Rom 2-Consistent Christianity
| Consistent Christianity! Romans 2:17-29
March 12, 2006 (NLT) 17 If you are a Jew, you are relying on God’s law for your special relationship with him. You boast that all is well between yourself and God. 18 Yes, you know what he wants; you know right from wrong because you have been taught his law. 19 You are convinced that you are a guide for the blind and a beacon light for people who are lost in darkness without God. 20 You think you can instruct the ignorant and teach children the ways of God. For you are certain that in God’s law you have complete knowledge and truth.21 Well then, if you teach others, why don’t you teach yourself? You tell others not to steal, but do you steal? 22 You say it is wrong to commit adultery, but do you do it? You condemn idolatry, but do you steal from pagan temples? 23 You are so proud of knowing the law, but you dishonor God by breaking it. 24 No wonder the Scriptures say, “The world blasphemes the name of God because of you.”25 The Jewish ceremony of circumcision is worth something only if you obey God’s law. But if you don’t obey God’s law, you are no better off than an uncircumcised Gentile. 26 And if the Gentiles obey God’s law, won’t God give them all the rights and honors of being his own people? 27 In fact, uncircumcised Gentiles who keep God’s law will be much better off than you Jews who are circumcised and know so much about God’s law but don’t obey it.28 For you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or because you have gone through the Jewish ceremony of circumcision. 29 No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not a cutting of the body but a change of heart produced by God’s Spirit. Whoever has that kind of change seeks praise from God, not from people. PRAYMemory Verse:Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Roman 12:1 (NIV)Intro:This morning we received seven new members. They worked hard to get to this point. They completed an 18 week course, complete with homework. They had to meet with me and then with two of the other elders. They understand the gospel, at least some level, and would certainly appear to have embraced it as their own. Most of us here, this morning have gone through a similar process and, having made public profession of our faith, have become members of this church. In fact, some statistics say that most Americans are members of some church. But, does being a member of a church make a person a true Christian? 1. The value of being one of God’s people2. The value of Baptism3. What is a true Christian? 1. The value of being one of God’s people (vv 17-24):F If you are a Jew (lit. if you call yourself a Jew…) (v. 17)(NLT) 17 If you are a Jew, you are relying on God’s law for your special relationship with him. You boast that all is well between yourself and God. Ø You rely on God’s WordØ You are confident in the special relationship that you have with GodA Jew? A Christian? One of God’s chosen people?A Jew relied on the fact that God had chosen them as a race to be His own people. He relied on the fact that God had entrusted His law to them and they had worshipped the true God while the nations all around them had worshipped idolsAs Christians we rely on the fact that God has chosen us before the foundation of the world to be His own people. We rely on the fact that God has entrusted his gospel to us while any who do not embrace Jesus Christ are headed for a Christ-less eternity.The point: Jews (especially those to whom Paul wrote) and Christians share this same confidence. F If you know the difference between right and wrong because you have been instructed from God’s Word… (v. 18) (NLT) 18 Yes, you know what he wants; you know right from wrong because you have been taught his law.Jews and Christians alike define right and wrong on the basis of God’s Word. This gives us a frame of reference which transcends mere opinion or preference… F If you are convinced that you are able to show others the truth because you understand the gospel… (vv. 19-20) (NLT) 19 You are convinced that you are a guide for the blind and a beacon light for people who are lost in darkness without God. 20 You think you can instruct the ignorant and teach children the ways of God. For you are certain that in God’s law you have complete knowledge and truth.Ø We have light to shine in the darknessØ We know enough to teach others God’s truth(NLT) 21 Well then, if you teach others, why don’t you teach yourself? You tell others not to steal, but do you steal? 22 You say it is wrong to commit adultery, but do you do it? You condemn idolatry, but do you steal from pagan temples? 23 You are so proud of knowing the law, but you dishonor God by breaking it. 24 No wonder the Scriptures say, “The world blasphemes the name of God because of you.”Are we too focused on the needs of others? Are we blind to the log in our own eyes?Why do those outside of the church hate God? – Because He has the temerity to tell them what they can and cannot do!!!Why do they dislike the Church? – Because we are, far too often, so hypocritical – Quick to condemn other’s sins while appearing to take our own so lightly. We often come across as arrogant and condescending.Q: How do your non-Christian friends and neighbors view you? As a humble sinner grateful to God for His abundant mercy and grace? Or as a Pharisee who is quick to pass judgment on the sin which abounds all around us? As a servant of God who loves people? Or as an insecure, self-righteous zealot who is threatened by others disagreeing with us? 2. The value of Baptism (vv. 25-27)(NIV) 25Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised. 26If those who are not circumcised keep the law’s requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised? 