First Century Christianity

RETURN TO ME

2009-07-11T19:52:00.003-04:00

Text: Jeremiah 3.

ISRAEL HAD COMMITTED SPIRITUAL ADULTERY. (3:1-9). “They say, ‘If a man divorces his wife, And she goes from him And becomes another man’s, May he return to her again?’ Would not that land be greatly polluted? But you have played the harlot with many lovers; Yet return to Me,” says the LORD. 2 “ Lift up your eyes to the desolate heights and see: Where have you not lain with men? By the road you have sat for them Like an Arabian in the wilderness; And you have polluted the land With your harlotries and your wickedness. 3 Therefore the showers have been withheld, And there has been no latter rain. You have had a harlot’s forehead; You refuse to be ashamed. 4 Will you not from this time cry to Me, ‘ My Father, You are the guide of my youth? 5 Will He remain angry forever? Will He keep it to the end?’ Behold, you have spoken and done evil things, As you were able.” 6 The LORD said also to me in the days of Josiah the king: “Have you seen what backsliding Israel has done? She has gone up on every high mountain and under every green tree, and there played the harlot. 7 And I said, after she had done all these things, ‘Return to Me.’ But she did not return. And her treacherous sister Judah saw it. 8 Then I saw that for all the causes for which backsliding Israel had committed adultery, I had put her away and given her a certificate of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah did not fear, but went and played the harlot also. 9 So it came to pass, through her casual harlotry, that she defiled the land and committed adultery with stones and trees.

God likens Israel and Judah to unfaithful wives.

Verse 1. They had played the harlot with many lovers.
Verse 2. They were acting like an animal in heat. Unable to refrain from committing adultery.
Verse 3. They refuse to be ashamed.
Verses 6-8. Judah saw what happened to Israel and still committed harlotry.
Verse 9. Judah committed harlotry with stones and trees!

It is interesting that God allows one cause for a Scriptural divorce.

Matthew 5:32. But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.
God understands the pain that is caused by an unfaithful spouse.
God had put away Israel and was about to put away Judah.

We too can, and unfortunately often do, commit spiritual adultery against God.

The church is the bride of Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:2. For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
James 4:4. Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
We commit spiritual adultery when we love the world more than God.
We are adulterers when we put more faith in man’s wisdom than God’s wisdom.
We are adulterers when we put our wants above God’s wants.

GOD’S PLEA. “RETURN TO ME!”

In spite of their harlotry, God wanted to take Israel and Judah back.

Verse 2. Yet return to Me,” says the LORD.
Verse 7. And I said, after she had done all these things, ‘Return to Me.’ But she did not return.
Verse 12. Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say: ‘ Return, backsliding Israel,’ says the LORD; ‘ I will not cause My anger to fall on you. For I am merciful,’ says the LORD; ‘ I will not remain angry forever.
Verse 14. “Return, O backsliding children,” says the LORD; “for I am married to you. I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion.
Verse 22. “ Return, you backsliding children, And I will heal your backslidings.”

God placed one condition on their return. Verse 13. Only acknowledge your iniquity, That you have transgressed against the LORD your God, And have scattered your charms To alien deities under every green tree, And you have not obeyed My voice,’ says the LORD.

It wasn’t enough to just want out of Assyria.
It wasn’t enough to want to dwell in Palestine.
They had to acknowledge that they had sinned.
Before any sinner can be in a right relationship with God, he must acknowledge his sin. Psalm 51:3. For I acknowledge my transgression, and my sin is always before me.
Acknowledging sin is part of repentance. 2 Corinthians 7:10-11. For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. 11 For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter.
The problem is that too often people are too proud to admit their sin!

AN INADEQUATE REPSONSE (3:10). And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah has not turned to Me with her whole heart, but in pretense,” says the LORD.

Judah had made an outward show of returning to God but had not done so wholeheartedly.

Perhaps they tore down a few altars to false gods.
Perhaps they gave lip service to the one true God.
But their heart was far from Him. Isaiah 29:13-15. Therefore the Lord said: “ Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths And honor Me with their lips, But have removed their hearts far from Me, And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men, 14 Therefore, behold, I will again do a marvelous work Among this people, A marvelous work and a wonder; For the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, And the understanding of their prudent men shall be hidden.”  15 Woe to those who seek deep to hide their counsel far from the LORD, And their works are in the dark; They say, “Who sees us?” and, “Who knows us?”
They thought they could hide their true intentions and desires from God.

We have a lot of people like this in the church today.

They sing, Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God, and then proceed to put the jobs, their families, their own wants and desires ahead of the kingdom.
They sing, None of self and all of thee, and then proceed to be selfish with their time and money.
They sing, Angry words O let them never from the tongue unbridled slip… and then proceed to “tell off” people who make them upset.
They sing, I want to be a worker for the Lord, and then say “No” when asked to do something to help the church.

God demands obedience FROM THE HEART. Romans 6:17. But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.

THE ONLY SOURCE OF SALVATION IS THE LORD (3:23). Truly, in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, And from the multitude of mountains; Truly, in the LORD our God Is the salvation of Israel.

Israel and Judah had sought safety by going to their false gods during times of trouble.

These false gods would not deliver them.
Nor would alliances with other nations do them any good. Jeremiah 2:18,36. 18 And now why take the road to Egypt, To drink the waters of Sihor? Or why take the road to Assyria, To drink the waters of the River? 36 … Also you shall be ashamed of Egypt as you were ashamed of Assyria.
They forgot that true salvation comes only from the Lord.

We must remember that ONLY IN THE LORD is salvation today.

It lies not in our good works.
It lies not in the wisdom of men.
It lies not in our feelings or emotions.
It lies not in man-made churches.

Are you in the Lord? Galatians 3:27. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

WHAT IS REPENTANCE ???

2009-03-16T11:46:00.004-04:00

Text: 2 Corinthians 7:10; Matthew 21:28-32.

Delivered on: March 15, 2009. Streetsboro.

INTRODUCTION.

Its necessity was taught by John. Matthew 3:1-2. In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, ²and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”
Jesus said that if we do not do it, we will perish. Luke 13:3. I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.
The apostles said that without it we would not have our sins remitted. Acts 2:38. Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
We are talking about repentance.
As seen above, repentance plays an integral part in our salvation.
Without it, we will be lost.
But, what is repentance?

BODY.

