PREACHING
THRU
ROMANS
BY
DR. D. PAUL TUCK SR.
Expository sermon notes chapter by chapter through
Paul’s letter to the Roman Church.
All rights to copy or reprint these notes
are
reserved by the author and copy
permission will be granted to
missionaries
and churches by
writing to -
BAPTIST PULPIT MINISTRIES
48 Cobbler Crescent
North York, Ontario,
Canada M3N 2Y7
Telephone and fax (416) 739-1895
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COPYRIGHT - 1988, 1998, 2004
Dewey Decimal Number 227.1.DPT
First printing 1988
Second printing 1994
PREACHING
THRU
ROMANS
DEDICATION
This work is dedicated to the students of my Romans course, taught at Landmark Baptist Bible Institute in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada in 1988. Their love for the Word inspired me to work to prepare these notes. They are based upon expository sermon outlines preached at Landmark Baptist Church, Scarborough, Ontario, Canada where the author was founder and pastor, 1978-1990.
INTRODUCTION
The apostle Paul wrote the letter, known as Romans, about AD 58 from the City of Corinth. Frederic Godet gives December 58-February 59 as the date, just before Paul left for Jerusalem.
The key verse is 1:16-17-“The gospel is the power of God unto salvation”
Its theme is - Two fold
Chapters 1-11 Salvation by sovereign grace through faith alone. (doctrinal).
Chapter 12-16 Concerning Christian duties. (practical).
The two sections are divided into, first doctrinal, studies, and then practical lessons applied to Christian living.
Some have suggested that Paul could have made a great lawyer. This is based upon his presentation of doctrine, particularly the subject of law versus grace. His argument from a legal standpoint is tremendous. His practical arguments arise from the foundation of his doctrinal exegesis.
Paul stands firm in his argument that men are saved by faith in Christ apart from good works or the deeds of Mosaic Law. Salvation for all men is in Christ, and by the act of a sovereign God who offers men eternal life through His Son, Jesus Christ. Paul’s gospel is the good news of justification by faith alone! The gospel of Christ is to be preached in the entire world to all men of every nation. This was the desire of Paul in obedience to the command of Christ. Of this gospel, he was not ashamed. He had tasted of its power and sought to share it with others. Dare we do less?
Dr. D. Paul Tuck Sr.
September 20th 1988
PREACHING THRU
ROMANS
Text: Romans 1 :1-17
The word gospel means “good news”! It is the good news of salvation. It is first mentioned in Matthew 4:23. “Jesus went about… preaching the gospel”. It is last mentioned in Revelation 14:6.
There is power in the gospel to save, keep and satisfy. This is ours for simply believing or trusting Christ as our personal Savior, on the basis of His finished work on Calvary. Christ died for His people, the elect, chosen before the foundation of the world.
1. THE PEOPLE AND THE GOSPEL: vs 1-7
A. The Servant: vs 1
Paul was called to be an apostle
for the preaching of the gospel. – Cf -Acts 9:1-6.
B. The Scripture: vs 2
God promised the gospel through the prophets. – Luke 24:44; Hebrews 1:1.
C. The Son
1. Incarnation – vs 3 – The word became flesh. Jesus is God in
human flesh.
John 1:14; Philippians 2:5-8.
2. Infallible – vs 4 – The perfect Son of God.
Colossians 2:9 – In Him dwells all the power of God.
3. Impact – vs 5-6 – When
converted we are commanded to share the good news – Mark 16:15.
D. The Saints: vs 7
“To all the saints of Rome, grace and peace.”
“Called to be saints” – Cf -1 Peter 5:10.
This is the call of God to every believer, not just some appointed to sainthood by some man.
To be a “saint” means, to be separated unto God as a holy vessel.
2. THE PREACHING OF THE GOSPEL: vs 8-15
A. Pleasure: vs 8
Paul was pleased with the renowned faith of the Roman Christians. Such dedication spreads to others – Romans 16:19.
B. Prayer: vs 9-10
Paul prayed for their needs and for an opportunity to visit them.
Note: Jesus prayer for
the Church! – John 17:20
This is the true Lord’s Prayer, the one we often call the Lord’s prayer is the disciple’s model prayer.
C. Plea: vs 11-14
Paul wanted to impart spiritual blessings, to establish and encourage them in the Lord. – Cf - Matthew 5:48. He sought to find fruit among them as he did elsewhere he preached. He considered himself a debtor to the Gentiles-Vs 14.
D. Preaching: vs 15
Paul was always ready to preach the gospel – (two seasons of the year – in season and out of it – 2 Timothy 4:2).
Cf- Jeremiah 20:9.
3. THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL: vs 16-17
A. Gospel of Power: vs 16
It is the basis for salvation and for transformation – Hebrews 4:12; for all who believe – Rom. 10:13; first to the Jew, then for the Gentiles – The word – “whosoever”, is not a general call as some teach. It is particular or effectual and is always conditional to the word “believe.” There is no salvation for non-believers. The atonement is particular to the elect.
B. Gospel of Pardon: vs 17
The man who finds life, will find it through trusting God.
Habakkuk 2:4 – “Behold his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him; but the just shall live by his faith.”
We are saved by grace through
faith – Ephesians 2:8-9.
CONCLUSION:
After we experience the power of the gospel we should share it. We are commanded as a New Testament Church to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel” – Mark 16:15.
If we are ashamed of the gospel, we will hide it from those who are lost –
Cf - 2 Corinthians 4:3.
Paul was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ – vs 16.
Note the results of being ashamed of Jesus – Mark 8:38.
Do you hear the voice of God calling you to Himself?
You can come to Him through Christ!
Receive Him, Christ today!
PREACHING THRU
ROMANS
Text: Romans 1:18-32
God has given man freedom of choice (Joshua 24:15).
“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye shall serve: whether the gods which your fathers served that were the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord.” 1 Kings 18:21. “And Elijah came unto all the people and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow Him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.”
While it is a truth of Scripture, that because of total human depravity, man cannot of himself choose God’s way of salvation in Christ, and make himself righteous. God doesn’t force anyone to follow His way. Our life now, and for eternity depends upon personal acceptance or rejection of the gospel. No one can choose for us: Everyone is responsible to God for his own choices. God is truly sovereign, but cannot be held responsible for sin or human choice.
In these verses in Romans, we see three things that prevail in man’s rejection of the gospel of saving grace.
A. Stubbornness
toward God – vs 18-23
B. Separation
from God – vs 24-27
C. Sinfulness against God – vs 28-32
1. STUBBORNNESS TOWARD GOD: vs 18-23
A. Revelation: vs 18-19
God’s wrath is revealed against ungodliness and unrighteousness. He demands holiness – Hebrews 12:14.
“Follow peace with all men, and holiness without which no man shall see the Lord.”
B. Reality: vs 20
Man has seen nature, evidence of the God who created and controls it. He says in his heart, “there is no God” – Cf - Psalm 14:1.
C. Rejection: vs 21
They did know God (those of the antediluvian age) but they did not honor Him as God. They were not thankful of Him and thought only of foolish things.”
“And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”
D. Reaction: vs 22-23
“Thinking they were wise, they became fools.”
Note: Fools make a mock of sin: This has been the condition of every great empire before their demise.
“Fools make a mock at sin: but among the righteous there is a favor.”
2. SEPARATION FROM GOD: vs 24-27
A. Denounced: vs 24
God denounced them, gave them up, because of their corruption.
Rot in an apple can go so far as to render the apple unredeemable – useless – even so sin. Sinners need to know that “there is a line that is drawn in rejecting the Lord.”
Our sin separates us from God.
“But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear.”
B. Depravity: vs 25
They worshipped the creature
more than the creator. God forbids idol worship – See - Exodus 20:4.
1 John 5:21
“Little children keep yourselves from idols.”
Hedonism is idolatry! This is the sin of our day. Our idols could be money, sleep, friends, sports or even family. It is anything that comes before God in our affections and worship of Him.
C. Degradation: vs 26-27
Homosexuality is not a sickness – it is a sin! It is not an alternative lifestyle – it is a sin and perversion! God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah because of this sin – Genesis 19:1-26.
“Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.”
Cf - Deut. 23:17-18 and 1
Corinthians 6:19-20.
3. SINFULNESS AGAINST GOD: vs 28-32
When a man rejects the gospel he cannot go on as before. Once we know the truth, sin against the truth or light makes that sin exceedingly sinful.
“Therefore to him who knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”
Paul, in talking about God’s law, says –
“was that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.”
Sin against man and the laws of our land is also against God. Sin does not being us joy but sorrow. The so-called pleasures of sin leave us with a headache the next day.
The pleasures of sin last but
for a short time- Hebrews 11:25.
Sinfulness against God brought –
A. Sorrow: vs 28
God gave up these people who
rebelled against Him. Rejection of Christ brings sorrow. If we believe, we are
saved. If we do not believe, we are lost. – Mark 16:16; John 3:18.
B. Sins: vs 29-31
Their lives became full of every wickedness and sin. Of greed, hate, envy, murder, fighting, lying, bitterness, and gossip. They were backbiters, haters of God, insolent, proud braggarts, always thinking of new ways of sinning and continually being disobedient to their parents, and were heartless, without pity. (Living Bible).
We see in history the deceitfulness and degradation of sin. Sin left unchecked by the grace of God knows no depth but hell itself.
C. Shame: vs 32
They enjoyed sinning and getting others to sin.
“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.”
What a shame! Knowing what is right, but rejecting it. Rejecting an opportunity to have sins forgiven, to be saved eternally, to have everlasting life.
Satan hardens man’s heart – 2 Corinthians 4:4 – as man continues to reject God, his heart becomes hardened, he feels no conviction. Only the Spirit of God can quicken or regenerate a depraved sinner – Ephesians 2:1. To reject the Holy Spirit’s enlightening, or drawing, and conviction is to draw a line against God. God’s elect may do this for a time, but the wooing, and quickening power of the Holy Spirit will prevail.
CONCLUSION:
If you feel a need for forgiveness of sins and salvation, you need to seek the Lord now. Is He drawing you to Himself? Then come to Him now without delay. If I were you, I would not put off the time of my salvation one minute longer. This tried history lesson of the antediluvian age is a prime example of the danger of procrastination.
PREACHING THRU
ROMANS
“JUDGMENT FOR ALL”
There is only one righteous judge – God.
Regardless of ones experience, skill or intelligence, no one is qualified to judge the heart and motive of another. Jesus warned against judging – Matt. 7:1-5. This verse is sometimes misused or used out of context as to cover up for sin. Paul is in no way saying we should tolerate sin in the church or in our lives. In 1 Corinthians 6:2, Paul taught that the church was to judge, “Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? And if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?” The Word of God is clear on many matters and the church is to judge the actions of men based upon God’s Word.
The difference here is between the “deed” and the “motive”. I can judge a man’s deeds when I catch a thief with the stolen goods, but I cannot judge his motives or his heart. It is not for me to say if a man is truly saved or not, but we can be fruit inspectors.
Our fellowship with others is to be centered in Christ and upon God’s Word.
If we heed Paul’s advice in 1 Cor. 9:24-27, we will have no time to judge others or meddle in their affairs. Judging others shows lack of consecration and maturity.
1. THE SIN OF JUDGING: vs 1-4
A. The Judging: vs 1
When we judge others we are judging ourselves.
We may not have the sins of Romans 1:21-32, but that does not mean we should become self-righteous and proud.
We are ALL sinners. – Romans
3:23.
B. The Judge: vs 2
God is the righteous judge. – Psalm
103:6
Let God do the judging of the motives of others.
C. The Judgment: vs 3
We need to judge ourselves. God will not judge others and overlook us when we do the same things.
Many do not understand that there is a judgment for Christians – 2 Corinthians 5:10. This is the Bema of Christ or Judgment of believers works, done after they are saved.
D. The Justice: vs 4
God’s kindness and patience leads us to repentance and new life in Christ.
It is God’s mercy that saves
us from destruction.
“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
God desires that all men turn from their sins – To us-ward is particular and applicable only to the elect, not to every single man in the world. That none be lost – that is, none of his sheep, his elect.
God is sovereign, and loving, but He is also just and fair. Jesus prayed to his Father, stating that he lost none but the one intended for that purpose, namely Judas Iscariot.
2. THE SELF IN JUDGING: vs 5-11
A. Righteous Judgment: vs 5-6
Stubbornness in continuing in sin adds to the wrath the sinner will face in God’s final judgment. – Revelation 20:11-15.
We are judged first by the heart
– vs 5
We are judged by our deeds – vs
6
Cf - Malachi 3:16
God keeps a record of all who love Him.
B. Results in Judgment: vs
7-8
1. Righteous – vs 7 - Eternal life! Our name must be in the Lamb’s Book of Life. – Rev. 21:27; 20:15.
2. Rebellion: vs 8
God will punish those who love only themselves and do not obey the truth, but continually do or live what is wrong.
His anger will be upon them.
C. Reasoning in Judgment: vs 9-11
Jew and Gentile, ALL must stand before God.
God is no respecter of persons –
Romans 10:12
The gospel call to salvation is for all people. This is known as God’s general call – Romans 1:16. It works effectually and particularly only in the elect
3. THE SAVIOUR IN JUDGING: vs 12-16
A. Judgment on all Men: vs
12-15
We are sinners – Isaiah 53:6
All sin must be punished – Romans
6:23
The small and great shall stand before God – Rev. 20:11-15
If man sincerely seeks God, he
will find God – Jeremiah 29:13
B. Judgment on all Motives: vs 16
All must die – then comes
judgment – Hebrews 9:27
We will be judged by the use of
our abilities – Luke 12:48
We will be rewarded according to our works – Rev. 22:12
What we sow we reap – Galatians 6:7-8
God will judge all sin whether in the life of the sinner or the Christian.
Sin must be confessed and forsaken.
Paul exhorted the members of the Corinth Church to examine themselves –
1 Corinthians 11:28.
The believer’s sin is judged judicially in Christ. Are you in Christ? Have you come to Him as your sin-bearing Savior? You can come right now if you will hear His voice and respond.
PREACHING THRU
ROMANS
“SALVATION OR THE LAW”
The Jews were very strict in keeping their ceremonial laws. They had a form of religion that did not result in righteous living. They did not possess a living faith in God. They were faithful to their teachings or doctrines but were not forgiven of their sins. They were very religious but lost. We will examine this question put forth by Paul to the Roman Church under three headings.
1. Spiritual Pride
2. Spiritual Practice
3. Spiritual Purity
1. SPIRITUAL PRIDE: Vs 17-20
A. Pride: vs 17-18
Because God gave them the law
(the 10 commandments and other laws), the Jews thought they were righteous. –
Cf - Romans 3:23.
B. Practice: vs 19
They thought they had the truth and could teach others. They rejected Christ, who was the truth – John 14:6, 16:13. How could they guide others into truth they did not possess themselves?
C. Plan: vs 20
How could they teach others when they themselves were in darkness? Jesus spoke of the “blind leading the blind” – Matthew 15:14 – “who would both fall into the ditch”. An unconverted religious leader cannot lead others to righteous living.
2. SPIRITUAL PRACTICE: vs 21-24
If you teach
others, do you practice what you teach? Paul warns of people having a form of
Godliness, but no power or reality of the gospel in their lives. Cf - 2
Timothy 3:1-5.
A. The Practice: vs 21-22
Yes, you teach others –then why don’t you teach yourselves? They said they knew God but their works denied it – Titus 1:16.
B. The Problem: vs 23
They knew the Old Testament teachings, but they didn’t obey them.
Cf - Matthew 7:21-23; Rev.
3:17-18.
What you know is not worth much if you do not use it
A university degree is worthless if you are unemployed and not even looking for a job.
C. The Pity: vs 24
Because of the poor example of professed Christians, the name of Christ is often treated with disrespect and dragged into the gutter, the muck and the mire.
Cf - Luke 6:46; John 14:15.
3. SPIRITUAL PURITY: VS 25-29
A. Religious or Righteous? Vs 25-26
Practicing a religious act will
not make us right with God. The rich ruler obeyed laws but was not a Christian
– Mark 10:17-22.
B. Sacrilegious or Sacred? Vs 27-28
Jewish laws did not measure up to Gods laws. Traditions rendered even Moses law of none effect. The law of Moses was not intended to save.
NOTE: Ephesians. 2:8-9. It is not what we do, but what God in Christ has done for us that atones for our sins.
C. Historical or Holy? Vs 29
God is not looking for a
historical religion, but for holy (set apart) people who love and serve Him.
(See Hebrews 12:14) Only the pure in heart will see God. – See - Matthew.
5:8.
We must be “born again”. – John 3:1-18.
CONCLUSION:
Hell will be stuffed to the rafters with religious people! Nicodemus was religious but Jesus told him he needed to be born again.
We must be new creatures in Christ – 2 Cor. 5:17.
Christ’s blood will cleanse us from all sin. – 1 John 1:7.
He will forgive if we come to Him confessing our sin and need of a Savior – 1 John 1:9; Romans 10:9-13.
We can be assured of eternal life. – John 3:36; 5:24.
The Jewish laws could not promise this.
Will you come to Him right now and receive Him as your personal Savior? Come!
PREACHING THRU
ROMANS
“SELF-RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE”
Romans
3:1-18
The Jews of Paul’s days were self-righteous people. They depended upon the Jewish ceremonial laws for salvation. From Ephesians 2:8-9, we learn that even today many pin their hopes for salvation on the works they do rather than what God has done for them.
Here we look closer at Paul’s argument that the Jew who trusts in the law for salvation is no better off than the Gentile pagan who does not believe in God.
1. THE
PRIDE OF THESE PEOPLE: vs 1-4
A.
Pride: vs 1
Are the Jews better in the sight of God than the non-Jews?
Matthew 6:2, 16 – all are equal in God’s sight.
B. Provision: vs 2
The Jews had God’s law and were His covenant people.
The Jews were the first to receive the gospel.
The first church members were Jews.
This does
not mean that God loves the Jew more than the Gentile – Romans 1:16.
C. Problem: vs 3
Because the Jews were unfaithful, does not mean that God is not faithful –
1 Corinthians 10:13.
D. Personality: vs 4
God is truthful, even when all others are not.
Christ is truth – John 14:6.
God does not lie. – Titus 1:2; Numbers 23:19.
2. THE PROBLEM OF THESE PEOPLE: vs 5-8
A.
Folly: vs 5
“If our sins show how right God is, what can we say? Is it wrong for God to punish us for it? (I am speaking as men do).”
Can we say God is wrong when our actions, the way we live prove Him to be right?”
Psalm 145:17 - “God is righteous in all His ways.”
B. Fairness: vs 6
God will judge in a fair manner – Revelation 10:11-15 (the books were opened).
Note also: God’s book of remembrance – Malachi 3:16.
No excuses will be accepted, no exceptions given. He will have the evidence that convicts every man.
C. Foolishness: vs 7-8
“If my lies
honor God by showing how true He is, why am I still being punished as a sinner?
Why not say, let us sin that good will come from it.” (Some people thought Paul
talked like that). But they will be punished, as they should be. If we call
ourselves Christians, we should depart from all sin. – 2 Timothy 2:19.
3. THE PERSONALITY OF THESE PEOPLE: vs 9-18
A.
Sin: vs 9-10
Both Jew
and Gentile are sinners – vs 3:23; Isaiah 53:6; Psalm 51:5.
“There is none righteous, no, not one.”
No one understands or seeks God.
God looked down from heaven into the hearts of men to see if any sought Him and could find none. – Psalm 14:2.
C. Stubborn: vs 12-18
They chose to go astray.
“The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked.” –
Jeremiah 17:9.
D. Shame:
vs 12-18
1 – Throat
– vs 13 – Deceit – James 3:6
2 – Mouth –
vs 14 – Cursing and bitterness – 1 Peter 2:1
3 – Feet –
vs 15 – Shed blood – Proverbs 6:18
4 – Ways – vs 16- Destruction and misery – Proverbs. 2:15.
5 – No respect – vs 17-18 – no peace or honor – Isaiah 48:22.
Conclusion:
The Pharisees had a form of religion but didn’t know God in a personal way. They fasted, prayed, paid their tithes, but these were but mere outward manifestations only. God was not in their hearts – Matthew 7:24-27.
Is God in your heart? Have you received His Son, Jesus Christ as your personal Savior? Jesus Christ is your only hope for eternity.
PREACHING THRU
ROMANS
In the first verses of this third chapter we found that there is none righteous, whether Jew or Gentile. All men, both Jew and Gentile are under sin.
Now Paul is bringing us to see that the purpose of the law is not to provide us with righteousness or in its keeping, a way of salvation. All the law can do is condemn us and show us all for what we really are before God, sinners. Before one can know anything about salvation, he must know his need as a sinner.
1. THE REALITY OF THE LAW: Vs 19-23
A.
Scope of the Law: Vs 19
The law speaks to those who are under its jurisdiction.
The law declares our depravity and guilt.
The law can only bring one to knowledge of condemnation.
B. Standing under the Law: Vs 20
No flesh can be justified by the deeds (keeping) of the Law.
By the Law is the knowledge of sin. The Law reveals our sinful practice and declares our standing as guilty before God.
That which condemns us cannot justify one.
B. Significance of God’s Righteousness: Vs 21-23
God’s righteousness outside of and apart from the law is revealed, which was witnessed by the law and the prophets.
The righteousness of God which comes by the faith of Jesus Christ to all those who believe. There is no difference then between the Jew and the Gentile for both are condemned by their sin, and the law has no salvation for either.
All men, both Jew and Gentile are sinners and have come short of God’s standard for righteousness. God has a standard of righteous for which man must qualify in order to enter heaven or the kingdom of God. The best of men still comes short of that standard. This is the meaning of 3:23.
2. THE REALITY OF GOD’S JUSTICE SATISFIED: Vs 24-26
A. Redemption
by Jesus Christ: Vs 24-25
1. Vs 24 – Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”
Justified means to be declared just as if I had never sinned. Justification is a legal term. When one is justified, it means that all of the legal terms of the law are satisfied. What does Paul say here about justification?
a) It is free; it does not require further payment upon the part of one who receives it. The operation that grants justification can therefore never be by works.
b) “By His grace” – Justification is therefore by God’s grace. This makes grace sovereign with nothing added to it or subtracted from it. It is pure grace. Grace is unmerited favor, but it is more than that, it is G_R_A_C_E, “God’s riches at Christ’s expense.”
