"Persecution in a Crisis" (Romans 12:14, 17-21)

"Persecution in a Crisis" (Romans 12:14, 17-21)
Pastor Cameron Jungels
Eastside Baptist Church
Sunday AM, May 31, 2020
Romans 12:14 (NIV)
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Romans 12:17–21 (NIV)
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”  says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
The Passive Response to Persecution and Mistreatment
Do not curse.
Do not repay evil for evil.
Do not take revenge.
Do not be overcome by evil.
The Active Response to Persecution and Mistreatment
Bless those who persecute you.
Do what is right in everyone’s eyes.
Live at peace with everyone.
Leave room for God’s wrath.
Do real acts of kindness for your enemies.
Overcome evil with good.
Main Idea: Even in the most trying of circumstances, Christians are called by our Savior to gracefully receive the mistreatment of our persecutors and actively demonstrate sacrificial love to them.

"Charity and Hospitaltiy" (Romans 12:13)

"Charity and Hospitality" (Romans 12:13)
Pastor Cameron Jungels
Eastside Baptist Church
Sunday AM, May 24, 2020
 
Romans 12:13 NIV
13Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
 
1. Christians are bound by love to a local fellowship of believers and are called to meet one another’s needs.
 
2. Christians are bound by love to the global church of God and are called to support traveling brothers and sisters in Christ.
 
Main Idea: Because we have been loved by God, Christians are called to love one another, both at home and around the world.

"A Threefold Cord in Times of Trouble" (Romans 12:12)

"A Threefold Cord in Times of Trouble" (Romans 12:12)
Pastor Cameron Jungels
Eastside Baptist Church
Sunday AM, May 17, 2020
 
Romans 12:12 (NIV)
12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
 
Ecclesiastes 4:9–12 (NIV)
9Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: 10If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. 11Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Christians can be joyful in times of trouble because of the hope we have in Christ.
Christians can persevere through times of trouble because of the help we have from God.
Faithfulness in prayer in times of trouble helps us persevere because of the help we receive from God.
Main Idea: Christians can be joyful and faithful and persevere through affliction because of the hope we have in Christ and the help we have from God through prayer.

"Serving One Another, Serving the Lord" (Romans 12:10-11)

"Serving One Another, Serving the Lord" (Romans 12:10-11)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday AM, May 3, 2020
Romans 12:10-11, NIV10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
Serving One Another (Romans 12:10)
Serving one another needs to be motivated by love.
Serving one another needs to be done with the love of a covenant family.
Serving one another needs to be humble and sacrificial.
Serving the Lord (Romans 12:11)Serving the Lord needs to be motivated by love.
Serving the Lord needs to be with full effort and zeal.
Serving the Lord needs to be with enthusiasm and whole-hearted commitment.
Acts 18:24–26, NIV24 Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue...
Romans 6:17–18, NIV17 But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. 18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.
Main Idea: Christians that have been transformed by the love and grace of God serve the Lord with love and zeal and serve one another with love and humility.

"Christians during a Crisis" (Romans 12:9-21)

"Christians during a Crisis" (Romans 12:9-21)Pastor Cameron Jungels
Eastside Baptist Church
Sunday AM, April 26, 2020
Romans 12:9–21 (NIV)
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”  says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Sincere in Love
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.” (Romans 12:9, NIV)
Love that is genuine
Love that is properly motivated
Love that is put into action
Serious about Holiness
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.” (Romans 12:9, NIV)
Hating Evil
Loving Good
Main Idea: During difficult times, Christians must devote themselves to sincere love and serious holiness.

“To God Be the Glory” (Romans 16:21–27)

“To God Be the Glory” (Romans 16:21–27)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday AM, March 31, 2019
Romans 16:21–27 (NIV)        21 Timothy, my co-worker, sends his greetings to you, as do Lucius, Jason and Sosipater, my fellow Jews.        22 I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord.        23 Gaius, whose hospitality I and the whole church here enjoy, sends you his greetings.           Erastus, who is the city’s director of public works, and our brother Quartus send you their greetings.       25 Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, 26 but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith—27 to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.
1. Glory be to God, who has made us a part of a worldwide spiritual family (21–23).
2. Glory be to God, who will complete the work he has started in us (25a).
3. Glory be to God, who has brought to fulfillment his long-planned and long-promised salvation through Jesus Christ (25b–26a).
4. Glory be to God, who is calling people from every language, tribe, and nation to himself through the gospel (26b).
5. Glory be to God forever and ever because of what he has done for us through Christ (27).