WHAT IT IS NOT.
1. It is not “turning to God.” Acts 26:20. But declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.
2. It is not conversion. Acts 3:19. Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,
3. It is not crying. Hebrews 12:16-17. Lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright. ¹⁷For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance,
  though he sought it diligently with tears.
4. It is not godly sorrow. 2 Corinthians 7:10. For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.
5. It is not leading a reformed life.
WHAT IT IS.
1. It is a change of action (or behavior) brought about by a change of heart.
  1. The process.
    1. The change of heart begins with a change of thought in regard to Jesus. Acts 2:36-37. “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” ³⁷Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
    2. This leads to a change of attitude in regard to sin. Romans 6:1-2. What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? ²
      Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?
    3. This change of attitude in regard to sin leads to godly sorrow. 2 Corinthians 7:10. For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.
    4. Godly sorrow leads to repentance.
  2. The one who repents decides that he is no longer living to please self but to please God.
    1. And in accordance with that, he is going to change his behavior and bring it into line with what Christ wants from him.
    2. A great example of repentance is found in Matthew 21:28-32. “But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard.’ ²⁹He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went. ³⁰Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go. ³¹Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said to Him, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you. ³²For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him; but tax collectors and harlots believed him; and when you saw it, you did not afterward relent and believe him.
    3. Also notice Jonah 3:5-9. So the people of Nineveh believed God, proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least of them. ⁶Then word came to the king of Nineveh; and he arose from his throne and laid aside his robe, covered himself with sackcloth and sat in ashes. ⁷And he caused it to be proclaimed and published throughout Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; do not let them eat, or drink water. ⁸But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily to God; yes, let every one turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands. ⁹Who can tell if God will turn and relent, and turn away from His fierce anger, so that we may not perish?
2. It is a command. Acts 17:30-31. Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, ³¹because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”
3. It is for sinners as well as saints. Acts 8:22. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.
DO YOU NEED TO REPENT?
1. If you have not yet obeyed the gospel, then you need to repent of your past sins and obey the gospel.
2. If you are a child of God, you still need to repent of your sins too.
  1. You still have sin in your life. 1 John 1:8. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
  2. Yet God will forgive us if we repent and confess. 1 John 1:9. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
  3. If you do not repent, you will not be forgiven.
  4. Do you have problems with:
    1. Lying.
    2. Laziness.
    3. Substance abuse.
    4. Pornography.
    5. Procrastination.
  5. It is time to repent!

THE RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT OF GOD

2009-02-23T09:33:00.005-05:00

Text: Romans 2:1-11.

Delivered on: February 22, 2009. Streetsboro.

INTRODUCTION.

In the latter half of Romans 1, Paul, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, gives an account of the wickedness of the Gentile world in general.
The chapter concludes with these words… Who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
1. Notice that Paul mentions the righteous judgment of God.
2. All too often, the judgment of men is not righteous.
  1. Sometimes we are judged according to appearances which are often wrong.
  2. Sometimes we are judged unfairly.
3. Sometimes we have people who are good at seeing the faults in others, condemning them, and then practicing the same things themselves.
In Romans 2, we have a discourse from Paul on the righteous judgment of God.
Romans 2:1-11. Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. ² But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. ³ And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? ⁴ Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? ⁵ But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, ⁶ who “will render to each one according to his deeds”: ⁷ eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; ⁸ but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, ⁹ tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; ¹⁰ but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. ¹¹ For there is no partiality with God.

BODY.

HYPOCRITICAL JUDGMENT. Verses 1-2. Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. ² But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things.
1. Paul points out how wrong it is to condemn someone for something when we are doing the same thing.
  1. There were undoubtedly many self righteous Jews who felt that those heathen Gentiles were going to get exactly what they deserved. (And that is true.)
  2. But Paul is point out that in being guilty of the very same things, they too were guilty.
  3. In judging others, they were condemning themselves.
2. Jesus had something to say about this. Matthew 7:1-5. “Judge not, that you be not judged. ² For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. ³ And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? ⁴ Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? ⁵ Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
3. Does this mean, as some suggest, that since none of us are perfect, then none of us are permitted to point out sin in another’s life?
  1. No!
  2. Jesus taught that we will know whether a person is righteous or wicked by their fruit. Matthew 7:15-16. “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. ¹⁶ You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?
  3. What would be wrong is to try to correct another person who is doing something while we are doing the same thing and not correcting it.
  4. That is what Jesus meant when He said, “First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”
  5. Galatians 6:1. Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
GOD’S RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT. Verses 3,6,11. ³ And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? ⁶ who “will render to each one according to his deeds”: ¹¹ For there is no partiality with God.
1. God’s judgment is universal. (v.3)
  1. Paul rhetorically asks, Do you think that you will escape the judgment of God?
  2. Will anyone escape the judgment of God?
  3. No!
  4. Good and Bad. 2 Corinthians 5:10. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
  5. Living or dead. 2 Timothy 4:1. I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:
  6. All people! Hebrews 9:27. And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.
2. God’s judgment is uniform. (v.6)
  1. There is a uniform standard by which we will be judged.
  2. According to our deeds (v.6).
  3. Those deeds will be judged according to the word of God.
  4. John 12:48. He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day.
  5. Revelation 20:12. And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.
3. God’s judgment is unimpeachable. (v.11)
  1. Unimpeachable – irreproachable, free from stain, guilt, or fault.
  2. Unlike man, God judges without partiality.
  3. Rich or poor. Slave or free. Jew or Greek. All are judged as equals.
  4. Galatians 3:28. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
GOD’S JUDGMENT ON THE WICKED. Verses 5,8,9. ⁵ But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, ⁸ but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, ⁹ tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek;
1. What makes a person wicked?
  1. Unbelief. Romans 1:18-22. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, ¹⁹ because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. ²⁰ For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, ²¹ because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. ²² Professing to be wise, they became fools.
  2. Having a hard and impenitent heart (v.5).
  3. Being self-seeking (v.8).
  4. Not obeying the truth (v.8).
  5. Obeying unrighteousness or doing evil (vv.8,9).
2. The wicked will suffer.
  1. They are treasuring up wrath (v.5). Storing it up. Hebrews 10:29-31. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? ³⁰ For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The LORD will judge His people.” ³¹ It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
  2. They will suffer God’s indignation (v.8). Anger provoked by man’s disobedience.
  3. Anguish. Matthew 25:30. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
3. How can a loving God cause anyone to suffer?
  1. Let us answer that with another question.
  2. How could a holy and righteous God not punish wickedness?
GOD’S JUDGMENT ON THE RIGHTEOUS. Verses 7,10. ⁷ Eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; ¹⁰ but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
1. What makes a person righteous?
  1. V.7. Patient continuance in doing good. Galatians 6:9. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
  2. 1 John 3:7. Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.
  3. Of course, good works are just the end-product of one who is seeking to do good. Ephesians 2:8-10. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not of works, lest anyone should boast. ¹⁰ For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
  4. It is the grace of God that saves us through faithful obedience.
  5. It is our continual striving to do good (walk in the light) that keeps us in fellowship with God.
2. The righteous will be rewarded.
  1. Eternal life (v.7).
  2. Glory. Romans 8:16-17. The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, ¹⁷ and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
  3. Honor. The honor that comes from God. John 5:44. How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?
  4. Peace. Revelation 14:13. Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.”

CONCLUSION.

What do we learn from this passage?
Unlike man, God is a righteous judge.
1. His judgment will be universal, uniform, and unimpeachable.
2. Those who are obedient to His will will be rewarded with eternal life.
3. Those who are disobedient will suffer the vengeance of an Almighty God.
Are you ready to face the Judgment?

PAUL'S CONFESSION TO FELIX

2009-02-09T20:02:00.004-05:00

Text: Acts 24:1-16.

Delivered on: January 11, 2008. Streetsboro.

INTRODUCTION.

In Acts 24, Paul is being accused by the Jews before Felix.
After Tertullus finishes his little speech, Paul gives his defense.
He starts out by pointing out that their accusations are false and improvable. (vv.12-13).
Then, in verses 14-16, he makes his confession to Felix. But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets. ¹⁵ I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. ¹⁶ This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.
Paul confesses to:
1. Worshiping the God of his fathers according to the Way which they call a sect.
2. He does this believing all the things written in the Law and the Prophets.
3. He believes and hopes in the resurrection of the just and unjust.
4. He always strives to have a conscience without offense toward God.