To add or subtract anything to or from grace would render it, “no grace at all.”
c) That which connects the sovereign grace of God with justification is “the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”
To be redeemed means to be bought back. Adam sold out all to sin but Jesus Christ bought us (we are bought with a price) when he died, shedding His blood upon the cross of Calvary.
1 Corinthians 6:20
“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
d) “That is in Christ Jesus”- That is Messiah Jesus, the anointed One.
Ephesians 3:6
“That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
2. Vs 25 – “Whom God has set forth to be a propitiation, through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.”
God has set forth Jesus Christ as a propitiation, that is, to act as a mercy seat. This is a Greek word that Paul uses, which the Romans would understand to mean to be propitious, to appease. This word is never used in the Greek Bible with reference to God. God did not sin or ever break His covenant with man and therefore does not need to be appeased. Propitiation is never used to bring God into a favorable attitude or gracious disposition. Man on the other hand is a covenant breaker and needs appeasement. Man is guilty of sin before God.
The sinner when coming to God through Jesus Christ finds mercy.
See- 1 John 2:2; 4:10.
“Through faith in His blood”- The blood that Jesus shed upon Calvary’s cross is the appeasement for man’s sin against God.
“To declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past”-
Propitiation is not enough, since God’s justice must be satisfied. The blood of Christ is for appeasement, but more than that, it is for remission of sins that are past. In other words, in Jesus Christ, through His shed blood there is mercy, because Jesus paid the price of man’s sin debt. Jesus dealt with the penalty of sin, by shedding his blood, in his death upon the cross.
The expiatory work of the cross is therefore the means whereby the barrier which sin interposes between God and man is broken down. By the giving up of His sinless life sacrificially, Christ annuls the power of sin to separate between God and the believer.
This is a judicial act and is why Christ died only for the elect and not for every single believer. If there were a universal atonement, it would necessitate a universal salvation, which is ludicrous.
The truth of the matter is that the word “atonement” means covering and is essentially an Old Covenant word. The word used in the New Covenant is “remission”, which means to take away the penalty of sin from God’s elect.
To “remit” means to “pay in full.” In the old days when we received an invoice for money owing, it would read in read at the bottom of the bill, “Please remit”. In other words, “pay the full amount owing.”
Jesus blood was shed for the remission of sins that are past, but only for the believer. This is received through faith.
Hebrews 9:12; 9:15; 9:22; 9:26; 9:28;
10:10,12; 10:18.
“Through the forbearance of God” – This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance He had passed over and ignored former sins without punishment. The blood of Jesus Christ is shed for the remission of all sins, but here Paul is singling out past sins and its penalty.
B.
Righteousness of Jesus Christ: Vs 26
“To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.”
Christ being the propitiation and his blood bringing remission of sins, puts forth or reveals the righteousness of Jesus Christ. This righteousness is that of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 1:30), which is given to the elect upon their coming to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
This makes God both the Just One, and the justifier of every one who believes savingly in Jesus Christ. This belief is seen in God given faith enabling the believer to trust in, rely upon, and believe from the heart, that Christ died for them. Mere head knowledge (belief) does not constitute saving faith, since even the devil believes and trembles.
James 2:19
“Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.”
3. THE REALITY OF BOASTING: Vs 27-31
A.
Boasting in the Law of Faith: Vs 27
“Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? By the law of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.”
Someone once put it this way, “When you get to heaven and someone asks you how you got there, what will you answer? Will you say, “it is because I did so many wonderful deeds?” Or will you reply, “it was because of my baptism?” Or, perhaps you will say, “it was because I was a faithful church member?” Or, do you think you would refer to your denominational affiliation?”
No my friend, for you will not even get to heaven in the first place based upon your good deeds, baptism, church membership, denominational affiliation, or any such thing that implies that you did something good to have your name included in the Lamb’s book of life - Revelation 21:27.
The hymn-writer wrote, “Nothing in my hands I bring, simply to thy cross I cling.”
Jesus Christ is the way to the Father-John 14:6. One must be born again (regenerated) in order to see the kingdom of God – John 3:3.)
One must come by repentance and faith, but even that is a gift of God.
See-
Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 6:23; Titus 3:5; Acts 13:48; Acts 11:18.
“The law of faith”- This is not written rules and regulations apart from the written Word in which we have the gospel.
The
law of faith, is connected to the New Covenant through what is also called “the
Law of Christ” or the Law of Love.” – Galatians 6:2; Matthew 22:35-40;
John
13:34-35; John 15:12.
B. Boasting in the Proper Conclusion: Vs 28-31
“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.”
1. Paul says the conclusion is this, “One is justified by the law of faith (made upright by faith independent of and distinctly apart from good deeds, works of the law. The observance of the law has nothing to do with salvation, except to establish its need.)
“Faith” – Trust in, relying upon, believing in, Jesus Christ.
Faith- “Forwarding all in Thee”.
Faith in Jesus Christ is given to the regenerated heart through the gospel.
1 Corinthians 4:15
“For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
2 Timothy 1:10
“But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”
2. Vs 29 – “Is he the God of the Jews only? Is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:”
No doubt many of the Pharisees of Jesus day thought they had an inside road to God. The apostle Paul asks and then answers this question. “Is God merely the God of the Jews?” The simple answer to this question is yes. God, as to be God the creator did not make Adam and Eve as Jews. The covenant with Abraham came into being much later. The Jew who read his Bible would know that God had a plan and purpose that would include people of all nations.
Isaiah 11:10
“And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.”
The student should use a concordance to check out many other such verses in the prophets.
3. Vs 30 – “Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.”
There is only one God who will justify the circumcised (Jew) by faith which germinated from Abraham, and the uncircumcised (Gentile) through their newly acquired faith. It is the same trusting faith in both cases, a firmly relying faith in Jesus Christ.
Abraham looked forward to Christ by faith. The Gentile who is regenerated by the Spirit of God is brought to that same faith in Jesus Christ.
4. Vs 31 – “Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.”
Through faith in Jesus Christ the sinner is justified before God. This faith does not do away with the law of Moses; rather it establishes it, fulfills or completes it.
Conclusion:
There is no righteousness found under the law, rather man in his guilt must fall upon the mercy of God. God then regenerates the elect sinner, giving him faith and righteousness (right standing) through Jesus Christ.
The law was never intended for salvation and Christ is the end of the law for the believer, the new law of faith and love, the law of Christ having fulfilled Moses law with all of its requirements and standard for salvation.
“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”
Romans 4:1-25
In this fourth chapter of Romans, Paul continues his argument that the purpose of the law was to bring mankind to the knowledge of Christ, but that it did not save. No amount of good works can count for righteousness with God. He now goes on to use Abraham as an example of faith. He no doubt used Abraham because the Jews of His day looked to him as a great example.
Abraham (Paul says) was accounted righteous by his faith – not good works.
Our righteousness is as filthy rags – Isa. 64:6.
We are righteous only through the new birth – John 3:1-8; 2 Cor. 5:17.
To be right with God, we must be right with our fellow man.
Note Abrahams faith – Hebrews 11:8-12.
Abraham was, humanly speaking, the founder of the Jewish nation.
Abraham did not boast in his works, for it was his faith in spite of almost unbelievable circumstances that God accounted for righteousness.
Faith was credited to Abraham account for righteousness. The words accounted, imputed, credited are the same. The meaning is that God, on the basis of Abraham faith, credited or placed or charged righteousness to his account. Since all men are in arrears or on the minus side for saving righteousness, this put Abraham on the plus side.
Sinners are
made saints by faith – 1 John 3:2.
God counts us righteous, not for our good works, but for our faith.
Wages have nothing to do with grace (unmerited favor) but with what is due.
God’s plan of salvation awakens a sinner to faith (Eph. 2:8-9).
Once man sees his sinful state, he can repent of sin, and exercise faith in God’s plan in Christ at Calvary. Thus salvation is wholly of sovereign grace!
Peace comes through having our sins forgiven. David knew the blessedness of peace through forgiveness – not by works, but by faith.
1.
Formality: Vs 9-10
Forms of law did not save Abraham. God counted Abraham as righteous, by faith, before he was circumcised.
2. Faith: Vs 11-12
Abraham found favor with God by faith alone.
Not faith plus circumcision!
No part of the law made Abraham righteous.
We are not saved today by faith plus something else such as baptism or law or keeping the Sabbath, Church membership, etc.
God promised Abraham blessings because he believed God and obeyed – Cf John 14:15 – “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
The evidence of our faith is seen in our obedience to Christ. Abraham not only believed God, but he walked with God.
If only those who obey are to inherit the world, then personal trust in God means nothing, God’s promise to Abraham would mean nothing, since God gave him promise based upon his faith, not his obedience or works.
God’s answer falls on those who break the law.
If we break one part of the law, we are guilty of breaking the whole law – James 2:10.
Since all men break the law, the law can justify no one, therefore righteousness is ours on the basis of faith.
Justification was not by faith plus keeping the law, but by faith alone.
Men today join the fellowship of faithful Abraham by exercising the same faith in the promise of God.
God’s promise is salvation in Christ, on the basis of Calvary’s finished work.
All of God’s blessings come by faith, not by the law – Cf Hebrews 11:6.
No righteous deed can merit salvation – Titus 3:5; Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 3:28.
Abraham was the father of the
Jewish nation (Genesis 17:4-5). As God gave new life to Isaac, so He
gives new life to us – Cf John 10:10.
The word dead here refers to our total human depravity. God alone can bring life to the sinner – Cf Eph. 2:1.
1. Age: Vs 18-19
Abraham was 100 and Sarah 90 years old. Yet God gave them a son!
Matthew 19:26 - “With God all things are possible.”
2.
Answer: Vs 21-22
Abraham has complete faith in God.
Thus the law and the prophets give testimony to righteousness by faith.
Quotation is here made from Genesis 15:6.
As God accepted Abraham, so He accepts us.
John 1:11-12; John 3:16; 3:36; 5:24 is God’s promise to us today.
Through Christ we have salvation: See Acts 4:12.
NOTE: The basis of our righteousness is in a Person, Jesus Christ and His completed work on Calvary.
Once we are truly saved, we are children of God forever - (John
10:27-28). After we accept Christ as Savior, we are to maintain our
relationship or more accurately our “fellowship” with the Lord. Paul spoke of
cleansing ourselves from sin – 1 Cor. 6:11; 7:1.
We must seek to live a pure and holy life – on the same basis of faith. Hebrews 2:14; -Revelation. 21:27.
PREACHING THRU
ROMANS
SALVATION THROUGH CHRIST
Romans
5:1-11
Two prominent words in Paul’s writings are, “faith” and “believe”. These two words mean more than mental assent. Later Paul writes of believing with the heart – Rom. 10:9-10. This is the kind of belief that is necessary for salvation.
In the first chapters, Paul reasons that both Jew and Gentile must approach God on the same level (Rom. 3:23). That the righteousness that God requires for the salvation of man is found by faith in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Here Paul shows that there is salvation and no judgment for the one who is in Christ by faith.
We see here three things that are ours by faith in Christ…
A. Peace with God –Vs 1-2
B. Patience
with God – Vs 3-5
C. Pardon by God – Vs 6-11
1. PEACE WITH GOD: VS 1-2
A. Acceptance
by faith: Vs 1
To be justified means to be made right with God.
The word “justification” means -“just-as-if-I hadn’t sinned”.
In justification the believer is forgiven by God and our sins forgotten.
Faith is necessary for peace with God and comes from God – Eph. 2:8-9.
Because we belong to God’s family, we rejoice, having hope of eternal glory, eternal life – John 5:24.
2. PATIENCE WITH GOD: Vs 3-5
A. Reason for Problems: Vs 3
We glory in tribulation. This will bring us patience.
1. Persecution: Matt. 5:10-12 – blessed by God.
2. Punishment: Acts 5:41 – Rejoicing to be counted worthy to suffer for Christ.
3. Plan: Job 23:10 – when tested to come forth as gold.
4. Purpose: Ps. 119:67 – straying before afflicted.
5. Patience: Rom. 8:28 – All things happen for a reason or purpose.
B. Results of Problems: Vs 4
Patience brings two things:
1. Experience – the ability to deal with a problem.
2. Hope: Knowing the problem is for our good.
The meaning of “hope” in the New Testament sense is “guarantee”.
Our experience in Christ shows our security as a born again believer.
C. Reassurance in Problems: Vs 5
Hope never makes us ashamed (naked) because the love of God has come into our hearts through the Holy Spirit WHO was given to us.
Our hope is seen in John 10:28 and 1 John 3:2-3.
3. PARDON BY GOD: Vs 6-11
A.
Weak: Vs 6
Sinful man was without strength, hopeless, doomed – Rom. 3:23; 6:23.
Christ took our hell on the cross – 1 Peter 3:18.
Christ suffered our judgment and paid our sins penalty to bring us to God.
B. Willingness:
Vs 7
Who would die for an enemy? Christ did!
He
took our place because of our sin – Isa. 53:5-6; John 3:16; 15:5-6.
C. Wonder: Vs
8
What great love! Cf Jeremiah 31:3.
D. Work: Vs 9-11
1. Redeemed:
Vs 9 – free from judgment- Cf Revelation 20:11-15
2. Reconciled: Vs 10 – separated by sin, now reconciled to God in Christ.
The first Adam was separated from God. Christ the second Adam brings men back to God. It is man that needs reconciliation, not God.
3. Rejoicing:
Vs 11
“In
thy presence is fullness of joy.” – Psalm 16:11.
Conclusion:
Salvation brings responsibility with each blessing. Jesus tells us (Luke 9:23) that we must bear our cross daily in discipleship. This involves various forms of suffering, persecution, pain and problems, but Christ stands with us through all of these. The joy and benefits far outweigh the problems.
PREACHING THRU
ROMANS
Romans
5:12-21
God created Adam and Eve perfect, to live forever. Sin marred this perfection for all mankind (see Psalm 51:5; Romans 6:10). Because of Adamic sin, man’s heart is naturally evil – Jer. 17:9. Christ came to redeem man from his sin; only in Christ can he be made new – 2 Cor. 5:17. He will be given a new heart – Ezek. 36:26.
1. THE START
OF SIN: vs 12-14
A. Start:
Vs 12
1.
Degradation: Vs 12a
All sin came through Adams sin – Genesis
3:1-15.
God sovereignly permitted sin but was not the author of it.
2.
Death: Vs 12b
Death came to all people through Adam – Rom. 6:23; Ezek. 18:20.
Man is born alive physically but dead spiritually.
This death is called human depravity and is total in its scope.
B. Sin: Vs
13
Sin was in the world before the Jewish law was given. However, sin is not held against a person when there is no law. One cannot be charged if there is no law to offend.
C. Separation:
Vs 14
Sin brings death – Gen. 2:17.
“If you eat of this tree you will die.”
Sin separates us from a holy God.
1. It separates us in Adam (5:12).
2.
It separates us from
fellowship with God – Psalm 66:18.
As a plant alienated from its root will soon die, so man cannot live apart from God. Sin alienates Him.
2. THE STIGMA OF SIN: vs 15-19
A.
Security: Vs 15
God’s free gift of salvation by grace is offered to all men. Theologically this is called a general call, or common grace. Those who respond to the wooing of the Holy Spirit by faith in Christ’s finished work on Calvary, being enabled through regeneration or new birth, are secured from the offense of the law. They are secured from this death, through acceptance of Christ’s death.
The results of Adam’s action was death; the result of Christ’s action is eternal life, for the elect.
Men’s sins are forgiven through Christ.
B. Salvation:
Vs 16
God’s free gift of salvation is not like Adam’s sin. Adam was found guilty by his action, but the believer can be justified by Christ’s action.
Paul is showing us that through one man (Adam) all the sons and daughters of Adam became sinners. However, through the death of Christ, all who believe in Jesus Christ are justified freely from the guilt and penalty of sin.
Death came for one offense. Christ delivered the believer from the penalty of that offense, the sin of Adam and many other sins against God’s law.
C. Sin: Vs
17
Because of man’s sin, death reigned.
All are born in sin – 3:23.
Note: The results of sin – Rom. 6:23; Rev. 21:8.
D. Savior:
Vs 18
Through Adam all are sinners.
Christ’s righteousness is imputed – that means, “credited” to the account of those that are His.
This righteousness and life is given to the believer on the basis of Christ’s death on Calvary. The believer is said to be, “born again” - (John 3:1-8).
This new birth is from God, or by the will of God – John 1:11-12.
In actual order, those chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world are first born again, (regenerated) and then brought to faith in Christ through the gospel.
E. Surrender:
Vs 19
Christ surrendered to the offense of the law. He fulfilled its demands and paid the believers’ debt in full. Man cannot free himself from his debt, but must surrender to Christ in acceptance of His payment of our sin-debt.
Adam’s disobedience made us sinners, Christ’s obedience clothes the believer with His righteousness.
3. THE SALVATION FROM SIN: Vs 20-21
A. Power
of Sin: Vs 20
When the law was given sin spread, like an opened cancerous tumor.
The law was given to show or reveal sin to us, and ourselves, as sinners by nature and transgression.
But grace spread
even more and we now have redemption through His grace – Ephesians 1:7.
B. Power
of salvation: Vs 21
Just as sin reigned unto death – so grace (unmerited favor) reigns unto life (eternally).
God enlightens men and brings them to a place of choice (6:23).
In Him was life – John 1:4.
Abundant life – John 10:10.
Eternal life – John 3:16; 11:25-26.
CONCLUSION:
Sin may abound and Satan may be powerful, but God is overall. God is sovereign! God has a plan.
Christ is the end of the law to those who believe (Romans 10:4).
Can you believe this? If God is speaking to your heart, then receive Christ, right now.
PREACHING THRU
ROMANS
FREEDOM FROM SINS BONDAGE
Romans
6:1-14
Adam’s sin brought him and all of us into bondage to sin and to Satan.
Sin enslaves – John 8:34.
“Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.”
The sinner becomes a servant of sins, problems and practices – a slave in bondage.
Christ came to set us free from this slavery.
In these next three chapters, Paul deals with the three-fold deliverance from sin:
1. Past: From sins penalty
2. Present: From sins power
3. Future: From sins presence
This involves Christ’s death, resurrection, ascension and second coming.
1. SALVATION
FROM SIN: vs 1-5
A. Reasoning: vs 1
Should we continue in sin that we might have more of God’s grace?
Paul is reasoning here, as many do – should I sin even more to get more of God’s grace?
Paul told Timothy – 2 Timothy 2:19
“… The Lord knoweth them that are His and, let everyone hat nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”
B. Rejection: vs 2
God forbid – absolutely not!
Paul rejects such an idea of antinomianism. Grace does not free us from the principles of moral law. Rather our “want to” has been changed.
The believer in Christ now lives under the New Testament Law, the Law of Christ, which is LOVE.
When in Christ, we no longer live in sin, but have crucified the flesh, the affections and lust – Galatians 5:24.
Cf Galatians 2:20.
C. Relations: vs 3
Those in Christ share in His death. The Christian life is surrendered to God, not patterned after this world.
Christ talked about self-denial – Luke
9:23.
Cf Romans 12:1-2
The Christian is related to Christ in a relationship that identifies him with the death of Christ. Modern theology misses the mark here, for there is a vast difference in nature, of the saved and the unsaved.
D. Results: vs 4-5
Paul uses the symbol of our baptism (which can only be immersion to be symbolic). This baptism spoken of here can only be water baptism. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is one of life and power, while water identifies with death and burial.
Baptism is symbolic of inner cleansing, burying our sin (with Christ by faith), and then rising to walk in newness of life. In baptism, we identify with Christ. Many turn back at the water, because they have not in reality identified with the death of Christ, without death there can be no birth – Cf John 12:24.
This verse literally says, “Therefore we are buried (immersed) with Him (Christ) in our baptism unto (symbolically) His death.”
The result then is:
1. The old man is crucified with Christ.
This we signify in our baptism.
Note: Babies or infants cannot do this.
2. Gal 5:16 - “walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”
3. 2 Cor. 5:7 - “For we walk by faith and not by sight.”
The believer’s will has been freed by regeneration to say no to the flesh and yes to the Spirit.
Thus because of sovereign grace we have the opposite to what Paul taught in Romans 3:10-23. Set free from the bondage of depravity, the saved can walk after God.
2. SEPARATION
FROM SIN: vs 6-11
A. Denial: vs 6
The old man (Adamic sin nature) is crucified WITH CHRIST. This is an undeniable statement of Scripture.
By natural birth, we are servants of our sin nature inherited, inbred from Adam.
We were children of Satan – John 8:44.
By the new birth (John 3:3; 1:11-12), we are by a new nature (2 Cor. 5:17) the children of God – John 1:12; 1 John 3:2.
B. Death: vs 7
Dead to sin, we are freed; no longer a servant of sin – John 8:34. This does not mean a Christian cannot sin. A Christian can and does – 1 John 1:7-9. The idea of eradication is heresy. However, the bondage is broken, so that we can choose right – Cf - John 8:32 and 36.
C. Dominion: vs 8-9
His dominion is our dominion!
The moment we identified with Christ’s death by faith, we identified with Him – Cf John 3:36; 5:24.
These verses show our security in Christ is eternal.
Death had dominion over us but we have passed from death unto life – to die no more.
Note: Our physical death is also included here. The believer is said to “sleep in Jesus”. The death and resurrection of Christ is our guarantee or resurrection – Cf -1 Cor. 15:51-58 and John 11:25-26.
What victory is ours in Christ!
D. Design: vs 10-11
He died once – but now lives. He died to break the power of sin, and the life He now lives is for or in God. Christ is seated on the right hand of the Majesty on high (Heb. 1:3). He is the mighty conqueror!
Likewise – Just as He did it – so you do the same.
Reckon – Consider yourself dead to sins authority and alive in new life in Christ.
Three words are the key to victory and involve human responsibility for the Christians victory over the power of sin.
