OUR FATHER WHO BEFOREHAND PREPARED GOOD WORKS FOR US TO FULFILL

Having described the exeedingly exalted position of the Lord Jesus Christ over all creation and the incredible advantages that would be bestowed on those who believed in HIm, the Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians in chapter 2 verses 1 - 10, describes what condition we were in prior to being redeemed by God through Jesus.

He described us as dead in our trespasses and sins and under the domination of the prince of the power of the air who still controls those who are not yet repentant and obedient to the gospel. Paul graphically illustrates how our behaviour was ruled by our fleshly lusts and the pursuit of bodily desires and and desires of the mind and in this state, we were all destined for total ruination under the wrath of God.

1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

However, in His abundant mercy and love for us, even while we were still in rebellion to Him, God provided a method by which we could be restored from death. God, in the act of ressurecting Christ from the dead, ressurected us from death for He, in His kindness towards us, placed us in Christ and we died with Him and when He was raised from the dead, we who believed, were also raised with Him to life. And even further, when God lifted Christ high into heavenly places to a position fitting for Him due to His absolute obedience and righteousness even unto death, we, by God's grace, were lifted up with Him and seated us with Him in those elevated places. 

This act of incredible magnanimity toward those who were previously in rebellion against Him will stand in the ages to come as a testament to the vast treasure of His grace in kindness towards us. And no will be able to take credit for their own salvation for it will be plainly evident that it was strictly by the grace of God that anyone was saved and none will be able to point to any effort of merit earned that they attained the salvation granted them.

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

We who believed in Christ will be saved and we will find ourselves among many others with whom we were all fashioned by God in Christ Jesus to do amazing and wonderful works that were put in place ahead of time for each one of us to fulfill.

Amen.

12

OUR FATHER WHO GIVES US THE SPIRIT OF WISDOM AND REVELATION

In the Apostle Paul's letter to the Ephesians chapter 1 verses 15  - 23, he mentions  the good report he had received about the faith and love of the believers in Ephesus and how this news caused him to be grateful for them and he prayed for them that they may be given the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of God and that they would gain spiritual understanding.

Once learning of their faith and love, Paul wanted the Ephesians to know how consequential the calling that they were hoping in actually was and with that, how great the inheritance of glory was bestowed on the saints and the superlative power of God towards those who believed. This immense power was that which raised the Lord Jesus from the dead and elevated Him to be seated in heavenly places imbued with authority and power that placed Him over all lofty spiritual hierachies that are in existence in this dispensation but as well, all the lofty spiritual hierarchies in the dispensation to come.

All things in existence were thus placed under the  feet of Jesus and Jesus is the head of the church which is the vesel in the earth that contains all of Him and is His body through which He exercises His power and authority.

 15 Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.

22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Amen.

2

OUR FATHER WHOSE PURPOSE IS ACCORDING TO THE COUNSEL OF HIS WILL

In book of Ephesians chapter 1 verses 7 - 14, the Aposle Paul continues describing the immense benefits that are accrued to us because of the Lord Jesus Christ and his work on the cross.

7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, 9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, 10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. 11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, 12 that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.

13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.

Paul itemizes the priceless gifts that are bestowed on us who trusted in the word of truth and believed in the gospel of salvation through Jesus  through the wisdom and prudence of God:

• Being redeemed through Christ's blood
• Being forgiven of sins through His riches of grace
• Gaining the revelation of the mystery of God's will, good pleasure and purposes
• Being joined into the ultimate unity of God's family in heaven and earth
• Obtaining an inheritance having been predestined by God's intention
• Being the praise of God's glory to those who believed in Christ
• Being sealed (preserved) with the promised Holy Spirit
• Being secured by the downpayment of  the Holy Spirit until final purchase

All these immense benefits are received by those who believe in gospel to the praise of the glory of God.

Amen.