BODY.

PAUL WORSHIPED THE GOD OF HIS FATHERS ACCORDING TO THE WAY.
1. The “Way” to which Paul is referring is the “Faith.”
  1. Jude 3. Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.
  2. Acts 6:7. Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.
  3. Acts 14:21-22. And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, ²² strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”
  4. Acts 16:5. So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.
  5. Romans 1:5. Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name.
  6. 2 Corinthians 13:5. Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.
2. There is only one way.
  1. John 14:6. Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
  2. Acts 4:12. Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
  3. It is a straight way. Matthew 7:13-14. “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. ¹⁴ Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
3. Paul worshiped according to this Way.
  1. Worship is a necessity to the true follower of God.
  2. John 4:23-24. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. ²⁴ God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
  3. It is not to be directed by the dictates of our own conscience. Colossians 2:20-23. Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations— ²¹ “Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” ²² which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men? ²³ These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.

PAUL SERVED GOD IN THE WAY BELIEVING ALL THINGS WRITTEN IN THE LAW AND THE PROPHETS.
1. As Christians, we live under the New Covenant or Testament. Colossians 2:14. Having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.
2. However, that does not mean that we don’t believe the things written in the Old Testament.
  1. Paul was accused of not believing the Law and the Prophets.
  2. Jesus was accused of this. Matthew 5:17-18. “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. ¹⁸ For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.
  3. The Old Testament is valuable in so many ways. Romans 15:4. For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
    1. It led the world to Christ. Galatians 3:24. Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
    2. It teaches moral and ethical lessons.
    3. It teaches us about the character of God.
  4. Jesus and Paul understood the real purpose of the Law and Prophets. 1 Peter 1:10-12. Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, ¹¹ searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. ¹² To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.
3. Notice that he believed ALL things.
  1. He believed in the 6 days of creation.
  2. He believed in the global flood.
  3. He believed in the crossing of the Red Sea.
  4. He believed that Jonah was swallowed by a great fish.
  5. Etc.
  6. Either all of the Bible is true or none of it is.

PAUL BELIEVED AND HOPED IN THE RESURRECTION OF THE JUST AND UNJUST.
1. Paul saw the resurrected Christ.
2. The Pharisees believed in a resurrection but not that Christ had risen.
3. Paul hoped to attain to the resurrection himself. Philippians 3:7-11. But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. ⁸ Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ ⁹ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; ¹⁰ that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, ¹¹ if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
4. Both the Just and Unjust will be resurrected.
  1. John 5:28-29. Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice ²⁹ and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.
  2. The Just will be resurrected to Life.
  3. The Unjust will be resurrected to condemnation.
  4. To answer for what we have done in this life. 2 Corinthians 5:10. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
5. 1 Corinthians 15:50-58. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. ⁵¹ Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— ⁵² in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. ⁵³ For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. ⁵⁴ So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” ⁵⁵ “ O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” ⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁵⁸ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

PAUL ALWAYS STRIVED TO LIVE WITHOUT OFFENSE TOWARD GOD.

This was true even before he became a Christian. Acts 23:1. Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, “Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.”
Because he wanted to attain to the resurrection, he strived to live without offense toward God.
2 Peter 3:14. Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;
What about you?

WHO GAVE US THE BIBLE?

2009-02-09T10:28:00.009-05:00

This is an interesting chart I got from Geisler & Nix' book, A General Introduction to the Bible.

It helps to show that the Canon was recognized very early.

Click on the image to enlarge it.

Text: Various.

Delivered on: January 18 & 25, 2009. Streetsboro.

INTRODUCTION.

It is almost a true conspiracy theory.
Many people have this image in their mind. A group of men in a dark room gathering together to decide which books they want to put into the Bible.
Books such as The DaVinci Code portray it in just that way.

“The Bible is a product of man, my dear. Not of God. The bible did not fall magically from the clouds. Man created it as a historical record of tumultuous times, and it has evolved through countless translations, additions, and revisions. History has never had a definitive version of the book.”

“His life was recorded by thousands of followers across the land… More than eighty gospels were considered for the New Testament, and yet only a relative few were chosen for inclusion – Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John among them.”

“Who chose which gospels to include?” Sophie asked.

“Aha!” Teabing burst in with enthusiasm. “The fundamental irony of Christianity! The Bible as we know it today, was collated by the pagan Roman emperor Constantine the Great.” (p.231)

“To rewrite the history books, Constantine knew he would need a bold stroke. From this sprang the most profound moment in Christian history… Constantine commissioned and financed a new Bible, which omitted those gospels that spoke of Christ’s human traits and embellished those gospels that made Him godlike. The earlier gospels were outlawed, gathered up, and burned.” (p. 234)
We also hear people tell us that the Catholic church gave us the Bible.
1. "Because it never was a Bible, till the infallible Church pronounced it to be so. The separate treatises, each of them inspired, were lying, as it were dispersedly; easy to confound with others, that were uninspired. The Church gathered them up, selected them, pronounced judgment on them; rejecting some, which she defined and declared not to be canonical, because not inspired; adopting others as being inspired, and therefore canonical." (What Is the Bible? p. 6).
2. "And since the books of the Bible constituting both the Old and the New Testament were determined solely by the authority of the Catholic Church, without the Church there would have been no Bible, and hence no Protestantism." (The Faith of Millions, p. 10).
3. "It was not until the Council of Hippo in 390 that the Church gathered these gospels and epistles, scattered about in different churches, and placed them within the covers of a single book, giving the Bible to the world." (The Faith of Millions, p. 152).
Just who gave us the Bible?
Is it a product of a corrupt Catholic Church?

BODY.

WHO GAVE US THE BIBLE?
1. God is the Author of all scripture.
  1. 2 Timothy 3:16. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
  2. 2 Peter 1:20-21. Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, ²¹ for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
  3. This lesson is not meant to PROVE that the scriptures are inspired.
    1. We have studied that extensively lately.
    2. If you have questions or concerns about the inspiration of the Scriptures, we have plenty of material that you can look at.
2. The fact that Scripture is inspired by God makes it part of the Canon.
  1. Kanon – literally a rod, ruler, staff, or measuring rod.
    1. It came to mean a standard or norm.
    2. It came to mean rule of faith, or authoritative Scripture.
    3. So when we talk about the “Canon” we are talking about inspired, authoritative writings.
  2. An important distinction. It was inspiration that made a writing canonical not canonicity which made a writing inspired.
  3. In other words, God has already decided the “Canon.” Man simply has the task of recognizing what it is that God has inspired.
HOW HAS MAN RECOGNIZED WHAT GOD HAS INSPIRED?
1. There were basically 4 criteria for ascertaining whether or not a book was to be considered authoritative.
  1. Was the book written by a prophet of God?
  2. Was the writer confirmed by acts of God?
  3. Did the message tell the truth about God? (As revealed in other inspired books.)
  4. Was it accepted by the people of God?
2. Was the book written by a prophet of God?
  1. Prophets were God’s spokesmen.
    1. Amos 3:8. A lion has roared! Who will not fear? The Lord GOD has spoken! Who can but prophesy?
    2. Numbers 22:18. Then Balaam answered and said to the servants of Balak, “Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the word of the LORD my God, to do less or more.
    3. Deuteronomy 18:18. I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him.
  2. In New Testament times, apostles were prophets but not the only prophets.
    1. 2 Corinthians 5:20. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.
    2. Ephesians 4:11. And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers.
3. Was the writer confirmed by acts of God?
  1. This was how one determined if a person was an apostle or prophet.
  2. Exodus 4:1-5. Then Moses answered and said, “But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice; suppose they say, ‘The LORD has not appeared to you.’”² So the LORD said to him, “What is that in your hand?” He said, “A rod.” ³ And He said, “Cast it on the ground.” So he cast it on the ground, and it became a serpent; and Moses fled from it. ⁴ Then the LORD said to Moses, “Reach out your hand and take it by the tail” (and he reached out his hand and caught it, and it became a rod in his hand), ⁵ “that they may believe that the LORD God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.”
  3. Deuteronomy 18:22. When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not happen or come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.
  4. Mark 16:17-20. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; ¹⁸ they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” ¹⁹ So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. ²⁰ And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.
4. Did the message tell the truth about God? (As revealed in other inspired books.)
  1. If there was doubt concerning the authorship of a book, then the content was considered.
  2. If it was written by a prophet, it would not contradict the writings of other prophets.
5. Was it accepted by the people of God?
  1. During Old Testament times, the people of God were the Jewish people.
  2. During New Testament times, the people of God are Christians.
  3. Those who lived during those early times would know which books were written by prophets and were thus authoritative.

