Untitled Sermon (50)

We continue in Chapter 11 which in all honesty is a very difficult chapter to teach on. Really Chapter 9 through Chapter 11 are quite difficult. Believe it or not today marks our 2 year anniversary in the letter that Paul wrote to Rome.

We're not quite through the 11th chapter and we have 5 more to go. And of all the content that we have covered Chapter 9 through 11 are some of the most difficult. Typically because of all the vast opinions and how vague Paul can be at times makes this section more difficult than others.

Ultimately this letter is about the gospel and it is about the good news concerning those who are called. It is an in depth study on what is taking place in the heart and life of the Christian. This is what marks Romans as so unique. However this is the same thing that makes it so debated.

This letter is an expansion of so much of what Paul has laid down in other letters. This is why we call Romans Paul's Magnum Opus. It is his great work. one of the key themes in this entire letter and it is a theme that helps us to understand pause theology through and through is the sovereignty of God.

You cannot make the statements that Paul has made if you do not hold to a very sovereign view of God. This letter , no doubt, proclaims the sovereignty of God in all of creation. Of course this is not the only section of scripture that does such a thing. But once you come under the realization of God's sovereignty and how active God is in all things which is how I would define sovereignty, you will begin to appreciate so much not just in life, but in your Christian walk.

You cannot make the statements that Paul has made if you do not hold to a very sovereign view of God. This letter , no doubt, proclaims the sovereignty of God in all of creation. Of course this is not the only section of scripture that does such a thing.

You cannot make the statements that Paul has made if you do not hold to a very sovereign view of God. This letter , no doubt, proclaims the sovereignty of God in all of creation. Of course this is not the only section of scripture that does such a thing. But once you come under the realization of God's sovereignty and how active God is in all things which is how I would define sovereignty, you will begin to appreciate so much not just in life, but in your Christian walk.

But once you come under the realization of God's sovereignty and how active God is in all things which is how I would define sovereignty, you will begin to appreciate so much not just in life, but in your Christian walk.

Last week we looked at who God is, and it was a super brief look at , but we got to look at a little bit of his attributes, we got to see that his name proclaims his Infinity. We got to see God in his severity and in his goodness.

But we have to see the bigger picture when we are looking at these things. It will help us to see how God works and it will help us to understand that what we see take place before us is just the surface of everything. There is so much more then what we see working out and there is so much more to God than what we know.

We have the luxury of looking back in reading certain stories that proclaim God working . But some People did not have that luxury when they were living in the mist of what we're reading about. Job did not have job chapter one, we do.

When we go to read about job we see immediately in the beginning what is taking place in a realm that job cannot see. From job's point in time he is clueless about what is taking place. We have that luxury , through God's grace in his perseverance of his own word, to read what is taking place in job.

But a lot of us are in similar positions as job and by that I mean we do not have all the answers to everything that we see unfolding before us. We do not have all the answers of what is taking place in our life, we do not have all the answers to the grief that we field, we do not have all the answers to the depression we may have, we do not have all the answers to all the hate that we see, we do not have all the answers to all the sin that we see.

But there is not a single thing that takes place on this earth that is without a purpose. Because there is not a single thing that is outside of God's control. So while evil man has the capability and ability to do evil sinful things, those evil simple things are not without purpose. God works through those who are lossed.

We see this with Joseph. His brothers betrayed him sold him to the Egyptians and faked his death. Years later Joseph had his opportunity to get revenge. He used that opportunity to a degree but he also used it for the edification with himself and his family.

We see this with Joseph. His brothers betrayed him sold him to the Egyptians and faked his death. Years later Joseph had his opportunity to get revenge. He used that opportunity to toy with his brothers to a degree but he also used it for the edification with himself and his family.

And we read Joseph say that what his brothers intended for evil God intended for good. See they are still responsible for their evil actions and they are still accountable for their evil actions and even though they committed this evil God took that evil and used it for good.

And we read in Joseph that what his brothers intended for evil God intended for good. See they are still responsible for their evil actions and they are still accountable for their evil actions and even though they committed this evil God took that evil and used it for good.

We have the great blessing of reading on how God works that way. Joseph had a great blessing of seeing that within his lifetime. Not everybody gets to see that within their lifetime. We won't always know the answers.

