The Heart of an Apostle.

 By:  Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Romans 1:1-15

 

Romans 1:5

Jesus was kind to me and chose me to be an apostle,^[c] so that people of all nations would obey and have faith. 

(ESV)

 

Today is Halloween, a day of ghosts, Jack-O-Lanterns, and haunted houses. While this could cause one to fear, God has not given us a spirit of fear but love, power, and soundness of mind (2 Timothy 1:7). Much has happened in our world that could cause us to fear so on this night of fear, I want to remind my readers not to fear but to have faith in God to take them through any situation in their lives.

 

The Apostle Paul is ministering in Corinth but has a heart’s desire to minister in Rome. While this is the Heart’s desire of the Apostle Paul, something has always come up preventing him from going to Rome (Romans 1:13). Paul eventually does arrive in Rome and is finally able to minister in Rome fulfilling his heart’s desire (Acts 28:17-31). Paul expresses his heart’s desire by,

 

1)      Greeting with his mission statement to preach the Good News of Jesus Christ (Romans 1:1-7) – This powerful greeting by the Apostle Paul states his foundational heart's desire to serve God. Paul begins this discourse by stating his calling as an Apostle, one set apart for the Gospel of God (Romans 1:1). Paul then declares the source of the Gospel for which he was called as the prophets of God and the Holy Scriptures (Romans 1:2). The message of the Gospel is all about Jesus Christ who was in the flesh a descendent of David (Matthew 1:1-16), declared to be the Son of God at His baptism (Matthew 3:16-17), and demonstrated by his resurrection from the dead (1 Peter 1:3; Romans 1:3-4). Since there could be no resurrection without crucifixion and death, The grace and mercy given to all choosing to make Jesus his or her Savior should invoke obedience of faith so all nations can experience the saving grace of God, including those in Rome (Romans 1:5-6). Paul then prays for the Grace of God and His peace for those in Rome (Romans 1:7). The heart of Paul is a solid connection with God, the foundation of his belief and calling as an Apostle.

2)      Thanks to Jesus Christ for the believers in Rome (Romans 1:8-15) – Paul then moves on to the horizontal focus of his heart, which is the people of Rome for this epistle. Paul has heard of the faith of the believers in Rome as it has been proclaimed in all the world (Romans 1:8). Paul’s gratitude for the believers in Rome is not just words, but action as he continually prays for them and that somehow God may clear a path for him to visit them (Romans 1:9-10). However, Paul does not have a selfish purpose for wanting to go to Rome, but to impart some spiritual gift to strengthen them (Romans 1:11). This impartation of a spiritual gift to strengthen the believers in Rome does benefit Paul as the encouragement is mutual (Romans 1:12). Paul restates his heart’s desire to come and visit the believers in Rome (Romans 1:13). Paul’s calling in Christ is to share the Gospel to Greeks and barbarians, the wise and foolish, which is his heart’s desire to also preach to the Romans (Romans 1:14-15).

 

Paul takes his calling as an Apostle seriously. His calling is not just his job, but the result of a radical transformation occurring in his life through his encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-19). This encounter with Christ radically transformed Paul from one persecuting those of the way, believers in Jesus Christ, to one with a calling from God, although he was not aware yet what that calling was. However, even though Paul does not know the specifics of his calling, he now has a vertical connection with God through the redemptive mercy and grace of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). The horizontal calling of Paul to take the Gospel message to the Gentiles would come through Ananias when he would pray for Paul to regain his sight (Acts 9:13-19). Paul experienced a radical transformation in his life through an encounter with Jesus Christ, radically transforming both his vertical and horizontal heart’s focus.

 

Every individual responding to the conviction of the Holy Spirit, making a profession of faith to God of Jesus as his or her Savior, experiences a similar transformation. We may not be blinded by a light and hear a voice from heaven, but our encounter with Jesus is just as real for all that call upon the name of the Lord will be saved (Acts 2:21). However, believers can become weary in ministry and lose sight of their first love, Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:2-4). This represents one who has lost their vertical connection with God through Christ, trying to maintain a horizontal connection with the lost in the world around them. Others have a vertical connection with God but lack any horizontal connection with the lost in the world around them as they have become self-focused, using God to bring personal gain (Revelation 3:15-17).