WHEN WAS THE CANON COMPLETED?
1. Old Testament.
  1. There is ample evidence that the Old Testament Canon was in place by the time of the writing of the New Testament.
    1. Jesus mentions the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms. Luke 24:44. Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.”
      1. The statement in Luke 11:51 is also significant. Therefore the wisdom of God also said, ‘I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they will kill and persecute,’ ⁵⁰ that the blood of all the prophets which was shed from the foundation of the world may be required of this generation, ⁵¹ from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who perished between the altar and the temple. Yes, I say to you, it shall be required of this generation.
        
        Abel was the first martyr mention in the Old Testament.
        
        Zachariah was the last. 2 Chronicles 24:20-21. Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, who stood above the people, and said to them, “Thus says God: ‘Why do you transgress the commandments of the LORD, so that you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken the LORD, He also has forsaken you.’” ²¹ So they conspired against him, and at the command of the king they stoned him with stones in the court of the house of the LORD.
        
        Lightfoot says that the way that the Jews order the Old Testament books is different from ours.
        
        Chronicles is last.
      2. Thus, from Abel (Genesis) to Zechariah (Chronicles), the Jews had rejected God’s prophets.
    2. Josephus (A.D. 37-100)
      1. “We have not 10,000 books among us, disagreeing with and contradicting one another, but only twenty-two books which contain the records of all time, and are justly believed to be divine. Five of these are by Moses, and contain his laws and traditions of the origin of mankind until his death… From the death of Moses till the reign of Artaxerxes, king of Persia, who reigned after Xerxes, the prophets who succeeded Moses wrote down what happened in their times in thirteen books; and the remaining four books contain hymns to God and precepts for the conduct of human life.”
      2. Josephus’ 22 books correspond to our 39.
        
        5 books of Moses – Genesis to Deuteronomy.
        
        13 books of the prophets: Joshua, Judges-Ruth, Samuel, Kings, Chronicles, Ezra-Nehemiah, Isaiah, Jeremiah-Lamentations, Daniel, Ezekiel, Job, Esther, the Book of the Twelve (minor prophets).
        
        4 books of hymns: Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon.
  2. What about the Old Testament Apocrypha. From two Greek words which means “authorship and origin is obscure.”
    1. These are 15 additional books that you will find in the Catholic Bible.
    2. These books are not canonical because they break the rules listed above.
      1. They do not agree with known and accepted canonical books.
        
        2 Maccabees 12:45-46 teaches the doctrine of praying for the dead.
        
        Tobit 12:9 teaches salvation by works.
        
        “Bel” is referred to as a “living god” in Bel and the Dragon (v.6)
        
        God assisted Judith in a deed of falsehood in Judith 9:10,13.
      2. There is no claim in the Apocryphal books that they are the word of God.
      3. They were not accepted by the people of that time.
        
        Joseph. “It is true our history hath been written since Artaxerxes very particularly but hath not been esteemed of the like authority with the former by our forefathers, because there hath not been an exact succession of the prophets since that time.” Against Apion 1.8.
        
        The Talmud says: “After the latter prophets Haggai, Zechariah…and Malachi, the Holy Spirit departed from Israel.”
      4. Philo (20 B.C. – A.D. 40) quoted from every book of the OT but never quoted from the Apocrypha.
      5. Neither Jesus nor the New Testament writers ever quoted from the Apocrypha.
      6. They were not even officially recognized by the Catholic church until the Council of Trent in 1546.
2. New Testament.
  1. The primary test for New Testament canonicity was inspiration. Was the book written by an apostle or prophet?
  2. There is evidence that a Canon was being developed VERY early in the New Testament church.
    1. Inspired writings were circulated and collected by the early church.
      1. 1 Thessalonians 5:27. I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren.
      2. Revelation 1:11. Saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”
      3. Colossians 4:16. Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.
    2. They were so well circulated, so early on that Peter refers to the writings of Paul and expects his audience to be familiar with them. 2 Peter 3:15-16. And consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, ¹⁶ as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.
  3. There was not one specific point where the canon of the New Testament was decided.
  4. It happened over a period of time but was completed very early. (Before the Catholic church came into existence and before those councils which are usually given credit for establishing the canon.)
  5. Notice some of these proofs:
    1. Irenaeus (A.D. 170). Quoted or considered authentic 23 of the 27 New Testament books. Omitted Philemon, James, 2 Peter, and 3 John.
    2. Clement of Alexandria (A.D. 200). Has almost identical list with Irenaeus. He also leaves out 2 Timothy and 2 John.
    3. Old Syriac translation. Made in about A.D. 400 but was copied from a text dating to the second century. Included all of NT except 2 Peter, 2&3 John, Jude, Revelation.
    4. Old Latin translation. Translated prior to A.D. 200. Contained everything except Hebrews, James, 1 & 2 Peter.
    5. The Muratorian Canon. A.D. 170. Lists all NT books except Hebrews, James, 1 & 2 Peter. Many believe the other books were present but lost due to a break in the MS.
  6. The main thing to remember is this: The New Testament Canon was not decided by some council or the Catholic church.
  7. Why were some books disputed? Which books were they?
    1. Hebrews.
      1. The main reason for this was that the author does not identify himself.
      2. Those who believed that Paul wrote the book accepted it immediately.
    2. James.
      1. Many believed that James’ teaching on faith and works contradicted the teachings of Paul.
      2. Eventually, people came to realize that there was no contradiction.
    3. 2 Peter.
      1. The main concern here was that the style of writing was so different from 1 Peter.
      2. However, there were also similarities.
      3. Realizing that a person’s vocabulary and style can change over time convinced people to accept it as Petrine.
    4. 2 & 3 John.
      1. Some questioned if John was really the author.
      2. Also, they are private letters and were not circulated as widely as other writings at first.
      3. However, they were circulated widely enough that they were recognized in the Muratorian Canon.
    5. Jude.
      1. Questioned because many believed that it referenced the pseudepigraphal writings; The Book of Enoch and The Assumption of Moses.
      2. However, the fact that these writings may have been quoted does not mean that the whole book was approved but only the part that was quoted.
      3. Much like Paul quoted pagan poets. Acts 17:28. For in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’
    6. Revelation.
      1. Questioned because many believed that it taught the doctrine of millennialism.
      2. This however, was a misuse of the text.
  8. What about the pseudepigrapha? Over 280 of these. None of them were ever considered to be canonic.
    1. The Infancy Gospel of Thomas. An account of the infancy of Christ. Full of fanciful stories.
      1. Has one account of Jesus making sparrows out of clay and bringing them to life (2:1-4).
      2. One boy takes a willow branch and disperses the water which angers Jesus and he curses the boy and he withers up wholly (3:2-3).
      3. In another instance, a child dashed against Jesus’ shoulder and Jesus curses him to die.
    2. The Gospel of the Ebionites. An account of Jesus’ life which denies His deity.
      1. They stressed the Law of Moses.
      2. Believe that Jesus was a mere man whom God adopted at His baptism.
    3. The Gospel of Peter.
      1. Taught that Pilate was guiltless for the death of Christ and that only the Jews were responsible.
      2. That Jesus felt no pain when crucified.
      3. That Jesus’ brothers and sisters were from Joseph’s first marriage.
    4. Protevangelium of James. Characterized by its devotion to Mary.
      1. A very early form of devotion to Mary, which included belief in her miraculous birth and her perpetual virginity.
      2. That Mary was born after only 6 months in the womb and walked seven steps only six months after birth.
    5. The Gospel of the Hebrews.
      1. Places James at the last supper. When he wasn’t.
      2. Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as His mother.
    6. The Gospel of the Egyptians.
      1. Only a few fragments exist today.
      2. Has Jesus teaching that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are the same person.
      3. Teaches that the body (all flesh) is evil.
    7. The Gospel of the Nazaraeans.
      1. Teaches that Jesus did not spend three days and nights in the grave.
      2. Instead of saying that the veil of the temple rent, it says “the lintel of the temple of wondrous size collapsed.”
      3. It typically is very close to the synoptic gospels but just adds embellishments to the story.
    8. The Gospel of Philip.
      1. It narrates the manner of the ascent of a soul through seven successive spheres of hostile “powers.”
      2. It was known by only one citation until a 4^th-5^th century MS was found in Egypt in 1945.