“Watch Out and Stay Away!” (Romans 16:17–20)

“Watch Out and Stay Away!” (Romans 16:17–20)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday AM, March 24, 2019
17 I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. 18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. 19 Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. 20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. (Romans 16:17–20, NIV)
Paul’s exhortation to the Christians in Rome is threefold:
1. Don’t let false teachers destroy the work of the gospel in your church.
a. There are 3 ingredients to accomplish this defense of the gospel:
i. Vigilanceii. Separationiii. Discernment
2. In your vigilance for the gospel, take hope in the promise that God will ultimately crush Satan.
15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel." (Genesis 3:15, NIV)
3. Remember that we can ask for and receive the grace of Jesus Christ.

“Greeting the Saints” (Romans 16:3–16)

“Greeting the Saints” (Romans 16:3–16)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday AM, March 17, 2019
Romans 16:3–16 (NIV)
3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. 4 They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.
5 Greet also the church that meets at their house.
Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.
6 Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you.
7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.
8 Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord.
9 Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys.
10 Greet Apelles, whose fidelity to Christ has stood the test.
Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus.
11 Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew.
Greet those in the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.
12 Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord.
Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord.
13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too.
14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the other brothers and sisters with them.
15 Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the Lord’s people who are with them.
16 Greet one another with a holy kiss.
All the churches of Christ send greetings.
1. Gospel ministry is done by people for the sake of people.
2. The Church of Jesus Christ is composed of a diverse group of people.
3. The Church is characterized as a family and as a fellowship.
4. Two commendable attributes of the saints in Rome were faithfulness and hard work.

"Worthy of Commendation" (Romans 16:1-2)

"Worthy of Commendation" (Romans 16:1-2)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday AM, March 10, 2019
Romans 16:1–2 (NIV)
16 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon, of the church in Cenchreae. 2 I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me.
1. Worthy of Commendation as a Sister in the Family of God.
2. Worthy of Commendation as a Servant of the Church of God.
3. Worthy of Commendation as a Supporter of the Mission of God.

“Gospel Plans” (Romans 15:22–33)

“Gospel Plans” (Romans 15:22–33)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday AM, March 3, 2019
Romans 15:22–33 (NIV)
22 This is why I have often been hindered from coming to you.
23 But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to visit you, 24 I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to see you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while. 25 Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the Lord’s people there. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord’s people in Jerusalem. 27 They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings. 28 So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this contribution, I will go to Spain and visit you on the way. 29 I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ.
 
30 I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. 31 Pray that I may be kept safe from the unbelievers in Judea and that the contribution I take to Jerusalem may be favorably received by the Lord’s people there, 32 so that I may come to you with joy, by God’s will, and in your company be refreshed. 33 The God of peace be with you all. Amen.
1. Plans for the Gospel’s Expansion (vv. 22–24, also 28–29)
2. Provision for the Gospel’s Forefathers (vv. 25–28)
3. Prayer for the Gospel’s Success (vv. 30–33)

“Paul’s Mission to the Gentiles” (Romans 15:14–22)

“Paul’s Mission to the Gentiles” (Romans 15:14–22)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday AM, February 24, 2019
Romans 15:14–22 (NIV)        14 I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another. 15 Yet I have written you quite boldly on some points to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. He gave me the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.        17 Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God. 18 I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done—19 by the power of signs and wonders, through the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. 20 It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation. 21 Rather, as it is written:
“Those who were not told about him will see,        and those who have not heard will understand.” 
22 This is why I have often been hindered from coming to you.
 
1. Paul Had a Priestly Ministry to the Gentiles (vv. 14–16).
2. Paul Had a Powerful Ministry to the Gentiles (vv. 17–19a).
3. Paul Had a Pioneering Ministry to the Gentiles (vv. 19b–21).

