Virtual Services

Romans 11:1-5 - Hope For The Remnant

Remnant= What is left of a community after it undergoes a catastrophe.

A remnant is a left-over amount from a larger portion or piece, whether it is food, material from which a garment is fashioned, or even a group of people. Although remnants could be looked upon as worthless scraps, and many times are, God assigned high value to those of His people whom He had set aside for holy purposes, those He labels as “remnants

Refers to a group of people who remain loyal to God after a time of hardship.

The Meaning of Intercessory Prayer

Intercessory prayer means praying to God on behalf of others. You can practice intercessory prayer anytime, anywhere, and for anyone in need. Intercession isn't just prayer; it's a calling placed upon all Christians. Believers are called to pray, standing in the gap between God and mankind. We are to plead for their cause.

1. Job – He continually interceded on behalf of his children (Job 1:1-5), and then for his friends (Job 42:7-10).

2. Abraham – In a lengthy “if… then” conversation, Abraham asks for the righteous to be spared in Sodom (Genesis 18:23-33).

3. Moses – Moses pleaded repeatedly with God to spare the Israelites after they had sinned. His fervent prayers demonstrate the incredible power of an intercessor. (Exodus 32:11-14, 31-35; Numbers 12:1-16).

4. Solomon – In possibly the longest prayer in the Bible, at the dedication of the temple, King Solomon intercedes for the children of Israel (1 Kings 8:22-54).

5. Hezekiah – At the threat of invasion by Sennacherib, Hezekiah beseeches the Lord to save Israel from her fierce enemy (2 Kings 19:14-19).

6. Nehemiah – Upon hearing the news of affliction and destruction in his homeland, Nehemiah prayed for God’s help (Nehemiah 1:3-11).

7. Esther – Another inspiring example is Esther, who risked her life to approach King Ahasuerus and advocate for her people. Through her courage and her petitions to God, an entire nation was saved from destruction. Esther’s story reminds us that we all have the potential to make a difference. Esther 4:15-17

8. Daniel – He prayed for forgiveness and mercy for God’s chosen people- Daniel 9:3-19.

9. Elisha – 2 Kings 6:17 “Lord open his eyes that he may see…” were the words of intercession he spoke to the Lord for his servant, who was shaking in his sandals at the sight of Syrian soldiers surrounding the city they were in. For the full story, read 2 Kings 6:8-23. Countless times I’ve prayed that same simple prayer!

10. Jesus – Jesus is the ultimate mediator between God and men. He is at the right hand of the Father, continually making intercessions for His Church (1 Timothy 2:5, Hebrews 7:25; John 17:6-26). Another instance of His intercessory prayer took place while on the cross (Luke 23:33-34).

Believers were dead in trespasses and sins, before made alive by Christ (Ephesians 2:1-3).

When believers were dead in their sins and bound by their sinful nature, God made them alive with Christ, forgiving them of their sins (Colossians 2:13-14).

The physically dead Lazarus could do nothing for himself. He was unresponsive, oblivious to the life around him, beyond all help—except for that of Christ who is the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:21-26).

At Christ’s call, LAZARUS WAS FILLED WITH LIFE, and he responded accordingly.

In the same way, WE WERE SPIRITUALLY DEAD, unable to save ourselves, POWERLESS TO PERCEIVE THE LIFE OF GOD—UNTIL JESUS CALLED US TO HIMSELF. He “quickened” us; “not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy” (Titus 3:4-7).

The book of Revelation speaks of A SECOND DEATH, which is a final EVERLASTING SEPARATION FROM GOD (Revelation 2:11; 20:6, 13-15; 21:7-8).

The Thessalonians received Paul's message not as a human word but as the true Word of God. - 2 Tim 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering & doctrine.

The Word of God effectively worked in their lives, proving their genuine faith. - Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

They became imitators of the churches of God and welcomed suffering for the sake of the Gospel. - Acts 17:13 But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people.

As believing Jews faced persecution from the Jews, the Thessalonians suffered at the hands of their own. - 2 Corinthians 11:26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;

The Jews who killed Jesus and opposed the Gentiles' salvation, incurred God's wrath. - Ro 1:18 F/t wrath of God is revealed fr/heaven against all ungodliness & unrighteousness o/men, who hold t/truth n unrighteousness;

Paul earnestly desired to see them and labored to return, but Satan had hindered him. - Romans 15:22
For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you.

They were the believers' hope, joy, and crown of rejoicing—to be in the presence of Jesus at His coming. - 1 Thessalonians 5:23 - And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Book of Philemon
Paul Appeal To Philemon To Forgive His Runaway Slave

"Philemon" refers to a Greek name meaning "loving" or "affectionate. The name reflects qualities of love and kindness, a theme central to the letter it inspired. "The book is a personal letter from the Apostle Paul to a man named Philemon, a wealthy Christian friend and coworker.

In the letter, Paul appeal to Philemon to forgive his runaway slave, Onesimus, not as a slave but as a brother in Christ. The letter emphasizes forgiveness, reconciliation, and the transforming power of the gospel, urging believers to treat one another as brothers and sisters in Christ.

1. Introduction (Philemon 1-3)

Paul, imprisoned for the sake of Christ, along with Timothy, greets Philemon and others in his house church with an expression of their mutual bond of grace and peace that comes from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2. Thanksgiving, Remembrance, and Prayer (Philemon 4-7)

Paul anticipates his appeal by thankful remembrance of Philemon’s faith and love, which have comforted and refreshed Paul and all the believers. He prays that their partnership in faith might now become actualized in doing a particular good work in service of Christ.

3. An Appeal in Two Parts (Philemon 8-20)

First (verses 8-14), Paul, aged and in prison, returns Philemon’s slave, Onesimus, along with this letter and its carefully worded appeal that Philemon’s good deed will be done willingly and not by compulsion. Second (verses 15-20), Paul anticipates Philemon’s objections by identifying the recently converted Onesimus as a “beloved brother in the Lord” to be received as Paul himself and by reminding Philemon that he owes Paul his very life.

4. Concluding Expressions of Confidence and Benediction (Philemon 21-25)

Paul expresses confidence that Philemon will do even more than he asks, promises a visit upon his release from prison, and concludes with greetings and a blessing.

Takeaways

1. Paul does not allow his imprisonment to stop his passion to minister as an apostle.

2. How profound the power of grace and forgiveness can be.

3. The importance of reconciliation by treating converted former offenders as "brothers" rather than
property.

4. We should apply God's transformative love to all relationships, recognizing our spiritual equality in
Christ regardless of social status, and the call to advocate for others.

5. Share your own takeaway, that's not listed above.

Galatians 5:22-26

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23 Meekness, TEMPERANCE: against such there is no law.

24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.