IS THE BIBLE A CATHOLIC BOOK? IF IT IS A CATHOLIC BOOK THEN…
1. Why does it condemn clerical dress? (Matt. 23:5-6). But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. ⁶ They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, ⁷ greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’
2. Why does it teach against the adoration of Mary? (Luke 11:27-28). And it happened, as He spoke these things, that a certain woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, “Blessed is the womb that bore You, and the breasts which nursed You!” ²⁸ But He said, “More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”
3. Why does it show that all Christians are priests? (1 Pet. 2:5,9). You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
4. Why does it teach that all Christians are saints? (1 Cor. 1:2). To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
5. Why does it condemn the making and adoration of images? (Ex. 20:4-5). “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; ⁵ you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me
6. Why does it teach that baptism is immersion instead of pouring? (Col. 2:12). Buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.
7. Why does it forbid us to address religious leaders as "father"? (Matt. 23:9). Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.
8. Why does it teach that Christ is the only foundation and not the apostle Peter? (1 Cor. 3:11). For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
9. Why does it teach that there is one mediator instead of many? (1 Tim. 2:5). For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.
10. Why does it teach that a bishop must be a married man? (1 Tim. 3:2, 4-5). A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; ⁴ one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence ⁵ (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?);
11. Why is it opposed to the primacy of Peter? (Luke 22:24-27). Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest. ²⁵ And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ ²⁶ But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. ²⁷ For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves.
12. Why does it oppose the idea of purgatory? (Luke 16:26). And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’
13. Why is it completely silent about infant baptism, instrumental music in worship, indulgences, confession to priests, the rosary, the mass, and many other things in the Catholic Church?

CONCLUSION.

God is the author of all Scripture.
All man has had to do is recognize what God inspired.
That was not done by the Catholic church.
It was not done by any one specific group of men or women.
It was done by the followers of Christ in ancient times.

PAUL'S GREETING TO THE ROMANS (PARTS 2 & 3)

2009-02-09T09:37:00.004-05:00

Text: Romans 1:1-7.

Delivered on: February 8, 2009. Streetsboro.

INTRODUCTION.

In our last lesson on this passage, we learned about…
1. Paul’s attitude. He was humble.
2. Paul’s servitude. He was a bondservant and apostle.
3. Paul’s solitude. He was separated to the gospel.
So much is said in the first seven verses of this epistle.
Let’s look at the remainder of this passage and glean from it as much as we can.
Romans 1:1-7. Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God ² which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, ³ concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, ⁴ and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. ⁵ Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, ⁶ among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; ⁷ To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

BODY.

VERSE 2. Which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures.
1. That which was promised was the gospel (v.1).
2. The gospel is…
  1. The account of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, ² by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. ³ For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, ⁴ and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.
  2. The New Testament. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8. And to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, ⁸ in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
    1. Notice that the gospel is something which must be obeyed.
    2. Therefore, it is not just the story of the death, burial, and resurrection.
    3. Acts 16:10-15. Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them. ¹¹ Therefore, sailing from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and the next day came to Neapolis, ¹² and from there to Philippi, which is the foremost city of that part of Macedonia, a colony. And we were staying in that city for some days. ¹³ And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there. ¹⁴ Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. ¹⁵ And when she and her household were baptized…
    4. It is through the gospel that we are born again. 1 Corinthians 4:15. For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
3. It was promised before by the prophets.
  1. Jeremiah 31:31-34. “Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— ³² not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the LORD. ³³ But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. ³⁴ No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”
  2. 1 Peter 1:10-12. Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, ¹¹ searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. ¹² To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.
4. Why is it important to realize that the Gospel was prophesied beforehand?
  1. Because there are some who believe that Jesus’ rejection by the Jews caught God off guard.
  2. They believe that Jesus came to set up a material kingdom and since He was rejected by the Jews, He postponed it and established the church instead.
  3. Besides being a hideous insult to the omnipotence and omniscience of God; this doctrine is just plain FALSE!
  4. Jesus’ rejection was foretold in the Old Testament.
    1. Isaiah 53.
    2. Psalm 22.
    3. Luke 24:44-46. Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” ⁴⁵ And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. ⁴⁶ Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day.
  5. Jesus’ kingdom was not of this world (not material). John 18:36. Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”
  6. If He had desired to set up an earthly kingdom, He could have. John 6:15. Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone.

