Monday, August 26, 2019

By Grace ... Through Faith

Romans 1 - Gentiles are without excuse (had some light) - rejected the light that they had.
Romans 2 & 3 - Jews are without excuse (had a great deal of light) - manipulated, danced around, didn't live up to the light they were given.
Summary = Rom. 3:23  ALL

BAD NEWS!!!  Sin separates, brings Wrath + Condemnation!! 
AND it is (1) Universal + Irreparable!!  Example:  the gap in the bridge illustration.  Talking about the relationship we were created to have with God.  Irreparable due to sin.

BUT ... There is Good News!!  Rom. 3:20-24
On one hand, sin and separation = Universal and Irreparable
However, forgiveness and Reconciliation is Available!!  (relationship restored)

So.... How to access this Bridge?  God's Presence?

Some Common (American) answers:

(1)  Atheist view = is no God, no bridge, no need

(2)  Agnostic view = can't know so why bother?

(3)  Apathetic view = don't know, don't care

(4)  Good Works view - examples:  (a)  tip the scales argument  (b)  better than Joe Blow argument  (c)  God know my heart argument  (good old boy)

(5)  Salvation by affiliation view = I'm a Jew!  American, Catholic, my daughter goes to church.

(6)  Universalist view = I'm OK, you're OK, God = grandfather!!  Includes "reconciliation by death" - no matter how you lived your life, when you die you go to heaven!

(7)  Biblical View - by Grace (freely given) ... through Faith.

Paul gives that view with 2 Old Testament character illustrations:
#1.  Abraham - Rom. 4:1-5 - "believed"   "credited"  (counted, calculated)
Note:  faith and believing are the same word in the Greek.

#2.  David - Rom. 4:6-8

In the Old Testament, Salvation = by faith!!! Trusting God AS HE HAD Revealed Himself!!

In the New Testament, Salvation = by faith trusting God AS HE HAD Revealed Himself!!

Only difference - N.T. revelation makes it clear that Jesus is LORD and CHRIST!!! - Acts 2:36

Nearly 200 times in the New Testament, FAITH is declared to be the Sole condition for salvation.
Examples from John:
John 1:10-13
John 3:16-18
John 3:36
John 6:40
John 11:25-26
John 20:30-31

Define this "faith  (Reformers definition)  (MRP adaptation)
Biblical faith requires....
(1)  (proper) Content - means more that just believe = believe the right stuff!   Acts 2:36

(2)  (personal) Assent  (agreement)  Acts 2:37

(3)  (active) TRUST  more than head = hands!!! Example:  the demons believed Acts 2:41-42 and they weren't saved.
Acronym = C A T  - if don't have this, not FAITH!!

Therefore:  Salvation = by Grace through Faith.
Are no works required?  Answer - yes, no, yes....

On one hand, you must receive the Gift.  Compare to a check:  must receive, endorse, deposit it!
However, No!!!  Nothing beyond that is required!!

BUT, if there are no subsequent works - is NOT Biblical faith.  Not works to BE saved, but works AFTER saved.
C.A.T. - Active Trust!!!

Note:  Matt. 7:20
           Matt. 3:7-8
           James 2:14-26

Yes, it is Salvation - BY Grace ... Through Faith!!  (apart from works)

BUT!!!  "faith without works is dead"
or  Col. 2:6

Closing Scripture:  Heb. 11:1-2,6

Sunday, August 18, 2019

Big Words -- Bigger Concepts

Review:
Rom. 1 - Gentiles received some light and rejected it.  Therefore are "without excuse"

Rom. 2 & 3 - Jews received much light and juggled it, misapplied, mishandled it --- therefore, are without excuse"

Which leads to BAD NEWS!!  Rom. 3:23
But, there is also Good News!  Rom. 3:24 - all are capable of being justified

Expanded version:  Rom. 3:20-26 - primary text

Paul uses Big words and Bigger concepts!!  Example = in the text:  righteous, righteousness, justify, justification, redemption, atonement, propitiation

So:  terms defined with (1) bridge illustration  (2)  Bible - lev. 16:6-10, 15-16, 20-22

This = Foreshadow:  a vague, partial picture of that which is  to come!
These goats, this ritual (sacrifice) did not remove sin!!!  Heb. 10:3-4

This ritual/ sacrifice/ goats ... pictured  (portrayed, foreshadowed) the act that WOULD remove sin!!

Today:  look at Big Words and Concepts Paul uses that are illustrated by the Bridge illustration and scapegoat.

