ROMANS 9B
Introduction:
Recap Sunday AM
The heart cry of Paul is Israel’s salvation.
That salvation does not come through your earthly father.
I want to try and cover the rest of chapter 9 tonight.
Going to the end of chapter 9 before we try to unfold this passage beginning at verse 14.
The promise talked about is set before us as a stone laid in Zion.
Verses 32 & 33
Trusting in Him who is that stone brings about our salvation.
Stumbling over that stone takes us down that darksome path.
Let’s try to put the pieces together from verse 14 to this point.
These verses bring to the forefront the predestination thought some more.
I. God’s sovereign righteousness Vs. 14-18
A. The question is raised, Is God unjust?
This goes back a few verses.
Is God unjust because he chose Jacob over Esau before they were even born.
How can he do that and be just and right?
B. Paul answers no, not at all.
He quotes from Exodus 33:19.
Moses is experiencing the glory of the Lord on the mountain.
God is telling him there that he will have mercy and compassion on whom he does.
C. The key is God and not man.
It does not depend on man’s desire or effort.
He sites Pharaoh as an example.
Vs. 17
This is what God said to Pharaoh in Exodus 9:16
There are times that the hardening of his heart is attributed to God and at other times to Pharaoh himself.
We need to understand that Pharaoh’s heart was already in opposition to God.
God judged appropriately.
Pharaoh resisted God’s will so God hardened his heart further.
God did not arbitrarily harden his heart. He hardened the rejecting heart. This goes back to Romans 1:21-32.
Vs 18 says that God will have mercy on who He wants to have mercy on and harden who he wants to harden.
II. A defense of that sovereign righteousness Vs. 19-23
A. So it is not my fault but God’s.
He relays what might appear to be a conversation back and forth.
You might very well say so why does God blame me.
So how can anyone resist God’s will.
If I can’t resist God’s will how can you blame me?
B. The example of the potter and the clay.
How can what is formed criticize the one who formed it?
Can’t the potter make what he desires to make out of the clay?
He can make simple everyday bowls and cups.
He can also make fancy, collectable, beautiful pottery.
C. God is doing all that he can to get man to accept the mercy that he desires to pour out.
Vs. 22,24 What if God, although choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction? 23. What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory— 24. even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?
We know that accepting God’s mercy translates into glory.
We have already talked a bit about glory.
III. God’s calling of the Gentiles and the remnant of Israel. Vs. 24-29
A. God has called Jews and Gentiles alike.
Vs. 24 even us references his calling us as objects of his mercy to receive glory.
B. Verses 25-29 are quotes for the OT.
Hosea 2:23
God is referencing a nation and a people group.
He is not referencing an individual.
He is talking about the Jew and the future acceptance of the Gentiles.
God brought Israel out of Egypt to establish a covenant relationship with them.
God’s desire is a covenant relationship with all people.
The last part of this verse includes the Gentiles into the church, this covenant relationship with God.
I Peter 2:9,10
Hosea 1:10
In spite of Israel’s sin and wickedness God would find a way to see a remnant saved.
That remnant would end up being many.
Genesis 22:17
God’s promise to Abraham.
This happened on the Mount where Abraham was about to sacrifice Isaac.
Isaiah 10:22,23
Again as numerous as the sand.
Destruction will come as decreed.
Isaiah 1:9
The rebellious nation.
The impending destruction on the nation.
Conclusion:
The bottom line of the election process is still our acceptance or rejection of the stone laid in Zion.
Monday, April 18, 2011
ROMANS 9A IT IS SAD BUT WHO’S YOUR DADDY
ROMANS 9A IT IS SAD BUT WHO’S YOUR DADDY
Introduction:
There are two things that come to mind as I read Romans 9.
Extreme sorrow and sadness
Who’s your daddy?
And you ask why do those two things come to mind.
Let’s get down to business and I will try to show you.
In addition to talking about each of these things I am going to combine them and relate that the extreme sorrow and sadness will go away when you have the right daddy.
I. Extreme sorrow and sadness, Vs. 1-5
A. Extreme sorrow and sadness come to my mind right now when I think about the very difficult situation in Japan.
Those people need our prayers.
I want us to take a moment and pray for them and then we will go on.
B. Paul’s great sorrow and unceasing anguish in his heart.
Paul explains his pain and anguish
Paul begins by saying I am speaking the truth.
I am about to drive home the feelings of my heart.
He says my heart is full of unceasing pain and severe grief.
The reason for this pain and sorrow will unfold as we go on.
The extent of his distress
He is so distressed that he wishes that he could be cursed and cut off instead of his brothers and sisters.
He wishes that he could take their place.
He wishes that he could throw himself in front of the bus to spare his family.
He is a Jew.
He is speaking of his Jewish family.
The reason for his distress
We read in Philippians that he is a very well educated, trained in the law Jew.
He loves his heritage.
However he has been sent by God to take the gospel to the Gentiles.
The indication by this and more so in these next couple of chapters is that the Jews have rejected Christ.
The surprise of it all
The surprise of it all is that Israel was given so much, had so much set before them, that this should not have happened.
Verses 4&5
The adoption
The patriarchs
The ancestry of Christ.
The sadness of Paul doesn’t seem to go away anytime soon.
C. Are we as broken for the lost as Paul was for his people?
Do we cry in anguish for the lost?
We need to follow Paul’s example.
We need to pray harder for the lost than we do for the sick in the hospital.
The second thing that comes to mind is …
II. Who’s your daddy?
A. That statement brings many things to mind in today’s world.
It may appear to be quite a bit lighter in nature than the first part of our conversation. But it really is not.
I bet that you are saying that you know that I have lost it.
I researched that statement.
The statement in today’s world.
Who's your daddy? is a slang expression that, in one use, takes the form of a rhetorical question. It is commonly used as a boastful claim of dominance over the intended listener.
It was also greatly popularized with the Duke basketball team of the late 90s.
It is song sung by Toby Keith. Toby said that he had wanted to write the song for a couple years but never could get the melody the way he wanted it. In 2001 he was home and discovered the perfect melody for it. Keith explained that the song is about a young woman and a sugar daddy who can’t get their love life in order. Toby also says that "It's everything that I ever wanted to put into a song, it's got the groove, it's got the attitude, it's humorous, it's about a sugar daddy. I certainly don’t have good feeling in my heart about that song.
It has been attached to video games and TV shows.
But it is really not a light casual statement.
The more I looked into the heart of that statement the less I liked it.
This is a serious question.
I am going to take a serious look at this statement as the second point of our message today.
Looking at it from a Romans 9 standpoint.
B. Who is your daddy Romans 9.
The heart of the matter is the unbelief of Israel.
Paul is making known here that your biological daddy isn’t your ticket to all that God has to offer.
He says that not all descendants of Israel are Israel.
He says that not all of Abraham’s descendants are Abraham’s children.
Ishmael is a descendant of Abraham.
Yet he and his children offer nothing to us.
God said he would be a great nation but not God’s nation.
I don’t have time to go down the Ishmael road.
Paul says in verse 7 it is through Isaac….
Did God determine that Ishmael would be a wicked man and that his descendants would be wicked unbelievers? No Genesis 17
But God did say that Isaac would be the channel that He would use.
Starting in verse 10 Paul says it is through Isaac’s son Jacob and not his son Esau.
Before they were even born God said this is what is going to happen.
God loved Jacob but hated Esau.
Why did God hate Esau? Because he knew that Esau would take the wrong path.
He knew that Esau would become bitter.
God didn’t want Esau to take the dark path.
But He did want Jacob to carry out the work that God has set forth.
Paul says in verse 6 that this is not a failure of God’s word.
To a great extent this working of God and His word is explained from here through chapter 11.
These next 2 ½ chapters unfold why God’s word did not fail
III. The extreme sorrow and sadness will go away when you have the right daddy.
A. The children of promise
The key is not your earthly father. Verse 8
Paul says it is not the children by physical descent.
It doesn’t matter who your earthly daddy is?
It doesn’t matter what your last name is or what town you were born in.
What matters is if you are a child of the promise.
Your spiritual, heavenly father is what matters.
Philippians 3:4-11
Paul says I am a physical descendent of Abraham.
What matters to me is Christ.
I have considered my physical descent and my elite education and all that goes with it as garbage.
I have put it all in the trash can because I want Christ.
I want to know Him and the power of His resurrection so that I too can experience the resurrection of my own.
B. The children of promise will experience the joy of knowing Christ.
Paul’s sorrow would have lessened if his fellow Jews would have accepted Christ as the Messiah.
Listen to the words of Jesus
John 15:9-11 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
The right daddy will remove your sorrow and sadness.
Conclusion:
Who’s your daddy is not a sad question of dominance. It is a question of life or death..
I ask you do you have the right daddy?
Are you concerned about those around you whether they have the right dad
Introduction:
There are two things that come to mind as I read Romans 9.
Extreme sorrow and sadness
Who’s your daddy?
And you ask why do those two things come to mind.
Let’s get down to business and I will try to show you.
In addition to talking about each of these things I am going to combine them and relate that the extreme sorrow and sadness will go away when you have the right daddy.
I. Extreme sorrow and sadness, Vs. 1-5
A. Extreme sorrow and sadness come to my mind right now when I think about the very difficult situation in Japan.
Those people need our prayers.
I want us to take a moment and pray for them and then we will go on.
B. Paul’s great sorrow and unceasing anguish in his heart.
Paul explains his pain and anguish
Paul begins by saying I am speaking the truth.
I am about to drive home the feelings of my heart.
He says my heart is full of unceasing pain and severe grief.
