Rom 14

• if we live we live to the Lord
• do not judge others for
• the food they eat
  
• sacred days they regard
  
• For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit;
• So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves;
• everything that does not come from faith is sin;

Rom 12

• be transformed
• by the renewal of the mind;
• do not think of ourselves more highly than we ought
• but with sober judgment
• in accordance with the measure of faith
  
• God has given you
• --> in our heart, God has given us the measure of faith;
• one only need to ask our heart whether it's
• too much
  
• too little
  
• or just about right
  
• Love must be sincere
• it's a requirement within our heart;
• our heart must first reach that level; if not, then it's better not to take a certain action;
  
• Do not take revenge
• that's God's job;
  
• leave it and move on;
• God will heal our wound;
• He will make it just;
  
• never go back and take it on;
  
• 
  

Rom 11:13-36

• we are the wild olive shoot
• grafted in among others (the original)
• -> do not boast
• it is not us who supports the root, but the other way around
• for if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either
• Do not be arrogant, but be afraid
• God's kindness vs. sternness:
• kind to those who believe
• stern to those who fall
• -> this applies to Israelites and Gentiles alike
• All Israel will be saved
• when the full number of the Gentiles has come in
• Appreciate the depth and riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
• Who has known the mind of the Lord?
• or who has been his counselor?
• Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?
• all things are
• from him
• through him
• to him
• To him be the glory forever!
  
• 
  

Rom 9:22-10:13

• the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame (9:33, 10:11)
• believe in the truth, and truth will set you free
• Christ is the end of the law
• root?
• the word is near you
• in your mouth
• in your heart
• you will be saved -
• confess with your mouth -> 'Jesus is Lord'
  
• believe in your heart -> God raised him from the dead
  
• everyone who calls on the name of the Lord
  

Rom 1:1-17

• Paul felt indebted to all
• Greeks, Gentiles
• the wise, the foolish
• Paul is not ashamed of the gospel
• why does one feel ashamed?
• sometimes it's not shame, but afraid that it would end a conversation or relationship if I bring up the topic
• would it be appropriate to talk about it in every social or private settings?
• is it better not to talk about it in some situations, such as a work place?
• after all, action speaks louder than words
• but without words how can the news be spread? Words is a must. Timing is the question here.

Acts 27:21-44

• Paul comforted fellow travelers with God's vision
• an angel appeared to Paul the night before
• assuring Paul he will be standing before Caesar
• everyone on board the ship will be safe
• the assurance came at the time when no hope was left for survival of all of them
• take courage and cheer up!
• God will do exactly what He promises
  
• Paul also warned greater loss-- the boat
• 276 people on board and 14 days
• Paul encourage others to eat something
• for this is for your health
• they ate and were satisfied
• the next day they saw land
• and everyone was able to get on the land
• some soldiers wanted to kill the prisoners, including Paul
• but the centurion kept them from killing
  

Acts 27:1-20

• Paul set sail for Rome
• they board on one boat and later switched to another freight boat for Rome
• Paul warned the captain for dangers ahead
• but they went ahead anyways
• A gentle breeze began to blow from the south
• they thought they obtained their purpose (at first)
• so they lifted the anchor and started sailing
• Before long the gentle breeze became violent storm
• the ship was caught by the wind and they had to let her drive by the wind
• sometimes the circumstance is so powerful that we have very little control
• the key is to listen to early warnings (or warning signs) to avoid such situation
• and so it went on for 3 days and more
  
• on the 2nd day they threw the cargo overboard
• on the 3rd equipment and furniture
• for many more days the storm wouldn't let up
• and despair overruled
• it certainly looked like that was the end of the story
• in crisis like such, leadership is called for
  

Acts 25

• Paul before Festus
• the Jews wanted Paul killed or murdered (v3)
• Paul is unafraid of justice, because justice is on his side (v11)
• Paul requested to appeal to Caesar
• that a bold move, and a smart one
• God is behind it and has His plan
• Festus agreed
  
• King Agrippa wanted to hear Paul

Acts 22:17-23:10

• Paul fell into a trance
• he saw the Lord speaking to him
• quick! leave Jerusalem immediately
  
• because they will not accept your testimony about me
• but Paul felt he was indebted to people of Jerusalem
• because they saw how he persecuted the believers
• Jesus said, Go, I'll send you to the Gentiles
• what does Jesus mean?
• go ahead, stay here?
• leave?
• why didn't Paul leave at once?
• Paul almost flogged by the soldiers
• but since he was a Roman citizen, they wouldn't dare
• Paul was born Roman citizen (v28)
  
• the next day, Paul was taken to the Sanhedrin
• the high priest order others to strike Paul on the mouth
• Paul called him whitewashed wall
• Paul didn't realize he was the high priest (v5)
• Paul caused a divide among the audience
• half Sadducees
• half Pharisees
• then Paul was taken back to the barracks
  

Acts 21:17-36

• Paul was well received in Jerusalem (v17)
• Paul went to see James and the other elders
• v23-24: what did they mean?
• have made a vow?
• who are 'they'?
  
• purification rite?
• pay their expenses?
• shave their head?
• for gentiles
• a letter is ready
• Paul arrested
• the whole city was aroused
  
• bound with 2 chains
• away with him
  

Acts 21:1-16

• Paul warned not to go to Jerusalem
• through the Spirit the disciples urged Paul not to go
• in contrast to Peter, who spoke against Jesus' prediction of his death in Jerusalem (Mt 16:23)
• but one is through the Spirit, the other from Satan
• what makes it so different?
• through a prophet, the Holy Spirit says, in this way...in Jurusalem
  
• hands and feet tied
• handed over to Gentiles
  
• everyone pleaded with Paul not to go
• this is probably through human
• Paul willing to give up his life for the name of the Lord Jesus (v13)
• even though resolved, Paul's attitude towards others was gentle
  
• the rest gave up their plead
• the Lord's will be done
• in this way they submitted to the Lord