ROMANS 5C ROMANS 5:12-21
THE POWER OF ONE
Introduction:
I. One man Adam
A. Sin and death entered the world through one man, Adam.
How did this happen?
We are all related by the blood of Adam.
Acts 17:26
Our blood carries the sentence of death because of Adam’s sin.
B. Life is in the blood
Lev. 17:11
Blood is fluid, moveable.
It is the only part of our body that touches every area of the body.
Death happens when there is no more life in the blood.
We could say that eating of the tree of knowledge caused blood poisoning.
Adam and Eve died.
That poison has been passed by Adam to us all.
I know that I have explained this before.
Page 17 The breath of God….
C. Something happened to the blood to cause death.
Sinful flesh is sustained and nourished by sinful blood.
That sinful nature has been instilled in us.
II. One man Christ
A. Forgiveness and life enter through Jesus Christ.
B. The innocent and incorruptible blood of Christ.
Page 35 Innocent blood
Page 35 Incorruptible blood
C. The chemistry of Calvary
Page 53
Conclusion:
Readings are from
The Chemistry of the Blood by M. R. De Haan (Paperback - Sept. 1, 1974) Out of Print--Limited Availability
Monday, February 14, 2011
ROMANS 5B GOD’S LOVE
ROMANS 5B GOD’S LOVE
ROMANS 5:5B-11
Introduction:
We read tonight’s verses as we closed this morning.
We are going to pick up tonight with why this hope doesn’t disappoint us.
The answer is because of God’s love.
Because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit.
I am going to build our thoughts around verse 6 completing this sentence three times.
God’s love
I. Knows the right time
A. You see at just the right time….
The birth of Jesus was at the right time.
Galatians 4:4,5
Luke 2:6
The death of Christ was at the right time.
Matthew 26:18
Luke 17:22
The 2nd coming of Christ will be at the right time.
Mark 13:26-33
Luke 21:8
Luke 21:27
B. God’s love knows the right time in your life and in mine.
Sometimes we might wonder.
Sometimes we think His time is off.
Many times we wish his timing better suited ours.
II. Can overcome our weakness
A. When we were still powerless.
We have seen here in Romans that we were powerless to save ourselves.
There is none righteous
All have sinned.
The law offered no life or hope.
B. When I am weak then He is strong.
His strength is made perfect in our weakness.
II Corinthians 12:9-11
C. We need to let his love overcome our weakness.
Don’t fight our weakness.
III. Was demonstrated by death
A. “Christ died for the ungodly.”
Verse 7
Verse 8 While we were still sinners, still an enemy of God Christ died to make us a friend of God.
B. Verse 10,11 says that we were reconciled to Him.
Conclusion:
This love of God ultimately results in rejoicing.
Verse 11
I thank God for his peace, grace, and hope.
I also thank Him for his great love that has done these things for us.
ROMANS 5:5B-11
Introduction:
We read tonight’s verses as we closed this morning.
We are going to pick up tonight with why this hope doesn’t disappoint us.
The answer is because of God’s love.
Because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit.
I am going to build our thoughts around verse 6 completing this sentence three times.
God’s love
I. Knows the right time
A. You see at just the right time….
The birth of Jesus was at the right time.
Galatians 4:4,5
Luke 2:6
The death of Christ was at the right time.
Matthew 26:18
Luke 17:22
The 2nd coming of Christ will be at the right time.
Mark 13:26-33
Luke 21:8
Luke 21:27
B. God’s love knows the right time in your life and in mine.
Sometimes we might wonder.
Sometimes we think His time is off.
Many times we wish his timing better suited ours.
II. Can overcome our weakness
A. When we were still powerless.
We have seen here in Romans that we were powerless to save ourselves.
There is none righteous
All have sinned.
The law offered no life or hope.
B. When I am weak then He is strong.
His strength is made perfect in our weakness.
II Corinthians 12:9-11
C. We need to let his love overcome our weakness.
Don’t fight our weakness.
III. Was demonstrated by death
A. “Christ died for the ungodly.”
Verse 7
Verse 8 While we were still sinners, still an enemy of God Christ died to make us a friend of God.
B. Verse 10,11 says that we were reconciled to Him.
Conclusion:
This love of God ultimately results in rejoicing.
Verse 11
I thank God for his peace, grace, and hope.
I also thank Him for his great love that has done these things for us.
ROMANS 5A AN AMAZING TRIO
ROMANS 5A AN AMAZING TRIO
PEACE, GRACE, & HOPE
Introduction:
The Last Impression
Since this is the SuperBowl weekend, I thought I would share with you some football plays you might just see this Sunday... in church!
Quarterback Sneak – Church members quietly leaving during the invitation.
Draw Play – What many children do with the bulletin during worship.
Halftime – The period between Sunday school and worship when many choose to leave.
Benchwarmer – Those who do not sing, pray, work, or do anything but sit.
Backfield-in-Motion – Making a trip to the back (restroom or water fountain) during the service.
Staying in the Pocket – What happens to a lot of money that should be given to the Lord's work.
Two-minute Warning – The point at which you realize the sermon is almost over and begin to gather up your children and belongings.
Instant Replay – The preacher loses his notes and falls back on last week's illustrations.
Sudden Death – What happens to the attention span of the congregation if the preacher goes "overtime."
Trap – You're called on to pray and are asleep.
End Run – Getting out of church quick, without speaking to any guest or fellow member.
Flex Defense – The ability to allow absolutely nothing said during the sermon to affect your life.
Halfback Option – The decision of 50% of the congregation not to return for the evening service.
Blitz – The rush for the restaurants following the closing prayer.
As we move into Romans 5 I am going to talk about an amazing trio this morning.
The trio is not big Ben, Mendenhall, and Hines Ward.
This morning’s trio is peace, grace, and hope
Chapter 5 begins a new focus in the book of Romans.
Chapters 1-4
The first 4 chapters centered on the need for salvation and the provision of salvation, righteousness, justification, through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Our faith in Christ puts us in right relationship with God.
Jews and Gentiles alike can be a part of Abraham’s family, better yet a part of God’s family.
Chapters 5-8
Paul begins to tie our righteousness by faith with hope as we move into the next 4 chapters.
He talks about the hope that belongs to us who are right with God.
Jews and Gentiles alike have tapped into this great hope.
Writers reference the first 5 verses here as consequences of our righteousness and justification.
Define consequence: The effect, result, or outcome of something occurring earlier.
I prefer the word result.
There are three very vital results of our righteousness spoken of here.
Peace
Grace
Hope
They are the trio that we are going to look at.
Each of them are familiar to us.
I want us to pay closer attention to how they become ours.