27The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker. F Baptism is of value only when accompanied by obedience to God.Baptism is a sign and seal of the covenant of grace.A sign: What is the function of a sign? What does the sign of your baptism point to? Does your life point to the same?A seal: What is the function of a seal?A mark of ownershipThe number “666”Of what value is a mark of ownership if Luke 6:46 – “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?Baptism does not save. It does not guarantee salvation. It does not wash away our sins. Only Christ does those things. The value of baptism is in our connection with HIM! Baptism, when accompanied by obedience, clearly sets us apart as Children of God.Q: What does your life say about who is lord of your life? Does it confirm, by the fruit of the Spirit and the fruit of obedience that you are God’s? OR does your life deny what you? Is there a gap between your profession and your possession?F Knowledge vs. PracticeIs there a gap between your knowledge and your practice?Knowing what is right is not worth much unless we put it into practice. It is all well & good for us to sit in this “ivory tower” singing, praying and studying the Bible. | | However, The one who is not baptized physically and yet lives by God’s standards will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and baptism, are a lawbreaker. (v. 27 NLT) 3. What is a true Christian? (vv. 28-29)(NLT) 28For you are not a true Jew just because you were born of Jewish parents or because you have gone through the Jewish ceremony of circumcision. 29No, a true Jew is one whose heart is right with God. And true circumcision is not a cutting of the body but a change of heart produced by God’s Spirit. Whoever has that kind of change seeks praise from God, not from people. F One whose heart is right with God (v. 29)We know, in our hearts, whether or not we have truly surrendered to God. We are confident that God forgives us when we take our sin seriously, when we are quick to confess it and to turn from it.1 John 3:19-2119It is by our actions that we know we are living in the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before the Lord, 20even if our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.21Dear friends, if our conscience is clear, we can come to God with bold confidence. Rom. 8:1 – (NIV) Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.Our hearts are right with God when we are confident in His forgiveness. We are confident in His forgiveness when we are dealing with our sin, rather than trying to ignore it.F One whose heart has been changed by God’s Spirit (v. 29)What is the evidence that one’s heart has been changed by God’s Spirit? It is a change of attitude towards God. It is an acknowledgement, not merely in word, but in action, not merely in attendance at a church, but in a life of submission to God and desire to know Him better.Q: What does YOUR heart say about God? Is it your heart’s desire to be in His Presence, to serve Him, to worship Him, to know Him? F One who seeks praise from God, not from people (v. 29)This is a good barometer for us. Who is our audience? Whose approval do we seek? When we seek the approval of those around us, we are insecure. We are quick to justify, to rationalize, to leave God out of the equation, so-to-speak. Our confidence, which is up and down all the time, is shaky at best, because we know in our hearts that people are only seeing the tip of the iceberg.When we seek our praise from God, we are quick to humble ourselves before God and before others. We are quick to acknowledge the foolishness of our pride and the danger of our sin. Our confidence is based on God, on His grace and goodness, not ours. We know that He sees us at our worst and still love us and will NOT give up on us.17 If you are a Christian, you are relying on God’s Word for your special relationship with him. You boast that all is well between yourself and God. 18 Yes, you know what he wants; you know right from wrong because you have been taught his Word. 19 You are convinced that you are a guide for the blind and a beacon light for people who are lost in darkness without God. 20 You think you can instruct the ignorant and teach children the ways of God. For you are certain that in God’s Word you have complete knowledge and truth.21 Well then, if you teach others, why don’t you teach yourself? You tell others not to steal, but do you steal? 22 You say it is wrong to commit adultery, but do you do it? You condemn idolatry, but do you steal from pagan temples? 23 You are so proud of knowing God’s Word, but you dishonor God by breaking it. 24 No wonder the Scrip-tures say, “The world blasphemes the name of God because of you.”25 Baptism is worth something only if you obey God’s law. But if you don’t obey God’s law, you are no better off than an unbeliever. 26 And if the nonChristians obey God’s law, won’t God give them all the rights and honors of being his own people? 27 In fact, nonChristians who keep God’s law will be much better off than you Christians who are baptized and know so much about God’s Word but don’t obey it.28 For you are not a true Christian just because you were born of Christian parents or because you have been baptized. 29 No, a true Christian is one whose heart is right with God. And true baptism is not matter of water being applied, but a change of heart produced by God’s Spirit. Whoever has that kind of change seeks praise from God, not from people.A Truth to Remember: God embraces the humble, the sinner, the one who turns from sin to Him. If we will only believe Him and seek His face, He will draw us ever closer to Him.A Challenge to Consider: Does your life point the same way as your baptism did, to ownership by God, to Jesus as your Lord? |