 

Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well that true worshippers of God, worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). This true worship represents a balance of a heart vertically connected with God in spirit that connects horizontally with the lost in the world through the declaration of the truth of the Word of God. The heart of the Apostle Paul is a model of one establishing a vertical and horizontal balance in his heart, and an example to follow. I now want to invite anyone reading this who has not prayed to make Jesus their Savior to pray with me now and establish a vertical connection with God,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

I encourage those that just prayed to find a Church teaching from the Bible or Bible study so they can strengthen their vertical relationship with God through Christ. I also encourage you to begin establishing a horizontal connection with those around you who do not know Christ by sharing what Jesus has done in your life. You can also share this post with them. May God challenge and bless those reading this post. 

The Cup of the Lord’s Wrath

 By:  Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Jeremiah 25:15-38

 

Jeremiah 25:32

“Thus says the Lord of hosts:
Behold, disaster is going forth
    from nation to nation,
and a great tempest is stirring
    from the farthest parts of the earth!

(ESV)

 

When most people think of the wrath of God, pictures of lightning bolts and judgment come to mind. However, as the people of Judah discovered when going into exile, it is more a picture of invading armies, exile, and abandonment by God due to not making Him their only god of worship (Deuteronomy 28:15-68). The passage of Jeremiah 25:15-38 tells of nations drinking the cup of God’s wrath but we as individuals can choose to escape the need to drink of the cup of God’s wrath because this is the cup Jesus drank at the crucifixion (Luke 22:41-42).

 

The text of Jeremiah 25:15-38 tells us who will incur God’s wrath, what the consequences are for drinking the cup of God’s wrath, and why denial of the cup of God’s wrath is unacceptable.

 

1)      Who will drink of the cup of God’s wrath (Jeremiah 25:15-26) – The text of Jeremiah 25:15-26 provides a listing of nations subject to the wrath of God. Included in this list are Jerusalem, the cities of Judah, the armies that will invade Judah and Jerusalem but also all the nations of the World. This inclusion of all the nations of the world means the prophecy goes beyond the scope of the situation in Jerusalem and Judah during the time of Jeremiah’s writing and speaks of a future pouring out of wrath by God upon the world. Therefore, all nations will drink of the cup of God’s wrath with Jesus returning to establish His righteous kingdom on earth (Revelation 20:1-6).

2)      What are the consequences of drinking the cup of God’s wrath (Jeremiah 25:27) – Jeremiah 25:27 speaks of one being drunk and sick from drinking this cup. The cup acts as a sword in the hands of God, causing nations to fall and rise no more. The good news for those in Christ is they are citizens of the Kingdom of God and will reign with Christ for one thousand years.

3)      Why denial of the cup of God’s wrath is unacceptable (Jeremiah 25:28-38) – The prophecy of Jeremiah is certain with denial of its consequences unavoidable. The nations of the world will incur the wrath of God, but this is not the end of the world but a new beginning as the world comes under the reign of Christ. The cup of the wrath of God is a cup of judgment but also a cup of cleansing because it purges the ungodly reign of nations, replacing it with the reign of Christ.

 

When praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus asked God the Father to remove this cup from him (Luke 22:41-42). When viewed without context, this statement is strange because Jesus did not have a cup with Him. The context here is that Jesus had just completed the Passover dinner with His disciples and during this meal, they would have drunk cups of wine that symbolize various aspects of a walk with God, including the cup of God’s wrath. Jesus as God knew the full measure of God’s wrath was about to be unleashed upon him, for he had the prophecies of Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22 that graphically describe the unleashing of God’s wrath upon Him by crucifixion. We must also keep in mind that Jesus, who knew no sin (2 Corinthians 5:21), did not need to do this and only did it out of His deep love for humanity.

