Blessed Hope Bible-Presbyterian Church
500 Upper Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 678106
Romans 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
Paul was a man chosen by God to bring forth everlasting fruit in ushering men and women into God’s eternal kingdom. Paul’s calling like prophet Jeremiah’s was part of God’s eternal plan of redemption conceived before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4).
Matthew 23:27-33 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.
Romans 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
Today, we begin a daily bible-study series beginning with the Book of Romans. I shall endeavour to provide daily refreshing from God’s Word to encourage your heart in the things of God for a new day.
Paul, the author, introduced himself, firstly as a servant of Jesus Christ, secondly, as one called by Jesus Christ and thirdly, an apostle sent by Jesus Christ. His life has been entirely given to one mission – the work of the gospel. He was “separated”, being set apart, for the gospel of God.
(1) Marks of True Faith
Abraham’s faith was characterized by obedience and patience.
(a) Obedience
Hebrews 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
Abraham submitted to God’s instruction. He complied and acted upon God’s call. He willingly ventured into the unknown. Despite the uncertainty, he embarked on a spiritual pilgrimage of faith, led by God. Abraham did not go alone. His entire family went with him. He was the spiritual leader of his family and he led his family as God led him. He was already 75 years old at that time. Abraham affirmed his faith by his obedience.
Ruth 3:1-5 Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee? 2 And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor. 3 Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking. 4 And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do. 5 And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do.
Matthew 23:16-26 Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor! 17 Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?
Evangelism at the Beautiful Gate
A lame man above 40 years old sought alms from Peter and John at the gate of the temple called Beautiful (Acts 3:2; 4:22). The man’s limbs were without strength and he could not walk from birth. It was no fault of his. It was sad, but it was for the glory of God.
The Beautiful gate was the main gate at the eastern part of Herod’s Temple. It was the ninth gate and the principal entrance into the Temple. The ascent to the Temple was by 12 easy steps. The gate itself was made of dazzling Corinthian brass, richly ornamented and so massive were its double doors that they needed the united strength of 20 men to open and close them. It was at 3pm, the 9th hour (Acts 3:1). The Jews observed daily three stipulated hours of prayer. These were the 3rd, 6th and 9th hour. It was when Peter and John observed the appointed time of communion with God that they met the lame man.
Ruth 2:8-12 Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens: 9 Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn. 10 Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger? 11 And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore. 12 The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.
Matthew 23:13-15 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. 14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. 15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one prhew 23:13-15 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. 1oselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.
(1) Stand Up for Jesus
– A Deathbed Challenge
A revival broke out in Philadelphia in 1858 under the powerful preaching of twenty-nine-year old Dudley Tyng. Besides pastoring his own church, he held noonday services at the downtown YMCA that attracted great crowds.
On March 30 of that year, over five thousand men gathered for a meeting during which Rev. Tyng preached from Exodus 10:11, “Ye that are men, now go and serve the Lord.” Over one thousand of those present committed their lives to Christ. At one point in his sermon Rev. Tyng said, “I must tell my Master’s errand, and I would rather that this right arm were amputated at the trunk than that I should come short of my duty to you in delivering God’s message.”