I. Peace
A. Define peace
Dictionary.com
the normal, non warring condition of a nation, group of nations,
an agreement or treaty between warring or antagonistic nations, groups, etc., to end hostilities
a state of mutual harmony between people or groups,
cessation of or freedom from any strife or dissension.
freedom of the mind from annoyance, distraction, anxiety, an obsession, etc.;
a state of tranquility or serenity:
B. Who is this peace with?
Paul says here that this peace is with God.
Ultimately He is the one that you want to have peace with.
It is great to know and understand the impact, the trickle down effect of this peace with God.
C. What is the key or what did this peace come to us through?
The key to this peace with God is Christ.
Isaiah 9:6,7 For to us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.
Isaiah 53:5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
Colossians 1:19,20 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Our key is faith in Christ.
Paul tells us here that our justification through faith in Christ puts us at peace with God.
I love being at peace with God.
I love the way that my peace with God provides peace throughout the many other areas in my life.
II. Grace
The second result is into this grace in which we now stand.
A. There are several facets of grace.
This reminds me of the message I shared on grace in our Noah series.
Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.
Saving grace, the building of and the entering of the ark.
Securing grace, when all had entered the ark God shut the door keeping them safe inside.
Sufficient grace that kept them safe the entire time.
There is the saving grace.
Ephesians 2:8,9
This is not what Paul is talking about here.
There is the securing or the keeping grace.
I am glad that I just wasn’t saved by grace and that was a thing of the past.
Too many times Christians just hold onto a past experience.
Today is a new day and it has it’s own experience.
B. Paul is talking about the securing grace.
“grace in which we now stand.”
This grace is an abiding and immovable status arising from a past action. (John Murray in commentary)
Believers have an on going access to grace and continue to stand in grace. (Thomas R. Schreiner)
God did not save us by grace and then drop grace out of the picture.
Just like the grace that Noah found in the eyes of the Lord didn’t just build the ark but it keep them safely secured in the ark.
We need to walk daily in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
C. I believe that this flows into the sufficient grace.
His grace will keep us all the way to the end.
It is the grace of God that will enable us to stand upright before the Lord in that final day.
III. Hope
The third result is hope.
A. This hope is qualified as the hope of the glory of God.
This is not I hope you have a good day today hope.
This is not even I hope you have a good life hope.
This is I hope you experience the glory of God forever hope.
B. The door is open for us to share in God’s glory.
The vast experience of that glory is in eternity.
Notice that those who scorned and fell short of God’s glory are now given an opportunity to share in it.
Romans 1:21-23
Romans 3:23
Romans 8:17,18,21,30
Again we realize that this is not really a present possession.
We await future glorification that will bring moral perfection, and restore the glory that Adam lost when he sinned.
C. This is a life long process to experience this hope.
The peace that we talked about is a result of our faith in Christ.
The grace that we talked about is a result of our faith in Christ.
There is a process to obtain this hope.
Afflictions produce endurance or perseverance. Troubles have a way of toughing us up. Andre Crouch sings through it all. It goes through it all I learned to trust in Jesus, I learned to trust in God. One verse goes if I never had a problem I would never know that God could salve them, I’d never know what faith in God can do.
Endurance, perseverance produces character. They have a way of building a stronger character in us. The challenges that we face can make us bitter or better. Being made better is a great building of character.
Tested character generates hope. A change in character shows God at work in our lives. The more we let God work in us the more our faith and confidence in God are built up. We become assured that what God started He will finish.
Hope in God will not disappoint us or bring shame on us.
Philippians 1:6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
I Corinthians 1:8 He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
None of us like the process but we certainly will like the end result.
Conclusion:
Read Romans 5:6-11
We are going to focus on these verses a few minutes tonight before we go home and eat some hot wings and finish watching the super bowl.
Communion
PEACE, GRACE, & HOPE
Introduction:
The Last Impression
Since this is the SuperBowl weekend, I thought I would share with you some football plays you might just see this Sunday... in church!
Quarterback Sneak – Church members quietly leaving during the invitation.
Draw Play – What many children do with the bulletin during worship.
Halftime – The period between Sunday school and worship when many choose to leave.
Benchwarmer – Those who do not sing, pray, work, or do anything but sit.
Backfield-in-Motion – Making a trip to the back (restroom or water fountain) during the service.
Staying in the Pocket – What happens to a lot of money that should be given to the Lord's work.
Two-minute Warning – The point at which you realize the sermon is almost over and begin to gather up your children and belongings.
Instant Replay – The preacher loses his notes and falls back on last week's illustrations.
Sudden Death – What happens to the attention span of the congregation if the preacher goes "overtime."
Trap – You're called on to pray and are asleep.
End Run – Getting out of church quick, without speaking to any guest or fellow member.
Flex Defense – The ability to allow absolutely nothing said during the sermon to affect your life.
Halfback Option – The decision of 50% of the congregation not to return for the evening service.
Blitz – The rush for the restaurants following the closing prayer.
As we move into Romans 5 I am going to talk about an amazing trio this morning.
The trio is not big Ben, Mendenhall, and Hines Ward.
This morning’s trio is peace, grace, and hope
Chapter 5 begins a new focus in the book of Romans.
Chapters 1-4
The first 4 chapters centered on the need for salvation and the provision of salvation, righteousness, justification, through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Our faith in Christ puts us in right relationship with God.
Jews and Gentiles alike can be a part of Abraham’s family, better yet a part of God’s family.
Chapters 5-8
Paul begins to tie our righteousness by faith with hope as we move into the next 4 chapters.
He talks about the hope that belongs to us who are right with God.
Jews and Gentiles alike have tapped into this great hope.
Writers reference the first 5 verses here as consequences of our righteousness and justification.
Define consequence: The effect, result, or outcome of something occurring earlier.
I prefer the word result.
There are three very vital results of our righteousness spoken of here.
Peace
Grace
Hope
They are the trio that we are going to look at.
Each of them are familiar to us.
I want us to pay closer attention to how they become ours.
I. Peace
A. Define peace
Dictionary.com
the normal, non warring condition of a nation, group of nations,
an agreement or treaty between warring or antagonistic nations, groups, etc., to end hostilities
a state of mutual harmony between people or groups,
cessation of or freedom from any strife or dissension.
freedom of the mind from annoyance, distraction, anxiety, an obsession, etc.;
a state of tranquility or serenity:
B. Who is this peace with?
Paul says here that this peace is with God.
Ultimately He is the one that you want to have peace with.
It is great to know and understand the impact, the trickle down effect of this peace with God.
C. What is the key or what did this peace come to us through?
The key to this peace with God is Christ.
Isaiah 9:6,7 For to us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.
Isaiah 53:5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
Colossians 1:19,20 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Our key is faith in Christ.
Paul tells us here that our justification through faith in Christ puts us at peace with God.
I love being at peace with God.
I love the way that my peace with God provides peace throughout the many other areas in my life.
II. Grace
The second result is into this grace in which we now stand.
A. There are several facets of grace.
This reminds me of the message I shared on grace in our Noah series.
Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.
Saving grace, the building of and the entering of the ark.
Securing grace, when all had entered the ark God shut the door keeping them safe inside.
Sufficient grace that kept them safe the entire time.
There is the saving grace.
Ephesians 2:8,9
This is not what Paul is talking about here.
There is the securing or the keeping grace.
I am glad that I just wasn’t saved by grace and that was a thing of the past.
Too many times Christians just hold onto a past experience.
Today is a new day and it has it’s own experience.
B. Paul is talking about the securing grace.
“grace in which we now stand.”
This grace is an abiding and immovable status arising from a past action. (John Murray in commentary)
Believers have an on going access to grace and continue to stand in grace. (Thomas R. Schreiner)
God did not save us by grace and then drop grace out of the picture.
Just like the grace that Noah found in the eyes of the Lord didn’t just build the ark but it keep them safely secured in the ark.
We need to walk daily in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
C. I believe that this flows into the sufficient grace.
His grace will keep us all the way to the end.
It is the grace of God that will enable us to stand upright before the Lord in that final day.
III. Hope
The third result is hope.
A. This hope is qualified as the hope of the glory of God.
This is not I hope you have a good day today hope.
This is not even I hope you have a good life hope.
This is I hope you experience the glory of God forever hope.
B. The door is open for us to share in God’s glory.
The vast experience of that glory is in eternity.
Notice that those who scorned and fell short of God’s glory are now given an opportunity to share in it.
Romans 1:21-23
Romans 3:23
Romans 8:17,18,21,30
Again we realize that this is not really a present possession.
We await future glorification that will bring moral perfection, and restore the glory that Adam lost when he sinned.
C. This is a life long process to experience this hope.
The peace that we talked about is a result of our faith in Christ.
The grace that we talked about is a result of our faith in Christ.
There is a process to obtain this hope.
Afflictions produce endurance or perseverance. Troubles have a way of toughing us up. Andre Crouch sings through it all. It goes through it all I learned to trust in Jesus, I learned to trust in God. One verse goes if I never had a problem I would never know that God could salve them, I’d never know what faith in God can do.
Endurance, perseverance produces character. They have a way of building a stronger character in us. The challenges that we face can make us bitter or better. Being made better is a great building of character.
Tested character generates hope. A change in character shows God at work in our lives. The more we let God work in us the more our faith and confidence in God are built up. We become assured that what God started He will finish.
Hope in God will not disappoint us or bring shame on us.
Philippians 1:6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
I Corinthians 1:8 He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
None of us like the process but we certainly will like the end result.
Conclusion:
Read Romans 5:6-11
We are going to focus on these verses a few minutes tonight before we go home and eat some hot wings and finish watching the super bowl.
Communion
Thursday, February 10, 2011
ROMANS 4B CREDIT
ROMANS 4B CREDIT
Introduction:
We are going to talk about that word credit tonight.
The word credit is used 29 times in the NIV of the Bible.
Ten of those times is in Romans 4. The focus of those here are on Abraham.
There are 3 other Scriptures where it is used about Abraham, 1 in the OT and 2 in the NT.
Credit has many definitions.
credit
1. commendation or honor given for some action, quality, etc.: Give credit where it is due.
2. a source of pride or honor: You are a credit to your school.
3. the ascription or acknowledgment of something as due or properly attributable to a person, institution, etc.: She got a screen credit for photography.
4. trustworthiness; credibility: a witness of credit.
5. confidence in a purchaser's ability and intention to pay, displayed by entrusting the buyer with goods or services without immediate payment.
6. reputation of solvency and probity, entitling a person to be trusted in buying or borrowing: Your credit is good.
7. influence or authority resulting from the confidence of others or from one's reputation.
8. time allowed for payment for goods or services obtained on trust: 90 days' credit.
9. repute; reputation; esteem.
I. Abraham
A. Romans 4:1-3 Part of our message this morning.
B. Romans 4:9,10
Paul is saying this credit was before circumcision.
C. Romans 4:11
He is speaking of our righteousness being credited to us by our faith.
Paul tells us that the uncircumcised receive righteousness a credit to their believing.
D. Romans 4:22
Beginning in verse 17 Paul reminds us about Abraham’s belief in God giving him a son in his old age.
II. Paul for Philemon
A. Read Philemon
B. In verse 18 Paul is saying if my friend Onesimus owes you anything put it, charge it to my account.
Paul is saying credit his account as paid.
Charge what he owes to my account.
What a blessing that is.
III. Christ for us
A. Romans 4:23-25
This righteous credit was not for Abraham alone.
This righteousness is credited to us as well.
Our belief needs to be in Jesus who died for our sins and rose again for our justification.
B. Thank you Lord for the payment that your Son has made to my account.
Conclusion:
Introduction:
We are going to talk about that word credit tonight.
The word credit is used 29 times in the NIV of the Bible.
Ten of those times is in Romans 4. The focus of those here are on Abraham.
There are 3 other Scriptures where it is used about Abraham, 1 in the OT and 2 in the NT.
Credit has many definitions.
credit
1. commendation or honor given for some action, quality, etc.: Give credit where it is due.
2. a source of pride or honor: You are a credit to your school.
3. the ascription or acknowledgment of something as due or properly attributable to a person, institution, etc.: She got a screen credit for photography.
4. trustworthiness; credibility: a witness of credit.
5. confidence in a purchaser's ability and intention to pay, displayed by entrusting the buyer with goods or services without immediate payment.
6. reputation of solvency and probity, entitling a person to be trusted in buying or borrowing: Your credit is good.
7. influence or authority resulting from the confidence of others or from one's reputation.
8. time allowed for payment for goods or services obtained on trust: 90 days' credit.
9. repute; reputation; esteem.
I. Abraham
A. Romans 4:1-3 Part of our message this morning.
B. Romans 4:9,10
Paul is saying this credit was before circumcision.
C. Romans 4:11
He is speaking of our righteousness being credited to us by our faith.
Paul tells us that the uncircumcised receive righteousness a credit to their believing.
D. Romans 4:22
Beginning in verse 17 Paul reminds us about Abraham’s belief in God giving him a son in his old age.
II. Paul for Philemon
A. Read Philemon
B. In verse 18 Paul is saying if my friend Onesimus owes you anything put it, charge it to my account.
Paul is saying credit his account as paid.
Charge what he owes to my account.
What a blessing that is.
III. Christ for us
A. Romans 4:23-25
This righteous credit was not for Abraham alone.
This righteousness is credited to us as well.
Our belief needs to be in Jesus who died for our sins and rose again for our justification.
B. Thank you Lord for the payment that your Son has made to my account.
Conclusion:
Romans 4A Being A Truely Blessed Man
BEING A TRULY BLESSED MAN
ROMANS 4A R0MANS 4:1-8
Introduction:
The Visitor
One day, a man went to visit a church. He arrived early, parked his car, and got out. Another car pulled up near him, and the driver told him, "I always park there. You took my place!"