 

Because of what Jesus did on the cross, there is no need for anyone to drink the cup of God’s wrath for that was not the purpose of Jesus coming to earth (John 3:17). Drinking the cup of God’s wrath is a decision one makes by rejecting Jesus as his or her savior (John 3:18). I encourage those who have not prayed to accept Jesus as Savior, escaping the cup of God’s wrath to do so by praying with me now,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23). I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.

Overview of the Book of Romans

 By:  Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Romans 12:1-2

 

Romans 12:1-2

I appeal to you therefore, brothers,[a] by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.[b] 2 Do not be conformed to this world,[c] but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

(ESV)

 

Many believers in Jesus Christ were led to Christ by someone leading them down the Romans Road which uses four verses in the book of Romans; Romans 3:23; 5:8; 6:23; and Romans 10:9-10. However, doing an overview of the book of Romans indicates the entire book is a road map for a believer to follow in their walk of faith with the Lord. An outline of the Book is as follows

 

I)             From Sinner to Righteous (Romans 1-11)

a.            Sin, why we need God’s Righteousness (Romans 1-3) – Guilty

b.            Salvation, God’s provision of righteousness (Romans 4-5) - Guiltless

c.             Sanctification, God’s ongoing work of Righteousness (Romans 6-8) - Growth

d.            Sovereignty, God’s freedom in granting Righteousness (Romans 9-11) – Glorifying God

II)            Expressing God’s Righteousness through service (Romans 12-16) – Going

 

The historical context of the Book of Romans is as follows,

 

I)             Author: Paul (Romans 1:1)

II)            Audience: Believers in Rome (Romans 1:7) who are strong in their faith but who will be tested through persecution in seven years by Nero who had been in power for three years

III)          Date: 57 AD the third year of the reign of Nero who would later persecute and execute Christians for their faith.

IV)          Setting: Corinth where Paul observed the sin and debauchery around him wanting the believers in Rome to remain strong in their faith.

 

Paul did not know that Nero would later persecute and execute Christians. Some commentators believe the reason for Nero’s persecution of Christians and Jews occurred after the great fire in Rome in 64 AD with Nero making Christians a scapegoat for the fire, justifying the execution of Christians and the destruction of Jerusalem including the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD. This sounds eerily like leadership in countries in our world today where leaders, like Nero fiddle as their nations figuratively burn, seeking a scapegoat for their failures with Christians and Jews often a convenient choice. Therefore, it is even more important for believers to develop intimacy and a closeness to God through the study of His Word and why this study of the Book of Romans has importance and relevance for Christians and Jews today. Acts 17:10-11

 

The book of Romans begins by telling us that God is present in our world through His creation (Romans 1:19-20). It goes on to describe how sin has separated us from God but does not leave us in the guilt of humanity to die in its sin but reminds us of the death of Christ making us guiltless in the eyes of God (Romans 5:8; 6:23). While salvation makes us right with God, God is a good Father who wants His children to grow in their faith by studying His Word, the Bible, like the Bereans (Acts 17:11). God then reminds those in Rome to do all for the glory of God, something he reminded the Corinthians of in 1 Corinthians 10:31-33. He then finishes the book by reminding the believers in Rome, not to be spectators but players in the work of the Gospel by sharing what God has done in their lives with others for faith without works does not make us unrighteous for in the eyes of God, all who profess Jesus as Savior will be saved (Romans 10:9-10), but faith without works is dead faith (James 2:21).

 

We live in perilous times and a world dominated by evil. In many ways, countries like the United States that once had a Godly foundation, are in danger of falling from within like the Roman Empire. The Church should be at the forefront of sharing the Gospel with others with pastors equipping, empowering, and encouraging their congregations to share the Gospel. Unfortunately, the Church today resembles the Church in Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-21), more interested in helping people feel good and encouraged than challenging believers to share the Gospel by sharing what Jesus did to save them and bring reconciliation with God. Please share this post with others so they will be blessed and challenged and join us for the rest of this study. May God bless and challenge those reading this post.