Verse 3. Concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh.
1. The gospel which was spoken of by the prophets, concerns Jesus Christ.
  1. Isaiah 9:6-7. For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ⁷ Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
  2. Isaiah 11:1-5. There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots. ² The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. ³ His delight is in the fear of the LORD, And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, Nor decide by the hearing of His ears; ⁴ But with righteousness He shall judge the poor, And decide with equity for the meek of the earth; He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, And with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked. ⁵ Righteousness shall be the belt of His loins, And faithfulness the belt of His waist.
2. You can not separate Jesus from His gospel.
  1. Many of us have probably heard people say, “Just give me Jesus.”
  2. Most people in our country believe in God but not the church.
  3. They don’t view the church as a necessity.
  4. Let’s show why that claim is false.
    1. Philip preached Jesus to the eunuch. Acts 8:35-36. Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. ³⁶ Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?”
    2. He preached Jesus… but this obviously included baptism as we see from the Eunuch’s response.
    3. It is baptism that puts us into the body. 1 Corinthians 12:13. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.
    4. So, in Acts 8, preaching Christ was not only preaching about Christ but it meant preaching about baptism and the church as well.
  5. If a person wants Jesus, then he must want what was important to Jesus. Like the church. Ephesians 5:25-27. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, ²⁶ that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, ²⁷ that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
3. Born of the seed of David according to the flesh.
  1. Ever wonder why God gave us the genealogies?
  2. The Messiah as to be a descendent of David. 2 Samuel 7:12-14. “When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. ¹³ He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. ¹⁴ I will be his Father, and he shall be My son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men.
  3. Thanks to Matthew and Luke’s genealogies, we know that Jesus was a descendent of David on both Mary and Joseph’s side.
    1. Joseph’s side. Matthew 1:6. And Jesse begot David the king. David the king begot Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah.
    2. Mary’s side. Luke 3:31. The son of Melea, the son of Menan, the son of Mattathah, the son of Nathan, the son of David.

Verse 4. And declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.
1. Declared to be the Son of God with power.
  1. He was the Son of David according to the flesh but He was also the Son of God according to the Spirit. Matthew 1:20. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
  2. “With power...”
    1. He came into the world in lowliness and weakness. Philippians 2:7. But made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.
    2. After the resurrection, He as the Son of God with POWER.
2. By the resurrection from the dead.
  1. Literally, the phrase is “by the resurrection of the dead ones.”
  2. He was declared to be the Son of God by the resurrection of the dead ones.
    1. This would have reference to His own resurrection but not only His.
    2. It could also have in mind the spiritual resurrection that takes place when one believes and obeys Him. John 5:24-25. “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. ²⁵ Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live.
  3. He was declared to be the Son of God before His resurrection as well.
    1. Matthew 3:17. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
    2. The resurrection, however, was the final and ultimate proof of His deity.
    3. John 2:18-22. So the Jews answered and said to Him, “What sign do You show to us, since You do these things?” ¹⁹ Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” ²⁰ Then the Jews said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?” ²¹ But He was speaking of the temple of His body. ²² Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said.
3. So, in verses 3 &4, we see the dual nature of Christ. He was both man and God.
  1. John 1:1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
  2. John 1:14. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Verse 5. Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name.
1. In this verse, Paul is talking about the apostles.
2. Paul had received his office as an apostle as a special act of grace.
  1. 1 Timothy 1:12-15. And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, ¹³ although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. ¹⁴ And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.
  2. Galatians 1:11-12. But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. ¹² For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.
3. For obedience to the faith.
  1. Even though Paul had received his office as an apostle was an act of grace, he still had to be obedient to the faith just like everyone else.
    1. God is no respecter of persons when it comes to salvation.
    2. Romans 2:11. For there is no partiality with God.
    3. Galatians 3:28. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
  2. This is the first time in this letter that Paul uses the word faith… and it is connected with obedience.
  3. The letter ends in the same fashion. Romans 16:25-26. Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began ²⁶ but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith—
  4. The doctrine of “faith only” is not taught by the apostle Paul.
4. Among all nations.
  1. The gospel is for all nations.
  2. The disciples were told to go into all the world. Mark 16:15. And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
  3. Romans 1:16. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

Verses 6-7. Among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; ⁷ To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1. The called of Jesus Christ.
  1. Christ’s call is to all.
  2. Matthew 11:28-30. Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
  3. He calls us through the gospel.
2. He calls us to be saints.
  1. Saint = Holy one.
  2. Holy = That which has been set apart for a divine purpose. That which has been purified.
  3. Do we behave like saints?
  4. Do we strive to keep ourselves clean. James 1:27. Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
  5. Do we walk in the light? 1 John 1:7. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

PAUL'S GREETING TO THE ROMANS (PART 1)

2009-02-08T19:08:00.006-05:00

Text: Romans 1:1-7.

Delivered on: January 25, 2009. Streetsboro.

INTRODUCTION.

The Epistle to the Romans was written by the apostle Paul.
Most believe it was written during his third missionary journey probably while he as at Corinth around A.D. 57.
No apostle had been to Rome.
1. We know this is the case because they had not received any spiritual gifts.
2. Romans 1:11. For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established.
The theme of the this wonderful letter is salvation by faith. Romans 1:16. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
Paul is going to spend a great deal of time emphasizing the fact that all have sinned and all need salvation.
The only path to salvation is through Christ and the gospel.
Let us start out this letter by looking at Paul’s greeting.
Romans 1:1-7. Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God ² which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, ³ concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, ⁴ and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. ⁵ Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, ⁶ among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; ⁷ To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

BODY.

Verse 1. Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God
1. Paul’s Attitude. “Paul.”
  1. Notice that it wasn’t Dr. Paul.
  2. It wasn’t Reverend Paul.
  3. It wasn’t Right Reverend Paul.
  4. It wasn’t Rabbi Paul.
  5. It wasn’t Father Paul.
  6. By human reckoning, if ever any man had a right to wear a title, it would be the apostle Paul.
  7. Yet he just describes himself as Paul, a bondservant.
  8. Paul never violated the teaching of Matthew 23:8-12. But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. ⁹ Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. ¹⁰ And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. ¹¹ But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. ¹² And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
  9. This is in contrast to the practice of many religious leaders in the world today who are fond of their titles.
  10. Like the Pharisees of old, they enjoy being venerated. Matthew 23:5-7. But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. ⁶ They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, ⁷ greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’
2. Paul’s Servitude. A bondservant.
  1. Doulos – means a slave or bondservant.
  2. But it is a willing, voluntary slavery. Not unwillingly.
  3. Paul had willingly turned his life over to Christ. Galatians 2:20. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
    1. Notice Paul’s motivation for giving his life over.
    2. Because Christ loved him and died for him.
    3. We owe a debt to Christ that we can never repay.
    4. Luke 17:7-10. And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’? ⁸ But will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink’? ⁹ Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. ¹⁰ So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’”
  4. He placed Christ’s desires and goals before his own. Matthew 8:21-22. Then another of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” ²² But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”
  5. Do we?
3. Called an apostle.
  1. The words “to be” are in italics. They were added by the translators.
  2. Paul was not telling us what he was called to be but rather what he was. An apostle.
  3. As an apostle, he had authority.
    1. Matthew 16:19. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
    2. John 16:13. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
    3. Galatians 1:11-12. But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. ¹² For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.
  4. Apostles had the ability to pass on miraculous gifts.
    1. Acts 8:14-19. Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, ¹⁵ who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. ¹⁶ For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. ¹⁷ Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. ¹⁸ And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, ¹⁹ saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
    2. In fact, one of the reasons he wanted to go to Rome so badly was his desire to impart spiritual gifts to them. Romans 1:11. For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established—
4. Paul’s Solitude. Separated to the gospel of God.
  1. Notice that he doesn’t say separated “by” the gospel but separated “to” the gospel.
  2. It is true that we are separated from the world by the gospel. 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14. But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. ¹⁴ to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
  3. But we are also separated “to” the gospel.
    1. “Separated” = Aphorizo = to mark off from others by boundaries; to appoint, set apart for some purpose.
    2. We must be separated from the world, sin, the Law of Moses.
    3. The boundaries that have been set are the New Testament.
    4. We must leave the world in order to live the gospel.
    5. 1 John 2:15-17. Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. ¹⁶ For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. ¹⁷ And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
    6. 2 Corinthians 6:17-18. Therefore “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.” ¹⁸ “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty.
  4. There are too many who claim to be Christians who have never separated themselves from the world.