1. Know – vs 9, 16.
2. Reckon – vs 11
3. Yield – vs 13, 16
3. SANCTIFICATION FROM SIN: vs 12-14
The word sanctify means “to set apart as holy”. The believer now belongs to Christ and is to be set apart as holy.
A. Denounced: vs 12
Do not allow sin with its lusts to rule you – Daniel 1:8.
Do not let sin sit on the throne in your life (physical body). You do not have to obey it. Lust leads us out of fellowship with God. It harms our relationship and thwarts His blessing in our lives. Because Christ has freed us from sins penalty and power, we do not have to be its slave.
1 Peter 3:15 - “Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts.”
Put Christ on the throne!
B. Dedication: vs 13
The root meaning of sanctification means to “set aside in dedication to God”.
The key here is “yield”. This means to “give up” or “give into”. True dedication is to give up sin and give into God’s rule in our lives. This is the battleground in the Christian life – Cf - Galatians 4:28-31.
The demand of the law has been met in Christ; therefore, sin does not have to control you.
The believer is not under the law – Rom. 8:12; 2 Cor. 3:17.
Therefore, as its demands were met in Christ, and the believer is in Christ, he can have dominion rather than being dominated by sin’s power.
Of a truth the song writer wrote”
“There’s victory in Jesus, my Savior forever!”
CONCLUSION:
Salvation brings freedom from sins penalty and power. There is no need to be under the control of sin, or demand of the law – Gal. 5:1; 1 Cor. 10:13.
Have you come to Christ for this freedom? You can know this deliverance if you will invite Him unto your life, and ask Him to forgive your sins.
PREACHING THRU
ROMANS
THE POWER OF CHOICE
Romans
6:15-23
The teaching concerning God’s sovereignty and the free will of man is a subject that has rocked Christian circles for centuries. My personal position is to stand right in the middle of both of them. I am not a Hyper-Calvinist, neither am I Arminian. (In truth I am a Sovereign Grace Missionary-Baptist.) While holding to the position of sovereign grace, I believe the Scriptures show that Adam and Eve “chose” to disobey God. Joshua admonished, “Choose you this day whom ye shall serve” Joshua 24:15. Elijah demanded decision – 1 Kings 18:21. Christ came to His own, and they chose to reject Him – John 1:11. Our salvation is in Christ; no one is saved until they are in Christ. Both the elect, and the non-elect are on the same ground of depravity. Being born again makes the difference. The one who believes, will be saved. The one who rejects Christ, will be lost. (Mark 16:16.) God, in His sovereign grace, gives men the opportunity to receive or reject His Son. (We will deal with this more thoroughly in Romans 8.)
The emphasis here is on the operation of free moral agency within the framework of God’s sovereign grace.
Note: I use the term free moral agency, not free will. Man’s will to save himself is dead in his depravity. Man apart from God’s intervention is incapable of meeting God’s standard of holiness, required for salvation.
1. THE CHOICE OF SLAVERY: vs 15-19
A. Choice: vs 15
If we yield to
sin we are the servants of sin – John 8:34; if to Christ we benefit as
sons of God – John 1:12.
The sinner, in coming to Christ is set free from the law of sin. However, it is possible for even a king to live like a pauper. Paul’s use of the word “know” in vs 6, 9 and 16 refers to the knowledge of understanding what Christ has accomplished for the believer in his vicarious death and blood sacrifice on Calvary. Oh how we need to “know” what He has wrought for us!
B. Control: vs
16
The sinner has no ability to choose righteously, until the Holy Spirit has enlightened him.
The Christian has the ability to exercise free moral agency. We can choose who controls our lives – Rom. 12:1-2.
Cf - 1 Cor. 6:19.
The three words Paul uses in this chapter are keys to Christian victory.
1. Know – the knowledge of understanding.
2. Reckon – count it as done, an established fact – make it your own.
3. Yield – give in to God’s word and the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
These three words are powerful keys to Christian victory in Christ. There is no victory in the flesh, over the flesh, but only in submission to Christ.
C. Change: vs 17
Paul states the former position of the Roman Christians and then gives their present position. Formerly controlled by sin, through Christ we are now in the family of God – 1 John 3:2; Psalm 100.
D. Consecration: vs 18
The new life in Christ – controlled.
Cf - 2 Cor. 5:17.
Obedience from the heart is what effects change in people.
Obedience to the doctrine (teaching) of Christ.
E. Complete: vs 19
Our completion – our fulfillment is in Christ who fulfilled the requirements of the law for us.
Cf - 1 Corinthians 1:30.
Because our “standing” is now in Christ, our “state” should be one of yielding ourselves to Christ who will complete God’s will in us.
2. THE CHOICE OF SEPARATION: vs 20-22
A. Problem: vs. 20
If not in Christ, we are slaves to sin – 1 John 8:34.
One remains a sinner by choice – 1 John 3:10.
Until Christ sets one free, he is the servant of sin and incapable of Godly living. The problem then is mans inability to free himself and serve God. Dead men cannot resurrect themselves and all men are dead in sin. Man is totally and humanly depraved.
B. Pitfall: vs. 21
What did sin produce? Sin is two-fold; it is the nature or sin principle within man; and it is secondly, transgression against God’s law.
Man because of being constituted a sinner, sins repeatedly. Sin produced death, and continues to produce shame.
Sin cannot produce anything good, but in it man can only dig a bigger pit for himself until he ends in hell. - Cf Genesis 3:10; Romans 8:6.
C. Promise: vs.
22
The results of being free from sin:
1. Servants of God – John 1:12
2. Fruit unto holiness – Hebrews 12:14
3. Everlasting life – John 11:25-26
Note:
Paul is not talking about a sinless life here. He is talking about freedom from the penalty of sin and the availability of deliverance from the power of sin on a daily basis. The latter he goes on to deal with in Chapters 7 and 8.
There is no experience this side of heaven to eradicate the carnal sin nature of the Christian. God simply makes it possible for the believer to exercise his power of choice. In John 3:6 – Jesus told Nicodemus, “that which is flesh is flesh, that which is spirit is spirit.”
3. THE CHOICE OF SALVATION: vs. 23
A. The Pay of Sin:
vs 23-a
It has been said that “crime does not pay”, but it is not exactly true.
Crime does pay! The Bible teaches that the “wages of sin is death”, “the soul that sinneth, it shall die”.
Sin pays off in death – spiritual death!
Separation from God! - Revelation 21:8.
Unless man has his name in God’s book (the Lambs book of life), he cannot enter heaven. - Revelation 21:27; 20:15.
Sin pays off in sickness, troubles, and physical death – We reap what we sow – Galatians 6:7-8.
B. The Promise of Salvation: vs 23-b
God’s gift to man is eternal life!
God hates sin, but loves sinners!
Eternal life is in God’s son, Jesus Christ – John 3:16; 1 John 5:11-12, 20.
Salvation is the gift of God – Ephesians 2:8-9, Jonah 2:9.
Jesus taught
that men must be “born again” (John 3:3) and that no one could come to
the Father but through Him - John 14:6.
Only those whom the Lord calls effectually can be saved – John 6:36-37;
Our choice is made possible because through the preaching of the cross, the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ, we receive faith from God to respond to the claims of Christ. This is accomplished by the enlightening and convicting work of the Holy Spirit, which must precede any choice on behalf of the sinner unto salvation.
Once one has been saved, there are still many choices to be made which involve our fellowship with God. We decide to attend church, to be baptized, to pay our tithes, to serve God with our gifts or talents. That is what Paul meant when he said, “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” - (Philippians. 2:12). But, you can never work out what God has not first worked in you - (Vs 13). YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN!
PREACHING THRU ROMANS
“THE WEAKNESS OF THE LAW”
The Old Testament law didn’t save man from his sin – it only revealed his sins, and showed that he was indeed a sinner. The law can only show one to be guilty. Christ came to save man and to reinstate him. Jesus alone is the way to the Father – John 14:6. Several times Jesus said, “ye have read… but I say unto you”. The Old Testament law was an eye for an eye. Christ said, “turn the cheek”, and “love your enemies”.
In chapter six, Paul dealt with the weakness of the law as to salvation from sins penalty. Here in chapter seven he deals with the weakness of the law as to the power or practice of sin.
1. THE COMPARISON: vs. 1-3
A.
Control: vs. 1
The Law of Moses controls man as long as he lives. See Galatians 3:23-25.
It “hath dominion”; man is under its jurisdiction, its authority or power. Man is administered or controlled by the law. This is the purpose of the law. Man must obey it or suffer its consequences. Faith on the other hand is not subject to the law and removes our connection to it.
1. The
sacredness of marriage: vs. 2
Marriage is to be a lifetime contract, until the death of one of the partners.
When one dies, he is no longer bound by the marriage vows.
Paul is using the marriage contract as an analogical statement with regards to the law. This is called “typology” and one must be careful that he does not make “types walk on four feet”.
Conclusions for example should not be drawn as to divorce and remarriage based upon this Scripture alone, while ignoring all others. The picture being drawn is that the law, as is marriage, is to be for a lifetime.
Death ends marriage as it does the law. Physical death ends the law and new life in Christ also ends the law for the believer- Romans 10:4.
2. Sin:
vs. 3
The sinner is bound to the law, but Christ died to replace the law or fulfill its demands. (He paid the debt.)
Now we (the saved) are free to follow Him!
As the woman whose husband dies is free to remarry, so the one who trusts Christ is free from the curse or demands of the law to live with Christ.
Note: If the student will look closely here, we can see that one must be set free from sin (saved) before one can be both bound to Christ and also His body the church. Thus we see the Baptist principle of regenerate church membership.
2. THE CONTROL:
vs. 4-6
A. Dead: vs. 4
When we are joined to Christ by faith, we are dead to the law and its demands.
We are now free to be what God wants us to be. Fruit unto God can only be the result of faith, not the law, which brought death. Dead trees cannot produce fruit.
Paul’s use of the words “married to another,” simply means, “to be united or joined to Christ”. There will be a marriage of Christ and those of His true church in the future. I do not think Paul refers to this, at least not directly. We must limit our doctrinal application here to the allegory Paul is using.
While in
sin, we followed its desires – Cf John 8:34.
The outcome of sin is to strangle us and bring us under the judgment of the law.
Sins wages is death – Rom. 6:23.
C. Deliverance: vs. 6
Freedom from the law:
We are no longer under the law when we are born again – John 3:1-8.
Christ is the end of the law – Rom. 10:4.
Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law – Gal. 3:13.
The law is our schoolmaster – Gal. 3:24.
What a glorious message the gospel brings! What a blessed experience it is to be in Christ. What relief to know that the demands of justice have been met in Christ and we can be indeed justified by faith in Him. This is based upon His finished work on Calvary.
So the one who is saved can sing,
“Saved to the uttermost I am the Lord’s; Jesus my Savior salvation affords; Gives me His spirit, a witness within, whispering of pardon, and saving from sin”.
3. THE COMMANDMENTS: vs. 7-11
The power, authority or importance of the law is seen in its purpose. The law revealed sin. The law shows us forth as guilty. God’s law is perfect (Psalm 19:7). There is nothing wrong with the law within its purpose, but it has no forgiveness, no appeasement, and no redemptive power. Only in Christ are we cleansed from all sin!
B. Perception: vs. 8-9
The Mosaic or Jewish law made one to know how much he was sinning.
It shows us our true selves in Adam, outside of Christ. It reveals the desire of the flesh for all kinds of things.
(For without the law sin is dead.)
Paul is saying, “ I felt alright, until the law told me I was not”.
The law showed me to be guilty and I had to pay its penalty.
By the use of the personal pronoun “I” Paul again is speaking in allegory. He refers to himself in Adam, as a man before the law came by Moses.
C. The Problem: vs. 10-11
I could not pay – only Christ could do it for me. He promised me eternal life in exchange for sins demands of eternal death. – see John 3:36 and 5:24.
Sin got in the way of my law-abiding wishes. I could not keep the law, it slew me.
The Adamic, sin nature within man keeps him from obedience to the law of God.
It is impossible for man to be saved by the law, since it has no redemption and man’s very nature is sinful and condemns him to death.
There is no hope apart from Christ!
Cf - Ephesians chapter two.
There is nothing wrong with the law if we confine it simply to its God intended purpose.
The Scriptures are given for our reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness – 2 Timothy 3:16.
The Jewish ceremonial laws were for a limited time – until Christ came and died on Calvary.
We cannot fault God’s law, but we must limit it to both time and power.
Paul says here, “the law did not kill me, my sin did that”.
The law was not wrong or sinful, but it gave man a picture of his sin and directed its consequences. The law does not in fact hang a man, his transgression does it. Thus we see that by the law, God makes man responsible for his righteousness, or lack of it.
CONCLUSION:
Man is not saved by good works or by keeping any law.
He is saved by GRACE ALONE! – Ephesians. 2:8-9.
The rich young ruler kept the law, but he did not have eternal life – Mark 10:17-22.
Jesus told Nicodemus (a religious, morally upright man) – “Ye must be born again” – John 3:3.
Self-righteousness will not suffice; we must come to God His way, which is only through Christ and Calvary.
PREACHING THRU
ROMANS
SERVANTS OF GOD OR SIN
Sin and Satan are powerful forces to be dealt with. There will always be temptation. As long as the Christian is in a flesh body, and in this present world, he must deal with the sin nature. There is no experience this side of glorification, which frees one entirely from this flesh nature.
John wrote, “if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:7).
All man’s problems can be traced to one of three powers:
1. Adamic sin nature, 2. Self or 3. Satan. Only as we overcome these, can we experience the victorious Christian life.
Paul here deals with the struggle within man. The tug-o-war between the old man and the new; the flesh and the spirit; the carnal nature and the spiritual man. Paul illustrated this battle in Galatians 4:22-31 as that between Isaac and Ishmael. The believer is not long saved before realizing that the old man, the Adamic nature is not dead, in fact, is now more alive than ever.
As we examine our text we see:
1. SLAVERY TO SIN: vs. 14-17
A. Control: vs. 14
Paul is saying – “We know that the Jewish law is right and good, but I am a person that does wrong and bad. I am not my own boss; sin is my boss”.
The sin nature within man controls him. Man is a servant of his Adamic nature.
B.
Confusion: vs. 15
Paul allows that the design of the sin nature keeps him out of control and in a state of confusion. “I do what I don’t want to, and don’t want to do what I always do”.
Will-power, determination and resolutions are not enough! Christ must change the life.
When I do the thing I do not want to do, it shows me that the law is right and good. So I am not doing it. Sin in me is doing it. The sin nature practices sin.
Paul therefore identifies the problem as in the sin nature of man. This is inherited (Adamic) sin. The sin that causes sin. (So the devil didn’t make me do it.)
Paul had respect for the law, but the sin nature within him had no respect for it.
2. SERVANT TO SIN: vs. 18-20
One who is a slave to sin must indeed act as its servant in the practice of sin.
A. Self:
vs. 18
In the flesh is no good thing. In ourselves we can do nothing – John 15:5.
We must abide in Christ.
We cannot eradicate the carnal nature! We cannot kill the old man! Man can do a lot of things to commit suicide. He can shoot himself, cut his wrists, hang himself, poison himself, jump from a building, but he CANNOT CRUCIFY himself. Another has to do it! Self is always there unless dealt with by the cross of Christ. Man is incapable of righteousness. He is totally, humanly depraved; dead in trespasses and in sin.
Man’s sufficiency is not in himself. “When I want to do good, I don’t, and when I try not to do wrong, I do it anyway”.
In ourselves we are weak because of our sinful nature. Our sufficiency is in God.
2
Corinthians 3:5
“Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God.”
John
3:27
“John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.”
C. Sin: vs. 20
We must control sin, or sin will control us. But how can I do this? I am a servant to sin, how can I get out from under its power?
Paul teaches that Christ is the answer to the sin problem. Christ gives us strength to overcome and be victorious in all things.
Philippians
4:13
“I can do all things through Christ which strengthened me.”
1 John 4:4
“Ye are of God little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world.”
The Christian has two natures. Now the new man implanted within the believer is free to overcome what the old man loved to do (sin).
The new man not only does not like sin, it does not sin-See - 1 John 3:9 -“Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.”
3. SALVATION FROM SIN: vs. 21-25
A. Desire: vs. 21
Although we may desire to do good, without God’s help we practice evil. The heart is evil – Jeremiah 17:9.
Out of the heart man acts – Matthew. 15:19.
It is not enough then to desire to do good for we are defeated by the sin nature. We must recognize the sin nature and flee to Christ for help.
B. Delight: vs. 22
Delighting in God’s law is the new nature at work. The new man, made after Christ, has a desire for righteousness.
Note:
Some would teach that all one need do is feed the new man and starve the old. However, as someone long ago put it, “the old man cannot be easily starved as he has his own reserve of food”. This is where, and why we must be identified with Christ in crucifixion (Galatians 2:20). Our delight, must be in the person of Christ. See - Psalm 1:1-2.
Sin wars against the good and best desires of the heart. The new Christian (and some unsanctified old ones) soon finds himself in a battle. That battle or tug-o-war rages within him, between the flesh and the spirit; the old man and the new man; the first Adam and the second; (allegorically) between Ishmael and Isaac. (Galatians 4:22-31.)
Paul further talks of this battle – Ephesians. 6:12.
Peter says, 1 Peter 5:8.
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”
Satan has a very easy access to the old man; that is part of his realm.
D.
Deliverance: vs. 24-25
1.
Failure: vs. 24
Struggling, despairing, we need deliverance! Man left to himself is doomed to defeat.
2. Freedom: vs 25
Freedom over the power of sin comes through Jesus Christ alone.
“He broke the power of cancelled sin; he has set the captive free. His blood avails for every man, His blood avails for me.”
This is a daily battle, which Paul recognized. Again we go back to the sixth chapter and learn to “know, reckon, and yield”. Involved within this victory is what we call the “means of grace”. Read your Bible; commit your way to Him; Put Him first in your life; give Him rightful priority. Not in the least of importance is our attendance in the house of God on His day. A rolling stone gathers no moss, and a busy serving, committed Christian, may sin, but it will not stick with him. – Cf -1 John 1:7 and 2:6.
CONCLUSION:
Thank God we can be victors through Jesus Christ.
We do have a choice – Under the control of God, we have victory over sin, the world, the flesh and the devil.
If you have not, then you need to give yourself to Jesus Christ, in repentance and faith.
PREACHING THRU
ROMANS
THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit is the third Person (being) of the triune God. Jesus describes the Person and work of the Holy Spirit in John 16. We may be taught lessons, not learned from man or books, if we allow the Holy Spirit to do His office work within us. I have ever been amazed as to how a man with little or no education, upon conversion to Christ can learn and know so much that was never learned before.
In Romans 6, Paul deals mainly with the penalty of sin; in Romans 7, he deals mainly with the power of sin. In Romans 8, we learn to live in the presence of sin with victory over its power, while we await salvation from the presence of sin at Christ’s second coming.
Frederic L. Godet in his commentary on Romans calls this chapter, “The work of the Holy Spirit in the justified believer”.
1. FREEDOM THROUGH THE SPIRIT: vs. 1-4
The glorious freedom of the sons of God (John 1:12; 2 Cor. 3:17; Rom. 8:14; 19-23) is dealt with in these verses. This is the beginning of the fulfillment of God’s plan and purpose from before the foundation of the world. God laid out the plan and then we were brought to faith in Christ by the power of His Spirit. Receiving His Spirit to dwell within us is but the down payment (earnest) –Ephesians 1:13-14.
We therefore receive-
There is no condemnation (judgment) in Christ. The one who has repented of his sin, and trusted Christ as Savior, need not fear judgment. Christ bore the judgment of the believer on the cross.
1 Peter 2:24
“Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed”.
John
3:36
“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on Him.”
John
3:18
“He that believeth on Him is not condemned; but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
(Cf - John 5:24; 8:51; 1 John 5:10-13)
The word “therefore” actually goes back to 7:6 where Paul left off talking about being dead to sin and alive to God.
The phrase, “who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” is referred to verse four. The lack of condemnation is not based upon the believers walk but upon the work of grace.
B.
Christ: vs. 2
The power of the life giving Spirit is ours through Christ.
The law of the Spirit is a term, which seems contradictory unless we understand what Paul said in (3:27 and 7:21). The sense used here is of a controlling power. The central word in this verse is the word “Christ”. He makes the difference between life and death.
What the law was weak in, and could not do for man, God gave His Son to accomplish.
Hebrews
7:19
“For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by which we draw nigh unto God.”
2
Corinthians 5:21
“For He hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.”
So now we can obey God’s laws if we walk after the Spirit within us, and not after the fleshly Adamic nature, which is also still very much alive within us.
The born again child of God can sin, but he certainly does not want to. He also does not have to.
The Christian has been converted, made over with a new want to within him.
2. FAILURE WITHOUT THE SPIRIT: vs. 5-8
Here Paul shows the line that is drawn between the saved and the lost, the flesh and the Spirit. Jesus did this in John chapter three; Paul does it again in Ephesians chapter two.
A. Comparison: vs. 5
Those who follow the flesh will practice sinful living – Galatians 5:19-21.
Spiritual fruit is seen in Galatians 5:22-23.
As in Genesis chapter one where God made each after its kind, so the sinner sins because he is a sinner; He obeys the nature within. He was born in sin (Psalm 51:5). The saved obey Christ and walk after the Spirit of God.
God brings a sinner to a place of (enablement) that he might choose between life and death, heaven and hell.
The saved man is able to exercise his free moral agency and walk after the Spirit. Dead sinners cannot do this; they have a will only towards sin.
God enables the sinner to come to Christ, find life, and walk after the Spirit. To not do so is to walk in death (Rom. 6:23).
C. Corruption: vs. 7-8
Carnal living cannot please God – Romans 1:28; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10.
The unsaved is lost, defeated by sins penalty.
The saved, who live a worldly life, is defeated by sins power.
They (the unsaved) that are in the flesh are not able; they do not have the ability to please God.
Thank God Paul does not stop here!
3. FAITH THROUGH THE SPIRIT: vs. 9-11
Someone has said, “Possession is nine tenths of the law”. In this case, possession of the Spirit of God is possession and completion of the whole law. (The law was fulfilled in Jesus Christ.)