The visitor went inside for Sunday School, found an empty seat, and sat down. A young lady from the church approached him and stated, "That's my seat! You took my place!" The visitor was somewhat distressed by this rude welcome, but said nothing.
After Sunday School, the visitor went into the church sanctuary and sat down. Another member walked up to him and said, "That's where I always sit. You took my place!" The visitor was even more troubled by this treatment, but still said nothing.
Later, as the congregation was praying for Christ to dwell among them, the visitor stood, and his appearance began to change. Horrible scars became visible on his hands and on his sandaled feet. Someone from the congregation noticed him and called out,
"What happened to you?"
The visitor replied, "I took your place."
I am ever so grateful that Jesus took my place.
We are truly blessed because He took our place.
We are in Romans 4 today.
Paul recites the words of David in verses 7,8 talking about a blessed man.
I am going to make a statement that I know will rattle your cage.
A truly blessed man is not a working man.
A truly blessed man is a man who gets credit handed to him without earning it.
I am sure all of you have just said that Pastor has lost his mind.
I am going to back track. That statement is not my statement. It is Paul’s statement.
We are going to begin in Romans 4 verse 1 and see who then is a truly blessed man.
Paul shares three pictures to help us understand that a blessed man is not a working man.
I. Abraham
A. The question is asked about Abraham.
It is well known, understood, and accepted that Abraham was their, the Jews, forefather.
He is a vital part of their foundation.
Abraham carries a lot of weight.
What does Abraham teach us about this works and faith issue?
What do we learn from him about this boasting thing?
Was he justified before God by his works?
B. The answer
The second part of verse 2 says he had nothing to boast about before God.
Paul begins the answer as he begins verse 3.
We will find the answer in the Scripture.
“Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness“.
This is a quote from Genesis 15:6
Paul is even going earlier than Moses to Abraham.
Abraham is a great example of faith.
He maintained a loyal attachment to God and believed in his promises.
We read about that a bit further here in chapter 4.
Genesis 12:1-3
Genesis 15:5,6
Hebrews 11:8-19
James 2:20-22
Faith generates actions.
C. We begin to see that a blessed man is a man that has faith.
I did not become a child of my father by what I did.
You can not become a descendant of Abraham by what you do.
We can not become a child of God by what we do.
II. The worker and his wages
The second picture is a worker and his wages.
A. The working man gets wages.
A working man’s wages is not a gift.
How far would you and I get if we listed our income last year as a gift?
I didn’t earn anything last year.
My employer just gave me a gift.
How would you feel if your employer came us to you on payday and said I don’t feel like giving you your pay check this time.
Your check has been a gift check and I don’t have it in me today to give you a gift.
Wait a minute you agreed to pay me.
I earned it and you are obligated to pay me.
We could and probably would go further up the ladder in the company, or go to the labor union, or better business bureau.
B. Earning and obligation are not a part of God.
Works necessitates debt or an obligation.
When a man works, someone owes him something.
If a man could work for righteousness, that is, work so God would owe him righteousness, then God would owe man.
But God, being God, is completely self-sufficient; therefore, He cannot be put in debt to any man.
He cannot be made or forced to do anything.
C. We find that a blessed man is not a working man.
III. David’s painting of a blessed man vs. 6-8
The third picture is the picture that David paints about a blessed man.
A. God credits righteousness apart from works.
Paul says that David’s picture says much the same thing to us.
Paul says he is telling us about the blessedness of a man.
Whom God credits righteousness.
This righteousness is credited apart from works.
B. Paul is quoting from Psalms 32:1,2
Listen to this entire chapter.
Blessedness, righteousness, forgiveness, are all a heart issue.
They are not the result of our hands.
They are a result of His nail starred hands.
C. Psalms 1 shares some very powerful words.
He says the blessed man does not
Walk in the steps, the ways of the wicked.
Stand in the path that sinners take.
Sit in the seats or the company of the mockers.
The blessed man
Delights in the law of the Lord.
Meditates on that law day and night.
Delighting and meditation
Meditation has nothing to do with our hands or our feet.
Neither does delighting.
They are mind and heart issues.
Conclusion:
Look at these pictures of a blessed man one more time.
A man of faith like Abraham who believed before the law was even given.
A man given gifts by a loving and merciful God not out of obligation like a employer, employee relationship.
A man blessed with righteousness from God and forgiveness of sins not because of what he has done but because of what God has done through His Only begotten Son.
I am blessed because that one with horrible scars on his hands and feet took my place.
I want to be a blessed man and my prayer for all of you is the same.
ROMANS 4A R0MANS 4:1-8
Introduction:
The Visitor
One day, a man went to visit a church. He arrived early, parked his car, and got out. Another car pulled up near him, and the driver told him, "I always park there. You took my place!"
The visitor went inside for Sunday School, found an empty seat, and sat down. A young lady from the church approached him and stated, "That's my seat! You took my place!" The visitor was somewhat distressed by this rude welcome, but said nothing.
After Sunday School, the visitor went into the church sanctuary and sat down. Another member walked up to him and said, "That's where I always sit. You took my place!" The visitor was even more troubled by this treatment, but still said nothing.
Later, as the congregation was praying for Christ to dwell among them, the visitor stood, and his appearance began to change. Horrible scars became visible on his hands and on his sandaled feet. Someone from the congregation noticed him and called out,
"What happened to you?"
The visitor replied, "I took your place."
I am ever so grateful that Jesus took my place.
We are truly blessed because He took our place.
We are in Romans 4 today.
Paul recites the words of David in verses 7,8 talking about a blessed man.
I am going to make a statement that I know will rattle your cage.
A truly blessed man is not a working man.
A truly blessed man is a man who gets credit handed to him without earning it.
I am sure all of you have just said that Pastor has lost his mind.
I am going to back track. That statement is not my statement. It is Paul’s statement.
We are going to begin in Romans 4 verse 1 and see who then is a truly blessed man.
Paul shares three pictures to help us understand that a blessed man is not a working man.
I. Abraham
A. The question is asked about Abraham.
It is well known, understood, and accepted that Abraham was their, the Jews, forefather.
He is a vital part of their foundation.
Abraham carries a lot of weight.
What does Abraham teach us about this works and faith issue?
What do we learn from him about this boasting thing?
Was he justified before God by his works?
B. The answer
The second part of verse 2 says he had nothing to boast about before God.
Paul begins the answer as he begins verse 3.
We will find the answer in the Scripture.
“Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness“.
This is a quote from Genesis 15:6
Paul is even going earlier than Moses to Abraham.
Abraham is a great example of faith.
He maintained a loyal attachment to God and believed in his promises.
We read about that a bit further here in chapter 4.
Genesis 12:1-3
Genesis 15:5,6
Hebrews 11:8-19
James 2:20-22
Faith generates actions.