The reason for this pain and sorrow will unfold as we go on.
The extent of his distress
He is so distressed that he wishes that he could be cursed and cut off instead of his brothers and sisters.
He wishes that he could take their place.
He wishes that he could throw himself in front of the bus to spare his family.
He is a Jew.
He is speaking of his Jewish family.
The reason for his distress
We read in Philippians that he is a very well educated, trained in the law Jew.
He loves his heritage.
However he has been sent by God to take the gospel to the Gentiles.
The indication by this and more so in these next couple of chapters is that the Jews have rejected Christ.
The surprise of it all
The surprise of it all is that Israel was given so much, had so much set before them, that this should not have happened.
Verses 4&5
The adoption
The patriarchs
The ancestry of Christ.
The sadness of Paul doesn’t seem to go away anytime soon.
C. Are we as broken for the lost as Paul was for his people?
Do we cry in anguish for the lost?
We need to follow Paul’s example.
We need to pray harder for the lost than we do for the sick in the hospital.
The second thing that comes to mind is …
II. Who’s your daddy?
A. That statement brings many things to mind in today’s world.
It may appear to be quite a bit lighter in nature than the first part of our conversation. But it really is not.
I bet that you are saying that you know that I have lost it.
I researched that statement.
The statement in today’s world.
Who's your daddy? is a slang expression that, in one use, takes the form of a rhetorical question. It is commonly used as a boastful claim of dominance over the intended listener.
It was also greatly popularized with the Duke basketball team of the late 90s.
It is song sung by Toby Keith. Toby said that he had wanted to write the song for a couple years but never could get the melody the way he wanted it. In 2001 he was home and discovered the perfect melody for it. Keith explained that the song is about a young woman and a sugar daddy who can’t get their love life in order. Toby also says that "It's everything that I ever wanted to put into a song, it's got the groove, it's got the attitude, it's humorous, it's about a sugar daddy. I certainly don’t have good feeling in my heart about that song.
It has been attached to video games and TV shows.
But it is really not a light casual statement.
The more I looked into the heart of that statement the less I liked it.
This is a serious question.
I am going to take a serious look at this statement as the second point of our message today.
Looking at it from a Romans 9 standpoint.
B. Who is your daddy Romans 9.
The heart of the matter is the unbelief of Israel.
Paul is making known here that your biological daddy isn’t your ticket to all that God has to offer.
He says that not all descendants of Israel are Israel.
He says that not all of Abraham’s descendants are Abraham’s children.
Ishmael is a descendant of Abraham.
Yet he and his children offer nothing to us.
God said he would be a great nation but not God’s nation.
I don’t have time to go down the Ishmael road.
Paul says in verse 7 it is through Isaac….
Did God determine that Ishmael would be a wicked man and that his descendants would be wicked unbelievers? No Genesis 17
But God did say that Isaac would be the channel that He would use.
Starting in verse 10 Paul says it is through Isaac’s son Jacob and not his son Esau.
Before they were even born God said this is what is going to happen.
God loved Jacob but hated Esau.
Why did God hate Esau? Because he knew that Esau would take the wrong path.
He knew that Esau would become bitter.
God didn’t want Esau to take the dark path.
But He did want Jacob to carry out the work that God has set forth.
Paul says in verse 6 that this is not a failure of God’s word.
To a great extent this working of God and His word is explained from here through chapter 11.
These next 2 ½ chapters unfold why God’s word did not fail
III. The extreme sorrow and sadness will go away when you have the right daddy.
A. The children of promise
The key is not your earthly father. Verse 8
Paul says it is not the children by physical descent.
It doesn’t matter who your earthly daddy is?
It doesn’t matter what your last name is or what town you were born in.
What matters is if you are a child of the promise.
Your spiritual, heavenly father is what matters.
Philippians 3:4-11
Paul says I am a physical descendent of Abraham.
What matters to me is Christ.
I have considered my physical descent and my elite education and all that goes with it as garbage.
I have put it all in the trash can because I want Christ.
I want to know Him and the power of His resurrection so that I too can experience the resurrection of my own.
B. The children of promise will experience the joy of knowing Christ.
Paul’s sorrow would have lessened if his fellow Jews would have accepted Christ as the Messiah.
Listen to the words of Jesus
John 15:9-11 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
The right daddy will remove your sorrow and sadness.
Conclusion:
Who’s your daddy is not a sad question of dominance. It is a question of life or death..
I ask you do you have the right daddy?
Are you concerned about those around you whether they have the right dad
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Romans 8 Living by the Spirit or by the flesh
ROMANS 8C LIVING SPIRIT VS. FLESH
ROMANS 8:5-17
Introduction:
Living by the flesh verses living by the Spirit.
Example 1: A young boy called the pastor of a local church to ask the pastor to come by to pray for his mother who had been very ill with the flu. The pastor knew the family, and was aware they had been attending another church down the road. So the pastor asked, "Shouldn't you be asking Pastor Smith down the road to come by to pray with your mom?" The young boy replied, "Yeah, but we didn't want to take the chance that he might catch whatever this is that Mom has."
The young boy and his family, living by the flesh or by the Spirit.
The pastor living by the flesh or living by the Spirit.
Example 2: Grandpa and Grandpa were sitting in their porch rockers watching the beautiful sunset and reminiscing about "the good old days," when Grandma turned to Grandpa and said, "Honey, do you remember when we first started dating and you used to just casually reach over and take my hand?" Grandpa looked over at her, smiled and obligingly took her aged hand in his. With a wry little smile, Grandma pressed a little farther, "Honey, do you remember how after we were engaged, you'd sometimes lean over and suddenly kiss me on the cheek?" Grandpa leaned slowly toward Grandma and gave her a lingering kiss on her wrinkled cheek. Growing bolder still, Grandma said, "Honey, do you remember how, after we were first married, you'd kind of nibble on my ear?" Grandpa slowly got up from his rocker and headed into the house. Alarmed, Grandma said, "Honey, where are you going?" Grandpa replied, "To get my teeth!"
Grandma, living by the flesh or living by the Spirit”
Grandpa, living by the flesh or living by the Spirit?
Today’s verses covers a lot of area.
The ending of last Sunday’s verses 3b and 4 connect or set the tone for today’s verses.
Christ condemned sin in the flesh.
Fulfilling the righteous requirement of the law.
That we would be able to live according to the Spirit and not the flesh.
We are going to see how Paul contrasts living by the flesh and living by the Spirit.
We will see the results of both as well.
I. Living by the flesh, vs. 5
A. How does that look?
Have their mind set on what the flesh desires?
Paul gives us a pretty good idea what these desires look like in Galatians 5:19-21 “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21. and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Share a brief comment on each one.
Living by the flesh can not submit to God’s law nor can it do what the law of God says.
I believe the law mentioned here is the moral law.
The 10 commandments.
The first and greatest commandment.
The do unto others….
The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God.
That is not a very good thought to be hostile to God.
B. What are the results?
One result is the inability to please God.
One living in the flesh is not even able to please God.
They may want to and may even try to but is unable.
We should certainly have a desire to do that.
The mind governed by the flesh is death.
vs. 13a
Flesh and death go together.
II. Living by the Spirit
A. What does that look like?
vs. 13b putting to death the deeds of the body.
When any of those acts of sinful nature try to come into play in your life stomp on them and put them to death.
Have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
How do we know what the Spirit desires?
The fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22 relate a good picture of what the Spirit desires.
Opening our heart and mind to the Spirit.
Reading and meditating on the Word of God.
B. What are the results?
Have life and peace.
John 10:10, full, abundant life.
Eternal life.
Paul talked a bit about peace in Romans 5.
The removal of fearing God’s judgment. VS. 15a
Fear of judgment or punishment is not a bit fun nor desirable.
It is not a bit nice to know that you are in trouble when your father gets home.
But to go through life knowing that you do not have to fear judgment at all is so nice.
The body is still subject to death.
That is a result of sin.
This is still an earthly body subject to the impact of the fall.
Yet the resurrection awaits.
God is our father.
We can call out Abba Father.
We are God’s children
Heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.
We look forward to sharing in God’s glory.
III. Our obligation
A. To let the Spirit lead us.
If our obligation is not to the flesh then it is to the Spirit. Vs. 12
We have no debt to the flesh.
This flesh has done nothing for us but get us in trouble and set us up to die.
The Spirit’s leading will line up with the will and the Word of God.
B. To share in His suffering.
We talked about this a bit on Wednesday.
Without a cross there will be no crown.
Conclusion:
Lord, help me live by the Spirit.
Lord I want
Life and peace
No fear of judgment
God to be my Father
To be an heir of God and a joint or co heir with Christ.
To share in God’s glory.
ROMANS 8:5-17
Introduction:
Living by the flesh verses living by the Spirit.
Example 1: A young boy called the pastor of a local church to ask the pastor to come by to pray for his mother who had been very ill with the flu. The pastor knew the family, and was aware they had been attending another church down the road. So the pastor asked, "Shouldn't you be asking Pastor Smith down the road to come by to pray with your mom?" The young boy replied, "Yeah, but we didn't want to take the chance that he might catch whatever this is that Mom has."
The young boy and his family, living by the flesh or by the Spirit.
The pastor living by the flesh or living by the Spirit.
