V-I-C-T-O-R-Y He Always Leads Us In Triumph

Jesus has provided the victory; we can walk fully in it. The leading of God is what He has called us to live in. The provision of the cross have given us all we need to live in victory. Be lead by His Spirit today!

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V-I-C-T-O-R-Y He Always Leads Us In Triumph

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2 Corinthians 2:14 Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. 15 For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.

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What an awesome word from God! He always leads us in triumph in Christ! The source of victory is Jesus Christ. In the New Testament it can be said “in Christ” is a theme over and over. Those words alone are written over 85 times and put in slightly different terms numerous more times. The leading of God is always in Christ! We have been born again that we might be lead of the Holy Ghost. Jesus said the Holy Ghost would lead and guide us into all truth! God uses us the believer to diffuse the fragrance of His knowledge. Wow you smell good! If you are in Christ you are the fragrance of Christ! Our fragrance reaches to the saved and lost. God always leads… God does not leave the believer without His leading at any time; God always leads

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John 16:13 "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 "He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 "All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.

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This new covenant that Jesus brings came with a plan. The working of the Spirit of truth is in every believer. This new covenant is the way to walking with intimacy with God. In the same way God loved walking in the cool of the evening with Adam and Eve, he still longs for fellowship and relationship with His Children. God has fellowship with His children through the Holy Spirit.

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John 2:27 But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him. 28 And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.

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When one is born again the Spirit of truth is set free to go to work on that believer. If there has been no transformation in your life you have not been born again. If there is no leading from the anointing of God in you, you have yet to be born again.

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1 John 2:29 If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.

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True salvation brings true transformation. Jesus is righteous and those who practices righteousness are born of God.

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Ephesians 4:22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

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If you have a new nature you begin to live from it; if you have no new nature to draw from you have never been born again. Putting on the new man is a daily activity for the believer! Romans 6 says it clearly.

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Romans 6:6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. 7 For he who has died has been freed from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.

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Those who come to Jesus have crucified the flesh. As the 7^th verse states so well, “For he who has died has been freed from sin.” That is we who have come to Christ have died to the sin nature. As this passage goes on to teach we reckon ourselves to be dead indeed to sin and alive unto God. God can not lead us if we will not put off the old man we died too. It is only when we put on the new man he can direct our paths by the leading of the Holy Spirit.

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Galatians 5:24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

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One who has never put to death the flesh with its passions and desires has never been born again. Those who have been born again can walk with victory over every sin because if we live in the Spirit we can walk in the Spirit.

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Romans 8:8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.

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Flesh can not please God! If the Spirit of God dwells in you, you belong to God and can please Him by walking in the Spirit

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John 3:36 "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."

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Life is in the Son Jesus Christ! When the object of your faith become Jesus Christ and Him crucified you have found life!

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1 John 5:11 And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

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Anyone who teaches that life is not found exclusively through and in Jesus Christ are teaching false doctrine. The abundant life Jesus speaks of is found exclusively in Him. When you have put your faith in Him you have opened the door to be lead by the Spirit of God

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Romans 8:13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father."

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If by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. This is such an important key. Many have tried getting victory over sin by putting to death the deeds of the body by sure will power! Friend it will never work. The victory is only had by identifying with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. You must realize when you died to sin it was only done by the Spirit of God. Obedience to God will bring His guidance. Some are trying to get direction from God and God is still waiting for them to come into obedience at the last instructions He gave. If you feel God will not give you direction in your life, examine if you were obedient to the last command you know He spoke to you. Yes we have an anointing from the Holy One; however, our disobedience in one area of our life can hinder the work of God in all areas of our life.

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Hebrews 2:1 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him,

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We must give the more earnest heed! For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God. You did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by who we cry our “Abba Father.” If you have never served God with a passion it may be you have never been born again.

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Luke 14:33 "So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.

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Wow, Jesus set the standard high. If we are to receive direction and guidance from God we must surrender all! No surrender, no salvation! Know surrender, know salvation! Jesus always leads us into triumph. We can walk in complete victory because that is the strength of the sacrifice of Jesus; if you have not forsaken all you will never know the victory Jesus has provided!