C. We begin to see that a blessed man is a man that has faith.
I did not become a child of my father by what I did.
You can not become a descendant of Abraham by what you do.
We can not become a child of God by what we do.
II. The worker and his wages
The second picture is a worker and his wages.
A. The working man gets wages.
A working man’s wages is not a gift.
How far would you and I get if we listed our income last year as a gift?
I didn’t earn anything last year.
My employer just gave me a gift.
How would you feel if your employer came us to you on payday and said I don’t feel like giving you your pay check this time.
Your check has been a gift check and I don’t have it in me today to give you a gift.
Wait a minute you agreed to pay me.
I earned it and you are obligated to pay me.
We could and probably would go further up the ladder in the company, or go to the labor union, or better business bureau.
B. Earning and obligation are not a part of God.
Works necessitates debt or an obligation.
When a man works, someone owes him something.
If a man could work for righteousness, that is, work so God would owe him righteousness, then God would owe man.
But God, being God, is completely self-sufficient; therefore, He cannot be put in debt to any man.
He cannot be made or forced to do anything.
C. We find that a blessed man is not a working man.
III. David’s painting of a blessed man vs. 6-8
The third picture is the picture that David paints about a blessed man.
A. God credits righteousness apart from works.
Paul says that David’s picture says much the same thing to us.
Paul says he is telling us about the blessedness of a man.
Whom God credits righteousness.
This righteousness is credited apart from works.
B. Paul is quoting from Psalms 32:1,2
Listen to this entire chapter.
Blessedness, righteousness, forgiveness, are all a heart issue.
They are not the result of our hands.
They are a result of His nail starred hands.
C. Psalms 1 shares some very powerful words.
He says the blessed man does not
Walk in the steps, the ways of the wicked.
Stand in the path that sinners take.
Sit in the seats or the company of the mockers.
The blessed man
Delights in the law of the Lord.
Meditates on that law day and night.
Delighting and meditation
Meditation has nothing to do with our hands or our feet.
Neither does delighting.
They are mind and heart issues.
Conclusion:
Look at these pictures of a blessed man one more time.
A man of faith like Abraham who believed before the law was even given.
A man given gifts by a loving and merciful God not out of obligation like a employer, employee relationship.
A man blessed with righteousness from God and forgiveness of sins not because of what he has done but because of what God has done through His Only begotten Son.
I am blessed because that one with horrible scars on his hands and feet took my place.
I want to be a blessed man and my prayer for all of you is the same.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Romans 3 C Boasting
ROMANS 3C,
BOASTING, ONE, FULFILLING THE LAW
Introduction:
Paul concludes this chapter with three very vital statements.
Boasting must go.
Jews & Gentiles are all one.
Faith does not destroy the law but fulfill it.
Let’s look at these vital statements and learn from them.
I. Boasting must go vs. 27
A. The heart of this conversation is to the Jew.
It is interesting that Paul begins this chapter with the question about advantage.
He says that there is an advantage to being a Jew.
He also says that there is value in circumcision.
But in verse 9 he says that we, the Jews, are not at all better than the next guy, especially the Gentile.
In fact he says that none of us are any better.
For all have sinned and all are justified freely, vs. 23,24
B. But boasting must not be a part of any of our lives.
Where then is boasting?
It is excluded.
It is excluded on the principle that our righteousness is by faith and not by observing the law.
Ephesians 2:8,9
C. A man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.
Romans 1:17
Galatians 3:11
Hebrews 10:38
II. Jews & Gentiles are all one vs. 29, 30
A. A vital verse to aid this argument.
Deuteronomy 6:4
If there is only one true God then surely he must be the God of the whole world.
He can’t just be the God of the Jews.
He is your God and mine.
B. How can the one God justify you in a different way than He justifies me?
That would be favoritism.
That would be unbalanced.
The old covenant was distinctively Jews.
Righteousness by faith fits better for all.
C. Ephesians 4:1-6
1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
D. An understanding is needed by American believers.
Sometimes we think that believers everywhere need to be just like us.
Our faith is very Americanized and built around our culture.
Our ideas can throw a little boasting in it for us. Paul says no.
III. Faith does not destroy the law. vs. 31
I believe there are three aspects that we can look at here.
A. The law is fulfilled in that it convicts and condemns the sinner.
If there is no law one would never be a law breaker.
This prepares the way for faith in Christ.
B. The law is fulfilled in that it points to faith.
The law and the prophets point to faith in Christ.
Chapter 4 begins by telling us that Abraham had faith.
The answer to the sacrifices under the law was Jesus Christ.
What Christ offers is by faith.
The just, righteous will live by faith.
C. The moral norms of the law are fulfilled by those who walk in faith.
The moral code of the law, the 10 commandments, are not thrown out of the window.
Walking in faith helps us live out those moral codes of the law.
Conclusion:
We have learned 3 simple things in the last part of chapter 3.
Boasting must go.
We are one in Christ Jesus.
Our faith helps us live out the life set before us by God.
Let’s put those into practice.
BOASTING, ONE, FULFILLING THE LAW
Introduction:
Paul concludes this chapter with three very vital statements.
Boasting must go.
Jews & Gentiles are all one.
Faith does not destroy the law but fulfill it.
Let’s look at these vital statements and learn from them.
I. Boasting must go vs. 27
A. The heart of this conversation is to the Jew.
It is interesting that Paul begins this chapter with the question about advantage.
He says that there is an advantage to being a Jew.
He also says that there is value in circumcision.
But in verse 9 he says that we, the Jews, are not at all better than the next guy, especially the Gentile.
In fact he says that none of us are any better.
For all have sinned and all are justified freely, vs. 23,24
B. But boasting must not be a part of any of our lives.
Where then is boasting?
It is excluded.
It is excluded on the principle that our righteousness is by faith and not by observing the law.
Ephesians 2:8,9
C. A man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.
Romans 1:17
Galatians 3:11
Hebrews 10:38
II. Jews & Gentiles are all one vs. 29, 30
A. A vital verse to aid this argument.
Deuteronomy 6:4
If there is only one true God then surely he must be the God of the whole world.
He can’t just be the God of the Jews.
He is your God and mine.
B. How can the one God justify you in a different way than He justifies me?
That would be favoritism.
That would be unbalanced.
The old covenant was distinctively Jews.
Righteousness by faith fits better for all.
C. Ephesians 4:1-6
1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
D. An understanding is needed by American believers.
Sometimes we think that believers everywhere need to be just like us.
Our faith is very Americanized and built around our culture.
Our ideas can throw a little boasting in it for us. Paul says no.
III. Faith does not destroy the law. vs. 31
I believe there are three aspects that we can look at here.
A. The law is fulfilled in that it convicts and condemns the sinner.
If there is no law one would never be a law breaker.