Example 2: Grandpa and Grandpa were sitting in their porch rockers watching the beautiful sunset and reminiscing about "the good old days," when Grandma turned to Grandpa and said, "Honey, do you remember when we first started dating and you used to just casually reach over and take my hand?" Grandpa looked over at her, smiled and obligingly took her aged hand in his. With a wry little smile, Grandma pressed a little farther, "Honey, do you remember how after we were engaged, you'd sometimes lean over and suddenly kiss me on the cheek?" Grandpa leaned slowly toward Grandma and gave her a lingering kiss on her wrinkled cheek. Growing bolder still, Grandma said, "Honey, do you remember how, after we were first married, you'd kind of nibble on my ear?" Grandpa slowly got up from his rocker and headed into the house. Alarmed, Grandma said, "Honey, where are you going?" Grandpa replied, "To get my teeth!"
Grandma, living by the flesh or living by the Spirit”
Grandpa, living by the flesh or living by the Spirit?
Today’s verses covers a lot of area.
The ending of last Sunday’s verses 3b and 4 connect or set the tone for today’s verses.
Christ condemned sin in the flesh.
Fulfilling the righteous requirement of the law.
That we would be able to live according to the Spirit and not the flesh.
We are going to see how Paul contrasts living by the flesh and living by the Spirit.
We will see the results of both as well.
I. Living by the flesh, vs. 5
A. How does that look?
Have their mind set on what the flesh desires?
Paul gives us a pretty good idea what these desires look like in Galatians 5:19-21 “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21. and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Share a brief comment on each one.
Living by the flesh can not submit to God’s law nor can it do what the law of God says.
I believe the law mentioned here is the moral law.
The 10 commandments.
The first and greatest commandment.
The do unto others….
The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God.
That is not a very good thought to be hostile to God.
B. What are the results?
One result is the inability to please God.
One living in the flesh is not even able to please God.
They may want to and may even try to but is unable.
We should certainly have a desire to do that.
The mind governed by the flesh is death.
vs. 13a
Flesh and death go together.
II. Living by the Spirit
A. What does that look like?
vs. 13b putting to death the deeds of the body.
When any of those acts of sinful nature try to come into play in your life stomp on them and put them to death.
Have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
How do we know what the Spirit desires?
The fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22 relate a good picture of what the Spirit desires.
Opening our heart and mind to the Spirit.
Reading and meditating on the Word of God.
B. What are the results?
Have life and peace.
John 10:10, full, abundant life.
Eternal life.
Paul talked a bit about peace in Romans 5.
The removal of fearing God’s judgment. VS. 15a
Fear of judgment or punishment is not a bit fun nor desirable.
It is not a bit nice to know that you are in trouble when your father gets home.
But to go through life knowing that you do not have to fear judgment at all is so nice.
The body is still subject to death.
That is a result of sin.
This is still an earthly body subject to the impact of the fall.
Yet the resurrection awaits.
God is our father.
We can call out Abba Father.
We are God’s children
Heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.
We look forward to sharing in God’s glory.
III. Our obligation
A. To let the Spirit lead us.
If our obligation is not to the flesh then it is to the Spirit. Vs. 12
We have no debt to the flesh.
This flesh has done nothing for us but get us in trouble and set us up to die.
The Spirit’s leading will line up with the will and the Word of God.
B. To share in His suffering.
We talked about this a bit on Wednesday.
Without a cross there will be no crown.
Conclusion:
Lord, help me live by the Spirit.
Lord I want
Life and peace
No fear of judgment
God to be my Father
To be an heir of God and a joint or co heir with Christ.
To share in God’s glory.
Romans 8 No Condemnation
ROMANS 8B NO CONDEMNATION
ROMANS 8:1-4
Introduction:
I am sure that you have heard the statement, Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink.
I am going to come up with a new statement.
Laws, laws everywhere and some are pretty dumb.
Have you ever thought about some of the interesting laws that are on the books in some parts of the country.
Here are a few from PA.
It is contrary to Pennsylvania law to discharge a gun, cannon, revolver or other explosive weapon at a wedding.
It it illegal to sleep on top of a refrigerator outdoors.
Any motorist driving along a country road at night must stop every mile and send up a rocket signal, wait 10 minutes for the road to be cleared of livestock, and continue.
A special cleaning ordinance bans housewives from hiding dirt and dust under a rug in a dwelling.
You may not sing in the bathtub.
Fireworks stores may not sell fireworks to Pennsylvania residents.
A person is not eligible to become Governor if he/she has participated in a duel.
Any motorist who sights a team of horses coming toward him must pull well off the road, cover his car with a blanket or canvas that blends with the countryside, and let the horses pass.
In Maine Shotguns are required to be taken to church in the event of a Native American attack.
In Delaware It is illegal to fly over any body of water, unless one is carrying sufficient supplies of food and drink.
We are going to talk about 3 different laws that are mentioned in Romans 8.
One of which is helpless.
One of which is hurtful.
The other of which is very helpful and very important.
Romans 8 is a very beautiful and powerful passage of Scripture.
It has some more familiar verses in it.
Mention a few.
We are going to start with one of the more familiar ones this morning and let it be our building point.
Verse 1
No condemnation
We are going to begin with the because in verse 2 and explain the steps that bring about this no condemnation.
The three references to the law show us these steps.
In many ways this passage becomes a brief summary of what we have talked a lot about already in Romans.
I. The law of sin and death
We could look at this as one law or as two.
The law of sin
The law of death
Or we could look at it as one law that results in death.
Either way the bottom line of this law is death.
A. The law of sin
Sin entered into the picture with the fall of man.
Genesis 3
Sin has impacted every life since that time.
Sin has impacted our life.
Romans 3:23
Romans 5:12 tells us that sin entered into the world through one man.
That one man is Adam.
We talked more extensively on that earlier here in Romans on a Wednesday night.
B. This law of sin brings about death.
Romans 5:12
“Death through sin.”
“Death came to all men.”
Romans 6:23
C. This law of sin and death is still very real today.
Sin still impacts many lives.
Death is still very real to all of us.
The natural death has not yet been done away with.
Spiritual death and eternal death has been overcome. ( We will continue to see and learn that.)
II. The law was powerless
A. The Mosaic, the OT law.
This is a discussion that we have had several time here in Romans.
B. The law told us what was wrong, what to do and what not to do, but not how to fix it.
Paul adds here in verse 3 that the law was weakened by the flesh.
Because we are a part of Adam’s flesh and blood the law is weakened.
It was given by God through man.
However man’s weak flesh could not do as the law has directed.
C. The letter kills
2 Corinthians 3:6 He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
We move to the law that brings it all together for us.
III. The law of the spirit
A. The key is Jesus Christ.
Through Christ Jesus….
God sending His own son.
John 3:16
B. In the likeness of sinful flesh
Jesus became flesh and blood.
He was 100 percent human.
He was as human as you and I are.
He felt what we feel, was tempted as we are tempted, put his pants on one leg at a time.
Likeness refers to the fact that he was sinless.
The virgin birth, conceived of the Holy Spirit and not sinful man.
Lived a completely sinless life. “Tempted in all points as we yet He did not sin.”
Paul refers to Him as the 2nd Adam.
It is in him that we all are made to live.
C. to be a sin offering
He who knew no sin became sin for us.
Hebrews 2:14-17 14. Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15. and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. 17. For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.
He was our atonement.
He paid a debt He didn’t owe, I owed a debt that I could not pay….
He took our sins and nailed them to the cross.
D. Placing in our hands the law of the Spirit that gives life.
Living a life led by the Spirit.
Letting the Spirit be in control.
The Spirit gives life.
Live by the Spirit and you will live.
Live apart from the Spirit and you will die.
Conclusion:
I am thankful for the day that I realized that the life that I was living under the law was powerless to save me and that I was encouraged to rely on the law of the Spirit brought to me by Christ Jesus leaving the law of sin and death behind and living.
Are you in Christ Jesus?
If not you are under condemnation.
You are locked into the law of sin and death.
We all need to be locked into the Spirit brought to us through Christ Jesus.
If you are not make that connection today.
We are going to celebrate communion today and in so doing we celebrate the life, the death, and the resurrection of Christ enabling us to live by the law of the Spirit and live.
ROMANS 8:1-4
Introduction:
I am sure that you have heard the statement, Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink.
I am going to come up with a new statement.
Laws, laws everywhere and some are pretty dumb.
Have you ever thought about some of the interesting laws that are on the books in some parts of the country.
Here are a few from PA.
It is contrary to Pennsylvania law to discharge a gun, cannon, revolver or other explosive weapon at a wedding.
It it illegal to sleep on top of a refrigerator outdoors.
Any motorist driving along a country road at night must stop every mile and send up a rocket signal, wait 10 minutes for the road to be cleared of livestock, and continue.
A special cleaning ordinance bans housewives from hiding dirt and dust under a rug in a dwelling.
You may not sing in the bathtub.
Fireworks stores may not sell fireworks to Pennsylvania residents.
A person is not eligible to become Governor if he/she has participated in a duel.
Any motorist who sights a team of horses coming toward him must pull well off the road, cover his car with a blanket or canvas that blends with the countryside, and let the horses pass.
In Maine Shotguns are required to be taken to church in the event of a Native American attack.
In Delaware It is illegal to fly over any body of water, unless one is carrying sufficient supplies of food and drink.
We are going to talk about 3 different laws that are mentioned in Romans 8.
One of which is helpless.
One of which is hurtful.
The other of which is very helpful and very important.
Romans 8 is a very beautiful and powerful passage of Scripture.
It has some more familiar verses in it.
Mention a few.
We are going to start with one of the more familiar ones this morning and let it be our building point.
Verse 1
No condemnation
We are going to begin with the because in verse 2 and explain the steps that bring about this no condemnation.
The three references to the law show us these steps.
In many ways this passage becomes a brief summary of what we have talked a lot about already in Romans.
I. The law of sin and death
We could look at this as one law or as two.
The law of sin
The law of death
Or we could look at it as one law that results in death.