4

OUR FATHER WHO HAS BLESSED US WITH EVERY SPIRITUAL BLESSING

Beginning a deeper look into the book of Ephesians, we start with chapter 1 verses 1 - 6 where the Apostle Paul introduces himself by his name and then by the apostolic office that was he was called to by God and he then addreses the recipients of his letter as the saints who were located in the town of Ephesus and he address another recipient group as the 'faithful in Christ Jesus'.

He then extends the blessings of grace (covering of sin) and of peace (a clear conscience) from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.

Paul then praises God and Father of the Lord Jesus who has blessed us with the full compliment of available spiritual blessing in heavenly places (which are the access, favor, power and knowledge needed to thrive in the spiritual realm) which He conferred on us who believe through Christ. 

Paul describes the process that brought us to this point starting from before the foundation of the world  when God chose us with the hope that we would ulitmately stand lovingly before God in holiness and blamelessness. 

The reason we would be able to stand before God in this condition is because He predestined us to be eligible for adoption as sons of God through Jesus Christ. This was according to the God's own good pleasure. The qualification of many sons into His family is to the praise of the glory of God's grace which was the instrument by which God made us acceptable into the divine family.

Amen.

1

 OUR FATHER WHO IS THE ONLY WISE GOD

The book of Romans chapter 16 veres 17 - 27 concludes book in this way;

17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. 18 For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. 19 For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil. 20 And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly.  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

21 Timothy, my fellow worker, and Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my countrymen, greet you.

22 I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, greet you in the Lord.

23 Gaius, my host and the host of the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, and Quartus, a brother. 24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

25 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began 26 but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith— 27 to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.

As Paul reaches the end of the book of Romans in a postscript, he encourages the believers in Rome to be cautious regarding those who caused divisions and offence because they had no intention to serve the cause of the Lord Jesus but rather to jockey for their benefit by taking advantage of the gullible ones in their midst.

Paul commends the Romans for their obedience that was notable to degree that they became known for it but he advises them to be prudent and aware of the intentions of evil. Paul assures them that  in the end, the Lord Jesus will be the absolute victor over Satan.

Paul then passes greeting from the people on his side including Timothy, Lucius, Jason, Sosipater, Tercius (who is revealed to be the person who physically transcribed the letter as dictated by Paul), Gaius, Erastus and Quartus.

Paul then gives his last blessings according to the only wise God who was able to establish them by the mystery hidden in the gospel of salvation that was kept hidden from the beginning of the world. This mystery was now being brought to life in their midst as elucidated in the sacred prophetic scripture.

Glory to God through Jesus Christ for all eternity.

Amen.

1

OUR FATHER WHO NOTES PARTICIPANTS IN THE LABORS AND RISKS OF THE WORK OF THE KINGDOM

In the 16th and final chapter of the book of Romans, from verses 1 -  16, the Apostle Paul first commends a lady called Phoebe whom he described as helper of many including himself and worthy to be received honorably as a saint. extends greetings to those who had been alongside him as he pursued the work of the gospel some of whom had risked their lives for him. Paul tells the Roman believers to assist her in whatever manner she needed them to as she conducted activities in their area.

Paul then goes onto extending greetings to those who had served with him and those who had undergone persecution with him. Some of the people had been introduced to Christ through him and he singled out some as those who were beloved by him.

1 I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, 2 that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also.

3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4 who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house.

Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia to Christ. 6 Greet Mary, who labored much for us. 7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

8 Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord. 9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved. 10 Greet Apelles, approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus. 11 Greet Herodion, my countryman. Greet those who are of the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.

12 Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, who have labored in the Lord. Greet the beloved Persis, who labored much in the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. 14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren who are with them. 15 Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.

16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you.