A. Salvation: vs. 9
The one who is saved, born again, receives Christ, has the Holy Spirit indwelling him. This is the controlling influence in the Christian life. One who does not possess the Holy Spirit does not belong to Christ, is not a child of God.
Reception of the Spirit comes when we are justified. Those who teach that one must be saved and then receive the Spirit, err. The Holy Spirit is received on the basis of faith and not works, or being worked up.
Galatians 3:2
“This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?” – See - Galatians 3:4; 3:14.
B. Submission: vs. 10
Having submitted to Christ, the body is still dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. The sin spoken of here is Adamic, not personal. The righteousness here spoken of is the imputed righteousness of Christ. Any righteousness that man may attempt to muster, would not meet God’s standard for righteousness.
When Christ is in us, our physical body still remains under the effect of Adamic sin. This does not change until the resurrection, and the receiving of a new glorified body. However, like Paul, we reckon ourselves to be dead or crucified with Christ. (Galatians 2:20; 5:24) Thus a new life is lived in an old or physical body. Victory then over sin, the world, the flesh and the devil requires submission to Jesus Christ.
C. Spirit: vs. 11
The Holy Spirit, who resides within the believer, will quicken (make alive or give life) to our mortal bodies, as was the case with Christ at his resurrection. Jesus Christ was the first fruits of resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:20-23). Every child of God has this hope or guarantee. This aspect of our salvation (from the presence of sin) will take place when Christ comes again.
4. FELLOWSHIP THROUGH THE SPIRIT: vs. 12-19
The place and importance of the Holy Spirit’s work in the Christian is seen in these verses.
A. Spirit led: vs.
12-15
Paul states that the Christian now has a debt, not to the flesh but to Christ who resides within and who owns us (1 Cor. 6:19-20). We are not to live the old way after we are saved (John 3:1-8), as the justified one owes it to Christ to follow Him. We are different now, God’s children (John 1:12), adopted (placed as sons) in God’s family (Galatians 4:5-6).
The Holy Spirit leads the person who is saved. God is only the Father of the one who is saved by God’s grace.
Notice the personal terminology, “Abba Father”. There is a personal relationship, with the Father much as we would say today, “my daddy!”
Jesus taught the disciples to
address the Father in the model prayer – Matthew 6:9; Luke 11:2.
B. Spiritual Liberty: vs. 16-17
This is the liberty that we who are justified by faith need to realize. We have been lifted from the state of a servant of sin to an heir with God and a joint heir with Jesus Christ. Physically we suffer in our old body, and through persecution without. Nevertheless, the ultimate victory is ours. “Because he lives, we shall live also!”
Many Christians because of lack of spiritual knowledge live as spiritual paupers when in fact they are children of the King. Spiritual liberty is ours, but the measure of its effect depends upon our willingness to (know, reckon, yield) to the Spirit of God. The Spirit (itself – should be translated Himself) bears witness with our spirit. We see here the intimacy of embrace between God and man. Now in Christ there is communication, which tells us that we as believers are now able to reach back to Him. – Cf - Titus 3:7.
Present sufferings are not worthy to be compared with the glories of heaven and beyond. The Christian looks ahead to his homeland, to the realization of the ultimate victory won for him in Christ. Paul realizes the temporary (but very real) suffering that each Christian in identifying with Christ must go through. Christ promised suffering, but no suffering in this life can be compared to the glory that will be revealed in one who is a true child of God. The desire for the Christian is to be with Christ, whether in suffering now, or in actual presence following physical death or the second coming.
2
Corinthians 4:17
“For our light affliction which is but for a moment, working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.”
The physical body of the Christian earnestly awaits its redemption, and “the revealing or unveiling of the children of God”.
Cf - 2 Cor. 5:1-4 with 8:23.
The inward desire of the Christian then is to be with Christ.
CONCLUSION:
The Christian then, while awaiting a new body and glorious manifestation, submits to the leadership of the Holy Spirit. We must allow the Spirit’s leadership, be willing to
co-operate in His work within us, as we are conformed to the image of Christ.
PREACHING THRU
ROMANS
“THE ASSURANCE OF SALVATION”
God’s promises are true. He cannot lie (Numbers 23:19). What God has promised, that He will do. He will save all who call upon His name in sincerity (Romans 10:13). The believer’s assurance has its foundation in God’s decree to save some. It is seen in his foreknowledge and electing grace. Beyond that however the Scriptures clearly teach that of all who the Father gives to Christ He will lose none. He promised to raise each and every one of His elect up at the last day. Peter wrote, “God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” - (2 Peter 3:9). While it is true, only the elect will be saved, it is equally true that “all that come to Him, He will not cast any out”. He will forgive all sin if we confess it to Him (1 John 1:9).
1. PROMISED FREEDOM: vs. 20-23
“For on that day thorns and thistles, sin and death, and decay – the things that overcame the world against its will at God’s command – will disappear, and the world around us will share in the glorious freedom from sin which God’s children enjoy.”
The promise here is the third aspect of salvation, deliverance from the presence of sin at the second coming of Christ. Paul looks forward to the resurrection (2 Cor. 5:1-10), which would include the Millennium and the new heavens and new earth. This is God’s promise which every believer should be so desirous of. A true believe in Christ is looking for this.
God’s children look forward to being with Him – Cf - Hebrews 11:10.
1. The one who is saved has (or shares in) the first fruits of the Spirit. Because He lives, we shall live also. The Holy Spirit, which dwells in every believer from the time he/she is saved, is God’s witness, guarantee or down payment on the final redemption of our physical bodies, which are still very much under the effect of Adamic sin.
2. The word “adoption” has a slightly different meaning here than we today commonly use it. Adoption is “the placing as sons”. The believer is not adopted into God’s family; he is born into it (spiritually). The adoption has to do with our placing as sons and daughters of God. Here the word adoption is referred to the physical body. In other words, when we are placed in a new body like unto Christ’s glorious body - (Phil. 3:20-21).
- Cf - Ephesians 4:30.
2. PROMISED FORGIVENESS: vs. 24-27
A. Salvation: vs
24-25
Salvation is seen here as “our hope”. This word also means more than its common usage today. A better translation would be “guarantee”. The Christian does not “hope” in the sense that it might or might not happen. The Christian hope is not depending upon unforeseen events or circumstances. Calvary is our hope, our guarantee for eternity.
The believers’ faith is in this hope – (1 John 3:2; 1 Peter 3:15).
Note the positive exclamation of Scripture, “we know!”
Salvation is a broad term referring to God’s work of Grace from regeneration to glorification.
B. Spirit: vs
26
How important the work of the Holy Spirit within the believer is!
“Our infirmities” (Not our sicknesses as some would so translate.) This refers to the weakness of our flesh, particularly our bodies. As we get older, we are more and more aware of this. Our hair turns grey and falls out, our eyes grow dim; with some, even their teeth fall out, and oh the aches and pains we have! The Christian is in conflict with his flesh, both his inward Adamic nature, and his physical limitations. This much we ought to understand if we are honest with ourselves.
The believer is limited in his body as to knowledge of how and what to pray for. This is where the work of the Holy Spirit comes in. In yielding to the ministry of the Spirit, He will take control and pray or intercede through us with regard to things we cannot fully understand.
Note:
This is not a reference to tongues praying, as some claim. The “groaning which
cannot be uttered” is simply the work of the Spirit who operates in the realm
of the Spirit which is foreign to our limited physical understanding or
communication. In short, it is turning over to God, what we do not know or
cannot do for ourselves. – Cf -Daniel 9:16-22; 10:10-15.
C. Supernatural: vs 27
Behind the scenes, unseen by the natural eye of the believer, is the hand of a sovereign God. He worketh all things after the counsel of His own will (Eph. 1:11) – Cf Acts 4:28.
God knows the hearts of men and as man is limited in his physical body, so the Holy Spirit is God’s computer within the saved. While the word “will” is in italics meaning that the translators inserted it, it seems to me to be a proper translation to bring out the proper sense of the verse. It underscores God’s sovereignty and men’s need to submit to His leadership through the agency of the Holy Spirit. After all, God did not make us robots or machines.
The importance of the Holy Spirit’s ministry in the believer should not be lessened by the fear of radical Charismatic Pentecostal and Holiness views. Baptists should shun Pentecostalism and the Holiness Movement, but not the Holy Spirit Himself. Where there is error, there is its opposite of truth. (Otherwise, how can there be error?)
3. PROMISED FAITHFULNESS: vs 28-30
A. Divinity: vs
28
God uses everything in our lives for His glory, even our failures and mistakes.
“Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither” for God did send me before you to preserve life”.
Here God used a cocky teenager and some worldly selfish brothers to sow the seeds of a new nation in accordance with His plan and promise.
Job
19:25
Job knew that God had a purpose in all of his losses.
Frederic Godet in his commentary on these verses says, this is, “the completion of the plan of salvation, notwithstanding the miseries of our present condition”. (Commentary on Romans page 311.)
There are at least four things, which we need to see in this verse:
1. “But” – this is a better translation of the word “and” which shows the transition between the believers “infirmities” and “sufferings” and God’s eternal purpose.
2. “Them that love God” – the believer is the object of the “all things”. God is the subject of love. However, this is not to be taken in a causative sense. To do this it to make God the author of the bad, even sin. This is not so. The answer seems to me to be in the last phrase, which qualifies the former, “according to the will of God”. We see here the operation of God’s efficient will and His permissive will.
3. “Who are the called” – This narrows things down to a specific group. Who are the called? It is evident that this does not refer to what we refer to as the “general call”. The “called” here are those who accept the call.
I quote again from Frederic Godet (ibid 323),
“the called according to His purpose is not at all intended to distinguish two classes of called persons, those who are so according to His purpose, and those who are not. All are alike seriously called. Only it happens that some consent to yield to the call and others refuse. This distinction is indicated by Jesus in the saying: “Many are called, but few are chosen”, Matthew 20:16. The chosen in this passage are those who accept the call, and who are thereby rescued from the midst of this perishing world; the called are those who, not accepting the call, remain called and nothing more, and that to their condemnation.”
All men are
called to faith and repentance generally and are responsible for their sins. – Matthew
3:8; Acts 26:20
Thomas Paul Simmons refers to two kinds of repentance-
a) Legal repentance.
b) Evangelical repentance.
(A Systematic Study of Bible Doctrine- Page 297)
4. “according to the will of God” – the basis of everything here said, is in accordance with the will and purpose of God, and that from eternity - (Ephesians 1:4-11).
John wrote: (1 John 4:19) -“We love Him because He first loved us.”
B. Design: vs
29-30
1. Foreknowledge: vs 29
This is more than to know beforehand who will be saved and will be lost. The word “for” connects this verse with verse 28 and God’s plan and purpose from eternity. Foreknowledge is therefore based upon God’s decree, what He hath from eternity determined.
All things must work together for the good of them who are called according to His eternal plan, because once individually decreed and foreknown. He has determined to bring them to the glorious consummation of perfect likeness to His Son. So glorious consummation is not based upon God’s omniscience but upon His omnipotence, that is, His all powerful authority and ability to decree. In plain words, God foreknows because he planned it all in the first place.
2. Predestination: vs 29-
Some Baptists are afraid of this word, for the most part because it is abused and then because they are afraid to be labeled.
Predestination is based upon foreknowledge, which in turn responds to God’s decree. - Cf Acts 2:23.
In predestination, we see that
God has determined to bring into the image of his Son those whom he sovereignly
decreed, foreknew (based upon that decree) and chose to do so. These are all
secure in Christ and God will not abandon them. – Cf - 2 Cor. 3:18.
Note: In reply to what is called a hyper-Calvinistic position, I quote from Frederic Godet again (ibid. 325),
“The object of the decree is not faith at all, as if God had said: As for thee, thou shalt believe; as for thee, thou shalt not believe. The object of predestination is glory: “I see thee believing …, I will therefore that thou be glorified like my Son.” Such is the meaning of a decree. The predestination of which Paul speaks is not a predestination to faith, but a predestination to glory, founded on the prevision of faith.” - (Godet-ibid).
Election, as seen in the Scriptures, while it is “in Christ” is also said to be from before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4-5, 11; 1 Peter 1:2).
God’s purpose from eternity then, was that all whom He decreed would come to Him through faith in His Son, and would be made in the image of His Son. This not only makes salvation as of the Lord, it shows the security that is the believers, in Christ. Jesus said, (John 6:37) -
“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”
3. “Called” – vs. 30
This word follows that of predestination. We now see how the eternal decrees are executed in time. These next words stand between eternity past and eternity future. This is not an explanation of the order of salvation since the words faith and holiness are missing.
God calls in two ways, by the outward preaching and by the inward drawing of His Spirit. God saves men through these two means. It is necessary that we preach the gospel, and it is just as necessary that we allow the Spirit of God to work in and through us to bring men to Christ.
This word call is “effectual” or “efficient. It is the voice of God the Holy Spirit calling the sinner to Christ- This is the call of regeneration where the sinner is born again, brought to light and life. John 3:3; Ephesians 2:1,5; Titus 3:5; Colossians 2:13.
4. “Justified” – vs 30
One who repents of their sin and comes to Christ is saved, justified (God then sees him in Christ just as if he never sinned) by faith in Christ’s redemptive work on Calvary. We have already seen in chapters 3 and 4, that justification is by faith alone without works or the deeds of the law.
God’s work is seen here as continuing in time what He decreed in eternity.
In order, one is regenerated, and then justified by faith, that faith coming from God.
Justification is a legal term and frees the sin from the demands of the law.
Acts 13:39
“And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.”
5. “Glorified” – vs 30
This word has two aspects or sides to it –
a) Present:
We might call this potential since the believer is still in his fleshly body. Nevertheless Paul states glorification as already a possession even though the believer is not yet in heaven.
Someone has said, “we can be so sure of heaven as if we were already standing on the golden streets at the corner of Hallelujah Square and Glory Blvd”.
b) Future:
This of course as Paul already stated in this chapter looks for the coming again of our Lord and the resurrection of our bodies (or rapture as the case may be.)
While glorification will achieve many wonderful things for the believer, the main result is not a new body, but “to be conformed to the image of Christ”.
So in these verses, Paul uses the past as speaking from God’s point of view, who sees the end of all things from their beginning.
A. Protection: vs 31
Here is the glorious position of the one who is saved! If God is on our side, it matters not who is against us. Here the lamb is secure in the fold. God cares for and sees to the welfare of His own.
Application:
By way of application, no one can destroy our character (except ourselves). The devil can’t make you do it. God turns all of the gossip and criticism of backbiting against God’s child around for good. – Cf Isaiah 54:17.
B. Promise: vs
32
God gave us His own Son! Such love cannot be humanly explained. He has promised to supply all of the needs (not wants) of His own. – Cf - Philippians 4:19.
There is a difference between our need and our greed (see Psalm 37:25). God’s promises are for us but operable only in the walk of faith. The words “with Him” mean that the believer is a joint heir with Christ (8:17).
C. Pardon: vs
33-34
One in Christ has been pardoned and is justified on the action of Christ. God’s elect are in His charge; there is no judgment for he has been judged already in Christ (8:1). – Cf Psalm 103:3.
CONCLUSION:
The Bible says that whosoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved – (Romans 10:13). If you have not done this and feel a need for forgiveness of sin and fellowship with God, why not ask Christ to save you? You can do it right now in a simple prayer for forgiveness. Invite Christ into your heart and life (Romans 10:9-10).
The one who receives Christ as Savior will have everlasting life (John 3:16).
Christ will reject none who will come to Him (John 6:37)/
YOU can know the assurance of God’s promised freedom, forgiveness, faithfulness and fellowship, but you must come to him in repentance and faith.
PREACHING THRU
ROMANS
“THE UNTOUCHABLES!”
Romans
8:35-39
Paul has brought us a long way from Romans “one” to Romans “eight”. Here we see the security of the believer, a doctrine not understood by those who would build a path to heaven upon good works or keeping of the law. In the world, there is no hope – in Christ we have everything!
We note
that protection is in Christ, not in our church membership or in our
denominational affiliation. The one who is saved, is in Christ forever –
Cf - 1 Cor. 5:17; John 3:16).
When one is saved, he is forever in Christ who will not cast him out (John 6:37). He can get out of fellowship with God, but then God will deal with him as a son (Hebrews 12:6-8).
As we look at these verses, we see …..
1. THE SEEKING: vs. 35
A. Seeking: vs. 35-a
Christ loves sinners – He died for them. In coming to Christ, we find some one who has an unending love and desire for our welfare. In the parable of the 99 sheep in the fold, we find Jesus as the Good Shepherd going out in search of the one lost sheep. Jesus is the first and greatest missionary. Where sinners are concerned. God always takes the initiative.
None of these things can separate us from the love of Christ.
1. Tribulation:
(trouble) Rom. 5:3-4.
2. Distress:
We can have peace in Him – Phil. 4:7.
3. Persecution: (mistreatment for Christ’s sake) – 2 Tim. 3:12.
4. Famine: Psalm 37:25
5. Naked:
Phil. 4:19
6. Peril: (or sword) threatened by death (Matt. 24:9)
In Acts 20:24, Paul said, “Nothing could move him.”
Since Christ is for us, we should be faithful to keep fellowship with Him.
The separation here puts the sheep in the protection of the fold, with Christ at the door. In fact He is the door.
2. THE SCRIPTURES: vs. 36-37
A. Prophecy: vs. 36
Christ prophesied persecution (John 15:20; 2 Tim. 3:12; Matt. 10:16). God’s people have ever been abused by the world (and by religion). Baptist history is written in a trail of blood. - See 1 Peter 5:8.
It has been said, “the blood of martyrs is the seed of the church.”
It has been estimated that upwards of 50 million Baptists were put to death by the Roman Church, and others later by the Protestants. Religious persecution in the Middle Ages by the Roman Catholic Church makes Adolph Hitler look like a Sunday School teacher by comparison.
For prophecy on the ultimate victory of the New Testament Church over religious persecution. Read Revelation 17.
In Him we are conquerors!
1. Power: John 16:33
Jesus said, “I have overcome the world.”
2. Practice: Revelation 12:11
We overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. The Christian must give daily witness in his life to Christ, to be victorious.
3. Plan: 1 John 5:4
“If we are born of God we will overcome the world.”
Those who try to “make it on their own” will fall by the wayside, and be strangled by the thorns of this world.
4. Promise:
Rev. 3:21
Overcomers will live with Him. We can be conquerors through the power He gives us. – Phil. 4:13.
3. THE SECURITY: vs. 38-39
A. Persuaded: vs. 38-39a
Christ will not forsake His own. – Matt. 28:20
Hebrews
13:5
“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: For He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
This was Paul’s persuasion of His position as a believer in Christ. The gospel persuades us, and gives the one persuaded this blessed assurance.
Come hell or high water, not one thing or one person can wrest a truly saved person from the hand of Christ.
Psalm
37:23-25
It is utter heresy to believe the Arminian doctrine, which teaches that it is possible for a saved child of God to lose their salvation and finally end in hell.
B. Provision: 39b
God’s love is demonstrated in Jesus Christ. God made provision for our full salvation in Jesus Christ His Son. Those who call themselves “Full Gospel” and do not believe in eternal security, do not have a “full gospel” at all. In fact they do not have any true gospel. God’s provision for the believer is for body, soul, mind and spirit. It is deliverance from the penalty, power and presence of sin. It is centered in Calvary and involves the second coming of Christ to complete in us what He began when He saved us. God’s plan is from “eternity to eternity”. – Cf John 10:27-28.
CONCLUSION:
These verses show us the great love that God has for men. He has made provision for all of us in His Son Jesus Christ.
1. Are
you in Christ? Ye must be born again – John 3:1-8.
2. Are you, as God’s child, in fellowship with Him?
What victory there is for us in JESUS!
PREACHING THRU
ROMANS
THE PLAN OF GOD
Romans
9:1-18
One need only look at the structure of the universe to see that God is not a God of confusion, but rather of order. God has a plan for man. The Bible tells us of God’s plan for man. The Old Testament tells us of God’s choosing Abraham and that Christ was to come through his seed, the Jewish race. (In Matthew 1:1-17, we read of the genealogy of Christ.)
In Romans 9 through 11, Paul speaks prophetically of the nation Israel. He tells of her history and the place of the Jew in God’s plan, past, present and future. God’s ways are above our ways, but someday we will understand His perfect will and purpose fully. The Christian knows that God’s way is the best for us.
Let us look at these verses under these three headings…
1. THE PEOPLE OF GOD
2. THE PROMISES OF GOD
3. THE PLAN OF GOD
1. THE PEOPLE OF GOD: vs. 1-5
A. Concern: vs. 1-2
Paul had great sorrow for the Jews who had become victims of their own sin and spiritual blindness. Christ had this same sorrow (Luke 13:34). His heart was broken as he wept over the city of Jerusalem - (Luke 19:41).
The Christian today should show this same concern and compassion for lost souls.
Paul was willing to
lose his salvation (if that were possible) for the salvation of his people.
Paul was as zealous now for Jesus as he had been for Judaism before his
conversion. He had not lost his love or zeal, it was now better directed in the
plan of God.
Moses had a similar compassion for the people of his day – Exodus 32:32.
“Yet now, if Thou wilt forgive their sin; and if not, blot me, I pray Thee, out of the book which Thou hast written.”
The Spirit of Christ is the Spirit of compassion – Matthew 9:36.
“But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.”
One who is Spirit filled, would be Christ-like, to have compassion on lost humanity. Do we as Christians share the love and compassion of Christ and Paul for the lost, especially for the Jew?
C. Chosen: vs. 4
Israel is God’s chosen nation. God chose them for Himself. He shared His greatness with them, and gave them the law, a way to worship, and His covenant promises. It was through Israel that the Messiah, the promised Deliverer would come.
The forefathers of these people were great spiritual leaders whom God blessed and used.
Christ was of Jewish ancestry. (Matthew 1:1; Isaiah 7:14; 9:6)
Paul gave deity to Christ when he refers to him as God overall (ruler supreme) blessed forever (eternity).
