The Epic Life - Bob Hallman

30. The Characteristics Of The Strong (Romans 15:1-13)

In the past several weeks we have been discussing disputable matters – those issues that are neither prohibited nor commanded in scripture.With Paul’s’ help we concluded that, In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.
Or in the language of our day: Major in the majors and minor in the minors.In other words, we need to keep the main thing, the main thing. And the main thing is Jesus! 
In the closing hours of His life, Jesus prayed four times for the unity of the church (Jn 17:11, 21, 22, 23) -- a remarkable fact considering the limitless number of things that Jesus could have prayed for. This emphasis in Jesus’ prayer speaks volumes about the importance that God places on unity within the church. In light of this, I find it amazing how quickly we get sidetracked from the “main thing” and allow disputable issues to break our fellowship with other believers and destroy the witness of the church.
Blessings, 
The Epic Life 3-2600 Kaumualii HWY STE 1300 #513 Lihue, HI 96766 https://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life https://www.theepiclife.podbean.com

29.The Strength to Yield (Romans 14:13-23)

Unfortunately, some Christians take such strong positions on issues like these that their motto could be summed up in the following brief poem: “Look as I look, Do as I do …Then and only then, Will I fellowship with you!”Instead, in Romans 14:1-12, we concluded that when it comes to disputable matters:1. The strong should accept those who are weak in the faith2. No one should pass judgment on someone else over disputable matters3. We must let God be the ultimate judge of each man’s heartTo the contrary, the motto of the church should be:“In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.
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28. Love in Action (Romans 13:8-14)

The greatest need of every man and every woman is love. Most of our behavior is driven by the need for love and acceptance. It’s a need designed by God to be ultimately fulfilled only by God. 
Our number one problem in life, from a human perspective, is our inability to express or receive love.
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27. Submission to Authority (Romans 13:1-7)

In Romans 1-11, Paul revealed to us the glorious mercies of God expressed to us in a reconciled relationship with the Father through faith in the finished sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. Then in chapters 12-15, Paul indicates that God’s mercies should produce tangible, measurable, and obvious changes in the way that we live our lives. 1. In our relationship with God: Romans 12:1-2We are to offer our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing in His sight. 2. In our relationship with other believers: Romans 12:3-16We are to be rightly related with our brothers and sisters in Christ and to use our God-given gifts to build others up. 3. In our relationship with unbelievers: Rom 12:17-21We are to live in a loving and respectful manner even with our enemies.Now in Romans 13:1-7, Paul declares that the fruit of God’s mercy should also impact the way that we respond to authority in our lives. 
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26. The Fruit of a Sacrificed Life (Romans 12:9-21)

In Matthew 22, Jesus summarized the whole Old Testament Law in two simple statements: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind,” and "Love your neighbor as yourself.”1. Love God by offering your body as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to Him.2. Love others 
In Romans 12:9-21, Paul gives 25 distinct characteristics that should mark the life of a genuine believer – they are the fruit of a sacrificed life. As we consider these characteristics, I want to encourage you to avoid the two extremes of discouragement and pride. Where you fall short, ask the Lord for help. Where you have been faithful, give Him thanks and praise because the kind of life that Paul is describing is impossible to live apart from God and the transformational work of the Holy Spirit. 
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25. The Fruit of God’s Mercy( Romans 12:1-8)

Romans 12 represents a major transition in the book of Romans. In the first 11 chapters of Romans, Paul addressed the doctrine of salvation – how a man or woman can be reconciled to God simply based on faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. In chapters 12-16, Paul spells out some of the ways our faith and doctrine should be demonstrated in our daily lives. 
In fact, the more we understand what God has accomplished for us in the sacrifice of Christ the more we find ourselves saying, “Wow! Lord, in light of what you have done for me, what can I do to serve you?
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24. The Irrevocable Call of God (Romans 11:17-36)

John 15:1-8 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. … Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.”
Jesus said in Matt 7:16-20 that a tree could be judged by its fruit. And in Matt 21:43 he told the Jews that since they remained spiritually unfruitful that, “The kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit.
 
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23. “Rejected?” (Romans 11:1-16)

There are few experiences more devastating than rejection. Rejection means the denial of love, acceptance and approval. In the Greek (Apotheomai) it means to be “thrust away.” At one time we have all experienced being “thrust away.” More often than not, the deepest wounds were delivered by those from whom we most seek affirmation and approval – our parents, family, spouse, and boss. The ultimate source of affirmation and approval for the believer, of course, is God. I remember that as a new believer, I had serious reason to believe that I had been rejected by God. As a new Christian, I found that my life was still marked by sin and compromise, and I truly wondered if I might have taken advantage of God’s grace and mercy too many times. That He would finally say, “Bob, it’s over. You have ignored my Word, violated my commands and spurned the promptings of the Holy Spirit one too many. times.”
In chapter 11, Paul addresses the question of whether God has given up on Israel. It was a natural question because the majority of the Jews had rejected the long-awaited Messiah. At the close of chapter 10, Paul quotes several Old Testament scriptures that would seem to prepare us for God’s final and irrevocable rejection of Israel. But fortunately for Israel -- and for us -- this conclusion would be wrong!
 
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22. Hey, Nice Feet! (Romans 10:12-21)

I’ve been accused of many things in my life, but having nice-looking feet wasn’t one of them! First of all, my feet are rather large and wide -- the result of growing up on Oahu with an aversion to shoes.Second, I’ve always thought that my big toes resembled an astronaut with his helmet on.Third, my feet have a tendency to sweat. Fortunately, they don’t smell – at least not that I am aware of!
Fourth, they are crisscrossed with veins on top and leathered with calluses on the bottom.
Fifth, I’ve had four operations on my left foot and plenty of scars to prove it.And finally, my right big toenail is blackened and falling off – the result of playing basketball with Mr. Hanada.
I’m not exactly what you would consider a candidate for a “beautiful foot” contest! Maybe you can relate! Yet, today, we are going to discover how to have beautiful feet. And by God’s grace, we can encourage one another on a regular basis with the greeting, “Hey, nice feet!”
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The Epic Life 3-2600 Kaumualii HWY STE 1300 #513 Lihue, HI 96766 https://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life https://www.theepiclife.podbean.com

21. The Righteousness from God (Romans 10:1-13)

In Romans chapter 9, Paul presented God’s elective sovereignty in salvation In Romans 10, He presents the role of human responsibility in salvation The fact is that the Bible teaches both God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility. They are two sides of the same coin and, though difficult to fully understand, it must be accepted by faith.
It is not our responsibility to try to determine whom God has chosen but to proclaim the gospel to every person who is willing hear it, praying with Paul’s earnestness that they will believe and receive Christ as Savior and Lord. 
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The Epic Life 3-2600 Kaumualii HWY STE 1300 #513 Lihue, HI 96766 https://www.theepiclife.org https://www.facebook.com/livetheepiclife https://www.instagram.com/Living_The_Epic_Life https://www.theepiclife.podbean.com