MEMORY VERSE
Romans 1:11 — For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may
be established.
Paul writes the epistle (letter) to the Roman saints from Corinth. This epistle from Corinth was sent to the saints at Rome by a sister in the church named Phebe (Rom 16:1). During the writing of this epistle, Paul had not visited Rome, but longed to see them that he would impart unto them some spiritual gift, to the end that they may be established (Rom 1:11).
- The Jews Set The Example In Establishing Churches
- The Jews were the first to establish churches.
- Their churches first started in Jerusalem, Judea & throughout the world. (Acts 1:8 – Acts chapter 1 verse 8)
- For 8-10 years, the Jews stayed among their own people. (Acts 9:43 – Acts chapter 9 verse 43)
- The Gentile churches began to emerge from the church in Antioch. (Acts 13 – Acts chapter 13)
- The Jews did not practice the way of the megachurches like some churches do today.
- The megachurches started emerging in the 1970s & 1980s.
- The Jews believed in establishing churches according to the bible.
- The Jews would establish as many synagogues as possible in a single city.
- The purpose of the synagogues would be to provide a place for members to attend within walking distance of their neighborhoods.
- The Jews have a statement of purpose, like the Church of the Living God International Inc, to establish churches in every community.
- The Churches of Rome
- Paul did not establish these churches.
- By the time Paul writes to the Romans, the churches were already established. (Rom 1:7-11 – Romans chapter 1 verses 7 through 11)
- The time period of Paul’s writing was before he sailed to Italy and before he was shipwrecked. (Acts 27:1 – Acts chapter 27 verse 1)
- Paul’s desire was to impart unto them some spiritual gift. (Rom 1:11 – Romans chapter 1 verse 11)
- The gifts of the Spirit were to help establish the saints in Rome.
- Paul’s Voyage To Rome
- Paul was sent to Rome because he appealed to Caesar. (Acts 25:10-12 – Acts chapter 25 verses 10 through 12)
- Some of the Jews tried to kill Paul for trying to destroy their religion. (Acts 21-22 – Acts chapters 21 through 22)
- Paul sailed to Italy with a total of 276 men. (Acts 27 – Acts chapter 27)
- All the men fasted for 14 days due to the storm at sea. (Acts 27:14-34 – Acts chapter 27 verses 14 through 34)
- Paul Teaches Anyone Seeking The Anointing & Power A Lesson
- There was a storm in the sea, but Paul did not rebuke the sea. (Acts 27:14 – Acts chapter 27 verse 14)
- Paul had all nine gifts of the Spirit and could have rebuked the sea.
- Paul is not tempted by Satan to try to duplicate what Jesus did in the sea. (Matt 8:23-27 – Matthew chapter 8 verses 23 through 27)
- Satan could’ve sent a fleeting thought to Paul to rebuke the sea.
- Paul prophesies to the men on the ship, but he does not try to calm the sea. (Acts 27:22-25 – Acts chapter 27 verses 22 through 25)
- What Paul is doing here is what God wants every minister to do.
- Paul was careful not to abuse the anointing and power that God gave him. (I Cor 9:18 – 1 Corinthians chapter 9 verse 18)
- Paul could’ve rebuked the sea, but he would’ve abused the power of God.
- Paul teaches us how to be led by the Spirit to know when and how to use the power.
- What The Power of God is NOT for
- It is not to abuse God’s power.
- This will cause one to fall out of fellowship with God.
- It is not to demonstrate one has power.
- It is not for one to be a showstopper to gain popularity.
- On that day, many will say didn’t I do this and that and the Lord will say, “Depart from me ye that work iniquity.” (Matt 7:21-23 – Matthew chapter 7 verses 21 through 23)
- Babes in Christ who are usually in the center of controversy & confusion. (I Cor 3:1-3 – 1 Corinthians chapter 3 verses 1 through 3)
- They don’t know how to keep down confusion.
- That is why it is not good to put them in charge of something.
- They lack wisdom.
- Babes in Christ are unable to control their temper. (Eph 4:26 – Ephesians chapter 4 verse 26)
- Uncontrollable anger is not a good sign for a believer.
- It is not good to become so angry that you get physical.
- What The Power of God is For
- To increase the faith of people in the church.
- To make one steadfast and always abound in the work of the Lord. (I Cor 15:58 – 1 Corinthians chapter 15 verse 58)
- To establish the believers. (Rom 1:11 – Romans chapter 1 verse 11)
- How To Receive The Power
- Have the right motives in desiring the anointing and power from God.
- Study the word of God and be skillful in it. (II Tim 2:15 – 2 Timothy chapter 2 verse 15)
- Ask God for wisdom because wisdom is needed to keep confusion down.
- Fast. (Isa 58 – Isaiah chapter 58) (Luke 4:1-14 – Luke chapter 4 verses 1 through 14)
- Ask God for the fruits of the Spirit, including temperance. (Gal 5:23 – Galatians chapter 5 verse 23)
- Temperance is having self-control.
- Jesus had self-control when he was 12. (Luke 2:49 – Luke chapter 2 verse 49)
- He was concerned about his Father’s business.
- The anointing will come to us if we avoid fits of anger and rage.
- If you want more gifts than prophesying in the church, it will require more commitment to God. (I Cor 12 – 1 Corinthians chapter 12)
- The greater anointing you have is an indication of the discipline you have in God.
