Sermon Notes 1-18-2015

The Road to Romans!

Don’t put the cart before the horse

Romans 4:13–25 (NLT)

¹³Clearly, God’s promise to give the whole earth to Abraham and his descendants was based not on his obedience to God’s law, but on a right relationship with God that comes by faith.

¹⁴If God’s promise is only for those who obey the law, then faith is not necessary and the promise is pointless.

¹⁵For the law always brings punishment on those who try to obey it. (The only way to avoid breaking the law is to have no law to break!)

¹⁶So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift. And we are all certain to receive it, whether or not we live according to the law of Moses, if we have faith like Abraham’s. For Abraham is the father of all who believe.

¹⁷That is what the Scriptures mean when God told him, “I have made you the father of many nations.” This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing.

¹⁸Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!”

¹⁹And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb.

²⁰Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God.

²¹He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.

²²And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous.

²³And when God counted him as righteous, it wasn’t just for Abraham’s benefit. It was recorded

²⁴for our benefit, too, assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.

²⁵He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God.

What is God law that Paul is talking about??

Is it the first five books of the bible??

·      There is roughly 603

·      No one can do that

·      But I don’t think that’s what is talking about??

To understand we have to jump a head a little!

Romans 7:8 (ESV)

⁸But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead.

·      So we are talking about the 10 Commandments

The 10 Commandments

1.    You shall have no other gods before Me.

2.    You shall not make idols.

3.    You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.

4.    Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

5.    Honor your father and your mother.

6.    You shall not murder.

7.    You shall not commit adultery.

8.    You shall not steal.

9.    You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

10.You shall not covet.

·      So he is just talking about the “big 10”

·      And if were honest we cant even do that

So lets recap!

VS 13 Clearly, God’s promise to give the whole earth to Abraham and his descendants was based not on his obedience to God’s law, but on a right relationship with God that comes by faith.

¹⁴If God’s promise is only for those who obey the law, then faith is not necessary and the promise is pointless.

·      Abraham and our salvation (Justification) is not earned

·      It is by faith and faith alone

·      If we live by the law and are justified by the law

o   One, there is no need for faith

o   And Two, we all deserve the punishment for breaking the law

o   And looking up at the 10 I know I have probably broke 8 this morning!!

VS 15 For the law always brings punishment on those who try to obey it. (The only way to avoid breaking the law is to have no law to break!)

·      Wow how true is this statement!

·      We know we aren’t suppose to speed but we do

·      We know we aren’t suppose drink and drive (but some of us have)

·      And when we get caught we get punished!

·      So the only hope for us not breaking the law is to not have any!!!!

VS 16 So the promise is received by faith. It is given as a free gift. And we are all certain to receive it, whether or not we live according to the law of Moses, if we have faith like Abraham’s. For Abraham is the father of all who believe.

¹⁷That is what the Scriptures mean when God told him, “I have made you the father of many nations.” This happened because Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing.

·      So we know that we will never not break one of those 10 commandments

·      And that God gives us salvation as a gift, that we can never repay

·      And all started with Abraham who was counted as righteous be cause of his faith

·      And we get that Gift in Jesus

Romans 6:23 (ESV)

²³For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Not Just in the good times!

VS 18 Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!”

¹⁹And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead—and so was Sarah’s womb.

²⁰Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God.

²¹He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.

There once was a man named Job! (Job 1:6-22)

·      One day God was sitting around with the talking to God

·      And Satan came to him

·      And he questioned Job’s Loyalty

·      And God said he (Job) was righteous and allowed Satan to test him

·      Job was a rich and prosperous man

o   7000 sheep

o   3000 camels

o   1000 ox

o   500 donkeys

o   Tons of hand to help him

o   And a big family (10 Kids)

·      Then Satan started doing what he does to us all!

o   In one day it was all gone

o   Job started getting message’s

§  1. The ox and donkeys GONE

§  2. The camels Sheep GONE

§  3. All his Hired hands GONE

§  4. All his KIDS GONE!

·      In one day it was all gone!

·      And what did Job do??

Job 1:20–22 (NLT)

²⁰Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground to worship.

²¹He said, “I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!”

²²In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God.

·      How deep is your faith!

·      Are you like Abraham?? Full convinced that God will keep his promise?

·      Are you like Job when the storm comes your calling to God as the great holy God that he is?

o   Knowing that your suffering is for your own good

o   Or do you curse Him, like a child that doesn’t get his way?

·      When the storms come your faith will either grow stronger or you will walk away

o   Where is your faith??

o   Are you learning to lean on Him so when the storms do come, and they will come are you solid in the faith

o   You can only do this by growing your relationship when the water is calm!

It all falls at the feet of the cross, Its all about HIM!

VS 22 And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous.

²³And when God counted him as righteous, it wasn’t just for Abraham’s benefit. It was recorded

²⁴for our benefit, too, assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.

²⁵He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God.

·      Jesus was handed over for you and me

·      He paid the price we should have paid

·      He died as a substitution for us all