Blessed Hope Bible-Presbyterian Church
500 Upper Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 678106
William MacDonald observed well, “The first verse of chapter 16 concerns a collection which was to be taken up by the church in Corinth and sent to needy saints in Jerusalem. The exact cause of their poverty is not known. Some have suggested that it was a result of famine (Acts 11:28–30).”
Romans 1:16-17 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
The blessing of eternal life comes with victory over death and sin. A blessing that the kings in the past sought to find but in vain. The secret to eternal life comes by faith in Jesus Christ. This truth, for God’s people, must warm the heart and strengthen the soul. God’s power of salvation is freely given to all who will receive Jesus Christ by faith.
16th Century Reformation in Germany
Martin Luther (Part 3)
The pope first treated the matter of Martin Luther’s 95 theses lightly, but quickly changed his mind when he found out how serious was the threat to his authority and to the doctrine of the Church. He demanded that Luther should recant, and summoned him to appear in Rome. He also demanded that Frederick the Wise should deliver up this ‘child of the devil’ to the papal legate. In response Frederick suggested that the pope should send a delegate before whom Luther might appear and plead his cause and to this the pope finally agreed. He sent Cardinal Cajetan to Germany and Luther duly appeared before him.
16th Century Reformation in Germany
Martin Luther (Part 3)
The pope first treated the matter of Martin Luther’s 95 theses lightly, but quickly changed his mind when he found out how serious was the threat to his authority and to the doctrine of the Church. He demanded that Luther should recant, and summoned him to appear in Rome. He also demanded that Frederick the Wise should deliver up this ‘child of the devil’ to the papal legate. In response Frederick suggested that the pope should send a delegate before whom Luther might appear and plead his cause and to this the pope finally agreed. He sent Cardinal Cajetan to Germany and Luther duly appeared before him.
It is with great rejoicing that the people of God give praise to the power of the gospel to save lost souls. It is first of all imbibed then lovingly offered to others. And the exhortation is that the people of God be kept strong in the Lord and be kept strong fervently serving the Lord.
All that the believer does as unto the Lord for His honour and glory constitutes the believer’s new life in Christ. He is exhorted to keep relying on the Lord through prayer and to do all in accordance with God’s Word. This constitutes the good work of the believer that the Apostle Paul encourages should abound.
Death is no longer an impasse for the Christian, God has provided for His people a comprehensive solution. We are going to inherit an incorruptible body, a new body, no more aches and pains, a body that will last us for eternity. This is the promise of God in the preceding text.
We live in a world where the line of truth is blurred and men call good evil and evil good. A time likened to the days before God sent the global flood to destroy the known world wherein Noah and his family of 8 were saved when they got into the ark before the rain came.
Hymns: RHC 324 Trusting Jesus, 242 Blessed Quietness, 334 Sweet Peace, the Gift of God’s Love
Psalm 125
1 They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever. 2 As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever. 3 For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity. 4 Do good, O LORD, unto those that be good, and to them that are upright in their hearts. 5 As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: but peace shall be upon Israel.
REWARDS OF FAITH
OUTLINE
Quiet Confidence (v1-2)
Deliverance in Trials (v3)
Propensity for Good (v4)
Abiding Peace (v5)