2. THE PROMISES OF GOD: vs. 6-13
A. Plan: vs. 6
Not all Jews have a
particular part in God’s national plan for Israel. Just being born a Jew was
not sufficient to be included in God’s promises. To begin with, every promise
of God has a condition to it. (See Exodus 19:5.)
Paul had earlier related a similar statement –
Romans 2:28-29
“For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh. But he is a Jew which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men but of God.”
The modern parallel to that is, “one is not a Christian simply because his parents are, or because he attends church, has his name on the roll, and has gone through the rituals of membership. One is a Christian who has repented of their sin and trusted Christ as personal Savior and Lord.
A Jew was a Jew only in God’s plan and one is not a Christian apart from God’s plan and purpose, which is in Jesus Christ.
Not all of Abraham’s family are children of God. God told Abraham, “only the family of Isaac will be called your family” (Genesis 21:9-12).
Not all children born to Abraham were to be included in God’s covenant people. Only those born within covenant to Abraham are His children.
C. Prophecy: vs.
9-13
The prophecy of a son to Abraham and Sarah was fulfilled as God promised (Genesis 18:10).
2. Scripture: vs. 10-11
Rebecca had two sons (Esau and Jacob).
God in His sovereignty chose Jacob as His covenant seed, for this purpose, “that the election might be of God (grace) and not of works (man). God chooses in accordance with His sovereign grace and for His glory.
3. Service: vs. 12-13
The elder would serve the younger – Genesis 25:23; Mal. 1:2,13.
Jacob represents God’s chosen people and sovereign grace. God’s people are those who love and serve Him from their hearts and not in order to gain something.
Esau represents those not serving God or who do so for an ulterior motive.
Any individual or nation who would serve God, must do so on God’s terms not their own. Some say, “it matters not what church I join”. However, is not a church patterned in New Testament order, better than one patterned after some man’s ideas? By this same reasoning, a New Testament “Baptist” church would be better than one, which is “Catholic” or “Protestant”. The Church instituted by Jesus Christ is better than one started by Constantine, Luther or Calvin. One who has Christ, as Head is better than one who has the king or Queen as their head.
God’s plan is always better than man’s best idea.
3. THE PLAN OF GOD: vs. 14-18
A. Purity: vs. 14
Is God unfair? Of course not! He is righteous in all of His dealings –
Psalm
119:137
“Righteous art Thou, O Lord, and upright are Thy judgments.”
B. Purpose: vs. 15
God’s purpose is sovereign in Himself, God’s will, plan and purpose is above all others.
Psalm
32:19
“I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.”
We may not understand the reason, but we must believe that behind every deed there is a sovereign God who has determined either in accordance to His efficient will, or His permissive will, all things that come to pass. There is no chance, no good luck or bad, only a sovereign God who operates according to His Divine Providence.
C. Personality: vs. 16
God receives the glory for His mercy is not of man’s will, nor of man’s works, but according to His foreknowledge and working within man both to have and to do of His good pleasure. (Eph. 1:11; Phil. 2:13)
God chose Pharaoh to do His work – Exodus 9:16.
Here we see clearly, God’s sovereignty in election.
God is also able to turn Satan’s wrath and that of mere man, around to praise Him - Psalm 75:10.
Jacob’s brothers devised a plan to get rid of their haughty teenage brother. God used this to conform to a greater plan, to feed a hungry family and put the seed of Abraham in Egypt where a mighty nation of Hebrews were born according to plan and promise.
Isaiah
55:8
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways, my ways, saith the Lord.”
The pleasure of God is where Paul here rests his case. Since God has a plan, and his plan is perfect, and righteous, we must rest upon God’s sovereign grace.
Pharaoh had an opportunity to receive God’s grace but he was stubborn and pig-headed. Pharaoh chose his own destiny and is responsible for his own demise.
CONCLUSION:
The Christian life is a life of faith. We may not understand it all. We may have our questions: but we must trust His word, His will and His way. Great men of God were great because of their faith in God’s word – Hebrews 11. They did not always understand, but they obeyed. The young boy or girl does not always understand every word that mom or dad says, but if they are smart, they obey.
Friend, God’s plan is best for you. Let Him work in your life. Central to God’s plan is Calvary and His Son Jesus Christ. Is He your personal Savior and Lord of your life?
PREACHING THRU
ROMANS
ACCEPTANCE OR REJECTION
Romans
9:19-33
In Romans chapters 9-10-11, Paul deals with Israel prophetically. Chapter 9 shows “God’s past dealings with Israel”. Chapter 10 shows “God’s present dealings with Israel and all of us”. Chapter 11 shows God’s future dealings with the nation Israel”.
Christ came
to His own people, the Jewish nation and they rejected Him – John 1:11.
The gospel was first preached to the Jew and then to the Gentiles; it is for all who believe (Rom. 1:16).
Those who accept the gospel are God’s sons – John 1:12; 1 John 3:2.
1. THE PERFECTING: vs. 19-24
In these verses, Paul explains the working out of God’s Divine plan for man.
A. Complaint: vs.
19
“Well then, why does God blame them for not listening? Haven’t they done what He made them do?”
This is a question many have even today. They do not seem too able to find a theological balance between God’s sovereignty and human responsibility. They then feel that they must take sides either as a hyper Calvinist or an Arminian, which places the emphasis on man. Paul here takes a middle of the road stand and answers this question.
B. Cooperation: vs. 20-21
God is sovereign! God as the potter has power over the clay. Man is as clay in the hands of God.
Cf - Isaiah 45:9; Jeremiah 18:6.
It is utter foolishness for man to question the eternal plan and purpose of a Sovereign God. It is wise to know Him as just and righteous in all His dealings and to yield to His will.
God’s invitation, the wooing of His Spirit, His pleading with sinners, demands response.
Matthew
4:19
“Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.”
God has not made us robots or machines to do His bidding at the pulling of a switch. Man does have a will as far as righteousness is concerned apart from the inworking of the Holy Spirit. He cannot achieve the right standing with God demanded for salvation, but he does not have to cheat steal and lie, etc. Man sins of his own volition. God does not make him do it. The devil does not make him do it either.
C. Control: vs. 22-23
God wants man to bring honor and glory to Him. He will show forth His power and reveal His riches thru us.
Ephesians
2:7
“That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”
Paul says that these vessels of mercy (the elect) were “afore prepared unto glory”. See Ephesians 1:4-5.
Remember that Paul is here dealing first with the sovereignty of God in the acceptance of the Jewish nation apart from all others (Gentiles). I believe the Scriptures also teach the application of this principle on the individual level. God does however, work through man’s human will, otherwise how do we explain all of the pleading of God through the various prophets? For God to be patient and to plead with men and nations to choose Him does not lessen His sovereignty. On the other hand it enhances His justice and His love.
That election is applied not only to nations here but to individuals is clearly set forth in this verse. God has a plan for Israel, but he has a plan for individuals who are called out of the world (Jew or Gentile) unto Christ.
Ephesians
1:4
“According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world…”
See also Rom. 1:16.
2. THE PROPHECY: vs. 25-29
Paul here appeals to the prophetic Scriptures.
A. Prophecy: vs. 25
The reference here is to Hosea 2:23.
“And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that has not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people. Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God.”
Paul’s meaning here is that the Sovereign God would turn to the Gentiles and chose out individuals for His name. God will bring others into His family and into covenant with Himself who are outsiders.
How marvelous is God’s love and ability to pardon the sinner. How far reaching is His love even to the vilest of sinners!
God will bring into covenant relationship and call His children those who are not presently called His.
See Hosea 1:10-11; Isa. 11:10; 60:3.
Only a remnant of Israel will be saved. This might be called the “true remnant”. God has always had a true people. Not all who are called Jews are God’s people. Not all who went into Babylonian captivity came back from it. Not all who were born a Jew will accept Christ and be saved. Judas Iscariot had perhaps a better opportunity than most, but He chose hell, and went “to his appointed place”.
Accordingly, not all who call themselves Christians are true born again Christians, children of God.
God will do as He has promised – Isa. 10:22-23.
God does give man a choice.
See Isaiah 53:3; John 1:11.
D. Power: vs. 28-29
God’s power will execute righteous judgment. He will finish the work (or account). God keeps good records – Rev. 20:11-15.
One day, the books will be opened. When God begins His judgment, it will be a short work. Perhaps that is why the tribulation will be only a seven-year duration out of all time?
The seed referred to here is the remnant that was not destroyed in God’s judgment. At least indirectly the seed could also refer to Christ. If all Israel had been wiped out, the Abrahamic covenant would have been wiped out with it. The Abrahamic covenant however was to be everlasting – Genesis 17:7.
3. THE PROBLEM:
vs. 30-33
Paul now deals with God’s justice.
Salvation is offered to the Gentiles who are made righteous by accepting Christ. This does not mean that the Jews are saved by the law and the Gentiles are saved by grace. All men who are ever saved, are saved by grace apart from the law or good works. Grace changes men – 2 Cor. 5:17.
The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses from all sin – 1 John 1:7-9.
Men attain unto righteousness by faith – Rom. 1:17.
B.
Problem: vs. 31-32
The Jews who were called as God’s people and given the law of righteousness did not (as a nation) attain unto righteousness. In fact, they rejected and crucified God’s Son. They depended upon their good works and stumbled over the Rock (Christ). They rejected Christ and set aside their hope.
Matthew
21:43
‘The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.” Cf - 8:11-12.
Acts
13:46
“…it was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing that ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.”
See - Isa. 53:3; Hosea 4:6; Luke 7:30.
We cannot reject God’s plan of salvation and be saved. God’s plan of salvation is centered in the Person of His Son Jesus Christ – John 14:6.
See Acts 4:12; Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:5.
Paul here refers to Isaiah 8:14 and 28:16.
Those who believe on Christ will never be disappointed. The builders (of Israel) rejected Christ. To those who believe, He is Savior and Lord. To those who think they know a better way to God, Jesus is a stumbling stone on their way to hell.
CONCLUSION:
God has so planned by His sovereign decree that our eternal destiny depends upon what we do with the Person of His Son Jesus Christ. (Mark 16:16) He speaks to men through the gospel. If we accept, we are born again (John 3:1-8); we become children of God (John 1:11-12). If we reject, we remain children of the devil – John 8:44. We are already condemned (John 3:18).
When we accept Christ He changes us; daily He works in us what He wants us to be. If you have not, then why not accept Christ as your own personal Savior and Lord?
PREACHING THRU
ROMANS
GOD’S PLAN OF SALVATION
Romans 10:1-21
Romans chapter ten is one of the great salvation chapters of the Bible!
What is salvation? It is more than baptism or church membership! World religions teach many ways to salvation, based upon creed or good works. The Bible, which is God’s Word, declares but “ONE WAY” to salvation, the Person of Jesus Christ.
John 14:6
“I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
There is only one name by which we can be saved.
Acts 4:12
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
Now there is another way: that is “a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof is death.” - Prov. 14:12.
Let us look at God’s way of salvation as found in this great chapter of Paul’s letter to the church in Rome.
1. THE PERSON: vs. 1-8
A. Wish: vs. 1
Paul is still concerned for and prays for the salvation of the Jew through their Messiah, our Lord Jesus Christ. This is Paul’s desire, which comes right from the depth of his heart. It shows his burden for his own people.
B. Wrong:
vs. 2-3
1. Religiously wrong – vs. 2
They had all of the forms and designs of religion but no reality. It was all outward form with an empty heart and life.
2
Timothy 3:5
“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”
2. Righteously
wrong – vs. 3
The Jews were ignorant (unlearned) concerning God’s righteousness. Instead, they relied upon their own self-righteousness. Instead, they relied upon their own self-righteousness or good deeds. They showed by their actions that they were unwilling to accept God’s way. Many today like these Jews want a religion of convenience rather than a Savior which demands commitment.
C. Way: vs. 4-8
1. Savior: vs. 4
Christ gives more than could ever be hoped for by those who trust in the law. He is the end (completion or fulfillment) of the law. Christ in his sacrifice on Calvary met the demands of the law.
2. Sinless: vs. 5
If a man would want to be justified by the law, he would have to live by its letter. To be sinless should be the goal of everyone. However, this goal is not reached by good works, and most certainly not by the law. In fact, it cannot be fully realized as long as we are in this fleshly body. Paul here is playing on words, knowing that any honest person would know that they cannot keep the letter of the law – Romans 3:23 – says “for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God”. God knew this, and in His plan provided a Savior, and filled that gap by providing His righteousness for us who would believe.
3. Salvation: vs. 6-8
Salvation is as near as belief and confession. Man could not ascend to a holy God. He could not achieve righteousness in or for himself. God took the initiative in salvation, and provided Christ. Salvation is provided by the crucified and risen Christ, received by faith through the word of the gospel preached. Salvation can only come by the inworking of faith in the heart of a sinner by the Holy Spirit. To think otherwise is to not understand the meaning and depth of human depravity.
2. THE PATTERN: vs. 9-13
Here we see the pattern of salvation in verses which every Christian desirous of being used of God, as a soul-winner should memorize.
A. Confession: vs. 9
This word has been badly abused by religion. It has no reference to confession to some mortal, sinful man in a booth. Confession, as far as salvation is concerned, must be directed to God the Father. The one we are to confess to is God!
This involves two things:
1. Confess your own sinfulness:
This is the negative side of confession. “Lord be merciful to me a sinner.” I am a sinner, and what God says about me is true. I confess and acknowledge it as fact.
2. Confess Christ’s finished work on your behalf:
This is the positive side of confession. I confess belief in what Jesus did for me in His death and through His shed blood on Calvary. This most certainly involves His resurrection as well. Cf - 1 Corinthians 15:13-22. This too is a fact to stand upon!
B. Conversion: vs. 10
Salvation is a matter of the heart first, and the result of this is proper confession. All of the confessing in the world will do us no good if we have not been quickened in our heart by the work of the Holy Spirit through the gospel.
C. Concept: vs. 11-12
This verse is often misunderstood as to make salvation available to every person. That simply is not true for the Bible does not teach universal salvation. The gospel may in one sense be sufficient to all men, but it is definitely only efficient to them that believer, the elect of God.
What throws many people off doctrinally here is the word “whosoever.” This word (whosoever) never stands alone in scripture. It is never meant in a general sense and is always followed by another word that expresses condition. Here Paul says, “whosoever believeth”. Whosoever then does not mean every single person in the world in a general sense.
The Scriptures teach two calls or perhaps better put, two aspects of one call.
a) The general call or offer of common grace.
God places responsibility for man’s sin and its consequences squarely on man. The effects of common grace is found in many ways as the rain that falls upon the garden, including the weeds as well as the vegetables.
b) The effectual call or offer of special grace.
This is God’s working in the life of the elect. God’s blessing is not limited in the sense of common grace, but it is limited in the sense of special grace. The phrase “whosoever will” is limited in that not all have the will, nor will they ever have it, to come to Christ. This in effect covers everyone as Jesus said:
John
6:37
“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”
God’s offer of salvation is made in a general sense men, Jew, Gentile, bond and free. We should therefore declare His salvation to all men everywhere, and the Lord will work in the hearts of the hearers to respond in accordance with His will.
D. Calling: vs. 13
Calling here is not effectual calling or God’s calling. It is the result of effectual calling. Man must call upon God in order to be saved. We must want to be saved, to receive God’s offer of pardon through His Son.
It applies to anyone who will call (literally – invoke, to bring upon himself the authority of) the name of the Lord. This is more than a mere request, but to invoke the authority of the name of Christ. “Shall be saved.”
Calling upon the name of the Lord and confession are closely linked – 1 John 1:9.
3. THE PREACHING: vs. 14-21
God’s plan of salvation involves responsibility. In these verses, we must understand:
a) The responsibility of the sinner.
b) The responsibility of the saved.
“They” (vs 14) refers to the unconverted.
A. Problem:
vs. 14
1. How shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed?
2. How shall they believe on Him whom they have not heard?
3. How shall they hear without a preacher?
4. How shall they preach except they be sent?
We see here the importance of preaching and human responsibility in God’s eternal plan of salvation. Preaching, not so-called Christian entertainment, (1 Corinthians 1:18-21) is the work of the preacher. Many churches today have catered to the worldly crowd and replaced preaching with entertainment. It is still the old fashioned preaching of the cross that wins men to Christ. Converts of entertainment must be fed entertainment. Converts of Christ are content to feed on Christ and His word.
B. People: vs. 15
God’s word gives high regard to those who are associated in preaching the gospel. Those who go need to be sent, or supported. God sends preachers through His churches. That is the only Scriptural method of sending.
God uses people to:
1. Preach or declare the gospel.
2. The gospel means “good news”, “glad tidings” or “good things”.
3. Support
the gospel: 1 Cor. 9:14
“Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.”
In order for one to live of the gospel, its ministry must be supported. God’s method of supporting the gospel is through the local church storehouse tithing principle.
C. Prophecy: vs. 16
Not all who hear the gospel will accept it. The idea of universal salvation is not Scriptural.
Isaiah
53:1
“Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?”
This is literally saying, “who has believed our preaching?”
Cf - John 1:11 – national Israel rejected Him. Multitudes today reject Him, some having heard the gospel many times.
D. Practice: vs. 17
That which results in faith must be heard. The gospel must reach the heart through the ear. The source of faith is God who reaches out to lost sinners through the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Hebrews
11:6
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him: For he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.”
Faith comes by the hearing of the Word of God. God is its source and the practice of faith is in hearing what God has said concerning His Son.
E. Plan: vs. 18-21
Can Israel be excused for not receiving her Messiah? Can any Jews, or any other man for that matter be excused for not receiving Christ? No, for every sign, every symbol, every act of God in Old Testament times point to Christ.
Romans 1:20
“For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.
“The heavens declare the handiwork of God.” Psalm 19:1.
Anyone with a desire to seek the Lord may find Him. The test of election is our willingness to come to Christ and live for God.
Jeremiah
29:13
“And ye shall seek me and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your hearts.”
CONCLUSION:
Salvation is free to men, but not to God. It cost Him the life of His Son. If you feel the tug of God’s Spirit in your heart, will you not take heed, and respond to the claims of Christ for your life?
He still says, in Matthew 11:28 “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Do not reject Him as the nation Israel did.
PREACHING THRU
ROMANS
GOD’S LOVE FOR THE JEWS
Israel plays a very important part in Biblical history and in the future of God’s eternal plan with man. Through the years, many have sought without success to destroy the Jewish race. The Romans tried it, Hitler tried it, communism tried it under Stalin and the Palestinian terrorists today are trying it. God’s hand will remain on the Jewish race, fulfilling His plan.
The Bible reveals an interesting thing about the Jewish race. Of all nations, she is the only one to have her history outlined and recorded before she ever became a nation. Her history began in the Abrahamic covenant with God’s two-fold promise of race and grace through Abraham’s seed (Genesis 17).
Here in this chapter Paul shows at least a part of God’s plan with this unusual people.
1. THE REVIEW OF THE JEWS IN SCRIPTURE: vs 1-10
Has God rejected the Jew? Though they have rejected Him (John 1:11), He has not totally rejected them. In fact, God’s dealings with the Jew is not of rejection, but of correction. God in reality does not reject anyone. It is man who rejects God, and that rejection is what damns him to hell (John 3:18).
B. Reception: vs 2-4
God has had and will always have a people. Elijah felt alone. Yet there were 7 thousand who were still serving God (1 Kings 19:1-8, 10, 18). Paul refers here to God’s foreknowledge. To say that God has rejected the nation Israel is to infringe upon God’s foreknowledge and His Sovereignty. Many times I am sure God’s people of any age have felt rejected. However, if we will look up instead of down, we will see our security in Christ. When the outlook grows dim, try the uplook! Israel as a nation will one day look up to Him whom they have pierced and claim Him as Lord.
C. Reservation: vs 5-6
Not all Jews have forgotten God. He has a remnant even in this age, who are God’s elect in Christ. Saved by sovereign grace (Eph. 2:8-9). God has a chosen people, according to election. That is, chosen before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4). The basis of God’s choosing men is His sovereign grace. Paul says “not of works” (Romans 3:28; 4:4-5; Gal. 5:4). We are saved by grace or we are not saved at all. This has always been God’s way of salvation, even in the Old Testament times.
God has always dealt with sinful people in grace. It was so with Adam and Eve, it was so with Israel, and it is so with us today.
D. Redemption: vs 7-10
Paul here fixes a piece in the puzzle that many have had even in our day. The nation of Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for. Israel in fact rejected Christ and crucified Him. God allowed Paul at first to go to that people with the gospel, but then he “turned to the Gentiles”. In 70 AD, we see God’s judgment of Israel’s rejection of Christ as the Roman army destroyed Jerusalem and the Jews were scattered to the four winds of the earth.
However, what they could not obtain on their own, by their self-righteous deeds, election (according to grace) obtained it for a remnant. The rest were blinded (literally hardened as was Pharaoh). Israel as a nation is sleeping spiritually today.
Individual Jews can, have, and are coming to Christ. Grace is extended to all peoples of all nations of the world. There is individual or particular redemption in found in Jesus Christ. See John 1:11-12.
2. THE REJECTION OF THE JEWS IN SCRIPTURE: vs 11-12
A. Availability: vs 11
Salvation was available to the Jews, but they rejected it. John wrote, “he came unto his own, and His own received Him not”. This was a general call of common grace to every Jew. John goes on to write, “but as many as received HIM, to them gave he the power to become the sons of God” (John 1:11-12). This was God’s special call and particular grace to national Israel. Israel as a nation rejected Christ, but individual Jews received him. God’s salvation is available only to “whosoever believeth”. These two words cannot be separated and made to include every man and woman ever born. There is no universal salvation. The gospel was preached to the multitudes and according to Luke -
Acts 13:48
“And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.”
Cf Acts 13:46; 18:6
Though the Jews as a nation stumbled over salvation, through them others are blessed to accept Christ and become sons of God. God used the Jewish nation to bring Christ into the world. Jesus was born of a Jewish mother. The first Church was Jewish, the first missionaries were Jewish.
God’s purpose in turning from the Jewish nation is at least two-fold:
1. To fulfill prophecy
concerning the Gentiles – Isa. 11:10; 42:6; 60:3; 62:2.