Phoebe - Servant from the church of Cenchrea

Pricilla - Fellow worker - Risked her neck for Paul

Aquila - Fellow worker - Risked her neck for Paul

Epaetenus - First fruit of Achaia - Beloved

Mary - Co-worker who labored much

Adronicus - Countrymen - Old believer - Notable among apostles - Prisoner

Junia - Countrymen - Old believer - Notables among apostles - Prisoner

Amplius - Beloved

Urbanus - Fellow Worker

Stachys - Beloved

Apelles - Appoved in Christ

Aristobulus´ household - Greet

Herodion - Countrymen

Narsissus´ houshold who were in the Lord  - Greet

Tryphena - Labored in the Lord

Tryphosa - Labored in the Lord

Persis - Beloved - Labored much

Rufus - Chosen in the Lord

Rufus' mother - Greet

Asyncritus - Greet

Phlegon - Greet

Hermas - Greet

Patrobas - Greet

Hermes - Greet

Philologus - Greet

Julia - Greet

Nereus - Greet

Nereus' sister - Greet

Olympas - Greet

Amen.

2

OUR FATHER WHOSE SPIRIT LOVES US

The book of Romans chapter 2 verses 22 - 33,

22 For this reason I also have been much hindered from coming to you. 23 But now no longer having a place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come to you, 24 whenever I journey to Spain, I shall come to you. For I hope to see you on my journey, and to be helped on my way there by you, if first I may enjoy your company for a while. 25 But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. 26 For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem. 27 It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things. 28 Therefore, when I have performed this and have sealed to them this fruit, I shall go by way of you to Spain. 29 But I know that when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.

30 Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me, 31 that I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32 that I may come to you with joy by the will of God, and may be refreshed together with you. 33 Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

As the Apostle Paul began to conclude his letter, he mentioned that he wanted the Roman believers to pray with him through the Lord Jesus Christ and through the love of the Holy Spirit that he would not be saved from the hostile quadrants of the unbelievers in Jerusalem and tha t he conduct himself properly among the saints in Jerusalem.

Paul then blessed them hoping that he would get a chance to be with them with joy and refreshment.

Amen.

8

 OUR FATHER WHO DISPLAYED GREAT SIGNS TO WIN THE GENTILES

Romans chapter 15 verses 14 - 21 says this;

14 Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. 15 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written more boldly to you on some points, as reminding you, because of the grace given to me by God, 16 that I might be a minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering of the Gentiles might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17 Therefore I have reason to glory in Christ Jesus in the things which pertain to God. 18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ has not accomplished through me, in word and deed, to make the Gentiles obedient— 19 in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. 20 And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man’s foundation, 21 but as it is written:

“To whom He was not announced, they shall see;

And those who have not heard shall understand.”

Having strongly adjured the Roman church, the Apostle Paul expresses confidence that the recipients of his letter were knowledgable enough to conduct their affairs as Christians correctly.  As a minister who primarily was sent to bring the gospel to the Gentiles, Paul indicated that he had a high expectation of the church at Rome because they were the people of the law and had more exposure to the foundations of the faith than the Gentiles did.

As such, he was reticent to let them know of the astonishing displays of power that God was doing among the Gentiles through him to make them obedient and so on the strength of these great demonstrations of power by the Spirit of God, Paul was propelled to take the gospel to every place where the name of Christ was not known for even the prophets of old foretold of the time when the gentiles would be recipients of Salvation of God.

Amen.

2

 OUR FATHER WHO FILLS US WITH JOY AND PEACE

In Romans chapter 15 verses 7 - 13 the Apostle Paul says this;

7 Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God. 8 Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers, 9 and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written:

“For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles,

And sing to Your name.”

10 And again he says:

“Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!”

11 And again:

“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles!

Laud Him, all you peoples!”

12 And again, Isaiah says:

“There shall be a root of Jesse;

And He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles,

In Him the Gentiles shall hope.”

13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Whereas the Lord Jesus came as a servant to the circumcision because of the promises that were made to the fathers of Israel, the route of salvation also went into the world of the Gentiles as the prophets of old often foretold so therefore, Paul exhorts the believers among the circumcision to receive the Gentiles into the fold even Christ recieved them.

Amen.