This prepares the way for faith in Christ.
B. The law is fulfilled in that it points to faith.
The law and the prophets point to faith in Christ.
Chapter 4 begins by telling us that Abraham had faith.
The answer to the sacrifices under the law was Jesus Christ.
What Christ offers is by faith.
The just, righteous will live by faith.
C. The moral norms of the law are fulfilled by those who walk in faith.
The moral code of the law, the 10 commandments, are not thrown out of the window.
Walking in faith helps us live out those moral codes of the law.
Conclusion:
We have learned 3 simple things in the last part of chapter 3.
Boasting must go.
We are one in Christ Jesus.
Our faith helps us live out the life set before us by God.
Let’s put those into practice.
Romans 3 B Righteousness By Faith
ROMANS 3B, RIGHTEOUSNESS BY FAITH
ROMANS 3:21-26
Introduction:
Duct Tape or a Nail?
A man dies and goes to heaven. St. Peter meets him at the Pearly Gates and says, "Here's how it works. You need 100 points to make it into heaven. You tell me all the good things you've done, and I give you a certain number of points for each item, depending on how good it was. When you reach 100 points, you get in."
"Okay," the man says, "I was married to the same woman for 50 years and never cheated on her, even in my heart."
"That's wonderful," says St. Peter, "that's worth two points!"
"Two points?!"
"Well, I attended church all my life and supported its ministry with my tithe and service."
"Terrific!" says St. Peter. "That's certainly worth a point."
"One point!?!!"
"I started a soup kitchen in my city and worked in a shelter for homeless veterans."
"Fantastic, that's good for two more points," he says.
"Two points!?!!"
Exasperated, the man cries, "At this rate the only way I'll get into heaven is by the grace of God."
"Bingo! 100 points! Come on in!"
We often try to fix problems with WD-40 and duct tape. God did it with a nail. Only by the blood of Jesus!
We addressed the first 8 verses on Wednesday evening.
Brief recap
I am going to read through verses 9-20.
Paul is wrapping up the charges that all are under sin, that there is no one righteous.
Everyone has turned their own way.
He says that the whole world is held accountable to God. vs. 19
Our text today begins with the two words, But now….
Many say that this passage is the heart of the Epistle.
From chapter 1:18 to this point Paul has been expounding the idea that all people deserve wrath and judgment.
This passage turns the corner.
We begin to see and read about the saving righteousness that is made available through Jesus Christ.
So Paul is telling us to throw the duct tape and wd 40 away and grab the nail scared hands of Jesus.
Let’s hear what Paul has to say about this righteousness of God.
I. The revelation of the righteousness vs. 21
A. But now
That three letter word but is a very big word.
I remember years ago a time that Sis Douglas was speaking right here. I remember 2 words that she shared that she emphasized in her message. But God!
I now that she referenced several situations in the Bible sharing that they were one way but God and things turned out differently.
But now takes us today into a new area of the book of Romans.
We are moving beyond, through, on the other side of the law.
There is a new kid, a new man, a new boss in town.
There is a new factor to be reckoned with.
The new man, this new factor in town is the righteousness from God.
A key is that this righteousness from God has been made known.
It has been revealed.
The light has been turned onto it.
It is not something that is talked about coming at some time.
This righteousness of God is now right before their eyes and heart.
B. The two sides of this righteousness
The one side is the verdict against sin.
Establish justice and righteousness by calling out the verdict against sin.
The word righteous very often occurred in the context of ruling or judging in the OT.
Genesis 18:24-26 Abraham is pleading the case for Lot and Sodom and Gomorrah. Will you not spare the place if you find 50 righteous? You won’t kill the righteous with the wicked will you? Will not the judge do right? God do right and judge our enemies.
Yet we do not want God to judge us. Psalms 142:1 “I cry aloud to the LORD; I lift up my voice to the LORD for mercy.”
The verdict against sin says God do what you need to do against sin but spare me.
The other side is vindication.
It is the deliverance from sin.
We want God to clear us.
Psalms 51:1-17
C. Paul is telling us here that the righteousness from God has come to do just that.
We see that the righteousness of God then consists both of God’s desire to establish his justice throughout the earth and his deliverance of the sinful.
It holds in balance both God’s wrath to condemn evil and his love to save.
Paul is going to expand deeper here in Romans God’s love to save.
II. The Availability of God’s Righteousness to all on the basis of faith (vv. 22-23)
A. Through faith in Jesus Christ
Faith
Faith means firmly believing and trusting in the crucified and risen Christ as our personal Lord and Savior.
Faith involves repentance, in true sorrow turning from sin.
Faith includes obedience to Jesus Christ and His Word as our way of life.
Faith includes a heartfelt personal devotion and attachment to Jesus Christ.
B. To all who believe
The all includes the Jew and Gentile alike.
This fulfills the promise made to Abraham in Genesis 12:3 “All peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
Your race or religious background does not matter.
As Paul said to the jailer in Acts 16:31, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved and your house.
Here in Romans 10:13 Paul says for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
C. The key that makes this all inclusive is that all have sinned.
Everyone is in the same boat.
We are lost sinners condemned to die.
III. The source of God’s righteousness, Vs. 24,25a
A. The source is the provision of Christ for our sins on the cross.
There are 4 key phrases in these two verses that show us the source of this great righteousness.
Through faith in His blood.
The object of our trust is the blood of Jesus.
Now that is interesting because a crucifixion is not a very bloody act.
The blood refers to a blood sacrifice.
In the OT the animal would pay the price for the one offering the sacrifice.
God dwelt with our sins by transferring them to Christ.
A sacrifice of atonement
Propitiation or to appease
A holy God can not stand sin.
A holy God has to deal with sin in a judgmental way.
Christ took the beating for us for our sin.
Redemption that came by Christ Jesus
We have a tendency to think of redemption as a football player who drops a pass and then turns around as the game is winding down and catches the winning pass.
In the Bible redemption is the requirement of someone else to step in.
If you lost your land to debt another family member could step in a redeem or buy your land back.
Israel’s redemption from Egypt was done by none other than God.
The one who intervened for us was Christ.
These three combined provides our justification freely by God’s amazing grace.
Faith in His blood that was offered by Christ Jesus as an atonement for our sins graciously provides for us justification before God.
We can not do it alone.
We need to go to the source.
B. Thank God for his amazing grace.
Conclusion:
I hope that you are not still trying the duct tape and WD 40.
We need faith in the blood of Jesus that was offered by Christ Jesus as an atonement for our sins providing that justification for us.
Invitation:
ROMANS 3:21-26
Introduction:
Duct Tape or a Nail?
A man dies and goes to heaven. St. Peter meets him at the Pearly Gates and says, "Here's how it works. You need 100 points to make it into heaven. You tell me all the good things you've done, and I give you a certain number of points for each item, depending on how good it was. When you reach 100 points, you get in."
