Text: Romans 14
What We Must Understand As We Begin:

Controversy: Does Romans 14 allow ongoing fellowship with those in sin/error?
We can understand this (Ephesians 3:4)
Scripture does not contradict itself (John 10:35)

What Does This Chapter Teach & What Does It Not Teach?

Don’t judge others’ opinions by your opinions. NOT: Don’t judge. (v. 1-6)
God will judge all. NOT: God [...]

Where Have We Been?

Born innocent, without sin (Ecclesiastes 7:29)
All who have reached an accountable age have sinned (Romans 3:23)
Sin separated us from God (Isaiah 59:2; Ephesians 2:1-3)
Without direction (Jeremiah 10:23)

Where Are We Now?

Those who have not had their sins forgiven are still in the condition described above
Christians have been saved by the grace of God [...]

Text: Genesis 3:13; 4:10
No Sin is Hidden from God

God knew their sin even though they tried to hide from Him (Genesis 3:8) or deny it (Genesis 4:9)
We cannot hide anything from Him (Hebrews 4:13)

We are Responsible for Our Actions

Adam and Eve both tried to shift the blame for their sin (Genesis 3:11-13)
Each one is [...]

Text: Isaiah 2:2-4
Mountain – government, authority (Daniel 2:44; John 18:36-37; Matthew 28:18)
House – the church (1 Timothy 3:15), linked to the kingdom (Matthew 16:18-19)
Nations – Gentiles, kingdom open to all (Acts 2:37-39; Ephesians 2:13-16)
Come – individual responsibility to follow Christ (Joshua 24:15; 2 Corinthians 5:10)
Teach – we must know God’s will (Hebrews 11:6; Romans 10:17)
Walk [...]

Text: John 12
The Triumphal Entry (v. 12-15) - humble entry, rather than an impressive display of power
Teaching about Sacrifice (v. 25-26) - Jesus offers eternal life, but one must be willing to lay down his life here
The Crucifixion (v. 32-33) - crucifixion was supposed to turn people away from Christ and end the movement; it did just the [...]

Text: Psalm 1
The Righteous Man is Blessed (v. 1-3)

He does not walk in the counsel of the ungodly – following their thinking/advice
He does not stand in the path of sinners – putting himself in a position to encounter them
He does not sit in the seat of scoffers – among those who grumble and complain
He delights [...]