Romans 1:1-7 “1. Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, 2. (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) 3. Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; 4. And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: 5. By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: 6. Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: 7.To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Last Wednesday evening we studied about the Apostle Paul and his salvation conversion. This is the most dramatic “Born Again” conversion in the Bible, it is not always that way though, sometimes it is just as simple as Jesus saying “FOLLOW ME” and the person just simply, turns from what they were doing and follows Jesus. But in every case there was a decision made and a turning away from their old way of life to a new life in Christ, and then acknowledging that change, Jesus said in the gospel of John in John 10:10 “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” How does Jesus make that so? Listen very closely please, because to follow Jesus is to take upon yourself a NEW WAY of living, a NEW WAY of walking, and a NEW WAY of talking! Paul said in his letter to the Colossians:
Colossians 3:10 “And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:”
Now, in the early 1960’s, there was a very popular singing group, by the name of “THE ROOFTOP SINGERS”, that recorded a new song by the name of, “WALK RIGHT IN” , which talked about about a new way of walking and talking, and I mention that only because there was already a “NEW WAY OF WALKING” AND “A NEW WAY OF TALKING” that was made possible about 2000 years ago prior to that song being written. In fact it was those events that had been taking place all around Jerusalem that had caused warrants to be written that gave the Apostle Paul legal authority to bring those “PEOPLE OF THE WAY”(CHRISTIANS) back to Jerusalem to be tried and punished. I just got through reading you a passage of scripture where Jesus used the word “ABUNDANTLY” to describe the life that we would receive after being “BORN AGAIN”. The Greek word for abundantly is (perry-sauce’) it is a compound Greek word that is formed by using (perry) which means (above and beyond) the normal amount in quanity or superior too in quality) and when it is combined with the Greek word (ache) actually implies to have excessive; or exceedingly more than enough or beyond measuement or in other words you have so much that it is vehemently superfluous where you should have plenty enough to share with others. The Apostle Paul and the soldiers with him were on their way to serve those warrants on men and women, and some times whole families, and take them back to Jersulam to be tried. May I ask us all. Do WE here at Walnut Grove Baptist have an abundance of SALVATION to share with those who don’t? Everything that we receive from GOD, is by GRACE through FAITH, we don’t really earn anything in this world of woe, except for the rewards that we will receive or those that have taken away from us, when we stand before the JUDGEMENT SEAT OF CHRIST, by the way, that is where we will give an account of those things which we have done in this body, whether they be GOOD or BAD! The JUDGEMENT SEAT OF CHRIST has nothing whatsoever to do with whether you are “BORN AGAIN” or not, except that, you would not be standing there if you were not saved, those who are not “BORN AGAIN” will stand before the “GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGEMENT” to see if their names have been written in the “LAMB’S BOOK OF LIFE”.
The Apostle Paul’s name is in the “LAMB’S BOOK OF LIFE”. My name is written in the “LAMB’S BOOK OF LIFE”. Many, many of you have your name’s written in the “LAMB’S BOOK OF LIFE”. The only way to get your name in the “LAMB’S BOOK OF LIFE”, is by being “BORN AGAIN”.
Search your heart today and be sure, very sure, that you have chosen “JESUS”.