It may have occurred to Paul that he had written much about sin in individual lives without describing either the vast extent of sin’s domination or how sin came to be such a problem in the first place. He used the word “reign” to describe sin’s domination but balanced the expressions by talking about four monarchs.
Scripture: Romans 5:12-5:21
In his book, “Dynamics of Spiritual Life,” Richard Lovelace wrote, “Three aberrations from the biblical teaching on justification – cheap grace, legalism, and moralism – still dominate the church today.” Paul, in this passage, turns his attention to the first century equivalent of “cheap grace.”
Scripture: Romans 6:1-6:23
Paul’s statement, “You are not under law but under grace,” while wonderfully true is often woefully misunderstood and misapplied. This section examines the believer’s relationship to the law.
Scripture: Romans 7:1-7:25
Paul frequently used the expression “in Christ Jesus” (vv. 1-2). To be “in Christ Jesus” means to have a vital faith-relationship with the crucified and risen Christ. Great benefits and responsibilities accrue to those who enjoy such a relationship.
Scripture: Romans 8:1-8:13
Having explained in principle what happens when believers receive the “Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead,” Paul now leads into a practical explanation of life in the Spirit.
Scripture: Romans 8:14-8:27
At this point the tone of the epistle changed. Having carefully and systematically laid out this theological statement, the apostle now adopts a preaching style. And with a series of questions, he asks for a response.
Scripture: Romans 8:28-8:39
Paul’s presentation of the gospel of Christ was not at all acceptable to many Jews for obvious reasons. As a result, the veracity of his message and his own credibility were under fire. More than that, profound questions concerning election and rejection needed to be answered. They still do.
Scripture: Romans 9:1-9:33
Paul’s discussion of divine sovereignty and human accountability with particular reference to Israel tends to go over peoples’ heads, but it serves an essentially practical purpose. Paul, the theologian, was always the lover of people and a deeply committed evangelist.
Scripture: Romans 10:1-10:21
Jesus said it was better that He leave earth so the Holy Spirit could come. He was one body amongst the people, but the Spirit would come to live inside of us. The Holy Spirit acts as a Fire that sets our souls ablaze and gives us the power to do things that are beyond our own strength.
Scripture: John 14:15-14:20
The old hymn says, “God works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform.” Nowhere is this better illustrated than in His dealings with Israel. His ways are wonderful, and the appropriate response is wonder and adoration.
Scripture: Romans 11:1-11:36
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers . . .” begins the final section of this great epistle. It introduces a heartfelt brotherly appeal to a practical application of the truth expounded and gets right into the heart of spiritual experience by urging the readers to evaluate their values in the light of all that has been explained thus far.
Scripture: Romans 12:1-12:8
Most people would admit that their understanding of the Holy Spirit is pretty limited. However, if we truly grasped the power He has to transform our Christian lives, we would probably hunger to know more about Him!
Jill teaches on the Holy Spirit in her vivid relational style, using common symbols of the Holy Spirit such as fire, dove, water, oil. She explores His character and His work in the hearts and minds of believers. Learn how He seeks to empower and strengthen us to be Jesus' representative, to plead Jesus' cause, to defend Jesus' name, and to guard and promote the Kingdom of Jesus here on earth!
In the Scriptures, oil is used as a symbol of joy and gladness. And we as Christians have a little pot of oil in us that will never run dry. The Holy Spirit is the oil in our lamps that keeps us burning, allowing us to be a light in this dark world.
Scripture: Isaiah 61:3, Psalm 45:7, 1 Kings 17:12-17:16
Enoch may not be a household name, but in his day, he had a great reputation. He was known as a man who pleased God. He made God smile because he “walked with God” in a loving, trusting relationship. Enoch knew “without faith it is impossible to please God.”
Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-11:6
Having dealt with evil on the cosmic scale, Paul now turns to a practical treatment of evil in the life of the individual. Showing how evil is found in attitudes as well as actions, he teaches believers how to shun evil and embrace good.