WHAT DID THE BIRTH OF JESUS MEAN???

2008-12-21T20:57:00.006-05:00

Text: Luke 1:26-33.

Delivered on: December 21, 2008. Streetsboro.

INTRODUCTION.

John 1:1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ²He was in the beginning with God. John 1:14. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
Philippians 2:5-7. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, ⁶who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, ⁷but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.
We have arrived at that time of year where everyone is thinking about the birth of Jesus.
While it should be noted that Christmas is not a Biblical holiday (we don’t read about it in the Bible), I am grateful that at least once a year, so many stop to think about Jesus.
Unfortunately though, I am convinced that most don’t fully appreciate the enormous importance of the birth of Jesus.
Even more tragic, most don’t respond to life and death of Jesus in the way that they should.
The birth of Jesus was a herald of many profoundly important changes that were about to take place.
This morning, let us answer the question, “What did the Birth of Jesus Mean?”

BODY.

IT MEANT THAT THE FULNESS OF TIME HAD COME. Galatians 4:4. But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law.
1. “Fullness of time” is making reference to the fact that Jesus came into the world when the time was just right.
  1. God knew before He created the world that there would be a day when He would end His Son into it. 1 Peter 1:20. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.
  2. The Old Testament is a record of the preparations that God made for the day when the fullness of time had come.
2. From the very first days in the Garden of Eden, we see preparation being made.
  1. Genesis 4:3-4. And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the LORD. ⁴Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the LORD respected Abel and his offering, ⁵but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.
  2. Abel’s offering was made by faith. Hebrews 11:4. By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.
  3. Why were Cain and Abel even offering sacrifices?
  4. God was already teaching them the consequences of sin.
  5. He was already showing the need for a sacrifice for sin.
  6. Perhaps this is why God was not pleased with Cain’s sacrifice. God demanded a blood sacrifice for sin.
3. We see this preparation being made in the Law of Moses.
  1. Hebrews 10:1-4. For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually year by year, make those who approach perfect. ²For then would they not have ceased to be offered? For the worshipers, once purified, would have had no more consciousness of sins. ³But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins every year. ⁴For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.
  2. Galatians 3:24. Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
4. We see this preparation in the 4 great world empires.
  1. Babylon – Contributed synagogue worship which was important in the spread of the early church.
  2. Medes & Persians – Contributed a profound respect for law. Even the king could not alter the law once it was given. See the books of Daniel and Esther.
  3. Grecian – Contributed a universal language.
  4. Roman – Contributed a near global peace and system of roads for easier travel.
IT MEANT THAT THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN WAS AT HAND.
1. The Kingdom was to be established by the Son of God.
  1. Daniel 7:13-14. “ I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him. ¹⁴Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed.
  2. 2 Samuel 7:12-13. “When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. ¹³He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
2. Jesus, John, the 12, and the 70 all taught that the kingdom was at hand.
  1. Jesus. Matthew 4:17. From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
  2. John. Matthew 3:1-2. In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”
  3. The 12. Matthew 10:7. And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
  4. The 70. Luke 10:8-9. Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you. ⁹And heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’
3. Jesus’ kingdom is His church. John 18:36. Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”
4. His kingdom was established on the first Pentecost after His resurrection.
  1. Mark 9:1. And He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.”
  2. After Pentecost, the kingdom is here. Colossians 1:13. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.
IT MEANT THAT THE OLD LAW WAS ABOUT TO PASS AWAY.
1. Some mistakenly believed that Jesus had come to destroy the Law of Moses.
  1. Not so.
  2. He came to fulfill the law.
  3. Matthew 5:17-18. “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. ¹⁸For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.
  4. All of the law pointed to Christ.
2. Jesus is the guarantee of a better covenant. Hebrews 7:18-22. For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness, ¹⁹for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is thebringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. ²⁰And inasmuch as He was not made priest without an oath ²¹(for they have become priests without an oath, but He with an oath by Him who said to Him: “The LORD has sworn And will not relent, ‘ You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek’”), ²²by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant.
3. He is the mediator of a better covenant. Hebrews 9:11-15. But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. ¹²Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. ¹³For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, ¹⁴how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? ¹⁵And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.
4. Hebrews 8:13. In that He says, “A new covenant, ” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.
IT MEANT THAT THE SACRIFICE FOR SINS WOULD SOON BE OFFERED. Matthew 1:21. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.”
1. We have already noticed that the blood of bulls and goats cannot take away sin. Hebrews 10:4. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.
2. It took Christ’s blood to take away our sins.
  1. Hebrews 9:22-28. And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission. ²³Therefore it was necessary that the copies of the things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. ²⁴For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; ²⁵not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another— ²⁶He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. ²⁷And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, ²⁸
    so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.
  2. 1 Peter 1:18-19. Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, ¹⁹but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

CONCLUSION.

What does Jesus birth mean to you?
Is it just an excuse to have a celebration once a year?
Or do you celebrate His birth every day of the year?

THE WILL OF THE LORD BE DONE

2008-12-07T20:37:00.009-05:00

Text: Acts 21:1-14.

Delivered on: December 7, 2008. Streetsboro.

INTRODUCTION.

Paul had taken up a collection for the saints in Jerusalem. 1 Corinthians 16:1-3. Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: ²On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come. ³And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem. ⁴But if it is fitting that I go also, they will go with me.
When his third missionary journey was over, he was on his way to Jerusalem to deliver the money to the saints there.
1. Acts 19:21. When these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.”
2. Romans 15:25-26. But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. ²⁶For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem.
3. This task was very important to him. Romans 15:30-31. Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me, ³¹that I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints.
However, at every turn, he was being warned about troubles that would be waiting for him once he got there.
1. Acts 20:22-23. And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, ²³except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me.
2. Acts 21:10-11. And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. ¹¹When he had come to us, he took Paul’s belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’”
3. I take these statements to mean that the Holy Spirit was preparing Paul for the troubles he was about to face. Not as the Spirit trying to prohibit him from going to Jerusalem.
  1. What about Acts 21:4? And finding disciples, we stayed there seven days. They told Paul through the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem.
  2. The question is: What is “Spirit” referring to?
  3. Is it referring to the Holy Spirit?
  4. Or is it referring to the spirits of those who were telling Paul not to go up to Jerusalem.
  5. I have to believe it is the latter. Otherwise, Paul would be disobeying the Holy Spirit.
  6. And we know that he had always been obedient on other occasions when the Spirit told him where to go and not to go.
Regardless… Paul felt that he must go to Jerusalem and he knew that there were trials there waiting on him.
1. What a test this must have been for him!
2. It was also a test for his companions. Acts 21:12-13. Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem. ¹³Then Paul answered, “What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
I want to focus in on the next statement that is made. Acts 21:14. So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, “The will of the Lord be done.”
All of us need to be able to say, “The will of the Lord be done.”
However, in order to be able to say that and really mean it, we need to possess three qualities.
1. We must have a submissive heart.
2. We must have a trusting heart.
3. We must have a determined heart.