“United Praise” (Romans 15:7–13)

“United Praise” (Romans 15:7–13)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday AM, February 17, 2019
Romans 15:7–13 (NIV)
7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. 8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews  on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed 9 and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written:
“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles;
I will sing the praises of your name.” 
10 Again, it says,
“Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.” 
11 And again,
“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles;
let all the peoples extol him.” 
12 And again, Isaiah says,
“The Root of Jesse will spring up,
one who will arise to rule over the nations;
in him the Gentiles will hope.” 
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
1. The Exhortation:
Accept One Another in Unity...
i. Without disputing/arguingii. Without condescension (from the strong to the weak)iii. Without judgment (from the weak to the strong)
2. Our Reason:
a. The Grace of Christb. The Example of Christc. The Promises of God
i. Verse 9: 2 Samuel 22:50; Psalm 18:49ii. Verses 10: Deuteronomy 32:43iii. Verse 11: Psalm 117:1iv. Verse 12: Isaiah 11:10
d. The Glory of God
3. Our Prayer:
a. Filled with Joyb. Filled with Peacec. Abounding in Hope

“Following Christ’s Example of Service” (Romans 15:1–6)

“Following Christ’s Example of Service” (Romans 15:1–6)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday AM, February 10, 2019
Romans 15:1–6 (NIV)        1 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”  4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.        5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1. Maturity and Freedom Bring Accompanying Responsibility (1–2).
a. To bear/carry the weaknesses/failings of the weak.
Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (Gal. 6:2 NIV)
b. To please others, not ourselves.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (Phil. 2:3-4 NIV)
2. The Most Mature and Free Man in the Universe (Jesus Christ) Willingly Gave Himself for the Sake of Others (3).
3. The Scriptures are Our Greatest Encouragement to Live in Service to Others (4).
4. We are Called to Follow the Example of Christ’s Service to Others, so that God May Be Glorified by His Redeemed People (5–6).

“Acting in Love by Faith” (Romans 14:13–23)

“Acting in Love by Faith” (Romans 14:13–23)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday AM, February 3, 2019
Romans 14:13–23 (NIV)        13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. 14 I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean. 15 If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.        19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.        22 So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. 23 But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.
Main Idea: We ought to love one another even when it constrains our own freedom.
1. The Principle of Conscience
a. We must never sin against our own conscience.b. We must never cause someone else to stumble so that they sin against their conscience.
2. The Principle of Love
3. The Principle of the Kingdom

“Accepting One Another” (Romans 14:1–12)

“Accepting One Another” (Romans 14:1–12)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday AM, January 27, 2019
Romans 14:1–12 (NIV)
14 Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. 2 One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. 3 The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. 4 Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.
5 One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. 6 Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. 7 For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. 8 If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9 For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.
10 You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. 11 It is written:
“ ‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,
‘every knee will bow before me;
every tongue will acknowledge God.’ ” 
12 So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.
 
1. Accept one another, because God has accepted us (vv. 1–4).
2. May everything that we do be for the glory of Christ, because He is our Lord (vv. 5–9).
3. Don’t judge one another, because Christ is our judge (vv. 10–12).

"Serving the Same Lord” (Romans 14:1–12)