2. As Paul states here, to provoke the Jewish nation to jealousy.
Why would God provoke Israel to jealousy if there were no desire, no plan of restoration? It would make no sense!
The provoking of Israel is to cause them to return to God, it is a form of discipline.
Paul then says, “if the fall of Israel be the riches of the world and the decay of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fullness?”
The fullness here is of a nation being restored. This is prophetic -(Isa. 66:7-10).
3. THE REASONING TO THE GENTILES IN SCRIPTURE: vs 13-16
A. Calling: vs 13
Paul’s special call to the Gentile ministry did not exclude the Jews (Rom. 1:1). God in His plan would not exclude individual Jews. Otherwise, there would never be a remnant to one-day restore. Remember too, that Paul was a Jew. God calls men to special ministries to fulfill His plan and purpose.
Paul’s reason for magnifying his apostolic office was, as was God’s overall, to provoke his Jewish countrymen to come to Christ. Paul’s desire to fulfill his ministry to the Gentiles did in no way exclude the Jew. He desired every Jew to repent and accept the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Savior (Cf -1 Cor. 9:22). When the Jew accepts Christ, he is like the dead coming to life (Cf -Rom. 1:16). This also has a prophetic national application. What a day it will be when national Israel realizes her Messiah, Jesus Christ! This will indeed happen at the second coming of Jesus Christ.
C. Comparison:
vs 16
“If the first loaf is holy, all the bread is holy. If the root is holy, all the branches are holy.”
The applications here are many, however Paul is dealing with the nation Israel within God’s plan and purpose, which also involves the Gentiles. The word holy here is not so much with reference to righteousness as to separation. Israel was separated unto God as His chosen people. All who would be brought into covenant with God would be God’s chosen people. This as Paul will explain includes the Gentiles, along with individual Jews.
Adoption means, “the placing as sons”. One does not get into God’s family by adoption, but by the new birth (John 3:3,5).
“But some of the branches (who are the Jews – national Israel) were broken off. You who are not Jews (but saved of the Gentiles) were grafted in (put in the place) where the branches had been broken off. Now you are sharing the rich root of the Olive tree.”
God’s plan in the church age is to offer salvation to all nations (Matt. 28:19).
The Jew, who could not obtain redemption by good deeds, by law or by nationality, can obtain it by grace, as an individual (Rom. 1:16-17).
There is now no room for racial or nationalistic pride. Gentiles are not more favored than are Jews. The Jews were the broken off branches that had more than ample opportunity, but rejected Christ. The Gentiles were grafted in. While this refers to all Gentiles as far as opportunity or common grace is concerned, it is to particular gentiles, those who receive Christ. Those who are rejected were rejected on their own count, because of their unbelief (John 3:18). We cannot boast, but fear (respect of God) because he extends his grace to the Gentiles.
C. Apostasy: vs 21-22
If God spared not the natural branches (the Jewish nation) will he spare the Gentiles who reject Him? The apostasy we see here is not of saved (elect) but of those who like Israel, reject God’s offer of salvation in His Son.
Cf - 2 Peter 2:4-10
Paul taught that God would deal with the Gentiles for a limited time and then deal again with the nation Israel. (See 11:25 – This will be dealt with in our next lesson.)
The danger of apostasy is in having the gospel available, or coming up to the door of salvation and turning back, having not entered. If you are not saved, you are in this dangerous position and need to enter the door and receive God’s offer of pardon and salvation in Christ. Procrastination is a dangerous thing. To be so near to Christ, and not to receive Him is a dangerous position. If you think not, just ask Judas Iscariot! How sad this is!
Any Jew who trusts Christ can be saved. However, I believe the implication is much more than the “individual”. Faith in Christ will or is able to restore national Israel. If wild branches can be grafted into an Olive tree, how much more can natural Olive branches be grafted in? The key word is “faith” or “belief”.
Paul speaks here of the restored covenant relationship of Israel as a nation. God will deal with Israel and lead them to faith.
CONCLUSION:
In the closing days of this age, more and more Jews are truly trusting Christ. God’s hand is clearly on Israel. During the tribulation (Rev. 14:1-3), 144,000 Jews will be saved, 12000 from each of the 12 tribes of Israel. God loves the Jews and seeks to save them. We can understand this as we see His dealing with them as a nation in history.
In our time, all who call upon the Lord can be saved.
Jeremiah 29:13.
“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.”
May God speak to your heart so that you will seek the Lord today?
PREACHING THRU
ROMANS
THE ALL-POWERFUL GOD OF SALVATION
God is all wise! He does not make mistakes! He has a sovereign plan and purpose. He is Alpha and Omega – Rev. 1:8 (the first and the last). He is eternal – Psalm 90:2. He had no beginning and will have no ending. There is only one true God – Isa. 43:10-11. He knows the past as well as the future. He works all things together for good (Rom. 8:28) after the counsel of His own will. Paul teaches in these chapters, that even though many of Israel and of the Gentiles reject Him. He offers salvation to all who believe, and will have a remnant even of the nation of Israel, elect (chosen) unto salvation.
Paul deals with these questions as we see in these verses.
Christ, a Jew was rejected by the Jews – John 1:11; Luke 23:18. As we near the end of this age when God’s dealings with the Gentiles will be complete (Luke 21:24), we will find man becoming more outwardly sinful and hardened to spiritual things (2 Thess. 2:3-7). Israel as a nation is still blinded (2 Cor. 3:14) until God is through dealing with the Gentiles. As well Israel will be ripe for God’s dealing with her again.
(Quotation from Isaiah 59:20-21)
Christ would come to deliver man from his ungodliness.
The promise of deliverance was first given in Genesis 3:15.
Cf - Isaiah 7:14; 9:6.
C. Promise: vs 27
When Christ would come, He would
deliver His people from their sins – 1 John 1:9.
This is in fulfillment of Isaiah 27:9 which is in reference to (national) Israel.
The Jews made themselves an enemy to Christ, and put him to death by their rejection. The leaders of the Jews fought Christ and the apostles as well. This rejection Paul says is in fact a blessing to the Gentiles.
Nevertheless, as to election, there are many individual Jews being saved, and national Israel will once again be blessed of God.
“God does not change His mind when He chooses (elects) men and gives them gifts.”
God keeps His promises. Men break covenant with God. Men break faith, but not God.
God’s word and character remain the same. See Hebrews 13:8.
God keeps His word. He will not change – Numbers 23:19.
God will keep His promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
C. Promise: vs 30-31
God’s mercy is extended to all men, both Jew and Gentile. Gentiles in past history did not believe (obey) God. They now in this age have the opportunity to believe unto obedience because of the rejection of the Jewish nation. God has seen all men of Jew and Gentile as disobedient so that He could have glory in showing them all His grace and mercy.
D.
Problem: vs 32
Though the Jews (as a nation) are now filled with unbelief, God still loves them and has mercy towards them. So there is really no problem, since any Jew who is called, can come to God through Christ and be saved just as a Gentile can do.
3. THE PERSONALITY OF GOD: vs 33-36
God’s wisdom and knowledge are above our understanding. No mere man can match wits with God! The depth of God’s wisdom and knowledge is beyond the reaches of depraved humanity. Man has learned to split the atom but it was God who made it in the first place. Oh the majesty and power of our God! And even greater is His love and wisdom!
Cf - Psalm 104:24; Isaiah 40:28.
B. Prophecy: vs 34-35
Who knows the mind (plan and wisdom) of God?
Isaiah
40:13-14
“Who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord, or being His counselor hath taught Him?
With whom took He counsel, and who instructed Him, and taught Him in the path of judgment, and taught Him knowledge, and showed Him the way of understanding?”
Job 35:7
“If thou be righteous, what givest thou Him? or what receiveth He of thine hand?”
Job
41:11
“Who hath prevented me, that I should repay Him? Whatsoever is under the whole heaven is mine.”
The Bible plainly shows us that one just cannot out-give God.
Note: I cannot understand why any Christian would not want to tithe? It is God who gives things to us in the first place. We owe the air we breathe to God! Giving to God is as seed planted in the ground; it brings forth a harvest in accordance to the amount of seed sown. See - Luke 6:38.
“Everything comes from Him. His power keeps all things together. All things are made for Him. May He be honored always. Amen!” (Amen means – let it be so.)
John 1:3
“All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made.” Cf - Colossians 1:16-17.
CONCLUSION:
God is all-powerful! This does not leave man without responsibility. Israel was responsible in rejecting and crucifying Christ. God foreknows, He elects, He effects the call through the preaching of the cross, the gospel of Christ. God has vindicated Himself of responsibility, which means that if you reject Christ now, you are in effect doubly guilty. If you feel drawn to the loving Savior today, do not turn Him away. Receive Him, as He alone is the answer to your need.
PREACHING THRU
ROMANS
THE SERVING CHRISTIAN
God has at least a three-fold purpose in saving men.
1. To bring glory to Himself.
2. To vindicate His name.
3. To bring the saved into fellowship and service with Himself.
Going to heaven, or escaping hell, is just one of the many benefits of God’s salvation, but not the main purpose. The Christian is therefore saved to serve God. Every Christian ought to be involved in God’s work. Some do become involved in God’s work, but only half-heartedly.
“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is not work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.”
When one becomes involved in God’s work, he has a great impact upon others. In these verses, we see the Christians place in God’s plan. The call to, and need for service.
1. THE SURRENDERED CHRISTIAN: vs 1-2
A. Call:
“I beseech you.” Paul pleads with them.
These words suggest the seriousness of what Paul is about to say.
B. Consecration:
“That ye present your bodies…” There can be no service for God without genuine consecration. God cannot use anyone who is not wholly consecrated to His service. One must be set apart from the Lord. That God is interested in our bodies is clear by this and many Scriptures. The antinomian idea that grace frees one from all moral law and that salvation is, that which only affects the spirit of man and not the body, is absolutely heretical.
1
Corinthians 6:19
“What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
God is interested in, and salvation effects the whole man, body, soul, and spirit.” – Cf - 1 Thess. 5:23.
C. Charge:
“a living sacrifice”
Many people think they can wait until they have the proverbial “one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peal,” before they can serve God. That is not the service God wants or expects. Paul is calling here for a “living” sacrifice. The word “living” means alive. It demands life. Then Paul uses the word sacrifice. The Jew knew about the sacrifices of a lamb. The sacrificial lamb was life for a life. The lamb literally died under the Old Covenant in atonement for sin. Christ is our lamb who was sacrificed for our sin. Christ is God’s Lamb whose blood was shed for the remission of sins. The Christian is called to put his life on the sacrificial block so to speak. It costs to serve God, and the Christian should be willing to pay that price of service. If one truly loves God then the severity of that sacrifice will be lessened by the spirit of love. - Cf Luke 9:23.
D. Challenge:
“Holy acceptable unto God”
While the word holy has within it’s meaning the sense of clean moral living or purity. Its greater meaning is that of “sanctification” which means, “to separate or set apart for God”. In the Old Testament tabernacle and temple, every vessel in service within them, was to be sanctified or set apart as holy unto God. Acceptable service for God can only be from a sanctified, holy vessel. That vessel is to be used only for God. The idea is that a Christian is not, as Jesus said, “to serve two masters”. A Christian is to be in the world, but not of it.
Holiness is not just a request it is a divine requirement.
Hebrews
12:14
“Follow peace with all men, and holiness without which no man shall see the Lord.” – Cf - Matthew 5:48.
E. Command:
“Which is your reasonable service.”
In light of God’s grace and mercy shown to us in Christ, service to Him is reasonable. It is therefore not a choice, but a command!
To present our bodies a living sacrifice in service to Christ is reasonable because:
1. God provided us a free salvation.
2. God took mercy on us as sinners, guilty and condemned.
3. We belong to Christ since He bought us back from sin and Satan’s bondage.
4. In light of this we are debtors of love.
“and be not conformed to this world.”
The Christian is to copy Christ, not the world. The Christian standard even in the realm of fashion is to be Christ, not London, Paris or New York. Our youth today need to be taught to feast their eyes upon eternal values, upon Christ, and not bow to the peer pressures that involve a sub-culture in standards of dress and morality. The extremes seen in the rock scene and Hollywood movies are not the modesty of Biblical Christianity. If we could be as Christ conscious, as we are fashion conscious, we would see more great servants of Christ. Conforming to the world is the disaster of our day. The world’s standards are vastly different, completely opposite to those of Biblical Christianity.
2
Corinthians 6:17
“Wherefore come out from among them and be separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.” – Cf -1 John 2:15-17; 2 Cor. 7:1.
G. Change:
“But be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
The Christian needs renewal. This
renewal or refreshing comes only by a daily walk with God. Man may be able to
some degree to reform himself. Reformation is largely the work of men. However
noble it may be, it is short of God’s ideal. The Protestant Reformation came
short of God’s ideal for a New Testament Church. It held on to many
ecclesiastical ideas of its mother, Catholicism. Transformation is a genuine
move of God in the soul of men. When one is saved, he is “transformed”. The
Christian is to be transformed continually by the renewing of his mind. This
can only be accomplished by a work of grace in the believer’s heart. - Cf - Titus
2:11-12.
Proverbs
23:7
“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.”
Psalm
19:14
“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”
H. Complete:
“That ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
The believer’s conformity to Christ is the proof of his election in Christ. God’s will or plan is fulfilled by our conformity to the Person of Christ. The Christian is not to conform merely to a set of rules and regulations, of law or creed. The Christian is to conform to the “Person” of Jesus Christ. God’s will is proven in the believer’s life as he or she conforms to Christ. Cf - 1 Thess. 4:3.
Paul is saying:
“God has given me His loving favor. This helps me write these things to you. I ask each of you not to think more of himself than he should think. Instead, think in the right way toward yourself by the faith God has given you.”
The Christian should look at Himself as God sees Him, not as men see him, or he sees himself from the standpoint of the flesh. We are not to put ourselves on a pedestal to be seen of men. I do not have to tell others how good I am. My life will speak for itself either in my favor or against it. The believer’s life will speak either for Christ, or against. We are His ambassadors! We are to think soberly, as opposed to one who is not. Christ is to be seen in the believer’s life, not the old carnal man, the Adamic flesh nature.
Cf - Galatians 2:20.
B. Personalities:
As the body has many parts or members, so the church, each member is individually important in God’s work.
Cf - 1 Corinthians 12:12-21.
Often times, as it was in the carnal Corinthian Church, we see a conflict of personalities within the church. This ought not to be, since each one is an individual ministry to function within the body and for the overall ministry of the Church-body.
The ministering gifts or talents within the church are “living personalities”.
C. Practice:
There is to be “every member participation” in ministry. Members, while in one sense are independent, yet in relation to the whole body, are interdependent. We need each other. I need you, you need me, and we all need Christ, the Head.
3. THE SERVANT CHRISTIAN: vs 6-8
God chooses different people to do His work.
A. Preaching: vs 6
Paul told the Ephesians (4:11) and Corinthians (1 Cor.12:28) that God has set ministers in the church.
The Catholic-Protestant idea of a division between clergy and laity is not a Scriptural one. Every member of the body is and has a ministerial function to the body.
To prophesy means to forth-tell (not foretell) the gospel.
Prophecy here is in reference to exhortation to edification. Its reference is not to the Old Testament idea of Prophetic Office, nor to the New Testament apostolic gift of a prophet, such as is mentioned in Acts 11:27 and 13:1.
The office of apostle, prophet and evangelist as was in the apostolic church is no longer necessary since divine revelation is complete and written out for us in the Bible.
(Pastors such as Timothy were to do the “work” of an evangelist – 2 Tim. 4:5.)
The need for teachers is seen in the Great Commission – to disciple all nations. The teaching ministry is not restricted to the Pastor-Teachers (1 Cor. 12:28; Eph. 4:11). Each one of us teaches as we exhort, and by the lives we live in conformity to Christ.
The word minister is literally “waiter” or “servant”. That is what Christ came to do – minister – (Matt. 20:28) and to which his disciples were called (1 Cor. 4:1) and all of the church is called (1 Peter 4:11). The meaning of the word “deacon” is minister, servant, and waiter.
Exhort means to speak, to lift up or edify. To give, here means to give forth simply. This involves much more than the mere paying of tithes. Some people think they can pay their way out of direct and public service in the church. The idea, “if you cannot go, send a substitute” is not right. We all go, whether across the street or across the sea. There is no substitute for you! You cannot ease your conscious just by putting a certain sum on the offering plate.
The “ruler” or one who is a leader or holds office is to be diligent. The greatest ability is still dependability.
Faithfulness is the first rule of good speaking or teaching. One who is diligent is not scatterbrained, confused or a disorganized procrastinator. One who shares, is to do so cheerfully. This involves all giving of time, talent and money. Every member has a ministry and is required to be faithful. We are to honor God with our talent.
Conclusion:
What kind of Christian are you? Are you in effect a Christian at all? If you are, you are called to sanctified service. Anything short of this is a mockery of God’s saving grace.
PREACHING THRU
ROMANS
THE CHRISTIAN
OVERCOMER
Romans 12:9-21
Paul continues his exhortation to the Roman Church, that they should and can be overcomers (vs 21).
These verses ought to memorized by believers today, especially in our churches in the western world. Too many ideas from the world brought to us through the liberal media, have been embraced by modern day Christians. The line of separation between the saved and the unsaved is too often very difficult to find. Paul’s exhortation is not one of rules and regulations, but rather principles that if put into practice the believer would be ideal and an overcomer.
1. THE ROOT OF CHRISTIAN LIVING: Vs 9-15
A. It’s
Root: Vs 9-11
1. Vs 9 – “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.”
The root or basis of Christian living is found in the word “love.” Love is the opposite of the word “hatred.” However, it is far from the modern idea of condoning sinful practice. Paul Balances this our by the use of the words “abhor that which is evil.”
Love is to be without dissimulation, that is, let it be sincere or real. Love is described for us by Paul in 1 Corinthians 13.
The word “dissimulation” comes from the word “dissimilar” and the meaning is “the act of hiding one’s true feelings by pretense, to disassemble, to give a false appearance of.”
True love does not put its head in the sand like an ostrich and pretend that sin does not exist. This is the wishy-washy love of Hollywood films and of so-called liberalism. Paul is saying, love hates sin; love protects us from evil since it causes us to oppose that which is wrong.
To abhor means to hate and loathe all ungodliness.
To cleave is to take hold of firmly as holding to your life, to be joined together as one. The word cleave is used of the man and his wife- See –Genesis 2:24.
2. Vs 10 – “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love in honor preferring one another.”
Paul exhorts the believer to show affection to the fellow believer with love as a brother. All of this has its roots in the word “LOVE”.
Brother love is the outcome of true LOVE. Love is an attribute of God.
1 John 4:8
“He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”
1 John 4:16
“And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
God’s
love is seen in the giving of His Son Jesus Christ- John 3:16
John
15:13
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
The
whole of the New Covenant has its roots in LOVE. See Matthew 22:37-39.
“Preferring one another” – not having a
“me-first attitude” or thinking that I am better than others.
Philippians 2:3
“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”
This does not mean that the Christian is to become a doormat for the whims and wishes of others. The Christian ideal ought to be God first; others second, and myself last.
3. Vs 11 – “Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.”
This too has its roots in love. Because we possess God’s love we treat others right, we are not lazy, we pay our bills, we carry our weight in society according to the gifts God has given us.
“Never lag in zeal and in earnest endeavor; be aglow and burning with the Spirit, serving the Lord.”
Solomon
has much to say about slothfulness- See –Proverbs 12:24; 12:27; 15:19; 18:9;
19:24; 21:25; 22:13; 24:30; 26:13-15.
See
Jesus teaching in his parable- Matthew 25:26.
Hebrews 6:12
“That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
B. It’s Result: Vs 12-15
1. Vs 12 – “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer.”
This is the result of love; it is how it causes the Christian to live. The Christian does not do these things because of rules and regulations. The law of the Christian is the Love of Christ.
1 John 4:19
“We love him, because he first loved us.”
Like produces like, and we cannot produce the love of God without Christ in our hearts and lives.
“Rejoicing in hope” – The word hope here is basic and the Christian hope is not “maybe” but is guaranteed by God’s love in giving Jesus to die for the sins of the elect. See Romans 5:1-2.
“patient in tribulation” – Patient in trials of life. (This is not the Great Tribulation.) Knowing that God provides and with take care of those who trust him.
1 Peter 5:7
“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
“Continuing instant in prayer” – Always in a state of prayer, ready to go to the throne of grace at any time. To be constant, always talking it over with the Lord.
There are two kinds of prayer:
a) Individual or closet prayer - This is personal between you and God alone.
b) Corporate prayer- Prayer within the gathering of believers. The Church prays together as members of the body of Christ gather to worship and petition God the Father through the name of Jesus. In most of our churches today this is carried out in the Mid-week service of Prayer and Bible Study.
2. Vs 13 - “Distributing to the necessity of the saints; given to hospitality.” – Contributing to the needs of God’s people. This is to help with the necessary material things of life needed by fellow believers. The early church shared their material things with each other.
Acts 2:44
“And all that believed were together, and had all things common.”
Acts
4:32
“And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
Acts
4:34
“Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,”
“given to hospitality” – pursuing the practice of hospitality. The act of being hospitable. Is your home open to other believers, especially those traveling from out of town? Invite other church members to your home for dinner, especially the poor and disabled.
3. Vs 14 – “Bless them which persecute you; bless and curse not.”
Bless those that persecute you or are cruel in their attitude towards you.
Bless them and do not curse them.
Many times this involves relatives who do not understand your Christian life, your doctrines, your church affiliation etc. Employers who do not hold to the same standards of living that you do.
Down through the ages, Baptists have been persecuted, jailed even put to death by Catholics, Protestants and the state.
4. Vs 15 – “Rejoice with them that do rejoice. And weep with them that weep.”
Share in the joy of others and share also with those who grieve. We ought to be happy with those who are happy, and those who weep because of grief as in the loss of a loved one, we ought to weep also.
2. THE REALIZATION OF CHRISTIAN LIVING: Vs 16-18
A.
Harmonious Living: Vs 16 and 18
Vs 16 – “Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.”