6

OUR FATHER WHOM WE GLORIFY IN UNITY WITH HOW WE THINK AND HOW WE SPEAK

In the book of Romans chapter 15 verses 1 - 6, the Apostle Paul explains that in the kingdom of God, it is the responsibility of those who are strong to make accomodations for those who are fragile.

1 We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. 2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. 3 For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.” 4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. 5 Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6 that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen.

1

 OUR FATHER WHOSE KINGDOM IS RIGHTEOUSNESS, PEACE AND JOY

The book of Romans chapter 14  - 23 conveys the concept of love being the highest principal that we should adopt because in the practice of love, all the law is fulfilled.

In our liberty, we are to live in consideration of others and if our liberty causes doubt in others, we should constrain ourselves willingly in order to maintain peace and preserve those who are fragile in their faith.

 14 I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15 Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men.

19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. 21 It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak. 22 Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.

Amen.

4

OUR FATHER TO WHOM WE LIVE

The book of Romans chapter 14 verses 1 -  13 says this:

1 Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. 2 For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. 3 Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. 4 Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.

5 One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. 7 For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. 10 But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11 For it is written:

“As I live, says the Lord,

Every knee shall bow to Me,

And every tongue shall confess to God.”

12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. 13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.

In this passage, the Apostle Paul discusses each believer's liberty in Christ to follow Christ as He leads them or as He deems appropriate for them.

Amen.

4

 OUR FATHER´S LAW IS FULFILLED BY LOVE

Romans chapter 13 verses 8 - 14 says this;

8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

In bringing chapter 13 to a close, the Apostle Paul declares that loving other people is the fulfilment of the law because the law is a code of being harmless towards neighbours which is fulfilled ( and even more than fulfilled ) by the practice of love.

Paul urges his readers to spurn the the attractions of the kingdom of darkness and instead put on the armor of light. As the time is quickly passing, we should avoid lusts, revelyry, drunkenness, lewdness, strife and envy and instead put on the Lord Jesus and make no allowance for the corrupt spirit within us ( called the flesh ). 

Amen.

6

 OUR FATHER WHO INSTITUTED GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY

Romans chapter 13 verses 1 -  7 says this:

1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4 For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. 5 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

Amen.

10

 OUR FATHER TO WHOM VENGEANCE BELONGS

Romans chapter 12 verses 17 - 21 conclude the chapter with this;

17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have[e] regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 Therefore

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;

If he is thirsty, give him a drink;

For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Amen.

10

 OUR FATHER TO WHOM WE SHOULD GIVE OUR FERVENT SERVICE

Romans chapter 12 verses 9 -  16 says this;

9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

Amen.

2

 OUR FATHER WHO HAS DEALT EACH OF US MEASURE OF FAITH

Romans chapter 12 verses 3 - 8 says this;

3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Amen.

4

 OUR FATHER WHOSE GOOD, ACCEPTABLE AND PERFECT WILL OF GOD CAN BE PROVEN

Romans chapter 12 verses 1 - 2 says this;

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. 

Amen.

4

 OUR FATHER TO WHOM BE GLORY FOREVER

Romans chapter 11 verses 25 -  36 says this;

25 For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written:

“The Deliverer will come out of Zion, 

and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob;

27 For this is My covenant with them,

When I take away their sins.”

28 Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. 29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30 For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience, 31 even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy. 32 For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all.

33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!

34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord?

Or who has become His counselor?”

35 “Or who has first given to Him

And it shall be repaid to him?”

36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.

1

OUR FATHER WHO 

Romans chapter 11 verses 11 - 25 says this;

 11 I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles. 12 Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!

13 For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, 14 if by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh and save some of them. 15 For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?

16 For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches. 17 And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, 18 do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you.

19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.” 20 Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. 22 Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off. 23 And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 24 For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, who are natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?

In this passage, the Apostle Paul discusses the dispensations that governed the natural descendants Abraham and that governed the gentiles. The elected ones of God are then given access to the family of God through faith but in order for faith to by conveyed to the Gentiles, the natural descendants of Abraham rejected the message of salvation as it was conveyed to them and the gentiles were able to be grafted into the family of God.

