Worship

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NUGGETS OF GOLD

People panning for gold hope to be rewarded by the glitter of yellowish colors in the fine material found in the bottom of the pan. Although the energy expended and outdoor activity involved in prospecting are rewarding, the thrill of finding gold is incomparable. Even an assay report showing a sufficient amount of gold in a sample obtained from a lode deposit is exciting. Nuggets of gold, large and small were found throughout America's early history.

In New Testament times, golden nuggets were often found in the writings of Paul the Apostle. In fact 18 (eighteen!) nuggets can be found in just TWO sentences. The first sentence of the Book of Romans and the last sentence of the same Book of Romans.

The first sentence:

"Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus and set apart for the gospel of God---the gospel He promised beforehand through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding His Son, Who as to His human nature was a descendant of David, and Who the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord." Rom 1:1-4.

Nugget #1 - Servant of Christ Jesus - Paul's personal testimony of conversion, Acts ch 9.

Nugget #2 - Set apart for the gospel of God -Paul's personal call to service, Acts ch 9.

Nugget #3 - The gospel He promised beforehand - All the way back to Gen 3:15 - the "offspring" of the woman.

Nugget #4 - Validating the Scriptures - good news from God as promised by the prophets in the Holy Scriptures

Nugget #5 - Regarding His Son - FOCUS on His Son. "FIX yor thoughts on Jesus." Heb 3:1b. "...FIX our eyes on Jesus." Heb 12:2a.

Nugget #6 - Who as to His human nature was a descendant of David - Completing the blood line of Jesus Christ all the way back to Adam and Gen 3:15 - the woman's offspring.

Nugget #7 - And Who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with POWER to be the Son of God -Validated by the Holy Spirit.

Nugget #8 - By His resurrection from the dead - "May the God of peace, Who through the BLOOD of the eternal covenant brought back FROM THE DEAD our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him through Jesus Christ" Heb 13:20.

Consider the second sentence:

"Now to Him Who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey Him---to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen." Rom 16:25-27.

Nugget #9 -Now to Him Who is ABLE - The Creator God, Almighty and Sovereign---involved in human life by choice.

Nugget #10 - To establish - To FIX into place by eternal action.

Nugget #11 - By my gospel - Paul's: "...that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He APPEARED...APPEARED...APPEARED...APPEARED... APPEARED...APPEARED..." 1 Cor 15:3b-8.

Nugget #12- And the PROCLAMATION of Jesus Christ - The very thorough teachings of Christ in the Four Gospels.

Nugget #13- According to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past - Revealing, unfolding - And He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, to which He purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the TIMES will have reached their fulfillment---to BRING ALL THINGS in heaven and earth together under one head, even Christ." Eph 1:9,10.

Nugget #14- Hidden for long ages past --- From the Garden itself, Gen 3:15 again.

Nugget #15- But now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings - There exist literally scores and scores of Old Testament Scriptures that deal with the coming Christ.

Nugget #16- By the COMMAND (He spoke it) of the eternal God - "All Scripture is God-breathed and is USEFUL for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be THOROUGHLY EQUIPPED for every good work." 2 Tim 3:16,17.

Nugget #17- So that all nations might believe and obey Him - Jesus speaking: "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have COMMANDED you. And surely I am with you always, TO THE VERY END OF THE AGE." Matt 28:18-20.

Nugget #18- To the only WISE God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen. - Paul speaking:

"Oh, the depth of the riches of
the WISDOM and
knowlege of God!
How unsearchable His judgments,
and His paths beyond tracing out!
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?
For from Him and through Him
and to Him are all things.
To Him be glory forever! Amen."
Rom 11:33-36.

18 Nuggets Of Gold within 2 sentences... Wow!

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