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Hebrews 12:1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

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Jesus resisted sin to the shedding of His own blood so that you don’t have to shed yours. We can lay aside the weight and sin which easily ensnares us by turning to and looking upon Jesus the author and finisher of our faith! Jesus is greater than your bondage! Some have learned to live and get comfortable in their bondage and then ask why they have not yet been delivered.

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Romans 12:9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.

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Here is a key to your liberty! Get in agreement with God; hate what He hates and love what He loves. Repentance for loving what God hates is a start in the right direction. Ask God to bring your soul in line with what He has done with in your spirit. Love is with hypocrisy when we love what God hates; we need to change our mind and get in agreement with God! Love what God loves and cling to it! You must reckon yourself dead to the sin and bondage you have found yourself struggling with! It is hard to reckon yourself dead to a sin you secretly love. Don’t be fooled you have been drawn away by your own lust and entice. You are hopelessly stuck in the bondage until the point you begin to renew your mind. The strength of the sacrifice of Jesus is greater than the bondage you are held by. Put off the old man be made new in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new man which was created in true righteousness and holiness.

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1 John 4:4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

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Christ in you is your victory and if you have been made a creation in Christ Jesus you can over come by the blood of the lamb and the word of your testimony. Greater is He that is in you than he who is in the world!

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Getting Grace; Giving Grace part 2

Getting grace and giving grace part 2. Grace has a purpose and that is to bring us to God and enable to walk in obedience to the faith. True grace brings a end to self centerness and births a heart to see Christ formed in all the beleivers.

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Getting Grace; Giving Grace part 2

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Romans 15:1 We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification.

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There is a strong clear reason God has sent us His grace! Free gift? Yes! Unmerited favor? Yes! His righteousness for our sin? Yes. However when I say reason I point to purpose!

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Romans 1:5 Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name,

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We have God’s divine influence in our life that we might walk in obedience to the faith. Romans 15 show some more tale, tale signs if we have grace. Those strong in grace bear with the sense of right and wrong of the weak. Love them in their weakness. The church has not always been strong in this area; mainly because we have not had a great enough revelation of the love and grace of God! So many times the church leadership insist on the people pleasing them. This is a sign of the leadership not being founded in the grace of God. Godly leadership will have a servants heart and long to serve people and see Christ formed in the people. Grace changes motivation and desire from pleasing ourselves to pleasing other for their good and edification.

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Romans 15:3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me."

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Paul never stops pointing to Jesus and the work performed at the cross! Jesus gave His all so that you and I could live in His righteousness.

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Romans 15:4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. 5 Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus,

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Paul is pointing to where the foundation of our faith is! The scriptures are sure and steadfast. It is imperative that our hearts be established by the word of His grace! God has granted us patience and comfort; with that impartation we should impart to the weak with patience and comfort.

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Romans 15:6 that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.

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God calls us to receive one another and to walk in unity. Genuine grace calls the body of Christ together!

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Roman 15:8 Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers, 9 and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written: "For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles, And sing to Your name." 10 And again he says: "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!" 11 And again: "Praise the LORD, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples!" 12 And again, Isaiah says: "There shall be a root of Jesse; And He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, In Him the Gentiles shall hope."

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Grace reaches to the Jews and Gentiles! Grace is inclusive to all who will call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Genuine grace has no room for racism and fractions and division. When Jesus Christ is the center piece of our faith our hearts are open to see Christ formed in the whole body of believers. Jesus is the root of Jesse and He is the one who shall rise to reign over all the earth.

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Romans 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. 14 Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. 15 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written more boldly to you on some points, as reminding you, because of the grace given to me by God, 16 that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

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After receiving the word of grace in the entirety of which Paul has ministered here in Romans, you are able to admonish and encourage one another. Paul was calling the body of Christ to walk in sanctification by the strength grace provides.

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Romans 15:17 Therefore I have reason to glory in Christ Jesus in the things which pertain to God. 18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient;

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The purpose of grace can not be ignore. If you have the grace of God, you will be drawn into obedience to God. That is the nature of the grace and truth that comes through Jesus Christ.