Sin, Repentance, and Evangelism

 By:  Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Jeremiah 25:1-14

 

1 John 1:8

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

(ESV)

 

Many megachurches in our modern culture focus on positives and not on sin, redemption, and the cross of Jesus Christ. (1) While focusing on positives, especially during times of trouble and persecution in the Church is important, sin represents the biggest problem of all humanity for all are guilty and live under a death penalty for their sin (Romans 3:23; 6:23). The mission of the Church is simple, the sharing of the Gospel and making disciples (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20). Making disciples begins with evangelism which requires one acknowledging the sin in his or her life and making a public profession of faith in Christ who died for their sins through baptism (Romans 5:8; 10:9-10; Matthew 28:19). Discipleship occurs when the Church shares the truth of our sinful state (Romans 3:23) and its consequences (Romans 6:23), a negative, and then moves to share the positive of Jesus dying for our sins (Romans 5:8), even though he did not sin (2 Corinthians 5:21), and how one can be saved (Romans 10:9-10).  

 

The nations of Israel and Judah had many warnings of their rebellion against God and its serious consequences (Jeremiah 1:16; 5:19; 11:10). The text of Jeremiah 25:1-14 begins with the prophet Jeremiah reminding the people of Judah how he has persistently spoken to them about their rebellion against God and their persistent ignoring of his words from the Lord (Jeremiah 25:1-3). Jeremiah also reminds them that warnings about their sin and rebellion have come from other prophets as well whom they also ignored (Jeremiah 25:4-7).

 

The nations of Israel and Judah are now at a point where they face invasion from the north and Nebuchadnezzar, the King of Babylon (Jeremiah 25:8-9). Not only are the nations of Israel and Judah facing exile and invasion, but they will also experience the loss of their joy and gladness (Jeremiah 25:10). For seventy years the lands of Israel and Judah will become a ruin and a waste with the nations in exile serving the king of Babylon (Jeremiah 25:11). While God is a God of judgment, He is also a God of mercy and Grace, promising punishment for their captors (Jeremiah 25:12-14).

 

The nation of Judah has had ample warning of their rebellion (Jeremiah 1:16; 5:19; 11:10) against God and knows the consequences of this rebellion (Deuteronomy 28:15-28). However, instead of repenting of their sin and rebellion, the people of Israel and Judah have determined not to listen to the warnings from God, provoking God to anger (Jeremiah 25:1-7). This provoking of the Lord to anger will result in seventy years of captivity after invasion from the north and the king of Babylon (Jeremiah 25:8-11). However, the situation for Israel and Judah is not hopeless for God promises to punish their captures after the seventy years of captivity. Unfortunately for Israel and Judah, it took going into captivity to bring them to repentance, something they could have done before going into captivity.

 

The Church at Laodicea was severely reprimanded for their lukewarmness and lack of repentance (Revelation 3:14-22). Unfortunately, Churches no longer stressing evangelism and failing to mention sin are lukewarm for they have lost their missional focus (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8). Like many Churches today, the Laodicean Church focused on their riches and prosperity, claiming to need nothing when in God’s eyes they are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked (Revelation 3:17). Like Israel and Judah, the Laodicean Church claimed to worship God while also worshiping the gods or idols of their riches and prosperity. This should be a warning to Churches today and a call to return to their biblical mission of making disciples which begins with evangelization and the need of acknowledging one’s sinful state (Romans 3:23). Discipleship can then move to equip believers with knowledge of the Word of God, encouraging them through challenges in life, empowering them to speak boldly about what God has done in their lives. May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.

 

References:

1. Burk, Denny. Joel Osteen’s Christianity without a Cross. dennyburk.com. [Online] October 15, 2007. [Cited: September 29, 2021.] https://www.dennyburk.com/joel-osteen%E2%80%99s-christianity-without-a-cross/.