"Okay," the man says, "I was married to the same woman for 50 years and never cheated on her, even in my heart."
"That's wonderful," says St. Peter, "that's worth two points!"
"Two points?!"
"Well, I attended church all my life and supported its ministry with my tithe and service."
"Terrific!" says St. Peter. "That's certainly worth a point."
"One point!?!!"
"I started a soup kitchen in my city and worked in a shelter for homeless veterans."
"Fantastic, that's good for two more points," he says.
"Two points!?!!"
Exasperated, the man cries, "At this rate the only way I'll get into heaven is by the grace of God."
"Bingo! 100 points! Come on in!"
We often try to fix problems with WD-40 and duct tape. God did it with a nail. Only by the blood of Jesus!
We addressed the first 8 verses on Wednesday evening.
Brief recap
I am going to read through verses 9-20.
Paul is wrapping up the charges that all are under sin, that there is no one righteous.
Everyone has turned their own way.
He says that the whole world is held accountable to God. vs. 19
Our text today begins with the two words, But now….
Many say that this passage is the heart of the Epistle.
From chapter 1:18 to this point Paul has been expounding the idea that all people deserve wrath and judgment.
This passage turns the corner.
We begin to see and read about the saving righteousness that is made available through Jesus Christ.
So Paul is telling us to throw the duct tape and wd 40 away and grab the nail scared hands of Jesus.
Let’s hear what Paul has to say about this righteousness of God.
I. The revelation of the righteousness vs. 21
A. But now
That three letter word but is a very big word.
I remember years ago a time that Sis Douglas was speaking right here. I remember 2 words that she shared that she emphasized in her message. But God!
I now that she referenced several situations in the Bible sharing that they were one way but God and things turned out differently.
But now takes us today into a new area of the book of Romans.
We are moving beyond, through, on the other side of the law.
There is a new kid, a new man, a new boss in town.
There is a new factor to be reckoned with.
The new man, this new factor in town is the righteousness from God.
A key is that this righteousness from God has been made known.
It has been revealed.
The light has been turned onto it.
It is not something that is talked about coming at some time.
This righteousness of God is now right before their eyes and heart.
B. The two sides of this righteousness
The one side is the verdict against sin.
Establish justice and righteousness by calling out the verdict against sin.
The word righteous very often occurred in the context of ruling or judging in the OT.
Genesis 18:24-26 Abraham is pleading the case for Lot and Sodom and Gomorrah. Will you not spare the place if you find 50 righteous? You won’t kill the righteous with the wicked will you? Will not the judge do right? God do right and judge our enemies.
Yet we do not want God to judge us. Psalms 142:1 “I cry aloud to the LORD; I lift up my voice to the LORD for mercy.”
The verdict against sin says God do what you need to do against sin but spare me.
The other side is vindication.
It is the deliverance from sin.
We want God to clear us.
Psalms 51:1-17
C. Paul is telling us here that the righteousness from God has come to do just that.
We see that the righteousness of God then consists both of God’s desire to establish his justice throughout the earth and his deliverance of the sinful.
It holds in balance both God’s wrath to condemn evil and his love to save.
Paul is going to expand deeper here in Romans God’s love to save.
II. The Availability of God’s Righteousness to all on the basis of faith (vv. 22-23)
A. Through faith in Jesus Christ
Faith
Faith means firmly believing and trusting in the crucified and risen Christ as our personal Lord and Savior.
Faith involves repentance, in true sorrow turning from sin.
Faith includes obedience to Jesus Christ and His Word as our way of life.
Faith includes a heartfelt personal devotion and attachment to Jesus Christ.
B. To all who believe
The all includes the Jew and Gentile alike.
This fulfills the promise made to Abraham in Genesis 12:3 “All peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
Your race or religious background does not matter.
As Paul said to the jailer in Acts 16:31, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved and your house.
Here in Romans 10:13 Paul says for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
C. The key that makes this all inclusive is that all have sinned.
Everyone is in the same boat.
We are lost sinners condemned to die.
III. The source of God’s righteousness, Vs. 24,25a
A. The source is the provision of Christ for our sins on the cross.
There are 4 key phrases in these two verses that show us the source of this great righteousness.
Through faith in His blood.
The object of our trust is the blood of Jesus.
Now that is interesting because a crucifixion is not a very bloody act.
The blood refers to a blood sacrifice.
In the OT the animal would pay the price for the one offering the sacrifice.
God dwelt with our sins by transferring them to Christ.
A sacrifice of atonement
Propitiation or to appease
A holy God can not stand sin.
A holy God has to deal with sin in a judgmental way.
Christ took the beating for us for our sin.
Redemption that came by Christ Jesus
We have a tendency to think of redemption as a football player who drops a pass and then turns around as the game is winding down and catches the winning pass.
In the Bible redemption is the requirement of someone else to step in.
If you lost your land to debt another family member could step in a redeem or buy your land back.
Israel’s redemption from Egypt was done by none other than God.
The one who intervened for us was Christ.
These three combined provides our justification freely by God’s amazing grace.
Faith in His blood that was offered by Christ Jesus as an atonement for our sins graciously provides for us justification before God.
We can not do it alone.
We need to go to the source.
B. Thank God for his amazing grace.
Conclusion:
I hope that you are not still trying the duct tape and WD 40.
We need faith in the blood of Jesus that was offered by Christ Jesus as an atonement for our sins providing that justification for us.
Invitation:
Romans 3 A Advantage
ROMANS 3A ADVANTAGE
ROMANS 3:1-8
Introduction:
I am sure that as I look out across here tonight I realize that most of us were born and raised in church.
We have an advantage over those who were not raised in church.
We might even think that we have an extra star in our crown.
We might feel that we are just a tad bit better than the next guy.
We will just see about that.
We begin in Romans 3 tonight.
Paul uses that word advantage right at the start of chapter 3.
We will look at what Paul has to say then make application.
I. Paul’s questions for the Jews?
A. Do you have an advantage because you are a Jew is Paul’s first question.
We know that Paul was sent to the Jews first.
However they rejected the gospel of Jesus Christ so he was then sent to the Gentile.
That transition must be playing a part in Paul’s writing here.
You wear the badge proudly.
What is behind that badge?
Does that badge have value?
Where will that badge get you?
B. What value is there in circumcision?
He asks about the same question about circumcision.
He already addressed that in chapter 2;25 where he says circumcision has value if you observe the law.
Paul adds at the conclusion of chapter 2 that the greatest value of circumcision is when it is of the heart and not a physical ritual.
C. He answers the questions with much.
He says much in every way.
The first and the most powerful advantage is that they have been entrusted with the very words of God.
That reference certainly appears to be referring to the OT Scriptures.
Here is a people who have heard directly from God, received the law of God, was given many, many promises from God.
Yes that is an advantage.
