standing with God in favor! Through Christ and not yourself, as a permanent blessing.
People who are self righteous will hate you cos they have no part to play , no glory for themselves.
Present:
Romans 5:2(a)
2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace/favor in which we stand, …
You stand in the favor of God.
Joseph had nothing sold as slave yet Bible says he was prosperous cos he had God’s presence and as a result, he had favor.
Nothing put in Jesus hands stays unmultiplied!
David had favor!
Esther had favor!
The Bible at some point or another calls these people good looking, beautiful, handsome. But were they always that way?
Joseph was called handsome, because he practiced God’s presence.
Esther was called beautiful when she was abiding in Mordecai’s house.
David was called good looking when he was justified by faith while in the fields among the flock, singing psalms hymns and spiritual songs.
But none had favor as a permanent “power-up”, but you do!
Future:
Romans 5:2 (b)
….and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Troubles don’t affect you the same way it does others.
If others say what they want, but it doesn’t stick, but you say one thing and it sticks. then we can just ignore their comments.
#oneproblemless
Romans 5:3
3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;
4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.
The more God expose you to some area of trouble, rejoice!
Trouble produces perseverance
“persevere through your marriage”
<crickets>
Pastor self amens xD
Pastors , if a marriage is on the verge of breaking up, 60% – 70%, he or she has someone else in mind already. Not 100% cos sometimes really got legit cases but 70% . If the guy says “no no no, that’s not the case”, say “Yes yes yes, that is the case”.
Hope does not disappoint.
The highest man’s wisdom can go is “don’t raise your hopes”, but God’s wisdom says hope does not disappoint.
Don’t waste your sorrows by complaining or murmuring.
When you hammer gold, it is not destroyed, but smelted , removing the scum.
If you depend on good feelings, then during camp you are on high then after camp? Blues.
When good feelings come enjoy it, when bad feelings come observe it, then move on.
First 4 chapters of Romans Paul never talk about Holy Spirit or love of God but
Chapter 1 – Men and their perversion,
Chapter 2 – Sins of Jews included,
Chapter 3 – Righteousness of God is revealed unto all upon all Who believe,
Chapter 4 – How Abraham justified apart from works.
Chapter 5 , why?
Chapter 5 reveals Holy Spirit and Love of God for first time because for first 4 chapters, we have to focus on Christ and His work for us.
Paul makes us see where we are without Christ, then what Christ has done for us. Otherwise if we jump straight to Chapter 5, we wont understand or feel the Love of God.
Self occupation is a downward spiral into depression.
God wants your eyes on Jesus.
In fact, it is more important to know Christ work for you on the Cross, than the Holy Spirit’s work in you.
God wants you to look away from yourself , look outside, to Christ!
The work of Christ is finished in terms of redemption, not because you deserve it but Jesus deserves it.
Look at Christ , outside you, seated at God right hand , not even at the Spirit’s work in you , no inward looking.
It’s dangerous.
If you judge God’s love for you on feelings or if you get a parking space, what if tomorrow you don’t get a parking space, and someone scratches your car by accident?
Don’t base it on emotions or situations but rather on the fact that it was DEMONSTRATED on the cross
Romans 5:6
For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
The cause is not in us.
Be careful of what you hope for when you are conscious of the love of God, cos you just might get it in super abounding blessings!