Either way the bottom line of this law is death.
A. The law of sin
Sin entered into the picture with the fall of man.
Genesis 3
Sin has impacted every life since that time.
Sin has impacted our life.
Romans 3:23
Romans 5:12 tells us that sin entered into the world through one man.
That one man is Adam.
We talked more extensively on that earlier here in Romans on a Wednesday night.
B. This law of sin brings about death.
Romans 5:12
“Death through sin.”
“Death came to all men.”
Romans 6:23
C. This law of sin and death is still very real today.
Sin still impacts many lives.
Death is still very real to all of us.
The natural death has not yet been done away with.
Spiritual death and eternal death has been overcome. ( We will continue to see and learn that.)
II. The law was powerless
A. The Mosaic, the OT law.
This is a discussion that we have had several time here in Romans.
B. The law told us what was wrong, what to do and what not to do, but not how to fix it.
Paul adds here in verse 3 that the law was weakened by the flesh.
Because we are a part of Adam’s flesh and blood the law is weakened.
It was given by God through man.
However man’s weak flesh could not do as the law has directed.
C. The letter kills
2 Corinthians 3:6 He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
We move to the law that brings it all together for us.
III. The law of the spirit
A. The key is Jesus Christ.
Through Christ Jesus….
God sending His own son.
John 3:16
B. In the likeness of sinful flesh
Jesus became flesh and blood.
He was 100 percent human.
He was as human as you and I are.
He felt what we feel, was tempted as we are tempted, put his pants on one leg at a time.
Likeness refers to the fact that he was sinless.
The virgin birth, conceived of the Holy Spirit and not sinful man.
Lived a completely sinless life. “Tempted in all points as we yet He did not sin.”
Paul refers to Him as the 2nd Adam.
It is in him that we all are made to live.
C. to be a sin offering
He who knew no sin became sin for us.
Hebrews 2:14-17 14. Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15. and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham’s descendants. 17. For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.
He was our atonement.
He paid a debt He didn’t owe, I owed a debt that I could not pay….
He took our sins and nailed them to the cross.
D. Placing in our hands the law of the Spirit that gives life.
Living a life led by the Spirit.
Letting the Spirit be in control.
The Spirit gives life.
Live by the Spirit and you will live.
Live apart from the Spirit and you will die.
Conclusion:
I am thankful for the day that I realized that the life that I was living under the law was powerless to save me and that I was encouraged to rely on the law of the Spirit brought to me by Christ Jesus leaving the law of sin and death behind and living.
Are you in Christ Jesus?
If not you are under condemnation.
You are locked into the law of sin and death.
We all need to be locked into the Spirit brought to us through Christ Jesus.
If you are not make that connection today.
We are going to celebrate communion today and in so doing we celebrate the life, the death, and the resurrection of Christ enabling us to live by the law of the Spirit and live.
Romans 8:18-39 3 Weeks of Bible Study
ROMANS 8 A & D HOPE
Introduction:
Romans 8 is a very beautiful, a very powerful passage of Scripture.
There are some very familiar Scriptures in this chapter.
We are going to look at verses 1-17 on Sunday am and pm
We are going to talk about verses 18 to the end of the chapter tonight and next Wed.
Thomas Schreiner breaks the rest of the chapter into 4 sections and builds them around the word hope in his commentary.
Hope of a new creation
Hope in prayer
Hope of glorification
Hope in suffering
Hope
Dictionary: The feeling that what is wanted can be had. to give up hope.
Paul explains hope in vs. 24-25
Hope looks for what we do not have yet.
He says that hope is not in what we already see or have in our hand.
Hope certainly takes patience.
Paul describes hope in our first area of study but it can be applied to the others that we will talk about in this chapter.
I. Hope of a new creation
A. Present suffering and future glory
Suffering is very much a reality of life.
It is a sad, challenging reality.
We do not like the pain that comes with the sufferings.
But suffering precedes glory.
Earlier in Romans we talked about tribulation generating patience, and patience generating endurance, and endurance generating hope in the glory of God being revealed.
Without the cross there would be no crown.
Paul says the future glory to be revealed in us far exceeds the present suffering.
Paul is talking about the glory of God.
He is certainly relaying that this glory will be revealed in us.
Hold on through the suffering because the end result is amazing.
B. Creation waits
Vs 19
Creation is waiting for us the children of God to be revealed.
Waiting for this corruption to put on incorruption and this mortal to put on immortality.
Why is creation waiting for this to take place?
Because creation was subjected to frustration.
Creation was drastically impacted by the fall of man.
Genesis 3:16-19
The struggles of creation, the thorns and thistles are all a result of our fall.
Just let that sink in.
Our sin has caused the pains of creation.
The bondage to decay is our fault.
C. Creation groans
Creation wants this new change to happen.
Creation is feeling like it is in pain about to give birth to a child.
Creation wants this new day to come.
We are groaning for this change to take place in us and this adoption to be completed.
II. Hope in prayer
A. The Spirit’s aid in our weakness.
The weakness referenced here is prayer.
Many times we do not know how to pray.
We do not know what to pray for.
B. The Spirit’s groaning
The Spirit helps us to pray.
He knows the mind of God.
He knows exactly how to pray for us.
ROMANS 8 A & D 2
Introduction:
We are filled with hope because the Spirit prays for us.
He prays according to the will of God.
The Spirit always gets a positive answer to His prayers.
The next several verses show us that the Spirit’s goal is that we, believers, conform to the image of Christ ultimately resulting in glorification.
This is possible because God works all things together for the good….
This begins with the foreknowledge of God and ends with glorification.
Let’s look at this and our 2nd area of hope tonight.
III. Hope of glorification, vs. 28-30
Note the transition from Spirit to God in vs. 28
A. All things work together….
Paul begins verse 28 with “And we know”.
This is great knowledge that we are about to learn.
All Things
It is great to know that God has everything under control.
The good and the bad.
The trials and the tests.
God works for good.
They will all somehow contribute to the good.
They teach us that we are weak.
They teach us to lean on the Lord for support.
They point us to the ultimate good.
Those who love Him.
Paul is using this phrase to refer to believers.
Believers love Jesus or they would not be believers.
Those who have been called according to His purpose.
This phrase begins the transition to vs. 29.
Whosoever will may come. We will read that in chapter 10.
God has invited us all to Him.
The called here appears to reference those who have accepted the call and have come to Christ.
God has a plan for everyone that has accepted Him.
God’s plan guarantees the good to those whom God has chosen.
We often reference vs. 28 as a stand alone verse.
But I believe that it is connected to next several verses.
B. The golden chain
One commentator calls the next 2 verses the golden chain that charts the course from God’s foreknowledge of believers to their glorification.
Foreknowledge
To know before hand.
To be acquainted with future events.
God sees the whole picture from beginning to end.
He knows the future.
Predestination
To determine before hand.
Ephesians 1:5
God determined before hand that we would be conformed to his image.
Christ is the firstborn setting the example for us.
We can look to Him as the example of what is yet to come.
This can be a very controversial subject. Explain
Called
He called those whom He predestined.
It was not a phone call but a call of the heart.
It was a calling to a relationship with Jesus.
Justified
This relationship with Jesus results in our justification.
The easiest way to understand justification is in God’s eyes it is just as if I’d never sinned.
Paul told us earlier in Romans that we are justified by faith.
Glorified
This is a reference to eternity, to heaven.
The result of our justification is eternal life in the presence of the Lord forever.
Everything in life works together to bring us from outside the fold to a relationship with Jesus and eternity awaits in the end.
The challenges that we face are not obstacles but steps, the means to the glorious end that awaits.
Recap our hope in chapter 8
IV. Hope in suffering, vs. 31-39
This passage climaxes this section of Romans from 5:1 to here.
Read 5:1-5
This section of Romans on hope begins in chapter 5.
Verse 4, suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character and character hope.
Vs. 5 Hope does not disappoint. Why? Because God has poured out his love into our hearts.
Here in Romans 8:39 we read that nothing can separate us from the love of God.
Our passage tonight would reference all of the above and concludes with nothing can separate us from the love of God.
So both passages feature the confidence that comes from the hope of believers.
Friends, we need to understand that the hope that has been building can not be shaken.
A. If God is for us who can be against us.
What shall we say then….
What is the conclusion that we can come up with?
That if God is for us than who can be against us.
God is on our side.
Who can defeat us?
Who can destroy us?
Psalms 118:6,7 The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? 7. The LORD is with me; he is my helper. I look in triumph on my enemies.
God gave us the greatest gift in His Son.
“He who did not spare….
God gave his best for us.
He did not even spare his own son.
Because we have his son in our heart God will grant his best to us.
Once you have done the hardest thing there ever is to do it is easier to do other things.
We have the assurance that God with Christ will give us all that we need.
Connecting verse 28-32
Since God works all things for the good of believers everything given to them turns out to be a gift for our benefit.
We do not deny the pain and the challenge.
However the ultimate benefit is out of this world.
B. A closer look.
No one will ever be able to bring a charge against us.
Vs 33
God has chosen us.
God has justified us.
No one will be able to condemn us on judgment day.
Christ died, He was raised to life, He is at the right hand of the Father interceding for us.
That means He will not condemn us but defend us.
1 John 2:1
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.
Nothing will be able to successfully separate us from God’s love in Christ Jesus. vs. 35
Many obstacles and opponents will come our way. vs. 35
As it is written…. This is a quote from Psalms 44:22. Christians have experienced adversities down through the generations. The believer lives in a hostile world.
But we are more than conquerors.
The hostilities of this life can not take away what we have in our Father though His Son our Savior Jesus Christ.