We have the great blessing of reading on how God works that way. Joseph had a great blessing of seeing that within his lifetime. Not everybody gets to see that within their lifetime. We won't always know the answers. We won't always know the outcome. But what some intends for evil God intends for good. So, there is not a single evil act that is without purpose. Though it may offend us though it may offend God it will not be without purpose. We should not conclude that any of these things are good, but we shall conclude that God will use it to his glorification in some form in some way.

We have the great blessing of seeing God work that way. Joseph had a great blessing of seeing that within his lifetime. Not everybody gets to see that within their lifetime. And that is the gist of how God works. We won't always know the answers. We won't always know the outcome. But what some intends for evil God intends for good. So, there is not a single evil act that is without purpose. Though it may offend us though it may offend God it will not be without purpose. We should not conclude that any of these things are good, but we shall conclude that God will use it to his glorification in some form in some way.

We won't always know the outcome. But what some intends for evil God intends for good. So, there is not a single evil act that is without purpose. Though it may offend us though it may offend God it will not be without purpose.

We should not conclude that any of these things are good, but we shall conclude that God will use it to his glorification in some form in some way.

Whether that be through an outcome that is a blessing to so many, or an act of judgment upon wicked man as God acting as judge appan wicked man does in fact bring him glory. But let's look at a couple of examples to help us prepare for today's sermon.

Whether that be through an outcome that is a blessing to so many, or an act of judgment upon wicked man as God acting as judge upon wicked man does in fact bring him glory. But let's look at a couple of examples to help us prepare for today's sermon.

We have the exodus account, God's chosen People are enslaved and God sends a message are, that is Moses with the aid of his brother, to proclaim freedom. He goes to the one that is holding God's People captive and proclaims freedom.

We have the exodus account, God's chosen People are enslaved and God sends a messager that is Moses with the aid of his brother, to proclaim freedom. He goes to the one that is holding God's People captive and proclaims freedom.

Most know how the story goes. Not only does the pharaoh Harden his heart but God also hardens his heart. And each time he does this God brings a plague upon Egypt displaying his mighty power. He is making himself known to the Egyptians and he is making it clear that you do not mess with God's People and you don’t get proclaim sovereignty over the world.

Most know how the story goes. Not only does the pharaoh Harden his heart but God also hardens his heart. And each time he does this God brings a plague upon Egypt displaying his mighty power.

Most know how the story goes. Not only does the pharaoh Harden his heart but God also hardens his heart. And each time he does this God brings a plague upon Egypt displaying his mighty power. He is making himself known to the Egyptians and he is making it clear that you do not mess with God's People.

He is making himself known to the Egyptians and he is making it clear that you do not mess with God's People and you don’t get proclaim sovereignty over the world.

And So what the pharaoh intended for evil God intended for good. There is an example of how we have the luxury of reading that. but so many in Israel did not have that luxury and had no clue why they were going through what they were going through.

And So what Moses intended for evil God intended for good. There is an example of how we have the luxury of reading that period but so many in Israel did not have that luxury and had no clue why they were going through what they were going through.

And So what the pharaoh intended for evil God intended for good. There is an example of how we have the luxury of reading that. but so many in Israel did not have that luxury and had no clue why they were going through what they were going through.

And when we begin to thumb through the pages of scripture , we see this unfolding all through out the pages. You see it with Daniel. People wanted to see Daniel go down and he did not go down. And if there is any earthly King who had to learn first hand about the sovereignty of God it is both Moses and Nebuchadnezzar.

And when we begin to thumb through the pages of scripture , we see this unfolding all through out the pages. You see it with Daniel. People wanted to see Daniel go down and he did not go down. And if there is any earthly King who had to learn first hand about the sovereignty of God it is both Moses an nebuchadnezzar.

And these guys had to learn the hard way. The gist of all of scripture is that God is active and God is able. And that is what we need to have on our minds as we jump into the sermon is that God is active and God is able. And that was a little bit of what we pulled out from last week's servant.

And these guys had to learn the hard way. The gist of all of scripture is that God is active and God is able. And that is what we need to have on our minds as we jump into the sermon is that God is active and God is able. And that was a little bit of what we pulled out from last week's sermon.

We talked about those who were departing from the faith as a sign that God is still working within his church. He was purging out those who were never truly a part of his church, those who were never truly in him.

We talked about those who were departing from the faith as a sign that God was still working within his church. He was purging out those who were never truly a part of his church, those who were never truly in him.