Paul warns that if the natural children of Abraham could be cut off from the tree, so could those who were grafted in from wild sources and thus the gentiles should be humble and fear God. 

Paul also describes how glorious the grafting in of gentiles in to the family of God and if so, how much more glorious is the grafting in of the those who were naturally growing on the olive tree that is Israel.

Amen.

 OUR FATHER WHO ELECTS HIS OWN

The book of Romans chapter 11 verses  7 -  10 says this;

 7 What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded. 

8 Just as it is written:

“God has given them a spirit of stupor,

Eyes that they should not see

And ears that they should not hear,

To this very day.”

9 And David says:

“Let their table become a snare and a trap,

A stumbling block and a recompense to them.

10 Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see,

And bow down their back always.”

Amen.

 OUR FATHER WHO IS FAITHFUL TO HIS PEOPLE

Romans chapter  11 verse 1 - 6 says this;

1 I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel, saying, 3 “Lord, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life”? 4 But what does the divine response say to him? “I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” 5 Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace. 6 And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.

Amen.

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 OUR FATHER WHO WOULD FOUND  BY PEOPLE WHO WERE NOT HIS PEOPLE

The book of Romans chapter 10 verses 14 - 21 says this;

14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:

“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,

Who bring glad tidings of good things!”

16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” 17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

18 But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed:

“Their sound has gone out to all the earth,

And their words to the ends of the world.”

19 But I say, did Israel not know? First Moses says:

“I will provoke you to jealousy by those who are not a nation,

I will move you to anger by a foolish nation.

20 But Isaiah is very bold and says:

“I was found by those who did not seek Me;

I was made manifest to those who did not ask for Me.”

21 But to Israel he says:

“All day long I have stretched out My hands

To a disobedient and contrary people.”

The Apostle Paul  surveyed the scriptures and in this passage showed where the prophets had long before foretold of  the ground movement that would be employed to propagate the good news of the provision that God had made for the salvation of mankind. From the prophet Isaiah in chapter 52 verses 7 where he exclaims how beautiful were the feet of those who brought good news. In Psalm 19, the mechanics of the dispensing and recieving of the gospel is described as a sound that goes throughout the earth seeking out those who had not yet heard.

Paul then discusses the point of  Israel's rejection of entreaties of their God and which provided the opportunity for the Gentiles to find God even though they were not serving or even seeking Him.

Paul finds the words of prophets who foretold that the children of Israel would be disobedient to the gospel and that they would spurn God's outreach to them. This would then justify the dispersion of the good news of salvation to the ends of the earth and that this displacement would ultimately stir the Israelites to jealousy as the gentiles are enfolded into the family of their God.

Amen.

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OUR FATHER SAVES THOSE WHO BELIEVE THAT HE RAISED JESUS FROM THE DEAD

The book of Romans chapter 10 verses 5 - 13 says this;

5 For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, “The man who does those things shall live by them.” 6 But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ down from above) 7 or, “ ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Faith is different from works of the law as a means of producing righteousness because it does not undertake any portion of the salvation process. It neither builds steps up to heaven in self-generated righteousness nor does it build steps down to the hell to devise a way to pay for its own sins but rather, by sincerely believing in the privacy of one's heart, we obtain righteousness and then by confessing to that sincere belief as a testimony to the voluntarily accepted inner belief, justification is obtained.

Belief is the only sincere mental assent that cannot be tampered with to either force it into a person or to force it out of a person.  One cannot, even when great pressure, force one's own self to believe something that they don't voluntarily come to terms with and accept as a belief.

Amen.

2

 OUR FATHER WHO PROVIDES RIGHTEOUSNESS AND NOT WE OF OURSELVES

Romans chapter 10 verses 1 - 4 says this;

1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

The Apostle Paul mentions the people from whom he came and he testifies to their zeal for God but notes that their zeal is misdirected because they did not understand that the law that they had been under was ultimately a prefiguration of the righteousness of Christ and that He was the fulfilment of the law.

