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Bro. Otis Fisher
Romans 16 17 is where we'll start but I have a question for you. Now I can't see past the first row so I know David's here, Greg's here, and his. Who's on the back row? Okay don't move. The question is this, is it ever God's will for us to be out of his will?
Now you're not to ask a question. Is it ever God's will for us to be out of his will? Paul? Dave? Well that's mighty good thinking. Greg? Thank you. I can always rely on Greg. Well we start the last chapter at verse 17.
For some reason this morning I feel like I was born two years before Moses. Now I beseech you brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which you have learned and avoid them.
Contrary. Scrutinize. Mark those that cause offenses. Who are these people, Bob? All right. Greg, what would you say? All right. Paul, would you concur with that? Be careful what you concur with. Mark them.
So there were people then as there is now. The word that he uses, now I beseech you brethren, mark. The word mark comes from a word that we get a trigger or trap. You put a stick under a box and you pull a stick out and the box falls to pull that stick.
It is a trap stick, snare. For they that are such serve not Lord Jesus Christ, our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly and by good works and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. Now I trust you're not among the simple, for you have been exposed to his word.
For they that are such serve not their own, serve not our Lord Jesus Christ. What does it mean, Rick, for them to serve their own belly? That's true. Have you ever known anyone like that? Pleasures of the palate, the innermost part of a man, the soul, heart, the seed of thought, feeling, choice.
For you, for your obedience is gone abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore of your, on your behalf, but yet I would have you wise forming the best plans and using the best means for their execution unto that which is good and simple.
The mind without a mixture of evil, free from guile, innocence, innocent, concerning evil. For your obedience has come abroad. David, do we live in an isolated world? Well, you as an individual, do you live in an isolated world?
Does anyone? No. Well, they're not isolated to their own kind. So no one is an island unto himself. Remember that. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. What does that mean, Greg?
No. What does it mean that God will bruise Satan? Why didn't it say he was going to eliminate Satan? Will he ever be eliminated? Well, let me identify eliminated. To not exist, he will be loosed in the lake of fire.
Now, remember this. He's not there yet. He's free to roam this world. And he, through his agents, are looking at every one of us. I would dare say he's here this morning. But he's not yet been put into the lake of fire.
We think hell is the end, that it is the last place. No, he hasn't seen that place yet. Timotheus, my work fellow, and Lucas, and Jason, and Sosapater, my kinsmen, salute you. I, Terratus, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord.
Gaius, my host and of the whole church, salute you. Erastus, the chamberlain of the city, salute you. And Quartus, a brother. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. Now to him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery which was kept secret since the world began but now is made manifest and by the scriptures of the prophets according to the commandment of the everlasting God made known to all nations for the obedience of faith.
To God only wise be. Glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen. So finishes Romans.