BODY.

WE MUST HAVE A SUBMISSIVE HEART.
1. In order to be able to say, “The will of the Lord be done” we must be willing to submit our will to His.
2. Submit = to accept or yield to a superior force or to the authority or will of another.
3. His will might not always be the same as ours.
  1. Our Lord did not look forward to going to the cross.
  2. Yet He had submitted to the will of the Father in that matter. Matthew 26:39. He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”
  3. Some specific areas where men have had trouble submitting to the will of God:
    1. Worship.
      1. Men want to do it their way.
      2. Matthew 15:9. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.
    2. The plan of salvation.
    3. The organization of the church.
    4. Moral issues.
      1. Homosexuality.
      2. Abortion.
      3. Premarital sex.
      4. Consuming alcohol.
4. It is pride that keeps people from submitting to God.
  1. James 4:6-7. But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” ⁷Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
  2. One part of the definition of “submit” is to yield to a superior force.
  3. Many people have a hard time admitting that they are inferior to anyone or anything.
  4. Proverbs 16:17-19. The highway of the upright is to depart from evil; He who keeps his way preserves his soul. ¹⁸Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. ¹⁹Better to be of humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud.
  5. Truly, it is hard to kick against the goads. Acts 9:5. And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
WE MUST HAVE A TRUSTING HEART.
1. In order to be able to say, “The will of the Lord be done” we must trust in God. Hebrews 11:6. But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
2. As we have already discussed, His will is often not the same as ours.
  1. Sometimes, God allows us to be tried.
    1. 1 Corinthians 10:13. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
    2. Hebrews 12:5-6. And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: “My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; ⁶For whom the LORD loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.”
  2. How will we respond when things don’t go the way that we think they should?
    1. Will we get angry?
    2. Will we be disappointed?
    3. Will we feel betrayed?
3. Or will we trust that the Lord knows what He is doing. Like Paul.
  1. Philippians 1:12-14. But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, ¹³so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; ¹⁴and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
  2. Philippians 1:19. For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.
  3. 2 Timothy 1:12. For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.
4. Isaiah 55:9. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are my ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.
5. We may not always understand why things happen the way that they do,
  but we must always trust that God is in control and believe what is said in Romans 8:28. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
WE MUST HAVE A DETERMINED HEART.
1. In order to be able to say, “The will of the Lord be done” we must have a determined heart.
2. Why do we need to be so determined?
  1. As we have already noted, things will not always happen the way we desire. His will is often different from ours.
  2. We will suffer persecution. 2 Timothy 3:12. Yes and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
  3. Because the work will not be easy.
3. Because of these things, many fall away. Matthew 13:20-21. But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; ²¹yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.
4. Are we determined and devoted enough to see God’s will be done even if it brings hardship on us?
  1. Jesus was. Matthew 26:42. Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.”
  2. Paul was. Acts 21:13. Then Paul answered, “What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
  3. Are you? Luke 14:33. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.

CONCLUSION.

We often say it in our prayers.
But do we really mean it?
Do we have what it takes to really mean it?
1. Are we willing to submit to the will of the Lord?
2. Are we willing to trust the Lord?
3. Are we determined to stay faithful no matter what the will of the Lord may be?

DAILY RELIGION

2008-11-21T09:05:00.009-05:00

Text: Various.

Delivered on: November 23, 2008. Streetsboro.

INTRODUCTION.

How often do you practice your religion?
Is your religion a “once a week” religion?
Is your religion a “twice a week” religion?
Once a month? A year?
How important is your religion to you?
Is it right there with school, work, sports, etc?
I would suggest to you that if you want a religion that is pleasing to God (and surely that is what all of us want), then you need to have a daily religion.
When we are truly devoted to something, and love that thing, we do not consider it a chore.
Luke 9:23. Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
Let’s look at some of the things that the early church did on a daily basis.

BODY.

DAILY DEATH. 1 Corinthians 15:31. I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
1. In what sense did Paul die on a daily basis?
  1. He gave himself completely over to service to Christ.
  2. Romans 12:1. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
  3. Romans 6:6-7. Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. ⁷For he who has died has been freed from sin.
  4. Galatians 2:20. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
2. We too must die on a daily basis.
  1. Have you given your life over to Christ as a living sacrifice?
  2. If we get this right, then everything else will fall into place.
  3. 2 Corinthians 8:5. And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.
  4. Luke 9:24. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.
DAILY FELLOWSHIP. Acts 2:44-46. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, ⁴⁵and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. ⁴⁶So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart.
1. Sometimes I worry that we don’t really appreciate the idea of Christian fellowship.
  1. The first church had fellowship.
  2. They had all things common.
  3. They were together on a daily basis.
  4. They took meals together on a daily basis.
2. We need this type of fellowship in the church today.
  1. I realize that work and school schedules don’t allow us to do as much as we would like.
  2. But we can do better than we are.
  3. How can we pray for one another if we don’t know each other well enough to know each other’s needs.
  4. There have been times when we have had members going through serious problems and they never let anyone know about it. That is not fellowship!
  5. Fellowship is sharing our joys and trials with our brethren. 1 Corinthians 12:26. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
3. We are told to exhort one another daily. In order to do this, we must be together. Hebrews 3:13. But exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
DAILY BIBLE STUDY. Acts 17:11. These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.
1. We need to search the Scriptures on a daily basis.
  1. Matthew 5:6. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.
  2. 1 Peter 2:2. As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.
  3. 2 Timothy 2:15. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
  4. 1 Peter 3:15. But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.
  5. Psalm 1:1-3. Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; ²But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. ³He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.
2. We need to search the Scriptures so that we can become teachers.
  1. Hebrews 5:12-14. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. ¹³For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. ¹⁴But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
  2. We can’t be a good soldier of Jesus Christ if we don’t know how to use the sword of the Spirit.
    1. The sword of the Spirit is part of our armor.
    2. It is our only offensive weapon.
3. We need to study with our children daily.
  1. Deuteronomy 6:6-7. “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. ⁷You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
  2. One might say, that is Old Testament.
  3. That’s right!
  4. Hebrews 2:1-3. Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. ²For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, ³how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him,
DAILY EVANGELISM. Acts 5:42. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.
1. All of us either ought to be teachers or working toward the time when we can be teachers.
2. Notice Acts 8:4. Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.
  1. Notice from verse 1 that the apostles stayed in Jerusalem.
  2. It was the congregation that was scattered.
  3. And they were the ones who did the teaching.
  4. Not only that but they were teaching at the risk of their own lives.
3. Are you ready to teach others? Romans 1:15. So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.
4. 2 Timothy 2:2. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
DAILY BENEVOLENCE. Acts 6:1. Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.
1. Benevolence – helping those who can not help themselves.
2. James 1:27. Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
3. Galatians 6:9-10. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. ¹⁰Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
4. Our benevolence need not be limited to the first and third Saturdays over here at the food pantry.
  1. We can visit the sick and shut-in.
  2. We can help shovel the neighbor’s driveway.
  3. We can go to the local nursing home and sit and talk with the residents.
5. Don’t fall into the habit of thinking that since the church is helping feed the poor that it releases all of us as individuals from seeking to do good for others.

CONCLUSION.

How would you describe your religion?
Daily?
If not, make a correction.