Scripture: Romans 12:9-12:21
This Scripture talks about “those who live according to the sinful nature” and those “who live in accordance with the Spirit.” The former, we are told, cannot please God. If we wish to please God, we must give careful attention to what this means.
Scripture: Romans 8:1-8:14
Having dealth with the Christian’s behavior in the church, Paul turns his attention to the way a person with a renewed mind functions in a secular society, with particular reference to their response to governmental authority.
Scripture: Romans 13:1-13:7
In us there is a well of water that continually quenches our thirst. It is the Holy Spirit that flows like a stream in our hearts. When we call on Him, the river overflows and refreshes our souls, enabling us to do God’s work without getting burnt out.
Scripture: Isaiah 58:11
Pleasing ourselves is instinctual. Pleasing God does not come naturally. Therefore, we need to learn how to do it. In fact, we need to be convinced that we should do it. That is why Paul “instructed” the Thessalonians, carefully using a word with military connotations.
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-4:12
When the Holy Spirit comes into our lives, we receive all of Him into all of us. But did you know that we can abuse Him? He is abused when we suppress Him, quench Him, or subdue Him. Limiting Him to only certain areas of our lives is considered abuse… and a sin.
Scripture: John 1:29-1:34
It is surprising to discover that Paul evidently thought that the reader of his letter had dozed off, because he found it necessary to tell them it was time they woke from their slumber. That it was a spiritual sleeping sickness is illustrated by the A.N.T. translations, “Rouse to Reality.”
Scripture: Romans 13:8-13:14
We have seen that an attitude of trusting obedience towards the Lord and careful attention to our personal behavior are vital if we are to please God. In this passage we will see that proper attitudes toward other people merit the smile of His approval, too.
Scripture: 1 Timothy 2:1-2:8
The church at Rome was made up of Jews and Gentiles. This was a potentially volatile mix, and Paul was concerned that the behavior of both would serve to avoid dissension and foster Christian unity.
Scripture: Romans 14:1-14:23
Most people would admit that their understanding of the Holy Spirit is pretty limited. However, if we truly grasped the power He has to transform our Christian lives, we would probably hunger to know more about Him!
Jill teaches on the Holy Spirit in her vivid relational style, using common symbols of the Holy Spirit such as fire, dove, water, oil. She explores His character and His work in the hearts and minds of believers. Learn how He seeks to empower and strengthen us to be Jesus' representative, to plead Jesus' cause, to defend Jesus' name, and to guard and promote the Kingdom of Jesus here on earth!
Scripture: Ephesians 4:3-4:13, 1 Corinthians 12-14
The desire to please ourselves is a powerful motivational factor. It can lead to all kinds of selfishness and inappropriate independence. Because the Christian follows Christ, he or she exhibits a different attitude – the ministering mentality.
Scripture: Romans 15:1-15:33
Most people would admit that their understanding of the Holy Spirit is pretty limited. However, if we truly grasped the power He has to transform our Christian lives, we would probably hunger to know more about Him!
Jill teaches on the Holy Spirit in her vivid relational style, using common symbols of the Holy Spirit such as fire, dove, water, oil. She explores His character and His work in the hearts and minds of believers. Learn how He seeks to empower and strengthen us to be Jesus' representative, to plead Jesus' cause, to defend Jesus' name, and to guard and promote the Kingdom of Jesus here on earth!
Scripture: Galatians 5
This concluding practical teachings of the Epistle to the Romans are based on an exhortation to “offer our bodies as living sacrifices.” Whatever this means, we can be sure that it results in a lifestyle that is “pleasing to God.” Making God smile is reason enough to explore it!
Scripture: Romans 12:1-12:2
Most people would admit that their understanding of the Holy Spirit is pretty limited. However, if we truly grasped the power He has to transform our Christian lives, we would probably hunger to know more about Him!