We talked about those who were departing from the faith as a sign that God is still working within his church. He was purging out those who were never truly a part of his church, those who were never truly in him.

And that is the theme for today's sermon is that God is able and he will do what he proclaims he will do. So let's dive in and look at these versus a bit closer.

Romans 11:23 NASB95

And they also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.

This text is pretty straight forward. Prior to this, paul warned the wild branches, that is the gentiles, that they should not boast over the cut off branches. Why? Well, frankly, he has been giving the reasons why since chapter 4 but really drove it home in chapters 8 and 9.

Everybody has to wrestle with the language of scripture. We cannot explain words away but have to come to a biblical understanding of them. We do not get to argue with doctrines because we do not like them.

And we do not demand that the scriptures conform to our way of thinking, but we humbly pray that our way of thinking conforms to what the scriptures have to say. So, we read

Romans 8:28–31 NASB95

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?

And that langue makes so many unconforatable. It shouldn’t. and when you devote time to know God in all his goodness and in all his severty, you conclude that not only is there no other way of salvation, but any other view would just flat out be impossible and will go against Gods nature.

Before chapter 8, paul proclaimed that Abraham was justified by his faith for he was considered justified before he ever committed any actions. Likewise, paul argues, is true for all who have salvation. That you were justified by your faith.

This is a normal teaching for Paul in all of his works, not only is it normal, but it is on the forefront of all his written work. Paul is proclaiming that you cannot be saved by the things you do, nor should any person think that way.

Here is the reality of thinking your works contribute to your salvation, and the reality is if one does think that they believe they can entice God, They believe that they are so righteous that they must entice God of all their goodness. To reject my good works would be outrages and unheard of.

That is catholic thinking, you are still on romes side and you didn’t even know it. Of course no catholic or any person who holds to a works based righteousness will ever state it like that, but that is the reality of the actions. Their lips may not be saying it, but their actions are.

It is arrogant, and it is the very attitude that the jewish people had. That placed their trust in all the wrong places and Paul came in through this letter and pulled all their rugs out from undernieth them.

Which is why he used Abraham as an example. Abraham was justified by faith and not by his works, and the same is true for all of the redeemed. But works was not the only thing that the Jews trusted in, they trusted being in Abraham and moses, and paul came in and so nope.

If you were truly of these guys then you would have shared in the same faith and same assurance as he did. Abraham did not trust in himself, he trusted God. Abraham did not trust the fact he was a descendent of any man, he trusted in God.

So one by one, paul comes in and removes those safety nets that the jewish people had their trust in. He took away all their delusions and left them with the reality. You are actually no different then the gentiles, and salvation has not changed at all, it’s the same that is has always been.

We are saved the same way as Abraham was. Why did the Jewish people miss it? Because they refused to look at the old revelation through the living revelation, that is Jesus himself. Why do some Christians miss what I am talking about?

For the same reason, they are not looking at the old revelation through the living revelation. Jesus said he did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill the law and the prophets. That means something. That means something in the New Covenant. Jesus said he came so that we can have life and have it more abundantly.

That means something and spoiler alert, has nothing to do with your earthly comfort. After his resurrection Jesus appeared to two disiciples and walked through the entire Old Testament showing how it pints to Him, which tells us if that is how Jesus reads the scripture then that must be the way we have to read them.

The law is not separated from Christ but he is the fulfillment of it and fulfills it on behalf of his sheep. The forgiveness of sins is not enough to dwell with God in all eternity. The forgivnenss of sins puts us back where Adam was before the fall, but it is not enough for us to live and dwell with God in all eternity.

Because the requirement for that is absolute righteousness. A Godly a righteousness, a righteousness that can only be done by God. So halalujia, praise God that he died for the forgivenss of sins, but also, halaluija, praise God that he lived righteously. Jesus not only died for us, he lived for us.

Here is the argument in chapter 4 and 5. The first covenant head of man led man in sin. Adam was the representive of all mankind, his failure led the entire human race to the enslavement of sin. This is why all man is born in sin because all man is in Adam.

There must be a new covenenat head, this is why it is essential we affirm that Jesus is truly man, because he is our covenant head. And in order to release the power that is over man, the Old Covenant must be fulfilled. What did Jesus say he came to do?