Christians ought to live in harmony with one another. This is brought about because as Christians we “have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16). Paul exhorted the Church in Philippi to (Philippians 2:5)-
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus …”- see the following verses in Philippians chapter 2.
Having the mind of Christ and using it seem to be two different matters. You have heard people say about someone, “he is out of his mind.” In order to follow the mind of Christ Paul says-
“Mind not high things” – do not be snobbish, high-minded, and exclusive.
“But condescend to men of low estate.”
Humble yourself in regard to those less fortunate than you are. Give yourself to helping the poor.
Be not wise in your own conceits”-
Never
overestimate yourself in thinking more highly of yourself than you ought to.
See Proverbs 3:7.
In this way you will live in harmony with everybody.
Vs 18 – “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”
The Christian goal is harmony with all men. In this world we will not always achieve it, but the owness ought to be on the Christian.
King
David said - Psalms 120:7
“I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war.”
There are times when we cannot achieve peace and war may prove necessary. This ought to be a last result after every effort for peace is exhausted. It is hard to have peace with terrorists and murderers. It is not wrong to defend what is right or to defend our nation and family. Peace however is the goal of every believer. We must strive to live in harmony with others.
B.
Honest Living Vs 17
Vs 17- “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.”
Repay no one in an evil way for evil done to you. Think about or take to mind what is honest, proper and noble. Aim to be above reproach in the sight of everyone. See Proverbs 20:22.
3. RESPONSIBLE COMPARISON: Vs 19-21
A. Do not these Things: Vs 19-
Vs 19 “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay saith the Lord.”
1. “Dearly beloved” – Paul is talking to Christians with whom he has deep respect and regard.
3. “Avenge not yourselves but rather give place unto wrath”- Never avenge yourselves but leave the way open for God’s wrath. Turn your problem over to Him who can handle it far better than you.
4. “As it is written” – God’s Word tells us – Deuteronomy 32:35.
5. “Vengeance is mine, I will repay saith the Lord.” God says he will requite. God’s justice system works and it works in favor of His own.
B. Do these things: Vs 20-21
Paul has spoken defensively of what we ought not to do. Now he tells us what we ought to do.
1. Vs 20 – “Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink; for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.”
Paul says the best way to avenge yourself is to help your enemy. If he is hungry feed him, if he is thirsty, give him drink.
“Heap
coals of fire upon his head”- see Proverbs 25:21-22.
Love wins over hatred, the positive over the negative.
You may not win him to Christ but you will command his respect.
Matthew
5:44
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”
2. Vs 21 – “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Do not allow yourself to be overcome by evil but become the master of evil by doing good.
Conclusion:
The Christian life is a Person who lives within the heart and life of those given to him by God the Father. It is much more than rules and regulations, it is a life to live.
Paul said-
Colossians 1:27
“To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
Have you experienced the love of God?
PREACHING
THRU ROMANS
CHRISTIAN RIGHTEOUSNESS
Righteousness is essential for every Christian. The word righteous is often misunderstood and therefore misused and badly abused in Christian circles. The word “righteous” (Greek = Dikaiosune – according to Vine is “the character or quality of being right or just; it was formerly spelled “rightwiseness” which clearly expresses the meaning of the word. It is used to denote an attribute of God; e.g. Romans 3:5). Man in his sin has no righteousness (God does not recognize self-righteousness). Paul sometimes uses the word dikaiosune to mean “right action” as seen in Romans 6 and Eph. 6:14.
The Bible says that Christ's righteousness is imputed, counted, credited, and then reckoned to the believer - (Romans 4:3-5, 9, 11, 22-24).
There are two sides to the subject of righteousness-
First there is God’s side, where He credits righteousness to our account on the basis of Christ’s substitutionary death. One might say, that God clothes the believer in the garment of Christ’s righteousness (1 Cor. 1:30).
Secondly, the other side of righteousness has to do with the believers wearing or use of the garment provided.
Therefore, any righteousness from the human standpoint is the result of our daily living out the life of Christ by the Holy Spirit within us. God works it in, we are told to work it out, but not of ourselves, rather in total dependence upon the Holy Spirit -
“… work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.”
To be righteous, we must have a proper relationship with God. (We cannot work out what has not first been worked in us by God.) Our own righteousness does not please God; we must be clothed in His righteousness (1 Cor. 1:30), provided for us in Christ. In other words a tree cannot but bear fruit of its kind. A fruit tree should bear fruit. Here Paul deals with the practical side of righteousness; or, the practice of right living. This would then be Spirit living, or, living in the Spirit.
1. CHRISTIAN RESPECT: vs 1-7
A. Respectful Living: vs 1-2
Obeying rulers (higher powers) is our duty as Christians. Paul says we should not speak against rulers, those in authority over us, such as President, Prime-minister, judges, and police.
Acts
23:5
“Then said Paul, I wist not
brethren that it was the High Priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak
evil of the ruler of thy people.” - Cf - Exodus 22:28.
Respect for God should cause us to respect other authority. (This does not necessarily mean we agree, in fact in many things we will not agree. In a democratic society we can speak against those we disagree with at the ballot box.)
If one lives right, he usually has no need to fear those in authority. An exception might be in such lands where the government is anti-God and anti-Christ and there is no freedom of religious expression.
“The policeman is sent by God to help you. But if you were doing something wrong, of course you should be afraid, for he will have you punished. He is sent by God for that very purpose.” (L.B.)
We are responsible for obeying the laws of the country; responsible to God and to our fellow man. The idea or attitude that “laws are meant to be broken” is unscriptural, idiotic and foolish!
Note: that the first four commands of the Ten Commandments relate to God and the last six to our fellowman.
James
4:17
“Therefore to him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”
2. CHRISTIAN REQUIREMENTS: vs 8-10
“Pay all your debts except the debt of love for others – never finish paying that! For if you love them, you will be obeying all of God’s laws, fulfilling all His requirements.” (L.B.)
Proverbs
22:7
“…. The borrower is servant to the lender.”
The Christian needs to guard himself in the area of finances. Many have become defeated through poor financial management.
All ten commandment (Exodus 20:17) are condensed into Matthew 22:37, 39.
Love for God will cause us to love others. People will know we are Christ’s disciples if we have love for each other – John 15:12.
If we love people, we will not hurt them.
Galatians
5:14
“For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”
James
2:8
“…Love thy neighbor as thyself.”
Matthew
5:44
“…Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”
3. CHRISTIAN RIGHTEOUSNESS: vs 11-14
A. Awake: vs 11
Oh the need to be wide-awake spiritually! It is usually dangerous for a man to be at work on the job with his eyes half closed. The need to get our proper rest is vital to our usefulness in any field. Christians ought always to be spiritually awake, alive, and enthusiastic! We need to be awakened to the fact the time is short. Life is short, even if we live to be a hundred. Jesus is coming! The time to work for Christ is now and every day we linger, is a day lost for eternity.
We need to be awake because:
1. Some do
not know Christ – 1 Corinthians 15:34.
2. Christ is the one who gives us light – Ephesians 5:14.
If we sing, “the light of the world is Jesus” and walk around completely oblivious to the fact, it is quite obvious we are not “awake”, or do not believe it in the first place.
(Someone has said we need to wake, shake and bake, if we want to take the world for Christ.)
The reason we need to be awake is because “our salvation is nearer than when we first believed”. This speaks to our need of perseverance. The word salvation has a three-fold meaning of which, the application here is to the salvation of the body or completion of our deliverance from the very presence of sin when Christ comes. Every day you live, you are closer to the end of your sojourn in this world. Make good use of your days. Spend your time wisely. Live in light of eternity.
B. Alert: vs 12
Time passes quickly!
John 9:4
“I must work the works of Him that sent me while it is day; the night cometh, when no man can work.”
Paul shows here a clear distinction and need for Biblical separation. “Put off the works of darkness”, the deeds of the flesh and of those of this world’s system of things. Get set to defend yourself with the proper use of the armor of light. Christians are not in darkness – 1 Thessalonians 5:4.
We need to put on the whole armor of God. - Cf - Ephesians 6:11-18.
“We must act all the time as if it were day. Keep away from wild parties and not be drunk. Keep yourself free from sex sins and bad actions.” (L.B.)
The depth of one’s consecration to Christ can often be seen by their attitude towards the things of the world. Disco Christians make poor servants in the Lord’s church. Our real attitude towards Christ is seen in our attitude towards His word, His church, and His commandments.
Cf - John 14:15; 21:15-17
In this verse, there is both a positive and a negative. Note the positive is first. “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ”. He is our garment! Be clothed with Christ! Works, or good deeds are the result of Christ’s life within us. Many put the cart before the horse here. It does not work that way!
Secondly, the negative. - “make no provision for the flesh.” Do not provide for the old man, the carnal Adamic fleshly nature. This is the reason for separation. This is why we need to take care as to what we read, the movies we watch, the places we go, the parties we attend, the music we listen to, the associations we keep. Stay away from things that draw us away from the centrality of Christ in our life. Do not try to take Jesus where He would not want to go.
Paul is saying, “do not follow lusts”.
Cf - James 1:14-15
Do not allow the flesh to dominate or control you.
To live righteously we must obey the rules of God. (John 14:15)
However, we must also obey the rules of the nation. The only time we have a right to break a law is when it is contrary to the higher law of God.
Hebrews
13:17
“Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves; for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.”
The Christians dress is to be first and foremost, Christ’s righteousness. We cannot be properly dressed by providing for the flesh and its lust. Stay away from things and places that lead us into sin.
CONCLUSION:
Are you dressed in Christ’s righteousness? This is credited to our account when we repent of our sin and exercise faith towards God. All of this is God’s work in us, for salvation is all of God’s sovereign grace.
PREACHING THRU
ROMANS
CHRISTIAN CONSIDERATION
Christians need each other. It is important for Christians to live together in unity.
“Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity. It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garment.”
Consideration of others is a problem today, even in church circles. However, when we have a spirit of unity, we will be much more considerate of others. We must learn not to major on minors, nor to play our guitar on merely one string. This is true on the individual level, on the family level, at work, on the church level, as well as in our inter-church associations. Our actions and attitudes need to be filled with love and backed up by courteous consideration of others.
In these verses, Paul deals with consideration from four aspects.
1. PATIENCE AND CONSIDERATION
2. PEOPLE AND CONSIDERATION
3. PROBLEMS AND CONSIDERATION
4. PRACTICE OF CONSIDERATION
1. PATIENCE AND CONSIDERATION: vs 1-4
There are two kinds of criticism, destructive and constructive. Most of us find it easier to tear down than to build up. It is easier to tell someone they are wrong than to take the time to show them how to do it right.
If we are right, if we are strong, if we are knowledgeable, we should be constructive.
Vs 1 says, - “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.”
The basis of our attitude should be God first, others second, and myself last.
In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus teaches us that our “neighbor” is anyone we are confronted with who has a legitimate need.
One who “eateth herbs” is a vegetarian not just one who uses herbal medicines. The latter is of course included.
Paul here is writing to the Church in Rome which was made up of many Jews who had certain ideas about food taught to them from childhood up; while the Gentiles had never been restricted as such. We need to be tolerant, considerate, and affectionate towards those who need teaching. Patience with the unlearned is a necessary quality of a mature Christian and a good teacher. I have heard Bro. David Paul Smith, say many times, “we need to take things as they are, not as they ought to be, and work patiently to bring them to what they ought to be”. Then again, we need to be certain that “what they ought to be is not just what I think they should be”. Affection and understanding is so necessary in our dealings with others.
Paul wrote to the Corinthian Church:
1
Corinthians 9:22
“To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.”
Cf - 1Cor. 8:8-9
Let God be the Judge! We are to instruct the weak, but God is their judge. In the final analysis, each one of us will give an account to God for our lives – Cf Matthew 7:1-5.
James
4:12
“There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgeth another?”
A word of caution here: Let us be careful that we do not excuse wrong actions by the idea that everyone has a weakness.
The idea Paul seeks to portray is one that will bring strength to the weak and lift one out of wrong practice to a higher plain.
Paul’s attitude towards slavery (servants) seems to be on a higher level than to simply oppose it. He sought to help Christian slaves live a victorious life within a godless worldly system. Slavery is wrong, but for a Christian slave to not have a good attitude is just as wrong if not worse.
The principle here given as applied today affects all who are employed by others.
The day we worship is not as important as the LORD we worship.
After Christ arose, Christians kept Sunday as their day of worship. To the Jew, Saturday was the Sabbath. The Sabbath was not a day of worship, but rather a day of “rest”.
Paul taught Christian churches:
1
Corinthians 16:2
“Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God has prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.”
Sabbath keeping was in the Old Covenant and for the Jews only. There is no such thing as a Christian Sabbath. Sunday is not the Sabbath (day of rest), it is the Lord’s day of worship, praise and special service.
“We are not our own bosses to live or die as we ourselves might choose. Living or dying we follow the Lord. Either way we are His.” (L.B.)
The Christian does not run his own life, but lives it daily by the leadership of Christ who purchased him at Calvary.
There is no such thing as an independent person. We are interdependent. Every life effects at least one other person. This is also greatly true of churches.
We are designed to require the fellowship of others.
Christ dies and rose again from the dead to be Lord of those who have died, and those who are still alive physically – Cf John 11:25-26.
The first consideration is to the source of our life – Christ.
Christ dedicated Himself to the purpose of our reconciliation to God. Our dedication needs to be first to Him and the life he represents.
Why judge others as, we ourselves
will be judged by God? The “Judgment Seat of Christ” is the bema or tribunal,
the place of rewards for service. This is like in the Greek Olympics where the
winner would have a laurel wreath placed upon his head and be highly honored –
Cf - 2 Cor. 5:10.
All men will give an account of their life to God.
2
Timothy 4:1
“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom.”
Romans
2:16
“In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.”
B. Confession: vs 11
Every knee shall bow – Cf - Philippians 2:9-11.
Bow willingly now, or bow by force later. Everyone will confess the Lordship of Jesus Christ, but only the elect will benefit by such confession.
The sinner should see here the urgency of the hour and not put off the day of salvation. If you are not saved, you are lost and condemned already. One must come to Christ in order to be saved. Confession is not to a priest or minister but to God – Cf - Romans 10:9-10.
“So then everyone of us shall give account of himself to God.”
We are responsible to God. There is no excuse that will withstand God’s justice. We cannot lay the blame on others for our sins.
Cf - 1 Peter 4:1-5; 2 Corinthians 5:10.
Malachi
3:16
“Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another; and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that brought upon His name.”
God holds every man accountable for his own actions; and God holds a record of every action.
4. PRACTICE OF CONSIDERATION: vs 13-23
A. Problem: vs 13
In judging others, we put a stumbling block of discouragement in front of a person.
Paul is saying, “live so no one will stumble over your faith”.
1 John
2:10
“He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is no occasion of stumbling in him.”
We only stumble when we walk in the darkness, in the night.
B. Persuaded: vs 14-15
Eating meat is not wrong unless it causes others to stumble.
e.g. eating meat that is offered to idols – 1 Corinthians 8:4-8.
We should not seek to force people to observe our standards simply because of our own personal convictions, likes or dislikes. The life we live is not our own, it is Christ’s. We need to be persuaded to so live as to be an example of Christ to others.
Refrain from eating or drinking anything that may bring criticism.
1
Corinthians 9:27
“But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway” - (placed on a shelf and rendered worthless.)
The Christians practice should be that which helps not hinders, turns on not off. To strengthen and aid others not cause them to turn from Christ.
The kingdom of God is not based upon what we eat or don’t eat, but righteousness, peace and joy in the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
Follow things that bring peace. All food is good to eat, but it is wrong to eat anything that will cause someone to fall into sinful practice.
Note: It is also wrong to encourage gluttony or to encourage people to eat foods contrary to a physician’s diet, which could harm them physically. We need to be in peace with our bodies as well as our spirit.
Do nothing that opposes your conscience. Self-denial is necessary.
Luke
9:23
“If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”
Paul taught the Galatians the need to crucify self daily – Galatians 5:24
“And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections (passions) and lusts.”
Disobeying your conscience is sin. It is also dangerous, because in so doing we become hardened and the conscience can become seared. Disobeying the word of God is sin. That which is not of faith is sin – Cf - James 4:17.
The Christian needs to take care that even things that in themselves are good and proper, do not obstruct the lines of faith that connect the Christian with the perfect will and blessing of God.
CONCLUSION:
Christians need to recognize that we need each other. Judgment belongs to God. The scribes and the Pharisees were very judgmental and Christ called them “hypocrites” – Matthew 7:5.
Let us seek to strengthen one another and work together in God’s work, for His glory.
PREACHING THRU
ROMANS
RESPONSIBLE TO GOD’S WILL
In saving sinners, God makes irresponsible men responsible. We need to take care, that in emphasizing the sovereignty of God, that we do not teach men to be irresponsible. (Hyper-Calvinism and Hardshellism has a tendency to do that.) We do not teach some sort of fatalism. Man is not a machine to turn on, nor a robot that moves at the push of a computer button. When we accept Christ as Savior, we accept Him as Lord and Master. Some called Jesus Lord, but didn’t obey Him – Luke 6:46. Paul strove to be fully obedient to God in every way. When he met Christ, he immediately preached Christ – Acts 9:20. Paul said, he “was not disobedient to the heavenly vision” – Acts 26:19.
Paul practiced John 14:15 - “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
As we look at the first verse of chapter 15, notice the contrast with chapter 14:1.
14:1 – “Him that is weak”
15:1 – “We that are strong”
Strong Christians have and realize their responsibility to others.
We therefore see here:
1. RESPONSIBLE PRACTICE: vs 1-6
A.
Service: vs 1
Strong Christians are responsible for the weak.
Galatians
6:1-2
“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
(The law of Christ here would be to treat your neighbor as yourself.)
Christians are saved to serve. No man is saved to warm a pew on Sunday morning. Service to others ought to be the first word of church membership.
Infirmities are not just those described by the word sickness. Paul referred to his thorn in the flesh (2 Cor. 12:7-10) as both an infirmity and a “messenger of Satan”. I do not agree with those who think Paul’s thorn in the flesh was his bad eyesight. Perhaps his eyes were getting dim as he aged? However, the Scripture states that Paul’s infirmity was “a messenger of Satan to buffet me…” To buffet means to “deal blow after blow”. This I believe refers to Paul’s scourging, jailing, stoning, as he was buffeted in his labor for Christ. We certainly ought to comfort the sick, but the word infirmity includes much more than physical illness. It involves those under pressures in service to Christ. It involves the “faults” or fleshy weaknesses of new immature Christians. This is a part of the service agenda of stronger Christians within the (local) church concept.
We are to live so that we please your neighbor for his spiritual good. Seek the spiritual welfare of others, of society in general.
Matthew
22:39
“… and the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”
In the story of the Good Samaritan, Jesus taught that our “neighbor” is anyone we come in contact with who has a need. Again, this is Christian responsibility.
Why is it that there appears to be a lack of this kind of sincerity in many Christians (so-called) today? Perhaps some should check their spiritual birth certificate?
As we have seen already in this letter, the word “edification” means to “build up”. True Christians are builders not destroyers. Paul was a destroyer before conversion, but a builder and worker in service to Christ, once he was converted.
The prime example of true Biblical Christianity is the Savior Himself. Men make mistakes, they sin, and they fail. Jesus never fails! Christ did not live to please Himself. Neither should we, as it is written in - Psalm 69:9.
“For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee, are fallen upon me.”
Christ took upon Himself as our Savior, our guilt, and paid the penalty of our sin.”
D. Sacred: vs 4
“Everything that was written in the Holy Writings long ago, was written to teach us. By not giving up, God’s word gives us strength and hope.” God’s word written for others, applies to us in principle today. Our perseverance is a sure sign of our conversion. The fruit of Christian works is the evidence of the tree from which the fruit is picked.
E. Strength: vs 5
We are made strong by being like-minded as Christ who is our example.
2 Peter
1:4
“Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”
The Christian pattern is Christ. Young children, who usually claim some famous person as their hero or idol, should be taught to make “Jesus” their hero. He certainly beats the best of Hollywood, or sports!
God is glorified by a spirit (mind) of unity. On the day of Pentecost, it is said, “they were all with one accord in one place” (Acts 2:1). The result was seen in church growth (Acts 2:41-42).
We may all be in one place, that is called union; but when we are of one mind or spirit, that is called unity.
Ephesians
4:3
“Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
Peace is not here associated with union but with unity. Of course the world does not know the difference, hence we have the United Nations!
1 Peter
3:8
“Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous.”
The unity of Christians within the local church brings glory to God. Lack of it brings it’s opposite – Cf - Ephesians 3:21.
Prophecy means forth-telling more than foretelling. The life we live often speaks forth more than we can voice with our lips. Someone has put is this way, “I cannot hear what you are saying, I am too busy watching what you are doing”.
A. Receiving People: vs 7
Accept others, as Christ as accepted you.
The golden rule – Matthew 7:12.
“Therefore all thing whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.”
The world often says, “do others before they do you”. Christ says, “Treat others as you would have them treat you”. The world says “live eternity today”. Christ says, “Live out today, in light of eternity”.
Paul is saying, we cannot live by a double standard. The modern idea of “situation ethics” is wrong and most unscriptural. The teachings of humanism and the new age movement glorify self and not God. We today are heading for disaster such as in the time of the judges, when, “every man did that which is right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25).
“Christ came to help the Jews. This proved that God had told the truth to their early fathers. This proved that God would do as He had promised.” (L.B.)
Christ established God’s promise of pardon to the Jews but they rejected Him.
Again Paul shows how God used the Jews to reach all nations through Christ. Now both Jew and Gentile can come into relationship with God through the New Covenant.
Isaiah
11:10
“And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.” –
Cf Psalm 18:49; Deuteronomy
32:43; Psalm 117:1.
D. Rest in Peace: vs 13
Our hope in god:
1. Be filled with joy – Psalm 16:11
2. Be
filled with peace – John 14:2
3. Abound in hope – John 14:3
The peace that comes to the soul of the redeemed produces the fruit of a Christ -like spirit – Cf - Romans 5:1-5.