"Serving the Same Lord” (Romans 14:1–12)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday AM, January 20, 2019
Romans 14:1–12 (NIV)        14 Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. 2 One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. 3 The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. 4 Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.        5 One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. 6 Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. 7 For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. 8 If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9 For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.        10 You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. 11 It is written:        “ ‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,        ‘every knee will bow before me;        every tongue will acknowledge God.’ ”  12 So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.
1. Who are the Weak and the Strong?
a. Weak
i. “Faith is weak” (14:1)ii. “eats only vegetables” (14:2)iii. “considers one day more sacred/holy than another” (14:5)iv. “regards something [food] as unclean” (14:14)v. Implied: [abstain from] drinking wine (14:21)vi. “failings of the weak” (15:1)vii. “must not judge the strong” (14:3)viii. “stop passing judgment one another” (14:13)ix. “make every effort to do what leads to peace and mutual edification” (14:19)x. “accept one another” (15:7)xi. “don’t eat if you are not fully convinced in faith or it is sin” (14:23)
b. Strong
i. “faith allows them to eat anything” (14:2)ii. “considers everyday alike” (14:5)iii. “accept the weak” (14:1)iv. “don’t quarrel over disputable matters” (14:1)v. “don’t treat with contempt the weak in faith” (14:3)vi. “don’t put a stumbling block in front of a brother or sister” (14:13)vii. “act in love” rather than causing a weak brother/sister to be distressed (14:15)viii. “don’t let your good be evil spoken of” (14:16)ix. “make every effort to do what leads to peace and mutual edification” (14:19)x. “don’t destroy the work of God for food” “don’t cause a weaker brother/sister to stumble” (14:20)xi. Refrain from eating meat and drinking wine so as to not cause a brother or sister to fall (14:21)xii. Keep your liberty between yourself and God (14:22).xiii. “bear with the failings of the weak” (15:1)xiv. “please our neighbors for their good and build them up” (15:2)xv. “accept one another as Christ accepted you” (15:7)
2. What are the disputable matters? What is the disagreement? Who are the two parties?
Explanations of the root issue in Rom. 14:1–15:13 fall into seven major categories:1
(1) The weak were non-Christian Jews.(2) The weak were mainly Gentile Christians who abstained from meat (and perhaps wine), particularly on certain “fast” days, under the influence of certain pagan religions.(3) The weak were Christians, perhaps both Jewish and Gentile, who practiced an ascetic lifestyle for reasons that we cannot determine.(4) The weak were mainly Jewish Christians who observed certain practices derived from the Mosaic law out of a concern to establish righteousness before God.(5) The weak were mainly Jewish Christians who followed a sectarian ascetic program as a means of expressing their piety. This program may have been the product of syncretistic tendencies.(6) The weak were mainly Jewish Christians who, like some of the Corinthians, believed that it was wrong to eat meat that was sold in the marketplace and was probably tainted by idolatry.(7) The weak were mainly Jewish Christians who refrained from certain kinds of food and observed certain days out of continuing loyalty to the Mosaic law.
Five considerations make the seventh alternative the most likely:2
(1) Verses 5–9 reveal that both weak and strong belong to the Lord Christ; the weak cannot be non-Christian Jews.(2) There is abundant evidence that the dispute between the weak and the strong was rooted in differences between Jews and Gentiles. The relationship between these two groups has been a leitmotif of Romans since chap. 1; and the conclusion of this section, in which Paul emphasizes the inclusion of both Jews and Gentiles in the one new people of God (15:8–13), brings this motif into Paul’s plea for reconciliation between the strong and the weak. Confirmation of a basically Jewish origin for the position of the weak comes from Paul’s use of the term koinos, “common,” “unclean,” to describe (implicitly) the weak Christians’ attitude toward food (14:14). For this term had become a semi-technical way of describing food prohibited under the Mosaic law (see Mark 7:2, 5; Acts 10:14). Moreover, the NT provides abundant evidence that the OT food laws constituted a prime issue in the early Christian communities. This consideration rules out alternatives two and three. It also creates difficulties for alternative five since those sectarian Jews who abstained from meat and wine usually did so not primarily because of concern about violating the Mosaic law but under the influence of ascetic religious principles derived from non-Jewish sources (and often, indeed, antithetical to the OT/Jewish worldview).(3) Paul’s plea for understanding and acceptance of the weak within the community makes clear that they were not propagating a view antithetical to the gospel. This makes it impossible to view them as Jews who believed that observance of the law was necessary for salvation. (4) Paul’s failure to mention “food sacrificed to idols” (eidōlothyta; see 1 Cor. 8:1) and his reference to the observance of special days and abstention from wine make it unlikely that the dispute in Romans can be confined to the issue of food offered to idols (option six).(5) The practices Paul attributed to the weak can be explained as a result of concerns to observe certain requirements of the Mosaic law. Abstention from meat and wine is, of course, not required by the Mosaic law. But scrupulous Jews would sometimes avoid all meat in environments where they could not be sure that the meat had been prepared in a “kosher” manner. Similarly, Jews would sometimes abstain from wine out of concern that it had been tainted by the pagan practice of offering the wine as a libation to the gods. Finally, of course, the Mosaic law stipulates the observance of many special religious days: the weekly Sabbath and the major religious festivals. And many first-century Jews also observed weekly fasting and prayer days.        These considerations suggest that the weak were Jewish Christians (and probably also some Gentile God-fearers) who believed that they were still bound by certain ritual requirements of the Mosaic law.
1 Douglas J. Moo, The Letter to the Romans, ed. Ned B. Stonehouse et al., Second Edition., The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2018), 844–849.
2 Also from Douglas Moo.

