In Christ Alone: a Study in Romans - Romans 15:22-23

  I.  Honor God with our planning. 

    a.  Subject to the sovereignty of God.

-prevented = egkopto = hinder, prevent; literally to cut, to cut out

-Jer. 10:23; James 4:15 

    b.  Submissive to the will of God.

“First, God knew Spain was in Paul’s heart, just as much as it was in David’s heart to build the Temple, though that king never saw a stone of it laid. Secondly, the value of a dream is not whether we achieve it or not, but in setting out to achieve it…God is not so much interested in whether we reach our destination as in how we try to get there. To us arrival is everything, but to God the journey is most important, for it is in the journey that we are perfected, and it is in hardships that he is glorified as we trust him.”-Kent Hughes

 II.  Embrace duty with love and joy.

-II Cor. 9:7

 

III.  Genuinely place priority in prayer.

-agonizomai = struggle, fight

Show the love of Christ to a child in need this Christmas!

What are you doing this year for Christmas?

Decorating the house?  Making Christmas cookies?  Celebrating with family and loved ones?  Exchanging gifts?

What if this year you gave gifts that not only celebrated your loved ones but brought the love of Christ to a child in need?  An orphan in Africa, India, Ukraine, or Honduras?

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May God bless your holiday season!  

10-11 Gifts of Purpose from Lifesong for Orphans on Vimeo.

Sermon Notes: In Christ Alone - A Study in Romans

Rom. 15:14-21

 

   I.  Care for the spiritual well being of others.

-admonish = noutheteo = admonish, warn.

"The person is led away from a false way through warning, instruction, reminder, teaching and encouragement so his conduct is corrected."

-minister = leitourgos = servant, minister;

Luke 1:23, Heb. 8:1-2, 6; I Pet. 2:9

 

  II.  Boast only in what Christ has done through us.

-Phil. 3:4-8; I Tim. 1:12-14, Gal. 6:14

    a.  We have nothing in ourselves to boast about.

    b.  Do not fail to boast about what God has done.

 

 III.  Develop a Christ directed vision throughout life.

-Acts 9:15, Gal. 1:16

-aspire = philotimeomai = to be fond of or love honor.

-Acts 16:6-10

-Bruce Waltke "Finding the Will of God"

   God's Program of Guidance.

    1.  Reading your Bible.

    2.  Developing a heart for the Lord.

    3.  Seeking wise counsel.

    4.  Looking for God's providence.

    5.  Does this make sense?

    6.  Divine intervention.