Vs. 38,39
Conclusion:
If we fail it is our choice to fail.
No external force of adversity can pull us away.
The Divine love and grace will do its part to keep us.
We have the choice to remain or not remain in Christ.
I hold on to that precious 4 letter word, HOPE.
I pray that believe that you are doing the same.
Introduction:
Romans 8 is a very beautiful, a very powerful passage of Scripture.
There are some very familiar Scriptures in this chapter.
We are going to look at verses 1-17 on Sunday am and pm
We are going to talk about verses 18 to the end of the chapter tonight and next Wed.
Thomas Schreiner breaks the rest of the chapter into 4 sections and builds them around the word hope in his commentary.
Hope of a new creation
Hope in prayer
Hope of glorification
Hope in suffering
Hope
Dictionary: The feeling that what is wanted can be had. to give up hope.
Paul explains hope in vs. 24-25
Hope looks for what we do not have yet.
He says that hope is not in what we already see or have in our hand.
Hope certainly takes patience.
Paul describes hope in our first area of study but it can be applied to the others that we will talk about in this chapter.
I. Hope of a new creation
A. Present suffering and future glory
Suffering is very much a reality of life.
It is a sad, challenging reality.
We do not like the pain that comes with the sufferings.
But suffering precedes glory.
Earlier in Romans we talked about tribulation generating patience, and patience generating endurance, and endurance generating hope in the glory of God being revealed.
Without the cross there would be no crown.
Paul says the future glory to be revealed in us far exceeds the present suffering.
Paul is talking about the glory of God.
He is certainly relaying that this glory will be revealed in us.
Hold on through the suffering because the end result is amazing.
B. Creation waits
Vs 19
Creation is waiting for us the children of God to be revealed.
Waiting for this corruption to put on incorruption and this mortal to put on immortality.
Why is creation waiting for this to take place?
Because creation was subjected to frustration.
Creation was drastically impacted by the fall of man.
Genesis 3:16-19
The struggles of creation, the thorns and thistles are all a result of our fall.
Just let that sink in.
Our sin has caused the pains of creation.
The bondage to decay is our fault.
C. Creation groans
Creation wants this new change to happen.
Creation is feeling like it is in pain about to give birth to a child.
Creation wants this new day to come.
We are groaning for this change to take place in us and this adoption to be completed.
II. Hope in prayer
A. The Spirit’s aid in our weakness.
The weakness referenced here is prayer.
Many times we do not know how to pray.
We do not know what to pray for.
B. The Spirit’s groaning
The Spirit helps us to pray.
He knows the mind of God.
He knows exactly how to pray for us.
ROMANS 8 A & D 2
Introduction:
We are filled with hope because the Spirit prays for us.
He prays according to the will of God.
The Spirit always gets a positive answer to His prayers.
The next several verses show us that the Spirit’s goal is that we, believers, conform to the image of Christ ultimately resulting in glorification.
This is possible because God works all things together for the good….
This begins with the foreknowledge of God and ends with glorification.
Let’s look at this and our 2nd area of hope tonight.
III. Hope of glorification, vs. 28-30
Note the transition from Spirit to God in vs. 28
A. All things work together….
Paul begins verse 28 with “And we know”.
This is great knowledge that we are about to learn.
All Things
It is great to know that God has everything under control.
The good and the bad.
The trials and the tests.
God works for good.
They will all somehow contribute to the good.
They teach us that we are weak.
They teach us to lean on the Lord for support.
They point us to the ultimate good.
Those who love Him.
Paul is using this phrase to refer to believers.
Believers love Jesus or they would not be believers.
Those who have been called according to His purpose.
This phrase begins the transition to vs. 29.
Whosoever will may come. We will read that in chapter 10.
God has invited us all to Him.
The called here appears to reference those who have accepted the call and have come to Christ.
God has a plan for everyone that has accepted Him.
God’s plan guarantees the good to those whom God has chosen.
We often reference vs. 28 as a stand alone verse.
But I believe that it is connected to next several verses.
B. The golden chain
One commentator calls the next 2 verses the golden chain that charts the course from God’s foreknowledge of believers to their glorification.
Foreknowledge
To know before hand.
To be acquainted with future events.
God sees the whole picture from beginning to end.
He knows the future.
Predestination
To determine before hand.
Ephesians 1:5
God determined before hand that we would be conformed to his image.
Christ is the firstborn setting the example for us.
We can look to Him as the example of what is yet to come.
This can be a very controversial subject. Explain
Called
He called those whom He predestined.
It was not a phone call but a call of the heart.
It was a calling to a relationship with Jesus.
Justified
This relationship with Jesus results in our justification.
The easiest way to understand justification is in God’s eyes it is just as if I’d never sinned.
Paul told us earlier in Romans that we are justified by faith.
Glorified
This is a reference to eternity, to heaven.
The result of our justification is eternal life in the presence of the Lord forever.
Everything in life works together to bring us from outside the fold to a relationship with Jesus and eternity awaits in the end.
The challenges that we face are not obstacles but steps, the means to the glorious end that awaits.
Recap our hope in chapter 8
IV. Hope in suffering, vs. 31-39
This passage climaxes this section of Romans from 5:1 to here.
Read 5:1-5
This section of Romans on hope begins in chapter 5.
Verse 4, suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character and character hope.
Vs. 5 Hope does not disappoint. Why? Because God has poured out his love into our hearts.
Here in Romans 8:39 we read that nothing can separate us from the love of God.
Our passage tonight would reference all of the above and concludes with nothing can separate us from the love of God.
So both passages feature the confidence that comes from the hope of believers.
Friends, we need to understand that the hope that has been building can not be shaken.
A. If God is for us who can be against us.
What shall we say then….
What is the conclusion that we can come up with?
That if God is for us than who can be against us.
God is on our side.
Who can defeat us?
Who can destroy us?
Psalms 118:6,7 The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? 7. The LORD is with me; he is my helper. I look in triumph on my enemies.
God gave us the greatest gift in His Son.
“He who did not spare….
God gave his best for us.
He did not even spare his own son.
Because we have his son in our heart God will grant his best to us.
Once you have done the hardest thing there ever is to do it is easier to do other things.
We have the assurance that God with Christ will give us all that we need.
Connecting verse 28-32
Since God works all things for the good of believers everything given to them turns out to be a gift for our benefit.
We do not deny the pain and the challenge.
However the ultimate benefit is out of this world.
B. A closer look.
No one will ever be able to bring a charge against us.
Vs 33
God has chosen us.
God has justified us.
No one will be able to condemn us on judgment day.
Christ died, He was raised to life, He is at the right hand of the Father interceding for us.
That means He will not condemn us but defend us.
1 John 2:1
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.
Nothing will be able to successfully separate us from God’s love in Christ Jesus. vs. 35
Many obstacles and opponents will come our way. vs. 35
As it is written…. This is a quote from Psalms 44:22. Christians have experienced adversities down through the generations. The believer lives in a hostile world.
But we are more than conquerors.
The hostilities of this life can not take away what we have in our Father though His Son our Savior Jesus Christ.
Vs. 38,39
Conclusion:
If we fail it is our choice to fail.
No external force of adversity can pull us away.
The Divine love and grace will do its part to keep us.
We have the choice to remain or not remain in Christ.
I hold on to that precious 4 letter word, HOPE.
I pray that believe that you are doing the same.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
ROMANS 7C OUR VIEW OF THE LAW
ROMANS 7C OUR VIEW OF THE LAW
ROMANS 7:12
Introduction:
I want to use verse 12 as our focus tonight.
“The law is holy….”
I have been saying that we are not under law but under grace.
Paul will continue to tell us that here in Romans.
The law brought sin and death.
How can the law be holy, righteous, and good?
We are going back and read the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:17
Let’s go forward to the words of Paul in Romans 8:4.
I want us to understand tonight that the spiritual requirements of God’s law is to be fulfilled in the lives of you and I followers of Jesus.
Our involvement with the law ….
I. Involves the ethical and moral principles set there in.
A. Set in the OT
Scriptures
Matthew 7:12
Matthew 22:36-40
Galatians 5:14
B. Set in the teachings of Jesus
Scriptures
Matthew 28:20, teaching them everything that I have commanded you.
C. Set in the teachings of the apostles.
Scriptures
I Corinthians 7:19, 9:21
Galatians 6:2
II. Does not involve a system of legal commandments and sacrifices.
A. Hebrews 10:1-4
Routine sacrifices will not save us.
The blood of bulls was of no benefit to us.
That system of sacrifices were fulfilled in Christ.
B. Galatians 2:16,19
We are justified by faith and not by observing the law.
I died to the law that I might live for God.
III. Moves beyond God as our lawgiver to God as our Father.
A. Through faith in Christ God becomes our Father.
John 1:12
Galatians 4:6
B. Our obedience is
Not because it is a law.
Out of a relationship.
We may be or have been around a demanding father a time or two in our lives.
A demanding father is not fun.
Making a father be demanding father does not result in much fun for anyone.
God is not that kind of Father.
However the relationships that encourage obedience is so precious.
IV. Moves into an inner compulsion.
A. We are blessed with the Spirit.
Galatians 3:5,14
B. The Holy Spirit gives us an inner desire and drive to love, follow, and serve God.
Hebrews 10:16
Romans 16:25,26
Conclusion:
The law that should rule in our hearts and minds is the law of Christ.
I Corinthians 9:21
Galatians 6:2
Let the Spirit, the heart of the law that is fulfilled, delivered to us through Christ reign in our hearts.
ROMANS 7:12
Introduction:
I want to use verse 12 as our focus tonight.