Jill teaches on the Holy Spirit in her vivid relational style, using common symbols of the Holy Spirit such as fire, dove, water, oil. She explores His character and His work in the hearts and minds of believers. Learn how He seeks to empower and strengthen us to be Jesus' representative, to plead Jesus' cause, to defend Jesus' name, and to guard and promote the Kingdom of Jesus here on earth!
In a conversation with a Samaritan woman in which they discussed worship, Jesus told her that the Father was seeking “true worshipers (who) will worship the Father in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23). We need to understand clearly what the Father is looking for.
Scripture: John 4:23
In the first eleven chapters Paul explained the doctrine of Christianity. In the following four chapters he showed practical implications of Christian living. But in the final chapter he concluded with personal greetings, which are as instructive as they are illuminating.
Scripture: Romans 16:1-16:27
Is there life with contentment, fulfillment, and a sense of well-being? Stuart uses Psalm 1 to talk about a life of inner sufficiency, productivity, consistency, and tranquility. Are you energetically pursuing happiness where it cannot be found? Listen as Stuart offers a biblical answer.
Scripture: Psalm 1
Women throughout all of history have been trying to find their identities—through marriage, children, a career. But we can find our true identity and fulfillment only in our relationship with God. Eve had a unique opportunity to be with God in the Garden of Eden, and God revealed His intended work for her, what He designed her to do. But Eve’s identity was challenged in the Fall when Satan deceived Eve into trying to find her identity outside of the God in whose image she was made. We, too, were created in God’s image and were designed for the work He has for us.
In this message, Jill walks us through Eve’s story and teaches us how it is also our story—how our own identities may be obscured in the Fall but are renewed in Christ’s redemptive work.
Scripture: Genesis 1-3
When we think of someone with a good attitude, Abraham’s wife Sarah is probably not the first person who comes to mind. We might think of her arguments with Abraham, how she laughed at God’s good news, her harsh dealings with Hagar, how she lied to Pharaoh. But in 1 Peter 3, Peter commends Sarah as a model for all women for her “quiet and meek spirit.” What happened in Sarah’s life to turn this feisty, contentious, rebel of a woman into God’s royal princess?
In this message, Jill teaches us about Sarah’s life—her shortcomings and how God turned this rebel into royalty—and how giving God control in our own lives can transform our attitudes like it did for Sarah.
Scripture: Genesis 12-18, 1 Peter 3-4
In the midst of Christmas activity, it is appropriate that we spend some time in reflection and contemplation on what lies behind the celebration. Among other things Christ said He came in order that we might have life to the full.
Scripture: John 10:10
If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to be a servant of God, look to Miriam. Miriam served God using her gifts when she took on a willing, servant attitude. Miriam discovered that she had the gift of prophecy, and she used it where God called her—in leading the people of Israel to the Promised Land, alongside Aaron and Moses.
God wants to use you, as He used Miriam, with the gifts and personality that He gave you. In this message, we see how God will put you in the right place at the right time. But He requires you to have the right attitude.
Scripture: Exodus 2-15, Psalm 139, 1 Timothy 2
Have you ever felt wrongly judged? Rahab was someone who was judged for her outer appearance. A harlot, known for keeping brothels within Jericho, no one would have believed by simply looking at her that she was seeking God.
Thankfully, God looks beyond what man sees to the desires of our hearts, and changes us from the inside out.
Scripture: Joshua 2-6, James 2
When Jesus stood before Pontius Pilate He told him that He “came into the world, to testify to the truth.” Pilate’s response was, “What is truth?” But he didn’t wait for an answer. Let’s make sure we do.
Scripture: John 18:28-18:40
The letter to Philemon in which the Apostle Paul, now an old man, goes to bat for a young runaway slave, offers many charming and enlightening glimpses into life in the early church, glimpses intended to enrich our experience of contemporary church life.
Jesus stated that he had come to seek and save lost people and to call sinners to repentance. These statements produced both warm response and bitter reaction—and they still do.
