• Define “truth”

  • The true or actual state of a matter.

• Does it matter who makes a “true” statement? Does its “truthfulness” vary because of who said it?

• Define “race”

  • A group of persons related by common descent or heredity.

• Define “discrimination”

• Define “prejudice”

• Define “racism”

• What does the Bible not say about racism?

  • Genesis 4:15 – It does not say the mark of Cain was light or dark skin.

  • Numbers 12:1 – It does not say it is sinful to marry a Cushite woman because she was dark skinned.

  • Genesis 9:27 – It does not say black men must be slaves.

  • Deuteronomy 7:6-9 – It does not say white men are to be superior.

• What does the Bible say about racism?

  • Genesis 1:26-28 – There is one race: mankind.

  • Exodus 2:21

  • Numbers 12:1, 8

  • Jeremiah 38:7-10; 39:16-17

• How do you picture characters of the Bible?

• Dealing with prejudice and racism

  • John 1:46; 4:9; 8:48; Acts 22:21; John 7:24 – Prejudice was a problem in the New Testament.

  • Galatians 2:11-14

  • Acts 17:24-28 – There is no distinction with God.

  • Galatians 3:28

  • Acts 10:28

  • Acts 2:39

  • Galatians 6:3

  • Philippians 2:3

  • I John 4:20

  • Colossians 3:10

  • Matthew 7:12; 22:37-39

  • Titus 3:1

  • II Corinthians 5:16

  • John 10:16

• Racism is not a skin problem. It is a sin problem.

Relevant passages

• Acts 11:21-23 – “they sent Barnabas”
• Acts 13:1-3 – “teachers … they sent them”
• Acts 14:26-28 – “commended … they began to report”
• Acts 15:1-3 – “sent on their way by the church”
• I Corinthians 9:1-18 – “get their living from the gospel”
• I Corinthians 14 – “for edification”
• II Corinthians 11:7-9 – “I robbed other churches”
• Philippians 1:3-5; 4:14-18 – “participation in the gospel”
• I Thessalonians 1:6-10 – “sounded forth from you”

Observations

• The gospel was taught.

  • Local churches in the New Testament were focused entirely on teaching God’s Word – not general personal improvement.

• The money was sent directly to the preacher.

  • This was simple and effective. No bureaucracy or hierarchy needed.

  • Modern sponsoring churches have corrupted this simple arrangement. There is no scriptural authority for this.

Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness (Romans 4:1-25), continued

• Romans 4:18-25 – Abraham believed God would bring life to a dead womb (Sarah and Issac). We believe God brought life to a dead tomb (Jesus). We share the type of faith Abraham had. Compare Hebrews 11:8-19.

God helped the helpless (Romans 5:1-11)

• Romans 5:1 – Paul now begins to focus on people under the New Covenant. We are “justified by faith” when we have the same kind of faith that Abraham had.
• Romans 5:2 – Jesus has given us access to the grace of God. We rejoice in that grace because we now have hope.
• Romans 5:3-5 – Even tribulations don’t get us down, because we recognize them as opportunities for growth and maturation.
• Romans 5:6-8 – A righteous person is one who will abide by the law exactly. A good person goes beyond and shows mercy and compassion. Christ died for us while we were enemies with God.
• Romans 5:9-11 – We have no power to reconcile ourselves to God. God made it possible through Christ. See II Corinthians 5:18-21, 15.

Adam vs. Jesus (Romans 5:12-19)

• Romans 5:12 – Adam ate the forbidden fruit and sin entered the world. This section draws a parallel between Adam and Jesus. This spiritual death spread to all because all sinned.
• Romans 5:15-16 – What Adam did led to condemnation. What Jesus did led to justification. Note that if all died because of Adam’s sin, then all were saved by Jesus, but clearly the Bible does not teach this.

Introduction

• The mark of a great man is what he does and who he is.

Paul could change when he learned he was wrong.

• He went from persecuting Christians to teaching Christ all over the world.

Paul could feel sorrow for sin.

• Acts 22:20
• Acts 8:4
• I Timothy 1:12-13
• II Corinthians 7:10

He was humble yet had self-respect.

• I Corinthians 9:27
• Acts 16 – He demanded that the authorities come and release him when they learned they had imprisoned him illegally.

He was able to compare values and choose the best.

He never looked back.

He had purpose in life.

• Philippians 3:13
• He wasn’t just shadowboxing. He was fighting the enemy.
• His purpose was serving the Lord.

He had faith in the outcome.

• II Timothy 4:6-8

Conclusion

• These characteristics made Paul great and will make any man or woman great.