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Roman 15:19 in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. 20 And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man's foundation, 21 but as it is written: "To whom He was not announced, they shall see; And those who have not heard shall understand." 22 For this reason I also have been much hindered from coming to you.

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It is not just the writing of Paul that declares God grace; it is the life style of Paul and his selfless efforts and sacrifice of his own pleasure that declares the truths of grace.

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Romans 15:23 But now no longer having a place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come to you, 24 whenever I journey to Spain, I shall come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a while.

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Paul loved walking in fellowship of the saints and it was proper for the church to help him on his journey.

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Romans 15:25 But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. 26 For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem . 27 It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things. 28 Therefore, when I have performed this and have sealed to them this fruit, I shall go by way of you to Spain . 29 But I know that when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.

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Paul walked with a desire to bless and to be a blessing taking offering from one church to minister to the needs of another.

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Romans 15:30 Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me, 31 that I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32 that I may come to you with joy by the will of God, and may be refreshed together with you. 33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

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Paul put his amen on the message to the Roman church and much of chapter 16 is greeting and yet there are a few nuggets of grace I felt God wanted me to include in grace received and grace given.

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Romans 16:17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. 18 For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.

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Paul warned those who preach contrary to the grace message. Those who try to convince you salvation is by your works or those who turn you from the object of your faith must ever be in the Lord Jesus Christ, avoid them!!

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Romans 16:19 For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil. 20 And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

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Here we find the second amen to the letter to the Romans. Paul shows so clearly that it is the God of peace will crush satan under our feet! Then he blesses them with the phrase “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you!

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Romans 16:24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

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Paul gives another amen with the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Never forget Romans was and is all about the grace of God.

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Romans 16:25 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began 26 but now has been made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures has been made known to all nations,according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith; 27 to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.

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Paul teaches that the way to be established is at the preaching of grace and the preaching of Jesus Christ. From the opening of the letter to its very last verse, Paul is preaching Jesus Christ and Him crucified is the only way to our victory and strength for obedience to the faith. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be upon you all.

God bless

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Getting Grace; Giving Grace Part 1

We are nearing the end of our study in Romans. If one truly has the grace messsage that one will give grace to the weak and hurting and the undeserving. This week is part one and will conclude with the findal lesson in Romans next week.

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Getting Grace; Giving Grace Part 1

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We have been on quite the adventure through Romans. Establishing living by faith in Jesus exclusively is the theme of Romans. The last few chapters of Romans is a test for the student of the Word of God. The fullness of grace is not known at the point you walk in the favor of God just for yourself. The sign of maturity in grace is when you offer grace to the undeserving of grace. By definition grace is unmerited favor by divine influence. God has called believers to offer the divine influence they have received from God to those around them.

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Romans 14:1 Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. 2 For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. 3 Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him.

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There was a disputing over what should be the diet of the believers. The weak believers were claiming you should only eat vegetable and no meat. There was a judgment being made between the meat eaters and non-meat eaters. It may sound silly to our society where any diet is allowed; however I have heard church dispute over other petty full issue. Things like owning a TV or not. Denomination who dress only a certain way and if you fail to dress their way they hold other believers in contempt. Let love and moderation rule. God tell us to walk and dress modestly without doubt. But there have been some who have taken modesty to such an extreme that if you wore a short sleeve shirt you have offended them. Many other such worthless arguments have caused needless wounds to new babes in Christ. Many times it is so called seasoned saints inflicting the hurt.

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Romans 14:4 Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.

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Paul ’s words are very strong here. The church is God’s people and who are we to make judgment upon God’s people? It is God who is able to make His servants stand.

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Romans 14:5 One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks.

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Here we have practical teaching about a person convictions. To eat meat or not to eat meat, to worship on the Sabbath or now it is only on the Sunday to worship. So many get so entrenched in their traditions they forget that Jesus Christ is the center piece of the Gospel. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind! If God has given you an instruction keep it! However don’t make a doctrine out of your conviction!

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Colossians 2:16 So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.

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The heart of the gospel is we have righteousness by faith in Jesus Christ alone. Jesus is the substance! When men try and make performance the substance beware!