Scripture: Luke 5:27-5:32, Luke 18:9-18:14, Luke 19:1-19:10
Every day we fight battles: teaching our kids to clean up their toys, dealing with difficult co-workers or family members, getting society to clean up the environment. But even though these battles are big, there is an even bigger war going on—a spiritual one. While we know that God is the ultimate victor, we live every day surrounded by Satan’s armies.
The judge and prophetess Deborah was surrounded by not only a spiritual war but a physical one! God gave her the gifts and talents she needed to complete the task He gave her. In this message from Judges, Jill shares with us Deborah’s story and shows us how we, too, can respond to God and find our roles in this great battle.
Christ’s coming is usually seen in winsome, warm colors, and this is right and proper. But there is another side to the story: Christ promised that He would bring a sword and fire. What did He mean?
Scripture: Matthew 10:34-10:42
When we think of influential leaders, we often think of those who make bold statements, those who are aggressive or loud. But not all change happens that way. Ruth changed her world using humble acts of love and kindness. Despite her circumstances, Ruth spent her life in service. She lived a life that exemplified love to those around her, particularly in caring for her mother-in-law, Naomi.
Jill Briscoe teaches us how much we can learn from Ruth about being a true friend.
Scripture: Ruth, 1 Corinthians 13
Philemon, a highly regarded Christian gentleman, was being encouraged by his friend and spiritual father, Paul, to take a challenging and potentially controversial step of faith.
Onesimus, the runaway slave found his way to Paul, the prisoner from whom he heard the gospel. He believed, continued in the faith, matured, and became indispensable. But the time came for him to go home and face the music.
The wise men saw the star and followed it to Bethlehem. You could say they “saw the light.” There were many who also saw it but did not follow. Christ said, “I have come into the world as a light.” And He explained how some respond and some don’t and why.
Scripture: John 12:37-12:50
How do you stay when you really want to go? It's not easy. Abigail was a woman stuck in a difficult marriage with a difficult husband. But instead of being angry and vindictive, she showed godly wisdom and self-control in diffusing tensions, and remained committed to her marriage.
In this message, Jill Briscoe walks us through Abigail's story and gives us an example of how to deal with the difficult people in our own lives.
Scripture: 1 Samuel 21-25
The expression "the church that meets in your home" sounds strange to us because the idea of "church" has changed dramatically since Paul wrote about it. What did he mean by "church"? What should we know about it and should it affect the modern church?
Perhaps one of the most striking things Christ said about His incarnation was that He had not come to be served, but to serve, and that His disciples should develop the same attitude. Judging by the disciples’ attitudes this was not going to be easy.
Scripture: Matthew 20:20-20:28
At times it can feel like everything is working against you, like everything has been taken from you and you have nothing left to give. Naaman's maid had every right to feel like this. She was a captive and a slave. She was a young, powerless female. Yet she chose to love her captor and her master and help him seek healing, because she believed in and loved God.
God has given each of us a purpose identical to Naaman's little maid: to bring the message of God to the Naamans of the world, especially when it is difficult.
Scripture: 2 Kings 5, Leviticus 14:10-14:14
The wonder of God's creation is all around us. Look at the flowers, the birds, and the tiniest insects, and you'll discover the amazing plan and intricate design of His creations. And then think about how much more he cares for us and his entire universe. In this message, Jill helps us understand God as our Elohim, or creator.
Scripture: John 1:1, John 17, Genesis 3:22, Genesis 9:8, Isaiah 14-18, Genesis 1-2
In their 5-message series, Powerful and Effective Prayer, Stuart and Jill Briscoe help you discover the power of a life rooted in prayer—and how it can become the place you turn to in every situation.
When life feels overwhelming, it’s easy to react first and pray later. But this encouraging series shows you how prayer can bring clarity, peace, and steady confidence in God, no matter what you’re facing!
This special resource, available as a digital download or on USB, is our thanks for your gift to help more people experience the truth of God’s Word.
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