Fulfill the law and the prophets. And he did that. Now mankind has the representative. Jesus, bloodied and in pain carried the cross, the instrument of curse and death, he carried it, and was nailed to it. That is where innocent blood was poured out.

Finally, man had a sacrifice that was worthy of Gods holy standards. The entire sacrificial system of the OT was being fulfilled. There Jesus, the only innocent one to die, willingly took not just every sin you have done, but every sinful thought as well.

So why are we justified by faith? Because we did not nor could not have fulfilled all righteousness. Jesus did, so we trust that he has done that on our behalf. So if God were to ask us, why we should be with him in all eternity, what is your answer.

Because I was so good, oh, you should have seen me God, I was so Good. I was one of the best, There was nobody around me who was as good as I was. No, we wouldn't dare say such a thing to God. No if that question was ever asked our answer should be because I trust In you through your son whom you sent to die on my behalf.

Now that would be the short answer obviously you can expand on that. But the point is your works do not contribute and if you make the mistake of thinking that they do, you are repeating the same mistake that Israel made.

And the warning that Paul gives is not to be irrigant over the branches. And the attitude that your works contributed somehow is arrogant.

To say I am doing it but my way is different than the way the Jewish people did it , is arrogant. And so Paul gives that warning to protect us. An reminds the reader that they stand by faith.

And in this text that we're reading today, he says the same thing about the Jewish people but he says it in a negative way rather than in a positive way.

And so he says and they also, talking about the Jewish people if they do not continue in their unbelief. That is a negative way of saying believe. A positive way would be they will be grafted on when they believe . But he says if they do not continue in their unbelief.

Now again we should not look at belief as your works. The text that we looked at last week we seen that Jesus made it clear that all who come to him come to him because they were drawn to him by the father.

And so faith or belief is not your work it is a gift from God. Not only is it a gift but it's a great miracle too. We cannot overlook how great of a miracle belief is.

But the good news that Paul is giving is that they will be grafted back in because it is God who is able. Now just to add to the fact that it is not your works that save you it was not your works that grafted you onto this tree but it was not israel's work as well.

Paul does not say they will graft themselves because Israel is able. He says they will be grafted because God is able. It is God's work it always has been God's work it is God who does this therefore it is God who should be glorified for this it is God who should be praised for this.

If we are the ones who did it then we need to praise ourselves but we are not the ones who have done this it is God who has done this because God is able.

Paul continues,

Romans 11:24 NASB95

For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these who are the natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree?

It is a question meant to get the reader to think. now when we began this letter in chapter one we read that Paul stated that he longed to be with this church. It was not his intention to write this letter to them originally , his original plan was to go there in person so him in the church would have a mutual beneficial blessing.

That he be a blessing to the church in the church be a blessing to him. But what he had to say to this specific church was meant to be said in person. And he is speaking about very specific issues. Issues that would not have taken place in every part of the world that Paul was ministering to.

This leads many historians and theologians to believe that Paul had information about this church in his mind at the time of him writing this letter. It could be that Paul was aware of the issue is taking place within that church. Even though this church had a reputation for their faith there are still struggles and problems.

Now think about that, Paul told him that the faith of this church was heard throughout the world , go back and look in chapter one, their faith was proclaimed around the world and of course he meant the world's they knew it in their day.

chances are they thought The Mediterranean was the entire world. But as far as Paul has traveled he has heard about this church which is extremely impressive especially in a day where news did not travel nearly as close as it does now.

there is no way that they were a perfect church , but it could be that the specific things that Paul is addressing are addressing them because he is aware of the specific issues that are taking place in that church. So the church that is known throughout the region for their faith still had problems.

This is a New Testament biblical church, this is a church are reading about and one of the issues that could be taking place is something is going on between the gentile believers and the Jewish believers.

And it could be that the Jewish believers were holding on to their connection Abraham and the way that the gentiles had responded was that they said look we are the ones who are now in and you guys are the ones who are going out. You had your time we're gonna have our time now.

And it also could be the gentile believers were telling the Jewish believers just look at your fellow Jewish kinsmen, they have rejected the Messiah and they're going a different direction. so you guys are out and we are now in.

So Paul is telling them not to exercise this kind of eragon's over them that you have no reason to boast whatsoever that nobody has a reason to boast whatsoever.