To believe in Christ is then to appropriate His total fulfilment of the law to oneself.

Amen.

4

 OUR FATHER WHO LAY IN ZION A STONE ON WHICH MEN STUMBLE

Romans chapter 9 verses 30 - 33  says this;

30 What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness of faith; 31 but Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness. 32 Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone. 33 As it is written:

“Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense,

And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”

The apostle Paul, in this passage, discusses the paradox of the Gentiles, who had not been seeking righteousness, through faith in Christ, were ushered into righteousness while the Children of Israel were trying to achieve righteousness by the law but stumbled on the revelation of the Christ who was the fulfilment of the law and through whom righteousness was fulfilled.

Amen.

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OUR FATHER WHO CALLED A PEOPLE WHO WERE NOT HIS PEOPLE

The book of Romans chapter 9 verses 22 - 29   says this;

22 What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, 23 and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory, 24 even us whom He called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

25 As He says also in Hosea:`

“I will call them My people, who were not My people,

And her beloved, who was not beloved.”

26 “And it shall come to pass in the place where it was said to them,

‘You are not My people,’

There they shall be called sons of the living God.”

27 Isaiah also cries out concerning Israel:

“Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea,

The remnant will be saved.

28 For He will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness,

Because the Lord will make a short work upon the earth.”

29 And as Isaiah said before:

“Unless the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed,

We would have become like Sodom,

And we would have been made like Gomorrah.”

The Apostle Paul, by referencing scriptures from the old testament, demonstrates that the theology from the beginning was that faith was the fulcrum by which people were restored to righteousness and because this was the universal application, gentiles could be saved and some of the children of Israel could be excluded leaving only a remnant.

Amen.

4 

OUR FATHER WHO SHOWS MERCY

The book of Romans chapter 9 verses 14 - 21 continues with the Apostle Paul's exposition of the discretion that God reserves for Himself so that the path of  any man is not charted by his own will but rather by the will of God.

The example used here is the story of Pharaoh who was holding God's people in bondage and in his contention with Moses, had his heart hardened by God so that he refused to release the Israelites he was holding even though it was against his own interest.

14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? Certainly not! 15 For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.” 16 So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to the Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.” 18 Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens.

19 You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?” 20 But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?” 21 Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?

The metaphor used by Paul to clarify the discretion of God to  do with His own property what He wished is that of a potter who can chose at any juncture to create an earthen vessel for one purpose of honor while being able to make the next one for a common purpose and Paul emphasizes that it is not appropriate for the lump of clay that the potter uses to object to the functions that the potter choses to use it for.

Amen.

12

OUR FATHER WHOSE PURPOSES ARE BY ELECTION

Romans chapter 9 verses 10 - 13 says this;

10 And not only this, but when Rebecca also had conceived by one man, even by our father Isaac 11 (for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls), 12 it was said to her, “The older shall serve the younger.” 13 As it is written, “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.” 

Paul indicates that the paths of the lives of the two sons of Isaac and Rebecca were an illustration of how being elected for the purposes of God  were not a function of personal actions but rather a predetermined outcome where even Jacob and Esau, who were twins, had the decision of their destiny decided before they had a chance to do any good or evil.

God's calling on the lives of men predates them to even before they were born. 

Amen.

2

OUR FATHER WHOSE WORD NEVER FAILS

In the book of Romans chapter 9 verse 6 - 9, the Apostle Paul makes clear that membership in the family of God by citizenship under the godly nation of Israel is not guaranteed by genetic descendancy from Abraham and he uses Abraham's son Ishmael's exclusion from the promise God made to Abraham and his offspring as an Illustration of this. 

6 It is not as though God’s word had failed. For not all who are descended from Israel are Israel. 7 Nor because they are his descendants are they all Abraham’s children. On the contrary, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned.” 8 In other words, it is not the children by physical descent who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring. 9 For this was how the promise was stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.”

Amen.

1