“The law is holy….”
I have been saying that we are not under law but under grace.
Paul will continue to tell us that here in Romans.
The law brought sin and death.
How can the law be holy, righteous, and good?
We are going back and read the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:17
Let’s go forward to the words of Paul in Romans 8:4.
I want us to understand tonight that the spiritual requirements of God’s law is to be fulfilled in the lives of you and I followers of Jesus.
Our involvement with the law ….
I. Involves the ethical and moral principles set there in.
A. Set in the OT
Scriptures
Matthew 7:12
Matthew 22:36-40
Galatians 5:14
B. Set in the teachings of Jesus
Scriptures
Matthew 28:20, teaching them everything that I have commanded you.
C. Set in the teachings of the apostles.
Scriptures
I Corinthians 7:19, 9:21
Galatians 6:2
II. Does not involve a system of legal commandments and sacrifices.
A. Hebrews 10:1-4
Routine sacrifices will not save us.
The blood of bulls was of no benefit to us.
That system of sacrifices were fulfilled in Christ.
B. Galatians 2:16,19
We are justified by faith and not by observing the law.
I died to the law that I might live for God.
III. Moves beyond God as our lawgiver to God as our Father.
A. Through faith in Christ God becomes our Father.
John 1:12
Galatians 4:6
B. Our obedience is
Not because it is a law.
Out of a relationship.
We may be or have been around a demanding father a time or two in our lives.
A demanding father is not fun.
Making a father be demanding father does not result in much fun for anyone.
God is not that kind of Father.
However the relationships that encourage obedience is so precious.
IV. Moves into an inner compulsion.
A. We are blessed with the Spirit.
Galatians 3:5,14
B. The Holy Spirit gives us an inner desire and drive to love, follow, and serve God.
Hebrews 10:16
Romans 16:25,26
Conclusion:
The law that should rule in our hearts and minds is the law of Christ.
I Corinthians 9:21
Galatians 6:2
Let the Spirit, the heart of the law that is fulfilled, delivered to us through Christ reign in our hearts.
ROMANS 7B I DO & I DO NOT
ROMANS 7B I DO & I DO NOT
ROMANS 7:1-25
Introduction:
Have congregation stand.
Read the opening to a wedding ceremony. “We are gathered together….
Open the ceremony in prayer.
Have congregation be seated.
Read the “I Do” vows.
Questions about our keeping of our vows.
Gentlemen, How many of you have kept every single vow completely?
Ladies, How many of you have kept every single vow completely?
How many of you would be honest enough to say that there are times that you do what you don’t want to do and there are times that what you want to do you don’t end up doing?
I am sure that is true with most of us.
We are in Romans 7 today.
Paul references marriage here as an example.
He also gets into the “I Dos” and the “I Do Nots“.
It is the I Dos and the I do nots that I want to focus on this morning.
I. Briefly highlight Paul’s comments about marriage. Verses 1-3
A. By law a married woman is bound to her husband.
If her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage.
B. An adulteress is one who is married to another while still under the law of marriage.
C. Application
Paul is using this comment about marriage as an example to get a greater point across concerning law and grace and our marriage to the law being broken by our death to the law and our new life in grace.
Man was bound by the law.
Man is set free from the law by grace.
This freedom came through Christ.
This freedom came through our dying to the old man and coming alive to the new.
Paul is still talking about this law and grace issue.
He is still talking about dying to sin and living in it no longer.
But living a new in Christ.
He is telling us today that it is not as easy as it might seem to be.
Was it easy to complete to a T every vow that you made on your wedding day?
The same is true even more so in our walk with God.
One of the commentators that I used breaks this inward conflict of the Christian heart down this way.
Desire and Delight
Conflict and Captivity
Trial and Triumph
II. Desire and Delight, vs. 21,22
A. A desire to do the good.
When I want to do good.
Paul has a desire to do what is right and good.
That is great to have that desire.
I believe many people have that desire.
Paul had more than a desire or a want.
B. Paul had a delight
“For in my inner being I delight in God’s law. “
I don’t think he is talking about the OT law there.
I am thinking his delight is in the heart of God.
Many have a desire to do good.
There is not as many who delight in the Word, the commands of God.
The Word shows us the desires, the delights, the will of God.
C. I challenge you today to desire the things of God and to delight in the things that God delights in.
But a desire and a delight is not enough we need to carry through.
There is often times conflict to get to the triumph.
III. Conflict and Captivity, vs. 23
A. Under the captivity of sin,
vs. 14
vs. 17
The believer is not, nor can not be under the captivity of sin.
Only an unbeliever can be under the captivity of sin.
B. The conflict with sin.
vs. 15
Sinless perfection is impossible in this life.
I believe that the closer we draw to God the more we realize that we are imperfect and that there is a struggle within us.
I am sure that we all want to do good.
But sin has a way of sitting on our other shoulder speaking into our other ear.
C. This conflict even for the believer is real.
Romans 8:13
Galatians 5:16-18 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
We need to get beyond this conflict and trial to triumph.
IV. Trial and Triumph
A. What a wretched man I am?
Paul is saying that this conflict makes me feel like such a wretched man.
I hate sin.
I wish I was never tempted to sin.
I wish that we would never ever yield to temptation.
The closer we get to God the more awful we feel about sin in our lives, even the smallest of sin.
B. What are you feelings about sin?
Do you think one little one won’t hurt?
Do you hate and feel guilty every time you slip?
Do you think that grace will wash it away so its ok?
We need to loath, to hate sin and do our best to avoid it.
We need to see sin as the abominable thing that God hates.
C. Who will rescue me?
Thanks be to God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Conclusion:
Lessons for us to learn.
We need to watch and pray that we do not fall into temptation.
We need to do our best to think on the right and the good. “Whatsoever… think on these things.” Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
This is a lesson on humility as well.
This should teach us love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness toward others that slip and fall.
This should teach us to even more rely on the Spirit of the Lord to help us.
This passage could be looked at from 2 sides.
It could be looked at from the standpoint of a non Christian trying to do good or right.
It could be looked at as a Christian struggling with continually doing what is good and right.
There are those that say it is from one or the other standpoint.
I have been looking at it today from the standpoint of a Christian hearing two voices and doing his or her best to listen to the right voice.
Verse 14 however makes it clearly sound like its application is to a non Christian because a believer can not be a slave to sin.
If you are a slave to sin you need to turn to the Lord and be set free.
If you are a believer struggling from time to time with sin then we need to let the Spirit of God help us overcome that conflict.
Chapter 8 gives us some great help to move beyond this struggle.
ROMANS 7:1-25
Introduction:
Have congregation stand.
Read the opening to a wedding ceremony. “We are gathered together….
Open the ceremony in prayer.
Have congregation be seated.
Read the “I Do” vows.
Questions about our keeping of our vows.
Gentlemen, How many of you have kept every single vow completely?
Ladies, How many of you have kept every single vow completely?
How many of you would be honest enough to say that there are times that you do what you don’t want to do and there are times that what you want to do you don’t end up doing?
I am sure that is true with most of us.
We are in Romans 7 today.
Paul references marriage here as an example.
He also gets into the “I Dos” and the “I Do Nots“.
It is the I Dos and the I do nots that I want to focus on this morning.
I. Briefly highlight Paul’s comments about marriage. Verses 1-3
A. By law a married woman is bound to her husband.
If her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage.
B. An adulteress is one who is married to another while still under the law of marriage.
C. Application
Paul is using this comment about marriage as an example to get a greater point across concerning law and grace and our marriage to the law being broken by our death to the law and our new life in grace.
Man was bound by the law.
Man is set free from the law by grace.
This freedom came through Christ.
This freedom came through our dying to the old man and coming alive to the new.
Paul is still talking about this law and grace issue.
He is still talking about dying to sin and living in it no longer.
But living a new in Christ.
He is telling us today that it is not as easy as it might seem to be.
Was it easy to complete to a T every vow that you made on your wedding day?
The same is true even more so in our walk with God.
One of the commentators that I used breaks this inward conflict of the Christian heart down this way.
Desire and Delight
Conflict and Captivity
Trial and Triumph
II. Desire and Delight, vs. 21,22
A. A desire to do the good.
When I want to do good.
Paul has a desire to do what is right and good.
That is great to have that desire.
I believe many people have that desire.
Paul had more than a desire or a want.
B. Paul had a delight
“For in my inner being I delight in God’s law. “
I don’t think he is talking about the OT law there.
I am thinking his delight is in the heart of God.
Many have a desire to do good.
There is not as many who delight in the Word, the commands of God.
The Word shows us the desires, the delights, the will of God.
C. I challenge you today to desire the things of God and to delight in the things that God delights in.
But a desire and a delight is not enough we need to carry through.
There is often times conflict to get to the triumph.
III. Conflict and Captivity, vs. 23
A. Under the captivity of sin,
vs. 14
vs. 17
The believer is not, nor can not be under the captivity of sin.
Only an unbeliever can be under the captivity of sin.
B. The conflict with sin.
vs. 15
Sinless perfection is impossible in this life.
I believe that the closer we draw to God the more we realize that we are imperfect and that there is a struggle within us.
I am sure that we all want to do good.
But sin has a way of sitting on our other shoulder speaking into our other ear.
C. This conflict even for the believer is real.
Romans 8:13
Galatians 5:16-18 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
We need to get beyond this conflict and trial to triumph.
IV. Trial and Triumph
A. What a wretched man I am?
Paul is saying that this conflict makes me feel like such a wretched man.
I hate sin.
I wish I was never tempted to sin.
I wish that we would never ever yield to temptation.