#1.  Substitution  (substitutionary sacrifice)  - goats for Israel   Christ for us

#2.  Propitiation/ Atonement  (interchangeable)  to Cover  therefore Satisfy therefore deflect consequences.
Example:  = cover your debt, satisfies obligation, deflects consequences
Rom. 3:25   1 John 2:2
(Hebrew = Kipur  where they get Yom Kipper - Day of Atonement)

#3.  Expiation - "ex" out of, removal - hence -- SCAPEGOAT  - 1 Pet. 2:24

#4.  Redemption  (Ransom)
payment for deliverance from bondage to sin.  Example:  in a kidnapping - pay a ransom to win freedom of on kidnapped
1 Tim. 2:5-6   Matt. 20:28

#5.  Justification (legal term)
payment made, now justified
just demands of the law now met... on one hand known to have been guilty, however now not viewed (treated) as guilty!  Rom. 3:23-24, 26  - back in right standing

#6.  Righteousness = right standing, ability to stand at ease!  (Old English "right wise" - compare to "crosswise")  Rom. 3:21-22

#7.  Reconciliation = restore to proper relationship (in agreement, in harmony) -Rom. 5:1-2, 11

All ADD UP to:  SALVATION
ie:  to be rescued from, delivered from  - example:  "saved by the bell"

What is the Christina saved from?  Matt. 1:21
(primarily) the Consequences of sin!!!  - 1 Thess. 1:10 - rescues us from the righteous anger of God

So:  substitution
    + propitiation
    + expiation
    + redemption
    + justification
    + righteousness
    + reconciliation___
       SALVATION

Is this "salvation by sacrifice?"
on one hand, "yes ---His sacrifice makes all this AVAILABLE!!

However, (technically and practically) Salvation is by FAITH in His Sacrifice!!
examples:  cross the bridge, bend the knee, bow before, make Him Lord, etc)

Saved....
"BY GRACE ................ THROUGH FAITH!!"
Example of what Paul calls "the foolishness of the cross"!!

Monday, August 12, 2019

Everyman's Gospel

Last week = Paul's charge to Rome's pagan society!
Those who rejected God's revelation, God's will - Rom. 1:18-20  - (they received some light from God but refused it = "without excuse"  They rejected the light they had been given.

This Week:  Romans chapter 2 - Paul addresses Rome's Jewish community.
Look how he begins :  Rom. 2:1 - "without excuse"
Have rejected God's will in an internal sense.

So:  On one hand, pagans received some light -- (general revelation) but refused it, therefore subject to God's wrath!  (ie:  righteous anger)

However, Jews received much light (special revelation, scripture).  They received it but did not practice it internally - therefore subject to God's wrath!  (ie:  righteous anger)

Paul's Point:  Rom. 3:23 - all sin, are separated, need a Savior - not just the pagan gentiles

So:  Paul's words to Jewish community:
Rom. 2:1-24, 28-29, 3:1-4, 9, 19-20

He's talking about the attitude toward God's word.  Vs. 11:  God doesn't prefer Jews over Gentiles

Now a closer look:

I.)  1st. Century pagan - received some light (general revelation) yet rejects God's word and will.  Therefore, without excuse and subject to wrath  (righteous anger)

II.  1st. Century Jew - received much light (Old Testament Scripture) yet found ways to manipulate that revelation - example:  Matt. 15:1-9.
Therefore, without excuse and subject to wrath  (righteous anger)

Question:  Any application for us today???

III.  21st Century Neo-pagan (new pagan - return to pagan thinking, worshiping nature rather than God, etc.)  They (likewise) received some light, BUT rejects, refuses it ... therefore without excuse, subject to God's wrath (righteous anger)

IV.  21st. Century Cultural Christian - (goes to church once in a while, maybe at Easter or Christmas, attends church weddings, is not Hindu or Jew or Muslim, so must be Christian.)    Has been exposed to much light!  (went to Sunday School, VBS, lives "good" life)  BUT picks and chooses from Scripture, ignores that which is inconvenient, etc.
Therefore, without excuse and subject to wrath  (righteous anger)

CONCLUSION:  Rom. 3:23   - That's BAD NEWS!!!

Question:  Why is Paul so passionate, emphatic, insistent about BAD NEWS???