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Colossians 2:6 As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.

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How did you receive Christ? By faith, and it is by faith in Jesus Christ you will stand! One man looking down on his brother because he does not approve of his performance is a wrong judgment to make. If one is weak in the faith we must receive him! By the divine influence of God your brother may very well be persuaded to walk closer to God. God calls us to offer grace in order to strengthen the faith of the brethren!

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Romans 14:7 For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. 9 For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living.

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If you have truly received grace your living is to the Lord. The cross was for the purpose of Jesus being Lord over all.

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Roman 14:10 But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11 For it is written: "As I live, says the LORD, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God."

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What a day that will be when every knee shall bow to Jesus Christ our Lord. Those walking in the fullness of grace desire to encourage the brethren!

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Romans 14:12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. 13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way.

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Will the accounting you give speak that you bowed the knee long before this day judgment. Will our accounting say we did not create a stumbling block or a cause for our brother to fall? Oh that the body of Christ would resolve to not put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.

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Romans 14:14 I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15 Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died.

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Those walking in the fullness of grace look out for the brethren around them. True graceful walking filters actions through the love of the brethren.

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Romans 14:16 Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

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Righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit is the kingdom of God . Some have mistakenly thought the kingdom of God is eating and drinking and observance of days. Theses are the matters of dispute which we need to walk peacefully and in love.

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Romans 14:18 For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. 21 It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.

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Our hearts should be sensitive to the weak and do all that is within us not to offend the weak and cause them to stumble. This is offering grace to the weak and acceptable to God.

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Romans 14:22 Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.

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Do you have a conviction? Be faithful to it. Walking in your convictions must be guided by love.

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Philippians 2:1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

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Walking in grace considers the needs of others; with the grace and comfort God afforded you, so should you offer that same grace to those around you.

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1 Corinthians 12:18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. 19 And if they were all one member, where would the body be? 20 But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you"; nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." 22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. 23 And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, 24 but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, 25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

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God desires that there should be no schism in the body, but the members of the body should have the same care for one another. Genuine grace calls you to walk in unity with the brethren. Romans 14 starts with the same admonition of receiving the weak and 1 Corinthians 12 take it one step further. The members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary and we should have greater care for them. God help us to walk in the fullness of grace.

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Living Sacrifice Under God’s Authority

The living sacrifice living under God's authority will be a people with power and God will manifest Himself clearly.

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Living Sacrifice Under God’s Authority

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Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.

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Romans chapters 3 -11 lay the foundational truths of salvation by faith. It clearly portrays our salvation is a gift from God entered only and exclusively through Jesus Christ. Romans 4 declared that is was faith in Jesus without works least any man should boast. Romans 5 declare the much more you find in the true grace message. And many more truths brought to us exclusively through the grace found in Jesus alone. In last week’s Bible study we said there was a turning of the corner at chapter 12. It is learning to live out of the fullness of God’s grace. Romans 13 continues the practical applications that allows the fullness of grace to work in our lives.

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This is where the rubber meets the road! Many, many give loud amen at the grace of Romans 4 through 8. However, Romans is a building block book. If you leave out some of the chapters you have yet to hear the whole of how God wants to work in the believer’s life.

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God calls the believer to live under subjection to the governing authorities. Authorities are appointed by God. Be careful how you treat God’s appointed people.

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Romans 13:2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4 For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain;for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.

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Not all authority over us are godly, none the less, they are in their position because God allowed it. There is a single exception to submitting to worldly authority. If they are demanding one to break from walking in obedience to God, you must be obedient to God. These cases, in our society, are the exception and not the rule. God calls us to pray for our leadership and to submit to their authority. We should pray for our leaders in our city, counties, states. We should pray for the peace of our cities and pray not just for our own church to be blessed; we should pray for all those churches who truly call on the name of the Lord.