The closer we get to God the more awful we feel about sin in our lives, even the smallest of sin.
B. What are you feelings about sin?
Do you think one little one won’t hurt?
Do you hate and feel guilty every time you slip?
Do you think that grace will wash it away so its ok?
We need to loath, to hate sin and do our best to avoid it.
We need to see sin as the abominable thing that God hates.
C. Who will rescue me?
Thanks be to God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Conclusion:
Lessons for us to learn.
We need to watch and pray that we do not fall into temptation.
We need to do our best to think on the right and the good. “Whatsoever… think on these things.” Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
This is a lesson on humility as well.
This should teach us love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness toward others that slip and fall.
This should teach us to even more rely on the Spirit of the Lord to help us.
This passage could be looked at from 2 sides.
It could be looked at from the standpoint of a non Christian trying to do good or right.
It could be looked at as a Christian struggling with continually doing what is good and right.
There are those that say it is from one or the other standpoint.
I have been looking at it today from the standpoint of a Christian hearing two voices and doing his or her best to listen to the right voice.
Verse 14 however makes it clearly sound like its application is to a non Christian because a believer can not be a slave to sin.
If you are a slave to sin you need to turn to the Lord and be set free.
If you are a believer struggling from time to time with sin then we need to let the Spirit of God help us overcome that conflict.
Chapter 8 gives us some great help to move beyond this struggle.
ROMANS 7 A ADULTERESS, AUTHORITY, & FRUIT
ROMANS 7 A ADULTERESS, AUTHORITY, & FRUIT
Introduction:
We are starting Romans 7 tonight instead of ending it.
I am going to try and not give you to much of a hint about Sunday. (Just to me mean.)
I want us to start by reading Romans 7.
There are several things in the first 6 verses that I was us to talk about tonight.
I. Adulteress
A. Who is an adulteress?
B. Why is Paul talking about an adulteress?
C. Why did Paul not mention adulterer?
II. Authority
A. The law has authority over someone only as long as that person lives?
III. Fruit
A. Raised from the dead. vs. 4
Speaks about our salvation.
Speaks about baptism as referenced in chapter 6.
B. To bear fruit for God.
C. Not bearing fruit for death.
Conclusion:
Introduction:
We are starting Romans 7 tonight instead of ending it.
I am going to try and not give you to much of a hint about Sunday. (Just to me mean.)
I want us to start by reading Romans 7.
There are several things in the first 6 verses that I was us to talk about tonight.
I. Adulteress
A. Who is an adulteress?
B. Why is Paul talking about an adulteress?
C. Why did Paul not mention adulterer?
II. Authority
A. The law has authority over someone only as long as that person lives?
III. Fruit
A. Raised from the dead. vs. 4
Speaks about our salvation.
Speaks about baptism as referenced in chapter 6.
B. To bear fruit for God.
C. Not bearing fruit for death.
Conclusion:
ROMANS 6B SLAVES TO WHAT?
ROMANS 6B SLAVES TO WHAT?
Introduction:
We talked Sunday morning about dead men walking.
The old man died when we gave our hearts to Christ.
The sinful man died.
We are walking as a new man.
So yes we are a dead man walking.
We are walking in abundant grace.
We move to verse 15 today.
There must truly be a problem in Rome with believers continuing to want to or look for excuses to sin.
Paul brings the idea of just continuing to sin up again.
He brings it up in a slightly different light. Shall we sin because we are no longer under the law.
Our study tonight takes a look at Paul’s answer.
I. We are slaves to the master that we choose to obey.
A. By no means.
Paul starts his response with a resounding no way.
The root of their thinking must be well if the law is gone then we don’t have to worry about carrying out any of it.
So does that mean that nothing is sin?
The law is gone so we won’t even know what is sin or not.
That does not mean that we are free from the moral commands of the commandments or the law.
Grace means with God’s help we have the power to keep the moral commands of the law.
The moral still stands.
Righteousness is the heart of the matter now.
The thought of slavery dominates these verses.
Words related to slavery is used 8 times in these short verses.
We will realize here that we are either sin’s slave or God’s slave.
Vs 16
B. A slave to sin
Obeying the temptation to sin makes you a slave to sin.
Vs 19 speaks of being weak in your natural selves.
Paul elsewhere says that spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.
The old man keeps trying to come out of the grave and lead us astray.
We need to keep this body and its parts away from slavery to impurities.
Paul talks here about ever increasing wickedness.
Good habits are hard to establish.
Bad habits seem to come about so easy.
When I read about this ever increasing wickedness that reminds me about how it becomes easier to yield to temptation each time we yield.
It is so easy for wickedness to increase.
A slave to sin is outside of the control of righteousness.
We know that sin leads to death.
Vs 23, The wages of sin is death.
Vs 16b, which leads to death.
Vs. 21b Those things that result in death.
The lead us through shame in the road to death.
Vs. 21
The pleasures of sin are only for a season.
They quickly lead to guilt and shame.
The quote benefit is short lived but the shame carries on for a long time.
The benefit is not very good if the end result is death.
This death is more than a physical death.
It is an everlasting destruction and being shut out from the presence of the Lord.
II Thessalonians 1:9
The opposite of eternal life, verse 23.
C. A slave to righteousness
This is what we need to be.
We need to be a slave to obedience which leads to righteousness.
Paul is rejoicing in verse 17 in their whole hearted obedience to the teachings that they were entrusted with.
He is excited that they have been set free from sin.
He loves the reality that they are so attached to righteousness.
II. The great benefit of being a slave to righteousness
A. He adds in verse 19b that their slavery to righteousness leads to holiness.
Holiness is a benefit.
Hebrews 12:14 says we will not see God without holiness.
God longs for us to live holy and upright lives.
B. The end result is eternal life.
The gift of God is eternal life.
That is a great ending to the story of life.
It is not an ending.
It is an amazing forever.
C. The heart of this all is Jesus Christ our Lord.
His birth, sinless life, death, and resurrection has made this gift and this life possible for us.
Conclusion:
Thank you Lord for the gift of your son and the life that He brings to us.
Introduction:
We talked Sunday morning about dead men walking.
The old man died when we gave our hearts to Christ.
The sinful man died.
We are walking as a new man.
So yes we are a dead man walking.
We are walking in abundant grace.
We move to verse 15 today.
There must truly be a problem in Rome with believers continuing to want to or look for excuses to sin.
Paul brings the idea of just continuing to sin up again.
He brings it up in a slightly different light. Shall we sin because we are no longer under the law.
Our study tonight takes a look at Paul’s answer.
I. We are slaves to the master that we choose to obey.
A. By no means.
Paul starts his response with a resounding no way.
The root of their thinking must be well if the law is gone then we don’t have to worry about carrying out any of it.
So does that mean that nothing is sin?
The law is gone so we won’t even know what is sin or not.
That does not mean that we are free from the moral commands of the commandments or the law.
Grace means with God’s help we have the power to keep the moral commands of the law.
The moral still stands.
Righteousness is the heart of the matter now.
The thought of slavery dominates these verses.
Words related to slavery is used 8 times in these short verses.
We will realize here that we are either sin’s slave or God’s slave.
Vs 16
B. A slave to sin
Obeying the temptation to sin makes you a slave to sin.
Vs 19 speaks of being weak in your natural selves.
Paul elsewhere says that spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.
The old man keeps trying to come out of the grave and lead us astray.
We need to keep this body and its parts away from slavery to impurities.
Paul talks here about ever increasing wickedness.
Good habits are hard to establish.
Bad habits seem to come about so easy.
When I read about this ever increasing wickedness that reminds me about how it becomes easier to yield to temptation each time we yield.
It is so easy for wickedness to increase.
A slave to sin is outside of the control of righteousness.
We know that sin leads to death.
Vs 23, The wages of sin is death.
Vs 16b, which leads to death.
Vs. 21b Those things that result in death.
The lead us through shame in the road to death.
Vs. 21
The pleasures of sin are only for a season.
They quickly lead to guilt and shame.
The quote benefit is short lived but the shame carries on for a long time.
The benefit is not very good if the end result is death.
This death is more than a physical death.
It is an everlasting destruction and being shut out from the presence of the Lord.
II Thessalonians 1:9
The opposite of eternal life, verse 23.
C. A slave to righteousness
This is what we need to be.
We need to be a slave to obedience which leads to righteousness.
Paul is rejoicing in verse 17 in their whole hearted obedience to the teachings that they were entrusted with.
He is excited that they have been set free from sin.
He loves the reality that they are so attached to righteousness.
II. The great benefit of being a slave to righteousness
A. He adds in verse 19b that their slavery to righteousness leads to holiness.
Holiness is a benefit.
Hebrews 12:14 says we will not see God without holiness.
God longs for us to live holy and upright lives.
B. The end result is eternal life.
The gift of God is eternal life.
That is a great ending to the story of life.
It is not an ending.
It is an amazing forever.
C. The heart of this all is Jesus Christ our Lord.
His birth, sinless life, death, and resurrection has made this gift and this life possible for us.
Conclusion:
Thank you Lord for the gift of your son and the life that He brings to us.
ROMANS 6A DEAD MEN WALKING
ROMANS 6:1-14
Introduction:
I came across the phrase this week in my research that I found interesting, “dead man walking“.
I discovered that it was the title of a 1995 movie about a death row inmate. The movie was based on a book by the same title. It is a story about a nun and a death row inmate. I didn’t see the movie. I understand in my reading that the heart of the story is anti capital punishment.
I am not getting into those discussions today.
I also found that statement, Dead Man Walking, is used in some of the death rows in the USA.