II. Paul talks about the impact of their lack of faith and acceptance of the work of God.
A. There are many with a lack of faith.
That is very obvious.
The crucifixion
The rejection of the message of Jesus in the earlier parts of Acts.
Their rejection of Paul’s message to them.
Their lack of faith is causing problems.
B. But God is faithful.
Paul asks a couple of more questions about their faith.
What if some don’t have faith? We addressed that is certainly true.
Will their lack of faith nullify God’s faithfulness?
Does their lack of faith impact God’s faithfulness?
No!! Paul says not at all. 2 different stronger translations are given for this. Far from it and God forbid.
Man’s lack of faithfulness far from impacts the faithfulness of God.
God forbid that man’s lack of faith impact God’s faithfulness.
Men may very well have a tendency to say since the men of God are not faithful God must not be faithful.
That is the furthest from the truth.
Paul says even if every man does not have faith and is a liar God will still be true and faithful.
Paul adds to this conversation as it is written.
That is referencing Psalms 51.
Paul is saying that God is the judge and how He chooses to judge is right. David knew he was wrong in Psalms 51 and was confessing. The Jews do not appear to be understanding that they are wrong and that God will be right and just in judging them.
C. God brings the right out in spite of our wrong.
God is able and willing to carry out His will in spite of man’s actions.
Verse 5 brings out a contrast.
The darkness, our unrighteousness, appears to make the light shine brighter.
Light is going to look brighter in the darkness.
My headlights look brighter at night than in the day.
Paul adds would man insinuate that God is wrong in bringing wrath on us for our wrong.
Paul is using a human argument.
Human thinking can be so far off. So why if my bad makes God look good I am judged for being a sinner.
Paul expands the thought in verse 6 and 7.
Why don’t we just say let’s do evil so good may result?
Paul is really saying no.
Condemnation of bad is deserved.
III. Application to today.
A. Paul could be writing to us.
He could be writing to believers.
He could be writing to the church.
He is not but we can make a comparison.
B. Advantage
Have you ever met a Christian who thought he had an advantage over the next guy?
I am sure we have met a few.
Not in or near Hollentown though I am sure.
We like the Jews have an advantage.
We have heard the Word from little up.
We have sit in church.
We know the right things to say and do.
C. We are like the Jews.
We have a tendency to let our name and heritage carry us.
We can try to slide by.
We can slack off a bit because we know it.
We can give God a bad name once or twice.
D. What might Paul share with us about that?
We can not stop the faithfulness of God.
We know that all things work together for the good of those who love the Lord.
And yes we too should not do evil that good my come.
The end does not justify the means.
I am reminded of the statement in the Word that to whom much is given much is required.
Luke 12: 47-48 “The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. 48 But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
We can’t let our knowledge puff us up.
We need to use what we know for God.
Conclusion:
ROMANS 3:1-8
Introduction:
I am sure that as I look out across here tonight I realize that most of us were born and raised in church.
We have an advantage over those who were not raised in church.
We might even think that we have an extra star in our crown.
We might feel that we are just a tad bit better than the next guy.
We will just see about that.
We begin in Romans 3 tonight.
Paul uses that word advantage right at the start of chapter 3.
We will look at what Paul has to say then make application.
I. Paul’s questions for the Jews?
A. Do you have an advantage because you are a Jew is Paul’s first question.
We know that Paul was sent to the Jews first.
However they rejected the gospel of Jesus Christ so he was then sent to the Gentile.
That transition must be playing a part in Paul’s writing here.
You wear the badge proudly.
What is behind that badge?
Does that badge have value?
Where will that badge get you?
B. What value is there in circumcision?
He asks about the same question about circumcision.
He already addressed that in chapter 2;25 where he says circumcision has value if you observe the law.
Paul adds at the conclusion of chapter 2 that the greatest value of circumcision is when it is of the heart and not a physical ritual.
C. He answers the questions with much.
He says much in every way.
The first and the most powerful advantage is that they have been entrusted with the very words of God.
That reference certainly appears to be referring to the OT Scriptures.
Here is a people who have heard directly from God, received the law of God, was given many, many promises from God.
Yes that is an advantage.
II. Paul talks about the impact of their lack of faith and acceptance of the work of God.
A. There are many with a lack of faith.
That is very obvious.
The crucifixion
The rejection of the message of Jesus in the earlier parts of Acts.
Their rejection of Paul’s message to them.
Their lack of faith is causing problems.
B. But God is faithful.
Paul asks a couple of more questions about their faith.
What if some don’t have faith? We addressed that is certainly true.
Will their lack of faith nullify God’s faithfulness?
Does their lack of faith impact God’s faithfulness?
No!! Paul says not at all. 2 different stronger translations are given for this. Far from it and God forbid.
Man’s lack of faithfulness far from impacts the faithfulness of God.
God forbid that man’s lack of faith impact God’s faithfulness.
Men may very well have a tendency to say since the men of God are not faithful God must not be faithful.
That is the furthest from the truth.
Paul says even if every man does not have faith and is a liar God will still be true and faithful.
Paul adds to this conversation as it is written.
That is referencing Psalms 51.
Paul is saying that God is the judge and how He chooses to judge is right. David knew he was wrong in Psalms 51 and was confessing. The Jews do not appear to be understanding that they are wrong and that God will be right and just in judging them.
C. God brings the right out in spite of our wrong.
God is able and willing to carry out His will in spite of man’s actions.
Verse 5 brings out a contrast.
The darkness, our unrighteousness, appears to make the light shine brighter.
Light is going to look brighter in the darkness.
My headlights look brighter at night than in the day.
Paul adds would man insinuate that God is wrong in bringing wrath on us for our wrong.
Paul is using a human argument.
Human thinking can be so far off. So why if my bad makes God look good I am judged for being a sinner.
Paul expands the thought in verse 6 and 7.
Why don’t we just say let’s do evil so good may result?
Paul is really saying no.
Condemnation of bad is deserved.
III. Application to today.
A. Paul could be writing to us.
He could be writing to believers.
He could be writing to the church.
He is not but we can make a comparison.
B. Advantage
Have you ever met a Christian who thought he had an advantage over the next guy?
I am sure we have met a few.
Not in or near Hollentown though I am sure.
We like the Jews have an advantage.
We have heard the Word from little up.
We have sit in church.
We know the right things to say and do.
C. We are like the Jews.
We have a tendency to let our name and heritage carry us.
We can try to slide by.
We can slack off a bit because we know it.
We can give God a bad name once or twice.
D. What might Paul share with us about that?
We can not stop the faithfulness of God.
We know that all things work together for the good of those who love the Lord.
And yes we too should not do evil that good my come.
The end does not justify the means.
I am reminded of the statement in the Word that to whom much is given much is required.
Luke 12: 47-48 “The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. 48 But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
We can’t let our knowledge puff us up.
We need to use what we know for God.
Conclusion:
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