"Our Salvation Is Near" (Romans 13:11-14)

“Our Salvation Is Near” (Romans 13:11–14)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday AM, January 13, 2019
Romans 13:11–1411 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.
1. Live Out the Christian Life in Sacrifice, Holiness, and Love (13:11a; 12:1–13:10).
a. Live as a living sacrifice to God (12:1).b. Be continually transforming your mind into conformity to the will of God through the Word and the Spirit (12:2).c. Live in humility before one another in the body of Christ (12:3–8).d. Live in love with one another and with all of society (12:9–21).e. Live as citizens of the heavenly kingdom as you live as citizens on earth (13:1–7).f. Live out your perpetual obligation to love your neighbor as yourself (13:8–10).
2. Why? Because the End Is Drawing Near, and Our Ultimate Salvation is Imminent (13:11b–12a).
3. Therefore, because the end is drawing near, lay aside the works of darkness and live as children of light (13:12b–14).

“The Law of Love” (Romans 13:8–10)

“The Law of Love” (Romans 13:8–10)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday AM, January 6, 2019
       8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not covet," and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. (Rom. 13:8-10 NIV)
1. Love Is a Never-Ending Obligation (8).
2. Love Is the Law’s Summation (9).
3. Love Is the Most Supreme Motivation (10).

“Christian Citizens” (Romans 13:1–7)

“Christian Citizens” (Romans 13:1–7)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday AM, November 25, 2018
Romans 13:1–7 (NIV) 13 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.        6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
Main Idea: As redeemed children of God being transformed by the Holy Spirit, we have an obligation to submit ourselves to earthly, governing authorities (v. 1a).
1. Why?
a. Because all earthly governing authorities are ordained by God (vv. 1b–2).
i. Generally, in that human government is an earthly institution ordained by God to restrain human depravity.ii. Specifically, in that individual human rulers only hold their positions by the sovereign, providence of God.
b. Because governing authorities are an agent of good, not evil, and we have an obligation in Christ to pursue good (vv. 3–4).c. Summary: Submit to authorities (v. 5, see v. 1a).
i. Because they are agents of good who punish evil (see vv. 3–4).ii. Because they are agents of God to whom our consciences are bound (see vv. 1b–2).
2. When? (Or, under what circumstances?)
a. The default answer is “always in all things.”b. However, Paul is certainly aware of the teachings and examples in Scripture that provide a just and righteous basis for disobeying specific, immoral laws and rulings.
i. The Hebrew midwives who refused to comply with Pharaoh’s order to kill Hebrew baby boys at birth (Exod. 1:16–17).ii. Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah in defiance of King Nebuchadnezzar’s command to bow before an idol (Daniel 3).iii. Daniel’s refusal to comply with an immoral law prohibiting him from praying to God (Daniel 6).iv. Peter and John’s refusal to keep silent and no longer preach in the name of Jesus (Acts 4:18–20).v. Revelation: the commendation of those who refuse to take the mark of the beast and bow in worship to him (Revelation 13).
c. How do we reconcile Paul’s absolute exhortation to submit to all governmental authorities with the examples in Scripture of those who did not obey governmental authorities?
i. Perhaps, the best way is to see a distinction between “submit” and “obey”: We can see ourselves as generally submissive to and subject to governing authorities, while recognizing that there may be individual laws or commands that we cannot obey because of our ultimate allegiance to God.
3. What?
a. In what things should we obey governing authorities?
i. Taxes – direct payments to governmentii. Revenue – indirect governmental assessments, e.g. customs duties.iii. “All things” that do not specifically cause us to disobey our ultimate allegiance to God.
4. How?
a. In what way should we submit ourselves to governing authorities?
i. With “respect” and “honor”ii. Not begrudginglyiii. Not with mere external conformity

"Overcoming Evil with Good" (Romans 12:17-21)

"Overcoming Evil with Good" (Romans 12:17-21)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday AM, November 18, 2018
Romans 12:17-21, NIV         17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Treating our Persecutors with Kindness Is Consistent with Christian Character.
Christ's Teaching
Christ's Example
Treating our Persecutors with Kindness Is Consistent with God's Sacrificial Love toward Sinners.
Treating our Persecutors with Kindness Is Consistent with the Christian Faith.
Faith in God's Sovereign Justice
Faith in our Future Hope in the Kingdom of Christ