In some of the Death Rows in the USA – when a prisoner is taken to be executed the guard that leads the procession shouts out, “dead man walking”. It means, get out of the way this man is on his way to his execution. Have some respect and stand or give a last word of encouragement for he is about to leave this life.
I know that sounds a little morbid.
I am going to go a little further.
You and I, children of God, are just that.
We are dead men walking.
Let’s talk about that.
I. Background
We need to look at the last 2 verses of chapter 5 and the first verse of chapter 6 as a background.
A. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
The increase of sin brings the increase of grace.
The addition of the law added to the list of sin and wrong.
Without a speed limit you can go as fast as you want and not be breaking a law and therefore not need the grace of an officer.
So as sin increased it required more grace to forgive it.
Illustration: I know I told some this story of grace. Scratching dad’s car trying to take a trailer load of wood to the end of the yard for a sleep out. I showed it to dad and apologized. He said to me did you learn a lesson from that. I said yes. He said ok that’s good. My dad was a gracious forgiving man. Maybe just to me but I won’t ask my siblings about that. Now once I was legally allowed to drive on the road and not just in the yard if I would have come home with a much bigger scratch on his car he might or he might not have said the same thing.
Hold on to that thought a moment.
Paul reminds us in verse 21 that sin and death go together.
On the other side grace through righteousness that is ours in Christ Jesus bring eternal life.
B. Since grace is a good thing shall we purposely cause more grace to abound, or increase. Verse 1
Back to my illustration about the car.
Would that have been smart of me to get in the car and head down the road with the idea that dad is a gracious man so if I put a big scratch on the car he will forgive me.
No! It would not have been smart o put his grace to the test.
When dad road with me I knew where every curve was before I got there. There is a curve up there you better slow down. Oh but dad you are a gracious person let me see just how fast I can go around that big curve ahead.
The same is true with sin and the grace of God.
C. This background sets the stage for the concept of dead men walking.
II. Dead men
A. Dying to sin
Vs. 2 “By no means, we died to sin.”
Believers died to the power of sin.
We talked Wednesday night about all of us dying in Adam.
Sin and death came to all of us through the sin of Adam.
We also talked about all of us being able to come alive through the second Adam Christ who shed His blood in penalty for our sin that we might live.
This passage paints a beautiful picture of water baptism,
Paul says all you who were baptized.
This passage speaks of baptism as a picture of what happened.
Jesus Christ
Died
Was buried
And he rose again.
He died carrying our sins.
He buried our sins.
He rose again setting us free to live a new life.
So when we accepted Christ we died to sin.
Our water baptism symbolizes that.
You do not bury a live person.
So in your baptism or at your conversion you said I am a dead man. I have died to sin.
Not only did we die to sin but we were buried with Him.
We buried the old man and his sin when we were buried with Christ.
II Corinthians 5:17
We come to life a new man.
B. Some things that a dead man doesn’t do.
Dead men don’t sin.
Dead men don’t insist on their own way.
Dead men don’t demand their rights.
C. Paul says to answer your question we died to sin so we can’t live in it any longer.
He says so that the body of sin must be done away with.
We should be no longer slaves to sin.
You see a dead man can’t sin.
Count yourself dead to sin.
If you are a child of God you are a dead man.
If you are alive in Christ then you had to have died first in order for that to happen.
You can not serve 2 masters.
You can not be alive in sin and alive in Christ all at the same time.
III. Walking
Now let’s go to the walking part.
A. We are now alive to God in Christ Jesus. Verse 11b
We are united with Christ.
Verse 5
In His death
In His resurrection
Verse 8 says that we will also live with Him.
I have said that we are alive to God in Christ Jesus.
The life that Christ lives He lives to God.
vs. 10b
The same is true, should be true with us. The life that we live we should live to God.
B. We have been brought from death to life. vs. 13
We are not a dead man in the grave.
We are a dead man walking.
Dead to sin, its penalty, and it’s power.
Alive to Christ and the righteousness that He gives us through His amazing grace.
When I look at you and you look at me we see the same person that we saw before our relationship Christ.
We see the same person that died when we gave our heart to Christ.
But yet we are up and walking.
We are more alive than ever before.
I might look like the same man that died but I am a new man on the inside.
I am a dead man.
But I am walking a new life.
C. Verses 13,14 give us a couple of nuts and bolts as to how that might look like.
The dead man walking a new in Christ does not offer parts of his body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness.
The dead man walking a new in Christ offers himself to God and the parts of his body as instruments of righteousness.
For sin shall not be your master.
Conclusion:
I ask you two questions.
Are you a dead man?
Are you walking as a new man in Christ.
Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Introduction:
I came across the phrase this week in my research that I found interesting, “dead man walking“.
I discovered that it was the title of a 1995 movie about a death row inmate. The movie was based on a book by the same title. It is a story about a nun and a death row inmate. I didn’t see the movie. I understand in my reading that the heart of the story is anti capital punishment.
I am not getting into those discussions today.
I also found that statement, Dead Man Walking, is used in some of the death rows in the USA.
In some of the Death Rows in the USA – when a prisoner is taken to be executed the guard that leads the procession shouts out, “dead man walking”. It means, get out of the way this man is on his way to his execution. Have some respect and stand or give a last word of encouragement for he is about to leave this life.
I know that sounds a little morbid.
I am going to go a little further.
You and I, children of God, are just that.
We are dead men walking.
Let’s talk about that.
I. Background
We need to look at the last 2 verses of chapter 5 and the first verse of chapter 6 as a background.
A. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
The increase of sin brings the increase of grace.
The addition of the law added to the list of sin and wrong.
Without a speed limit you can go as fast as you want and not be breaking a law and therefore not need the grace of an officer.
So as sin increased it required more grace to forgive it.
Illustration: I know I told some this story of grace. Scratching dad’s car trying to take a trailer load of wood to the end of the yard for a sleep out. I showed it to dad and apologized. He said to me did you learn a lesson from that. I said yes. He said ok that’s good. My dad was a gracious forgiving man. Maybe just to me but I won’t ask my siblings about that. Now once I was legally allowed to drive on the road and not just in the yard if I would have come home with a much bigger scratch on his car he might or he might not have said the same thing.
Hold on to that thought a moment.
Paul reminds us in verse 21 that sin and death go together.
On the other side grace through righteousness that is ours in Christ Jesus bring eternal life.
B. Since grace is a good thing shall we purposely cause more grace to abound, or increase. Verse 1
Back to my illustration about the car.
Would that have been smart of me to get in the car and head down the road with the idea that dad is a gracious man so if I put a big scratch on the car he will forgive me.
No! It would not have been smart o put his grace to the test.
When dad road with me I knew where every curve was before I got there. There is a curve up there you better slow down. Oh but dad you are a gracious person let me see just how fast I can go around that big curve ahead.
The same is true with sin and the grace of God.
C. This background sets the stage for the concept of dead men walking.
II. Dead men
A. Dying to sin
Vs. 2 “By no means, we died to sin.”
Believers died to the power of sin.
We talked Wednesday night about all of us dying in Adam.
Sin and death came to all of us through the sin of Adam.
We also talked about all of us being able to come alive through the second Adam Christ who shed His blood in penalty for our sin that we might live.
This passage paints a beautiful picture of water baptism,
Paul says all you who were baptized.
This passage speaks of baptism as a picture of what happened.
Jesus Christ
Died
Was buried
And he rose again.
He died carrying our sins.
He buried our sins.
He rose again setting us free to live a new life.
So when we accepted Christ we died to sin.
Our water baptism symbolizes that.
You do not bury a live person.
So in your baptism or at your conversion you said I am a dead man. I have died to sin.
Not only did we die to sin but we were buried with Him.
We buried the old man and his sin when we were buried with Christ.
II Corinthians 5:17
We come to life a new man.
B. Some things that a dead man doesn’t do.
Dead men don’t sin.
Dead men don’t insist on their own way.
Dead men don’t demand their rights.
C. Paul says to answer your question we died to sin so we can’t live in it any longer.
He says so that the body of sin must be done away with.
We should be no longer slaves to sin.
You see a dead man can’t sin.
Count yourself dead to sin.
If you are a child of God you are a dead man.
If you are alive in Christ then you had to have died first in order for that to happen.
You can not serve 2 masters.
You can not be alive in sin and alive in Christ all at the same time.
III. Walking
Now let’s go to the walking part.
A. We are now alive to God in Christ Jesus. Verse 11b
We are united with Christ.
Verse 5
In His death
In His resurrection
Verse 8 says that we will also live with Him.
I have said that we are alive to God in Christ Jesus.
The life that Christ lives He lives to God.
vs. 10b
The same is true, should be true with us. The life that we live we should live to God.
B. We have been brought from death to life. vs. 13
We are not a dead man in the grave.
We are a dead man walking.
Dead to sin, its penalty, and it’s power.
Alive to Christ and the righteousness that He gives us through His amazing grace.
When I look at you and you look at me we see the same person that we saw before our relationship Christ.
We see the same person that died when we gave our heart to Christ.
But yet we are up and walking.
We are more alive than ever before.
I might look like the same man that died but I am a new man on the inside.
I am a dead man.
But I am walking a new life.
C. Verses 13,14 give us a couple of nuts and bolts as to how that might look like.
The dead man walking a new in Christ does not offer parts of his body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness.
The dead man walking a new in Christ offers himself to God and the parts of his body as instruments of righteousness.
For sin shall not be your master.
Conclusion:
I ask you two questions.
Are you a dead man?
Are you walking as a new man in Christ.
Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Monday, February 14, 2011
ROMANS 5C ROMANS 5:12-21 THE POWER OF ONE
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
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
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:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