Some reasons:

(1)  Sin Separates  - example:  Bridge Illustration
which places man in position of condemnation. - John 3:18
Which is NOT God's desire - John 3:16-17, 2 Pet. 3:9

(2)  Sin incurs God's wrath - (ie Righteous Anger!!)
Wrath may be Passive                 active               Future
                  (backs away)       (intervenes)         (final judgment)

Note:  sin doesn't always lead to immediate wicked behavior  Rather ... SIN leads to distorted thinking which leads to wicked behavior.
Example:  Adam and Eve - Romans 1
This is why repentance, conversion is more than a change of action, behavior.  It = change of MIND!!

(3)  Sin is universal - Rom. 3:23 - 1 John 1:8

(4)  Unless and Until man sees his sin, he will not address it as sin!!  Example:  Step #1 of AA?  - admit you have a problem)

(5)  the Holy Spirit uses the proclamation of sin to convince(convict) man of sin.  example:  Acts 2:37.
Rom. 10:14

So.... Paul IS passionate about the BAD NEWS.
BUT ... even more passionate about the GOOD NEWS!! - Rom. 3:21-27

One issue within the church today - the emphasis/proclamation of the GOOD NEWS ... (loving God)
with out proclamation and explanation of the BAD NEWS!!! - separation, wrath!

Focus = Love  (agape).  Mercy - compassion - forgiveness

without righteousness, justice, judgment, wrath

The cross proclaims BOTH!!

The proclamation of one is incomplete without the other!!

This doesn't mean we should exclude Love, doesn't mean should move away from Love.
BUT should present His live within the proper framework of Everyman's Gospel

Closing Scripture:  Eph. 3:16-21


Sunday, August 4, 2019

Romans 1: 18-32

Book of Romans - condensed:  "Paul, an Apostle, concerning the gospel (good news! - evangelical witness) of Jesus Christ."

The Good News = you can be right with God (ie:  in right standing; able to stand "at ease" in His Presence - won't be condemned)

BUT ... it's preceded by the BAD NEWS!!  ie:  (until you come to God through His Son, Jesus Christ.....) you are NOT in good standing with God!!!
Illustration:  the Ugly Pill.   Fellow says to his friend,  Good news!  We have discovered a pill that will cure ALL the uglies no matter what.   The bad news is that you need this pill!!!
This is why the gospel is so offensive!

Romans Chapter 1, verses 18-32 = the BAD NEWS!!
Is a lot of heavy content therein!  So..... before reading it, will define some terms!!

(1)  Righteousness = able to stand "at ease" in His Presence.  Talking about our righteousness here.  God's righteousness = He is always right, all the time.
Two types of righteousness - (a) Positional righteousness = in right position with God
                                            (b) Practical righteousness = practice of right living

(2)  Sin = any transgression of God's law, or any lack of conformity to God's law.  (commission & omission)

(3) Wrath of God = Anger!!  emotional response to evil and injustice.
it = righteous anger - always
it = settled (or studied) anger  (not sudden) - rational, reasonable, thought out.

Also note:  Active wrath  (in anger He intervenes)
             w/ Passive wrath (in anger He withdraws) - We see this passive anger in this passage

(4)  Revelation  = two types:  general revelation - general in scope and content - given to all people
                                             special (specific) revelation - available in scripture.  Example:  Christ's substitutionary death.  Would not get that from general revelation.

(5)  Free Will - which = on one hand, the freedom to choose, however is NOT freedom to choose without consequences.  Choices have consequences.

(6)  Progressive Depravity - ie:  moral corruption in a downward spiral

Text:  Rom. 1:16-32

  • Rom. 1:18 - present tense; wrath not primarily against men, but against the godlessness and wickedness that men do;  suppression - holding down with force something that will pop back to surface if released.
  • Rom. 1:27 - current wrath;  punishment for sin is sin itself.  (continued downward spiral)


OBSERVATIONS:


  • 1.  God takes sin seriously  
  • 2.  A just God deals with sin .... justly!!  But,
  • Mercy is also available!  
The most vivid display of God's righteous anger against sin = The CROSS!! - Matt. 27:45-46

The clearest demonstration of God's love and concern for His creation = The CROSS!! - Rom. 5:8-9

Put love and justice together --> 2 Cor. 5:21
(it's fitting that the symbol = CROSS - where love and justice meet!!)

"Good news" - labored over the next 8 chapters, but, we must be convinced of our "lostness".  1 Pet. 3:18

Are 2 paths available:  (1)  Justice  (which = wrath) - take your chances with God.  Get what's coming to you.

  or (2)  Mercy --- you choose!!  


Closing Scripture:  Rom. 8:12-14