3. RESPONSIBLE PREACHING: vs 14-21
A. Persuaded: vs 14
Paul was persuaded of their faith in God, and that being the case, would produce results. That these Roman Christians, members of the Roman Church, possessed the ability to assist each other in their individual and collective spiritual growth.
Note: Numerical growth should not run wild ahead of spiritual growth in a local church. Quantity should be balanced with quality or there will be a disaster. Every New Testament Church needs a strong Christian Education program, and that beyond the Sunday School hour, and even the Mid-week Bible Study. Mere Sunday go-to-meeting Christianity does not produce a healthy church. The Bible Institute program of the church, which I pastor, is in response to this need. We need to develop these qualities in our membership, and in the order Paul states here in verse 14…
1. Goodness – from the basis of truth – Cf - John
2:21, 2 Peter 12:12
2. Knowledge – the ability to know and understand, spiritual maturity.
3. Admonish – the ability to relate to one another or to others in spiritual matters.
Paul knew his responsibility and writes boldly, exhorting them to be true Christians, to serve God and live holy lives – Cf - 2 Corinthians 7:1.
Note what Paul says about his preaching:
1. It was of God, or God’s message.
2. He was its minister – servant or waiter.
3. His preaching was the gospel of God. Men need the gospel not socialism or politics.
4. The results might be acceptable to God, being sanctified (set apart as holy) by the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit working through Paul gave him cause to glory in his work. The power of God is seen in the preaching of the gospel. People need to hear the doctrines of grace fully preached. All of the modern gadgets and gimmickry employed in some church programs will not suffice. Church growth programs are not necessarily bad. The bottom line however is, that the need of our day is for pure Biblical exposition of the doctrines of grace. Many Baptists today are weak on grace and have fallen prey to the doctrines of Arminianism with its emphasis on “works”. God is being forced to take a back seat to man in modern theology – Cf - 1 Corinthians 1:18-24 and preach “Christ”.
D. Prophecy: vs 20-21 (forth-telling)
It was Paul’s desire to preach the gospel to those who had never heard. We too need to have a missionary vision. The Christian faith is not a bless-me club to be confined within the four walls of a church-house. The anti-mission spirit of hyper-Calvinistic Hardshellism is contrary to the Spirit of Paul. These form a “holier than thou attitude” and separate themselves sensuously from the world about them. Brethren, we are in the world and not of it. While in the world, we are to reach souls for Jesus Christ. The doctrine of election is not anti-mission. It is in fact the basis of true mission. This is what drove our Baptist forefathers and caused our churches to survive the onslaught of antichrist religion. (Please don’t confuse the term “anti-mission” with “anti-mission board.” When we speak of missions we talk of local churchy missions and local church sent missionaries.)
Jesus said GO….. Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8!
CONCLUSION:
Paul was faithful to God’s call from the time Christ found him as a poor religious sinner on the Damascus Road, until the time he laid his tired head upon Nero’s chopping block. He said, “he bore in his body the marks of suffering for the cause of Christ.” – Galatians 6:17.
Do we today bear any marks for Christ? Are we acting in response to God’s will? Are we responsible Christians? We will be held responsible and accountable whether we act like it or not. May God help us then to be faithful to Jesus Christ?
PREACHING THRU
ROMANS
CONCERN AND CARE
We have seen that God in His redeeming grace makes irresponsible men responsible. In the preceding verses of this chapter, we have learned of our responsibility to do God’s will. The apostle Paul had learned and gave evidence of that responsibility in his own ministry. Paul here shows a deep concern for the Christians at Rome, a result of his consecration to God. He urged them to co-operate and pray for him. United prayer is a powerful force; prayer strengthens God’s servants; it changes situations; it changes people; it brings God’s blessing to our lives.
We need more Christians who are concerned for God’s work and His servants.
1. CONCERN: vs 22-26
Ones concern is seen in the things which most occupy his time and thoughts. Paul implies that he was so busy preaching God’s word, that he had no time to visit with the Roman Christians.
In writing to the Church in Corinth, Paul said:
1
Corinthians 9:16
“Woe unto me if I preach not the gospel.”
Paul’s main concern was to see men saved! What is your main concern today? What has top priority in your life? What is it that most occupies your thoughts, your time? Preaching is not just that which comes from the pulpit. We preach a sermon in our daily living. Our life is a sermon to others, whether negative or positive. You can rest assured, you are preaching daily.
Paul longed for fellowship with his brethren, but he longed more to take the gospel to those who had never heard it.
B. Plan: vs 23-24
When we have true concern for others, it should affect our personal plans. Paul plans now to visit the Church in Rome. Acts chapters 27-28, tell us of this journey. He longed to visit with these people. However, Paul was not a mere socializer. He was not going on a vacation to Rome. His purpose in going to Rome was to preach the gospel, and instruct the believers there in the Word of God.
Paul did enjoy Christian fellowship and loved the church.
1
Thessalonians 3:10
“Night and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might perfect that which is lacking in your faith.”
It is seen from verse 24 that Paul’s plan included going beyond Rome into Spain. He desired the Church in Rome to be involved in this missionary enterprise. It is the duty of New Testament churches to send and support missionaries, in carrying out the commission, which Christ gave to His churches (Matthew 28:19-20). It is not certain from Scripture, whether Paul succeeded in going to Spain. Tradition says he did, and some historians have claimed such. We know from church history, that Paul did succeed in reaching much of Europe (including Wales) through those he won to Christ and instructed while in prison in Rome. Many men in history have been most effective in mission work while not being able to leave their homeland. If we cannot go, we can certainly do all we can to send others.
Paul made his plans and for the most part they appear to have been the plans of God as well. A plan not many men would have chosen to get to their destination. Paul went to Rome as a prisoner of Caesar via Jerusalem, Crete, Malta and Sicily.
Christians, churches, missionaries ought to be concerned with the poverty of other believers, as Paul was. Paul’s heart concern and care was for others.
“But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister to them.”
Paul’s purpose was to give them the purse of money, which he had collected from the associated efforts of a number of churches in Macedonia and Achaia.
This shows us that local churches can and should work together in mission work. We show our concern in united effort in mission work. The word minister in verse 25 is the basis of the words waiter and deacon. In this we see what our concern should be in relation to impoverished saints and churches.
Our consecration (or lack of it) is seen in the measure of our concern for the cause of Christ.
Paul says here -
“They wanted to do it. They should help them in this way because they owe so much to the Jerusalem church. The Jews shared the Good News with the Gentiles. For this reason, the Gentiles should share what they can with the Jews, especially in face of the famine that was in Judea.”
True consecration makes one willing to share.
1 John
3:17
“But whosoever hath this world’s goods, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?”
Wise Solomon said,
Ecclesiastes
11:1
“Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days.”
The way to continue receiving is to continue sowing.
It is our duty as Christians in North America to share the gospel with those lands that brought it to us, particularly England, Scotland and Wales. We most certainly should not forsake Israel (Genesis 12:3).
Paul said that he would come to Rome after that he had delivered the money to the Church in Jerusalem.
Paul gave his life, time and service in helping others. He taught them how to be saved and how to live the Christian life. Paul did not do, as so much of modern evangelism does, to make a bunch of converts and leave them in a liberal refrigerator.
He wrote to young Timothy -
2
Timothy 2:15
“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.”
Real consecration is seen in real service to others.
Paul would serve the Roman church, once he had finished his service in Jerusalem, and on his way to serve in Spain. Service to God and others was in every breath Paul breathed. Paul was indeed a missionary! Mission endeavor was not a side issue, or part time occupation with Paul. It ought to be thus with us today!
True consecration brings surety of God’s blessing in our lives. Paul was sure that God would bless him when he came to Rome. Paul had his experience in ministry to draw upon. This is also confidence in the leadership of God in our lives. It does not mean the road will be easy. It was not easy for Paul. The road to Rome eventually led to a Roman chopping block and martyrdom for Paul. Paul was arrested in Jerusalem and brought to Rome as a prisoner, suffering shipwreck in Malta. Paul had a God-inspired faith.
Hebrews
11:6
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him: For he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that he is the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.”
Paul’s blessing and surety was in the fullness of the gospel of Christ.
3. COOPERATION: vs 30-33
Paul, the great preacher, writer and missionary, asks for prayer. If Paul felt the need to ask for prayer, how much more does your pastor need it, I need it, you need it, all of us need it. We need to pray for one another…
James
5:16
“Pray one for another…”
There is power in united prayer. That is why every Church member ought to attend the mid-week prayer service of their church.
Matthew
18:19
“Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.”
Peter Deyneka the Slavic evangelist said, “mucha prayer, mucha power! No mucha prayer, no mucha power”.
Charles H. Spurgeon, said to be the greatest preacher since the apostle Paul, contributed the blessing of God in his ministry to the “heating apparatus of Metropolitan Tabernacle. Not the furnace room, but the prayer room. Too many today substitute the “Upper Room” with the “Supper Room”.
I wonder if we realize how much the work of the Pastor, his protection and service is dependent upon our faithfulness in our prayer life? Our missionaries need our direct, systematic, continuous prayers.
The saints Paul talks about here are not dead relics, but alive separated unto God church members in Jerusalem.
Prayer for God’s will and protection would take Paul to Rome. As we look back on the history of Paul’s journey to Rome, we can see how important prayer was to the case at hand. To be in God’s will is not fatalism. The idea that “whatever will be will be” just does not fit into the scene. Paul asked for prayer that in his journey to them, he might come –
1. With joy or pleasure.
2. In and by the will of God.
3. To be refreshed with them.
Perhaps if we could see the journey ahead of us, and take it in the same attitude as did Paul, we would want to pray more than we do?
Paul was just as human as you and I. He did not want any more trouble than we want in our lives. He sought pleasure in his journey, which is seen in the word “joy”. Prayer makes one’s life run easier. We need the oil of prayer to keep things going smoothly.
David’s prayer was….
Psalm 143:10
“Teach me to do Thy will; for Thou are my God; Thy Spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.”
We need to co-operate with each other, but we cannot do it if we are not in true co-operation with God.
Cf - Romans 12:1-2
D. Peace: vs 33
Paul prayed that the God of peace would be with His people.
Real, true and lasting peace can only come from the God of peace.
The United Nations or some world organization will never bring peace. The United Nations record is a dismal failure, seen in the Second World War, Korea, Viet Nam, Iraq and many other places. God himself will bring peace to this world through His Son Jesus Christ.
Peace is found at Calvary! Peace is not found in the abundance of our good works but in GRACE.
Philippians 4:7
“And the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ.”
Cf - John 14:27; 16:33; 20:19
Jesus is the Prince of Peace and the true channel of God’s peace to a troubled world. The peace that Jesus brings must begin within us, individually. It is a fruit of the Holy Spirit that is placed within us when we are born again, or born from above - John 3:3.
CONCLUSION:
The word AMEN means, “so be it!”
As a Christian, are you concerned? Does your concern cause
you to act? Does your consecration cause you to leave all and follow the Lord
Jesus Christ? Our consecration can be seen in what it takes to keep us from
Christ, from Church and service to Him. Only as we draw near to Christ will we
share in His compassion for others. Only then will we have proper care and
concern for others. Amen! So be it!
PREACHING THRU
ROMANS
FELLOWSHIP AND FAREWELL
Romans 16:1-27
As Paul comes to the conclusion of his letter to the church in Rome, he is careful to show his thanks to those who helped him in his work for the Lord. The preacher cannot do his job alone! There are many along the way, that contributes to any success he may achieve. All were important in God’s work. Paul reminded these of his love and concern for their spiritual welfare, encouraging them to live for God. Paul ever warned Christian workers of being sidetracked by false religions and religious charlatans who would lead them astray.
In summing up his words of farewell, Paul deals with four areas of concern…
1. Christian Friends
2. Christian Fellowship
3. Christian Favor
4. Christian Farewell
Phebe – our sister – a servant in the church –
servant (Gr. diaconon).
The Greek word servant is the root of our word deacon.
Phebe did the work of a servant (deaconess) in the church of Cenchrea, a little town on the eastern harbor of Corinth.
The Scriptures give no grounds for female deacons or deaconess.
However, it appears by the use of the word “servant” that Phebe at least did the work of a (servant) in the church. Phebe was a strong worker, a stalwart servant in the local church. Older women were exhorted by Paul to work with the younger women. As she brought Paul’s letter to the church in Rome, Paul asked she be received as a “Christian lady” known for helping new converts, and not as a heathen woman.
We need to recognize and properly evaluate, those who labor within our churches, whether male or female.
Paul here greets the faithful Christian workers.
1. Priscilla and Aquila – long time associates of Paul (1 Corinthians 16:19; Acts 18:2,26).
a) “My helpers in Christ.”
b) Vs 4 – notice their dedication to Christ.
c) The church which met in their house (shows the proper designation of a church as people not a building.)
2. Epaenetus – the first saved in Achaia.
Achaia in New Testament times was a Roman Province of Northern Greece bordering on Macedonia.
3. Mary – who helped Paul and his associates in personal labor. Which Mary? There were many Mary’s and which one is referred to here, was most likely well known of the church, but unknown to us until the Bema of Christ.
4. Andronicus and Junia – Paul’s kinsmen (relatives) now old men, for they had been Christians longer than Paul, and in prison with him. These had a good reputation among the apostles. They were perhaps themselves “apostles” in the sense of being missionaries or messengers of Christ.
5. Many others – Individuals and households of believers and servants in the church. Many of these listed are women.
Rufus – vs 13 - whose mother had treated Paul as a son, may have been the son of Simon who bore Jesus cross (Mark 15:21).
6. The “Holy Kiss” – A middle-east form of greeting and affectionate sign of friendship. It actually means “a greeting of the saints”. God’s people are to be affectionate. This is not done too much in our North American churches, but there is nothing wrong with it within its meaning.
7. The churches of Christ – Not a denomination with a central headquarters. Rather the New Testament churches where Paul had ministered and bore greetings to the church in Rome.
Note: More than one church is referred to in the plural “churches”, not as a universal church. Cf - Galatians 1:2; Revelation 1:11; 2:7.
Don’t have fellowship with them:
See - 1 Corinthians 5:11; Ephesians 5:11; 2 Corinthians. 6:14-18; 2 John 9-11.
Paul warned Timothy of false prophets – 2 Timothy 3.
Likewise did Peter – 2 Peter 2.
Many people are deceived by false religious leaders, who teach them only what they want to hear.
2
Timothy 4:4
“And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”
Many today on television and radio, play on the emotions of the unlearned, and give no Bible, or twist it out of context to their own gain. The sovereign grace of God is substituted with a man – inspired faith and good works. This doctrine of do-goodism is called Arminianism. They tell us that man holds his own destiny and that by good deeds can achieve a level of holiness that God will accept. This Arminianism is intertwined with Pelagianism that says we all have a spark of divinity within us, which only needs to be fanned by the gospel. This is a false gospel and not the gospel of Paul
C. Pleasure: vs 19
“Everyone knows you have obeyed the teaching you have received. I am happy and rejoice with you in this, but I want you to be wise about good things, and pure about sinful things.”
D. Promise: vs 20
This verse takes us back to Genesis 3:15
“And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.”
The victory over Satan took place at Calvary!
1 John
3:8
“For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.”
The final doom of Satan, his demons, and all of those aligned with him, is seen in Revelation 20.
The Christian victory is in Christ.
1 John
4:4
“And ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”
God’s work can little be accomplished without sound dependable saints. Note that Paul refers to Timothy as his workfellow. God gives us workers in our churches! We have too many shirkers! It has well been said, “the greatest ability is dependability”. If we cannot depend upon God’s people to be faithful, whom can we depend upon?
B. Prayer: vs 24
Paul’s every concern was for others.
“May you have loving favor from our Lord Jesus Christ.”
It is the place of every Christian to so relate Christ to others. Far too many today are self-centered and spoiled. We in North America have had it too easy and as a result have lost touch with the needs of humanity. Paul was in touch with reality. His prayer for others was that they might know the grace (loving favor) of God.
1. The church is strengthened by the gospel.
That is why many churches today are weak; they have very little if any gospel.
This involves sound Bible-preaching, teaching of the Scriptures, and strong missionary, soul-winning enterprise. Too much preaching is geared to making the saints secure in their sleep. We need Biblical exposition of the gospel of the grace of God as applied in every day living. The Bible is a contemporary book, it is as relevant today as the day it was first given by the inspired pens of holy men of God-given.
2. The “revelation of the mystery”
This refers to the revealing through Paul of the doctrine of the church, and of God’s plan and purpose predestined in Christ – Ephesians 1:9-23.
B. Supernatural: vs 27
May God (who alone is all-wise) be honored (in all we do) through our Lord Jesus Christ?
Christ is the mediator, the go-between. We have access to God the Father, only through our Lord Jesus Christ. We cannot know, nor be blessed of God apart from the Person of Jesus Christ. This is the way God decreed it from before the foundation of the world.
AMEN! – So be it! or “let it so be done”.
CONCLUSION:
Christians should help and encourage one another. We need to warn of false religions, doctrines and cults, which lead men astray. Always be thankful for those who seek to help you and care for your soul. Appreciation strengthens Christian relationships and encourages further endeavor for the Lord.
Finally, if you do not know Jesus Christ as your own personal Savior. If you do not have assurance of your eternal salvation. May I urge you to consider the claims of Christ on your life. Go back to Romans 3, and then to Romans 5, and Romans 10:9-13. Read again of the sinful depravity of human nature, the loving care and provision of the Savior. Call upon Him today and invite Jesus into your heart and life.
Please contact us for further help and literature.
Dr. D. Paul Tuck
Landmark Baptist Church
C/o 48 Cobbler Crescent
North York, Ontario, Canada,
M3N 2Y7
Prepared as a study course for Landmark Baptist Bible Institute-Canada, North York, Ontario, Canada.
Giving honor to whom honor is due, the following books were used in the preparation of this work.
WORK SHEET –
COURSE ON ROMANS
LESSON 1 (Romans 1:1-17)
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LESSON 2 (Romans 1:18-32)
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LESSON 3 (Romans 2:1-16)
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LESSON 4 (Romans 2:17-29)
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LESSON 5 (Romans 3:1-18)
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LESSON 6 (Romans 3:19-31)
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LESSON 7 (Romans 4:1-25)
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LESSON 8 (Romans 5:1-11)
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LESSON 9 (Romans 5:12-21)
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LESSON 10 (Romans 6:1-14)
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LESSON 11 (Romans 6:15-23)
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LESSON 12 (Romans 7:1-13)
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LESSON 13 (Romans 7:14-25)
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LESSON 14 (Romans 8:1-19)
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LESSON 15 (Romans 8:20-34)
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LESSON 16 (Romans 8:35-39)
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Note: This work sheet is due to be handed in following the completion of this lesson. Each correct answer is worth 10 points, for a total of 100%.
WORK SHEET –
COURSE ON ROMANS
LESSON 17 (Romans 9:1-18)
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Note: This work sheet is due to be handed in following the completion of this lesson. Each correct answer is worth 10 points, for a total of 100%.
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WORK SHEET –
COURSE ON ROMANS
LESSON 18 (Romans 9:19-33)
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Note: This work sheet is due to be handed in following the completion of this lesson. Each correct answer is worth 10 points, for a total of 100%.
WORK SHEET – COURSE
ON ROMANS
LESSON 19 (Romans 10:1-21)
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Note: This work sheet is due to be handed in following the completion of this lesson. Each correct answer is worth 10 points, for a total of 100%.
WORK SHEET –
COURSE ON ROMANS
LESSON 20 (Romans 11:1-24)
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Note: This work sheet is due to be handed in following the completion of this lesson. Each correct answer is worth 10 points, for a total of 100%.
Note: This work sheet is due to be handed in following the completion of this lesson. Each correct answer is worth 10 points, for a total of 100%.
WORK SHEET –
COURSE ON ROMANS
LESSON 21 (Romans 11:25-36)
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Note: This work sheet is due to be handed in following the completion of this lesson. Each correct answer is worth 10 points, for a total of 100%.
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WORK SHEET –
COURSE ON ROMANS
LESSON 22 (Romans 12:1-8)
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Note: This work sheet is due to be handed in following the completion of this lesson. Each correct answer is worth 10 points, for a total of 100%.
WORK SHEET –
COURSE ON ROMANS
LESSON 23 (Romans 12:9-21)
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Note: This work sheet is due to be handed in following the completion of this lesson. Each correct answer is worth 10 points, for a total of 100%.
WORK SHEET –
COURSE ON ROMANS
LESSON 24 (Romans 13:1-14)
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Note: This work sheet is due to be handed in following the completion of this lesson. Each correct answer is worth 10 points, for a total of 100%.
WORK SHEET –
COURSE ON ROMANS
LESSON 25 (Romans 14:1-23)
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Note: This work sheet is due to be handed in following the completion of this lesson. Each correct answer is worth 10 points, for a total of 100%.
WORK SHEET –
COURSE ON ROMANS
LESSON 26 (Romans 15:1-21)
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Note: This work sheet is due to be handed in following the completion of this lesson. Each correct answer is worth 10 points, for a total of 100%.
WORK SHEET – COURSE
ON ROMANS
LESSON 27 (Romans 15:22-33)
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Note: This work sheet is due to be handed in following the completion of this lesson. Each correct answer is worth 10 points, for a total of 100%.
WORK SHEET –
COURSE ON ROMANS
LESSON 28 (Romans 16:1-27)
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Note: This work sheet is due to be handed in following the completion of this lesson. Each correct answer is worth 10 points, for a total of 100%.
DIRECTIONS CONCERNING THIS
COURSE ON ROMANS
1. Each page (lesson sheet) of the work sheet is due to be sent in following the completion of each individual less.
2. In completing each lesson work-sheet, use your Bible. You may resort to the notes only as a last resort.
3. Scripture referred to in this course of study is based upon the King James Version.
4. In the case of Group studies in an Extension School, please hand your work in to the instructor of your class.
5. Please write us or e-mail us if you need further information or have further questions regarding this study or other aspects of our Institute program.
6. Our address:
LANDMARK BAPTIST BIBLE
INSTITUTE-CANADA
48 Cobbler Crescent,
North York, Ontario,
Canada M3N 2Y7
E-mail: lbbi@rogers.com
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