But, they will come back in face because God is able to bring them back . And if God is capable I've taken the branches from a wild tree and grafting them onto a tree where they do not belong how much more easier would it be for God to bring the natural branches back.

You see on a scale of difficulty you all in here are far more harder to reach then Israel. But God is able to reach the gentiles and to bring back the branches that were once removed back on to the tree that is the people of God.

And folks that is the theme of this letter. That God is able. Not only is that a theme but In addition to that theme there's another one and that is you were not able. But yet again when it comes to Salvation in this text we see it is God who is doing the work.

Oh how wrong Rome has Salvation. An when you depart from the biblical explanation of Salvation you wander off into other idolatress things. Every single time. And one of the greatest examples of this is Roman Catholicism.

Honestly the biggest issue they have is their view of Salvation. If their view of Salvation were to be corrected then I think overtime all the other stuff would be corrected as well.

Today we are not concerned with the issues that took place during the Reformation, if we are in a discussion with a Catholic typically we start to finger points at their idolatry.

Not a wrong place to start , I don't think there is a wrong place to start and confronting error, but I don't think that's their biggest issue. I think their biggest issues what created that issue. And the biggest issue is their view of Salvation.

Think about it if they held to the 5 solas of the Reformation they would not have the idolatry that they have. Sola is Latin for alone. And so you have justification is by faith alone In Jesus Christ alone by the grace of God alone as revealed in scripture alone for the glory of God alone.

Those 5 simple statements is enough to correct everything within that movement, within Catholicism. If they view justification by faith alone then they would not add all the penance that they add. You would not be confessing your sins before a priest and that priest telling you what you will do to be forgiven.

And if that faith alone is in Jesus Christ alone then that eliminates all idolatry. And this faith alone in Jesus Christ alone is given to us by grace alone then there is no reason for us to boast or think so high and mighty of ourselves .

But to praise God for his goodness in his grace. And then if we proclaim that our conclusion for the first three is revealed to us out of scripture alone, meaning we do not hold two of you that there is any other person or any other writing that is our source of authority for the things of faith of the things of God.

Scripture is our authority that we stand on and it is the final authority in our life and in our culture. If they held to that view then that eliminates the Pope. He can no longer be the vicar of Christ.

And if we do it to the glory of God alone then we are no longer trying to be boastful we're no longer trying to promote ourselves we're no longer talking about her cells but we are doing it all for God's glory.

Those 5 simple things can clean up the Catholic Church. And it begins with the proper view of Salvation. And the most glorious wonderful thing about all of it is that God is the one who was doing it because he is able.

So I do not know everything that you might be going through, I don't know if you are depressed by the conditional were world I don't know if you were depressed by the condition of our state I don't know if you are depressed just by your current circumstances.

I don't know what hardship you might be going through and how difficult that hardship maybe in your life. Everybody has their own mountains that they have to climb and none of our mountains are identical, but regardless we gotta climb them one way or another.

So I don't know what mountain you may be climbing right now that is making life difficult that is making your emotions difficult that is making perhaps your work life difficult your personal life difficult.

I don't know what relationships you have that are struggling, I don't know about the secret thoughts in your head that you might be wrestling with, I don't know all of your guys is anger I don't know all of your guys is hatred, I do not know all of your guys is sadness.

there is so much about you all that i will never Fully null and there's so much about me that you will never fully know. But one thing I do no for certain is that God is able. God is able to get you over the mountain God is able to get you over your depression God is able to get you over your sadness God is able to get you through any difficult situation that you were in.

And here's the thing folks, i'm not promising that next week you're going to get through what you get through because sometimes, sometimes God gets us through by calling us home.

I don't want you all to take this as a superficial fluff sermon that you will hear from the modern charismatic movement that promises you through enough faith you will get through your circumstances and be rewarded with wealth afterwards. Those People are talking about material wealth.

What I am saying is, the greatest difficulties you will face in life you were never facing them alone and God is able to get you through them no matter the circumstances.

So if you are in a situation where it seems like you are not getting through , that you were not getting through that circumstance, I promise you are you just not getting through it the way you want to get through it.

That is the guarantee that I am making, that God is able and because he is able he will work his plans out the way that he designed to work them out. He will bring you to the finish of the race the way he has planned you to come to the finish of your race.

And there is no greater honor or blessing to fulfill what God has in store for us for his glory alone and not ours let's pray

Untitled Sermon (50)

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