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Romans 13:5 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God's ministers attending continually to this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

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These practical teachings are still dealing with us being the living sacrifice to God. God calls us to live with integrity toward our governing authorities. Render therefore to all their due. What straight forward instructions! Taxes, customs, fear, and honor to whom it is due to. Our modern day society has lost the truths of fear and honor. We have resented being under God’s authority, the churches authority and the civil governing authority. In fact just this week I heard a minister declare the church has no authority over the believers. I know there has been abuse by those who have authority; however, that is no reason to throw out the truth and miss the blessing of walking under the authority God has called us to.

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Hebrews 13:7 Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.

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Hebrews 13:17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

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There is not only the civil authority there is also those with Spiritual authority. There are those who make the claim I have no authority but Jesus Christ! What of these verses that command us to obey those who rule over us. I know this is a hard pump to prime in the modern churches. How hungry are you for God, and to what depth do you want to walk in His ways? Let God bring you to a church full of the Holy Ghost and a man with a true shepherd’s heart and be planted and grow under his authority.

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Ephesians 4:11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;

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The phrase has been coined “the five fold ministry”. God has raised up men to walk in these ministries for the benefit of the church. The modern day church has not been taught to give honor and fear to whom it is due. When we say fear it is a respect for the man who God has given authority to. Without the fullness of the grace message this authority becomes unbalanced. However it is God who will bring stability and balance to His church if we will submit to His word.

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1 Peter 5:2 Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 3 nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock;

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Here is the Godly instructions to those God has called the church to submit to. Submitting to the civilian authority is very important; however I feel compelled to keep sharing about the spiritual authority God has called us to submit to. God has commanded the ministers in the church to shepherd the flock by example; God has also command the church body to submit to the authority God has put in place.

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God has an order and when we come out of order we leave the enemy of our soul room to gain a foot hold in our lives.

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1 Corinthians 16:15 I urge you, brethren; you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints; 16 that you also submit to such, and to everyone who works and labors with us.

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Here in Corinthians it was the way of the church to submit to those dedicated to the work of the ministry; far to many have lost the way. God calls us back into His divine order and plan.

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Romans 13:8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not bear false witness," "You shall not covet," and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

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Not only does God call us to submit to authority but grace teaches us to love one another. God is love and when the love of Christ flows through us those around will be changed. Being compelled by the love of Christ brings right action and living. This too is walking practically as that living sacrifice. We are not under the law; however the law will be fulfilled as we walk as a living sacrifice.

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Romans 13:11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.

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It is time for the church to awake from it’s slumber. Wake up to the grace God has bestowed upon us. Awake to the depth of His love for us. Awake to the gift of righteousness the Father gave us through His Son Jesus. Awake to the truth God has done a perfected work in our spirit; awake to bringing our soul in line with the Word of God. Awake to the longing with all creation for the final redemption of our bodies.

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Ephesians 5:14 Therefore He says: "Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light." 15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

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Imagine such words from the Holy Spirit to the church. Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead. God is speaking to the church. In this evil day we must awake and pursue the purposes and plan of God. Is our lifestyle one of redeeming the time? If we are not whole heartedly pursuing God and His purpose we are slumbering. We must pursue relationship with God and long for Him to be our reward. LET THE CHURCH AWAKE!

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Romans 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy.

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When the church conversation is the same as the world conversation, when the church loves the same thing the world loves, when the church pursuits are the same as the world, it is time for the church of God to awake! Why is it the church hallways have the same conversations as in the workplace.

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2 Timothy 3:1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!

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The line here in this passage strikes my soul. The church has become lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. When you hear in the hallways of the church fans of “Dancing With the Stars” talk but they would not dare move out of the pew to dance for Jesus, the church needs an awakening. When the church is longing to hear “Oprah” advice for an hour and have not read the Word of God for 5 minutes, the church needs an awakening. When the church calls for a picnic and ¾ of the church shows up, and the church calls for a prayer meeting and a handful show up, the church is in need of an awakening. When the church has any reflection in this passage of Timothy the church is in need of awakening. The solution is not far off or hard to understand.

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Romans 13:14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

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God is calling us to walk and live as a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to Him. Will we the church answer the call? It is time for the church to allow the washing of the water of the Word to come. It is time for the church to come back under the authority by which it was birthed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. It is time to allow Christ to shine on us!

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