I’m leading a class that is studying the Book of Romans in our Wednesday Workshops. Tonight we begin a close look at Romans 6. This chapter presents one core truth and some corollary truths. The core truth is stated several times, but most clearly in verse 5: For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection… (NKJV). Those who have been justified by faith in Jesus Christ are joined together with Him, specifically in His death and resurrection. This is a spiritual reality that has the greatest of implications for our lives. Because we have been joined to Christ, we have the ability and motivation to live righteously. I’m thrilled to renew my understanding of our union with Christ as I study today, and looking forward to sharing it in our workshop tonight.
Category: Bible Reading and Study
Hold That Thought
A member of Calvary invited me to speak at his civic club lunch meeting today. He asked me to base my talk on messages I preached at Calvary from Titus 2:1-3. One of the points is from the exhortation to refrain from slander – Avoid Malicious Conversations. This instruction in verse 3 is directed to women, but applies to all. Our sinful tendency is to feel good when we say something critical and demeaning about another person, hinting at scandal, repeating damaging information, raising suspicions, passing on rumors, etc. The text says, “not slanderers.” It is the natural thing to do, but we shouldn’t. If you find yourself about to, STOP. While your mouth is open, ask yourself:
- Does what I’m about to say build up or tear down the person I’m talking about?
- Would I say it if he/she were present?
- Am I saying it because I like the attention or because I love the person?
- Should I be talking to the person instead of about him or her?
It takes self-discipline to refrain from sharing that juicy gossip. It takes courage to redirect the conversation your coffee group is having, or to walk away from a boss-bashing session. It’s all part of Healthy Living.
You can have high gospel impact!
We are studying through the little New Testament book of Titus together in our morning Lord’s Day gatherings at Calvary. It’s all about Learning & Living. A couple of weeks ago, we learned that common people in lowly positions doing menial tasks can have high gospel impact (Titus 2:9-10). Five qualities for maximizing your gospel impact are:
- Submissiveness to authority – “obedient”
- Motivation to please – “well pleasing in all things”
- Not being disagreeable – “not answering back”
- Not taking what isn’t yours – “not pilfering”
- Being completely trustworthy – “showing all good fidelity”
“That they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things” means that even slaves can make the gospel attractive to people who observe their attitudes and performance. Are you a common person in a lowly position doing menial tasks? How is your gospel impact? Do you make the gospel more or less attractive to people?
Listen to the message here.
Dean H. Taylor 